Pokemon: The Gameboy Effect-Chapter 242: Grassmere City

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Saul Badman took John to Grassmere City .

Grassmere City was situated in the central region of Draconia, not far from the capital. Further north, the vast prairies stretched endlessly. The province itself was known for its sprawling grasslands, many of which were home to well-established breeding pastures. John recalled seeing some of these pastures listed in the Breeding Association's records—large, expensive plots of land that catered to high-end Pokemon breeding.

Traveling to Grassmere City wasn't the most direct journey. Most flights required a layover in the capital before heading to the province. Normally, the trip would take about four hours. However, John's journey had been cut in half. They had left at 7 AM and landed in Grassmere City by 9 AM.

When Saul Badman traveled, Riverstone University made sure he did so in comfort. The school had arranged a private flight to take him and his student directly to their destination. After all, sending their students to challenge Gym Leaders was something the university wholeheartedly supported.

At first, the idea of letting a first-year student challenge a Gym Leader had been met with skepticism. Many at the university found it absurd. John may have already earned a senior breeder qualification, but being a breeder and being a trainer were two entirely different paths. The higher one advanced in each field, the greater the gap between them became. Even master-level breeders often lacked the battle experience to match a Gym Leader. Theoretical knowledge didn't always translate into real combat prowess.

However, opposition was pointless. Saul Badman had made the decision himself, and the university could do little but offer their support.

Upon arriving in Grassmere City, a car awaited them at the airport. They were swiftly driven to Grassmere Gym, which, like most Gyms, was located on the outskirts of the city. The Gym itself was adjacent to an expansive pasture dedicated to raising Pokemon.

The view was breathtaking. A single paved road cut through an endless sea of green, with towering mountains in the distance. The horizon was painted in two colors—vivid blue above, rich green below. From above, a shimmering sapphire-like lake nestled within the fields was visible. This natural spring was the lifeblood of the entire grassland ecosystem.

"If you ever become the leader of Grassmere Gym, you could raise Pokemon like Rapidash and Arcanine here," Saul mused as he gazed out at the open fields. "They'd thrive in a place like this."

John nodded. "I'll ask Senior Zachary about it sometime."

He remembered that Zachary Hayes had promised him a Growlithe. In fact, it should be arriving soon. He had already pinpointed a Growlithe spawn point using his Gameboy, so he wasn't too concerned about getting one from Zachary. That said, Growlithe was a controlled species—official breeding required proper certification. Owning one or two wasn't an issue, but raising them in bulk and selling them? That required a government-issued license.

Ponyta, on the other hand, wasn't a controlled Pokemon. John had already found a suitable breeding location for them. They were widely popular, especially in the northern regions where riding competitions were held frequently.

"I could hold a riding competition here," John mused. "Might be a good idea to train an Arcanine as a mount."

He glanced at his team composition. His only Fire-type Pokemon was Blaziken. Adding an Arcanine to his roster could be a solid strategic choice.

As their car rolled through the outskirts of Grassmere City, John noticed clusters of reporters with cameras at the ready. The current Gym Leader was set to retire in a week, and the upcoming battle to determine his successor had already drawn significant media attention. Trainers from all over were flocking to Grassmere City to compete for the vacant position.

Some reporters were even trying to squeeze in last-minute interviews with the retiring Gym Leader before his departure.

John felt a twinge of guilt. Here they were, arriving just in time to challenge him before he could step down. It felt like crashing someone's retirement party just to prove a point.

"Master Saul, we've arrived," the driver announced as the car pulled up to a sprawling complex.

At first glance, the Grassmere Gym looked nothing like the Chiba Gym that John had seen before. It resembled a ranch more than a traditional Gym. Small, two-story buildings lined the property, likely serving as housing for the Gym's apprentices.

Standing at the entrance was an elderly man with a sun-worn face, dressed in a straw hat and overalls. He was surrounded by reporters, their cameras clicking away. Several younger men, dressed in similar farmhand attire, stood beside him, helping keep the reporters at bay.

"Master Hank, will your apprentices be competing in the upcoming Gym battle?" one reporter called out.

"Master Hank, who do you think will take over as the next Gym Leader?" another chimed in.

Master Hank—full name Hank Dawson—was the current leader of Grassmere Gym. If John hadn't read his profile beforehand, he never would have guessed the man was a seasoned Gym Trainer. With nearly three decades of service, he was one of the longest-serving Gym Leaders in the region. Most Gym Leaders were replaced after being defeated in battle, but Master Hank was different—he was retiring on his own terms, a rarity in the field.

Despite his age, his eyes were sharp and full of energy. As he scanned the crowd, his gaze landed on Saul Badman. A wide grin spread across his face.

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"Brother Saul! Long time no see!" Master Hank called out as he strode forward, pushing through the reporters with ease.

Saul grinned back. "It's been too long."

The two men clasped hands tightly, exchanging a firm handshake that spoke of long-standing camaraderie.

Cameras flashed as reporters scrambled to document the moment. This was big news—Grassmere Gym's retiring leader meeting with Saul Badman, one of the top breeders in the country.

Wait. The retirement ceremony was still a week away.

Why had Saul Badman arrived so early?

John frowned, watching the scene unfold. His teacher and the Gym Leader seemed to have a deep friendship.

Then why was Saul sending him to challenge Grassmere Gym?