The St. Anne, a super-luxury cruise liner built to tour the world's oceans for the ultra-wealthy; the S.S. Aqua, sailing back and forth between Johto and Kanto…

All of them called Vermilion City their main port.

Much like certain vital port cities of another world, Vermilion thrived as a central hub for trade and maritime traffic.

Its economy was booming; even if it couldn't quite match the international giants like Celadon City or Saffron City, together these three cities formed the beating commercial heart of Kanto.

In truth, Cerulean City wasn't that far from Vermilion.

But because Logan had once flown far northeast—guided by Mewtwo's psychic power—to battle Mew in an abandoned satellite city, his return journey on foot ended up being more than twice as long.

Worse still, Logan deliberately chose to trek through the wildest, most secluded forests to train his Dratini and Gabite.

In the end, what could have been a quick journey stretched on for weeks.

Only three weeks after that apocalyptic battle did Logan finally step into Vermilion City.

By then, it had been four months since Logan first crossed into this world.

"Four months already… hard to believe,"

Logan murmured to himself, letting the memories wash over him.

Four months of nearly constant battle and training.

Four months where danger lurked behind every corner; more than once, his life had hung by a thread.

He marveled that he'd lasted so long without losing heart.

Even back in his old life, studying for college entrance exams, he'd never pushed himself this hard.

Maybe that's just what humans do when survival itself is on the line — discovering strength they never imagined.

If the college exam came with a rule: "fail and you die," Logan mused wryly, maybe everyone would study as hard as I did here.

That was how he'd spent these four months.

The moment he reached Vermilion City, Logan didn't even hesitate.

Straight into the Pokémon Center, where he devoured a massive meal, finally got a good night's sleep, and bought himself two new outfits made from high-quality fabrics.

Only then did he feel ready to rest — finally sitting in the lounge area of the Pokémon Center, soaking up a rare moment of calm.

Like all Pokémon Centers, this one bustled with people.

Every so often, someone recognized Logan.

After politely turning down what felt like the hundredth challenge from eager trainers, he finally found peace.

He didn't care for those "teaching" battles.

To Logan, they lacked passion, offered no real experience.

He preferred standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his Pokémon, commanding them in battles so fierce that waves of fire and crashing tidal forces reshaped the world itself.

Like that day in the abandoned city: every order he gave, every attack Mewtwo launched, carried power enough to level entire city blocks.

That's a man's kind of romance, Logan thought.

Even if the aftershocks of Mewtwo and Mew's power clashing had left him in agony — even behind Mewtwo's protective psychic barrier — the pain wasn't something he wanted to escape.

It was proof of what they'd achieved together.

He set up the tablet he'd bought earlier and browsed the latest news, funny videos, and online gossip.

In this world, the internet was surprisingly advanced — almost the same as his old life.

That alone made Logan feel grateful.

At least he didn't have to live like a caveman.

Three weeks had passed since Team Rocket's terror attack, but Vermilion City still felt tense under tight security.

And in the end, Team Rocket had lost big: they'd wasted resources and failed to achieve their goal.

Logan couldn't help wondering what Giovanni, Team Rocket's boss, must be thinking right now.

"Huh? Green even took photos and video?"

Logan's eyes widened as he noticed the most trending video online.

It captured him controlling Mewtwo in that titanic battle against Mew.

But the swirling psychic energy and blazing auras made the footage blurry; all people could really see was a human figure seemingly commanding one Pokémon to fight another.

Yet the scale of destruction shown in the clip was jaw-dropping.

A city of steel and concrete reduced to twisted ruins.

At first, most viewers dismissed it as CGI — entertaining but obviously fake.

Then someone recognized the abandoned city in the video and went to see it for themselves.

When photos of the real, obliterated ruins hit the net, public opinion exploded.

No one had imagined the video might actually be real.

People dug up history books on Legendary Pokémon, sparking heated debates over their terrifying power — some even questioning how humanity could survive in a world with such beings.

Green's ultra-close photos of Mew caused an even greater stir.

Famous researchers offered vast sums to buy the originals.

Even Professor Oak himself emailed Logan, asking if he had firsthand information — Oak had recognized Logan and Mewtwo in the blurry footage.

"That crafty little fox," Logan chuckled, picturing Green's sly, merchant-like smile.

"She probably sold those photos and videos for a fortune."

He almost pitied those eager researchers.

They were sure to get thoroughly swindled.

"Come to think of it, half of that footage was thanks to me. I deserve half the money too, don't I?"

Logan stroked his chin, deciding that next time he saw Green, he'd make sure to "retrieve" his share from her pocket.

He set the tablet on the table, eating cake while scrolling through funny videos.

Occasionally, he'd hand a piece of food to Dratini, who coiled around his neck like a living scarf.

All around, other trainers chatted.

Pokémon Centers were like ancient taverns — hubs of gossip and rumor.

Trainers often knew more than ordinary citizens, and sometimes young trainers let something interesting slip.

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, Logan spotted someone familiar.

His eyes lit up.

Raising a hand in greeting, he called out:

"…Red!"

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