Chapter 72: Vermillion City

Journeys just confirmed alternate worlds exist in the Pokeverse, things just got a lot crazier.

Anyways, here's the chapter for today!

Power stones please?

*

A salty breeze wafting through the air.

This place was full of salt--cough cough, I mean, such a pleasant breeze was our first impression after exiting the underground passageway. This underground passageway led us from Route 5 to Route 6, effectively bringing us underneath Saffron City. If one Trainer did the proper path, they would arrive in Saffron City sixth to take their sixth gym battle with Sabrina, the psychic type Gym Leader.

But that wasn't our plan today.

At long last, we finally saw the sign that led us into the new city we arrived at.

Vermillion City!

"We finally made it!", Serena said, letting out an exhausted sigh as she saw the city sign.

"We only spent another day of walking since we left Bill's place.", Lillie responded nonchalantly. "Are you sure you have enough energy for this, Serena?", Lillie asked.

Once Lillie asked that, Serena looked over and saw Lillie acted calm as usual, acting as if a day of walking through Route 6 meant nothing to her. Sure, Lillie had light traces of sweat, but Serena still blinked at her.

"You...just how much energy do you have, Lillie? I already feel like taking a long bath again!", Serena responded in complaint.

I could only shrug my shoulders at Serena.

"Hehehe.", Lillie giggled.

"Don't be like that. Look you see that red dome not too far away right? Let's go, the Pokémon Center is in sight.", I said pointing at the Pokemon Center within sight, urging the two to enter Vermillion City

After we check in, our first destination will be the Vermillion Gym. The only person on our list to challenge is the Gym Leader, who is none other than Lieutenant Surge.

This was the first big hurdle for Ash as he began his journey. After all, it was his first time battling an evolved Pokemon. With his own Pikachu no less.

After our business Vermillion Gym is done, our next point to visit is on the other wide of the city in the outskirts. Professor Cerise's lab! It was time to meet him in person and get together with Chloe and Goh. I'm sure Serena and Lillie will have a lot of fun at the lab.

And lastly, after getting our share of Vermillion City, at the end of the week we got our scheduled fancy date. We will have to get dressed up for this, and enjoy a night on one of the world's most luxurious cruise liners, the SS Anne.

Concluding that thought, we arrived at the Pokemon Center.

"Welcome.", Nurse Joy greeted us.

"Nurse Joy? Didn't we see you back in Cerulean City?", Serena asked. She was able to regain her composure before we entered the Pokemon Center. She still had plenty of sweat clinging to her though.

Hearing this made Nurse Joy chuckle.

"Oh you must have met my second cousin back in Cerulean City.", Nurse Joy answered. "You see, I happen to be the third cousin. My first and second cousins reside in the Pokemon Centers in Pewter City and Cerulean City respectively, while I reside in the Vermillion City's Pokemon Center. Though among my cousins, I dare say I'm the prettiest, fufu.", Nurse Joy explained to us.

"You all look the the same though...?", Serena replied, a bit confused.

"We get that a lot.", Nurse Joy said simply smiling back at us.

'At least Brock isn't in our party to go off on an hour tangent describing how great Nurse Joy is and describing their differences...', I retorted inside my mind.

That thought ended quickly as Nurse Joy asked us if she wanted our Pokemon healed.

"You three seem to have just arrived in Vermillion City, so welcome. Shall I heal your Pokemon? I'm sure they must be tired from travelling."

"That would be great.", said, with a smile.

"Yes please.", Serena also answered while Lillie nodded her head.

Nurse Joy went to go retrieve her tray, and we placed our Pokeballs on it.

"Thank you very much. I'll get your guys' Pokemon healed in a jiffy--?", Nurse responded. Though as she was in the middle of grabbing our Pokemon, we suddenly heard the Pokemon Center's sliding doors open, only to have a frantic voice speak out behind us.

"Please make way! Hurry!", the voice said, obviously in a rush. We heard the sounds of a stretcher rolling onto the floor beside us. As we heard that, we turned to our side a bit. We saw a frantic trainer rushing beside the rolling stretcher that was being moved by a Chansey. A worried look appeared on this Trainer's face. This lasted for a few seconds before Chansey and the Trainer vanished into the room in the back that went straight to the ER.

Though before they vanished just as quickly as the two arrived, we saw what was on the stretcher. A very injured and fainted Raticate, wrapped in several bandages.

Seeing this just happen now, we turned back, only to see Nurse Joy reveal a look of worry.

"Oh dear. It's only the beginning of February but they just keep coming in like that. I must say that's the fifteenth one since the start of the year.", Nurse Joy said, worried.

"Have you been getting a lot of injured Pokemon recently, Nurse Joy?", I decided to ask.

"Actually, this is quite normal here in Vermillion City. That Trainer just now must have challenged the Vermillion Gym and lost, resulting in his Raticate like that."

"Lieutenant Surge must be quite ruthless to keep sending injured Pokemon your way.", Lillie said.

"Well, it's something we're used to by now, but I can agree that Lieutenant Surge is a rather strong Gym Leader. He is actually the first big hurdle for beginner Trainers in Kanto. Not many make it past him to continue on.", Nurse Joy explained.

"Is that so? Well regardless of what just happened now, we still plan to challenge this Lieutenant Surge to battle for our Thunder Badges.", Serena answered confidently.

"Fufu, I wish you three the best of luck then. But pardon me, I must excuse myself for now. I need to make way to the ER room.", Nurse Joy said as she handed our Pokemon back, good as new.

"Wait, can we check into a room before you go, Nurse Joy?", I quickly asked her.

"Of course.", Nurse Joy answered. She then turned to her side who we saw her own Chansey next to her. "Chansey, be a dear and give these three a key to one of our available rooms, okay? I must hurry.", Nurse Joy said to her Chansey, before darting into the same room the stretcher went into.

"Chansey!", Chansey answered as Chansey smiled at us. We then saw Chansey do a bit of rummaging around before finding a key, which she promptly gave to us.

"Thank you, Chansey.", I spoke, thanking Chansey. Chansey responded with a giggle and continued doing her duty as we headed through another set of doors that ked us to our room.

Today marked Feb 2nd, and Feb 3rd arrived after we checked in and slept, quickly drifting off into dreamland. Serena clocked out extremely early and was the first to fall asleep, so we just cuddled and went to bed.

Feb 3rd came and today would be the day we challenge Lieutenant Surge for the Thunder Badge. I also had a little challenge myself, wondering if Lieutenant Surge would be willing to accept it or not.