The car glided smoothly through the eastern road, past Mt. Moon, as the craggy cliffs gradually gave way to flatter ground and clearer skies. I recognised the route which was the same standard path League-certified travelers took to reach Cerulean.
It was the one Gary would probably use if he came this way with his car in the future.
One of the first sights that caught my eye was the glimmering lake in the distance. Beyond, were rooftops followed by the sprawl of Cerulean City itself, a mesh of pastel buildings, quiet canals, and distant construction cranes shifting like metal skeletons in the sun.
It wasn't like Viridian or Saffron which had high-rise buildings with the tallest areas being important structures.
We pulled up beside the Pokémon Center in silence. I stepped out, coat catching the wind, and scanned the streets.
Inside the Center with one of my men next to me, I handed Totodile's Poké Ball over the counter with a nod. The nurse greeted me politely and said the check-up would be quick. I took a seat in the corner and watched the people filter in and out which were mostly kids, some younger than me.
Five minutes later, they handed Totodile back. The nurse said he was healthy and well-rested. I thanked her, quietly, and clipped the ball back to my belt.
Just as I turned toward the exit, a sharp electronic tone cracked through the air. The citywide public alert system.
"Attention! All capable trainers, please report to the Cerulean Plaza district. A horde of wild Pokemon is approaching from the northern forest route. Civilians are advised to stay indoors. Trainers, your aid is requested."
I paused mid-step.
A horde heading to the city? That wasn't common. Wild Pokémon only surged like that if something had pushed them like a change in the climate.
'Whatever the reason, Cerulean was in the path now.' I thought ready to head out.
At the end of the day, I'm still a modern-day guy with acceptable morals. Ignoring Brock's situation, I'm just trying to help him as he was too stubborn to ask for any in cannon.
To be fair it probably would have revoked his gym, but I rest my case.
Why not help?
Plus father wanted me to increase my reputation. This was a perfect situation for me to do just that and more.
An idea struck my head,
"Buy 30 Poke Balls. Use my card and find me at the Cerulean Plaza later." I instruct starting to follow other trainers.
The grunt with a nod, started to head to the PokeMart.
Trainers outside the centre had already begun moving with some cautiously, and others practically sprinting toward the designated plaza.
I followed at a brisk pace. Not fast, but purposeful. There was no need to rush. Not for me.
By the time I reached Indigo Plaza, the area had shifted into organised chaos. Trainers were pouring in, some battle-hardened, others barely holding onto their nerves.
My strength definitely wasn't on top of this group of trainers.
Police lights flashed in the distance. And on a temporary podium in front of the Cerulean Police Department, Officer Jenny stood tall, arms folded, eyes hard.
Her voice cut across the murmuring crowd like a blade.
"Trainers, listen up!" she called. "Rangers have confirmed a horde is advancing from the north. It hasn't hit yet, but it will fast. We need this area locked down before civilians are caught in the crossfire."
Gasps and whispers rippled across the group.
"Your job," Jenny continued, "Is to capture or redirect any wild Pokémon. Keep people safe. The League and Cerulean Police will reward contributions with League Points and financial compensation. After it's over, check in with an officer."
I stood near the edge of the gathering, watching.
There were no words on how we would be graded on our contributions but that didn't matter much to me. My goals weren't to amass wealth when I already had that.
People started to form groups with old friends discussing tactics, amateurs clinging together out of fear. A few veterans stood alone, like me.
Some looked over my way and recognised me, but no one came for small talk.
I unclipped Totodile's ball and let him out with a flash of light. He stretched his arms, alert and eager, tail swaying behind him.
"Start using [Dragon Dance] six times."
With a glint in his eyes, he energetically nods and starts his buildup. A steady rhythm of movements that resembled the dance of Luffy around a certain campfire on Skypea. One Dragon Dance. Two. Then three.
By the fourth which took three minutes, even the smallest of movements created a small gust with his speed clearly increased.
