The week in Pewter City had passed in a blur of recovery, training, and preparation. Now, standing in the Pokemon Center's lobby with their bags packed and the Mobile Home ready for travel, Sasuke felt the familiar mix of anticipation and reluctance that came with leaving a place that had become temporarily home.
Tyranitar had been cleared for travel yesterday, armor fully healed, strength restored, cleared by Nurse Joy with instructions for continued light conditioning. Ryu had survived his first week of life with enthusiastic chaos, doubling in size and energy. Kasumi had completed her coaching sessions with Ayame, refining Contest routines. Kiyomi had finished documenting the Rock-type temple. Miyuki had established care protocols for traveling with a newborn Dragon-type.
Everything was ready. Except for the fact that leaving meant facing Mt. Moon.
"It's the only route to Cerulean," Kiyomi said, spreading a map across the check-out counter. "Unless we want to backtrack south and take the coastal road, which adds two weeks to travel time."
The map showed Mt. Moon as a massive gray blob between Pewter and Cerulean, a mountain range hollowed by centuries of mining and natural erosion, creating a labyrinthine cave system that travelers had to navigate. Official League routes existed, marked with lights and safety stations. But even the maintained paths were treacherous.
"How long to traverse?" Sasuke asked.
"Two to three days if we stick to the main route. Longer if we encounter problems." Kiyomi pulled up additional research on her tablet. "Mt. Moon is famous for several things: extensive fossil deposits, large Clefairy populations, ancient ruins from pre-modern civilizations, and..." she paused, "...occasional Team Rocket activity."
"Team Rocket?" Miyuki looked up from feeding Ryu. "I thought they'd been disbanded years ago."
"Officially disbanded. But splinter cells still operate, mostly petty theft and Pokemon poaching. Nothing like the Aether Foundation's scale, but dangerous if you're caught alone in isolated areas." Kiyomi showed them incident reports. "Three documented encounters in Mt. Moon over the past month. All involved stealing Pokemon from inexperienced travelers."
"We're not inexperienced," Kasumi said. "And we have Sasuke."
"Still need precautions." Sasuke pulled out his phone, started making a list. "Cave travel requires specialized equipment. Flashlights, backup batteries, rope for safety lines, emergency beacons, first aid supplies beyond our standard kit. And we should establish communication protocols in case we get separated."
They spent the morning acquiring supplies. Pewter City's outdoor equipment shops catered to Mt. Moon travelers, entire sections dedicated to cave exploration gear. Sasuke bought high-powered flashlights with extended battery life, climbing rope rated for Pokemon rescue operations, emergency flares that worked underground, and personal locator beacons that functioned even in deep cave systems.
"This is a lot," Kasumi observed, watching him load supplies into the Mobile Home.
"Mt. Moon is dangerous. People die there every year, getting lost, falling into unmapped chambers, encountering aggressive wild Pokemon in the dark." Sasuke secured the last equipment bag. "We're not taking chances. Everyone gets a beacon, everyone carries emergency supplies, and we stick together. No wandering off to explore."
He looked directly at Kiyomi when saying that last part. The archaeologist raised her hands in mock surrender. "I promise not to disappear into ancient ruins without telling anyone."
"You'd better not. I don't want to explain to your mother why we lost you in a cave."
Their preparations complete, Sasuke realized they should make farewell visits. A week in Pewter had created connections, people who'd helped, taught, or simply been kind. Leaving without acknowledgment felt wrong.
First stop: the Pewter Museum. Dr. Takeshi met them in his office, surrounded by artifacts and research papers as usual. His face lit up seeing them.
"Leaving today? I thought you might stay longer."
"Cerulean Contest is in two weeks," Kasumi explained. "We need to account for Mt. Moon travel time plus some preparation days."
"Wise planning." Dr. Takeshi stood, moved to a storage cabinet. "I have something for you, Kiyomi. Consider it thanks for documenting the Rock-type temple so thoroughly."
He presented a carefully wrapped package. Inside: three fossil samples, each perfectly preserved in protective cases. Omanyte, Kabuto, and Aerodactyl fragments, millions of years old.
"These are worth..." Kiyomi couldn't finish the sentence, too overwhelmed.
"Whatever price you were about to say, they're worth more as research materials in capable hands." Dr. Takeshi smiled. "Your temple documentation is being published in next month's Archaeological Journal. These samples support the companion paper I'm writing about prehistoric Pokemon worship. I need you to continue your work, and you need resources. This is mutual benefit."
Kiyomi carefully packed the fossils. "Thank you. I won't waste this opportunity."
"I know you won't."
Second stop: the Breeding Association headquarters. Roxanne met them in the lobby, professional as always but with genuine warmth.
"Miyuki. I've been tracking Ryu's development through your reports. Excellent progress, weight gain is optimal, coordination improving ahead of schedule. You're exceeding expectations for first-time Dragon-type rearing."
"I've been following your advice religiously," Miyuki said. Ryu chirped from her arms, already bigger than when he'd hatched a week ago.
"It shows." Roxanne examined the Bagon, nodded approval. "When he evolves to Shelgon, contact me immediately. That transition is traumatic, most breeders make critical mistakes during shell formation. I'll guide you through it remotely."
She handed Miyuki a thick manual, Advanced Dragon-Type Breeding: Theories and Applications. "Graduate-level text, usually restricted to certified breeders. But you've demonstrated competence that transcends credentials. Study this during your travels. It contains everything you need for Ryu's development through Salamence stage."
