"Too bad. But oh well..." He turned to leave, and just before he left, he stopped and winked at me. "You can come to the gym anytime. The pool is open for special guests."
And with that he walked away, leaving the air scented with chlorine and slight tension.
Andrew looked at me as we walked down the stairs.
"Are you going to swim someday?"
"Only if it's to escape a Gyarados," I said. "And even then I'd think about it."
We both laughed and headed back outside.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Author's Notes:
I won't be uploading any chapters this weekend because I'll be busy with work, but I'll be back to posting daily chapters starting Monday. I hope you have a nice weekend! I'd also like to read what you think of the fanfic so far. I'm a bit stuck trying to decide which will be the next Pokemon to join the team. I'm mostly looking to add a Water or Electric type Pokemon. I'd really appreciate it if you could give me some options!
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The afternoon in Cerulean City had a gentler rhythm than the rest of the world. The sun filtered its warmth gently through the trees, the breeze carried the salty scent of the river and the distant song of Wingulls, and children played in the parks without a care. It was easy to forget, even for a moment, everything that had happened in the past few weeks.
Andrew and I had sat on a bench under the shade of a willow tree, right on the edge of the city's central lake. I was holding Growlithe in my arms, wrapped in a light towel like a freshly bathed puppy. Although he was much better from his trauma, he still couldn't stand being in his Poké Ball. Every time I tried to put him away, he would thrash or growl softly, so I just carried him everywhere. His weight was warm, comforting. And sometimes, like now, he would settle against my chest with an almost human sigh, as if to say, "This will do."
"You must have arms of steel by now," Andrew commented, looking at the puppy with a mixture of tenderness and envy. "It's obvious he trusts you."
"Well, I'm happy to be able to help him. I won't let him down," I replied, petting Growlithe's head. His fur was soft and smelled slightly of smoke. "Besides, he looks adorable like this."
"If a girl doesn't fall in love with you because of your Pokémon, I don't know what to say anymore."
I glanced at him. "Are you still doing that?"
Andrew laughed, raising his chocolate ice cream cone as if toasting me. "Come on, Max. Don't tell me you didn't notice. Misty was clearly interested in you. And you turned her down with a smile like she was offering you boiled broccoli?"
I took a spoonful of my vanilla ice cream and shrugged. "She's pretty, I won't deny it. But she's very… explosive. High energy. Like always on the edge of a battle. I prefer quieter girls. Like Erika. Or… Sabrina."
Andrew blinked. "Sabrina? The leader of Saffron City?"
I nodded. "He has this aura of calm. Quiet, as if he can read what you're not saying. There's something hypnotic about that."
"Yeah, hypnotic like the mind control she has over half the city," Andrew said with a laugh. "I've heard weird things about her. Like how sometimes her assistants don't remember anything after training with her. Doesn't that scare you?"
"A little," I admitted. "But I'm also curious. Even though I know she's not a nice person. And that... I don't like that," I said the last bit, memories of the Hypno from Viridian Forest flashing through my mind. Even though she's cute, when I face her at her Gym, I'll tell her a few things on behalf of my friend.
Andrew looked thoughtful for a second, then said with a smaller, almost shy smile, "I think I like girls with character. I recently met one with a Braixen… light brown hair, blue eyes. She dressed like she stepped off a runway, and spoke as if everyone owed her something. I liked her."
I stopped. I blinked. I turned slowly toward him.
"Andrew… Did he have a Fletchinder too?"
"Yes, how do you know?"
"And two friends who looked like pop idol escorts?"
He nodded.
"You're talking about Charlotte."
Andrew gasped. "Do you know her name?!"
I nodded with an amused smile. "You messed with fire. Literally," I said with a laugh. "Funny, I ran into her before entering the city and she mentioned your name. Didn't you ask her?"
Andrew ran a hand through his hair, as if trying to comprehend what he'd done. "I told her my name, but once I beat her to it, she stormed off, but she was… I don't know, interesting. Everything about her screamed 'stay away,' and yet I still wanted to get close."
"Welcome to the club," I said. "I helped her Fletchling egg hatch, and ever since, the Pokémon has adored me. She's not happy about that. Her Fletchinder flies straight for me when she sees me."
