Silas cautiously approached the cave entrance.
There was a stern-looking middle-aged man stationed outside. He sat atop a large stone overlooking the lake, his posture straight despite the relaxed setting.
He looked like a retired samurai more than a league employee. A well-maintained katana rested at his waist while several pokeballs hung from his belt.
Silas studied him from behind a cluster of trees and immediately knew this wouldn't be easy.
Cerulean Cave was one of the most important locations in Kanto. Any trainer capable of guarding its entrance would possess some strength.
Unfortunately, Silas couldn't afford to walk away. Luckily, Cerulean Cave wasn't important enough for an elite to be guarding it but the man was definitely much more powerful than the current Silas.
The cave represented opportunity for him.
The wild pokemon , rare resources, and rare psychic types were abundant here. If he wanted to become stronger, he had to take risks.
"Electabuzz."
The electric pokemon appeared silently beside him.
"Quick Attack. Then Thunder Punch."
Electabuzz grinned. The two split up immediately.
Silas used the surrounding foliage as cover while Electabuzz circled around from another angle. The lake breeze rustled the trees softly, masking any sounds of movement.
The guard remained completely unaware that he was in danger. Electabuzz became a yellow blur and shot across the clearing.
The man's eyes widened when he sensed the incoming attack but it was far too late. Quick Attack struck first, slamming into his side and throwing him off balance. Before he could react, Thunder Punch crashed into his chest.
Electricity exploded outward.
The guard's body seized before collapsing unconscious onto the ground.
Silas rushed forward.
Several pokeballs on the man's belt began shaking violently as the pokemon inside sensed their trainer's distress. Silas immediately attached ball locks to every ball.
"Sorry."
The apology felt hollow since he wasn't sorry enough to stop.
To be safe, he had Electabuzz use Thunder Wave on the unconscious guard. Afterwards, Silas blindfolded him.
Then he began removing all the man's valuables. He had a storage bag, trainer supplies, and surprisingly a katana.
Silas paused while holding the weapon. It was surprisingly light and well balanced too. This was a quality item. Silas couldn't believe his good fortune.
Using an escape rope, he tied the man's wrists and ankles together behind his back. Then he used a second rope around his torso and arms.
The result looked excessive but Silas needed to be certain he couldn't escape. Only after everything was finished did he step back to inspect his work.
The guard wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. For several moments, Silas stared down at the unconscious man.
The situation felt strange. A year ago he would have struggled with this, but now? Not nearly as much.
He knew attacking the guard was necessary. The man would never willingly grant him access.
Silas laughed quietly.
Looting him clean definitely wasn't necessary, that part had been pure greed.
"Guess I'm becoming a worse person."
"Buzz."
Electabuzz laughed loudly.
The electric pokemon had noticed the change as well. The Silas that left Pallet Town would've felt guilty for days.
The current Silas simply accepted reality and moved forward. Whether that was maturity or corruption remained to be seen.
After securing the guard, Silas finally entered Cerulean Cave. The atmosphere changed almost immediately.
The warm lake air disappeared. Cool currents flowed through the tunnel system instead.
The sounds of birds and water faded behind him until only silence remained. Silas instinctively lowered his voice. Even his footsteps sounded unnaturally loud.
He had to be careful. Cerulean Cave wasn't Route 1. This place was genuinely dangerous.
According to the stories he remembered from his previous life, Mewtwo potentially resided somewhere deep within these tunnels.
Whether that information was accurate in this world remained uncertain. Silas had absolutely no intention of finding out.
If Mewtwo truly existed here, then he wanted to remain as far away as possible.
His objective today was much simpler.
Train and strengthen Froakie and Teddiursa.
Maybe, even acquire a Psychic-type pokemon.
Anywhere a legendary pokemon stayed for extended periods, the environment gradually changed.
The energy they emitted altered local ecosystems. It was why certain species congregated around legendary territories.
Abra and Kadabra sightings were relatively common here. If Silas got lucky, he might encounter one with decent potential.
Several minutes later, the cave began changing. At first there were only a few crystals.
Then dozens.
Then hundreds.
Purple crystalline formations emerged from the walls and ceiling. The deeper he traveled, the more numerous they became.
Eventually the entire cavern system glowed with soft violet light. Silas stopped walking.
"Wow."
Even Froakie looked mesmerized.
The crystals reflected against underground pools and streams, creating dancing patterns of light throughout the cave.
The environment felt almost magical. It was a beautiful yet unsettling sight.
Like standing inside a cathedral built for something ancient and powerful.
Silas understood immediately why Cerulean Cave fascinated so many trainers.
It was breathtaking.
The tunnel eventually widened into a massive cavern.
This was perfect, there was plenty of room to train.
"Teddiursa, Sweet Scent."
The young bear happily obeyed.
