The Pantheon

Celadon City

Ashley adjusted the straps of her backpack, the warm afternoon sun trailing down on her shoulders as she made her way onto the Cycling Road. The wind carried the faint scent of salt from the ocean, mingling with the earthy smell of the tall grass lining the route. Her boots crunched against the dirt path as she walked beside Venus, her Eevee trotting lightly at her side, and Vulcan, her Growlithe, who sniffed every blade of grass like it held the secrets of the universe.

Venus let out a soft chirp, her fluffy tail swishing as she jumped onto a low rock and perched there like a queen surveying her kingdom. Ashley smirked and reached out to ruffle her fur. "You're really feeling yourself after that contest win, huh? Not that I blame you. You were amazing out there."

Venus purred and lifted her nose proudly. Vulcan huffed, looking unimpressed, and nudged Ashley's leg with his head as if to remind her that he'd been the one to help her survive ninja training, not prance around in ribbons.

"Don't give me that look," Ashley said, crouching to scratch behind his ears. "Venus can be the beauty queen, and you can be my knight in furry armor."

Vulcan barked, satisfied with the answer, and padded forward with his nose low to the ground again. Ashley straightened up, watching him sniff out the trail, before glancing back at Venus, who had hopped off the rock to keep pace.

"So," Ashley began, shifting her bag to one shoulder, "what do you guys think we're gonna run into out here? Trainers? Wild Pokémon? Maybe someone with a better sense of direction than me?"

Vulcan barked again, this time sharper, and Ashley paused, following his gaze to a patch of rustling grass. Venus bristled, her ears perking as she stared at the movement. Ashley reached for one of her Poké Balls instinctively but didn't throw it just yet.

"Alright, team," she said quietly, crouching down and lowering her voice. "Eyes sharp. Let's see what we're dealing with."

The rustling grew louder, and suddenly, a pair of Doduo burst out from the tall grass, their heads bobbing wildly as they sprinted across the path. Vulcan lunged forward, barking at them, but Ashley snapped her fingers.

"Leave it!" she called, and Vulcan skidded to a stop, looking back at her with a frustrated whine.

"Sorry, buddy," Ashley said, patting his head, "but we've already got a bird waiting for us back home. Let's not go chasing new ones just yet."

Venus, meanwhile, had turned her attention back to the road, prancing forward with her tail swishing behind her. Ashley shook her head, laughing under her breath. "She's acting like she already owns this whole route."

The path sloped upward as they continued, the incline growing steeper. Ashley could hear the faint whir of bike chains and bells ahead, signaling they were finally nearing the main Cycling Road. She paused at the top of the hill to catch her breath, wiping sweat from her forehead as she looked out at the view.

Below, the road stretched out in a long, winding curve, suspended over the water on a massive bridge. Cyclists zipped back and forth, calling out to each other as they rode past. Ashley grinned, leaning on the railing to take it all in.

"Man, I can't believe we're finally here," she said, mostly to herself. "It's weird, right? Like, we've been through volcanoes, ice caves, contests, ninja training, and now we're just... on a bridge. Walking."

Venus hopped up onto the railing beside her, peering down at the water. Vulcan stood at her feet, tail wagging as he sniffed the air. Ashley reached down to scratch his head again.

"Not that I'm complaining," she added. "After Koga, we kinda earned a quiet walk, don't you think?"

Vulcan barked in agreement, and Venus let out a soft trill.