Chapter 33: The News Industry of Vermilion City
Author: Samsung Charmander
"Thank you for your hard work, Pidgeot."
Landing back on the cliff, Ash recalled Red's Pidgeot, offering a word of thanks as he did so.
At the cliff's edge, Bill and the other two came up to greet them.
The battle just now had almost made their jaws drop, causing the way they looked at Ash to be slightly different now.
"Ash, is that really you...?"
"How on earth did you do that?"
Whether it was the Pidgeot, that Charizard, or even the inexplicable method used to directly catch the giant Dragonite, none of it was something an ordinary Trainer could do.
And all this happened to Ash, a Novice Trainer?
Unbelievable.
"Haha, don't worry about it. They're all borrowed from a friend."
Ash just laughed it off perfunctorily, not going into detail.
It was best to talk about 'Brother Red' later. If he revealed it now, he was afraid he'd be sent off to be dissected one day.
However, if even they had this reaction, it was nothing compared to the Ash watching from the VIP audience seating.
His level of shock was, in fact, not the least bit less than theirs.
"So Brother Red's strength is this outrageous!?"
The strongest beings in his memory were undoubtedly the scenes of Trainer battles he saw on television as a child.
Among them was a class of formidable Trainers called the 'Elite Four', and they were the ceiling of his current vision.
Brother Red was just as amazing as them!
"Please respect me..."
Just then, Red's words suddenly echoed in his mind, leaving Ash utterly baffled.
I'm comparing you to the Elite Four, how is that not respectful?
Should I go back to Pallet Town and burn another stick of incense for you?
Red: "..."
01100111-01100001-01101110!
Returning to reality, Ash tossed the Poké Ball containing the giant Dragonite to Bill.
"As promised, I helped you catch it, so..."
"I get it. Once I've helped this giant Dragonite resolve its longing, my next step is to return to the Johto Region and start researching that idea..."
Bill took the Poké Ball with an excited expression. It looked unremarkable on the outside, but it felt heavy in his hand.
He had stayed at the Lighthouse precisely to understand this giant Dragonite's inner desire.
Now that the matter was resolved, there was naturally no need to stay here any longer.
His hometown wasn't actually in the Kanto Region, but in Goldenrod City in the Johto Region.
That was a big city, and all his specialized equipment was there.
Then, Bill seemed to think of something. He gave a meaningful look and said in a softer tone:
"In that case, please thank that friend of yours for me."
Ash scratched his head, a look of pure innocence on his face. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Heh heh..."
Bill didn't say anything more, just smiling it off.
Everyone has their secrets; no need to dwell on it.
Although this youth's secret seemed a bit... exaggerated.
It was already late. With their business concluded, the four of them planned to return to the Lighthouse for a good night's sleep.
"Awooo! Awooo!!"
But they saw a Pokemon beside them, still shadowboxing at the void, its fighting spirit soaring.
"Charmander? Why are you so worked up?"
Ash asked, looking puzzled.
"It probably saw that Charizard and felt a sense of rivalry. As far as I know, Fire-type Pokémon have a very strong competitive spirit, especially towards others of their own species."
Bill analyzed with a serious expression.
With Pokémon of other types, if a Squirtle met a Wartortle, it would most likely go up and greet it.
Hello, senior. Your head is very round.
But Fire-types are different. They'd usually hit you in the face with a Flamethrower, looking like they want to overthrow their seniors.
"Don't worry, one day you'll be even stronger than that Charizard!"
Ash smiled in gratification, rubbing the latter's bald head encouragingly.
Although it didn't feel as good to the touch as a Squirtle, it was still quite warm.
"Roar!!"
Not to be outdone, Charmander spat out a ball of flame and began flapping its arms, held at its sides.
It was the motion of taking flight.
"Did seeing that Charizard make you yearn to fly? That's right, this is the kind of fighting spirit you need! As long as your willpower to fly is strong enough, you can grow wings!"
Ash encouraged, seizing the opportunity.
Bill nodded, agreeing with Ash's idea.
"In the Hoenn Region, there's a type of Pokemon that desperately wants to fly when it's at a lower stage, and eventually, it really does grow wings and fly. I remember that Pokemon was called...?"
