Morning arrived with the smell of salt.
Ash noticed it before he saw the water. The air felt different here, lighter, carrying the sound of gull-like Pokémon calling somewhere beyond the trees. When they broke through the last line of brush, Vermilion City stretched out ahead of them, docks and cranes rising against the sky.
Ships moved slowly in the harbor, hulls cutting clean lines through the water. Trainers and workers crossed the piers, voices mixing with the creak of ropes and metal.
Ash paused at the edge of the road.
Maya adjusted her bag and looked out over the city. "Port towns change people," she said. "Battles aren't always the point here."
Ash nodded. "Feels busy."
They entered the city without hurry. No one stared. A few glanced at Charizard, then moved on. It wasn't rare enough to stop the world, just large enough to make people step aside.
Charizard stayed close as they walked the harbor streets, tail flame steady in the open air. When Ash slowed, it slowed. When Ash stopped to watch the water, it stopped too.
At the Pokémon Center, Ash registered quietly. Nurse Joy took note of the wing bandage and nodded approvingly at the care taken.
"Rest today," she said. "The Gym isn't going anywhere."
Ash smiled faintly. "That's the plan."
They spent the afternoon near the docks. Ash didn't train. He watched. Pokémon hauled nets, carried cargo, splashed in the shallows under supervision. It felt different from the forests and routes. More structured. More demanding.
Poliwag leaned toward the water constantly, eyes following the waves.
Maya noticed. "It's comfortable here," she said. "But don't rush it."
Ash rested a hand on Poliwag's head. "We won't."
As evening settled, Ash stood at the edge of the pier, looking out across the open sea. Somewhere beyond the horizon were places he hadn't imagined yet.
Behind him, Charizard stopped beside him without being asked.
No tension. No distance.
Just presence.
Ash didn't look over. He didn't need to.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges. Maybe battles. Maybe not.
For now, the harbor lights flickered on, reflecting across the water, and the journey held its breath, waiting for the next step.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N:
Support me and Access 30 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/mythostales