When Officer Jenny from Goldenrod City arrived at the site of the reported "suspected gas explosion" with the firefighting team's Water-type Pokémon, there was no towering flames or choking smoke that could suffocate someone.
Only Lucas, bored out of his mind, using the vine-wrapped Team Rocket grunts stacked like mummies as a chair, enjoying sandwiches from his spatial backpack for lunch with Vulpix, Victini, and Serperior.
Spotting the stunned Officer Jenny and the Pokémon firefighting team of Croconaw, Marill, and Poliwag, Lucas's eyes lit up. He waved: "Officer Jenny, over here!"
Though she had a million complaints bottled up, Goldenrod's Officer Jenny was one of the most experienced in Johto. Staying calm under pressure was a police officer's duty.
Her gaze fell on the people Lucas was using as cushions, bound tightly. Through the vine gaps, she could make out their black uniforms, though they were mostly burned away. Clearly, for the sake of the city's appearance and her own eyes, the mummy wrap was a choice.
From the scattered fragments and vine gaps, Officer Jenny pieced together their identities. The bright red "R" flashed in her mind, making her expression grave.
She'd thought it was a ordinary gas explosion or a rampaging Fire-type Pokémon, but it turned out to involve the notorious criminal group Team Rocket.
With that in mind, watching the Croconaw and others cooling the hot ground with Water Gun, Officer Jenny called up to Lucas: "Trainer, wait a moment, we'll be right over!"
Moments later, facing Lucas, Officer Jenny heard the rough account of events and thoughtfully eyed the clearly suffering Team Rocket grunts.
"I see. These Team Rocket members tried to rob your Pokémon, but your... uh, Victini subdued them with a Fire-type move, then Serperior bound them with Vine Whip."
"The information you've provided is very important to us. Thank you for cooperating."
Lucas nodded and asked: "After handing them over to you, Officer Jenny, I can leave, right?"
"Uh, yes." Officer Jenny didn't deny it, but she looked apologetic as she said to Lucas: "However, since this involves the massive criminal organization Team Rocket entrenched in Kanto and Johto, before you go, could I take a few minutes to verify your identity?"
"Judging by your Serperior, are you a Trainer from Unova?"
Lucas shook his head lightly and pulled out his booklet: "No, I'm a Trainer from Paldea. This is my entry passport."
Officer Jenny was polite, with no overbearing pressure, and Lucas was happy to spend a few minutes cooperating. After all, whether in Kanto, Johto, or Paldea, the Jennys quietly protected regional and city peace.
"Paldea? That's quite a distant region."
Officer Jenny leaned in to examine Lucas's passport closely, confirming its authenticity. She stared at the name on it, lost in recollection.
Lucas... Lucas... Wait, Lucas!?
Officer Jenny's pupils shrank as she recalled the name of the hero who, alongside Ice Elite Four Lorelei, saved the Orange Islands. It matched perfectly!
Plus, the Paldea origin, the strength to easily subdue Team Rocket grunts—Lucas's identity was practically 100% confirmed in her mind.
But why hadn't the higher-ups notified her that such a big shot was in Goldenrod City!?
Officer Jenny straightened up, saluted crisply, her voice tinged with respect: "I'm so sorry—I didn't realize it was the Champion visiting. It's shameful that you had to see our city's security failure."
Lucas was baffled by Officer Jenny's sudden formality, but he roughly guessed why she was apologizing like a startled bird.
The League had handled most of his entry passports for various regions, but this time he'd entered by riding Dragonite, so there was no flight record.
A big shot from another region, the hero who just saved the Orange Islands affiliated with Kanto and Johto, attacked by an evil organization in your jurisdiction—
Like what happened to Penny at Naranja Academy, mishandled, it could be a disastrous diplomatic incident.
After Lucas's reassurances, Officer Jenny finally believed he had no complaints and wouldn't cause a diplomatic mess.
As Lucas turned to leave, seeing Officer Jenny's hesitant look, he sighed slightly and asked: "Alright, if you really want to make it up to me, tell me if there's a good pharmacy near Goldenrod City—preferably an old shop that uses Bellsprout to brew potions."
"I'm interested in Bellsprout. If possible, I'd like to catch a few."
Lucas vaguely remembered in the original anime, Ash and friends met an old man at a pharmacy who used Bellsprout to make potions and even brewed tasty Berry juice.