Andrew burst out laughing. "So you're his natural rival."
"No, I'm their thorn in their side," I replied, still laughing. "And it amuses me more than it should."
"And you think I have a chance with her?"
"Only if you like living in a constant state of tension between flirting, sarcasm, and the threat of arson," I told him, looking up at the sky. "Charlotte is complicated. But genuine. She has Talia and Mika as emotional shields, and I think she has trouble trusting. If you're really interested in her... you'd better be ready to run an emotional marathon."
Andrew nodded, his smile a mixture of admiration and resignation. "I like a challenge."
"Then don't say I didn't warn you."
We both laughed, letting the conversation dissolve into the wind. Then we walked toward the Pokémon Center. It was already approaching dusk, and we needed to secure rooms. Growlithe yawned against my chest, and I nuzzled into her ear as we crossed the cobblestone plaza.
Inside the center, the mission board glowed with new lights. While Andrew went to get a drink, I leaned over to read.
There were all kinds of missions: from searching for a lost Clefairy to helping carry boxes in a store. But one in particular caught my eye.
[RESEARCHER REQUEST: BILL]
I'm looking for Trainers who own rare or unusual Pokémon for non-invasive scanning and analysis. No battles required. Rewards will be given for each unique species presented. Location: Cape Celeste. Ask for Bill upon arrival.
"Andrew!" I called, pointing at the board.
He approached with his can of lemonade in his hand. "What's up?"
"Bill is looking for rare Pokémon to research. And he pays to show them. No battling required."
He read the sign and raised his eyebrows. "That's the guy who invented the storage system, right?"
"Yes. He lives at Cape Celeste, beyond the north bridge. He's famous for studying Pokémon transformations, regional forms, and all that."
Andrew nodded slowly. "I could show you Deino. He's from another region, so hard to find."
"And I have a shiny Kirlia," I added. "Psychic type, rare and shiny. We're pure gold for this mission."
Andrew smiled. "So, tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow," I replied. "We could take some food and go for a hike. No stress, just science, fresh air, and rare Pokémon."
"And if we see Charlotte on the way..."
"I'll tell her you're crazy about her and sit back and enjoy the fire."
We both laughed as Growlithe purred in my lap, and for one afternoon, at least, everything seemed in balance. We weren't just two trainers anymore. We were two friends, two boys talking about girls, Pokémon, and dreams, with a sleeping Fire Kit in my arms and the sunset dyeing Cerulean City gold and promise.
That night at the Pokémon Center felt like a luxury. After days of camping among rocks, uncomfortable roots, and the occasional grumpy Spearow, a real bed seemed like a godsend. The sheets were crisp, the mattress didn't have any treacherous lumps, and the pillow didn't try to devour my neck while I slept. Growlithe had fallen asleep in the corner on a small Pokémon bed, covered by the same blanket he used on Mount Luna. He wasn't shivering anymore. He was just breathing calmly.
I turned slightly in bed, letting my body sink into comfort. "Sleeping like this should be a human right," I murmured to the ceiling, smiling.
Outside, in the Pokémon Center's common area, the constant murmur of still-awake trainers filled the air. Some were playing cards, others were swapping stories of routes and battles. I approached with a cup of tea in hand, accompanied by Andrew, who was carrying his usual sugary can of drink.
We sat down on one of the sofas when we caught snatches of lively conversation near the quest board.
"—…and he swears he's Jonathan Jones's son, can you believe it? He calls himself Jack Jones, but he's a jerk with championship pretensions."
"That conceited blond? I saw him insulting a trainer because his Pidgey wasn't strong enough! He said his dad was a legend, so he would be one too."
"So what? My dad was a butcher and I don't even know how to cut meat!"
Laughter erupted, followed by more anecdotes about Jack Jones and his unpleasant behavior. Andrew frowned and turned to me with a serious expression.
"I can't stand that guy," he said. "If he's still around here… we'd better go see Bill as soon as possible. I don't want to run into him."
I nodded. "Yeah. I don't have patience for people like that right now. Although I'm curious if it's someone from my orphanage."
