The next morning, Ash and his team departed from Orange City, heading west towards Trovita Island, where Ash planned to challenge the third gym in the Orange Archipelago.
Little Orange Island was vast, and rather than using transportation to reach the City of Trovitopolis, the group decided to travel on foot, resulting in a slower journey.
The path took them through the bustling Yangbeira City, across a scorching desert, and finally to a small town at the desert's western edge. After resting there for a day, they pressed on to the City of Trovitopolis.
In the City of Trovitopolis, Ash's group encountered a peculiar local legend about a monster lurking in the sewers.
After some investigation, the truth emerged—it wasn't a monster but a Bulbasaur, abandoned by the mayor because it couldn't evolve.
The mayor's cruel decision and his harsh personality had driven Bulbasaur into hiding.
When the League was alerted to the situation, they conducted a thorough investigation, not only to address the mayor's treatment of Bulbasaur but also to uncover his clandestine dealings with Team Rocket.
The revelations led to the mayor's arrest, and he was sentenced to at least ten years in prison.
—--
Ash and his group continued their journey, crossing the sea between the islands before finally arriving at Trovita Island.
Located west of Little Orange Island, Trovita Island was surrounded by towering rock pillars. The ocean currents around the island often formed dangerous whirlpools, making it difficult to approach except during the calm hours around 10 a.m.
"This island is more popular than I expected," Ash remarked as the group disembarked from the ferry. The island's small size contrasted with the lively activity in its towns.
"That's probably because Trovita Gym is well-known for its battles," Tracey said, flipping through a travel brochure he had picked up at the harbor.
Trovita Island wasn't a tourist hotspot; its appeal lay in its proximity to Little Orange Island and its thriving Trainer community.
Despite its modest size, the island's bustling streets rivaled those of larger cities, thanks to the influx of Trainers eager to challenge the gym.
—--
Trovita Gym was known for its unique challenge rules, which differed slightly from standard gym battles.
Located near the Yuzu River, the gym sat on the highest point of the island, overlooking the surrounding area.
To qualify for the gym challenge, Trainers had to complete a test on the Yuzu River. This involved boarding a raft and hitting targets that appeared along the river.
The Pokémon used had to destroy each target before the raft passed it, or the attempt would be deemed a failure.
The targets varied in difficulty based on the Pokémon used. For instance, a challenger's Pidgeotto might face sturdier targets requiring multiple strikes to destroy, adding an extra layer of strategy.
The final battle of the gym challenge took place not within the gym itself but on a small rocky island nearby.
The island, once a towering rock, had been flattened to create a regulation battlefield.
—---
After settling into the Pokémon Center and having lunch, Ash and his team headed to the gym.
The entrance was bustling with Trainers waiting to register for the test. Ash joined the line, eventually reaching the counter to sign up.
Once registered, challengers were escorted to the river for their turn on the raft. The test required precision and quick thinking, as the entire course was only 300 meters long, with a strict time limit of one minute.
Each challenger was accompanied only by a gym staff member piloting the raft, leaving Misty and Tracey to watch from the shore.
"It's a very creative test," Tracey observed, sketching the scene on his drawing board.
As Ash waited for his turn, a few spectators recognized him. Excited murmurs spread through the crowd, but the gym staff quickly intervened to maintain order, ensuring the scene didn't descend into chaos.
—--
When it was Ash's turn, he chose Pikachu for the challenge. The staff member piloting his raft gave a countdown.
"Three… two… one—go!"
The raft surged forward, and Ash immediately spotted the first target. "Pikachu, Thunder Shock!" he commanded.
Pikachu responded instantly, striking the target with precision and destroying it.
Throughout the test, Ash and Pikachu worked seamlessly, obliterating every target without missing a single one.
By the time the raft reached the finish line, Ash had cleared the course flawlessly.
The ease with which Ash completed the challenge left onlookers in awe. Many Trainers struggled with the test, often requiring multiple attempts to pass. Yet Ash had treated it as though it were a casual game.
Having passed the test, Ash officially qualified to challenge Trovita Gym.
His effortless performance further solidified his reputation among the trainers gathered on the island, setting the stage for the next battle in his journey through the Orange Archipelago.
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