(Grey's POV)
After spending a restless but protected night in the tunnel, we broke camp and continued our trek through the gloom.
The journey was consistent —mostly hikers with their heavy-set Rock types, though I did run into a few trainers who had just left Cerulean.
Strangely, they were taking the long way around to avoid Lieutenant Surge in Vermilion.
I battled a few of them and realized something jarring: there was a massive power gap between my team and theirs. It felt like I was operating at a four or five-badge level while they were struggling with the basics.
Even Meowth, the newest and technically "weakest" member of my squad, was tearing through their teams. He was even starting to manifest a raw, unrefined version of Shadow Claw during the battles.
It was weak, more of a ghostly flicker than a refined attack, but it was enough to dismantle their Raticates, Weepinbells, and Beedrills without me even needing to call on Axew.
As we pushed deeper, the search duo's instincts started to clash. Exeggcute was signaling to go straight toward the faint draft of an exit, but Meowth was adamant about a narrow crawlspace to the right.
Usually, they were in sync, but Meowth wasn't looking for the exit—he'd caught a scent. We followed his lead and came across a massive, ancient-looking boulder that felt like some sort of ancient relic.
Meowth gestured for me to dig at the base of the rock. Beneath a layer of silt, I found a cache of thick, milky-white liquid. I checked the Pokenet immediately; it was Rock Essence, an extremely rare substance that only forms in areas with astronomical concentrations of Rock-type energy. It's a legendary component for high-grade breeder food. I quickly filled a bottle, realized this was likely the "remains" of the ancient Giant Onix the myths talked about.
This Onix must have been gargantuan to leave behind this much concentrated essence.
I was about to cap the bottle when Meowth nudged me hard. I looked back and saw dozens of glowing eyes.
The scent of the essence had rung a dinner bell for every Rock-type in the vicinity. Geodudes, Gravelers, and even a few Nosepass ,how they got here, I don't know, but they were closing in. I tried to back away, signaling they could have the rest, but they lunged.
I released Shellder and Axew. All four of my Pokémon formed a defensive perimeter, holding the line while I scrambled for the main path. We beat back the first wave, but more kept coming. Luckily, most were more interested in the remaining Essence which I couldnt store than in us.
We fought a rolling retreat, driving away the few that followed, until we broke back into the main tunnel. I was drenched in sweat and exhausted. I asked Exeggcute for the exit coordinates, took a desperate swig of water, and prepared to move when a swarm of Zubats dropped from the ceiling. My Pokémon went right back into action.
I decided that I genuinely hate this place.
Eventually, after a few more applications of Max Repel and a quick meal, the air grew fresher. We finally burst out of the cave entrance and back into the blinding light of the living world.
According to my map, I was at a crossroads. I could head back toward Cerulean or push south toward Vermilion. My mind was set on Surge for my third badge, so I started heading south. I flagged down a trainer named Rickon who was coming from the opposite direction. He was in a frantic hurry, heading to Cerulean for his third badge after barely scraping a win against Surge for his second.
"Why the rush?" I asked.
"The S.S. Anne," he panted. "There's an event in two weeks. It's a massive showcase for young talent, but here's the kicker—Champions from other regions are supposedly attending as guests. The top four trainers get rare, non-native Pokémon as rewards, plus massive prize money ."
My interest peaked instantly. Rare Pokémon and big cash prices were exactly what I needed to bridge the gap between a "good" team and a "dominant" one. But Rickon warned me that Surge had gone hardcore, Because of the event, he was handing out tickets to the S.S. Anne only to those who could beat him convincingly, and the waiting list for a challenge was growing by the hour. If you lose, you have to wait five days to re-challenge.
Rickon suggested off-roading through the hills to hit Route 6 faster. I thanked him and headed out, crossing a wonky, swaying bridge that looked like it hadn't been serviced in years according to the map I had been given at Lavender this was supposed to be a possible path so I walked the bridge .
By the time the sun began to set, I stumbled upon a hidden, lush village that triggered a massive sense of déjà vu.
A girl named Melanie emerged from a small house, looking protective and suspicious. "Why are you here? How did you find this place?"
