We still had some way to go before reaching Vermilion City, so I planned to stop at the nearest Pokémon Center with Brock for a rest.
A crowd had gathered outside the Pokémon Center. I wondered what had happened.
"My apologies to all Pokémon Trainers heading to Vermilion City. The city is currently under lockdown due to an unidentified incident. No one is allowed inside." It was Nurse Joy's voice.
"What? Vermilion City is under lockdown? What happened?" I discussed it with Brock.
"I have no idea either." Brock shook his head.
"Never mind. Let's keep going and take a look." Brock and I agreed to press on together.
After we passed the Pokémon Center, our surroundings grew unusually quiet.
At last, we reached the outskirts of Vermilion City, where numerous people in full protective suits stood guard.
"This area is under lockdown. Leave at once!" one of the people in protective suits said.
"What exactly happened?"
"Nothing serious. Just leave, or we'll have to use force to drive you away!"
That was a blatant lie. Something serious had clearly happened. We didn't want to cause a confrontation, so we had no choice but to leave for now.
"What should we do? How about heading to Celadon City first?" I suggested.
"Sure. Staying here won't do us any good anyway." Brock agreed with my suggestion.
And so, we took another road toward Celadon City.
Meanwhile, on a hill not far from Ash and Brock...
"Knowing Ash, he'll definitely find a way into Vermilion City. Everything is going according to plan." Professor Oak watched them.
"Is it my turn to appear, Grandpa?" a mysterious voice asked.
"Not yet. Be patient a little longer, Gary. No, Captain Gary."
"But Grandpa, haven't you gone too far this time, putting those things inside Vermilion