A couple of hours later, I was back on deck.

  I stepped out into the open air with my duffle bag and moved toward the railing, resting both hands against the cool metal. The sun had dipped lower, painting the sea in bands of gold and deep blue as it angled toward late afternoon. The water softly slapped against the hull as the ship slowed, the engines shifting pitch as we approached Cerulean Harbor.

  Ahead, the docks stretched wide and long, layered like terraces. Cerulean was a hub where people from various regions gathered for trade or as an entrance to indigo.

  I spotted Kailey standing topside, talking with one of the ship's officers. Caleb leaned against a nearby railing, stretching his shoulders, while Marlon and Gloria stood closer to the edge, peering out at the city with tired curiosity.

  Noticing everyone's fatigue, I walked over slowly, keeping my gaze ahead.

  Cerulean's docks were massive, sprawling along the waterline. On one side, large cargo cranes moved in slow, deliberate arcs, unloading containers from massive shipping vessels docked farther in, steel hulls emblazoned with League insignia, private company logos, and markings I didn't recognize. On the civilian side, a large cruise liner sat moored at the far pier, its white sides gleaming.

  Closer in, smaller boats and private craft bobbed gently, their crews moving back and forth with practiced ease. Water-type Pokémon swam lazily in the harbor—Poliwhirls drifting in loose groups, and I could see some Mantines gliding just beneath the surface, their shadows rippling across the ocean.

  I felt small in a strange way. Yes, I was accomplished at a young age, but I was still part of a vast world.

  The ship slowed further, easing into its berth with a deep thrum as it docked.

  Kailey glanced over at us. "Alright," she called. "Everyone, do you have your luggage?"

  Caleb let out a relieved breath. "Yes..."

  Marlon muttered something about never wanting to see another wave again, while Gloria rolled her shoulders and nodded, pointing to the side.

  I pushed off the railing and joined them as the gangway was lowered.

  We disembarked in a loose line, our boots thudding softly against the metal ramp before hitting solid dock.

  As soon as my feet hit the dock, I wobbled slightly, cursing as I tried to find my footing. My balance adjusted automatically, my body recalibrating before I started walking toward the passenger building.

  I glanced back at the research vessel. It looked smaller now, tucked among larger ships.

  Kailey checked her PokeNav, her brow furrowing briefly before she nodded. "The cab's waiting for us in Parking Area C."

  "Thank Mew," Gloria said. "I need to sit down; the ground is moving beneath me."

  We chuckled and moved together toward the main entrance, following the marked path through the harbor complex.

  The entrance building rose like a curved wall of glass and steel, its surface reflecting the water and sky in distorted patterns. Automated doors slid open and closed as people passed through. Security personnel moved along the walkways with their Pokémon, scanning the crowd calmly.

  I could hear voices echoing off the high ceilings and announcements chiming overhead as we entered the building.

  We passed through checkpoints where League officers stood alert, checking us and our luggage, their Pokémon stationed beside them. A Growlithe sat at one post, tail wagging lazily as it watched me pass.

  I caught glimpses of foreign nationals among the people tall Kalosians in sharply cut jackets, visitors with Hoenn accents drifting past us in a group.

  We reached the outer doors and stepped into the open-air arrival zone.

  The sound of the city hit us immediately. A wide parking area stretched ahead, lined with people and cars alike.

  Kailey slowed, scanning the area. "Should be here."

  Caleb shifted his bag higher on his shoulder, sighing, "I'm tired..."

  A horn honked as a large cab rolled to a stop in front of us, matte black with Cerulean Transit markings along the side. The windows were tinted, and the doors slid open automatically.

  We got into the car while Kailey conversed with the driver.

  We settled into a tired silence. Two days at sea had that effect. We had teleported directly to Cerulean from the lab and then boarded the ship. Even without me doing any actual research work and acting as pseudo-security, it still wore me down.

  Caleb leaned his head back against the seat in the middle row, his eyes already half-closed. Gloria sat next to him, staring out the opposite window with her forehead resting against the glass. Marlon sat in the back seat with me.

