Viridian City.
The name alone carried weight.
Skylar had seen it on maps, read about it in guides, and even watched League documentaries that spoke of the city's history. But walking into it himself—feeling the earth beneath his boots and breathing the clean, pine-scented air—was something else entirely.
The first thing he noticed was how green it was.
Vines and flowering plants hung from balconies, woven gardens covered walls, and long paths curved between patches of trees and fountains. Local Trainers walked their Pokémon along wide brick-paved walkways while vendors sold berries and handmade Pokégear charms.
"This place is alive," Skylar whispered, eyes wide.
His Charmander chirped in agreement, tail flame swaying with each step.Gardevoir, regal as always, floated just behind, curious but calm.
He stopped at a tall fountain in the city plaza. A bronze statue stood at its center: a man in a long coat, standing tall with a Nidoking by his side.
The plaque beneath read:
"Giovanni – Former Viridian Gym Leader. Resigned in disgrace. May history remind us what ambition without virtue becomes."
Skylar stepped back.
"So it's true…"
He'd heard the stories. How Giovanni had once ruled this Gym. How he'd led Team Rocket from the shadows. How he was finally exposed, defeated, and exiled after decades of manipulation.
Skylar had grown up hearing whispers about Team Rocket like ghost stories.
But this… was real.
He followed a group of young Trainers headed down a newly built path toward a sleek, modern building flanked by marble pillars and glowing signs.
The Viridian Gym.
But it looked nothing like the old photos he'd seen.
Instead of the imposing, cold tower Giovanni once ruled from, this Gym had been remodeled into something open and welcoming. Large glass windows let sunlight pour in, and the emblem over the door read:
"Viridian Academy Gym – The First Step on the Path"
Inside, Skylar found rows of training mats, battle arenas, and young trainers being guided by instructors in navy jackets with League patches. There were no thrones. No darkness. No arrogance.
Just learning. Growth. Progress.
An older woman with gray hair and a Lucario beside her walked up with a smile.
"New arrival?"
Skylar nodded. "Skylar Adams. Just started my journey."
"Well, you're in the right place. This Gym doesn't give out badges anymore. It gives out experience. Battle simulations, team coordination, strategy workshops—we help new Trainers find their path."
Skylar's eyes sparkled.
"I want to try."
Later that day, Skylar stood on a practice field, facing off against another beginner Trainer. Charmander stepped forward with pride, while Skylar gave calm, clear instructions—just as he had trained for.
It wasn't about power.It was about trust.Flow.Connection.
He won the match, but more importantly, he walked away with insights—about tempo, synergy, timing.
Afterward, the instructor handed him a small pin shaped like a green leaf.
"You're not just strong—you're thoughtful. Keep that."
Skylar looked down at the pin.
"Thank you. I will."
As the sun began to dip behind the trees, he sat on a bench outside the Gym, Charmander curled at his feet and Gardevoir floating serenely nearby.
The path ahead was long. But this was a good beginning.
He wasn't chasing prophecy.He wasn't burdened by secrets.Not today.
Today, he was just a Trainer on the road.
And that was enough.