His plan was to catch at least two Bellsprout: one for brewing potions, one for fermenting juice, to avoid flavor mixing.
Seeing Lucas's serious expression with no trace of falsehood, Officer Jenny thought for a moment and gave her considered answer: "Go to Cianwood City. It's in the westernmost part of Johto, backed by the sea. There are many pharmacies there that rely on Bellsprout for special medicines. The oldest shop has over 500 years of history."
"Cianwood City, got it."
Lucas nodded thoughtfully, not pressing Officer Jenny for more details on Cianwood City. He left the unlucky Team Rocket members with her and departed the alley under her respectful gaze.
After leaving the alley, Lucas headed straight to Goldenrod City's largest department store. Besides buying some burlap sacks for Silver Mountain soil, he planned to pick up some Johto specialties to share with his Pokémon back on the farm.
This time, no annoying flies tailed him. He not only got what he wanted but filled up on samples with Victini and Vulpix at the department store.
Seems even with money, you can't escape the joy of freeloading.
After shopping at the Goldenrod department store, the afternoon slipped away. Considering the distance from Goldenrod to Cianwood City, Lucas went to the city's edge, mounted Dragonite, and followed the navigation toward the western edge of Johto's mainland.
As twilight dyed the sky and night approached, Lucas and Dragonite finally reached Cianwood City, a seaside city.
The city backed onto mountains and was built near the sea. It was nearly inaccessible by normal means—only via Flying Pokémon, Water riding Pokémon, ferries, or helicopters. No flights included Cianwood City, mainly because there was no space for an airport.
Dragonite landed on a beach near the port, drawing attention from couples and families strolling in the evening.
Lucas ignored the stares, recalled Dragonite, and headed straight to Cianwood City's downtown.
At 9 PM, the travel-weary Lucas booked the largest suite at a seaside hotel in Cianwood City. He released his Pokémon, sorted dinner, took a bath, then flopped onto the soft bed hugging the doll-like cute Vulpix and Victini, letting out a short, sharp sigh.
"Ah—"
He could only say he'd made a few wasted trips tonight. Though Lucas rushed to ask pharmacies before closing if they had Bellsprout for sale, they all refused, saying they didn't have enough themselves and wanted more—money wouldn't sway them.
After all, wild Bellsprout were fairly rare, and their shop's Bellsprout were family heirlooms passed down generations.
Helpless, Lucas returned empty-handed... well, not entirely empty-handed.
Propping himself up on his elbow, Lucas grabbed a flyer from the nightstand and eyed its title, murmuring: "Safari Zone..."
The flyer in his hand was for the recently opened Safari Zone on the edge of Cianwood City.
The so-called Safari Zone was a protected area teeming with various Pokémon, even from other regions. After data review and paying a fee to fund operations, you got 30 Safari Balls to enter and catch wild Pokémon.
But notably, the Safari Zone forbade Pokémon battles for catching. Either your charisma was off the charts and Pokémon begged to join you, or you built rapport through various means and used Safari Balls without battling.
Lucas felt this was his specialty. When it came to tempting wild Pokémon with food and sweet-talking them into Poké Balls willingly, he was a repeat offender.
"Serper~?"
Serperior poked its head out, curiously eyeing the flyer in Lucas's hand. Its flexible vines pointed at the promotional image of the Safari Zone's landscape, as if asking if he was going there.
"I want to check the Safari Zone for wild Bellsprout. If not, we'll head to Silver Mountain for soil. It's not too far from Blackthorn City, both in eastern Johto, so it'll be easier on Dragonite."
Lucas nodded, softly outlining his plans.
Serperior glanced at the snoring Dragonite nearby, its ruby-like snake eyes softening. Indeed, Dragonite was the most exhausted among them. Though Dragon-types were known for stamina, the mental strain was unavoidable.
This was why it liked Lucas—he always quickly noticed their conditions and arranged accordingly, putting them first.
Like when it was still a Snivy...
Lucas didn't know Serperior was lost in memories. His gaze fell on the section of its supple snake body sunk into the white sheets. Unlike Vulpix's cool, fluffy fur, Victini's warm fluff, or Dragonite's soft, scaly belly.
While retaining most snake traits, as a Grass-type, Serperior's body emitted a fresh, pleasant grassy scent. Touching its subtly patterned, unobtrusive scales felt wondrous.
