Disclaimer: I do not own nor am I affiliated with Pokémon or any of its parent companies. I am merely a humble storyteller. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy this journey with me.

Note: I am English, so some of the wording, spellings, and expressions will be those commonly used in England.

Chapter Twenty: At Long Last, Cerulean City!

Red and Leaf stood on the outskirts of a city. This metropolis happened to be Cerulean, as evidenced by a sign that declared: 'Welcome to Cerulean City, the Floral Lagoon City'. At long last, they had arrived.

It had been hectic, that much they would admit – heck, anyone would admit that – but they and their Pokémon had come through it, and they could only get stronger. And they would.

They would ensure they would.

They had traversed down Mt. Moon, along Route Four, after the Clefairy and the Paras had provided them and their Pokémon with Tiny Mushrooms and Oran Berries to eat and some plants called Energy Roots to help their Pokémon recover faster. Even during the entire journey through Route Four, their Pokémon had still not gotten over their sulking at having to ingest the bitter medicine, and Red privately resolved only to use herbal remedies only when absolutely necessary.

The trek through Route Four was not a wholly uneventful one, even if Red and Leaf would have preferred it after that torrid time in Mt. Moon. Leaf managed to capture a Sandshrew, using her Bulbasaur to do so, maybe as some sort of poetic justice for what happened against the Rocket Grunt. Bulbasaur certainly seemed proud of himself when the Poké Ball stopped shaking and was transported away.

When they reached the bottom of Route Four and the ground plateaued, they came across a river, a long winding one that disappeared into the distance. But it was not the river that caught their attention. It was a cave on the other side of it. A person sat in front of the cave, their body and face shrouded by a thick cloak and hood, an air of mystique about them almost enticing the two children to attempt to cross the river and investigate.

They did not, of course, for a multitude of reasons. The previous mention of them desiring to have an uneventful trek for one. Having no Water Pokémon to ferry them across for another, although Beedrill and Butterfree might have sufficed as airborne transport. And, most importantly, was the aura radiating from the cave, an aura that raised goosebumps on their flesh, made their hair stand up on end, and chilled their spines. Even from where they were, it was like a physical pressure pressing down on them, something unknown, something… just… something. Even Pikachu and Eevee were wary, their long ears leaning back, their tails down. The duo wordlessly agreed to leave it be and continue on their way to Cerulean.

Which is where they were now.

"Where do we go now?" Red asked.

"Isn't that obvious?" Leaf said. "The Pokémon Centre, of course. We need to get our Pokémon finally fully healed." She ran her hands down her tattered clothes. "I'm going to have to chuck these. And I'm going to need a good wash too."

Red looked down at his own clothes; it would be easier just to throw their clothes away as opposed to darning them and stitching them and sewing them. At least they had more clothes on them because who would only have one pair of clothes over the course of a journey? This was not a game or an animated series or even a story. This was real life.

"You're right," he said. He sniffed his armpits and grimaced; Leaf's visage took on a tinge of green. "Yeah, a shower sounds good."

o~o~o~o~o

"We got here quicker than I thought we would," Red said.

"Of course, we did," Leaf said, in a jokey, faux-vain fashion. "I was leading the way. I can find my way to and through anything, apart from the exit to a mountain when being chased by bad guys."

"Oh, I bow down to you, oh humble one," Red said solemnly, struggling not to giggle.

He failed, and he and Leaf burst out laughing.

"Okay," Leaf said. "Let's get some rooms sorted out and send our Pokémon to be properly healed." She picked up Eevee and tickled her under the chin. "How does that sound, Eevee? A proper rest and recuperation. All of you deserve it. Yes, you do. Yes, you do."

Eevee lightly batted at Leaf's hand, back leg twitching as she relaxed at her Trainer's touch, eyes half-closed. She let out a contented whine.

"Aww, that's cute," Red gushed. "I want to do it. Come here, Pikachu."

Pikachu walked away.

"Er… okay," Red said with false joviality. "Rain check, okay, buddy?"

Leaf set Eevee on the floor and gave Red a sympathetic look. Eevee went off to join Pikachu, who gave her the briefest of glances.

"What's up with Pikachu?" she asked.

"It's just how he is," Red said, shrugging. "It's fine. The fact that he listens to me in battle is more than enough for me. I mean, I do wish he was more like Charmander and Beedrill, but I'm not going to complain." He and Leaf watched the two furry creatures interact.

