Ren receives a response from Steven, the Champion of the Hoenn region, in which he expresses his apologies for the lack of communication. He explains that he has been preoccupied with various challenges and crises occurring in Hoenn that have demanded his attention.
Steven acknowledges Ren's commitment and bravery in her mission to defeat Team Rocket and maintain diplomatic relations between Kanto and Hoenn. He assures her that her efforts have not gone unnoticed and that the Hoenn region stands in solidarity with her cause.
He shares his admiration for Ren's strength and determination, highlighting the courage she has displayed in facing off against Team Rocket. Steven expresses his trust in her abilities as a trainer and assures her that she has the support of the Hoenn government and the Pokémon League.
Steven concludes his message by encouraging Ren to stay vigilant and focused on her mission. He promises to do his part in assisting her from the Hoenn region and offers any resources or aid that she may require. He reiterates his belief in her and her companions and expresses confidence in their ability to bring down Team Rocket.
Ren, reading Steven's message, feels a renewed sense of determination and reassurance. She realizes that she is not alone in her fight against Team Rocket and that she has the support and backing of the Hoenn region, including the influential figure of Steven himself.
With her spirits lifted and a sense of renewed purpose, Ren continues her journey alongside Mayu, Raiden, and now Azura, knowing that she carries the hopes of both Kanto and Hoenn in her quest to eradicate Team Rocket and ensure a safe and prosperous future for all Pokémon trainers.
She awakens in the dimly lit room after reading the message, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. As she glances around, she notices that Raiden, who had been resting nearby, is visibly troubled. Concerned, she moves closer to him and gently places a hand on his shoulder.
"Raiden, are you okay?" she asks, her voice filled with genuine concern. "You seem troubled. Is something bothering you?"
Raiden turns to look at Ren, his expression a mixture of confusion and distress. He takes a deep breath before finally speaking, his voice filled with a hint of unease. "I can't shake off what Ariana said earlier. About me having ties to Team Rocket that I don't even know about. It's been bothering me ever since."
As the conversation between Ren and Raiden unfolds, Mayu silently listens from a hidden corner of the room, her eyes narrowed with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. The mention of Raiden's troubled state and Ariana's words about his alleged ties to Team Rocket pique her interest. Feeling a surge of unease, she decides to confront Raiden, seeking answers to the lingering doubts in her mind.
Emerging from the shadows, Mayu approaches Raiden with a determined look on her face. In her hand, she tightly grips the needle she retrieved earlier, ready to make her point. As she confronts him, her voice carries a hint of accusation.
"Raiden, what's going on? Why would Ariana say such things about you? Are you hiding something?" Mayu's voice quivers with a mix of anger and concern.
Raiden, caught off guard by Mayu's sudden aggression, instinctively takes a step back. He raises his sword, holding it firmly but not intending to use it as a weapon against her. His eyes reflect a mix of surprise and defense.
"Mayu, calm down," he responds, trying to defuse the tension in the air. "Ariana's words may have planted doubts, but I assure you, I am not connected to Team Rocket in any way. I've been fighting against them alongside you. We're on the same side."
Mayu's gaze narrows further, her grip on the needle tightening. "Prove it," she challenges, her voice laced with suspicion. "If you truly have nothing to hide, then show me. Show me that you're not deceiving us."
Raiden takes a deep breath, realizing the seriousness of the situation. He understands that Mayu's trust in him has been shaken, and it's his responsibility to regain it. Lowering his sword slowly, he meets her gaze with a determined yet sincere expression.
"Mayu, I won't deny that Ariana's words have affected me, but I swear to you, I am not hiding anything. If you want the truth, then let's find it together. Let's expose Team Rocket's true intentions and clear any doubts you have about me."
Mayu's eyes flicker with a mix of uncertainty and defiance. She assesses Raiden's words, searching for sincerity and truth. After a moment of tense silence, she slowly lowers her needle, her expression softening slightly.
"Fine," she concedes, her voice tinged with a hint of doubt. "But remember, Raiden, I'll be watching you closely. One wrong move, and I won't hesitate to take action."
Raiden nods, understanding the weight of her words. He knows that rebuilding trust takes time and consistent actions. With a renewed determination, he vows to prove his loyalty and uncover the truth behind Ariana's claims.
As the three of them stood before the entrance of the Cycling Road, a mischievous glint sparked in their eyes. It was time to embark on a whimsical adventure through the winding path, but first, they needed to settle the matter of the bicycles.
Raiden pointed towards the two available bicycles, each with their distinct colors and designs. "I call the blue one!" he declared with a mischievous grin.
Mayu, not one to back down, crossed her arms and retorted, "No way! The blue one suits me better. I should ride it."
Ren, ever the peacemaker, stepped in and suggested, "Why don't we ride together on one bicycle? It will be a fun experience."
