The cruise ship docked at Vermilion City. The passengers came off the boat and searched for their luggage. A pretty girl with honey blonde hair and light blue eyes, holding onto her black hat, quickly paced on the exit ramp. She joined the crowd and searched for her luggage.

"Excuse me!" Serena said, pushing back at a man as she tried to stay in place.

"Oh my bad," said the big fellow

Geez! Serena steps back and observes. The big fellow grabs two large suitcases and joins his family. The tourists are fighting to get their luggage while some stay in line hoping to get as close as possible to the lineup suitcases.

"Hhaa," moans Serena, clutching her chest and fighting through the crowd, "EXCUSE ME!" She grabs her pink and black rolling suitcase out from the lineup.

"Watch where you swing that! " someone yelled at Serena. She didn't plan to waste her day, so she escaped to the open space.

"Vermilion City, hhhmm," Serena mumbled and opened her suitcase. She searches for the Kanto book guide, "I know I put it in here," she gently places her folded clothes on the bench, crouching and unzipping another pocket. Her passport, Pokedex, and wallet were in a sealed container. A clear bag with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap bars.

"Found it!" gleam Serena and open the booklet, "Let's see, what does it say about Vermilion City,"

Vermilion City is a popular tourist destination in the Kanto region. It is one of the busiest ports, with major international business ships and frequent rest stops for cruise ships. The electric gym leader Lt. Surge oversees Vermilion City.

"I can't wait to explore," Serena said excitedly, placing one hand on her cheek and laying the booklet on her lap. She returned her clothes into the suitcase and took the pokedex and wallet into her bag. "They will be safe with me,"

After she closes her suitcase, she props open the handle, and the suitcase rolls behind her as she walks around the town. The buildings are closely placed together; the small port town is flooded with tourists. A policewoman with blue hair stands in place, watching everyone.

"Keep it moving," said the policewoman

"Um, excuse me," said Serena

"Yes, dear?" replied the policewoman

"Would you know where is the pokemon center?" ask Serena

"You must be new to the town," said the policewoman, "it's right over there," she pointed in the direction

"The layout of our town is like a T-sign," said a policewoman, "the buildings are lineup in two rows,"

"Thank you," said Serena giving a small bow, gazing up at her, specifically trying to sneak-read her nametag.

"Office Jenny," said the policewoman, "Nice meeting you. I hope your stay here is pleasant."

"Mh-hm, I hope so too," said Serena pumping her fists together, "Again, thank you,"

She rolls her suitcase along the way. Serena sniffs the aroma in the air: "AAaahhh~ boiled seafood." All the brick buildings are one solid color. Dozens of restaurants are open, and waiters serve guests. Pokemons stay beside their trainers. Serena smiles, searches her bag, and grabs a Pokeball.

"Come on out, Delphox," Serena said

A tall, cute fox Pokemon came out of the Pokeball. She yawns with an open mouth and circles around Serena. Delphox sniffs the air. Next, she trails off towards one of the restaurants.

"Wait, Delphox," said Serena stopping the Pokemon, "First to the Pokemon Center then after that, we can go wherever you like,"

"Yip" said Delphox

They walk to a two-story house with a balcony on the second floor. In the center of the building is a white logo poke ball and the rooftop tiles are red while the building is concrete grey.

"This looks different," said Serena

Delphox said, "Yiipp,"

"Let's go inside,"

The door slides open when they enter the building.

"There are differences in the interior from the Pokémon center in Kalos," Serena said marvelously.

"Yiip," commented Delphox. In the center of the room is a nurse with pink hair wearing a white apron over a pink dress. She smiles and waves at them. Serena and Delphox approach the desk.

"Hi, um, where can I use a phone?" asked Serena

"The phones are along the wall," said Nurse Joy pointing at the wall with six green desktop computers sitting on a long table. Each computer was separated by a wooden panel to ensure privacy for users.

"Thank you very much," replied Serena

"It's my pleasure to help everyone,"

Serena pulled out the chair, seated herself, and dialed her mother's housephone.

~bbbrrr, bbbrr, bbbbrrr~

"Hello?" said Grace

"Mom, it's me," said Serena

"Who?" Grace asked and flipped on her camera

"Mom!" shouted Serena excitedly,

"How are you, baby?"

