"Then I'll be taking my leave!" Ethan recalled Yoru into his Poké Ball and ran toward Saffron City as fast as he could.
The Twister faded, leaving the Team Rocket members with their limbs encased in ice. They looked around, but the boy named Ethan was nowhere to be seen. Ariana brushed back her long, scarlet hair and said, "He certainly ran fast. Oh well, we'll have plenty of chances to meet again." Raising her right hand, she ordered the Team Rocket members to retreat, then leaped backward into the bushes herself.
Saffron City, the largest and most prosperous city in Johto, had roads leading out in all four directions, just like the coastal Cerulean City. At its center stood the towering Silph Co. building, while two gyms occupied the northeastern corner. It was not only the largest central commercial district, but also home to a magnet train station connecting it to the Johto Region.
"Sorry for the trouble, Nurse Joy." Ethan took out the Poké Balls containing his Pokémon and placed them on the Pokémon Center counter.
"I'll take Pikachu and your Poké Balls for now. They'll be healthy again in no time." Nurse Joy placed the Poké Balls on a rack, which Chansey wheeled into the treatment room.
Upon arriving in Saffron City, Ethan had immediately headed to the Pokémon Center and handed his Poké Balls and Raine over to Nurse Joy. He took out his phone, opened his contacts, and tapped one to make a call.
"Hey, it's me."
A reassuring, deep male voice came from the other end. "Hey, I've been waiting for you. Looks like you made it to Saffron City safely?"
"Yeah, thanks to you." Ethan relaxed a little and continued, "Did you get the information I wanted?"
"Yeah, I'll send it over in