A few trainers glanced over, eyebrows raised. But no one said anything. Most wouldn't recognise it for what it was. But even if they did, it was none of their business.
After a bit, Officer Jenny's voice rose again, final and commanding.
"This city is counting on you. Defend the district. Protect the people. Whether you hail from Cerulean or another region entirely. Your jobs as trainers remain the same, it's to defend!"
I tugged my gloves tighter and let my breath slow.
The crowd clearly invigorated by this speech cheered.
Watching this go on, I stepped away from the growing crowd. The tension in the plaza was tangible.
My phone chimed softly. A message from a grunt appeared.
[Poké Balls purchased. Thirty in total. Delivery en route.]
I tucked the device away and turned to Totodile, who stood alert at my side. His eyes gleamed with fierce intensity, his small body coiled like a spring, ready to strike.
From what I remember from my past life, plus six was a drastic increase of maybe 2-4x damage increase?
Not exactly easy to remember but a thought went into my head.
'Sheer Force, Stab Liquidation, Max Dragon Dance hit would be brutal.' I thought in glee.
Nearby, Beedrill hovered in the air in a casual motion but unmistakably dangerous. His segmented body buzzed with energy, twin stingers glinting under the sun. Gliscor perched above, wings folded, golden eyes locked on the horizon with the calm of a predator.
I gave instructions, voice steady as I addressed my team and the small cluster of aides nearby.
"Beedrill, Gliscor. You're on crowd control. Target only gentler Pokémon. Poliwag, Oddish, Paras, Sandshrew and non-threatening species."
Beedrill responded with a short, sharp buzz, then shot upward. Gliscor unfolded his wings and glided silently into position, scanning the scene below.
After twenty minutes, a variety of Pokemon started to charge.
Zubats, Golbats, Sandshrew, Poliwag, Polywhirl, Geodudes and Onix.
There were everywhere and it seemed pretty weak to be honest. They only had numbers and one strong Pokemon could probably solo them. Wild Pokémon were starting to cluster, some more aggressive than others, the crowd barely holding together.
But still, the pressure wasn't gone.
At the end of the day, this was still a dangerous situation full of elemental monsters.
I tapped a quick note into my plan Beedrill to intimidate the hesitant ones, Gliscor to maintain overhead control and capture efficiency. While this was happening the others didn't wait. A flurry of attacks was starting to occur.
With the wild Pokemon shortly after attacking back.
"[Water Gun] Wartortle!!"
"Raichu use [Thunder Bolt]!"
"Don't be scared Skiploom, [Bullet Seed]!
It honestly felt like a miniature war as seen in the Pokemon movies.
Right on cue, my grunt was holding a bag of Pokeballs and gave a small, respectful nod. Staying by my side. Beedrill and Gliscor were now loose.
"Gentle species are to be spared and safely caught," I reminded them. "Aggressive ones, take down fast. No unnecessary injuries."
From the corner of my eye, I spotted a group of kids huddled behind a boulder. They watched wide-eyed, caught somewhere between fear and awe. Their hope clung to every movement I made.
My expression softened just a fraction.
'I would be too scared shitless if there were tens of Onix charging and my only Pokemon was a Ratatta...'
...
Thankfully the trainers had the horde of wild Pokémon completely controlled and stopped right before the outskirts.
Ahead of me, Totodile crouched low, muscles coiled like a spring. Six Dragon Dances had pushed him beyond his normal limits and his speed and power amplified almost two ranks above his normal strength. His eyes glowed fierce and blue, every movement sharp and deliberate, anticipation crackling from every scale.
We were separated from the rest of the trainers so I could test out his moves.
In front of us were two Geodudes, an Onix and a Sandshrew.
"Hydro-Pump on the Onix!" I shout my first command.
In just a split second, a geyser exited the big jaw Pokemon's mouth.