"Oh, it's called Bagon."
Bill finally remembered the name.
Hearing this, Ash seemed to recall something as well.
"The Hoenn Region? You mean the Hoenn Region where Rayquaza are so common they're practically walking everywhere, the place where you could close your eyes, throw a rock, and knock out a Rayquaza?"
This description came from a close friend of Bug Catcher Gorō.
Bill: "?"
Is this the geography Professor Oak teaches?
Or is it always this ridiculous?
Early the next morning, the four of them parted ways at a fork in the road outside the Lighthouse.
Ash and his two companions were heading to Vermilion City.
Bill, on the other hand, was heading to Saffron City first, then taking the Maglev Train directly to Goldenrod City in the Johto Region.
Before leaving, Bill remembered something and suddenly asked:
"Oh, right, Ash. Do you want me to help you upgrade your Pokedex to the latest HW model? The 5G signal covers the entire Kanto Region, allowing for truly seamless, real-time communication across the whole region."
Ash waved his hand, rejecting the offer.
He'd heard on television that 5G was a scam.
So he didn't want it.
Three hours later.
Ash's group finally arrived at the Pokémon Center in Vermilion City.
It was a poetic port city shrouded by fallen leaves and a dusky yellow sky, possessing a kind of lingering, desolate beauty.
But surprisingly, no matter which street corner or alley they looked at, they saw none of the iconic fallen leaves or weeds.
Spotless, clean, and tidy.
"This city is really clean..."
The three of them couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
And the first thing to do upon arriving in Vermilion City was, of course, to challenge the local Gym.
It was said to be a Gym that specialized in the Electric Type, and the Gym Leader was a long-time Electric Mouse Pokémon fan.
According to local talk, he was the best person in the Kanto Region at raising Electric Mouse Pokémon.
Ash immediately took issue with that. With a *whoosh*, he was about to stand up and issue a challenge right then and there.
When it came to raising Electric Mouse Pokémon, he believed he wouldn't lose to anyone.
Hadn't they seen his Pikachu? It was a whole size bigger than a normal Pikachu.
However, they were currently in a rest period. His Pokemon were at Nurse Joy's, recuperating and building up their strength.
Ash could only suppress his restless heart and wait.
"Bzzzt! Bzzzt!"
Just then, the screen of a public television nearby caught their attention.
As a port city, Vermilion City wasn't actually famous for its trade and transport industry, but rather for its news industry.
Ash's interest was immediately piqued, and he fixed his gaze on the screen.
Let me see what the strongest news media in Kanto is like!
So, the three of them focused their attention on the television screen.
"We have reports that on the 15th of this month, the morning of the day after tomorrow, the most luxurious cruise ship in the entire Kanto Region—the S.S. Anne—will set sail. At that time, all wealthy individuals are requested to board in an orderly fashion to experience the life of the upper class. Poor folks may observe the ceremony from the shore in an orderly fashion."
The three of them frowned. Why did they feel as if they'd been inexplicably insulted?
Even if it was the truth, is news really this blunt nowadays?!
Then the scene cut, suddenly changing to a gray, misty sea surface, with only a solitary lighthouse flickering with light.
The three of them: "!"
Isn't that Mr. Bill's shabby old lighthouse? How did it get on TV so fast!?
Where are these reporters from?
"We interrupt with an urgent news bulletin. Shocking! A mysterious incident occurred yesterday off the coast of Vermilion City, near the Cape Lighthouse! The legendary monster that has been the subject of rumors for over a decade—the Giant of the Lighthouse—has appeared once again!"
"So what's the deal with the Giant of the Lighthouse? We believe everyone is very familiar with the Giant of the Lighthouse, but what's the deal with the Giant of the Lighthouse appearing? Let's have this humble editor take everyone along to find out."
"According to our sources, the reason the Giant of the Lighthouse appeared is because of the Giant of the Lighthouse. Everyone might be very surprised as to why the Giant of the Lighthouse appeared yesterday. But that's just how it is, and this editor is also very surprised."
"And that's the full story of the Giant of the Lighthouse incident. What are your thoughts? Feel free to tell this editor in the comment section below so we can discuss it together!"
The three of them: "?"
So this is the news industry of Vermilion City?
(???)