Chapter 32: Travelling To Sevii Islands

As Julian sat by the tranquil lake near his camp, he pondered his next steps in his Pokémon journey. In just four months, he had made remarkable progress, conquering most of the gym battles across the Kanto region. However, there were still a few places on his list that he longed to visit and explore.

The gentle ripples of the lake's water provided a soothing backdrop to his thoughts. Julian considered the possibilities that lay ahead – the uncharted territories, the untamed Pokémon, and the mysteries yet to be unraveled.

He knew that his journey was far from over, and there were many more adventures to be had.

Julian's thoughts turned to his Pokémon, who had grown significantly in strength during his journey. However, he couldn't help but notice that they were beginning to slack off, lacking the challenging opponents that pushed them to their limits. His team was evolving rapidly, leaving others in their wake, and they were in need of a new challenge.

He smiled as he considered a solution. "The Sevii Islands, especially Knot Island," he thought, "home to Mt. Ember. That's where I'll find the perfect opponents to test my Pokémon's newfound power."

With a renewed sense of purpose and a destination in mind, Julian knew that the Sevii Islands would provide the adventure and challenges his team needed to continue their growth.

Julian gathered his Pokémon team and addressed them with determination in his voice. "Guys, get ready. We're heading to the Sevii Islands next, and some of you will be facing extremely powerful Pokémon. Train hard for this journey."

He singled out Monferno, offering specific guidance. "Monferno, perfect your close combat skills and control over fire. You'll need it."

For Heatran, who had grown immensely powerful, he had a different message. "Heatran, you've become stronger than ever. I doubt you'll lose any fight. Stick to your regular training."

He then turned to the rest of his Pokémon. "The rest of you, keep up with your regular training routines. It's going to be a challenging journey."

Julian's Pokémon team responded with enthusiasm, eager to become even more powerful and determined to achieve their goal of winning the Indigo League. They dedicated themselves to rigorous training in the days that followed.

As the days flew by, three days passed quickly, and Julian made his way to the nearest seaport, ready to embark on the journey to Cinnabar Island and from there to the Sevii Islands.

Julian's journey to Cinnabar Island had been relatively uneventful, with only the endless expanse of the sea to occupy his time. Two days later, he finally reached his destination.

As he disembarked from the ferry and set foot on Cinnabar Island, he was surprised to see Blaine, who appeared to be in disguise and talking to some people. Julian approached him, calling out, "Blaine, what are you doing here?"

Blaine, recognizing Julian, greeted him warmly. "Oh, Julian, you've returned. Are you here for a vacation or perhaps to enjoy the services of my inn once more?"

Julian shook his head. "No, Blaine. I'm just stopping here briefly before heading to the Sevii Islands."

Blaine, always a source of knowledge and adventure, looked intrigued. "The Sevii Islands, you say? Well, you've certainly chosen an interesting destination. If you need any advice or information about the islands, feel free to ask. And, of course, if you ever decide to stay at my inn again, you'll be more than welcome."

Julian appreciated the offer and knew that Blaine's wisdom could be invaluable in the challenges that lay ahead.

Blaine explained, "I've been giving some riddles to trainers who come to the island for vacation instead of seeking Pokémon battles, like in the old days. The influx of tourists has turned this place into quite the commercial market."

Julian nodded, understanding Blaine's frustration with the changing times. "Yeah, I know you're not a fan of tourists. Well, I'll be on my way then."

However, before he could leave, Blaine stopped him and handed him a pass. Julian examined it, a bit puzzled by the gesture.

Julian asked, "What's this pass for?"

Blaine explained, "This is a Tri-Pass. It will allow you to travel between the Sevii Islands for free."

Julian gratefully accepted the pass, saying, "I see. Thank you."

Blaine shrugged. "No problem. I only gave it to you because it would be a waste for me to hold onto it. I don't intend to go there anyway."

With the pass in hand, Julian expressed his intention to leave, but then he had a change of heart. He decided to stay on Cinnabar Island for a while longer, taking the opportunity to provide some well-deserved care and relaxation for his Pokémon. He took them to a Pokémon spa, where they could unwind and relieve the stress built up from their recent training.

The following day, Julian decided to continue his journey and left his bike at Blaine's inn on Cinnabar Island. He boarded a ferry heading to Sevii Island, and thanks to the Tri-Pass Blaine had given him, he didn't have to pay any fare.

Upon reaching Sevii Island, specifically Knot Island, Julian felt a sense of excitement. As he explored the island, he noticed that it was inhabited by both people and Pokémon that didn't belong to the Kanto region. Among them, he spotted a Totodile with one of the trainers.

Julian thought to himself, 'Looks like there are some Pokémon from the Johto region here. This Sevii Island is indeed a perfect place for training.'

Julian's curiosity led him to a place called the "Pokémon Net Center" on Knot Island. Inside, he encountered a man with disheveled green hair and oval-shaped glasses.

Julian expressed his curiosity, saying, "I got curious after reading the sign outside, so I came to see what this place is."

The man introduced himself as Celio and explained the purpose of the center. "Hello, my name is Celio, and I run this place. What we do here is help people communicate with individuals from different regions."

Julian was intrigued and inquired further. "Different regions?"

Celio elaborated, "Yes, the machine over there allows me to communicate with people from various regions. Since the islands don't have many powerful satellites, people come here to talk to relatives who mostly live in Johto and Hoenn regions."

Julian nodded in understanding. However, Celio revealed a problem. "But the machine has suddenly stopped working because the ruby stone that powered it somehow cracked. I need help finding a replacement."

Julian asked, "Where can I find this ruby?"

Celio responded, "You should be able to find it near Mt. Ember."

With a new mission in mind, Julian decided to assist Celio by locating the ruby near Mt. Ember, while also recognizing the potential for new challenges and encounters in the process.

Julian made his intentions clear, saying, "I cannot promise you anything. I'm going to Mt. Ember, and if I happen to find the ruby, I'll give it to you. Otherwise, you may have to look for it elsewhere."

Celio appreciated Julian's willingness to help and replied, "Your willingness to try is enough for me."

With nothing more to keep him at the Pokémon Net Center, Julian soon grew restless and decided to continue his journey. He left the center behind and headed toward Mt. Ember, ready to face the challenges and adventures that awaited him on the island.