Chapter 342 · Return to Devon Corporation – Fossil Revival

"Junior brother, your Shroomish was bred exceptionally well."

After the match, Brawly praised Gary's Shroomish.

Although Shroomish is a pure Grass-type, its evolution Breloom gains the Fighting type and is a favorite among Fighting specialists. Breloom's explosive speed and punching power perfectly suit Brawly's close-quarters combat style.

"Nothing special," Gary replied. "I just refused to fight on your terms. If I had, the result might've been different."

Because Brawly excelled at melee combat, Gary had changed tactics; once he fell into Brawly's rhythm, he would certainly lose.

"Don't be so modest. Here's the Knuckle Badge—you've earned it."

Brawly handed over the badge.

"Thanks." Gary accepted it.

[Ding! Mission completed. Rewards sent to Space Backpack.]

"Do your best at the Ever Grande Conference," Brawly said. "Win the whole thing."

"I'll try."

Clearly, Brawly hadn't followed the last two League seasons and didn't realize Gary had already won two Conferences.

Leaving Dewford Gym

"Now we can finally go?" Zinnia asked.

"This afternoon," Gary answered.

"Why not now?" she grumbled.

"No boats are leaving right now, it's almost noon, and there's no food on board. Do you really want to skip lunch?"

"…Fine—this afternoon," Zinnia conceded. A girl from quiet Meteor Village knew how to appreciate a good meal.

While they waited, Gary checked his Space Backpack:

Muscle Band – "Holder's physical attacks deal 20% more damage."

"Nice. Too bad I didn't pull another Mega Stone today—luck just wasn't with me."

Next, he used a Permanent TM to teach Grovyle the move Power-Up Punch.

That afternoon, Gary and Zinnia took a speedboat back toward Rustboro City.

Originally, Gary had planned to follow the standard game route—sail from Dewford straight to Slateport City and then travel north to Mauville City—but Zinnia was eager to resurrect the fossil she had unearthed.

That meant returning to Rustboro, cutting through Rusturf Tunnel to Verdanturf Town, and then proceeding to Mauville.

One week later

After traveling, training, and the occasional detour, they reached Rustboro City again.

Current team levels

Shroomish — Lv. 22Grovyle — Lv. 25Bagon — Lv. 17Lairon — Lv. 36

Shroomish was only one level away from evolving, and Gary was getting impatient—Breloom's extra limb and expanded movepool would be a huge help.

Devon Corporation

"Come on, hurry up!"

The moment they'd checked into the Pokémon Center, Zinnia dragged Gary toward the Devon Building.

Ever since she had dug up the fossil, reviving it was all she could talk about.

To be honest, Anorith isn't especially powerful; even its evolution, Armaldo, is merely average. By comparison, first-generation fossil Pokémon are far stronger. Still, it was Zinnia's find, and Gary was happy to indulge her.

At the lobby, Gary explained their business to security. Since Steven had personally invited him before, the guards called upstairs right away. Moments later, the same female assistant who had guided Gary last time appeared.

"Mr. Gary, I didn't expect we'd meet again so soon," she said.

"Is Mr. Steven in?" Gary asked. They hadn't seen each other since Granite Cave almost half a month ago.

"The young master is still in Dewford Town—out digging, as usual," she replied.

Gary chuckled. In the original game, Ash fails his first Gym challenge before meeting Steven in Granite Cave; apparently Steven was still happily prospecting there. No wonder he'd found so many Mega Stones.

"Steven arranged the fossil restoration?" Gary asked.

"I called to confirm. Devon will revive the fossil free of charge."

The assistant led them to a third-floor laboratory, where a lone researcher—white coat, round glasses, about thirty—waited.

"Professor Doi, the young master asked you to restore a fossil for our guests," the assistant explained.

"It's not for him—it's mine!" Zinnia corrected immediately.

"My apologies," the assistant said, bowing.

Zinnia waved it off and turned her excitement on the researcher. "Professor, can you really bring a fossil back to life?"

"As long as it's intact," Professor Doi replied. "May I see what you found?"

Zinnia produced the rock from her backpack. The professor's eyes lit up; as Devon's lead developer of fossil-revival technology, he clearly loved his work.

"Uncle, Gary says this fossil belongs to an Anorith—is that true?" Zinnia asked eagerly.