Eevee nudged Pikachu.

Pikachu leaned away.

Eevee nudged Pikachu harder.

Pikachu leaned away further.

"Looks like Eevee wants to be Pikachu's friend," Red observed.

"And Pikachu's not having any of it," Leaf said.

"I don't get it," Red said. "He gets along with other Pokémon pretty well, not just Charmander and Beedrill. I don't know, maybe it'll just take a bit of time for Pikachu to warm up to Eevee. These sorts of things happen."

"I guess you're right," Leaf said, frowning. If one were to ask her what she was thinking of at that moment, she would reply that it appeared Eevee knew Pikachu. Or maybe it knew a Pikachu and was projecting onto Red's. Either way, no one asked her, and they all proceeded to enter the Pokémon Centre.

The Pokémon Centre staff were kind and cordial, as their colleagues at the Viridian, Pewter, and Mt. Moon Centres were, the people supported by their helpful Chansey.

Red and Leaf were given separate rooms and washed themselves in the tiny showers provided. Well, it was not a five-star hotel, was it? Not exactly fountains and saunas and such. Anyway, after bathing themselves, they threw away their ruined clothes and quickly got changed before rushing down to meet each other at the cafeteria. And the word 'rushing' must be used here because these were two VERY hungry children.

In the cafeteria, they piled their plates with foods all kinds, barely saying a word to each other as the call of sustenance was so loud it would outmatch an Exploud using Uproar. People watched them with wide eyes, wondering how the kids could fit all the food onto their plates, marvelling at the fact they were going to eat so much. Though a couple of cynics merely grumbled that so much food was 'obviously going to go to waste' and that 'their eyes were bigger than their stomachs'. But soon even the nonbelievers had their faith restored as Red and Leaf demolished their meal and downed all their drinks in an almost monstrous fashion. It was quite the spectacle.

"That was so good!" Leaf gushed upon finishing the last morsel on her plate.

"Too right," Red said, sitting back in his seat and patting his stomach.

They merely sat there after their glorious feast, basking in the warm glow of a full stomach, happier knowing their Pokémon were no doubt having meals of their own while being fully restored.

Leaf broke the silence: "How are you faring, Red?"

"What do you mean?" Red asked.

"Your injuries," Leaf said. "You know, the whole 'Proton's-Zubat-attacking-you' thing."

"Oh, yeah," Red said, shifting uneasily in his seat. "I'm feeling better than I was; when the adrenaline went, it hurt like heck. I'm okay now, though."

"Are you sure?" Leaf's eyes were wide with worry. "Maybe you can get checked out here? You can never be too careful when it's about your health."

Red shook his head. "I'm good. Honest. My bruises will start fading soon. Though, I would probably get checked out if that was a Golbat instead. Besides, I'm probably going to deal with a lot worse in the future so this is nothing."

"That's true," Leaf agreed. "We might have another run-in with Team Rocket."

"Oh, yeah," Red said again, scratching the back of his head. "That might happen too."

"What did you mean by 'a lot worse in the future'?"

"Er… I meant something like getting chased by a Rhyhorn." He chuckled. "You remember that documentary where that guy was talking to the camera and didn't notice the Rhyhorn coming up behind him? You remember when that Pyroar started chasing him too?"

Leaf snorted. "Yeah. His Magneton had to float him and his cameraman away."

The kids giggled for a few minutes as they recalled one the last things they watched together on television before starting their journey.

"Well, if you're sure," Leaf said, standing up and brushing the crumbs off her black sleeveless top. "Okay, let's go."

"Yeah!" Red said excitedly, jumping to his feet. "We've got to get our Pokémon and explore Cerulean!"

Leaf rolled her eyes. "Our Pokémon aren't ready yet. We're going to speak to Professor Oak."

"Cool," Red said. "I haven't spoken to him since leaving Pallet."

"I know," Leaf said, pursing her lips. "He told me. You haven't had your Pokédex evaluated at all."

"There's been no point really," Red said, twiddling his fingers. "I've only got five Pokémon in my Pokédex with that little Poké Ball symbol next to their names. You know the one I'm talking about, don't you?"

"I do."

"Yeah, well, there's no point in getting him to evaluate it if I haven't captured a lot, is there?"

