Chapter no.36 Cerulean City

As the first rays of the morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of the forest, Austin rode his bike along the narrow trail that meandered between Mt. Moon and Cerulean City. The cool, crisp air of the early morning was refreshing, invigorating Austin as he pedaled steadily through the serene landscape. Dew glistened on the leaves, and birds chirped melodiously, creating a harmony that complemented the rhythmic sound of his bike tires crunching over the path.

Suddenly, the calm was shattered by a scream that cut through the forest, urging Austin to pedal faster.

Pika!

Pikachu's cheeks sparking with the buildup of a Thundershock as they pushed through a thick bush, his heart racing.

"You've got to be kidding me," Austin muttered under his breath as he skidded to a stop.

There, in the midst of a clearing, stood Misty, her face red with frustration and fear, steam almost visible as if emanating from her flared nostrils. Her hands shook as she clutched a can of repellent, her eyes wide with disgust.

"Stay away from me, you disgusting vile hell's spawn!"

Austin followed her gaze and couldn't help but stifle a laugh. The cause of all this commotion was a small Caterpie, innocently munching on a leaf. The tiny Pokémon looked up at Misty, its expression utterly unimpressed.

The duo exchanged a glance, as the Electric type gave a small shrug, as if to say, "What can you do?"

Austin reached into his pocket and pulled out a berry. With a gentle flick of his wrist, he tossed it into the bush, instantly catching the Caterpie's attention. The small bug Pokémon eagerly followed the berry, happily abandoning the scene.

Misty's tense posture softened as the bug moved away.

"I know you two. You're that idiot that was chased by the Spearow flock."

Austin and Pikachu both managed a sheepish expression, a sweatdrop forming at the red head's words.

Misty’s gaze then darted to the bike, and her expression shifted to one of shock. She jumped back, pointing accusingly at them. "You stole my bike!"

Austin managed a tight smile, trying to mask his annoyance as he forgot how annoying Misty was in season 1.

It took the boy a few minutes to concoct a story for Misty — essentially fabricating that he had stumbled upon the bike abandoned in Viridian Forest. The redhead seemed to accept his explanation without suspicion, having no real reason to doubt him.

"So, what were you doing out here?" Austin asked as they walked together, Misty visibly relieved to have her bike back in her possession.

"I was tasked by the league to patrol the area, make sure that Team Rocket remnants aren't around."

Austin nodded, feeling a surge of relief wash over him. It was reassuring to know that the league was taking the threat of Team Rocket seriously. Internally, he hoped—or rather prayed—that Team Rocket would consider laying low for a while given the increased vigilance.

"So, why are you heading to Cerulean?"

"Well, this was my last day of patrol, so I'm going to treat myself to a hot shower and a nice bed for the night," Misty responded, her eyes lighting up at the thought, a blissful look spreading across her face.

"Last day," Austin echoed to himself, a frown creasing his brow as he pondered the implications.

Suddenly hearing the sound of water and Pikachu's awe-filled squeak, Austin looked up, his eyes widening in amazement at the sight before him.

Cerulean City unfolded like a dream, with its intricate network of canals that weaved through the cityscape, replacing bustling streets with flowing waterways. Elegant boats glided gracefully along these waters, their polished wood and colorful flags reflecting in the shimmering water. Water-type Pokémon frolicked alongside, leaping joyfully or swimming serenely next to their trainers who navigated the city's stone paths with ease.

Each building crowned with ornate, sweeping roofs and laced with flowering balconies that overhung the canals. Bridges arched delicately over the water, connecting the various parts of the city, their stone and metalwork intricate and inviting.

Austin's gaze followed the graceful curves and soaring arches of the city, its reflection in the water doubling its fantastical appearance. The whole scene was bathed in the soft light of the setting sun, casting a golden glow that made the water sparkle and the city seem alight with magic.

"Welcome to Cerulean City, the City of Waterways!"

The pride in Misty voice was palpable, echoing the city’s breathtaking beauty and unique charm.

It took Austin a moment to recover from the overwhelming beauty of Cerulean City. As he regained his composure, curiosity took over.

