Pokemon: The Gameboy Effect-Chapter 240: Gym

"Professor, do you have any Pokemon that can use Mega Punch and Body Slam?" John called his mentor, Saul Badman.

The skill training center at Riverstone University didn't offer those moves, so he had to look elsewhere.

"What Pokemon are you training?" Saul asked.

"Vigoroth. I'm laying the groundwork before it evolves into Slaking," John explained.

"Slaking, huh... I'll recommend someone to you. He specializes in Normal-type Pokemon, and I believe there's a breeder who has experience with Slaking." Saul hung up and sent John a contact card via text.

The card displayed an old man in white sitting cross-legged on the ground, a large character for "Tranquility" on the wall behind him. The name attached was "Heart Ape."

John recalled the last time Saul recommended someone to him—it had been a seasoned Elite Four trainer. Could this guy be one too?

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Probably not. Draconia didn't have a Normal-type Elite, and he hadn't heard of any famous Slaking trainers.

Still, if Saul vouched for him, he must be someone worth meeting.

John quickly added him as a contact and sent a message.

John: Hello, Master. Are you there?

Since the profile picture matched the man on the card, calling him "Master" felt appropriate.

Heart Ape: Are you Lil Saul's student, John?

John froze. Lil Saul?

Saul Badman was one of the top professors at Riverstone University, a strict and highly respected figure. But this guy was calling him Lil Saul like some old friend.

What kind of person was this?

John quickly corrected himself. "Yes, sir. I'm John, one of Professor Saul Badman's students."

Heart Ape: Good. Come see me before 1 PM. If you're late...

Heart Ape: I'll be asleep.

He followed up with an address.

John glanced at the clock—10 AM. Three hours to go. Plenty of time.

He recalled his Pokemon and got ready to leave. Just as he was about to head out, Saul called again.

"Swing by my office first. I've got something for you to bring."

When John arrived at the professor's office, Saul handed him a small ceramic wine jar.

"Give this to him. Consider it his fee."

John stared at the jar. "Tuition fees... in the form of wine?"

Seemed like this "Heart Ape" was a man who appreciated a good drink.

He hailed a cab and headed toward the old district of South Aethermere, arriving at the address provided.

The place was an old house near the river. The paint on the doorframe had long since peeled, but the faded characters still read Justin's Hall.

A gym?

Aethermere had an official gym, but it was named after the province and located downtown. This one was in the old district—probably a private gym from decades past. Before regulations streamlined the system, cities used to have multiple small gyms, but most had since disappeared.

John knocked on the wooden door.

The door creaked open by itself.

Inside, the gym was simple and sparse. From the entrance, he could see all the way through to the back. A dry jujube tree stood in the courtyard, shading a stone table set with a teapot and cups. An old Persian lay curled at the foot of a rocking chair, where a white-haired man rested. Several fallen leaves scattered across the yard.

Further inside, an old-fashioned hall displayed a single large character: Tranquility.

Something about the calligraphy pulled John in. Just looking at it, his mind cleared, his racing thoughts settling into calm.

"You must be John." The old man opened his eyes at the sound of the door.

"That's me. Are you Master Heart Ape?" John asked.

The old man laughed. "Did little Saul tell you to call me that?"

John shook his head. "I just thought it was respectful."

"Master's too formal. I'm just an old acquaintance of your professor. You can call me Justin .Justin Sane."

"Nice to meet you, Mr.Sane ." John stepped forward and handed over the wine jar. "Professor Saul asked me to bring this."

"Oh? Wine? Let me see!" Justin Sane's eyes lit up as he uncorked the jar. Instantly, a rich aroma filled the air.

"Dragon's Roar?" He chuckled. "Tsk tsk, Saul really cares about you. I haven't smelled this in years."

John had never heard of it. Must've been one of those rare brews made from berries found only in exotic places.

"If Dragon's Roar is the fee, I need to give you something of equal value in return," Justin said, rubbing his chin. He gestured toward the still painting in the hall. "Release all your Normal and Fighting-type Pokemon. Let's see how they react."

John followed his instructions, tossing out Pokeballs.

Blaziken, Hariyama, Vigoroth, and Smeargle emerged.

As soon as they appeared, all four Pokemon fixated on the painting. The shift in atmosphere was immediate.

Hariyama, usually brimming with energy, sat cross-legged, deep in thought.

Blaziken stood frozen for a moment, then followed suit, sitting down.

Vigoroth, known for its restless nature, seemed confused. It stood motionless, lost in contemplation, but didn't sit.

Smeargle's eyes gleamed. It took a few cautious steps closer to the painting, as if staring at something sacred. Then, it grabbed a piece of paper and, using its tail as a brush, started sketching the character for Tranquility.

Justin Sane grinned. "Your Smeargle's got some wisdom. Interesting."