Pokemon: Bounty Hunter Alex

Early the next morning, Alex collected his exceptionally well-rested Pokémon and headed north through Route 35.

It was less of a forested area and more of a suburban sprawl, with many houses spread throughout the route. It made sense how Goldenrod City could be so prosperous when it was supported by this many people nearby.

Alex took half a day to pass through Route 35 and eventually made it to the National Park, a truly massive expanse of cultivated farmlands that was supported by the initiative to allow Bug type Pokémon to breed and spread. They even had a monthly bug-catching event.

They achieved this by placing many Elite ranked Bug type Pokémon throughout the expanse, acting as the owners of the territory and quelling any Pokémon that acted out. This allowed even children to play in the National Park despite the presence of many Bug type Pokémon, a similar arrangement to Azalea Town and its Slowking.

Further to the northeast, Alex could see the massive structure of the Pokéathlon Dome. It was the location where they regularly hosted something roughly equivalent to the Olympics, where both the Trainer and their Pokémon competed in sporting events for prizes. It was mostly for the sake of content, Alex assumed.

He had watched a few of the past events online, and it was here he learned just how physically absurd bonded Trainers could become compared to normal people. They weren’t just athletic, they were operating on a different level entirely. Sprinting alongside Pokémon, leaping impossible heights, and coordinating complex maneuvers without missing a beat. It was less about peak human potential and more about how far someone could push past their limits with the right partner. Simply put, they were insane.

Alex spent the remaining half of the day making his way to Route 36, arriving by evening, back to the more heavily forested area he was familiar with.

He rested for the night back at the house in Violet City, where the Pokémon could be by themselves and relax more than when being tended to. They might enjoy being pampered, but a safe, isolated space to rest was still their preference. In fact, Alex could feel they were starting to miss the farm.

The next day, they teleported back to Route 36 and headed north, passing through the forested area before reaching Route 37, which was simply more of the same, until they finally arrived at Ecruteak City by evening.

Ecruteak City was old. Not just in age, but in presence. The entire city felt like it had stopped changing a few decades ago and never bothered starting again. Aside from the three League standard gyms, every building was made of wood, darkened by time and maintained by people who clearly saw value in keeping things the way they were. Tile roofs, sliding doors, incense burners. It was the kind of city where electricity felt optional.

There were three gyms here which included Morty’s Ghost type gym, plus a Grass and a Ground type gym, all built to the League’s standards. They stood taller and cleaner than the rest of the city, but not enough to feel out of place.

To the west was the Burned Tower, which had housed a legendary Pokémon before it was struck down by lightning and engulfed in flames. The locals believed that three Pokémon died in the fire and were later resurrected by Ho-Oh, becoming Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. The tower had been left in its ruined state as a kind of open-air monument, full of smoke-scarred beams and half-collapsed walls, but people still visited it like a shrine.

In contrast, the Bell Tower to the northeast remained fully intact. Tall, symmetrical, and imposing. It was said to be the place where Ho-Oh once roosted, and was now guarded and closed to the public. Only a select few were ever granted entry, usually by way of spiritual pilgrimage or ceremonial request, neither of which applied to Alex. Still, it was hard not to feel something looking at it, even from a distance. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The Dance Theatre was also here, apparently a major cultural hub, though it mostly seemed to be an old performance hall with well-trained Pokémon and dancers putting on traditional routines. Alex was actually interested in catching a show while he was in the city, more out of curiosity than anything else.

The rest of the city was more like a suburban sprawl, with small wooden houses scattered between shrines and trees, blending naturally into the landscape. Incense burned on doorsteps, charms hung from frames, and Pokémon roamed freely through shaded, overgrown paths. The whole place felt less like a planned city and more like a town that had grown slowly around nature and tradition, similar to Lavender City.

If there was one thing the city was known for, it was how seriously they took their traditions. The people here were almost religious about Ho-Oh and the three beasts. They didn’t see them as Pokémon, but as something closer to gods. Unsurprisingly, the city didn’t tolerate people who looked down on Pokémon.

