The sea breeze carried the scent of salt and ozone as the ferry docked at Vermilion Harbor. The sun hung low, golden and sharp over the water, gleaming off the polished metal hulls of ships and the tall antennas that crowned the city skyline. Seagulls cried overhead, swooping through the updrafts as dockworkers shouted and forklifts whirred.
William stepped onto the pier, boots meeting the steel plating with a solid clack. The breeze ruffled his brown hair, and the faint hum of electricity from the distant Gym already hung in the air like a warning.
Behind him, his team followed. Eevee trotting by his side with tail held high, Kirlia gliding just above the ground with serene balance.
And just a few steps back, keeping to the shadows of William, was the newest member which is a Shiny Nidoran male. His fur shimmered with pale blue instead of purple, his eyes sharp and wary. Every noise made his ears twitch, every movement of the others drew a flinch.
William didn't force him to come closer. He just turned slightly, gave a faint nod, and said, "Let's move, team."
The city of Vermilion was alive with sound and light, the calls of vendors, the hiss of bus brakes, and somewhere in the distance, the low rumble of thunder from an electric storm.
By the time William reached the Pokémon Center, the sky had shifted to a dusky orange. The glass doors slid open with a soft chime, and warmth flooded out with the smell of disinfectant mixed with the soft beeps of healing machines.
"Welcome to the Vermilion City Pokémon Center!" Nurse Joy greeted, voice gentle but hurried. The moment she saw William, though, she was already juggling two trays of Poké Balls and a clipboard. "Oh dear.....please, just a moment!"
Across the waiting area, a group of exhausted trainers sat slumped in their chairs. Their Pokémon... a Pidgeotto, a Raticate, a Graveler were hooked up to healing pods, their bodies scorched and trembling with faint residual shocks.
"Another batch from the Gym challenges?" William asked quietly, stepping aside to let a frantic Chansey roll past with an oxygen pod.
Nurse Joy sighed, brushing a strand of pink hair behind her ear. "Yes. Lt. Surge's Electric-types have been giving challengers a rough time lately. He's... intense about his training methods. I keep telling them, battle preparation matters just as much as raw strength." She glanced toward the resting Pokémon with a mix of worry and disapproval. "But some trainers still throw their Pokémon into fights they aren't ready for."
William nodded slowly, gaze lingering on the battered Raticate's chest rising and falling in steady rhythm under the glow of the healing light.
Electabuzz which is coming out of the PokeBall, watched too, his usual grin fading a bit. He clenched his fists, electricity crackling faintly but unfocused. Kirlia stepped closer to him, placing a glowing hand on his arm. A small, comforting gesture.
"Let's give them some space," William said softly, moving toward an empty corner seat. Eevee hopped into his lap without waiting for permission, curling up with a quiet "Vee."
Nidoran lingered near the doorway, eyes darting between the machines and the people. The noise unsettled him. When a young trainer passed by carrying an injured Sandshrew, Nidoran flinched and ducked behind a bench, trembling slightly.
Kirlia noticed, her eyes softening with empathy, but William raised a hand. 'Don't push him yet.'
They waited. Outside, neon signs flickered to life as night slowly descended.
After an hour, Nurse Joy approached the counter again. "Other trainers can come to treat your pokemons now. The situation is now resolved. Thank you for waiting to others emergency."
William rose from his seat and recalls all of his pokemons into their PokeBall. He then gives its to Nurse Joy who smiles warmly at him. After the thirty minutes, Chansey carried the tray of PokeBalls and Nurse Joy called out the name of each trainer.
William goes near Nurse Joy and takes away his PokeBalls. He then calls out all of his pokemons from the PokeBalls and said to Nurse Joy.
"Thank you."
As William turned, a sudden thunderous BOOM! echoed from somewhere beyond the building. A burst of sound so strong it rattled the glass doors.
Nurse Joy didn't even flinch. "That's him," she said dryly. "He's probably testing his Raichu again."
From the nearby window, William could see the faint flashes of light in the distance with arcs of yellow lightning shooting into the air, followed by the echo of a confident, booming laugh.
"Lt. Surge," he murmured. "Guess tomorrow won't be easy."
Electabuzz's grin returned at that, crackling with eager anticipation. "Electa!"
Eevee puffed her chest, tail flicking sharply. Kirlia smiled faintly, glowing eyes bright with calm focus.
Only Nidoran didn't react. He sat alone in the corner, staring out the glass doors where the storm flared in the distance. His reflection stared back at him which is small, alone, uncertain.
William turned toward him, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then he spoke quietly, his voice carrying just enough to reach the little Pokémon's ears.
"You'll get used to us soon," he said, not expecting an answer. "We're not going anywhere."
Nidoran's ears twitched, but he didn't move.
Outside, rain began to pour down softly against the windows. The city's lights shimmered in the puddles forming along the pavement.
He glanced once more at the newest member, who was still quietly observing from a distance and trembling less now, eyes softer, though he still didn't approach.
"Let's go," William said. "We need to register for the gym challenge."
William then went to the Vermilion City's Gym and at the counter. The female staff is watching TV which is showing the battle between Lt.Surge and the new challenger.
When she sees William, she smiles and said. "Welcome,how can I help you?"
William gives her the Pokedex and said. "I'm here for the Gym's leader to battle."
She scanned his trainer ID, nodded. "There's a few challengers ahead of you. Lt. Surge's schedule is fully booked for today and tomorrow, but you're confirmed for 11 AM the day after tomorrow morning."
"Got it. Thank you."
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