Chapter 47: Cerulean Gym Visit

The wind howled as Pidgeot soared through the sky, Cerulean City a blur of blue and white below. My hands clenched tighter around his feathers, the familiar rush of adrenaline burning through my veins. I leaned forward, my voice cutting through the roar of the wind.

"Drop near the city, but not too close," I instructed. 

Pidgeot responded with a sharp nod, his wings dipping into a controlled descent. He was always reliable like that—brave, loyal. We touched down smoothly near the city's entrance, a flurry of dust and feathers scattering around us. I hopped off, patting him on the side of his head before returning him to his Pokéball. The sudden quiet felt heavy.

Cerulean City stood before me, vibrant and chaotic. The streets teemed with trainers, kids, and merchants, each locked in their own world of battles and deals. The air buzzed with life, with the hum of energy that only a city obsessed with Pokémon could produce. I kept my pace steady, my eyes darting around, cataloging the familiar landmarks.

I wandered past the shops, their neon signs flickering with exaggerated promises of rare items and high-level potions. One stall caught my eye, a simple food cart with smoke rising lazily from the grill. The smell of kebabs drifted into my nostrils, making my stomach clench in anticipation. 

"One," I ordered, my voice sharp, clipped.

The vendor handed me a kebab, the meat sizzling hot. I tossed him more Pokédollars than necessary and bit into the smoky, spiced meat as I walked away. The heat from the kebab seared my mouth, but I didn't flinch. Food was fuel, and I had business to take care of.

The Pokémon Center loomed ahead, its familiar red roof a beacon among the maze of buildings. Inside, the usual bustle of trainers and Pokémon filled the space. I made my way to a vending machine, slipped in some coins, and grabbed a drink. The cool liquid slid down my throat, refreshing but meaningless. My mind was already on the next move.

I checked my Pokégear. "26 July, 10 AM." Time dragged, but I wasn't in any rush.

Eventually, my turn at the counter came. Nurse Joy smiled, the kind of smile she gave everyone, but I wasn't in the mood for small talk. I handed over my Pokéballs, watching as they disappeared into the machine.

"Anything new happen lately?" I asked, my voice low, almost disinterested. I wasn't fishing for information, but if something was brewing, I wanted to know.

"There was a robbery at the Cerulean Gym recently," Nurse Joy replied, her tone calm, as if discussing the weather. "But it's been taken care of."

I nodded, taking back my Pokémon. "Thanks."

Outside, the city's noise greeted me again, but I was already blocking it out, focused. The Pokémon Gym wasn't far, and I used my Pokégear to navigate through the streets, each step bringing me closer to that familiar rush of battle. It didn't take long to find the gym, a massive building just on the outskirts of the city's heart. The gates creaked as I pushed them open, and I stepped inside.

The walls were plastered with pictures of water Pokémon, the scent of chlorine and seawater thick in the air. Daisy, Lily, and Violet's framed pictures hung proudly on the walls—Cerulean's famous gym leaders, all smiles and polished perfection. 

The receptionist barely glanced at me before leading me down a series of hallways, her steps quick, businesslike. Finally, we reached a large door, and without a word, she opened it. The gym inside stretched before me, a massive swimming pool dominating the space. Daisy, Lily, and Violet sat at the edge, chatting as if they didn't have a care in the world.

I stepped forward, my voice cutting through their laughter. "I'm here for a gym battle."

Lily, carefree , giggled, flipping her wet hair over her shoulder. "Hey, handsome kid! What's your name?"

"Punit," I answered, voice steady, but my eyes sharp.

Lily tilted her head, her grin widening. "Do you know who we are?"

I nodded. "I'm here for the Cascade Badge."

She laughed again, a high, childlike sound that grated against my nerves. With a playful gesture, she called out, "Come out, Dewgong!"

Dewgong leaped from the pool with a splash, the Cascade Badge gleaming in its mouth. Lily, still smiling like this was some joke, plucked the badge from Dewgong's tongue and held it out to me.

"Here's your badge!" she said, as if the battle didn't even matter.

I took the badge, but my voice hardened. "What about the battle?"

Lily shrugged, her carefree demeanor unwavering. "All our Pokémon lost to the trainers from Pallet Town. We're not battling for a while."

I clenched my fist, my nails biting into my palm. So, that was it. No challenge, no fight. Just...this. I pocketed the badge, though it felt wrong, heavy with something other than victory.

"Where are you from?" Lily asked, still grinning, oblivious to the frustration radiating off me.

"Pallet Town," I replied flatly.

Her smile faltered, just for a second, but she quickly recovered. "Good thing we're not battling, then!"

I didn't bother responding. Instead, I turned and walked out, the door slamming shut behind me. The Cascade Badge weighed in my pocket, but it didn't feel like a win.

The city buzzed around me as I left the gym behind.