"I'm doing good, and I just got off the ship not too long ago,"

"How was the trip?"

"It was one of the longest ship rides ever," Serena complained, "I was so lonely. I thought about you, home, and wanted to go right back..."

"..."

"I reminded myself I needed to go on my journey to become a Pokémon champion,"

"This is the farthest you have been away from home, all by yourself, so call me whenever you feel homesick," Grace said with a wink.

"Thanks, Mom,"

"Have you gotten the chance to explore the town or city?"

"After this phone call then I will go out to the town,"

"Wonderful, don't forget to document your journey and send mommy lots of pictures,"

"Of course, mom,"

"So happy you got there safe and sound. Oh, by the way, where will you be staying?"

"I'm thinking about staying overnight at the Pokemon Center since they usually give out free boardings to travelers. If they are out of room then I will go find a safe place tonight to camp out,"

"WHAT! No!"

"HUH?"

"If you need money for boarding, let me know so I can send cash. How much do you need?"

"Ugh, well, may I have $10,000?"

"Alright, I will send the money through the bank wire so be on the lookout,"

"Thanks, mom,"

"Yeah, don't be shy to ask for a lot since you drop off so much money to Mom during your adventure across Kalos,"

"Okay, okay, mom,"

"I'm signing off to finish the remaining house chores,"

"Mom, I love you, when I come home, I will help you around the house as much as I can before I go anywhere,"

"I know baby, I love you too,"

Grace hangs up the phone call. Serena held the phone onto her shoulder and dialed one more phone number. Delphox stood beside her, occasionally looking over to the desk and observing other trainers with their Pokémon.

"Hello, who is this?" asks an elderly man

"This is Serena from Kalos," she said, "Would this be Professor Oak?"

"Ah, yes, this is he, but I don't know anyone named Serena,"

He turns on his camera and sees a young girl on the screen. She waves at him, and then Delphox peeks into the screen.

"AAh! A new Pokemon?"

"Oh this?" she said and looked at Delphox, "This is Delphox,"

"Right, but, how did you get my phone number?"

"I asked Ash if he knew anyone in Kanto who could help me on my trip when I arrived. He wrote your phone number on a piece of paper and told me to call if I needed anything,"

"Hahaha," Professor Oak chuckles, "Well, then, why don't you swing by Pallet Town so I can fine-tune your Pokedex, assuming you're a Pokemon trainer,"

"I am,"

"By the way, what's your name?"

"I'm Serena from Vaniville Town in the Kalos region,"

"Wow, that's very far out there,"

"I know, I traveled a long way here," Serena smiled feeling heat on her cheeks.

"I will be expecting you when you arrive at Pallet Town,"

"Yes sir,"

"Do excuse me, I have to go,"

"Thank you, Professor Oak,"

They hang up on the phone.

"All done here," she said and petted Delphox, "thank you for your patience," Serena returned to Nurse Joy's desk.

"Would I be able to sleep here overnight?"

"Unfortunately, we are booked out,"

"Would you know any other places to sleep at?"

"I recommend going to the Saffron City,"

"Saffron City?"

"It's about thirty minutes traveling on Mount Pokemon but, an hour-long by foot,"

"Wait, wait," said Serena digging around her bag. She pulled out the Kanto guide, lay open on a map, and asked, "Where is Saffron City?"

Nurse Joy took out a red marker, and circled a city above Vermilion City.

"This is Vermilion City, and the circle spot is Saffron City. So, go north from here,"

"Thank you,"

"It's my pleasure,"

"Could you help me find Pallet Town on the map?"

"Sure do," said Nurse Joy just like before she circles a small town on the left side of Vermilion City.

"How long would it take to go to Pallet Town?"

"Maybe a couple of days to reach Pallet Town,"

"Oh..."

"Good luck," said Nurse Joy cheerfully

"Thank you for everything,"

Serena and Delphox left the Pokemon Center.

"Where would you like to go first?" asked Serena

Delphox sniffs and sniffs in the air. She picks up a scent, leading the way to her chosen restaurant while Serena follows. The families and trainers were taken over the street. Many street vendors sell charms and art crafts promising tourists of good fortune. A group of Machoke carried steel beams following one male construction worker. They all walk past Serena going into a construction site. Along the way, she spotted children gathered around a young man, selling Pidgey Mail carrier letters and releasing dozens of them into the sky.