Leaf sighed. "It's not just about capturing them. It's about the ones you've seen as well. Besides, Professor Oak trusted you with your Pokédex, so you should be getting it evaluated whenever you can to show you're serious about it, even f you feel you haven't made much progress."

Red stared down at his feet. "I guess you're right, Leaf. I'm sorry. Do you think he's going to shout at me? Or worse, is he going to compare me to Blue?"

"Maybe," Leaf said, reaching over and giving his arm a quick squeeze. "But hey, we got past Team Rocket, so anything else is going to be child's play, right?"

"Yeah, you're right." Red looked up from his trainers and grinned. "Okay, let's talk to Professor Oak."

o~o~o~o~o

To Red's surprise, Professor Oak was more worried about him than annoyed about the Pokédex. And even more worried about Red was his own mother, who he had not called once since leaving home. Leaf's icy stare did not thaw even when he promised to call her after they were done speaking to Professor Oak.

"I'm glad to see you are safe, Red," the professor said. "Just remember to call me every so often… and to call your mother more often than that."

"Don't worry, I will, professor," Red said solemnly.

"Anyway, allow me to register your Pokédex. I sometimes forget you even have one."

Red blinked up at the Professor on the screen in confusion. "How am I meant to do that? You're all the way in Pallet and I'm here in Cerulean. I don't get it."

Professor Oak shook his head at the cluelessness of youth and turned to Leaf, a better example of how competent young people can be. "Would you please show him, Leaf?"

Leaf nodded and pulled out her Pokédex. "You put it here," she explained to Red, sliding it on what looked like a scale. On the screen, Professor Oak pressed something on his end – most likely a button, which does seem rather obvious – and immediately a green glow enveloped Leaf's Pokédex. A humming noise accompanied the light.

A group of onlookers watched as two kids talked to one of the leading authorities on Pokémon, a couple in complete awe at the man on the screen, but all keeping their distance from them, not wanting to disturb their conversation. A few girls sat at a table not far off, wearing jackets that said 'Cerulean Swim Team'. One of the girls was staring with particular interest at Red.

There was also a man who was sat on a cushiony chair by a map of Kanto holding a newspaper up to his face, his eyes hovering above it and watching the duo and their Pokémon intently.

Professor Oak looked towards another screen. "Hmm," he said. "You've captured quite a few more Pokémon since the last time. Oh, and even a Sandshrew. You're doing well, Leaf."

"Thank you, professor," Leaf said, her cheeks tinged with red.

The green glow vanished, and Leaf took back her Pokédex. "See," she said to Red, "nothing to it. Just put your Pokédex on there and you're good to go."

Red did as Leaf said, and Professor Oak read the results from the Pokédex. He tutted. "Five Pokémon captured only? You're falling behind Leaf and Blue already."

Red wrinkled his nose in distaste at the mention of Blue's name. "I know, professor. It's just that I've been more focused on winning Badges. I will capture more Pokémon – honest! – but I want to make strong team that can make me go places too. I won't be able to travel to all the hard places in Kanto if my Pokémon aren't up to snuff."

Professor Oak mulled over Red's words. "You have a point," he admitted. "I mean, I do want your Pokédex to be filled, but as long as it does get done then it makes no difference how long it takes, I suppose." The Professor looked at Red's Pokédex data again. "This can be just as impressive as Leaf's and Blue's. You've seen a Kingler already. That's amazing!"

A sound like musical bells suddenly pealed around the Centre and Red's and Leaf's names were announced. "They're fully healed!" Red exclaimed. He shot to his feet. "I'll get mine and then you can get yours. That okay, Leaf?"

It was okay, and soon the two young Trainers were back in front of the screen, Pikachu and Eevee with them now.

"Ah, so that's your Pikachu?" Professor Oak said, his sharp grey eyes studying the electric mouse. "He seems to be a fine Pokémon."

"He's awesome," Red said. "He helped me win the Pewter City Gym Badge by taking out Brock's Geodude. Even with the type disadvantage," Red added, a little smugly. Pikachu simply yawned, playing off the praise.

"That is quite the accomplishment," Professor Oak said. "With your apparent battling prowess and Leaf's amazing ability for capturing Pokémon, we are looking at exciting new times for a new generation of Trainers."

