Inside the training room, Metang and Skiploom hovered at the edge, eyes full of anticipation as they watched the center of the field.
Marowak stood in the middle of the training grounds with its eyes closed. Surrounding it were twelve training targets positioned like the numbers on a clock.
"One o'clock!"
Haruki's voice rang out, and Marowak moved.
It casually tossed its Thick Club, hitting the one o'clock target dead on.
Smack!
Target #1 was struck down, and the spinning club boomeranged back to Marowak.
"Three o'clock, six o'clock…"
Without hesitation, Marowak hurled the Thick Club again.
Smack~ Smack~
Two crisp impacts echoed as targets #3 and #6 were both struck cleanly.
Dead center!
But it wasn't over yet. Haruki called out again.
"Eight, twelve, four…"
This time, Marowak paused slightly before flinging the club at a tricky angle.
The club spun in the air, first hitting the #12 target directly ahead, then swerved left to strike #8, and curved back around Marowak to nail #4.
From above, the club traced a massive "6" in the air before returning to Marowak's hand.
Then, following Haruki's cues, Marowak proceeded to knock down every remaining target, no errors in order or position.
When the final #9 target fell, Metang and Skiploom cheered from the sidelines.
Even with its eyes closed, Marowak could now hit exactly where it aimed. Its spatial awareness and sense of direction were locked in.
Once it opened its eyes during battle, its Bonemerang would be even more precise.
This was one of the fruits of Marowak's month-long training.
Of course, Marowak wasn't the only one who made progress this past month, Metang and Skiploom had each grown as well.
Leaving the training room, Haruki returned to his room to pack.
Though he'd stayed in Floaroma Town for a full month, all of it had been spent training. He hadn't properly explored the most beautiful town in Sinnoh.
With one day left before departure, Haruki planned to take Marowak and Skiploom out to relax.
One trainer and two Pokémon strolled leisurely through the streets of Floaroma Town. Of every ten passersby, at least four pairs were couples… hugging and being disgustingly sweet.
Haruki glanced at Marowak, then at Skiploom.
He thought, 'Wouldn't it be nice to have a Gardevoir?'
"…"
Shaking the thought from his head, Haruki turned to look at the Honey specialty store.
After staying here a month, he'd gradually learned that no flower farmers in Floaroma sold Honey privately. It was to prevent price manipulation and unnecessary competition.
Floaroma Town's Honey was world-famous and sold itself, so the system of centralized management benefited everyone. The farmers earned more and worried less.
So if Haruki wanted to buy Floaroma Honey, the specialty store was his only option.
Half an hour later, Haruki walked out of the shop in pain.
50 pounds of high-quality Honey… 30,000 Pokédollars. It was much more expensive than the stuff in Solaceon Town, but Skiploom said it tasted better, so it was worth it.
In addition, Haruki bought 5 pounds of premium-grade Honey. Just those 5 pounds cost another 30,000 Pokédollars.
Unlike high-quality, premium-grade Honey could restore both a Pokémon's stamina and cure status conditions, comparable to expensive Full Restores.
The key difference? Full Restores weren't always available, but premium-grade Honey could be bought; just with a five-pound limit.
By noon, Haruki finished his walk and left Floaroma Town, heading north again.
Marowak and Skiploom continued to accompany him. It wasn't until they reached an uninhabited area that Haruki released Metang.
"Let's go~ Next stop: Eterna Forest!"
"Meta!"
---
Three days later, Haruki finally crossed the endless flower field and began to see shrubs and trees.
He jumped down from Metang's back and casually stuffed the cushion back into his backpack.
Skiploom's tiny eyes flicked sideways, and it quietly sprawled across Metang's back. Metang gave it a glance and didn't bother to react.
"You sure know how to ride."
Haruki chuckled and gave Skiploom a little pinch before stepping into Eterna Forest.
Bug-, Grass-, and Flying-types were always the most common Pokémon in forests.
As the largest and most lush forest in Sinnoh, Eterna Forest was home to an enormous number and variety of Pokémon.
Not even half an hour in, Haruki encountered two rare Tropius.
Tropius: Grass and Flying-type Pokémon capable of growing banana-like fruit on their own bodies.
Unfortunately, they flew too high. Metang couldn't catch up even with Tailwind stacked on.
Otherwise, catching one as a temporary mount would've been much more comfortable than his rigid Metang…
Just as Haruki was fantasizing about it, the smaller Tropius suddenly let out a shrill cry in midair and plummeted toward the forest below.
Startled, Haruki instinctively scanned the area.
"Metang, return for now. Marowak!"
He swapped the Pokémon by his side and gave Skiploom a subtle glance.
Skiploom instantly understood and floated into the dense branches to hide.
"Marowak, stay alert and come with me."
"Maro~"
One Trainer and one Pokémon cautiously advanced toward where the Tropius had fallen.
Soon, they heard chaotic movement ahead.
Moving closer, they hid behind some bushes and saw the scene clearly.
Three burly men in field combat uniforms were swinging around their Pokémon and dragging a massive net.
Inside the net, the two Tropius that had been soaring moments ago were now crying out in pain.
Haruki looked closely… both Tropius had visible blast wounds on their bellies.
Given the method of capture, it was obvious who these men were.
Pokémon Hunters!
Haruki then looked at the Pokémon the men had sent out.
One was a Veteran level Drapion.
Another was a Mid Veteran Ariados.
The last was a Mid Veteran Skuntank.
All of them Poison-types, and none of them easy to deal with.
Haruki stayed hidden in the bush. He had no intention of charging in to save the Tropius.
The three hunters were clearly experienced. They moved with practiced coordination, forming a triangular formation and keeping vigilant watch on their surroundings.
Charging in recklessly would only give them a lucky payday.
"Marowak, we're pulling out."
Haruki had no interest in stirring up trouble. He patted Marowak and slowly backed away.
Marowak was level-headed enough to silently retreat with him.
But in the next instant, a Claydol suddenly warped into view right beside Haruki, and without a word, it fired a Psybeam!
"MAROWAK!"
Haruki shouted as Marowak instinctively raised its Thick Club to block.
The Psybeam struck the weapon and sent Marowak flying backward.
Haruki dodged sideways to avoid dragging Marowak down with him.
"Hehehe… where'd this little brat come from? Your face is smoother than a girl's!"