Vermillion Beach
-Vermillion City-
A port city, full of exquisite sunsets. Stretching out into the ocean waters from the land were a variety of docks, with a variety of different ships to go along with them. As dockworkers unload cargo with Pokemon such as Machokes and Machamps on one dock, Kanto's upper-class board a luxury cruise liner on another with their stylized Furfrous and different regional Meowths at their sides.
Passing into a rocky cove, the famous Vermillion Beach (with the city behind it) came into view, dotted with lots of people in colorful bathing suits. Sitting on the front of her Milotic, staring at her map dumbfounded, "This definitely isn't Fuschia City…" Then, her companion Bryce tapped her on the shoulder.
"I told you that was the cycling bridge we passed under on our way here," The boy said, holding out his Town Map. "We went a little too far North."
"Well… Fuschia City can wait! They still have good ol' Lieutenant Surge here!" Alexa said, as the gargantuan, army-gear clad Gym Leader came into her mind. "Big… Electric using, Lieutenant Surge…" Alexa leaned in towards her Milotic, rubbing the side of its head. "Sorry, Milo'. But I think it's best if you sit this next Gym Battle out." Letting out a saddened coo to its trainer, it understood that the next gym would be a great challenge for it. "First stop when we hit land: the Pokecenter. Then: The Gym!" Alexa cheered, going over the itinerary with Bryce as they rode in closer and closer to shore.
"Attention Trainers. Out on a Training Ruck through the Diglett Tunnel. Be back by 0600 hours tomorrow. -Lieutenant Surge," Bryce said, reading the scrawl on a white sheet of paper pinned up to the locked doors of the Gym.
"NOOO!" Alexa cried out, giving a forceful tug on the doors in an attempt to be let into the facility. "But I'm itchin' to battle! I gotta get my Gym Badges! What even is a ruck anyway!?"
"Well, I can't tell you that," Bryce said. "But 0600 hours means he'll be back here at six A.M. tomorrow! You'll be able to challenge him then."
"Well, Bryce. You're a pretty smart kid," Alexa said, now out of breath from her attempt in opening the door. "Guess we can skip the Gym and do something fun. Like- the beach!"
"Come on out!" The two trainers exclaimed, tossing their Pokeballs into the air. As the array of orbs opened, each one released a burst of energy which manifested into a Pokemon. Standing before the trainers were the Pokemon: Bulbasaur, Weedle, Omanyte, Kabutops, Incineroar and Abra. With Bryce in a pair of green swim trunks and bandana-less Alexa in a red two-piece, the two trainers soaked in the sun as their Pokemon engaged in various activities. Utilizing its psychic powers, Alexa's Abra formed a massive sand castle for Bryce's Starter and Weedle to play in. Seeing the vast ocean before it, Kabutops broke into a sprint, before excitedly leaping into the water (startling several beach goers as the living Fossil splashed in the waves.) Tailing it, at a much slower pace was Bryce's Omanyte, who entered the ocean, submerging itself under the waves. Finally, Incineroar stretched its arms high into the air, before falling flat on its back in the sand at its trainer's side. Placing its hands under its head and crossing its feet, the Fire/Dark Type took in the sunshine.
"This is the life," Alexa uttered, as she placed a pair of black shades over her eyes.
"Gaow," Her Incineroar growled out, before its eyelids grew incredibly heavy. A few seconds later, the Pokemon was in a deep sleep, snoring loudly at the side of Alexa.
"You said it," Replied Bryce, as he sat, watching their Pokemon enjoying the day. "Lieutenant Surge couldn't have picked a better day to do his training."
"So I gotta ask," Alexa chimed in. "Are you planning on facing him for a badge?"
"Well… I was hoping that I could just watch you again," Bryce replied, tapping his two index fingers together. "Scout out the competition and what not." The boy hesitantly laughed.
"Uh-huh," Alexa uttered, staring at him out of the corner of her eye from behind her sunglasses. 'Sounds to me like he's scared to compete after losing to Brock… But I don't want to sound like a hypocrite…' She thought, after the image of her Lucario appeared in her mind. "Well… just take it at your own pace. And when you're truly ready to get your first badge, you'll know."
"That's the goal," Bryce said. "Besides, with Magikarp and Omanyte, half the team's weak to electric. I know type match-ups don't always matter… we just don't have the strength or the movesets needed to take them on."
