The days of training passed quietly in a fulfilling rhythm, and nearly a month seemed to slip by in the blink of an eye. Even the winds of the Steel Gorge now carried a faint hint of parting.
Theo looked at Steelix in front of him, along with the group of subordinates gathered around, their eyes filled with reluctance to see him go. A trace of melancholy rose in his heart.
"Thank you all so much for this time."
Theo waved at Steelix, his voice full of sincerity.
Metang, Tyrantrum, Larvesta, and Milotic also stepped forward one after another, bidding farewell to their friends in the gorge in their own ways.
After saying goodbye to Steelix and its group, Theo set off with his Pokémon toward Fallarbor Town.
As they passed through the jagged rocks of the Steel Gorge, the scenery gradually began to change. The exposed stone was replaced by lush greenery. Although the leaves of the trees were lightly coated with volcanic ash, it could not conceal the vibrant life thriving beneath.
Occasionally, small Pokémon could be seen darting through the grass by the roadside, while flocks of Taillow and other bird Pokémon flew across the distant sky. Everything carried a lively atmosphere completely different from the gorge.
By the time evening approached, the golden glow of the setting sun covered the land. Bathed in this warm light, Theo finally arrived at Fallarbor Town.
From a distance, the town's architectural style appeared quite unique. It was situated in a wide basin, surrounded by several beautiful lakes whose waters shimmered under the sunset.
The elevated roadway mentioned earlier by the ranger stretched across one of the lakes like a silver ribbon, connecting Spinda Forest to Fallarbor Town. Its design was delicate and refined, and as vehicles passed along it, their reflections created moving patches of light on the water's surface.
Most of the buildings in town had bright orange rooftops, somewhat similar to those in Lavaridge Town near Mt. Chimney. In this environment filled with volcanic ash, the colors stood out vividly, forming a harmonious contrast like a carefully composed oil painting.
As Theo walked, he observed the town around him.
Although it was called a town, its scale was by no means small. Wide streets were lined with shops, and people came and went in a steady stream. Calling it Fallarbor City would not be an exaggeration.
There was no Gym here, but there were Contest Halls and battle facilities to meet the needs of traveling trainers. The Contest Hall, in particular, was especially grand. Its white dome shimmered faintly in the sunset, and its size was no smaller than the one in Rustboro City.
"No wonder it's so lively," Theo thought as he watched the bustling streets filled with trainers and tourists.
He had read on forums before that the Contest in Fallarbor Town had a relatively high entry requirement. Participants generally needed to possess at least one ribbon to compete.
In addition, its proximity to the mysterious Meteor Falls naturally attracted many visitors.
What made the town even more special was its fame for frequent meteorite falls. Tourists who were lucky enough could easily witness small meteors streaking down from the sky. Many shops in town even sold souvenirs made from meteorites.
There was also a space center in town, which was actually Professor Cozmo's research laboratory. It served not only as an excellent location for observing meteors but also as an important site for meteorite research.
From afar, the white building, covered with astronomical telescopes, exuded a sense of advanced technology, standing out among the many orange roofed structures.
Because the Contest was approaching, nearly all the hotels in town were fully booked.
Fortunately, Theo had reserved a room well in advance. Otherwise, he might have had to camp outdoors again.
He quickly made his way to a tall hotel in the center of town, its glass exterior reflecting the glow of the setting sun.
After completing the check in process, he took his room card and went up to the twenty first floor.
The moment he opened the door, the view by the window instantly caught his breath.
Through the clean glass, he could clearly see the lakes surrounding the town. The sunset cast shimmering light across the water, making it sparkle like scattered diamonds.
In the distance, the elevated roadway was lit by a continuous stream of headlights, forming a flowing ribbon of light. The sight was breathtaking.
"I will take Milotic and the others out for some food later, then get a good rest tonight. Tomorrow I can explore the town at a relaxed pace."
Theo stretched, the fatigue from his journey easing considerably in the presence of such a beautiful view.
Metang and Larvesta, emerging from their Poké Balls, mimicked him by leaning against the window, curiously observing the scenery outside, their eyes filled with wonder.
Early the next morning, Theo went to the hotel restaurant for breakfast.
The place was lively, with many trainers gathered around tables, discussing the upcoming Contest.
Just as Theo sat by the window and ordered a sandwich and a glass of hot milk, a familiar voice called out.
"Theo? Is that really you?"
Looking up, he saw an elegant and gentle woman standing nearby, a pleasant surprise written across her face.
It was Grace, whom he had met during his first Contest appearance. (See chapter 34)
This coordinator, who used Medicham, had left a deep impression on Theo. Her Medicham had combined Ice Punch and Fire Punch with Psychic to create a vivid lotus made of fire and ice, demonstrating incredibly delicate control over its moves.
Grace greeted him with a bright smile.
Theo remembered that when he first met her, she had been wearing a purple dress that made her resemble a blooming violet. Today, she wore a light blue dress embroidered with delicate white patterns along the hem, making her appear even more graceful, her smile especially gentle.
She truly had the aura of an elegant noble lady.
"Miss Grace, long time no see."
Theo stood up with a smile.
"I didn't expect you to be here for this competition as well."
Grace sat down across from him, ordering a fruit salad, a hint of admiration flickering in her eyes.
"Of course I came. The Contest in Fallarbor Town carries a lot of weight. I saw your performance in Mauville City, when your Feebas evolved into Milotic. It was absolutely stunning, and I still cannot forget it.
Later, could you let Milotic out so I can take a closer look?"
"No problem," Theo agreed readily.
"I was planning to explore the town anyway. I heard the scenery by the lake is beautiful. Would you like to take a walk together?"
He smiled as he invited Grace, this elegant lady, to join him.
After finishing breakfast, the two of them left the hotel together and headed toward the lakeside.
Along the way, Grace began talking about the Fallarbor Contest.
"This competition is a bit different from the ones you participated in before. It requires two Pokémon to perform together. Do you have any experience with that?"
Theo shook his head.
"It's my first time trying it. I am still figuring things out."
"Then you need to be careful," Grace said seriously.
"The coordination between two Pokémon's moves is extremely important. If their synergy is lacking, it is very easy to make mistakes."
(End of Chapter)