Ryn stepped into Vermilion City, glancing at the dark clouds that had suddenly appeared. "Well, it's none of my business," he muttered, adjusting the strap of his backpack. "Let's go to the Pokémon Center." His Pokémon nodded in agreement as he withdrew them into their Poké Balls.
By the time Ryn reached the Pokémon Center, the dark clouds that had shadowed the sky had almost entirely dissipated. He frowned, a chill creeping up his spine. * What exactly was that? * The sudden shift in weather felt less like natural phenomena and more like something else.
Inside, the warm glow of the Pokémon Center welcomed him.
Nurse Joy took his Poké Balls with a gentle smile. "They've gone through a lot of training, haven't they?" she said kindly, noticing the faint energy drain.
"Don't worry, they'll be good as new," she added. Ryn nodded, grateful.
His team had pushed hard. * A proper rest is overdue. * Only Mewtwo's Poké Ball stayed clipped to his belt.
Deciding to stretch his legs, Ryn stepped back outside. The city hummed with evening sounds, a distant ship's horn echoing. As he strolled past a lamplit bench, two figures caught his ear.
"Hey, did you see that Zapdos?" one said, his voice filled with disbelief. "I can't believe Lt. Surge caught Zapdos!"
Ryn stopped, his attention drawn to the word "caught Zapdos?"
"I don't know, but I heard he went somewhere and returned with Zapdos a few days ago."
"He'll even sometimes seriously injure a new trainer's Pokémon with his Electric types. Now I hope he doesn't scare people with his legendary Pokémon. His methods are a bit cruel."
The other guy agreed.
Ryn took in every word. He knew he needed to be prepared, even more so now.
While he doubted Lt. Surge would set loose a Legendary like Zapdos on a trainer with only two badges, the thought of a Gym Leader resorting to such tactics disturbed him.
He instinctively reached for Mewtwo's Poké Ball. * I have Mewtwo, so I'm not worried. Not truly. *
"Let's go see the city, Mewtwo," Ryn said firmly. With a soft click, he released Mewtwo.
Their first stop was a small snack shop, its windows fogged with warmth from freshly baked goods. The aroma of sweet pastries and savory fried treats drifted out, offering a simple comfort in the unsettling evening.
Ryn picked out a few local delicacies, some Casteliacones and a couple of Big Malasadas, though they were from different regions. The shop seemed to specialize in popular treats.
Mewtwo watched, curious, as Ryn carefully wrapped a smaller, plain Berry Muffin for his other Pokémon once they were out of the Center. He then picked out another muffin, offering it to Mewtwo with a warm smile. "Here, try this. Is it good?" he asked softly.
Mewtwo nodded. She took a bite of the muffin, her eyes brightening with joy as she enjoyed the sweet, soft flavor. Ryn smiled and asked, "Was this good?" She nodded again, her voice echoing softly in his mind, * This tastes amazing, * her expression showing her enjoyment.
Next, they wandered towards the docks, the heart of Vermilion. The air grew cooler, carrying the scent of salt and distant diesel.
Ships of all sizes were anchored along the waterfront, their poles forming a dense, skeletal outline against the evening sky.
Ryn watched dockworkers bustling, crates being loaded and unloaded, the steady clanging of machinery blending with the gentle waves.
He pointed out a particularly large cargo ship to Mewtwo, explaining how goods moved across the regions. Mewtwo simply watched, perhaps pondering the vastness of human trade or enjoying the quiet moment with ryn.
They found a general store hidden on a side street, its brightly lit interior a beacon.
Ryn carefully moved through the shelves, filling his empty backpack with essential supplies.
Potions, a few extra Antidotes, and some high grade Pokémon food for sustained energy caught his eye.
He even treated himself to a new, more durable rope. "You never know when you'll need one," he muttered to himself.
Mewtwo remained a silent, imposing presence beside him, its mere aura causing a few other shoppers to quickly complete their purchases and leave.
Having used up a lot of supplies in Xytherion, during training and other challenges, Ryn was now restocking his reserves.
As they walked, Ryn focused on enjoying the city's vibe. They passed a small, busy local market where vendors packed up for the evening, the last hints of fresh produce and blooming flowers blending in the air.
He saw children playing under a streetlight, their laughter ringing out, their Pokémon darting after them in a blur of fur and scales.
For a moment, the heavy burden of upcoming Gym battles and shadowy groups faded, replaced by the easy flow of daily life.
He even bought a small, carved wooden Lapras model from a street vendor, thinking it would make a nice keepsake.
As the sky darkened toward night, Ryn and Mewtwo began their return to the Pokémon Center.
While Ryn was lost in his stroll, enjoying the mundane beauty and necessary preparations of Vermilion City, he remained unaware.
From the shadows of a nondescript building overlooking the main street, a camera had recorded his every move.
The footage played on a muted TV screen with a faint, almost imperceptible smirk from the unseen watcher.
* The whispers about Zapdos and Lt. Surge were not the only secrets stirring in the heart of Vermilion. *
The comforting chime of the Pokémon Center's automatic doors signaled Ryn's return. Nurse Joy greeted him with a warm smile. "Your Pokémon are all fully recovered!"
Ryn thanked her, retrieved his Poké Balls, and stepped into the quiet lounge area. He called out his team, the familiar flashes of light bringing his companions into view. He pulled out his Pokédex, its screen glowing softly as he checked their levels.
Meowscarada. Level 63.
Charmeleon. Level 22.
Scyther. Level 25.
Jolteon. Level 20.
Vaporeon. Level 17.
Mewtwo. Level 73.
Ryn glanced at it, a faint smile touching his lips. * Mewtwo keeps growing stronger. * The Xytherion World helped a lot, as Pokémon there were quite strong and wild. He rarely used his other Pokémon, which really helped Mewtwo grow faster despite being such a high level.
He wanted to challenge Lt. Surge. The whispers he'd overheard had only fueled his competitive spirit. But looking at his team, particularly the younger members, he decided against it. They had trained hard, and they deserved a break.
"Alright, everyone," Ryn announced, a relaxed smile spreading across his face. "We're going to enjoy ourselves."
He pulled out his Pokédex, browsing local accommodations. He wasn't looking for anything overly fancy, no five-star hotels, but something private where his Pokémon and he could relax. His eyes landed on a place that seemed perfect.
"I've got it!" he exclaimed. "We're booking the Veridian Haven Cottages."
It was a small, exclusive compound just outside the city, known for its privacy and natural beauty.
It wasn't promoted as a "Pokémon resort," but a spot for quiet getaways.
The "Cottages" part mattered, separate units for seclusion.
Each cottage had a simple, well-kept private garden, ideal for his Pokémon to roam, stretch, and relax in nature.
The best part? A shared, clean outdoor swimming pool surrounded by greenery.
It welcomed trainers with full teams, as long as they kept the peace.
"Just for a day," he added, mostly to himself. "A full day of relaxation. No training, no battles, just fun."
His Pokémon seemed to understand, their faces easing as they heard about break.
Note-Next week, same target: 300 Power Stones = 5 Chapter, less than it = 4 Chapter