  Kailey occupied the front passenger seat, her posture still alert despite the fatigue.

  I watched the city go by for a moment before I finally spoke.

  "So… what's the plan?"

  Kailey glanced back over her shoulder. "We'll be staying at a hotel tonight. We're here for the rest of today and heading out tomorrow afternoon."

  "We're not teleporting back today?" Marlon asked, cracking one eye open.

  "No," she replied, then paused, her lips twitching slightly. "Professor Oak's granddaughter is joining us tonight. Her semester at Cerulean Prep wrapped up today."

  That got a reaction out of everyone

  Caleb straightened a little. "Professor's granddaughter?"

  "You didn't know?" Gloria said, suddenly more awake. "She's been here in Cerulean for her education."

  Kailey nodded. "She'll be meeting us for dinner. It's sort of a… wrap-up celebration. After that, tomorrow's free until we leave."

  For a moment, no one said anything.

  Then Marlon let out a quiet cheer. "Hell yeah, I need some time off."

  I couldn't help but smile, even though my energy was mostly gone.

  The cab rolled deeper into the city.

  Cerulean was unlike any other city in Kanto. Art installations illuminated the streets, with sculptures and murals at every intersection. Music drifted from open plazas, and giant holo signs advertised merchandise and other products.

  We passed galleries, theaters, and cafés. The car drove over a bridge that arched overhead. As I looked out from the bridge, I saw the Cerulean Gym rising like a prism of glass, reflecting blue light, resembling water cascading down its outer walls.

  Soon... I thought with a smile.

  This was Kanto's cultural heart. You could feel it.

  Eventually, the cab slowed. The Azure Crown Hotel dominated the block, its fa?ade a blend of white stone and curved glass. Soft lights traced the architecture, and Pokémon statues lined the entrance, rendered in polished crystal and marble.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The cab stopped beneath a wide canopy.

  Valets moved immediately, dressed in sharp uniforms. One opened my door while another reached for our luggage.

  "Welcome to the Azure Crown," one of them said smoothly.

  We stepped out, stretching our stiff muscles, the city noise muffled by the hotel's walls as we entered.

  Inside, the lobby was vast yet serene. High ceilings towered above, and water fountains flowed silently along the walls. Artwork adorned the space—real pieces, not holo-projections. Rich Trainers, businesspeople, and tourists mingled in quiet clusters.

  I noticed a sign near the entrance almost immediately:

  COMMON AREAS RESTRICTED TO POKéMON UNDER 0.5m IN HEIGHT

  PLEASE CONSULT STAFF FOR LARGER PARTNERS

  I snorted softly under my breath, thinking of Caesar.

  Kailey handled check-in with practiced efficiency. It was clear that Oak Labs had an account here—a very expensive account.

  She returned a few minutes later with key cards.

  "Here are your room keys," she said, handing them out. "We'll meet for dinner at 8."

  Marlon took his card as if it were a holy relic. "I'm not moving until then."

  Soft music played as we rode the elevator. When the doors opened, I stepped into a hallway carpeted thickly, then split off from everyone and entered my room.

  It was… a lot.

  A wide bed. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a garden. A small sitting area, the bathroom larger than my bedroom back home.

  I set my bag down, kicked off my boots, and didn't even bother changing and set an alarm on my Pokédex for 7:30 p.m. and lay back on the bed.

  (Time skip)

  I groaned as I woke up to my alarm, rolling onto my side before forcing myself upright. My head felt heavy but clearer than it had earlier.

  I really don't want to get up...

  I showered quickly, changed into clean clothes, clipped my Poké Balls to my belt, and headed back down.

  The dining hall was impossible to miss.

  Tall ceilings and crystal chandeliers caught the morning light, while long windows overlooked a now brightly lit garden where people were strolling. A small string ensemble played classical music near the far wall, soft enough to blend into the ambiance. Everything felt curated and expensive.