"Well it sounds to me like you just need someone to battle!" Alexa said, sitting up.
Bryce's face grew pale at the thought of standing across the battlefield with his mentor, who's teammates outclassed his by a large margin. "Ahaha that's okay Alexa! Wouldn't be much of a match if-"
"C'mon!" Alexa said, enthusiastically leaping up to her feet, pulling Bryce up by the arm. "There's gonna be plenty of trainers for you to battle at the beach!"
As Alexa and Bryce walked down the sandy shore side-by-side, with Bulbasaur and Abra at their feet, the duo swiveled their heads around looking for potential opponents.
"How about him?" Alexa said, pointing out a sailor soaking in the sun with his Machoke at his side.
"No. Too beefy."
"Well how about her?" Alexa said, pointing out a woman and her Granbull each enjoying an imported vanilla Casteliacone.
"Do you see the teeth on that thing?"
"Well there has to be someone you want to battle!" Alexa said, feeling as if they had passed up everyone in Vermillion.
"Please! Let's keep going! I have to find someone to battle with!" Bryce pleaded.
"If you insist-" The teen started, before her and her student became distracted by a pleasant aroma floating through the air. "Hey- do you smell that?"
"That smells *sniff, really good!" Bryce said.
"Bulba!" The boy's starter cheered, bouncing back and forth before breaking into a trot.
"Hey! Bulbasaur! Get back here!" The boy said, making chase.
"Bryce!" Alexa said, tailing her pupil.
Down the Vermillion coast, a boy with a large straw hat laid on his back, soaking in the rays of the sun. Wearing a green tank top and cargo shorts, his shoeless-feet wiggled in the sand as he played a tune on the acoustic guitar resting on his chest. At his side was a Roserade, twirling in circles, spraying pink particles into the air.
Oblivious to the world around him, the boy had not yet noticed the crowd of young females in awe by the simplistic melody. With hearts in their eyes, they were completely drawn to his music. Opening a single eye and raising his head, he was content on just laying there, not engaging the crowd around him.
"That's a Sweet Scent you're kicking up there, Roserade," The boy said in a southern drawl. "But I think you're drawing in some unwanted attention."
"Rose rose-erade," The Sinnoh Pokemon said, continuing its dance.
"C'mon then. Down by the lighthouse should be a lot less noisy." The boy said, rising to his feet. Suddenly, panicked squeals from the girls behind him caught his attention. "What- oof!" He uttered, before the weight of Bryce's starter Pokemon barreled into his stomach. Forcing his guitar to be flung backwards off his body, the boy's Roserade shot out two vines from the roses on its hands, catching the instrument.
"I'm sorry!" Bryce exclaimed, rushing towards the grounded guitarist, pulling his starter off of his chest. "Something caught my Bulbasaur's nose and made him excited."
"Rose-rade!" The Pokemon said, sauntering over with its master's guitar in its hands.
"I get it now… you were trying to draw a crowd for yourself," The trainer said to his Pokemon, entering a seated position, shaking the sand from his hair. Grabbing the straw hat behind him, he patted it off and placed it atop his head of blond hair.
"Did ya get him Bryce?" Alexa said as her Abra floated beside her. Then, noticing the crowd of angered females, along with the grounded trainer, she knew something must have gone down. "Oh c'mon Bryce! What did I say about being a nuisance? Here, let me help you up." Extending her hand, Alexa touched hands with the trainer. "Hang on, have we met before?"
"Can't say that we have," The boy said. "But I sure know who you are!"
"Oh-" Alexa said, feeling as if she were about to be recognized as Arceus's Champion once again.
"You're Ash Ketchum's little sister!" The trainer cried out in excitement. "I'm a big fan of his! The man that saved the Multiverse! The Champion of Kanto! He's my idol!"
'Ash's little sister?' Alexa thought to herself. 'Is that all I'm known for?'
"So- you know Ash?" Bryce questioned.
"Know him? Why, I battled him at last year's All-Star's Tournament!"
"Roserade!" The boy's partner Pokemon cheered.
'So that's where I recognize him from!'
"The name's Nick Sawyer. Kanto's Drifter," He uttered, pulling a piece of straw out of his back pocket and placing it in between his teeth. "Care for a battle Ms. Ketchum?"