Knowing you're stroking a snake body, yet your nose catches sun-baked grass aroma, with warmth radiating from within—the disconnect between reality and common sense.
Unfortunately, Serperior usually didn't let him touch it, which saddened Lucas, who loved cuddling his Pokémon.
He didn't want to get whipped by an annoyed Serperior before bed. Oh well... maybe try feeling a wild Seviper or Arbok sometime.
With that, Lucas quashed his little thoughts and decided to wash up and sleep.
…
The next morning.
Today was June 28th, two days until the Dragon Clan's invitation. Lucas's itinerary was to check the Safari Zone for Bellsprout to catch, then prepare to head to the easternmost Silver Mountains in Johto.
The Safari Zone opened early, at 8 AM.
After washing up, Lucas recalled his Pokémon, left the hotel, and headed toward the Safari Zone.
Walking Cianwood City's streets, Lucas and Victini, Vulpix admired the scenery along the way.
"Vii~!"
After about half an hour, Victini pointed at a large courtyard nearby, gently tugging Lucas's hair with a curious cry.
Vulpix looked in the direction Victini pointed, its not-very-fox-like big eyes widening.
"What... let me see."
Lucas turned and saw that the place exciting Victini was less a courtyard and more a massive dojo.
His gaze fell on the huge plaque beside the dojo, and he showed surprise: "Whoa, this is Cianwood City's Gym? It looks really impressive."
Lucas remembered Cianwood City's Gym was a Fighting-type one, led by a Fighting specialist named Chuck.
As Lucas, Victini, and the others marveled at the grand Cianwood Gym, a girl in a karate gi, with a black headband and a black bow, entered their view, heading into the Gym.
Beside her was a muscular, towering, light-blue-skinned humanoid Pokémon—Machamp.
Based on these features, plus Lucas's strong impression of the girl, he instantly guessed her identity—
Galar region's Gym Leader, the genius karate girl specializing in Fighting-types, Bea!
"She's already come to Johto's Fighting Gym for training at this point?"
Thoughtfully, Lucas recalled this girl was Ash's nemesis in the future, beating him once, tying once before he won, and even tougher than facing Champions like Steven or Cynthia in the Masters Eight.
But from another angle, it proved how terrifying her Trainer talent was.
And not just talented—she was incredibly hardworking too.
"Tsk tsk, if only Penny could be like her."
Lucas shook his head with a smile, having no intention of randomly approaching her. He turned and continued toward the Safari Zone.
The somewhat dazed Safari Zone warden, Baoba, handed Lucas a tray with 30 Safari Balls, smiling: "Mr. Lucas, your identity checks out. Here are 30 Safari Balls. One last reminder: Pokémon can be kept out for self-defense, but no battling to catch."
"I understand, Mr. Baoba."
Lucas nodded. He didn't look down on Baoba just because he was paying—nor act entitled.
The Safari Zone operated like those organizations rescuing strays and offering adoptions before his crossing: charging minimal entry fees, sometimes even subsidizing themselves to run it, helping wild Pokémon find homes with loving Trainers forever.
Even Lucas underwent strict data review before entry, despite Baoba recognizing him as the one who stopped the Orange Islands crisis.
Not to mention, Baoba himself was knowledgeable about Pokémon on a scholarly level—perhaps the essence of "great wisdom appears foolish."
Though Lucas had no plans to catch 30 Pokémon at once, he took the 30 Safari Balls from Baoba. He could return the unused ones, considering it a contribution to the Safari Zone's operations.
Bidding Baoba farewell, Lucas entered the Safari Zone. The scenery, indistinguishable from the wild, immediately captivated him. Vulpix and Victini let out soft exclamations of wonder.
Lucas stroked his chin, pondering: "Hmm... which of the six zones first?"
The Safari Zone was divided into six areas, each with different Pokémon types, including those rescued by Johto police from poachers, smugglers, and crime groups from other regions—mostly from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, with a few from Unova and later regions possible.
In fact, not long after entering, Lucas spotted a Shinx playfully running across the grassland.
Pointing at the Shinx, Lucas smiled and introduced to Victini and Vulpix: "That's the base form of Luxray. Too bad when I met mine, it was already a Luxio. Looking at it now, it's really small and cute."