Andrew raised an eyebrow at me, but didn't insist. We sipped our drinks in silence until another conversation a few feet away caught my attention.
"—…they say there are two kids challenging all the trainers at Pepita Bridge. One uses a Charmeleon and the other has a Wartortle. They're sweeping the board."
"Really? I heard one is called Red, and the other… Blue, I think."
My back straightened slightly. I felt a chill run down my neck. Red. Blue.
The names weighed on my memory like echoes of something bigger, ever since I read their names in Pewter City I knew I would eventually run into them, honestly I prefer to face them when my team is more developed, I feel that losing to one of them would be too demotivating for my career.
I looked at Andrew, but he didn't seem to be paying that much attention. Or maybe he was, and just chose to ignore it.
I didn't say anything.
I just squeezed my cup between my fingers, as if I could find answers in it.
The next morning, after a quick breakfast, Andrew and I set off briskly along the northern route. I carried Growlithe in my arms, as usual, although I could notice that he was gradually becoming more confident, more observant of the world around him. Kirlia walked beside me, like a shining, elegant shadow, while Nidorino rested in his Poké Ball, well-fed and full of energy for whenever he needed it.
We crossed the Pepita Bridge without incident, although many trainers seemed to be commenting on the "two tough guys" who had passed by earlier in the morning. Fortunately, they were gone. They'd probably returned to the city to face more trainers.
By mid-morning, we finally reached the rocky cliff where Bill's cabin stood. It was a modest structure, but equipped with several solar panels and a satellite dish that seemed to be able to pick up signals from as far away as the moon.
A series of electronic silhouettes danced on screens inside the cabin while the sound of a mechanical engine hummed softly.
"Well," Andrew said, looking at the entrance. "Time to see if the genie wants to see our Pokémon."
"And make some money along the way," I added with a smile.
We knocked on the door.
It opened by itself.
Inside, a man with disheveled hair and a white coat peered at us from behind a pile of cables.
"Trainers, right? Perfect! Come in, come in! I always have time for weird stuff."
I exchanged a quick glance with Andrew and we crossed the threshold together.
Today would be a quiet day.
Or so I hoped.
Trainer: Maxwell Jones
Hometown: Pewter City
Sponsorship: None
Money: $71,200 Pokedollars
Badges: 1.- Boulder Badge
Expandable Travel Backpack (Deluxe)
1. 3 potions (1 slot)
2. 3 Rage Candy Bars (1 slot)
3. 10 Pokeballs (2 slots)
4. 1 Escape Rope (1 slot)
5. 1 Red handkerchief with 20 orange berries (1 slot)
6. 3 Antidotes (Poison Cure) (1 slot)
7. Badge case (1 slot)
8. PokéNav (1 slot)
9. Travel Cooking Kit (Includes a folding frying pan, small knife, kettle container, and mini lighter, all in a compact case) – 2 slots
10. Pokémon Food Ration (6-day ration bag) (3 slots)
11. Human food ration (canned and freeze-dried food for 6 days) (2 slots)
12. Basic Camping Kit (Includes Compact Tent, Sleeping Bag, and Collapsible Lantern) – 3 Slots
13. Basic Pokemon care kit (1 slot)
14. Moon Stone (1 slot)
15 TM39. Rock Slide
Occupied slots: 21/30
Pokémon
Nidorino
Gender: Male
Level: 23
Moves: Read, Peck, Focus Energy, Double Kick, Poison Sting, Rage Attack, Horn Attack Helping Hand
Kirlia✨
Gender: Female
Level: 20
Moves: Disarming Voice, Teleport, Growl, Double Team, Hypnosis, Draining Kiss, Lucky Chant, Psybeam, Charm
Growlithe
Gender: Male
Level: 24 Moves: Read, Ember, Howl, Bite, Flame Wheel, Flamethrower, Odor Sleuth, Fire Fang
EXTRA
Pendulum necklace
I want to thank the people who are supporting and visiting my P@treon!
If you want to support the story and read some advance chapters (+7) https://www.p@treon. com/Jayjayempi , it would also help me a lot if you have comments on how the story is going or if you would be so kind as to leave a review, Thank you very much for reading!