Pokemon: Bounty Hunter Alex

Alex and the team continued their journey south on Route 39, passing more of the Moomoo Farm along the way. Fields of crops stretched for miles, a clear sign of just how much was required to produce enough milk to supply all the regions.

By the afternoon, the landscape shifted from farmland to a patchwork of towns and villages, gradually blending into a suburban sprawl that extended all the way to the walls of Olivine City. As a port city, it made sense that so many people were sustained here, given its access by boat to Goldenrod City, Cianwood City, and other regions.

Olivine City was one of Johto’s busiest hubs, a thriving port built on the steady movement of goods and people. Ships came in from Kanto, Hoenn, and the nearby cities, crowding the docks with ferries, freighters, and passenger liners. Regular travel to Goldenrod City and Cianwood City kept the flow constant, feeding the city with everything it needed to grow.

The streets near the port were lined with warehouses, fish markets, and small vendors selling everything from sea goods to spare machine parts. Further inland, the rest of the city stretched outward in slow, deliberate rings of residential and industrial growth. At the edge of the sea, the lighthouse stood tall, guiding ships through the thick fog rolling off the water.

Olivine didn’t just serve trade. It had three gyms, Steel, Water, and Ice, positioned close enough to one another to make the city a proper training destination. The Steel Gym was the most famous, led by Jasmine, a quiet but respected figure known for her dedication and strength. Trainers came through often, either passing through or staying to challenge one of the gyms.

A large part of the city’s prosperity also came from the Moomoo Farm up north. It was a regional powerhouse, feeding more than half the markets in Johto and beyond. Crates of milk and dairy products flowed south every day, loaded onto ships and delivered across the seas. Without it, half the economy here would probably grind to a halt.

Adding to all of that was the presence of the Battle Frontier, perched just beyond the city’s western edge like a permanent festival ground. It drew trainers from across the world, each of them hungry for a challenge and ready to spend. Hotels stayed full, restaurants never lacked for business, and Olivine’s streets buzzed year-round with the churn of competition. It was just one more reason why the city thrived, and why it wasn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Along with the thriving metropolis that was Olivine City were human supremacists that had a firm hold of the city compared to Goldenrod which Umbraline managed to salvage with Alex’s help.

Here, it was clear Umbraline lost their battle as Alex was practically stared down by a crowd from having his Arcanine out.

It made sense, however, that they managed to take a firm hold over the city. It was a port town best known for its access to other regions. Reinforcements could be sent quickly when needed, unlike Kanto, which sat much farther down the shipment line.

Alex had assassination targets here from Umbraline, but they didn’t pay out well enough for him to justify the effort. They did not include a main base to raid, which likely meant they hadn’t found it yet or planned to do something about it themselves. It was clear he would get underpaid again, so he avoided any conflict here and simply left it to rot and burn.

It wasn’t Alex’s responsibility to deal with the human supremacists in the first place. That task fell to the League, and to Jasmine in particular, who clearly didn’t mind having them around.

On top of that, the level of danger Alex felt from the city was quite high due to the Battle Frontier being nearby. This meant there were plenty of interlopers who might interfere with his assassinations. The risk simply wasn’t worth the reward.

So, he ignored the hostile stares and made his way to the docks, where he booked a ferry to Cianwood City.

He could’ve flown over with Hydreigon, but he didn’t want to risk getting into a fight out at sea and running out of stamina. It was safer to go by ferry not only because of the distance but because of the dangers of the Whirl Islands.

Alex was willing to bet that the human supremacists had an underwater base somewhere there but he neither had the ability nor drive to spend months diving through one underwater cave at a time.

"Your most expensive ticket to Cianwood City," Alex declared to the clerk at the ticket station at the port.

"The only ship we have docking in Cianwood City is a luxury cruise liner that’s departing in an hour. The ticket will be 1 million Pokedollars which includes their most luxurious amenities and food for yourself and six Pokemon. The trip will take a week one way. Will that be alright with you sir?"

"Sure."

Alex paid for the ticket and presented his trainer license before heading for his ship.

It was a massive luxury liner that catered exclusively to the rich. Even most trainers didn’t dare to spend money so frivolously.

For Alex, however, it was a requirement, just so his Pokémon didn’t spend the entire week cooped up in their Poké Balls. Except for Steelix, who was simply too heavy and too large to be allowed to leave.

He wouldn’t starve, as Alex had made sure to overfeed him. On top of their indulgence in Moomoo Milk yesterday, he could go a month without eating, so long as all he did was stay in his Poké Ball.

"Ticket, sir?" asked the boarding agent, who wore a skeptical look.

Alex was wearing his combat gear, which he usually used for travel. Coupled with the long farm road he had traveled the entire day, he looked more like a bandit than a guest.

Alex silently handed over his ticket and license before he was reluctantly allowed to pass.

He spent the next few minutes exploring while looking for his suite. The doors to the rooms lined the hallway like polished display cases. Each one had golden trim, bronze numbers, and locks that looked expensive for no good reason.

Alex glanced at them with faint amusement. In the games, the players were expected to barge in and challenge the room’s occupant to a battle. Here, that would probably get them arrested or thrown overboard.

Eventually, Alex found his suite, stepped inside, and gave the room a once-over. It was excessive in the way only rich people could afford, with silken sheets on a massive bed, an ornate carved headboard, a small dining table already set with candles and folded napkins, velvet armchairs arranged around a fake fireplace, and tall windows overlooking the sea. The bathroom was marble and gold trim, the kind of place that looked more like a showroom than something people actually used.

He settled his Pokémon down for the night, just in time as the ship departed and the evening’s festivities began. Alex changed into a suit and tie before heading to the main dining area of the ship. Since he had paid a million for this trip, he might as well make the most of it. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The cruise ship looked more like a floating hotel than any sea vessel Alex had ever seen. From the polished floors to the chandeliers overhead, everything reeked of wealth and unnecessary elegance. The halls were wide and carpeted, silent except for the soft clink of silverware from nearby lounges and the low hum of ambient music piped in through hidden speakers. Staff moved with practiced grace, dressed in matching uniforms and offering drinks on trays without ever making eye contact unless spoken to.

The ship had everything. Spas, gyms, high-end restaurants, lounges, and a ballroom that could probably host an Elite ranked tournament. Pokémon weren’t just tolerated here, they were pampered. There were staff who served them water with lemon slices and massaged their joints with herbal oils.

Alex made his way to the bar and ordered a drink.

"Whiskey on the rocks."

The bartender poured him a glass before sliding it across the counter. Alex took a slow sip and let the burn settle in his throat. It was smooth, expensive, likely aged longer than most trainers had been alive. Around him, the dining hall buzzed with life, soft music, laughter, and clinking glasses filled the air.

He scanned the room, more out of habit than interest. A few men were gathered in a corner, heads tilted in quiet conversation that was too low to be casual. Some of them had scars or tattoos, a clear indication of a dangerous occupation.

Others wandered aimlessly, but with eyes that lingered a little too long. Just like what Alex was doing now.

A well-dressed man pretended to read a newspaper by the lounge, but his eyes never moved with the page, only flicked up whenever someone passed too close. Who even reads newspapers in this day and age?

Alex didn’t know if these people were undercover to protect someone or to attack the cruise when it was far enough away from port, but one thing was clear to him.

There was a very solid chance this cruise would be far more exciting than he initially paid for.

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