*WHOOSH!*
The hit immediately sends the Pokemon back, knocking it out. Its friends narrowing their eyes, look to strike back.
"[Aqua Jet] now!"
Water now surrounds the Pokemon as a dozen rocks make their way towards him. The first few didn't stop his momentum, but after the fifth, his speed weakened before landing a slow hit on a Sandshrew.
Sending it flying towards a tree.
*Thud*
"Geo!" The two Geodude shout in sync as they float forward to gang up on Totodile.
"[Ice Punch]!" I shout a bit worried.
Totodile now with the command started to dual wield those bitches as a flying hook hit his jaw. Now enraged the croc slammed its smaller right fist which collided with another fist, and then right after he swung his other hand to knock out one Geodude.
The second Geodude already in a punching motion, hit Totodile as it turned around.
But he didn't move.
"Dile..." He growls out ferociously with the Geodude flinching in fear.
A [Hydro Pump] was soon used without command as the final Pokemon was now knocked out.
"GOOD STUFF TOTODILE!" I shout.
Totodile who was now feeling a little dizzy, his buffs now worn out. Dizzily ran towards me in glee, but he soon after fell over his own foot which caused me to stifle a laugh.
Truly my bruiser
Jogging up to the little guy with a proud feeling, I started to catch the fainted Pokemon.
...
The last echoes of commotion faded as the forest began to clear. Wild Pokémon, now subdued and safely contained, were being gently gathered by Officer Jenny and her team. The air felt lighter with a mix of relief and exhaustion.
But my focus lingered on a small pile near my feet.
Gathered by Beedrill and Gliscor.
A fainted cluster of Pokémon lay there which most of them considered gentle Pokemon. My grunt had helped capture them toward the end, bringing the total to twenty-seven, including my own original catches.
Officer Jenny approached clipboard in hand. Her expression was a careful blend of respect and professional warmth.
"That was an impressive display, Mr Sakaki," she said gratefully. "The city owes you thanks."
I gave a curt nod realising she knew my identity. "It was just my duty."
She smiled faintly. "Well, the monetary reward is yours but I understand you wanted the funds donated. As your aid told me?"
"Yes," I replied without hesitation. "The money should go to the local orphanage. They've supported several children displaced by incidents like these. I trust that someone like Officer Jenny would use this money right."
Her expression softened. "I'll ensure the donation is processed immediately."
I then showed her the bag which was a heap load of Poke Balls I had prepared of gentler species. Holding them out to her.
"These are for the orphanage as well. All non-hostile Pokemon like Poliwag, Oddish, Paras, and Sandshrew."
Jenny accepted the crate with a nod of approval. "I'll oversee their safe transport personally. This will help the orphanage immensely."
"Please ensure they go to aspiring trainers, I've learned from this encounter that there is strength in numbers." Jenny seeing my curt bow, didn't know how to handle my excessive kindness and told me what I was doing was amazing.
Now with that done, I was free.
Looking around I noticed the way the onlookers had shifted. Trainers, civilians, League officials and they weren't just observing anymore. They were talking.
Nearby, I heard a veteran trainer say, "Is that youngin starting his journey? The last time I heard of him he was still eight!"
Another voice, younger, excited. "I've heard of him. The tyrant of the Viridian City Gym!"
The nickname making me cringe internally.
Civilians began discussing their safety, and their children.
The presence of capable trainers seemed to reassure them. One man mentioned the orphanage directly. Not long after, their director showed up, visibly grateful, offering thanks through a staff member. I simply nodded in return.
I stayed composed, outwardly unaffected. But this was more than that. It was the start of my own reputation and rapport with the alliance. Gaining their goodwill.
Leaving the scene, it was now time for another battle.
As I stepped into the back of the vehicle, I allowed myself a final glance at the plaza.
The news would spread hopefully and maybe my father could help me with that...
'But still, this feels too well timed for when I arrived.' I off-handedly thought, starting to daydream.