"Do you want to see the others?" Red asked, eyes shining like stars. "Charmander and Beedrill, I mean?"

Without waiting for an answer, Red let out Charmander and Beedrill. The former clambered onto his lap, minding his flame-tipped tail, and the latter propped herself onto her spindly legs, gazing out at the professor on screen over Red's head.

"Charmander defeated Brock's Onix," Red said proudly. "We got him to learn Metal Claw and that helped a bunch. He was awesome in that match, just like Pikachu was, and we even perfected a new attack after that. And Beedrill, well, Beedrill's my first ever capture, first ever evolution, and first ever fully evolved Pokémon. Professor, you should've seen it when Kakuna evolved into Beedrill. We were in Mt. Moon and –"

Red broke off, the details of Beedrill's evolution thrown into sharp focus. He looked away from Professor Oak and mumbled, "Er… never mind."

"Are you all right, Red?" Professor Oak asked with a questioning frown.

"Never better."

Sensing he was not going to get anything out of Red, he turned to Leaf. Her gaze was averted as well, stating into the back of her Eevee's head instead of up at the screen. "Leaf?"

She mumbled something incoherently back.

"Leaf?"

Leaf burrowed her face into Eevee's fur, as though that would be enough to hide her away from the stern and increasingly worried eyes of the professor. Truth be told, she could have ended the call there and then and gone about her day. But that was rude.

Maybe telling him about the horrific incident with Team Rocket in Mt. Moon was the right way to go, when it was still raw. What would they get from not telling him? Why would they not tell him? Just because it was hard to think about did not mean they could avoid it.

With a heavy sigh, Leaf looked back at Professor Oak and explained everything that had happened to them at Mt. Moon.

When she was done, Professor Oak appeared to have aged an extra decade. "I see," was all he said for the longest time.

Red forced himself to peer at the screen, running through those maze-like caverns coming back to him like a reminisced nightmare. Charmander placed his hand on Red's shaking one.

"You all were very lucky," Professor Oak said. "It's quite terrible. Mt. Moon is a public area, a necessity for travellers to traverse so they can reach Cerulean from Pewter. You should not have to face dangers such as that."

But the professor smiled. "However, you worked together with your Pokémon and got through it. It was your trust and love for them that enabled you to emerge from that dreadful event. You two are the perfect evidence that those two components are vital for any Trainer to succeed in their goals.

"People like Team Rocket need to be stopped, and I have faith that they will be one day. Until then, keep working towards your goals and avoid those thugs wherever possible. Considering they tried to claim a natural and historic sight for their own, they might be up to a lot more. Hmm, I wonder if Blue's come across them? He has not said anything that would indicate that he did."

"Oh yes, and maybe don't tell your parents about it. It might sound irresponsible but leaving them in the dark might be for the best. We don't want to risk them getting involved in this, no matter how small that risk may be. Team Rocket will definitely not be very happy with you right now."

Red and Leaf agreed, buoyed by the professor's words despite the looming shadow of Team Rocket's threat. Yes, all they could do was keep moving forward and stay safe where necessary. What, were they going to take on Team Rocket every chance they got? Hardly.

They spoke with Professor Oak for a bit longer before he claimed he needed to get some work done and wished them well before ending the call.

A call to Red's mum and Leaf's parents followed, where the former was rightly scolded for not phoning until now. After Red promised to call her more often, they had a pleasant conversation and she gushed over his Pokémon, speaking in baby talk to them. Pikachu cringed.

"Well, that's done," Leaf said, ending her conversation with her parents. "Are you ready to go explore Cerulean, then?"

"Yeah," Red said, suddenly feeling lighter. Speaking to both his mum and Professor Oak threw off some unknown weight he had been carrying, and he felt inexplicably more powerful, sort of like he had evolved too, much like Beedrill. "Let's go. There's got to be lots of places to explore."

Red returned Charmander and Beedrill to their Poké Balls, and he and Leaf rushed out the Pokémon Centre, eager to sample the pleasures Cerulean would no doubt offer them.

Meanwhile, the green eyes of the Cerulean Swim Team girl who was watching Red never left him, and the hint of a smile touched her lips.

The man who was reading the newspaper folded it up and left it on the cushiony seat for someone else to read. He adjusted his coat and left the Pokémon Centre too, a grin fighting to form on his impassive face.