The two sports cars left Cerulean City and sped northeast toward the coast known as the White Sea.
The White Sea, also called the Sea of White Waves, earned its name from the dramatic cliffs lining its shores. Whenever the tides surged in and crashed against the steep sea walls, the impact shattered the waves into sprays of white foam that looked like scattered jade and freshly fallen snow.
The tides here were extraordinarily fierce. Before one wave could fully retreat, another would already be rushing forward.
The white foam exploded endlessly against the dark cliffs, lingering in the air and covering the rock faces so completely that, from a distance, the entire coastline appeared pure white. That was how the White Sea got its name. In reality, the cliffs themselves were pitch black, almost like massive walls of coal.
Because the waters below were so violent, tourists were not allowed to venture all the way to the edge of the cape. Iron barriers blocked further passage halfway through the route.
Even so, although they couldn't reach the very tip of the coastline, Ash and the others still experienced the White Sea's breathtaking grandeur, danger, and beauty.
"What's that huge complex of buildings over there?" Gary asked curiously, pointing toward a large group of structures near the shoreline.
"That?" Misty replied with a smile. "That's Cerulean City's tidal power station. The tides here are incredibly powerful, making them a perfect source of energy. Thanks to that station, power outages are practically unheard of in Cerulean City."
"And after the seawater is purified and processed, the remaining freshwater is guided into the city through a network of canals. It creates habitats and playgrounds for many Water-type Pokémon living around the city."
As they gazed toward the power station by the White Sea, Misty and her three sisters naturally slipped into the role of tour guides, enthusiastically explaining everything to Ash's group.
...
...
After touring the White Sea, Misty and her sisters brought everyone to another famous attraction—Cerulean Cave.
Compared to the White Sea, Cerulean Cave was far more famous among visitors from other regions. Perhaps part of that fame came simply from having "Cerulean" in its name.
Located northwest of Cerulean City, Cerulean Cave was a vast underground labyrinth and the easternmost extension of the Indigo Plateau and Mt. Moon mountain range.
Being situated near the coast, the area received abundant groundwater and rainfall. Over countless years, these conditions had created a textbook example of karst topography.
Cerulean Cave itself was one of the most representative underground limestone cave systems in the region.
After purchasing tickets, Ash and the others entered through the main tourist entrance.
The moment they stepped inside, they found themselves surrounded by limestone formations sculpted by nature over countless ages. Everywhere they looked were magnificent stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the ground.
The cave's dark, humid environment supported a remarkably diverse Pokémon ecosystem. More importantly, because survival in such harsh conditions wasn't easy, the Pokémon living deep within the cave tended to be significantly stronger than average.
Of course, Ash and the others had entered through the developed tourist section.
The areas open to visitors had long since been modified for sightseeing purposes, and wild Pokémon rarely wandered there.
Only by entering through one of the cave's many other hidden entrances could explorers encounter the high-level wild Pokémon that inhabited its depths.
However, recklessly venturing into those unexplored regions was extremely dangerous.
Not only could intruders be attacked by territorial wild Pokémon, but the cave's interior was an immense underground maze.
Since much of it remained undeveloped, getting lost was common. Cave-ins could also occur without warning, burying explorers alive beneath tons of rock.
But dangers like these were simply part of traveling and adventuring.
This was reality—not an anime, manga, or video game.
While journeying through the wilderness, sticking your head into a patch of tall grass might earn you a face-to-face encounter with an angry Arbok's gaping jaws or an Ariados's venomous stinger.
Likewise, while searching remote mountains for Evolution Stones or hidden treasures, you might just as easily stumble upon the bleached skull of some unfortunate adventurer who never made it home.
Travel carried risks.
It wasn't something to be taken lightly.
Yet despite that, Ash still longed for adventure.
Because he was a Trainer.
And, admittedly, he also possessed the confidence that came from having genuine strength.
Still, when it came to Cerulean Cave, there was one thing Ash remembered most vividly.
Aside from being home to countless high-level Pokémon and serving as one of the greatest leveling locations in the games, Cerulean Cave was also famous for something else.
In both the games and the anime special Pokémon Origins, the deepest chamber of Cerulean Cave was home to none other than Mewtwo.
In Pokémon Origins, Red used the Mega Evolution stone gifted to him by Mr. Fuji of Lavender Town, allowing Charizard to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X.
After an intense battle, he defeated Mewtwo and successfully captured it.
Of course, that was merely the setting of the games and anime.
Whether reality worked the same way was another matter entirely.
However, there was one thing Ash could say with absolute certainty.
One hundred percent certainty.
There was no Mewtwo in the depths of Cerulean Cave.
After all, not long ago Giovanni himself had asked Ash to use his Viridian Blessing's Healing Grace to stabilize the Mewtwo embryo and prevent its genetic chain from collapsing.
At the moment, Mewtwo was still nothing more than a fertilized embryo.
It hadn't even been born yet.
Since Mewtwo didn't exist in the world yet, there was naturally no possibility of finding one inside Cerulean Cave.
"So beautiful!"
Clarissa couldn't help exclaiming as she gazed upward.
"The lights shining from below make all these stalactites and stalagmites look so colorful and dazzling!"
"Right?" Misty replied proudly.
"Hehe."
...
...
After finishing their tour of Cerulean Cave, the group left the scenic area and drove back into the city.
They found a beverage shop, ordered some drinks, and rested for a while before setting off toward their next destination—
The Pokémon Fan Club in downtown Cerulean City.
"In big cities, many people have jobs, school, and other responsibilities," Misty's sister Violet explained as they walked.
"They can't travel and adventure across the world like Trainers do. But they still dream of becoming Trainers and share a passion for Pokémon."
"So people with similar interests came together and established Pokémon Fan Clubs."
"Whenever they have free time after work or school, they gather to share interesting stories, discuss Pokémon training and breeding techniques, battle, trade Pokémon, and participate in all sorts of social activities."
"Compared to the open social environment at Pokémon Centers or the battle-focused atmosphere of city arenas, Pokémon Fan Clubs are much more comprehensive."
"There are lots of interesting people here and plenty of fun activities."
"I'm sure you all will love it."
After finding a parking spot and getting out of the car, Violet led everyone toward a tall building ahead.
Mounted above the entrance was a large Mr. Mime emblem, making the club impossible to miss.
"Miss Daisy, Miss Violet, Miss Lily, and Miss Misty!"
As soon as they arrived at the entrance, Violet presented her membership card.
The two security guards stationed outside—one tall and burly, the other thin and lean—immediately straightened up and greeted them respectfully.
"I brought a few friends to have a look around," Violet said.
"Of course that's no problem, Miss Violet."
The guards smiled warmly.
"And it's not as though we'd fail to recognize Mr. Ash."
"It's an honor for our club to have Mr. Ash visit us."
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