32 Chapter 032

"So this is Vermillion City" thought Alex. He looked around as he, Roger and Joseph were walking from the train station to the harbour. It was a 30 minute walk, one he immensely enjoyed. He could see the bustling city and many of its Pokemon all around him. He also spotted the Pokemon Fan Club, a building he remembered was present in the games in Vermillion City. He also saw a few signs and posters advertising the Vermillion City Electric Gym. He saw a poster featuring Lt. Surge.

Alex thought if a person from his previous life caught sight of Lt. Surge on the street, they would expect to get mugged. He looked like a total gangster. But here, due to his strength and status, he was held in high regard. He saw at least 20 people dressing like Lt. Surge, or at least trying on the way.

He and Joseph both received the test by mail on the same day the results were out and they submitted the applications. The papers were apparently delivered speedily due to the arrangement of the PIT board. Joseph filled his 3 papers, and Alex filled his 4.

A week later, both of them received invitations to visit the headquarters of Silph Co in Saffron City, and to visit the Kanto headquarters of Devon Corporation in Cinnabar Islands, and the Oak Corall in Pallet Town.

As Roger said, Devon Corporation and Silph Co offered some extra benefits other than what was mentioned on the website for the both of them. Especially for Alex, both of them mentioned the possibility of him reaching a pseudo-legendary Pokemon from them.

On the other hand, Oak Corall did not offer any more incentives to either of them. Instead, both of them received a handwritten letter congratulating them for their achievements, wishing them all the best regardless of their choice, and inviting them to join Oak Corall. The letter was signed by Professor Samuel Oak. While it was uncertain whether the professor wrote the letter or if some assistant wrote the letter and it was later signed by the professor, the personal touch won over Alex and Joseph and received the approval of Roger.

The only major difference between the letters both of them revived was that at the end of the letter, just before the signature, the words 'I would like to meet you' were written.

Hence, the both of them sent polite letters rejecting Silph Co and Devon Corporation, and wrote a letter to Oak Corall, accepting the invitation. They soon received 2 tickets on a ship sailing from Vermillion City to Pallet Town. Roger booked a ticket on the train from Celadon City to Vermillion Town. After a tearful and emotional goodbye, they left Cherry Grove. Alex and Joseph would not be coming back anytime soon. They decided to start their journey from Pallet Town. They did not have to pack much, as they did not have much. Each of them wore a small bag, filled with a change of clothes, water bottles, biscuits and souvenirs given by the other children when they departed.

They arrived at Vermillion City an hour before the ship they had tickets for departed.

They soon arrived at the docks. They asked around and found that the ship they were supposed to take was boarding, and would depart soon.

"Well then. This is it. Take care of yourselves. I have given you my phone number. Call me as soon as you get your own phone. And do visit Cherry Grove when you are close by" he said.

He then took out something from his pocket and passed it to both of us.

"These are Moon Stones that I found when while I was investigating the Zubat riot. I don't have anything else, so I will give you each one of these to help you. I know these are not of good quality, but they will still fetch a reasonable sum if sold. You can consider the money you get for it my gift to get you started on your journey" he said.

Alex took the Moonstone, with tears in his eyes. He knew that Roger had probably spent a lot of time and effort to get these Moon Stones, but he unhesitatingly gave them to him and Joseph.

"But Cherry Grove could use the funds" said Alex.

"I got more than two. I already sold the remaining ones. Cherry Grove has enough to keep it going for a while" he replied.

Alex pocketed the Moon Stone, and then proceeded to hug the middle-aged man, and said, "Thank you Uncle Roger. For everything"

Joseph did the same, and both the boys boarded the ship.

They looked out of the window of their cabin and waved at the man waving them goodbye.

Neither of them spoke after that, and they stayed silent for the rest of the journey.

After 8 hours, they heard a long horn signalling that they were about to dock.

Both of them came out onto the deck and looked out at the town visible in the distance.

"Pallet Town, here I come!" muttered Alex.