"How do you navigate through the city?"

"When did I become your guide?" she retorted, one eyebrow raised.

"Come on, you know this place better than me," Austin urged, a hint of playfulness in his voice as Pikachu chirped in agreement from his shoulder.

"You can either walk through the stone paths or get a gondola or a water Pokémon through the water paths."

"What path are you going to take?"

"Stone," Misty replied crisply as she pulled a hat and sunglasses out of her backpack.

Probably doesn't want to be recognized by the locals, Austin thought, observing her careful preparation. He then turned his attention to arranging their transport, calling for a gondola as he glanced down at the vibrant blue waters below.

"Maybe that's why this city is called Cerulean," Austin mused, watching a few Magikarp glide by under the water's surface.

"Awesome, isn't it?" he said aloud, mostly to himself but loud enough for Pikachu to hear and nod in agreement.

As Austin stood contemplating the uniqueness of the cities in this Pokémon world, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Each city had its own distinct flavor and style that seemed to diverge significantly from what he remembered from the anime, manga, or games.

Viridian City was similar in its forest surroundings but sprawled much larger than depicted in the anime.

Pewter City wasn't just near the mountains—it was carved directly into them, giving it a rugged, imposing feel.

And here was Cerulean, echoing the romantic waterways of Venice in a way that was both stunning and unexpected.

What about the other cities?

Why were these places so different here? The boy had no educated guesses; the surprises at every turn made his journey uniquely enchanting, even if it was slightly jarring compared to the familiar settings of his childhood memories.

His thoughts were interrupted by a friendly voice. "Where to, son?"

Looking up, Austin saw the gondolier, a cheerful man with a broad smile, standing on the gondola that had pulled up beside the dock. Beside him, a Seal playfully clapped its flippers, seemingly waving at Austin with a splash.

"Cerulean City Gym, please."

The gondolier’s expression shifted to a frown upon hearing the destination.

"No can do, sonny," the man replied with a slight shake of his head. "The gym has been shut down ever since the gym leader died." Both the man and his Seal companion looked down, a moment of silence passing between them in condolences.

"What about the Sensational Sisters?"

"You want me to take you to their water show?"

Austin frowned slightly.

Okay, so the Sensational Sisters are famous enough to be known but, unlike in the anime, they aren't gym leaders?

"What happened to the Cerulean Gym building?"

"It's being used for water shows," the man answered, his brow furrowing slightly at the seemingly random questions the boy was asking. But Austin’s mind was racing, trying to piece together all the differences from the anime.

Austin pursed his lips as he contemplated his next move. His original plan had been to go to the Cerulean Gym, secure an easy win against Misty's sisters, and immediately leave. He had already wasted enough time, and he was eager to move on quickly and save Charmander as soon as possible.

But now, with the gym repurposed and no battles to be won, that plan was off the table. Austin sighed, his mind whirling with adjustments to his journey.

"Do you know where I can hire a private investigator?"

"It'll charge you an extra 100 on top of the fee, plus something for the conversation."

Austin gave the man a blank look and began to walk away. "Thanks for the free conversation."

The gondolier quickly called after him, "Okay, extra 75 to get to the private investigator and no charge for the conversation."

Austin stopped and turned back, negotiating with a half-smile.

"Make it 25."

"What can you buy with 25 Pokédollars?"

"A pack of bubblegum," Austin retorted.

The man sighed but then offered with a smile, "50?"

"Okay, and mind telling me the history of Cerulean City?" Austin said as he settled back down into the gondola, Pikachu curling up contentedly on his lap.

The gondola glided smoothly through the waterways of Cerulean City, the gentle motion calming as the soft splashes of water mingled with the quiet city sounds. The man began to row, and alongside, the Seal acted as a motor, flapping its tail enthusiastically.

"Cerulean City is a historical city, predating modern Kanto," the man began.

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[ Author Note: Hey there! I was wondering what you think about the unique locations in the fanfic. For instance, I've modeled Pewter City like Petra from Jordan, where the city is carved directly into a mountain. And for Cerulean City, I'm thinking of giving it a Venice vibe. What do you think of these settings?