Rex didn't stay in Mistralton City for long. After confirming the direction of Icirrus City on his map, he hopped on Swellow's back and took off.
However, the enormous size of Swellow—combined with the dominant aura it exuded—immediately drew the attention of many trainers.
Thanks to Gym Leader Skyla, who was based in Mistralton, the city was full of Flying-type enthusiasts. Many aspired to specialize in Flying-types just like her.
So when they saw Rex's Swellow, they were completely captivated by its overwhelming presence and majestic look, quickly whipping out their phones to take pictures and videos.
This level of attention surprised Rex. Even in Hoenn, where he had caused a bit of a stir before, it had never been quite this intense.
Before long, a picture of Rex soaring away on his Swellow made the rounds on Unova's social media—and it even caught Skyla's attention.
A devoted fan of Flying-types, Skyla was immediately intrigued by Swellow's unique appearance. Her extensive knowledge told her that this wasn't a typical Swellow from Hoenn. But after recalling the concept of Totem Pokémon from Alola, she quickly deduced that this Swellow must've undergone some kind of transformation to become a Totem Pokémon.
That realization thrilled her. Most Flying-type Pokémon didn't have particularly strong physiques—they typically relied on speed and aerial agility. But a Flying-type with both agility and raw strength? That was a rare gem.
Unfortunately, Rex had already left Mistralton by the time she saw the post, which left her a little disappointed.
As autumn rolled in and the weather began to cool, Rex could feel the temperature dropping the closer they got to Icirrus City.
Surrounded by snowy mountains, Icirrus had a frigid climate and long winters. When he finally approached the city, Rex started to understand why the All Star Fitness Club was located there.
The constant snow and harsh terrain provided the perfect environment for physical training. For aspiring Fighters, enduring such unforgiving conditions was the ultimate form of tempering the body.
If not for the mysterious tree branch within him continuously generating restorative energy, Rex wouldn't have reached the Fighter tier so quickly.
Interestingly, Icirrus also had its own Gym—the Icirrus Gym. Its Gym Leader, Brycen, was a master of Ice-types and a famous actor to boot. In Unova, he was arguably more well-known for his film roles than for being a Gym Leader.
To avoid attracting too much attention, Rex had Swellow land in a grassy field just outside the city and chose to walk in on foot to look for the All Star Fitness Club.
Though Icirrus was officially a city, its small size made it feel more like a large town. From a high vantage point, one could easily take in the entire landscape.
A few large lakes dotted the surrounding area, with one of them feeding a river that cut through the city itself. On the outskirts stood rows of slow-turning windmills perched on raised ground.
Once inside, Rex noticed how clean and orderly everything was. The streets were lined with quaint two- or three-story buildings, with few skyscrapers in sight. The air was filled with a cozy, lived-in atmosphere.
"Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the All Star Fitness Club?"
Rex approached a fruit vendor after observing his surroundings and politely asked.
"Oh, the All Star? Yeah, just keep walking straight, then take a right. You can't miss it."
"You're here to join the Club, aren't you?"
The middle-aged vendor gave him a knowing look as he pointed the way.
From this uncle, Rex learned that people came from all over to train at the All Star Fitness Club.
The place had become particularly famous thanks to Brycen, the Ice-type Gym Leader-slash-actor, who was known to be one of its top students. Once Brycen's fame exploded, so too did interest in the Club, drawing in countless young hopefuls.
Many of them were inspired by Brycen's martial arts moves in movies and dreamed of gaining such flashy skills themselves.
But the All Star Fitness Club had high standards. Very few applicants were accepted, and even fewer stuck around. The training was notoriously tough, and most quit within days.
Still, for those who persevered, earning a spot at the Club was considered a badge of honor throughout Unova.
When Rex asked about the location, the vendor simply assumed he was one of the many youths hoping to be admitted. After all, he got asked for directions every year—it was nothing new to him.
Rex didn't bother correcting him. After thanking the man, he followed the directions toward the Club.
Before long, he found it: a large, walled complex with an old-fashioned design. At the top of the gate were five large characters that read "All Star Fitness Club," giving the place a strong sense of heritage.
Nearby, not far from the Club, stood the Icirrus Gym. The two were practically neighbors.
Since the Club's front gate was shut, Rex stepped forward and knocked politely.
"Can I help you?"
A young man dressed in a training gi opened the gate, broom still in hand—it looked like he'd been sweeping.
"I'm here to see Rocky. Is he in today?"
Rex figured it was best to mention someone he knew. Rocky was the one he was closest to, after all.
"You call Rocky senpai? I've been at this Club for years and I've never seen you around."
The boy gave Rex a skeptical once-over, clearly not buying his story.
"Wait here. I'll go check."
Though doubtful, he still went to inform Rocky just in case.
"Rex! You're finally here!"
The wait wasn't long. Suddenly the gates flew open, and Rocky burst out in casual clothes, pulling Rex into a bear hug and thumping him on the back.
"Okay, okay, if you hit me any harder, I'll pass out!"
Rex joked, pretending to be weak.
"If I didn't know how strong you were, you might've fooled me," Rocky replied, shaking his head but clearly delighted.
He ushered Rex into the Club.
Inside was a vast training courtyard surrounded by equipment of all kinds. Dozens of students, boys and girls alike, were hard at work alongside their Pokémon.
Most of the Pokémon were Fighting-types, though a few other types could be seen mixed in.
(End of Chapter)