  I followed the flow of guests toward the buffet.

  Before I could start scanning the spread, I heard a voice call me over.

  "Hey! Arata!"

  I glanced up to see Gloria waving with one hand, Marlon beside her balancing a plate stacked too high for dinner. They were standing next to the meat section.

  "Over here!" Gloria called, and I made my way to them, grabbing a plate.

  I moved along the buffet first—didn't want to sit down empty-handed. The selection was incredible: fresh fruit, berries from multiple regions, and hot dishes steaming under glass lids.

  They led me to the table where our group was seated. Kailey and Caleb were already mid-conversation, along with three girls I didn't recognize. They looked around my age, maybe a little younger. All were casually dressed but well put together, exuding a confidence that came from growing up around success.

  Kailey noticed me first. "There you are. Got some rest?"

  "Yeah," I replied, setting my plate down. "Slept like a rock."

  "Same," Marlon muttered, his mouth full.

  Kailey gestured to the girls. "Ahh… Arata, Gloria, Marlon. This is Daisy, Lilian, and Rei."

  The name clicked immediately.

  So that's Daisy Oak, huh?

  Daisy Oak leaned back in her chair, calmly cutting her food, her sharp eyes flicking over me. Her brown hair was loose around her back, held back by a headband.

  Rei gave a polite smile and a small wave, while Lilian just nodded at us as we all sat down.

  "Nice to meet you," I said.

  As conversation picked up—shifting between research, gossip, and H-pop bands—I focused on my food, keeping my expression neutral.

  Daisy then shifted her attention from her conversation and stared at me for a moment, her gaze lingering a second longer than necessary. "So you're one of Grandpa's lab trainers."

  It didn't sound like a question.

  "Yeah," I replied.

  She snorted softly. "So, you're the one who got the Dex, huh?"

  The table fell quiet, quickly.

  Kailey shot her a look. "Daisy—"

  I lifted a hand slightly. "It wasn't just me; there were two others."

  Daisy raised a brow, staring at me.

  Caleb shifted in his seat, and Gloria frowned.

  I took a sip of coffee, buying myself a moment. "We worked for it."

  "Sure," Daisy said lightly. "But lots of people work hard. Doesn't mean they get noticed."

  Ok... What did I do to you, girl?

  Kailey leaned forward. "Daisy, that's enough."

  Daisy glanced at her, then back at me. Her lips curved, not quite a smile. "What? I'm just curious. What did you do to make Grandpa give you a Dex?"

  "I asked for it... nicely," I replied calmly.

  I was getting tired of this.

  "I want a battle," she said in a tone I didn't quite like.

  Marlon coughed. Gloria opened her mouth, then closed it again.

  Kailey sighed. "We're eating dinner."

  "And we can do that afterward," Daisy said, already pushing her chair back slightly. She looked directly at me. "How about it?"

  I blinked at her. "Here?"

  "Not in the dining hall," she said dryly. "There's a private field on the lower level. It will be supervised."

  Caleb muttered, "Of course there is."

  Kailey pinched the bridge of her nose. "Daisy..."

  Lilian piped in, "Daisy's strong. She's the best in battle simulations."

  I set my coffee down carefully.

  "We can have a battle after dinner," I said evenly.

  That got a reaction.

  Daisy shot daggers at me and let out a short, sharp laugh. "Confident one, aren't you? I'll be at the field, don't make me wait too long."

  She stood up, wiping her lips with a cloth, and left with her friend, who looked at me with amusement.

  I exhaled slowly. "Okay, Kailey, what's her problem?."

  Kailey looked at me with quiet resignation. "It's probably nothing..."

  Caleb chuckled. "Dude, you have to battle your boss's granddaughter."

  I stared at him in annoyance, sighing as he was right.

  The tension eased as we continued eating our food.

  To be honest, I was somewhat annoyed. I realized I didn't like Daisy, something about her just rubbed me the wrong way.

  If she wanted a battle... she'd get one.