The challenge at the Cerulean Gym had concluded. Fuyuki, having successfully obtained the cascade badge, walked out of the Gym and checked his map.
The next destination—was Vermilion City.
There was also a Pokémon Gym there, the Electric-type Vermilion Gym. The Gym Leader was former Air Force Major Lt. Surge, who was said to be a lightning-fast tough guy.
In that case, it was decided!
It just so happened that Vermilion City was also a very nice sightseeing and tourist city in the Pokémon world.
Not only that, but they also had world-class luxury cruise ships like the St. Anne and the Sea Rapidash. It would be quite nice to go and experience them with Raikou and the others.
However, riding such ships required spending money on tickets, and the currency system Fuyuki carried was completely different from this world's.
He only needed shock points to live, but if he wanted to experience other facilities, he would need to spend the Pokémon League's unified currency, League Coins.
Fortunately, the system shop had a function to exchange shock points for League Coins at an exchange rate of 1:1000, meaning 1 shock point could be exchanged for 1000 League Coins, which was very convenient.
After a brief check, Fuyuki closed the panel.
He was planning to rest for a day in Cerulean City before continuing his journey, but he didn't expect that before he had walked more than a few steps, he would see a familiar figure running over in a rush from a distance.
"Cerulean Gym, here I come!"
Was that—Ash?
Fuyuki was stunned for a moment.
And the Pikachu on Ash also noticed Fuyuki's figure.
A look of surprise immediately appeared in its eyes.
"Pikachu!"
"Eh?" Ash then turned his head to look: "Fuyuki?! You're in Cerulean City too?"
"That's right, I just finished challenging the Cerulean Gym." Fuyuki grinned.
"I've also obtained a badge, it's the Boulder Badge from the Pewter Gym. How about that? Pretty impressive, right!" Ash opened his badge case and proudly showed it to Fuyuki.
Fuyuki also opened his own badge case.
"One, two, three—three badges?!" Ash's eyes widened: "You even got the badge from the Viridian Gym?"
"That's right, you need to keep working hard too, Ash!" Fuyuki said with a smile.
Hearing this, Ash couldn't help but feel a bit discouraged. Among the Trainers who started from Pallet Town, it seemed his progress was the slowest?
He heard that Gary and the others had already collected four badges; they were truly incredible!
"Pika-pi!" As if sensing Ash's mood, Pikachu gently patted his head with its small paw.
"Don't lose heart, Ash. See, Pikachu is comforting you too!" Fuyuki said.
In this idealistic Pokémon world, proper nurturing was important, but the bond between a Pokémon and its Trainer was equally vital.
A deepened bond could bring out immense potential in a Pokémon, making things like the underdog winning or the weak defeating the strong not entirely impossible.
"Yeah, a slow learner has his own way. Alright—it's decided, Pikachu! From today on, we're going to double our efforts!" Ash quickly cheered up.
"Pika-pi!"
"Well then, we'll be going first!" Fuyuki paused and added, "I'll be resting at the Waterside Hotel in Cerulean City today. If you finish your Gym challenge, you can come find me there."
"Okay, it's a deal!" Ash nodded repeatedly; he still wanted to have a Pokémon battle with Fuyuki!
Pikachu also waved its small hand to say goodbye to Fuyuki.
Fuyuki watched Ash leave. He then seemed to think of something, smiled to himself, and turned to depart.
Ash had started his journey. According to the timeline and the plot's development, Mewtwo—that strongest Pokémon created by Team Rockets—should have already been born, right?
The plot concerning Mewtwo surfaced in Fuyuki's mind.
After destroying the laboratory on New Island, it would collaborate with Giovanni, be fitted with power-limiting armor by Giovanni, and then be placed in the Viridian Gym to battle challengers.
And Team Rockets would use all of this to collect Mewtwo's data and test its power.
After that—Mewtwo would leave, head to New Island, and send out Dragonite messengers to invite the strongest human Trainers to its castle.
This was the plot from "Mewtwo Strikes Back."
Regarding this event, Fuyuki also wanted to join in the excitement.
"That human has Lord Ho-Oh's aura on him," Raikou suddenly said via telepathy from the side.
Fuyuki was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a smile: "I know, Ash is also a person chosen by Lord Ho-Oh. Perhaps before long, he will set off for Mount Tensei to participate in the trial! When that time comes, we all have to go over."
Raikou remained silent, harboring no hope in its heart because, up until now, countless humans had failed in this trial.
"I have a feeling he will successfully pass the trial," Fuyuki said.
"Let's hope so!" In Raikou's heart, no one could compare to their Little One.
"Alright, next let's head back to the hotel to rest for a bit!"
Raikou nodded.
The person and the Pokémon, enduring the varied gazes of the citizens along the road, headed towards a hotel located by the water.
Under the astonished gaze of the proprietress, Fuyuki paid the room fee and then went to the guest room with Raikou.
"Everyone, come on out!"
Accompanied by a flash of white light, Squirtle and Gastly appeared in the room.
Having spent almost the entire day traveling, Fuyuki felt exhausted. After preparing snacks and juice for the two Pokémon, he lay down on the soft large bed and fell into a deep sleep.
By the time he woke up again, it was already sunset outside.
A knock came from the door. At Fuyuki's signal, Squirtle curiously went up to open it.
The next second, Ash, Misty, and Brock appeared before Fuyuki's eyes.
"It's you!" Brock couldn't help but cry out in surprise.
He never expected that the friend Ash mentioned would actually be the Trainer who had challenged the Pewter Gym before!
"Mr. Brock?" Fuyuki raised an eyebrow, pretending not to know: "How did you come to Cerulean City too?"
"I've already handed the Gym over to my father to manage, so I have time to come out," Brock said.
"I see!"
"Fuyuki, I successfully collected the cascade badge!" Ash seemed extremely excited.
Misty, standing to the side with her arms crossed, gave a huff.
"Congratulations." Fuyuki glanced out the window and said, "It's getting late. Let me treat you all to dinner at a restaurant!"
"?" Misty was stunned: "That doesn't seem very good, right? Would it be too much trouble—"
"It's no trouble at all." Fuyuki wasn't short on money. He took Squirtle and Gastly, with Raikou following behind, and then went with the three of them to a very magnificent and luxurious restaurant in Cerulean City.
"Hey, won't the prices here be very expensive?" Ash looked at the surroundings and couldn't help but whisper.
"I don't know either—" Misty was also a bit nervous, because she had never been to a place like this before.
"Don't worry, I accidentally found quite a few Moon Stones when I was at Mt. Moon and sold them for a lot of money," Fuyuki explained. "So, just enjoy yourselves!"
Meanwhile, in the café across from the restaurant.
The Team Rocket Trio, dressed as detectives, were holding newspapers while watching the restaurant across the street.
"The twerp and Pikachu went inside there, meow," Meowth said.
"That guy is there too!" James saw Fuyuki by the window at a glance, and some unpleasant memories immediately surfaced in his mind.