Devon Corporation, Silver family meeting room.
Around a round table, several senior members of the Silver family were seated.
"How is the development of Ferraria City coming along?" asked the head of the Silver family from the main seat, after everyone had finished reviewing the documents.
"It has already entered a stable phase," the person in charge of Ferraria City's development replied immediately.
"We have successfully established the gym in the city. And the development of the Steel Secret Kingdom has also officially been placed on the agenda."
The head of the Silver family nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze toward the secretary beside him.
"And what about the collection of information on that legendary Pokémon?"
"We have already gathered a large amount of data and organized it into this report," the secretary said as she handed over a folder. "Ah, right—speaking of that legendary Pokémon, I have some news related to Ethan."
"Ethan?"
The head of the Silver family immediately showed interest. After all, Ethan's Meltan was very likely connected to that legendary Pokémon.
"That's right. Ethan recently arrived in Ferraria City..."
The secretary promptly explained all the information she had gathered about Ethan.
"I see..."
The head of the Silver family nodded slightly, took the documents into his hands, and began to read. Not long after, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
...
After three days of long travel, Ethan finally arrived at the gates of Ferraria City.
From afar, the first thing that caught the eye when looking toward the city were the imposing walls and the gigantic steel gate.
"Zzzt!"
Meltan fluttered in the air, clearly in a very good mood.
"I know, I know," Ethan said with a smile. "We'll enter the city to rest for a bit, and then we'll head straight to the Secret Kingdom."
Ethan smiled as he patted Meltan's head, then took out the Poké Balls to recall his other Pokémon.
Ferraria City promoted Steel-type Pokémon; only Pokémon of that type were allowed to be released here. All other Pokémon were strictly forbidden from roaming freely.
Once inside the city, Ethan saw trainers everywhere accompanied by Steel-type Pokémon.
Since Ferraria City had been built after the appearance of Pokémon, its residents were trainers or descendants of trainers, which made the city's Pokémon culture exceptionally prosperous.
"Zzzt!"
As soon as they entered the city, Meltan immediately sensed the dense Steel-type energy permeating the surroundings. It let out a cheerful cry and, as if it had suddenly sensed something, flew straight toward the center of the city.
Following Meltan through streets and alleys, Ethan arrived at a plaza. At its center stood a tall tower.
"So this is the Secret Kingdom Tower," Ethan said. "The entrance to the Secret Kingdom is at the top."
Recalling the information about the Steel Secret Kingdom, Ethan looked up toward the top of the tower.
"Zzzt!"
"Zzzt!"
At that moment, Meltan began to grow restless, letting out sounds filled with obvious impatience.
"Don't worry, I know," Ethan said with a slight smile. "To enter the Secret Kingdom, you first need to obtain approval from the Pokémon Trainers' Guild of Ferraria City."
He patted Meltan's head and decided to take it first to the Pokémon Trainers' Guild to submit the application for access to the Secret Kingdom. While waiting for approval, he could also take the opportunity to complete the gym evaluation.
"You want to enter the Secret Kingdom?"
"Then you must first obtain the city's gym badge. Only then can we grant you access."
Hearing the staff member's words, Ethan blinked, somewhat confused. Challenge the gym first?
Although he had some doubts in his heart, for Ethan—who had already planned to challenge the gym anyway—this posed no problem.
After thanking the staff, he went to the counter and submitted his credentials for the gym evaluation.
The receptionist looked at him in surprise and immediately sprang into action.
Following the staff to the Ferraria City Gym, Ethan was stunned by the scene before him.
At the entrance of the gym was an extremely long line, completely opposite to the deserted image that other gyms usually had.
"These people must be here to challenge the gym, obtain the badge, and thus gain the right to enter the Secret Kingdom," the staff member explained with a shrug. "In fact, the establishment of the Ferraria City Gym is already a done deal; the evaluation is almost just a formality."
"Pidgeot has lost the ability to battle. The final victor is the trainer of the Ferraria City Gym!"
As soon as he entered, Ethan heard the referee's voice. Looking toward the battlefield, he saw a Skarmory flying in the air, while a Pidgeot lay on the ground, already unable to continue fighting.
"Ohhh!"
"Ohhh!"
"Ohhh!"
Immediately, a wave of cheers erupted throughout the venue, giving Ethan the feeling that he was watching a tournament.
Looking around, the stands were completely full—an extremely rare sight for a gym battle.
"It seems everyone is here for that quota to enter the Steel Secret Kingdom," Ethan reflected, understanding why the Ferraria City Gym was so popular.
Moreover, in the anime, many gyms also had secondary activities, and this gym had clearly turned battles into a spectacle for commercial purposes—something perfectly normal.
"Oh?"
"Everyone, please excuse us for a moment. Our gym evaluator has arrived, so the next challenges will have to be postponed."
At that moment, the host in charge of energizing the atmosphere saw that the staff had already brought Ethan over and immediately made the announcement.
"Now, please welcome the evaluator to the stage."
Hearing this, Ethan nodded and stepped onto the platform.
Looking ahead, the Ferraria City Gym trainer was standing there with his arms crossed and his posture straight, watching him with interest.
"Are you Ethan Black?" the gym leader asked without waiting for Ethan to speak.
"You know me?" Ethan replied with slight surprise.
"Yes, of course. I've heard quite a lot about you from my cousin."
Ethan froze for a moment, then suddenly thought of the fact that the Ferraria City Gym was Steel-type, immediately associating it with Lucas Silver.
"My name is Samuel Silver."
Samuel showed a broad smile as a Poké Ball appeared in his hand.
"The rules of the battle are three versus three. Send out your strongest Pokémon. I won't hold back against you."
With Samuel's words, a white flash burst from the Poké Ball, and a Magneton appeared floating in the air.
"Magneton? Then it's decided... I choose you, Meltan."
Ethan also took out his Poké Ball. The Steel-type Meltan appeared, floating in front of Magneton, the two staring at each other from a distance in midair.
(End of chapter)