With a gentle tap, Red touched down on the surface and looked around him. Everything was the same in Cerulean City as he remembered it. The lake flowing within the city variegated in colour rainbow, and the entire city smudged with the ever-present shade of blue. It was his second time in the city, and already he was filled up with nostalgia for the past adventures he had previously undertaken.
"Thanks!" Red said to his faithful friend Aero, the ancient dinosaur whom Red had resurrected out of a small amber. Red tossed his poke ball at Aero, and with a pop, he was recalled back inside the tiny capsule.
But it wasn't the sake of nostalgia that had brought Red back to the city of water. He had come to Cerulean City for no other than one reason: to request maintenance for his well-used bicycle. He had not used his bicycle for a long time, and the shrill creak of the old rusty wheels pretty much summed up the state it was in. Normally he would just ride upon Aero and go wherever he pleased, but his what-would-be a long adventure was going to be a little different. It involved exploring and finding his way through the yet unknown, and it was in these matters where his bicycle became truly indispensable.
The street life of Cerulean City in the mid-afternoon was brisk as ever, people with their own lives busily shifting through the crowded road filled with small, pretty shops and cafes slanted to the edge of the lake. Watching the lively people go by, Red made his way to the famous bicycle shop, one of the great attractions of the city. The shop itself was not hard to find. With mechanics and pieces of bicycles too numerous to count splattered around it, it was easy for Red to spot amid all the shops crammed together in a jumble.
Taking his steps one at a time so as not to tread on the things cluttered around the shop, Red walked inside. The smell of oil and rubber was running rampant in the shop, and Red had to hold his breath for a few seconds before he could adapt himself to the rather disdainful reek. After a short talk with the owner, Red turned over his bicycle for the maintenance job. He was told to wait for about thirty minutes and soon, Red gleefully bursted outside, taking in the fresh, invigorating air with a sense of gratitude.
Red assumed his seat on a bench overlooking the lake. A change of atmosphere was just what he needed, and an open scenery of the lake provided him with exactly that. Red crossed his legs and reclined against the bench. It really was a beautiful afternoon. The blue azure sky was devoid of a single cloud, and the cool breeze whipped up from the lake splashed against Red's face, revitalizing him of the fond memories he had about the city when he was still a mere child. He missed those times; back when he was innocent, travelling around the world, and doing what he naively thought it was right to do.
"Red…?" A familiar voice called out his name from behind.
Red whirled round, and came across a face he knew so well.
Misty.
A sense of dread pulsed through his vein. He had wanted to leave the city unrecognized, and for good reason, but it seemed like his plan was becoming unstuck.
It had been ages since he had last conversed with her. But Misty was the same, from her dark orange hair to the skimpy clothes. The only difference was, she was looking much more tired, with her eyes limp and her face expressionless.
"It is you," Misty mumbled. "I wondered when I would be able to see you again."
"I was so, so happy Red, when I heard that you were un-petrified. When you had turned into a stone…" Misty gulped. "I thought I would never see you again."
"So what brought you back here? Is it because of me?"
Red took a deep breath, trying his best to avoid Misty's eyes.
"Misty," Red finally spoke. "I only came here because of my bicycle. I am going on a training expedition, and it needed a repair job done." He hated having to lie to her, but this would have to fare for now.
"Oh," Misty's face fell. "Of course, I should have guessed. But it's still been so long since we last talked." Misty's face suddenly lighted up. "I know! How about we take a walk? I know just the place."
"Misty, I really shouldn't…" But Misty had already grabbed him by the hands and was pulling him away.
"Come on, Red!"
Sighing, Red reluctantly let Misty guide him through.
Together, they walked over the Nugget Bridge that lay in the northern part of the city. The gold-encrusted bridge was looking more golden, the gleaming light emanating from the sun overhead adding even more sparkle to it. In close vicinity, there was the usual set of young trainers training with their own trusty pals, Pokémons.
"Ratatta, tackle!"
"Pidgey, Sand-Attack!" A cloud of dust rose over the battlefield as Ratatta mistimed its tackle and disappeared into the gust of sand.
Yet another fiery exchange of commands and attacks followed, and Red could not help but smile at the sight of the youngsters duking it out with one another in a most serious manner possible.
Of course, there was a time when he himself was reckless and young, training passionately with his yet callow Pokémons. He had wished nothing more than to be labelled as the Pokémon Master then, no different from many of these youngsters here. So much had hapened since, and he likewise had changed so much.
Red no longer cared about his titular accolades. The title 'champion' meant nothing to him; he cared more for what he had to do, what he must do with the power he had. And that was why he thought it was best he not saw his friends.
Before he knew it, they had come to a stop. Red perked out of his thoughts and looked around. They were standing in a carefully tended lawn set in a girdle of trees, with a small pond running in the middle. Nobody was there but only stillness occupied the vast field of green, broken only by the occasional tweets of Sparrows and Pidgeys within the area.
Red recognized a small, finicky-looking house that stood across the pond. It was the famous sea-cottage, inhabited by the famous Bill himself. It also had been some time since he had last met Bill. He wondered how he was doing with his friend Green's sister, Daisy.
"Let's sit down here," Misty said, motioning at a small, wooden bench.
They sat down, and for a moment Red just relaxed, stretching himself on the bench.
"This is the Cerulean Cape," Misty mumbled softly, her eyes intent on the pond. "I come here sometimes to watch the sunset. The splendor of red all around me, reflected by the water… It reminds me of you, Red."
There was a small pause to this that told Red he should say something. But Red remained quiet.
"You know," Misty continued in the same, emotionless voice. "Brock asked me out once. But I turned him down."
Awkward silence passed between the two.
"Why didn't you?" Red finally said, barely moving his lips. "Brock is a great guy. And you and Brock really go well together."
Misty bolted up upright.
"Don't play dumb with me, Red!" Misty yelled, her hands rolled into a fist shaking as she fought to hold back tears. "Look, Red. If you don't like me, just say it! You are hurting everyone, even Yellow…"
"Yellow? What about her?" Red had not meant to say this, but upon hearing the name 'Yellow', the words sort of slipped out of his mouth, as if their own volition. That was a stupid mistake. A stupid mistake.
"Good bye, Red."
Misty turned around, her hands covering her tearful eyes. A soft sob resonated in Red's ears as Misty began to run.
"Misty!"
But Misty was already dashing away, running past the pond, past the green field, and distancing further and further away from Red.
Red did not give chase. He just stood there, vaguely gazing after the figure that was blotting out away by the second. And he stayed like that even when she had long disappeared.