"Make way—Officer Jenny's here. She can back me up," Lena's voice rang out, sharp with confidence.
Heads turned. The trainers parted instinctively as Jenny strode into the park, her Growlithe trotting at her side and Takashi—the Rocket grunt with the crew cut—cuffed and scowling in tow. The black uniform, with its stark red "R," drew more than a few sharp intakes of breath.
"You can't be serious," Hao muttered.
Lena's eyes narrowed. "It's true."
Jenny guided Takashi through the gathered crowd until she stopped in front of Ethan Carter. Her eyes were cool, professional. "Ethan, I want to confirm something with you."
"Go ahead," Ethan said politely.
"When I brought this man back to the station, I questioned him about your fight. He claims your Charmeleon first defeated a Houndoom and evolved mid-battle, then took down an Arbok, and finally—this is the part I have trouble believing—used Sunny Day to boost its firepower and, with the sun's strength, felled a mid-level Team Rocket Golbat in just two moves. Is that true?"
The crowd erupted. Lena had never mentioned Sunny Day before. If it was true—and Charmeleon also had Solar Power—it was unheard of.
"Yes," Ethan said evenly. "He's not wrong."
Jenny's pupils narrowed. She had expected him to deny it. "Then can you have Charmeleon use Sunny Day now?"
Before Ethan could speak, Charmeleon stepped forward, tail flame flaring. His eyes all but shouted Let me show them.
Ethan smiled faintly at his eagerness. "Sunny Day, Charmeleon."
"Rua!"
He threw back his head and roared. The overcast sky shifted in seconds, clouds shredding apart to reveal a glaring sun that poured golden heat over the park. The temperature spiked; the shadows sharpened.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"This… it's actually true," Jenny murmured, glancing down at the Shiny now standing with smug pride practically radiating off him.
A few minutes later, Jenny departed with Takashi. As soon as she was gone, Lena crossed her arms and swept her gaze across the trainers.
"Well? What now? You had an officer confirm it in person and saw it with your own eyes. Was I lying?"
"Rua," Charmeleon echoed smugly.
No one spoke. Eyes shifted downward; a few cheeks flushed.
Ethan let the silence hang for a beat before breaking it. "I'm opening a Gym."
The effect was immediate—every head snapped toward him.
"You're joking," Lena said, blinking.
"I'm not," Ethan replied, shrugging lightly. "Not for the fame, not for the title. I want to raise the overall strength of Lavender Town's trainers. I just need to know if you trust my skills enough to train under me."
Jenny's confirmation still lingered in their minds. They'd seen his coaching firsthand—people paid 2,000 Poké Dollars for a single session, and that was before Charmeleon's Sunny Day demonstration.
But joining a Gym here would mean accepting Ethan as their superior. That was harder to swallow.
After a pause, Hao spoke. "What's the cost?"
"Ten thousand Poké Dollars a month," Ethan said. "In that time, you can ask me anything about Pokémon training, and I'll share everything I know."
The number drew a ripple of murmurs. Ethan raised a hand.
"But for those of you here today—those who answered my call on Route 8—the fee's only five thousand. And if one day you defeat me, I'll return all your tuition. I can't give official badges yet, but I can honor my word."
Hao grinned. "In that case, I'm in. Five thousand a month is a steal compared to what I've been paying. Reputation's just noise."
Ethan's mouth twitched. Hao sounded like a paid plant, though he hadn't asked for one.
To his surprise, the hesitation broke.
"I'll join too."
"Where's the Gym going to be?"
"Do we pay now?"
The flood of interest left Ethan momentarily still, then smiling. Jenny's timely visit had done more than clear his name—it had cemented his strength in their eyes.
"The location's not set yet, but pay today and your training starts immediately."
Phone in hand, he collected registrations while fielding questions for nearly two hours. When the last transfer pinged in, he was flushed from the heat but already thinking ahead.
That evening, he turned back to Charmeleon's training. Level 23 now, skill proficiency peaking at 42%. Once they maxed it, they'd head to Pewter City for their first Gym badge. And badges meant not only credibility for his own Gym but the first step toward the League—and eventually, the Champion's title.
Ten days later
A white truck idled outside the Pokémon House. Mr. Fuji stood by the gate, hands folded over his cane.
"Ethan, when you reach Pewter City, find Nurse Joy at the local Center. She'll have Pokémon in need of rescue. Bring them back here."
Ethan nodded. "Got it, Grandpa Fuji. I'll make sure they're safe."
The task had been arranged yesterday when Fuji learned Ethan planned to challenge Pewter's Gym. On the return trip, he'd escort three abandoned Pokémon back to Lavender.
"Then we'll get going," Ethan said, climbing into the passenger seat. The driver was another House volunteer.
Fuji waved. "Safe travels."
The truck pulled away, gravel crunching under its tires. Behind it, the tarp covering the cargo bed stirred. Fuji blinked. For a moment, he thought he saw something twitch—like a pair of long, floppy ears.
He rubbed his eyes. Gone.
"I'm getting old," he muttered, turning back toward the House.
Inside, his granddaughter met him at the door. "Grandpa, have you seen Munchlax? He vanished after breakfast."
Fuji smiled faintly. "He's probably found another place to nap. He'll be back by dinner."