"When are you coming back to Saffron City?"
Sabrina's voice came through the phone.
Grey rubbed his brow and did the math.
She didn't rush him. Half a minute later, he answered, "If things go fast, a day or two."
"Okay."
Her cool reply slid into his ear.
Only getting a single word back, Grey followed up: "Why the sudden call? Something up at the dojo?"
"Nothing serious. I heard the inspectors are almost here. If you're not back during this window, I'll let them know in advance."
Sabrina spoke as if it were nothing more than routine.
She closed her eyes, as if sensing something, then added, "It seems we're about to have visitors."
"All right. If I'm not back by then, I'll trouble you to handle it."
Grey offered his thanks.
Beep… beep… beep…
Only the busy tone answered him.
…
Saffron City, in the Fighting Dojo.
"Abi…"
Hitmonchan braced on one arm as it faced the Kadabra in front of it; flame gathered at the tip of its fist.
Kadabra stared back in silence, spoon raised and aimed.
On a sofa in the distance, Sabrina set her phone beside her leg and lifted a cup of tea.
"Miss Sabrina, are you sure this kind of training is fine?"
Bumiao scratched her head, not quite understanding Sabrina's approach.
In her understanding of training, Fighting-types usually improved best in same-type close-quarters bouts.
But here, Sabrina had Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, and Hitmontop sparring with Kadabra every single day.
"It's fine."
Sabrina offered four simple words; Bumiao could only drop it.
…
[Today's check-in location: Seafoam Islands]
Next morning.
Grey woke from sleep and quickly changed into his travel gear.
"Up pretty early, huh?"
Green came back with breakfast, set it on the table, and sat down. "Blaine said he'll head out first. We just need to meet him at the dock."
Two bowls of congee, two youtiao, a few small side dishes—plain fare.
"Well, we're heading for the Seafoam Islands, and after we're done, we still have to swing back to Saffron City."
Grey blew on his congee, downed a few mouthfuls, then stuffed the youtiao in. In under five minutes, breakfast was handled. The two of them headed for the docks to find Blaine.
Cinnabar dock. Because of the weather, not many islanders had gone out to fish lately.
A few boats were scattered along the pier. The S.S. Anne, moored there, stood out like a sore thumb.
"Sigh, I thought we were getting a trip where we could just up and go—and then the S.S. Anne almost got blown up halfway."
"Mee-ow mee-ow." (Yeah, right? I wanted curry, and then the ship was just… gone.)
Green and Riolu sighed one after the other, hands planted on hips, full of regret.
If there hadn't been so much nonsense, they'd probably be in Galar waters by now.
Ah, sea breeze~
And because of Team Rocket, it all went poof!
A nameless fire rose in Green's chest. She almost rolled up her sleeves to go clobber Rocket.
On second thought… forget it.
No point spooking the grass before the snake.
"There's Blaine. Let's go."
Grey spotted the bald old man at a glance—sitting in the speedboat's driver seat and fiddling with the wheel.
As if he'd heard Grey, Blaine turned, pushed up the sunglasses sliding down his nose, and waved with a grin. "Hey! Over here!"
They jogged aboard. Without further ado, Blaine gunned the engine and headed for the Seafoam Islands.
"So, why're you going to the Seafoam Islands, Blaine?"
Green sprawled on a deck chair and called up toward the helm.
It couldn't be to catch Ice types… right?
"I'm scouting a new site for the Gym."
One hand on the wheel, the other stroking his grey-white beard, Blaine laughed heartily after he said it.
"Eh?"
Green blinked and glanced sidelong at Grey. "Don't tell me you wrecked his Gym yesterday. Why'd you hit so hard?"
"???"
Grey stared, blindsided. He pointed to himself and a row of question marks—literally conjured with aura—popped over his head. "Me? Wreck Cinnabar Gym?"
"If it wasn't you, then why's he moving?"
Green's single line left Grey speechless.
How was he supposed to know?
"Hahaha, truth is, I just want to relocate."
Blaine stroked his beard and looked back, lenses flashing. "Believe it or not, in a while, volcanoes all over the world may be affected by… something. The volcano on Cinnabar could well erupt."
"Huh?"
Green's eyes widened; her shoulders jolted.
"What kind of being could affect every volcano on the planet?"
"Don't know. But geologists around the world published a paper not long ago. Better safe than sorry. I have to prepare ahead of time."
Blaine's voice was grave.
If the volcano did erupt, Cinnabar's residents would have to move to the Seafoam Islands.
And as Gym Leader, he had to lay the groundwork early, so they wouldn't be thrown into chaos later.
Long view, tight planning.
Whether as a Gym Leader or as a former researcher, he meant to do it right, with a clear conscience.
"Then I wish you a smooth move, Blaine."
Grey thought back to the game's timeline. If that paper was right, the eruption might hit in a few months.
Plenty of time for Blaine to set the board now.
"I'll take that blessing—but I still hope the volcano doesn't blow."
Blaine accepted with a smile, put his hand back on the wheel, and kept the boat steady.
…
Seafoam Islands, west side.
[Check-in complete. Reward: System Points +100, Great Ball ×1]
The moment they arrived, the system auto-checked them in.
A blue Poké Ball lay quietly in system storage.
Grey glanced at it and let it be.
"We'll hop off here, Blaine."
After their thanks, Grey led Green onto the island.
Aside from the massive mountain itself, all they could see was a bare sweep of beach.
Even without stepping inside, they felt the chill pressing out from the cave—like cool hands brushing over their bodies, making them tense.
"So cold… colder than Cinnabar…"
Green hunched into herself and tugged at her new down jacket.
Good thing she'd listened to Grey last night and bought one in the morning, or she really might have frozen.
"It's an Ice-type paradise. A little frost is normal."
Grey rubbed his chin and peered into the cavern.
Everywhere his eyes went was ice-blue.
Several icicles stood at the mouth like pillars, the cold biting hard…
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