I explained I was just a traveler heading to Vermilion and showed her my specialized map. She was stunned that there was mapping for this area , guess the map the official at Lavender gave me was the real deal when it came to going through unkwown area's. Seeing I wasn't a threat, she softened and agreed to let me stay the night. I quickly realized this was a sanctuary for abandoned Pokémon.
"I used to hide this place from everyone," Melanie told me over tea. "But a few days ago, a group of trainers changed my mind. They defended us from Team Rocket goons using these horrible machines. They even convinced the village's guardian a Bulbasaur to go with them to see the world."
The realization hit me like a Hyper Beam: Ash Ketchum.
I'd spent so much time thinking this world was different the Tower was deadlier, the Gym Leaders were more professional but some things of the anime seemed to be in this world. If Ash had already passed through here and caught his Bulbasaur, he was moving faster than me.
I had a 100,000-dollar bank account and a team of powerhouses, but I was lagging behind the "Protagonist" pace. I knew I shouldnt be judging much as I had a longer and more varied route but still I wanted to make Vermillion quick to get the badge and the ticket.
I looked at my team resting by the fire. If I wanted that S.S. Anne ticket and a shot at those rare rewards, I couldn't afford any more detours. Tomorrow, we hit Vermilion. And we hit it hard.
In the back of my mind toh one thought was there wasnt the SS anne event invaded by team rocket , but if the champions of varied regions are attending that event then maybe it might be different in this world and my meta knowledge might be useless with that thought I slept.
Little did I know one stupid ninetailed fox's prophecy would come true in a few days
Personal Log: Entry #14
Location: Hidden Sanctuary (Route 5/6 Off-road) Condition: Exhausted, Filthy, Richer than I have any right to be.
I finally made it out. I am officially going on record: I hate caves. If I never see another stalactite for the rest of my life, it'll be too soon. The Rock Tunnel isn't just a cave; it's a damp, claustrophobic throat that tries to swallow you whole. Between the constant dripping of water and the endless, screeching swarms of Zubat, my ears are still ringing. Note to self: buy even more Max Repels. I don't care if I smell like a chemical plant; it's better than being bled dry by a bunch of blind bats.
The "highlight" of that hellhole? Meowth found a literal treasure. Some kind of Rock Essence buried under a boulder that felt ancient. I think the myths are true—that tunnel was carved by a Giant Onix, and I basically just bottled a piece of its ghost.
Taking it felt like robbing a grave, and the local Geodude population clearly agreed. We had to fight a rolling retreat just to keep our skin intact. I have a bottle of liquid gold now, but my heart rate didn't return to normal for three hours.
But that's not even the big news.
I'm staying the night at a sanctuary run by a girl named Melanie. It's quiet here—too quiet after the Tower and the Tunnel. We talked for a bit, and she mentioned a group of trainers who passed through recently. They fought off some Rockets and "recruited" the village guardian—a Bulbasaur.
The realization hit me like a physical blow. Ash.
Up until now, I thought this world was its own beast. The Tower was a bloodbath, Petrel had a gun, and the League acts like a paramilitary organization. I didn't think the "kid from Pallet" would even exist in a world this gritty. But if he's out there, and he's already heading to Vermilion with a Bulbasaur, I'm officially behind schedule.
There's a tournament on the S.S. Anne in two weeks. Rare Pokémon, evolution stones, and regional Champions.
Plan for tomorrow:
Leave this "hidden village" at dawn.
Hit Route 6.
Get to Vermilion.
Schedule a match with Surge.
I don't care how "hardcore" Surge has become. I'm not leaving that city without a yellow collored piece of metal.
— Grey
Author's Note: Yes the log entry feels like a recap but its a bit more detail to grey's thoughts and I hadnt done one in a while
Well let me give answers before you guys flame me in the comments which u still might , Yes this fiction is a mix of manga and anime and I have been hinting that for a while in the comments , Yes the poll is gonna come into use and the selected Charmander will come into picture , No it isnt going to be Ash's , but because this is closer to the manga Ash might be a bit different here than in the anime or rather canon might get wrecked a lot as it would either be a mish mash with the manga or something original for my side .
A hint for a character that will come in the next chapter(or at least a version of said character in the future) : He is a gym leader in some versions , He had a raticate and a scyther, He was capable of mega evolving a pokemon (PS easier hint: He has been called The Trainer)