Finally, before night fell, we arrived in Laverre City.
Aoki was holding the clingy Ralts in his arms, with Blaziken following closely beside him.
Upon entering the city, the group attracted considerable attention.
Blaziken's body had recovered much faster than anticipated.
At first, its steps had been unsteady, but now it moved with near-perfect coordination.
Aoki understood Blaziken's determination.
When a Pokémon's body is at its weakest, every subtle change becomes more noticeable.
Experiencing these changes post-evolution allowed Blaziken to adapt to its new form more efficiently.
It had also grown deeply intrigued by Aoki's earlier advice—overcoming brute force with finesse, achieving significant results through minimal effort.
With its strength still returning, this was the ideal time to refine such techniques.
Thus, even within the city, Aoki kept Blaziken out of its Pokéball.
As one of Hoenn's three royal starter Pokémon, Blaziken was a rare and respected sight, even in the Kalos region.
Passersby cast envious glances—ownership of such Pokémon often signaled a Trainer of high standing, frequently tied to the League's inner circles.
Though Aoki's clothes were still dust-streaked from the wilds of Milos Grove, the patrolling Officer Jennies paid him no mind.
In Kalos, it was common for Trainers to roam with their Pokémon, whether battle-ready partners or cherished companions.
Laverre City nestled in the northwest of Kalos, where mountains met the sea in a harmony of forests and waves.
At its heart stood an ancient tree so colossal that the city's Gym had been built within its branches.
Little in the city itself interested Aoki beyond this Gym and its Grass-type specialists.
With Blaziken freshly evolved, a battle here would be an excellent test.
But beyond Laverre's borders lay greater allure.
Azure Bay, stretching past the city's shores, was a maze of shallows and islets, a hotspot for Trainers seeking skirmishes or relaxation.
At its center lay a lone island, home to the fabled Sea God's Cave.
Legends spoke of the three legendary birds—Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres—seen resting within its depths.
Others claimed the cave was blessed by the sea itself, hence its name.
Year after year, hopeful Trainers pilgrimaged there, though sightings of the legendary trio were vanishingly rare.
Still, occasional reports kept the myth alive, drawing endless visitors.
Few knew that one of these revered birds had already been snatched by Team Rocket for auction.
Lost in thought, Aoki reached Laverre's Pokémon Center.
He entrusted his team to Nurse Joy, then settled in the lounge to await their recovery.
As for Pupitar—even if its presence drew notice, Aoki no longer worried.
As a rising star of the Hoenn League, wasn't it expected for him to possess a pseudo-legendary?
Researchers of his caliber often wielded formidable teams; Professor Sycamore himself relied on a Garchomp.
Given Aoki's role in uncovering the Fairy type, a Pupitar hardly seemed excessive.
In terms of raw power, his team was formidable.
His Mismagius and Altaria alone placed her on the cusp of Champion-tier strength.
Slowking, too, teetered at the brink of that elite threshold.
The rest of his Pokémon grew steadily; with the right, they might soon rival Slowking.
Nurse Joy showed no reaction to Aoki's roster.
After scanning his ID—which identified him as Verdanturf Town's Gym Leader and a certified researcher—she prioritized his request without question.
League-affiliated Trainers enjoyed privacy; real-time monitoring of their teams would be excessive.
Within half an hour, Aoki's Pokéballs were returned.
He retired to his room, opting for a full night's rest after five days of nonstop travel.
No training tonight.
His plan was simple: remain in Laverre for a few days, allowing Blaziken to recuperate fully while awaiting the Gym's next challenge window.
With his credentials, he could likely demand an immediate battle—but if the wait was brief, patience suited him.
After a night at the Center, Aoki set out at dawn for the gargantuan tree housing the Gym.
Its scale rivaled the Tree of Life on Neverland, though its aura was less potent.
Still, the air here thrummed with vitality, every breath invigorating.
A life beneath these boughs might stretch longer for both humans and Pokémon.
At the Gym's front desk, he learned the next challenge period was two weeks away.
No matter. Blaziken needed the time.
Exiting, Aoki released Flygon and soared toward the distant Sea God's Cave.
If legends were to be believed, the journey would be worth it.