Chapter Twenty-Two: Evergreen City

As one of the six major cities in Kanto, Tokiwashi is also the largest city in Western Kanto, and its vastness is naturally beyond compare. Amu and Misty, unwilling to torture themselves, found that they were nearing the outskirts and promptly boarded a city bus, heading straight to the Pokémon Center in the city’s heart.

They had gone the entire day without eating—not for lack of supplies, but because, knowing they were close to Tokiwashi, they hadn’t bothered to attempt their mediocre cooking skills. After checking in, the two retreated to their rooms to freshen up, agreeing to meet later in the Pokémon Center’s restaurant—the buffet there was free for trainers in their first year of travel, making it perfectly suited for Amu and Misty's current level of hunger.

Amu finished washing up, changed into clean clothes, and was the first to reach the restaurant on the top floor. The scale of Tokiwashi’s Pokémon Center was incomparable to those in small towns; as one of five centers in the city, it boasted a dedicated Pokémon medical wing, and the trainers’ accommodation tower soared thirty-three floors high. Even so, the place was packed—the center only accepted rookie trainers and those professional trainers with eight or more badges. Other trainers could bring their Pokémon for treatment, but for lodging, they would have to seek out hotels.

As a pure beginner, Amu had nothing to worry about in his first year. He arrived just as dinner was beginning.

“Hey? Amu?”

While Amu was devouring his meal, a familiar voice reached him. He looked up—it was Sonoko, whom he had met in Pallet Town. She carried her buffet tray and, spotting a familiar face, walked over.

“You arrived pretty quickly, didn’t you?” Sonoko greeted him. She had expected Amu to be slower.

But after leaving Maple Town, Amu hadn’t explored any areas too far from the main route, heading directly to Tokiwashi. Another reason for his swift arrival was that he hadn’t relied on Misty for directions.

“I just want to get my first badge as soon as possible,” Amu replied, making up an excuse.

“You’re aiming for your first badge at Tokiwashi Gym? The rules here... Well, you’ll still get it somehow, haha.” Sonoko’s tone was a little smug.

“You’ve already got yours?” Amu asked, noting her obvious pride.

Her affirmative answer was no surprise. Sonoko wasn’t aiming to be a professional trainer, but given the opportunity, she had challenged the gym—the first badge was quite easy to obtain.

Compared to other gyms, the rules at Tokiwashi Gym were not favored by rookie trainers. Challenging the first three badges here was considered fairly difficult, because from the very first badge, the gym required double battles.

While official tournaments were usually a mix of singles and doubles, very few gyms required double battles from trainers with fewer than three badges.

Not being particularly adept at flattery, Amu offered a simple compliment before changing the subject: “Where are Shinichi and Lan?”

At this, Sonoko grinned mischievously—Amu could tell she must have tried to set up that pair again.

“I originally invited them to Tokiwashi Amusement Park... Then I got sick!” Sonoko declared, as though entirely justified.

Clearly, she was feigning illness.

“Amusement park, huh...” Amu’s expression turned a little odd. Looking out, he could still see the Ferris wheel of Tokiwashi Amusement Park in the distance.

Amusement park? Surely... nothing too dramatic would happen there? Would Shinichi inevitably run into trouble?

“Hmm? Amu, is this a friend of yours?” Misty arrived at that moment, fortunately finding a table for four.

“Yes, we met back in Pallet Town. Sonoko, this is my companion for the journey, Misty.” Amu introduced them.

Both were outgoing and cheerful, and though one was the heiress of the Suzuki Group and the other the daughter of a gym leader, neither put on airs. Amu didn’t bother mentioning their backgrounds.

Soon, the two were chatting on their own, even more harmoniously than when Sonoko and Amu were alone, much to Amu’s delight. He focused entirely on filling his stomach, demonstrating his “prowess” at the buffet.

Misty, on the other hand, reined in her appetite somewhat with a new acquaintance present, all the while shooting disapproving glances at Amu’s relentless feasting.

Sonoko ate normally, soon moving on to dessert, while Misty followed suit, pretending to be full.

Before Sonoko left, the two arranged to go shopping together the next day—Misty would also be introduced to another friend.

After Sonoko departed, Misty returned for a second course of hearty food; though she had already had dessert, she went back for steak. Catching Amu’s look, she was momentarily embarrassed, then asserted with forced confidence, patting her exposed waist below her T-shirt, “Dessert fills a different stomach!”

“I didn’t say anything... Aren’t you going to challenge the gym tomorrow?” Amu asked, recalling Misty’s plans with Sonoko.

“I’ll go the day after tomorrow,” Misty replied, evidently in no hurry. Having finally arrived in Tokiwashi, she intended to rest a few days.

Amu, however, wasted no time and headed to Tokiwashi Gym the next day.

As one of the six official gyms, Tokiwashi Gym was vast, occupying a large complex—like a combination of stadium, sports arena, and athletic school. Even with Giovanni’s backing, such an extensive facility couldn’t be in the city center, but was instead located at the edge.

This was Amu’s first badge attempt, a routine process that would attract little notice, and certainly not merit a personal evaluation from Giovanni.

At the entrance, Amu confirmed the requirements for the first badge—double battle, with no switching of Pokémon, and items allowed.

Only two Pokémon would be tested, but double battle was mandatory.

As for items... Though permitted, Amu had no intention of using them.

——

Note 1:

In this world, Pokémon battles may use items, but not in the sense of field usage; rather, Pokémon carry items into battle, much as in the games. Normally, a Pokémon can only use one item due to its abilities.

Most effects from the games exist here as “items,” but their usage is not as casual. One can’t simply wear sunglasses or tie on a headband to boost move power, nor can carrying a piece of charcoal enhance fire-type moves.

Pokémon battle items in this world involve complex craftsmanship and often require customization—like the “Rocky Helmet” in the games, which looks like a safety helmet and grants counter-attack abilities to the wearer. In this world, such convenience doesn’t exist.

Counter-attack items need to be tailored to each Pokémon, and proper training is required for the Pokémon to fight effectively while wearing them. There are scenes in the movies showing Pokémon in armor.

As for items like the “Choice Scarf” that lock moves and boost power, the craftsmanship is even more intricate. Essentially, it locks the gene chain for a specific move, thereby triggering a certain potential.

By comparison, bringing “berries” into battle is more common, but not as in the games where they’re simply carried and consumed at a certain HP threshold—otherwise, why not eat them beforehand?

To be effective, berries must be processed and consumed before battle, after which their effects manifest in the appropriate state.

Berries processed into “battle potions” replicate the effects seen in the games. Most berry potions can be produced by a basic potion-maker, though some potent blends require expert-level apothecaries.

Whether it’s items or potions, their efficacy depends on resonance with a genetic locus—of which there is only one—so, barring exceptions, only one may be carried.