Verdanturf Town was a small town in the western Hoenn Region, nestled among the mountains.
It was famous for its fresh, revitalizing air. Although it was close to Mt. Chimney, the prevailing winds kept volcanic ash from blowing its way. It was an ideal place for frail patients to recuperate, and many elderly and wealthy people stayed there for a while to relax.
The two strolled into town. Neat houses lined both sides of the road, and the town was so small they could see its far end at a glance. Almost every household grew flowers, their colorful blossoms brightening the peaceful little town.
The residents regarded Yong and Chengjie curiously but did not approach them with questions. Clearly, travelers often passed through.
"What a beautiful little town."
Chengjie admired the scenery, his spirits high.
"Yeah, it's completely different from Dewford Town. Everyone here lives so peacefully and comfortably."
Yong could not help comparing Verdanturf Town to his hometown and found them utterly different. The people here seemed free of worries, living without a care, while Dewford Town bustled with everyday life and had a strong martial culture. Most people there were Trainers heading to Granite Cave for adventure.
"So what do we do next? Head straight to Mauville City?"
Looking at the rows of houses, with no other buildings in sight, Chengjie could not help asking.
Verdanturf Town had no Pokémon Center. There were only two roads crossing through the entire town. One led ahead to Zijin City, the Electric City, while the other was a winding mountain path that stretched southwest into the mountains, its destination unknown.
The town relied entirely on Mauville City for commerce. Since the two places were close together, residents could cycle between them to buy their daily necessities.
"Let's keep going. Mauville City isn't far from here. If we pick up the pace, we should get there before dinner, and then we can have a proper rest."
Yong glanced at the sun overhead as he answered.
"All right, but I'm definitely buying a mountain bike when we get to Mauville City! Walking is way too tiring!"
The boy grumbled under his breath.
"That's part of traveling! Come on, let's go. Just think, tonight we'll get to stay at a Pokémon Center, take a shower, eat good food, and sleep in soft beds. Aren't you looking forward to it?"
Yong urged him on with those tempting prospects. Sure enough, Chengjie stopped grumbling and quickly picked up his pace to follow.
Before they had gone far, they spotted a crowd gathered by the roadside, pointing at something and talking. Curious, the two exchanged a glance and walked over.
"Is that a Machop? What's it doing here?"
"Does this little one look hurt to you?"
"We shouldn't leave it like this. Is anyone here a Pokémon doctor?"
"Oh, we're all here to retire. We don't even have Pokémon. How would any of us be Pokémon doctors?"
"With these old arms and legs, there's nothing we can do to help."
"My boy's gone off traveling, too. There aren't any young people in town!"
They squeezed through the crowd of elderly men and women and saw a humanoid Pokémon lying in the open space at its center.
Its body was gray all over, with five fingers on each hand and no separate toes on its feet. It had red irises and black pupils, with three tile-like structures on top of its head. It also had a tail. The outlines of its ribs showed on its chest, and its muscles were well developed.
It was indeed a Machop, but it was in bad shape. Its eyes were tightly shut, its whole body was trembling, and there was a deep wound on its leg.
Machop
Listening to the elderly residents chatter, Yong quickly asked,
"Hello! We're Pokémon Trainers passing through. What happened to this Machop?"
"Oh, thank goodness! Young people!"
An elderly man who looked quite respected stepped forward and said,
"We found this little one while we were out for a walk. It had collapsed by the roadside, injured."
An elderly woman chimed in as well.
"That's right, but none of us have Pokémon, and we don't know how to treat it. We were getting so worried!"
Chengjie crouched down and examined Machop as he spoke.
"These look like injuries from a battle. They're serious, and I think it's been poisoned, too!"
Frowning slightly, Yong took off his backpack and pulled out a bottle of Antidote. He handed it to Chengjie to give to Machop, then took out some medical bandages and carefully wrapped its badly injured leg.
"Chop...!"
Machop gave a low, pained cry.
Seeing this, Yong worried that further delays might lead to complications. After all, this was only emergency treatment. Neither of them was a professional Pokémon doctor, and they had no specialized equipment.
He spoke to Chengjie, who was giving Machop the medicine.
"We should really get to a Pokémon Center and have Nurse Joy give Machop a thorough examination, so it doesn't end up with any hidden injuries!"
Chengjie nodded, and Yong turned to the people around them.
"Sir, is there no Pokémon clinic here?"
Mauville City was not far away, but getting there would still mean a long walk.
"Oh, everyone living here is elderly, and hardly anyone keeps Pokémon. Why would we have a Pokémon clinic?"
Yong's brow furrowed at the old man's reply.
"I see."
"Oh, young man! You could go to Twinleaf Town. It's very close to here. Just follow the mountain path, and you'll be there in an hour!"
Just then, an elderly woman spoke up, and her words filled everyone with delight.
"Really? Is there a Pokémon Center there?"
"Oh? No, there isn't!"
"Uh..."
Yong was speechless.
As though she had noticed the disappointment in his eyes, the elderly woman quickly smiled and said,
"There may not be a Pokémon Center, but everyone there knows a treatment that stimulates pressure points. It's very effective! Whenever the elderly people in our town get sick, we go to Twinleaf Town for treatment!"
Her words instantly set the other elderly residents talking.
"That's right! How did we forget Twinleaf Town? I went there for treatment before!"
"Oh dear, we really are getting old. Our memories aren't what they used to be!"
"Yes, yes! I've been there, too. It really works!"
"Maybe they can treat Pokémon injuries as well!"
"It's much closer than Mauville City!"
With new hope in sight, Yong and Chengjie exchanged a glance and nodded to each other, deciding to give it a try.
"Could you tell us how to get to Twinleaf Town?"
"Do you see that mountain path?"
The old man pointed to the two roads intersecting in the middle of town and explained with a smile.
"Take that little path into the mountains. Just keep following it, and you'll get there soon."
"Thank you, sir!"
Chengjie gently lifted Machop, taking great care to avoid its wound, and thanked the old man.
"Go on, hurry. Don't let this little one's injuries get any worse."
The elderly residents waved them on, urging them to hurry. Without further hesitation, the two said goodbye to everyone and headed briskly toward the mountains.
"Ma... chop..."
Machop opened its tightly closed eyes and struggled to lift its head to look at the boy carrying it.
Chengjie smiled faintly and reassured it in a soft voice.
"Don't worry, Machop! We're going to find a doctor right now. You'll be all right soon!"
"Ma... chop..."
Machop looked at him for a long moment, then drifted back to sleep, reassured.
The two boys followed the mountain path, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.