"Since you're doing it, I'll also use only the Pokémon I catch here in Hoenn for the League," Ash said.
"Really? You know that makes it even harder for you to beat me," Gary reminded him.
Ash had been knocked out in the Ever Grande Conference quarter-finals last time for exactly that reason—apart from Pikachu, every Pokémon on his team had been newly caught in Hoenn. If he stuck to the same plan, there was a good chance he'd stall out in the quarters again and might not even get to face Gary.
"We both start from zero, so why should I lose? Worst-case scenario, I'll just catch something strong along the way," Ash replied, unconvinced.
"Good luck, then." Gary shrugged. Ash had always been stubborn; changing his mind was next to impossible.
The two groups split up at the Route 104 crossroads—Ash's team headed north toward Rustboro City, while Gary and Zinnia walked down to the docks.
Once they were alone, Zinnia asked, "Gary, what's this Ever Grande Conference you and Ash kept talking about?"
"It's the Hoenn League's annual tournament," Gary explained. "To enter, you need eight Hoenn Gym Badges."
"A tournament for Trainers? Then I definitely want to compete!" Zinnia said, eyes shining.
"Not so fast."
"Why not?"
"You're an undocumented resident. You can't even buy Pokémon health insurance, and you need a legal ID to sign up for the League," Gary said.
Zinnia sighed. "Isn't there any way you can fix my registration?"
"You're giving me too much credit. Ask your grandmother. If the people of Meteor Village ever decide to acknowledge the Hoenn League, the paperwork wouldn't be hard. Until then, your best bet is to stay under the radar," Gary said.
Zinnia fell silent. Meteor Village had kept itself hidden for generations; she couldn't make that decision on her own.
Three Days Later
Gary and Zinnia arrived in Dewford Town by speedboat.
Dewford was tiny—so small it didn't even have a Poké Mart. Supplies for training were scarce, and the locals lived a slow, seaside life. Zinnia inspected every street corner as usual; after a few days with Gary, she had already grasped the basics of modern society.
"Heading straight for the Gym?" she asked.
"Granite Cave first," Gary answered. "I want to raise an Aggron, and that cave is full of wild Aron. With luck, I'll find one with high potential."
"Why Aggron?" Zinnia tilted her head. "Is it a Dragon type?"
Gary smiled. "No—Steel/Rock. But a very sturdy Pokémon wherever you go."
"Got it. Then I'm coming too," she declared.
"Fine by me," Gary said. Leaving her alone at the Pokémon Center would only invite trouble.
After a night's rest, they hiked over to Granite Cave.
The moment they stepped inside, Gary released his Rhyperior. "All right, buddy—Dig."
Granite Cave, like Meteor Falls, extended three levels underground and was laced with gemstones—a paradise for rock collectors. Steven Stone often mined here, and Gary suspected Steven had even found Mega Stones in these tunnels.
Gary's goals today were twofold: capture a promising Aron and, if fortune smiled, unearth a Mega Stone.
Zinnia watched Rhyperior burrow into the bedrock. "So this is how you track down Aron?"
"Aron feed on iron ore and mostly stay underground," Gary said. "Once Rhyperior breaks through to their tunnels, we should see plenty."
With that, Rhyperior vanished into the earth, the hunt for Aron—and perhaps something rarer—officially under way.