Any human supremacists that tried to set up shop here were chased out quickly, apparently by the gym leaders themselves. Hence, Alex didn’t have any ammunition to find here. It was just a stop over until he headed west for the next leg of his journey.

The next day, Alex decided to sign up for the Dance Theatre and booked a show for the evening. He might not have cared much for dance, shows, or performances, but he could appreciate Pokémon spicing things up.

He had read about coordinators and how they dressed up their Pokémon, training them to perform moves specifically for visual appeal. While he didn’t like that aspect of Pokémon training, he could respect the effort. Training moves in any form was difficult, so maybe he could learn a thing or two by watching a performance.

Alex took a quiet walk around the city, following narrow paths that wound between shrines, trees, and small wooden houses. There wasn’t much of a destination, just one corner after another revealing something older. A worn statue tucked behind a garden, a prayer bell hanging off a leaning post, or a row of stone lanterns half-covered in moss. The tour felt like taking a walk through the past reminiscent of his time in Azalea Town.

He wore casual clothes, just a shirt and slacks, something comfortable for walking. He had Espeon and Zoroark by his side as escorts. Still, he felt like an outsider. Everyone else moved like they knew where not to step or how loud not to speak, and Alex found himself mirroring them without thinking. It wasn’t strict, just quiet.

His walk continued until he reached the Burned Tower, sitting near the western edge of the city, fenced off and half-sunken into itself. Most of the roof was gone, and the blackened supports that remained looked ready to collapse if anyone so much as breathed wrong.

Alex stood there for a bit, just watching the wind stir dust across the ashes, when a feminine voice called out from behind.

"Excuse me."

He turned to find a young woman wearing a green kimono, her black hair tied into a neat bun. Beside her stood a Leafeon, who looked completely smitten with his Espeon.

"You have a very intriguing aura around you," the young woman said, scrutinizing Alex.

"Um... thanks?"

"It has a very ancient feeling to it," she continued, closing her eyes and clasping her hands together. "Like a forest that has stood since the beginning of time. I can feel the heat of harsh sunlight and the scent of intoxicating air. I sense the savagery and brutality of nature and of Pokémon. The fear and helplessness of prey."

She opened her eyes and stared directly into his.

"You’ve encountered a Legendary Pokémon. Grass type, ancient, and powerful. Have you been to Ilex Forest recently?"

At this point, Alex could tell she wasn’t full of shit. Whatever this woman was selling, Alex would at least hear her pitch. She knew exactly what she was talking about considering Alex’s recent adventure with Celebi.

"Yes. Is there something I can help you with?"

She gave a small shake of her head, snapping out of her dreamlike state, then took a proper look at Alex’s face. A faint blush crept up her cheeks as she quickly looked away, fanning her face with one hand in an attempt to play it off.

"No, I’m just a bit jealous. You must have had quite the adventure. I’m Midori."

She tilted her head as she introduced herself, her eyes lingering on him a little too long. One hand slid behind her back while the other brushed a strand of hair from her face, drawing subtle attention to her neck. Her smile was faint but intentional, and the gentle sway of her kimono as she shifted her weight felt just a bit too graceful.

Just like that, Alex figured he was sold on whatever this woman was selling.

"Alex Wattson," he replied with a gentle smile. "I wouldn’t want to do it again though. Too much excitement for one day."

"Was it Celebi?"

"Yes."

"What happened?"

Alex recounted his encounter in the Ilex Forest with only vague details. Midori didn’t press him for more, content with his in-depth description of the Pokémon and its quirks. Instead, she led him through narrow side paths and quiet streets, pointing out shrines tucked between homes and sharing bits of local lore as their conversation continued.

Eventually, they arrived at the Dance Theatre, where she surprised him by handing over a front row ticket for that night’s performance. It turned out she was one of the famed Kimono Girls, one of the lead performers, in fact.

Alex accepted the ticket without hesitation. He had already planned to watch the show, so getting the best seat in the house was a welcome bonus.

As she slipped through the stage doors with a teasing glance over her shoulder, Alex found himself wondering just how much more Ecruteak had left to show.

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