Miyuki accepted the book with reverence. "I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll keep doing excellent work. And visit again after your journey, we'd like to offer you an internship position. The Association needs talented breeders who understand partnership over profit."
Third stop: Pewter Gym. They found Gaara in the training grounds, working with his Tyranitar on recovery conditioning. The Rock/Dark type's armor still showed faint scarring from their battle, permanent marks that would fade over time.
"Leaving today?" Gaara didn't stop his training routine, but his attention clearly shifted to them.
"Yes. Cerulean City next."
"Good route. Zabuza will challenge you differently than I did, more mobility, less defense. Adapt accordingly." Gaara finally stopped, recalled his Tyranitar. "I have something for you."
He pulled a TM from his pocket, Stone Edge, one of the most powerful Rock-type moves. "Your Tyranitar already knows it, but your other Pokemon might benefit. Landorus, Zekrom, even Mega Venusaur can learn Rock-type coverage moves. Diversification makes you unpredictable."
"This is expensive," Sasuke said.
"Consider it compensation for teaching me humility. You're the first person to beat me in months, that lesson was worth far more than a TM." Gaara extended his hand. "Stay strong. The gym leaders ahead won't make the same mistakes I did."
They shook hands, mutual respect between trainers who'd tested each other.
Final stop: The Boulder restaurant. They'd eaten there multiple times during their stay, and the staff had come to recognize them. Sasuke had spent hours discussing culinary techniques with the chef, forming the kind of professional connection that transcended casual customer relationships.
"Last meal before Mt. Moon?" the chef asked when they arrived.
"Unfortunately."
"Then I'm making something special. Off-menu, experimental recipe I've been developing. You're the perfect test subjects."
The meal was extraordinary, fusion cuisine combining Pewter's rock-type tradition with Cerulean's water-type influences, creating a preview of their destination. Each course was perfectly executed, ingredients sourced from local suppliers the chef had been collaborating with for years.
"If you ever decide to open that restaurant you mentioned," the chef said during dessert, "contact me. I'll connect you with suppliers, investors, anyone you need. Talent like yours," he gestured at Sasuke, "shouldn't be wasted solely on Pokemon training."
"After the journey," Sasuke promised. "Once we've proven ourselves."
"I'll hold you to that."
They lingered over dessert, savoring their last moments in Pewter City. The restaurant had become familiar, comfortable seating, reliable service, food that consistently exceeded expectations. Leaving meant returning to uncertainty, unknown routes, and new challenges.
But that's what journeys were about.
"One city down," Kasumi said, raising her water glass in toast. "Fifteen to go."
"Mt. Moon's mysteries await," Kiyomi added, her glass joining Kasumi's. "Ancient ruins, Clefairy colonies, maybe even encounter Team Rocket if we're unlucky."
"Together, we can handle anything," Miyuki said, third glass completing the triangle. Ryu chirped from her lap, apparently agreeing with the sentiment.
Sasuke raised his own glass, completing the square. "Thanks for being here with me. I couldn't do this alone."
"You could," Miyuki said. "But you don't have to."
They clinked glasses, simple gesture that held weight beyond the physical action. Four people who'd started as childhood friends, drifted apart during teenage years, and reformed connection through shared journey. Every challenge faced together strengthened those bonds.
The meal concluded. They paid, thanked the staff, and stepped out into Pewter City's evening air. The sky had turned deep purple, stars beginning to appear between mountain peaks. The city lights created warm glow against darkness, thousands of lives continuing their routines while four travelers prepared to depart.
Back at the Mobile Home, Sasuke did final equipment check. Flashlights charged and accessible. Emergency beacons tested and functioning. Rope secured but easy to deploy. First aid kit fully stocked. Food and water supplies sufficient for a week despite only planning three days, always better to have excess.
Miyuki settled Ryu in his travel nest, specially designed to keep the young Dragon-type safe during movement. Shaymin curled beside him, having taken on protective older-sibling role. Kasumi organized her Contest materials, ensuring nothing had been forgotten. Kiyomi backed up all her research data, storing copies in multiple locations in case equipment failed.
They went to bed early, knowing tomorrow would start before dawn. Mt. Moon's main entrance was three hours northeast of Pewter, requiring early departure to maximize cave travel during optimal daylight hours.
Sasuke lay in his room, Boulder Badge visible on his desk. First badge of sixteen, earned through strategy and partnership. Tomorrow would bring different challenges, navigation instead of combat, endurance instead of tactics. But the principles remained the same: preparation, teamwork, respect for Pokemon partners.
His phone buzzed, message from his mother: Safe travels through Mt. Moon. Your father and I traversed it thirty years ago during our own journey. The Clefairy helped us when we got lost. Remember: be respectful to the mountain's residents, and they'll guide you through.
Good advice. He'd pass it along tomorrow.
Another message, this one from Itachi: Mt. Moon tests patience more than strength. Don't rush. Trust your instincts. See you at the Silver Conference, little brother.
Sasuke smiled, set his phone aside. His family believed in him. His companions trusted him. His Pokemon were ready. Everything aligned for the next stage of their journey.
Outside his window, Pewter City's lights twinkled like stars brought to earth. In the morning, they'd leave this place behind, carrying memories and lessons forward. The Boulder Badge proved he could win. Mt. Moon would prove he could endure.
Fifteen badges remained.
But tomorrow, only Mt. Moon mattered.