Team Rocket had suffered a crushing defeat, resulting in a massive number of arrests.
Rota Town's detention center couldn't accommodate so many people, so high-ranking officers, including Blade, were immediately transferred elsewhere.
The lower-level members were swiftly tried and thrown into prison.
Since Klein had played a direct role in the incident, he couldn't return to Cinnabar Island immediately.
Instead, he stayed in Rota Town to assist local investigators and Officer Jenny's team.
However, his primary task wasn't fieldwork—it was dealing with the relentless swarm of reporters.
Though the media was mainly focused on Groudon, Klein, as a key figure in the events, still had to endure numerous interviews.
For the most part, he simply answered questions truthfully, avoiding any mention of deeper conspiracies, his own strength, or the mysterious Legendary Pokémon involved.
As a result, his standing within the League remained solid, and this incident barely affected his reputation.
Gary had become a diligent trainer.
After reflecting deeply on his defeat at the Indigo Plateau, he completely abandoned his past arrogance, adopting the disciplined lifestyle of a true warrior.
Klein, as his mentor, also took special care of him.
When it came to Riolu's training, Klein personally compiled a detailed training guide, listing suitable methods and key points for raising Riolu.
Unlike standard care manuals, this notebook contained invaluable, in-depth insights.
Gary was overjoyed, sincerely grateful for Klein's teachings.
"Your hiking gear suits you well."
Gary wore a slightly smaller version of the rugged mountain-climbing outfit Klein had given him.
Though the outfit wasn't particularly stylish, it was undeniably practical for wilderness travel.
"Wear a cloak too," Klein suggested.
And so, master and apprentice, clad in matching gray cloaks over their hiking gear, embarked on their long journey south to Pallet Town.
By foot, through wind and dust, they moved swiftly, traveling light.
For Klein, the Sandstorm Elite Four, this attire complemented his theme perfectly.
When Queen Ilene saw them off at Rota Town, she couldn't help but cover her mouth to stifle her laughter.
Riolu, ever polite, bowed deeply to Queen Ilene, displaying its well-mannered and composed nature.
Its temperament naturally won Gary's favor.
Throughout the journey, he never once returned Riolu to its Poké Ball.
Instead, it traveled alongside his Eevee, freely exploring the wilderness.
Since Rota Town wasn't far from Pallet Town, Klein and Gary took a direct route, trekking through vast wildlands and forests.
After a day and a night of travel, they emerged at Pewter City.
While there, Klein paid a visit to Gym Leader Flint.
As a fellow Sandstorm user, Flint had fought alongside Klein in the battle at the Ruins of Alph.
Now passing through, it was only natural for Klein to drop by.
That night, Klein and Flint had an in-depth discussion about their respective sandstorm strategies and Pokémon training.
Both learned from each other, making it a fruitful exchange.
Leaving Pewter City behind, they resumed their journey.
Like Klein, Gary was skilled at foraging, preparing food, and even crafting Pokémon treats.
He was fully capable of surviving in the wild without issue.
Watching Gary efficiently prepare ingredients, Klein chuckled.
"Looks like you actually learned something in school."
"Everything they taught was useful, so of course I took it seriously."
Gary's growth was astonishing.
In just a few days of travel together, Klein realized that Gary's strength had already surpassed most advanced trainers.
At this rate, Ash probably wouldn't be able to defeat him.
"I'll take the night watch," Klein offered.
Seated by the campfire, he poked at the burning wood with a stick, ready to let Gary rest.
But Gary shook his head.
"No, let me do it tonight."
The previous night, Klein had stayed up alone to stand guard.
Gary, feeling grateful for his teacher's care, was determined to take his turn this time.
Not one to argue over such things, Klein simply lay down and closed his eyes.
Of course, he still released Lucario to patrol a few hundred meters away, keeping watch over their surroundings.
Riolu gazed curiously at Lucario, who was floating midair, using its aura to scan the area.
Unlike Lucario, Riolu lacked strong psychic abilities.
It had tried multiple times to generate a similar aura scan but failed.
However, it excelled in direct aura communication, having already established a telepathic link with Gary on several occasions.
After another half-day of travel, they finally arrived in Viridian City.
As they stepped into the bustling metropolis, their eyes were drawn to the newly renovated Viridian Gym.
The rebuilt structure was grander than before, its imposing presence undeniable.
Klein suddenly recalled something.
"You challenged this Gym before, didn't you?"
At the mention of his previous battle here, Gary's expression darkened.
"Yeah... I lost to some unknown Pokémon."
Mewtwo.
That battle was burned into Gary's memory.
The sheer overwhelming power of Mewtwo's psychic attacks had left a lasting shadow on him.
Now, standing before Viridian Gym once more, Gary found himself hesitating.
"Viridian's Gym Leader must be incredibly strong.
Have you considered challenging him again?" Klein asked.
Gary didn't even think before answering.
"I'm not Ash…"
Klein smirked, as if he had already predicted Gary's response.
"But I want you to face your past defeat and push beyond it."
Gary hesitated.
The fear left behind by Mewtwo's psychic storm still lingered in his mind.
"Do you want to lose to Ash?" Klein continued.
"He already passed Viridian Gym's test and won his badge."
"What?! That idiot?! No way I'm losing to him!"
Fueled by rivalry, Gary clenched his fists, grabbed his Poké Ball, and strode toward Viridian Gym with renewed determination.
Inside the gym, staff members suddenly panicked.
"The Sandstorm Elite is here?!"
Klein's arrival in Viridian City had sent waves of tension through Team Rocket's headquarters.
Giovanni, seated at his desk reviewing documents, frowned as a subordinate rushed in with a report.
"Which Elite Four member?" Giovanni asked, visibly irritated.
"The Sandstorm Elite, sir!"
Giovanni immediately stood up.
"What's he doing here?"
"It seems… his student is here for a Gym battle."
A Gym challenge?
Giovanni couldn't quite grasp Klein's intentions.
With no other choice, he personally made his way to the entrance.
"Well, well… Elite Four Klein, we meet again."
The two locked eyes, Klein giving a small nod.
"My student wants to challenge Viridian Gym, so I came along."
Giovanni shifted his gaze to Gary.
Of course, he remembered him—how could he forget showing off Mewtwo in their last battle?
Maintaining his usual composed demeanor, Giovanni greeted him.
"Gary Oak. We meet again."
"This time, I'm going to win," Gary declared.
Fine.
Take the badge and get out of here.
That was the thought running through Giovanni's mind.
Thus, the second battle between Giovanni and Gary began.
But Giovanni's heart wasn't in it.
He sent out three Pokémon—Nidoking, Rhydon, and Dugtrio—none of which were particularly well-trained.
Gary swiftly defeated them all and claimed his badge.
As they were leaving, Klein frowned.
He had persuaded Gary to face his fears and retake the challenge…
Only for Giovanni to throw a half-hearted match?
Looking at the Viridian Gym Leader's impassive face, Klein said flatly:
"Giovanni, you should be careful about maintaining credibility.
If you keep throwing fights like this, your Gym might fail its next evaluation."
Giovanni's jaw tightened.
"I understand. I'll be more mindful next time."
Internally, he was fuming.
First, Klein had single-handedly obliterated his northern base.
Now, he was bringing some brat to wreck his Gym.
And after handing Gary a free badge, Klein still had the nerve to lecture him about League standards?!
Damn you, Klein! You League elitist!
How is this fair?!