05.Leaving Vermilion City
--
At noon, during the school lunch break…
In a cool café by the seaside in Vermilion City, Kai, Chloe, and his two Pokémon sat across from each other at a table.
In front of them was a large, colorful Super Sundae a store specialty that came in a rainbow of flavors and colors.
As the shop's signature dessert, this sundae wasn't just delicious; it was ice-cold, sending a shiver straight to the brain after the first taste!
Despite the brain freeze, Chloe couldn't help but sigh, "No matter how many times I have this, the flavour of the Super Sundae is unforgettable!"
Kai had originally planned to have lunch at the lab. But with some free time afterwards, he wandered around the city and happened to spot Chloe on her lunch break near her school. He invited her for a little rest at the café.
After two days of spending time together, they had grown more comfortable, their conversation now flowing naturally.
In particular, when Kai shared some of his travel stories, the atmosphere warmed even more between them.
After a few bites, Chloe asked, "What's your plan next?"
"My plan…" Kai stretched his arms, gazing out the window. "Even though I'm now a special research investigator, Professor Cerise hasn't given me any specific assignments."
"Other than collecting the three starter Pokémon, I'm planning to challenge the Gyms, earn badges, and work toward the Indigo League Championship."
"Challenge the Gyms?" Chloe, not very familiar with Pokémon battles, asked curiously, "Are you going to challenge the Vermilion Gym?"
"No," Kai shook his head. "Lt. Surge, the Vermilion Gym Leader, is a master of Electric-type Pokémon. While my grass type might have an advantage, I'm planning to head to Cerulean City and Pewter City first to challenge the Cerulean and Pewter Gyms. But before that, I need to catch another Pokémon."
Chloe looked puzzled. "Why start so far away?"
"It's a bit like levelling up in a game," Kai smiled. "Starting from easier challenges and building up to harder ones makes the journey more exciting."
Outside, students in school uniforms passed by, and a boy with slightly tanned skin about Chloe's age-spotted her through the open window and approached out of curiosity.
"Chloe, who's this guy?"
As he spoke, his gaze moved between Kai and Chloe, as if trying to figure something out.
"Goh?" Chloe blinked, then casually introduced him. "This is Kai; he's a special research investigator at my dad's lab. Kai, this is Goh, my classmate."
Kai looked him over; he looked exactly like he did in the anime.
"My name's Kai. Nice to meet you." Although Kai didn't have the best impression of Goh from the anime, he extended his hand politely.
"Hey, I'm Goh." Goh eyed Kai, sizing him up before reluctantly shaking his hand. As he withdrew, his gaze fell on Ralts, who was sitting beside Kai.
"Whoa! What kind of Pokémon is that?"
"This is my Ralts. It's a Psychic and Fairy-type Pokémon. She's a bit reserved and doesn't like strangers, so you might want to keep some distance."
But Goh didn't seem to hear Kai's warning. Gazing at Ralts, he grew more and more enamoured.
"It's so cute! I'll have to catch a Ralts someday!"
Hearing this, Kai's curiosity sparked. "Goh, what's your dream?"
Although surprised by Kai's question, Goh answered honestly, "My dream? To catch every Pokémon in the world, of course including Mythical Pokémon!"
Just as I thought.
Kai sighed inwardly. "But if that's the case, with the number of Pokémon always growing, wouldn't it be hard to find time to properly train all of them? Wouldn't that mean you'd end up neglecting some of the Pokémon you've caught?"
"Well…" Goh hesitated, seeming to have never considered this before. But after a moment, he shrugged. "It doesn't matter! My goal is to catch them all. Everything else can wait."
"Then we're different," Kai chuckled. "My dream, besides winning the Championship, is to travel with my Pokémon to every corner of the world and experience the incredible sights. I don't need too many Pokémon; just a few I genuinely connect with."
Hearing Kai's words, Chloe looked down at her sundae, lost in thought.
Traveling with Pokémon?
It was something she'd never imagined, but somehow, it sounded wonderful.
After spending some time together, they eventually went their separate ways.
----
Leaving Vermilion City, Kai headed north along the road.
Beside him, his two Pokémon, Ralts and Bulbasaur, walked by his side.
He'd decided not to keep them in their Poké Balls, inspired by Ash's style.
Hiking alongside his Pokémon wasn't only a good way to strengthen their skills, but it also deepened their bond. Travelling like this, he would never feel alone.
Between Vermilion and Cerulean City lies Saffron City, the largest and most bustling metropolis in Kanto, while Celadon City is located to the west of Saffron City.
Saffron City was full of towering skyscrapers and was famous even beyond Kanto.
It also housed two gyms: Sabrina's Psychic-type Gym and the Fighting Dojo.
But with his current skills, Kai knew he wasn't ready for those Gyms, so he bypassed Saffron City and continued toward Cerulean City.
The journey was mostly quiet. However, as he passed a large meadow, a fox-like Pokémon caught his attention.
It had brown fur, a bushy tail, slender legs, bright brown eyes, a small black nose, and long rabbit-like ears, giving it a cute, gentle appearance.
Before it noticed him, Kai quickly took out his Pokédex and pointed it toward the Pokémon.
Pokédex: Eevee, the Evolution Pokémon. Normal-type. Known to evolve into many different forms
A wild Eevee? There's no way I'm letting this chance slip!
"Bulbasaur, it's your turn!"
At Kai's command, Bulbasaur sprang into action, bounding toward Eevee.
"Bulba! Bulba!"
Seeing Bulbasaur, Eevee didn't run but cried out excitedly and launched its attack!
"Oh? Interesting," Kai grinned. "Coming at me head-on? Looks like you've got a Fighting spirit!"
---
Thank you for reading!