Chapter 35: Autumn Leaf Town and the Grand Contest

The next day, the snow grew even heavier.

The streets were completely blanketed by thick layers of snow.

Unable to go outside, Hu Yang could only stay indoors with his Pokémon, gathered around a small stove, drinking tea and admiring the snowfall.

Due to the upcoming Grand Contest to be held in Autumn Leaf Town a week later, many Coordinator trainers had been arriving over the past two days.

Coordinators carrying a Pokédex could stay at the Pokémon Center, while those without one had to find lodging at the town's inns.

By evening, after two days of idleness, Hu Yang felt he needed to stretch his legs.

Taking advantage of the snow easing from heavy to light, he brought Roselia and Decidueye to the inn’s backyard to build snowmen.

Gengar floated in the snow, eager to play, but unable to touch anything.

Hu Yang sculpted a plump Gengar and said, "Look, doesn't it resemble you?"

Gengar looked down, then approached to compare, protesting, "I'm not that fat! It must be your eyesight!"

Hu Yang beckoned to it, saying, "Come stand here."

Gengar, puzzled but obliging, floated over. "What for?"

Its position overlapped perfectly with the snowman, but its limbs and body clearly extended beyond the snowman's form.

Hu Yang struggled to suppress his laughter.

Gengar was confused at first, then glanced down, suddenly realizing and nearly steaming with indignation. "I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Hu Yang asked, "Not talking to whom?"

"You!" Gengar blurted out.

Hu Yang replied, "So who are you speaking to now?"

"You—" Gengar turned away, crossing its arms and refusing to look at Hu Yang. "You’re not allowed to speak!"

Hu Yang nodded, still holding back laughter. "Alright, alright, I won’t say another word."

Gengar gave a huff, floated away from the snow Gengar, and gloomily began tracing circles on the ground.

True to his word, Hu Yang remained silent.

After a long while without hearing a sound, Gengar couldn’t help but glance back.

It saw a “tall, handsome, and cool” snow Gengar rising up.

Hu Yang waved to it, "Come here! That plump Gengar was the one from the manor; this one is truly you."

Gengar muttered under its breath, "I'm not a fool; this one isn’t me either." It at least knew itself well.

Hu Yang said, "Fine, come stand here and don’t move. I’ll sculpt one based on your outline."

Only then did Gengar return, standing on the ground and watching as Hu Yang filled its shape with white snow.

This scene caught the attention of other trainers staying at the inn.

Soon, several brought their Pokémon to join in the snowy fun.

...

On the third day, the snowstorm that had lasted two days finally ceased.

Taking advantage of the slight rise in temperature, Hu Yang set out with his Pokémon to attend to proper business.

Autumn Leaf Town lies in the northwest of the Hoenn continent, renowned as an agricultural settlement.

Because of this, its architectural style is unlike the skyscraper-filled Kanaz City, instead favoring a distinctive pastoral charm.

The town is small; from the street one can easily see the neatly tiered farmlands stretching across the distant fields.

In the game, several important locations exist here.

For example, the Fossil Maniac’s house, where one obsessed with rocks much like Steven resides; Professor Solans’ home, a researcher of meteorites; and the Grand Contest venue.

Brief flashes of these plot points crossed Hu Yang’s mind, but none were presently relevant to him.

His purpose today was to find out the name of Professor Oak’s grandson.

As for Ho-Oh’s feather, since Hoenn has its own native legendary Pokémon and may not know its worth, Hu Yang didn’t plan to sell it here.

Yet after searching for quite some time, he couldn’t find a single internet café in Autumn Leaf Town.

“I remember Kanaz City has an internet café…” With no other option, Hu Yang headed to the bookshop to see if biographies were available.

The shop owner, a mature woman in an apron, saw Hu Yang wandering aimlessly and couldn’t help but ask, “Hello, could you tell me what kind of book you’re looking for?”

Hu Yang replied, “Do you have any books related to Professor Oak?”

“Professor Oak from the Kanto region?” The woman paused in surprise.

Hu Yang smiled, “Yes, that’s right.”

“Let me check—” she said, walking to the shelves and searching for a while. She picked up two books and said, “Sorry, there are none about Professor Oak, but I do have some about Professor Birch.”

Professor Birch… In Hu Yang’s mind, the image of him being chased by Zigzagoon in the game appeared.

After considering, he nodded, “That’ll do.”

Five minutes later, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The biography stated that Professor Birch had neither a daughter named Sapphire nor a son named Ruby.

And May, as in the anime, was the daughter of Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader.

This meant the world’s setting leaned toward the anime, not the dangerous game or manga versions.

Hu Yang was completely reassured, casually tossing Professor Birch’s biography into his backpack, planning to use it as a desk prop once back at school.

After all, he was currently so poor that nothing could go to waste.

If this world follows the anime’s setting, it means he has a good chance of encountering Ash, Jessie, Meowth, James, Misty, and possibly even a certain master of the Poké Ball.

However, at this point in time, Ash probably hasn’t begun his journey yet.

Hu Yang recalled the earliest episodes, but the passage of years had blurred some memories.

Still, he remembered the key moments: Ash’s abandoned Charmander, the giant Dragonite at Bill’s lighthouse, the three super-ancient Pokémon, and so on.

Leaving the bookstore, Hu Yang headed for the Grand Contest venue.

Outside, a large electronic screen displayed highlights from previous contests.

The Grand Contest differs from the official League tournaments.

League tournaments focus on commanding Pokémon to defeat opponents, but the Grand Contest aims to showcase a Pokémon’s charm through battle.

Official Grand Contests typically have two stages.

First is the appearance review.

Coordinators must let their Pokémon perform dazzling moves, then judges give scores. The highest scorers advance to the next round.

The second stage is the crucial Contest Battle.

Two Coordinators must battle while maintaining beauty and elegance.

Each match lasts five minutes, with points displayed on a large screen, resembling health bars in fighting games.

When a Pokémon is attacked, misses a move, or the opponent’s Pokémon displays especially dazzling moves, points are lost.

If one side’s Pokémon can no longer fight, the battle ends.

If time runs out, the side with more points wins.

“Roriri…”

Roselia, by Hu Yang’s side, gazed at the Milotic performing on stage with longing and admiration.

Hu Yang paused, then asked, “Do you want to participate as well?”

“Roriri?” (Is it possible?) Roselia’s face was full of anticipation.

“Of course!” he replied.

Although he had come seeking battle, since Roselia wished to join the Grand Contest, he was happy to accompany it and give it a try.