Pink energy gathered around its paws before dispersing into a fragrant mist. The scent drifted throughout the cavern. Natural airflow carried it even further.
Silas smiled.
Some wild pokemon were territorial, some were curious and some were simply aggressive.
Regardless of motivation, something would investigate eventually.
The response came faster than expected.
The ground trembled then exploded.
Stone and dirt erupted upward as a large pokemon burst from beneath the cavern floor.
Rhyhorn.
The armored pokemon snorted aggressively before locking onto Silas then it charged him.
Its heavy footsteps shook the cavern floor.
"Froakie, intercept with Water Pulse."
The frog Pokémon's reactions were improving. Water-type energy gathered between his palms then the brilliant blue orb was shot forward.
The attack struck Rhyhorn directly in the face causing the charging pokemon to stagger and stop. Its momentum vanished.
Before it could recover, Teddiursa moved.
Red energy surged throughout its body.
It used Close Combat without instruction to Silas' delight.
The young bear launched itself forward, throwing a flurry of punches and kicks. The assault was relentless.
Rhyhorn attempted to retaliate with Horn Attack but Froakie immediately acted.
A second Water Pulse slammed into Rhyhorn's exposed side.
The impact knocked it off balance and Teddiursa capitalized instantly. Another Close Combat combination landed cleanly.
Rhyhorn collapsed.
The entire battle lasted less than twenty seconds.
Silas hadn't needed to issue a single command after the opening attack.
He couldn't hide his satisfaction. Their teamwork and timing were exceptional. Froakie naturally created openings while Teddiursa instinctively exploited them.
Neither hesitated or overcommitted. They simply trusted one another.
Out of all his pokemon, Teddiursa continued surprising him the most.
The bear's battle instincts were phenomenal. Training him felt almost effortless.
Silas scanned the defeated pokemon.
Rhyhorn (F) — Level 32
Ability: Rock Head
Potential: C-
Moves: Rank C Drill Run, Rank C Take Down, Rank C Rock Blast, Rank C Rock Polish, Rank C Horn Attack, Rank C Dig, Rank C Stomp
Silas immediately decided to capture it.
Potential wasn't everything. Rhyhorn evolved into Rhyperior. Once it evolved fully, Rock Head would become Solid Rock.
Combined with an Assault Vest, Rhyperior became one of the most durable defensive pokemon in existence.
Many elite trainers would happily raise one. Silas tossed a Great Ball.
The ball shook a few times before Silas heard the click sound.
Success.
Silas stored the pokeball away.
Only a few minutes passed before Teddiursa's Sweet Scent produced another challenger.
This time the atmosphere felt different. It was heavier and far more dangerous.
Slow footsteps echoed throughout the cavern. Each step carried weight.
A massive bear emerged from the shadows.
It was a wild Ursaring.
Silas immediately scanned it.
Ursaring (M) — Level 33
Ability: Guts
Potential: C-
Moves: Rank C Slash, Rank C Hyper Beam, Rank C Rock Slide, Rank C Growl, Rank C Headbutt
Silas frowned.
No defensive or support moves, just a pure all out attacker.
This was a pokemon that solved every problem with violence.
Normally that would've been a weakness but for Silas, it felt terrifying.
The Ursaring stared directly at Teddiursa.
The smaller bear stiffened.
It was a blatant challenge but Teddiursa knew he wasn't ready for this level of combat yet.
An older predator confronting its younger previous form could only end 1 way.
"Froakie, Toxic Spikes. Teddiursa, Belly Drum."
Both Teddiursa and Froakie overcame their fear when they heard their trainer's voice. Poisonous spikes scattered across the battlefield while Teddiursa sacrificed health to dramatically increase its power.
Ursaring didn't care, it simply charged forward recklessly directly through the Toxic Spikes.
Several spikes pierced its feet.
Dark purple poison immediately spread through its body.
Silas expected hesitation but Ursaring simply became more dangerous. He charged forward ignoring the pain.
"Guts."
Silas cursed internally.
The ability converted status conditions into raw power.
The poison wasn't just weakening Ursaring, it was increasing its attack power.
Ursaring's muscles swelled and its eyes became bloodshot then it Ursaring raised a claw. Normal-type energy gathered around it as they grew longer.
The entire cavern seemed to grow colder.
Silas felt it instantly.
Murderous intent.
This wasn't a pokemon looking for a battle. This was a predator trying to kill.
For the first time since entering Cerulean Cave, Froakie hesitated.
Teddiursa froze.
The overwhelming pressure crashed into them like a physical force. Both pokemon trembled instinctively.
The incoming Slash carried enough power to end the battle in a single strike.
Silas' eyes widened.
Ursaring rushed forward. Its massive claw came crashing downward.
Neither Froakie nor Teddiursa were able to react due to the intense pressure.