After two days of travel, the S.S. Anne finally reached its destination.
Vermilion City.
A sprawling metropolis filled with skyscrapers and international flair, it stood as a major port city.
"Caleb, I'm heading to challenge the Vermilion Gym—wanna come with me?"
The moment they stepped off the ship, Max eagerly extended the invitation.
The Vermilion Gym? Lt. Surge, huh?
Well, good luck with that.
"I've told you, I'm not entering the Indigo League," Caleb sighed. He'd already explained this a dozen times while they were still on the ship.
Having one badge doesn't automatically mean I'm entering the League. Same goes for the system—just because it handed me a mission doesn't mean I have to do it.
But Max was like selectively deaf. Talking to him was like yelling into the void.
"Alright, got it. I'll head to the Pokémon Center first. See you at the Indigo League!"
As Max disappeared into the crowd, Caleb stood there, completely exasperated.
Lt. Surge, you'd better not hold back. Teach that kid a lesson he won't forget!
"So, where to next?" Green pulled out a tourist guide, pointing to a spot on the map. "How about Cinnabar Island? We could hit up the hot springs!"
"Or Celadon City's cool too. They're famous for perfumes and the Game Corner."
"Oooh, and they say shooting stars have been falling around Mt. Moon lately... and mysterious Pokémon were spotted in Cerulean Cave... So hard to choose!"
"Where to?" Caleb chuckled. "Obviously, Pallet Town."
You can't visit Kanto and not go to Pallet Town. That'd be criminal.
"Huh?"
...
The car cruised through the Viridian Forest.
Gradually, a small, peaceful town came into view, surrounded by lush greenery.
Caleb gazed at the well-packed dirt roads, and the occasional Goldeen and Poliwag leaping on the shimmering lake surface. His mood lifted.
Pallet—a name that symbolizes the pure white of a new beginning.
For countless Trainers, this was where the dream began.
Caleb still remembered his elementary school days, receiving his Bulbasaur from Professor Oak and setting off on his journey. Just thinking about it filled him with warmth and nostalgia.
But while Caleb was clearly in high spirits, Green was unusually quiet.
No excitement. No curiosity.
She'd expected a vacation... but turned out it was just a trip home.
The emotional whiplash left her completely disinterested in the passing scenery—not that there was much to look at anyway.
Fiona noticed Green's gloomy face and tried to cheer her up. "Don't look so down! Once Caleb's done wandering around Pallet, there might still be time left!"
"Then we could go soak in the hot springs at Cinnabar, or hit the Game Corner in Celadon. Sound good?"
"Unless it's an emergency, a Gym Leader can only take three days off. I've already booked a return flight for this afternoon," Caleb said mercilessly.
Fiona gave an awkward chuckle and quickly tried to change the subject. "Hahaha, come on, let's stay positive! Look at that Dodrio on the rooftop over there—how cool is that?!"
She pointed toward a strange three-headed bird standing atop a distant rooftop.
"I hate bird Pokémon," Green muttered. "And that stupid thing never shuts up in the morning. Chirping nonstop—it's so annoying!"
Stepping out of the car, Caleb inhaled the fresh air, feeling instantly refreshed.
"Even the view feels wider out here."
"Really? Feels the same to me," Green said flatly, killing the mood.
Walking along the roadside...
A group of five- or six-year-olds were busy commanding Pokémon in a mock battle.
There were Nidoking, Golem, Arcanine, Tauros—each one more intense than the last.
Judging by their behavior, they probably "borrowed" their parents' Pokémon.
Real battles start young in Pallet Town.
"Nidoking, Earth Power!"
"Golem, Explosion!"
"Arcanine, Fire Blast!"
"Tauros, Thrash!"
The kids were mimicking their parents' commands, barking out orders like seasoned Trainers.
And these weren't baby moves either—every single one was high-damage and full-send.
This... this is what Pallet Town kids are like? These are the so-called Super Pallet Trainers?
Guess the reputation's well-deserved.
In just a few minutes, the area was reduced to rubble from all the AoE chaos.
Parents showed up soon after, dragging their kids home by the ears.
"Were... were they battling?" Fiona asked in disbelief.
Letting kids that young battle?! It's dangerous!
Also, how did they survive those explosions?!
Does physics not exist here?!
Green, on the other hand, stayed completely calm. "They're just kids. Playing is part of growing up—no big deal."
Fiona: ...
I feel like we're not even speaking the same language.
As the three chatted, they arrived at the entrance to Professor Oak's lab.
In a small town like Pallet, the lab was easy to spot.
Perched atop a small hill, with a signature windmill tower—it was unmistakable.
Following the winding path, Caleb began walking up the steps.
"Gaaastly~"
Gastly floated up beside Caleb.
What are we doing?
"Paying a visit to a professor," Caleb said casually.
Professor?
Gastly pulled out its red dictionary and started flipping through it.
Professor: An academic title signifying a person has original theoretical capabilities or scholarly achievement. The highest academic rank...
"Gaaastly?!"
The highest rank?! So he's super smart!
Perfect. I've got so many questions saved up!
Eyes sparkling, Gastly followed Caleb to the lab entrance.
Knock knock—
The door opened quickly.
But the person who answered wasn't Professor Oak. Nor his assistant, Tracey.
It was a beautiful woman.
Delia.
Ash's mom.
At the moment, her clothes were disheveled, her hair a mess, and there was a strange, pungent smell clinging to her.
She looked surprised to see the three of them but recovered quickly. She tidied up her clothes, smoothed her hair with her fingers, then gave a polite bow.
As Delia walked away, Caleb stared after her, completely stunned.
What the hell have you been up to, Oak?!
Ash isn't even home and you... you actually...?!
The door opened again—this time, it was a young man with glasses.
Professor Elm.
Oak's protégé. Caleb had met him just half a month ago.
"Whoa, Caleb? Didn't expect to see you here," Elm said in surprise.
!!!
Caleb immediately noticed Elm's messy clothes, tousled hair, and the same exact pungent smell...
If the last one was still questionable, then this time, Caleb's pupils practically exploded.
Master and student... b-both of them?!
Is this still Pallet Town?
Where the hell is my wholesome childhood?!