Venrof City, Entrance

Polo, Maria and their motley crew eventually came over a hill and caught sight of a splendid looking city. Even from this distance, the city stretched out expansively both horizontally and vertically, and the crew could spot many cable cars on cables floating up and down from terminals.

"Woah! This looks epic." Polo grinned and Toxel came out of its Pokeball to watch the city movements, entranced. Maria, having just recovered from Toxel's crys earlier quickly said "It does! Let's heal our Pokemon at the Pokemon Centre and then find the gym! I'm eager to see if I have what it takes."

Polo shrugged "I'm just here for the vibes but I'll try the Gym Challenge too I guess", and at hearing this Chimchar came out of it's Pokeball and nodded vigorously.

Maria chuckled "Looks like you have Chimchar to keep you on track as a Trainer. Well, you will find out over time what you want to be. A Trainer, a Ranger, or something else entirely." They headed to the Pokemon Centre.

Venrof Pokemon Centre

The Pokemon were fully healed and Polo and Maria took a quick but much needed nap to recover from their sleep debt. As they rested, Polo talked to a middle-aged balding man.

"Welcome to Venrof City! Our city is a testament to the relationship between nature and technology, as you will surely see soon. May I ask what you wish to do, and I can help guide you?"

"Maria wants to challenge the Gym Leader! I want to as well but not as much….OOH and I want to go on the cable cars!" Polo explained.

"Ha! I'm glad you are so excited about the city. I was afraid those miscreants would leave a bad impression…stay safe out there, some hooligans calling themselves Team Temporal have been skulking around the city. We have called the authorities on them and they seemed to leave, but I just wanted to make you aware. The Gym is to the east on the ground level of the city. The Trainers School is on the 3rd floor of the city, of 4 floors, 5 if we include the ground level."

"Woah it's like a department store city" Polo mused and the man just said, "you're an interesting one."

Maria came over and thanked the man quickly. "Come on Polo, let's check the gym out!" and the two headed over.

Venrof Pokemon Gym

It wasn't long before the duo made their way to the Gym. It was a sleek looking building, but covered in webs and vines.

"Hmmm…Bug type? Grass type? Seems to be along those lines…" Maria mused but the front door opened and a well-built young man with medium length brown hair walked out. He had on purple trousers, a white jumper, a blue short jacket over the jumper and a sky-blue cap. Maria blushed but then gave Polo a death stare when he grinned at her with amusement.

"You two here for the Gym Challenge? Sorry but I'm done for the day. Maybe for the week to be honest…" the man sighed.

At this Maria snapped to. "Wait! Please, it sounds like you are the Gym Leader. Please allow us to challenge you." She pleaded.

"Correct, I'm Julian the Venrof City Gym Leader. I use Bug types. But I'm tired of this. And bored. You know most people challenge me as their first gym leader? All leaders have 8 teams depending on when they are challenged. I love my Gym 1 team but constantly get the cold shoulder from my other teams. So that's not great. Anyways, I need to perform some repairs on the cable cars. Bye."

Julian starts to walk off but Polo says "Hey we can help with that! Plus, I wanted to see the city anyway." Julian shrugs "Sure, follow me then." And Polo gives Maria a thumbs up.

"I hesitate to know what that thumbs up means Polo…but nice save anyways, let's follow him, maybe we can change his mind!" Maria said, giving Polo a high five.

The duo followed Julian around as he spoke to the city inhabitants and caught up with them. Despite his cold demeanour, it was clear he was well respected and liked by the population. Julian casually threw a Pokeball and out came a Scizor.

"Woahhhh cool!" Polo's eyes sparkled.

Julian ignored the outburst. "Scizor. Please help repair the pylons in the construction area. I'll take care of the frayed cables on the cable car system. Let's meet up at the Trainers School later." Scizor nodded and blitzed away at a speed unfollowable by an untrained eye. "Come on, we'll repair these frayed cables" Julian motioned to the duo.

Julian released an Ariados and it got to work shooting silk which a nearby technician worked with to reinforce a frayed cable car cable. "Venrof is meant to be a testament to the mix between nature and technology. You've probably heard it before. Anyways, our cable car system is one of the biggest tourist destinations of the Eridante region, many flock even from other regions to see it. The harmony between People and Pokemon is something the masses really feel good about, and our bug sanctuaries further serve to highlight this."

Julian motioned to a butterfly Pokemon sanctuary with people taking pictures in awe, as a Vivillion and Beautifly danced around each other with elegance.

"So, you see I kinda have two jobs in the city, and truth be told I prefer this one. I see the direct output of my actions much more than being a Gym Leader."

"I understand but you still have a duty to Trainers taking the Gym Challenge. Regardless of if you are their 1st gym leader or not." Maria reasoned, and added "Also calling swathes of people the 'masses'…" but Julian ignored this additional comment.

"Sure, that's true. It's just a break…anyway, you should see our Trainers School too, I'll take you there."

Venrof Trainer's School

The group made their way to the 3rd floor of the city via cable car and came upon a regal looking school building. "Venrof Trainer's School teaches from the age of 5 all the way to the age of 16. The curriculum changes depending on age, younger children are taught how to integrate with Pokemon and respect them, and the older children start to learn battling strategy and tactics."

As Julian explained this, a plump but cheery looking man walked out. He had tousled grey hair, blue eyes and wore blue suit trousers, a white formal shirt, a blue sweater, a red tie and a blue blazer.

"Welcome to the Venrof Trainer's School! I am the Dean, Callum. Looks like you met my little brother" the cheery man motioned to Julian.

"Younger? He looks older." Polo asked and Maria got ready to apologize on his behalf.

"Haha! Yes it's true, I often get mistaken as the younger brother. I'm love sized what can I say!" Callum grinned and Julian just rolled his eyes. "One of us has to be the cool fun one eh?" Callum teased Julian and Julian ignored this saying "Bro – these kids want to challenge the Gym. But before that we wanted to help out a bit here. That alright?"

"Of course!".

Maria worked with the older children, teaching and learning battle tactics from them, whilst Polo made the younger kids laugh by making funny faces.

Julian grinned "Polo is like you Callum. I think Maria is more like me." and Callum chortled. "Rare Julian smile, nice" at which Julian scowled and adopted his resting stony face.

Callum released an Arcanine and the toddlers squealed and started petting Arcanine gingerly, as Callum advised them on being gentle.

Maria looked over at Julian who watched the various groups with a sense of interest. She walked up beside him. "See? Your brother gets the importance of teaching future generations. And I think you do too. That includes testing challengers. I agree that your other job is very important. But so is your Gym Leader role."

Julian mused "Yeah I see your point." After a few seconds, he said "Right…rut over. Maria, Polo. Please come challenge me when ready. Later bro." he waved to them all and left.

"Yay! Nice one Maria" Polo grinned. Maria returned the grin "It was a group effort Polo."

Callum watched them and smiled "This is what it's all about."

Callum then saw them off and the schoolkids said goodbye to Polo and Maria.

"Julian, we're on our way" Maria said resolutely, scoffing when she saw Polo's thumbs up.

CURRENT:

Polo:

Chimchar, Level 9, Hasty Nature ( Speed / - Defense)

Toxel, Level 5, Naive Nature ( Speed / - Sp Defense)

Maria:

Pawniard, Level 10, Quiet Nature ( Sp Attack / - Speed)

Hatenee, Level 11, Timid Nature ( Speed / - Attack)