Near the harbor of Vermilion City, Rex and Daisy stood side by side, both wearing face masks as the salty morning breeze brushed past them.
The cries of Wingull echoed in the distance, and the gentle rocking of ships against the docks filled the air. Zorua sat comfortably on Rex's shoulder, its eyes scanning the surroundings with curious interest.
"So…" Rex finally broke the silence, glancing sideways at Daisy. "Who exactly is Professor Oak sending to guide me?"
Daisy shrugged, "Grandpa was annoyingly vague. He just said to come to the harbor and wait." She paused, then added, "Apparently, this person will guide you on how to properly use the Poketrix in any situation."
Rex raised an eyebrow. "Guide me?"
"Yeah," Daisy continued. "And they'll also teach me about proper field research and other things that'll help me improve." She looked down briefly, her voice softening. "I feel like my strength is… lacking a little."
Rex blinked, surprised. "You? Lacking?"
Daisy huffed lightly. "Don't make that face. I've been thinking seriously about training more."
She glanced up at him, eyes determined. "I might even compete in the League."
Rex stopped short. "Wait—really? You want to compete in the League?"
Daisy nodded without hesitation. "Why not? Grandpa became Champion. Dad became Champion. Then they retired and became researchers." She smirked faintly. "Why can't I do the same?"
Rex chuckled softly, but inside his mind began to whirl. Competing in the League… He glanced down at the Poketrix on his wrist. Should I also walk that path?
Before he could say anything, a deep, thunderous sound ripped through the air.
"What was that?" Rex muttered, instinctively looking up.
Daisy followed his gaze, her eyes widening.
"Something's coming. Fast."
A massive shadow swept across the harbor, blocking out the sun for a split second. The wind suddenly intensified, whipping their clothes and masks as a colossal figure descended from the sky. The air roared as the creature slowed down, hovering just in front of them.
Rex and Daisy shielded their eyes as their hair was completely messed up by the powerful gusts.
When the wind finally settled, both of them froze.
"…No way," Rex whispered.
Hovering before them was a massive Dragonite, its wings slowly beating as it radiated calm, overwhelming power. Seated confidently on its back was none other than an Elite Four member of the Kanto region.
Lance.
The Dragonite gently touched down on the harbor, letting out a soft, friendly "Droo."
Lance swung himself off effortlessly and waved at them, a confident smirk on his face. "Good job as always, partner," he said warmly, patting Dragonite's neck.
Zorua suddenly yipped excitedly and leapt off Rex's shoulder, sprinting straight toward Dragonite. In a flash, it climbed onto the Dragonite's shoulder, marveling at the height.
"Zoru~!" it cried happily.
Dragonite let out an amused rumble, chatting back just as cheerfully. The massive Pokémon seemed utterly entertained by the tiny fox Pokémon's antics.
Lance's eyes flicked to Rex's left arm, briefly studying the Poketrix. Then he looked up at Rex and stepped forward.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you," Lance said, extending his hand. "The world's first superhero."
Rex stiffened, then immediately blushed. "T-That title is really exaggerated," he said quickly, shaking Lance's hand. "But… thank you."
Lance chuckled. "Humility suits you."
He then turned to Daisy. "And it's an honor to meet you as well—Daisy Oak. Daughter of Blue Oak, former Champion of Kanto."
Daisy straightened instantly. "The pleasure is mine, sir," she said respectfully.
Lance glanced around, noticing people beginning to point, whisper, and take pictures from a distance. "This isn't a good place to talk," he said calmly. "Having the world's first superhero and an Elite Four member together tends to draw attention."
With a smooth motion, Lance gestured toward Dragonite. "Come. We'll talk somewhere quieter."
Moments later, Rex and Daisy were seated on Dragonite's back. Daisy sat behind Rex, gripping his jacket tightly, while Rex sat behind Lance, holding Zorua securely in his arms.
Dragonite spread its wings.
And then—WHOOSH!
The massive Pokémon shot into the sky.
"This is AWESOME—WOOHOO!" Rex yelled, pure excitement written all over his face.
"AAAAAH—REX, DON'T LET GO!" Daisy screamed in sheer terror, clinging to his back for dear life as the harbor shrank below them.
Zorua squeaked happily, tail flicking in excitement as Dragonite soared through the sky.
Dragonite cut through the sky at incredible speed, tearing through layers of white clouds as if they were nothing more than mist. The cool air rushed past them, roaring in Rex's ears.
"This is insane!" Rex shouted, eyes shining as he looked around in pure awe. 'Flying like this… it feels like being the freest person in the world!'
Zorua stood up in his arms, balancing surprisingly well as it excitedly pointed at the clouds. "Zoru! Zoru!"
Its eyes sparkled as it tried to bite at a passing cloud, only to tumble back into Rex's chest, laughing happily.
Behind him, Daisy clung to Rex's back with all her strength, her face pressed firmly against him. "I-I hate heights…" she muttered, her voice shaking.
She cautiously opened one eye, peeking from over his shoulder. "Why is everything so small…?" she whimpered.
Lance glanced back at the trio, a small smile forming on his lips. Such different reactions, he thought in amusement. Excitement, curiosity…and pure terror.
Soon, Dragonite began to slow down, its wings beating more gently. Rex's gaze sharpened as shapes began to form below the clouds.
"Hey… look!" Rex said, pointing ahead.
Two massive buildings stood side by side beneath them—one proudly displaying the Pokémon League insignia, the other marked with the bold emblem of the police force. Not far from them stood a gigantic stadium, its sheer size overwhelming. Beside it sprawled a large village, bustling with life.
Daisy's fear momentarily vanished as she gasped. "T-That stadium…!" She pointed with wide eyes. "That's the Indigo League Stadium! And that village next to it—that's Indigo Village!"
Lance nodded calmly. "Correct." He lifted his hand and pointed toward the two towering buildings. "That one is the Kanto Pokémon League headquarters. And beside it—" his finger shifted slightly, "—is the headquarters of the Kanto Region Police Force."
Dragonite descended smoothly and landed right in front of the police headquarters with a heavy thud.
The moment its feet touched the ground, fifty guards stationed along the outer walls snapped to attention. Each stood beside a powerful Arcanine.
"Salute!" one of them shouted.
All fifty guards raised their hands in perfect synchronization.
Lance stepped forward and returned the salute crisply.
Rex and Daisy glanced at each other.
"Uh… I think we should do that too," Rex whispered.
Daisy nodded quickly. "Y-Yeah!"
Both of them raised their hands awkwardly, saluting clumsily and completely out of sync.
One guard blinked. Another Arcanine tilted its head in confusion.
Zorua tried to imitate them, raising a tiny paw. "Zoru?"
Lance coughed lightly, hiding a smile.
Dragonite lowered its head toward Zorua and waved gently with one claw. "Droo."
"Zoruuu!" Zorua waved back enthusiastically.
Lance tapped his Poké Ball, returning Dragonite in a flash of red light.
""Follow me," Lance said, turning toward the entrance.
He placed his hand on a metallic panel. A soft hum echoed as the system scanned his palm, then his eyes.
Beep. Access granted.
The massive metal doors slowly parted.
Rex and Daisy stared in awe as Lance stepped forward, his cape fluttering dramatically behind him.
"Welcome," Lance said, his voice calm yet commanding, "to the Kanto Police Headquarters."
Rex and Daisy followed him inside as the colossal metal gates closed behind them with a heavy clang.