Delphox stopped in front of a street vendor. The man fanning over his grilled squid.

"Welcome, pokemon, what can I do for you?"

"We would like to have four grilled squid," Serena answered

"$400, please"

Serena grabs her wallet and pays. Delphox gobbles down her two squids, while Serena slowly chomps on the high-temperature grill Squids.

"This is good,"

Then Serena recalls her words of promise to her mama. She pulls out her cell phone to snap a photo of herself and Delphox. They sit on a bench facing toward the port bridge and observe the cargo ships alongside the small fishing boats.

"Delphox, do you miss home?"

"Yiiip," she gazes at Serena

"Home is wherever I go?"

"Yep,"

Serena finishes eating her two-grill squid. She saw an interesting sign in front of a big house on her right side. Serena went directly to the house with Delphox.

"Pokemon Fan Club, all Pokemon Fans welcome," Serena said

"Yiip," said Delphox

"I'm not sure if it's open to the public,"

"Yiip"

Delphox walks on the trail leading to the front door and Serena nervously follows. Then a young, dark brown hair girl with dark blue eyes steps out of the house. She had a medium-sized blue bowtie on the right side of her head. She carries a cute Teddiursa and asks, "Was it fun for you? We got to see so many adorable Pokemon,"

Did she say cute Pokemon? Serena and Delphox walk past her and enter the building. The room was spacious and fitted several rectangle tables creating a giant circle. Delphox appearance surprised many Pokemon Fan club members, and they stared in admiration. The chairman is seated at the farthest center table. Serena smiled feverishly, feeling the cute Pokemon fever taking over and admiring everyone's small-size Pokemon. They were adorable.

"Well, hello there, welcome to the Pokemon Fan Clubhouse,"

"Hello, my name is Serena, and sorry for intruding,"

"We are open to the public so help yourself to snacks and there are Poke treats for Pokemon too,"

"Thank you, sir,"

"Hm, you look familiar,"

"Do I?"

"Yea, from a beauty contest,"

Serena blushed and replied, "I entered a Pokemon beauty contest but nothing for a beauty pageant,"

"Ooohh, I've seen a couple of seasons of Pokemon Contest. They are broadcast worldwide,"

"Mhm-hm they sure are famous,"

"Indeed," said an elderly man, approaching Serena and Delphox, "Welcome to Vermilion City Pokemon Fan Club,"

"Hello,"

"What's your name?"

"Serena," she said and waved her hand next to her Pokemon, "this is my adorable Delphox,"

"Serena, one of the Pokemon performers from the Pokemon Contest,"

"Yes!"

"What brings you here?"

"I wanted to check this place out,"

He comes close to Delphox and comments, "The color scheme of Delphox brings me joy. Reminding me of my favorite Pokemon, Fearow,"

"A Fearow?"

He faces a hanging photo of Fearow.

"This is a Fearow. As you can see your Delphox and Fearow share similar colors,"

"Yeah, I can tell,"

"Would I be able to interest you in Pokemon fashion?"

"Sure,"

They engage in a very long conversation. In the end, the chairman gifted Serena a beautiful Pokemon costume.

"It was a delight to meet you, Chairman,"

"Oh goodness' sake, I'm happy I got to meet a talented Pokemon Performer like you,"

"I would need to get going before the sunset,"

"Yes, yes, we are about to close up today as well. Good luck with your performances,"

"Thank you,"

Serena and Delphox went back out to the street.

"We were stuck in there for a long time," said Serena. The sun was going lower, and she felt the ocean breeze. "We better get going before it gets dark,"

They picked up their pace and went north of Vermilion City. The route was easy to follow and lots of trainers around them. Trainers battle on the grass field in the distance. Wild Pokemon ran across the field. Serena saw the same girl from earlier on the grass. She caught a hold of Serena's gaze but, Serena kept on walking forward until the girl spoke.

"Hey, wanna battle?" she asks.

"Sure," said Serena with a smile and looks back at her first Kanto challenger.