Mayu and Raiden exchanged skeptical glances, unsure of how this would work. However, they reluctantly agreed, realizing it was the only way to proceed. Raiden hopped onto the bicycle, taking the front seat, while Mayu carefully positioned herself on the back, with Ren piggybacking on her.
With an awkward start, the trio began their journey along the Cycling Road. Mayu and Ren struggled to maintain balance as Raiden pedaled enthusiastically, causing the bicycle to sway from side to side. Laughter filled the air as they swerved and wobbled along the winding path, drawing curious looks from other trainers.
Just as they were getting the hang of riding together, a familiar voice called out from behind. "Hey, guys! Fancy meeting you here!" It was Sayuri, accompanied by Azura, both of whom had just arrived in Celadon City.
Sayuri burst into giggles upon seeing their unconventional bicycle arrangement. "You guys are a sight to behold. I can't believe you're riding like that!"
Azura joined in the laughter, unable to contain himself. "You know, I've heard of tandem bicycles, but this takes teamwork to a whole new level!"
Amidst the laughter and teasing, Mayu couldn't help but join in. The absurdity of the situation melted away her tension, and she found herself genuinely enjoying the company of her friends. It was a moment of pure camaraderie, where the worries and troubles of their journey were momentarily forgotten.
With smiles on their faces, the group decided to continue their adventure together. Raiden, Mayu, Ren, Sayuri, and Azura pedaled along the Cycling Road, their laughter echoing through the air. As they rode side by side, they knew that no matter the challenges they faced, they had each other to lean on, bringing joy and laughter to even the most absurd situations.
As the group settled down in the cozy Pokémon Center of Celadon, Sayuri excitedly turned to Ren and introduced herself. "Hi, I'm Sayuri! It's great to meet you, Ren. Oh, and guess what? I actually met Azura during my battle against Sabrina!"
Ren's eyes widened with curiosity, and she leaned in closer, eager to hear the story. Mayu and Raiden exchanged surprised glances, realizing that Sayuri and Azura had already overcome the challenge they were about to face.
Sayuri, her eyes sparkling with excitement, recounted her previous encounter with Sabrina. "Oh, Sabrina... She's incredibly strong. I battled her not once, not twice, but more than 15 times! I just couldn't seem to figure out the right strategy to defeat her psychic Pokémon.But that's where Azura came in. He happened to be in Saffron City at the time, and when he saw how discouraged I was, he offered his support."
Azura, who had been quietly listening, smiled and chimed in, "Sayuri was determined to overcome her loss, so we trained together and developed a new strategy. We focused on building a team that could counter Sabrina's psychic Pokémon effectively."
As the friendly atmosphere buzzed with excitement in the Pokémon Center, Raiden turned to Azura with a mischievous grin. "Hey, Azura, how about a quick battle? Let's test our skills!"
Azura, always up for a challenge, accepted with a nod. "Sure thing, Raiden. Let's see how much we've grown since we last battled."
The two trainers moved to a nearby training area, ready to showcase their Pokémon's strength. Raiden chose his trusty Charmeleon, while Azura surprised everyone by selecting his newly evolved Pidgeot. Mayu, Ren, and Sayuri gathered around, eager to witness the battle unfold.
The battle began, with Charmeleon and Pidgeot facing off. The air crackled with anticipation as the two Pokémon locked eyes. Raiden's Charmeleon, fueled by the excitement of the moment, suddenly began to glow with a brilliant light.
Gasps filled the air as Charmeleon rapidly grew in size, its form shifting and transforming. In a matter of seconds, the fiery lizard Pokémon had evolved into a majestic Charizard, its wings spread wide, ready to take flight.
Mayu, Ren, and Sayuri watched in awe as the newly evolved Charizard flexed its powerful wings. Raiden couldn't hide his surprise and joy, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Charizard, you did it! You've become even stronger!"
Azura, undeterred by the sudden evolution, smiled confidently. "Impressive, Raiden! But let's see if my Pidgeot can keep up with your Charizard's power."
The battle continued, with Charizard's fiery breath clashing against Pidgeot's powerful gusts of wind. The sky above seemed to ignite with their intense duel. Both trainers strategized and commanded their Pokémon with precision, unleashing their signature moves.
Finally, after a fierce exchange of attacks, the battle reached its climax. Charizard's powerful Flamethrower met Pidgeot's Air Slash in a dazzling clash. The impact sent a burst of energy cascading through the battlefield.
As the smoke cleared, both trainers stood, catching their breath. Raiden, with a proud smile on his face, extended his hand to Azura. "That was an amazing battle, Azura. Your Pidgeot is incredible!"
Azura shook Raiden's hand, a grin spreading across his face. "Likewise, Raiden. Your Charizard is truly impressive. We've both come a long way as trainers."
"So, I guess the two of you are of to Cinnabar now?",Ren asks them to which they nod and say that it's a long road so they thought they'd rest up.They wish Mayu and Raiden and luck for their battle against Sabrina.