Fan Club

I watched her as she held the Pokéball close, smiling softly at it. The sunlight bounced off the glossy red surface, her expression full of quiet pride. The blue sky rolled by in the background as I finally spoke up.

"Wait—that's amazing!" I blurted as ı tried to stand up, only to lose my balance in the bed of the jeep and fall flat on the black carpet with a dull thud.

"I mean," I added quickly, trying to play it cool as I propped myself back up, "that's really good to hear."

Amaris chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, it is."

"So... who else knows about this?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

She leaned slightly closer. "Not many people only Mr. Leo, Miss Misty, and the other Water Girls. And now you. You're officially in the boat."

Then she brought a finger to her lips. "So don't go telling anyone, alright?" she said with a half-smile, slipping Feebas's Pokéball back into her small white bag.

I mimed zipping my mouth shut, pulling the imaginary zipper all the way across before tossing the invisible key into the wind. "Mouth zipped and the key's long gone once again. Don't worry."

Just then, the jeep began to slow. I turned my head, peering out from the back. We'd reached a large green meadow mixed with sand that opened up to the sea. The breeze rolled through the tall grass, carrying the scent of salt and wildflowers. My muscles loosened up without me even noticing.

"We're here!" Rhea called as she hopped out of the driver's seat and stretched her arms overhead.

Khan followed a second later, stepping out and taking a deep breath, his long blond hair catching the sea breeze like something out of a movie before Rotom followed him.

I gave the back of the jeep a final glance before climbing out, jumping down onto the soft earth before helping Aria get down as well. The meadow sat just outside Vermilion City, quiet and a little removed. At its center stood a squat, cozy-looking house with a wide, colorful sign:

Pokémon Fan Club

The building had little plaques mounted out front—one of them featuring a chubby Pikachu smiling up at the sun. A few trainers were already gathered near the entrance. One girl gently combed her Pikachu's fur with a brown brush. Nearby, another knelt beside her Eevee, adjusting a tiny pink dress over its small frame.

"Welcome to the Pokémon Fan Club!" Rhea said as she moved forward with her arms spread wide. Her red hair swinging with her.

"Isn't this a little too far out from the city?" Khan asked, narrowing his eyes at the sea breeze and scanning the horizon with his back turned towards us.

"Yeah," Rhea replied, tossing a grin over her shoulder, "and that's one of the upsides!"

We listened in as she led the way across the soft grass path, her voice carried easily by the wind. "When the city began expanding, the President of the Fan Club didn't want Pokémon to feel boxed in by concrete and noise. So, he asked that the new clubhouse be built just little outside Vermilion—somewhere quiet, open, and free. That way Pokémons, Trainers, and Contest Stars could relax, train, or just hang out without being interrupted."

"That's actually really cute," Amaris added, her expression softening as she kept her pace beside Khan.

Rhea glanced back and smiled before reaching for the door. "It is," she said, placing a hand on the handle of the tall, weathered wooden doors. "But this… this is so much cuter."

She pushed the doors open.

Warm light poured out from inside, bathing us in a golden glow. The scent of berry poffins and fresh wood filled the air. The clubhouse was much larger than I expected. vaulted ceilings with wooden beams stretched overhead, and soft rugs covered the smooth floors. The place buzzed with life.

On a corner stood an elderly man laughing with a group of children as a plump Togetic hovered above them, scattering sparkles with every flap of its wings. On a near window, a teenage girl guided her graceful Vaporeon through simple performance moves while her friend clapped along. A little boy sat in a beanbag with his oversized Teddiursa curled beside him like a fiery pillow. Across the room, a young couple sipped drinks as their Squirtle chased bubbles from a machine someone had set up near the wall.

Walls were covered with framed photos—trainers and their partners frozen in happy, triumphant moments—and large shelves lined with toys, grooming tools, and Poké Puff recipes. In the corner, someone had set up a small stage, and a few performers were preparing a dance with their Pokémon in matching ribbons.

It was noisy, but not overwhelming. More like... alive. Like the building itself was breathing with everyone inside.

I stepped in slowly, absorbing the warmth and color, feeling like we'd just entered a sanctuary built out of pure love for Pokémon.

Aria trailed behind me, her fingers gently clutching the hem of my jacket as we stepped inside. The warmth of the clubhouse wrapped around us like a welcome blanket, and I could feel the slight tug of her hold each time I moved—like a quiet signal that she was still there, still with me like a little kid.

I took a few steps forward, scanning the bustling room before tapping Rhea on the shoulder. "So… what exactly are we doing here?" I asked, leaning in just a bit.

She paused, then snapped her fingers like she'd just remembered something obvious. "Anything you want!" she said brightly, turning around to face us fully. "You can join a contest, grab something from the café, chill with other trainers, let your Pokémon socialize, even challenge someone to a friendly battle if they're up for it. Pretty much anything that's even slightly Pokémon-related—you'll find it here."

As she spoke, she gestured toward different corners of the building—a cozy café tucked beneath a wide window where trainers chatted over mugs of tea, a small battling ring near the back where a Machoke was gently sparring with a Hitmontop, and a modest theater salon where some performers were adjusting stage lights and practicing choreography with their partners.

Then her eyes landed on Aria.

"And if you want," she added with a small wink towards her, "you can let the rest of your team out. I bet they'd love a place like this."

Aria blinked after looking around,her usual blank expression flickering just for a second with something softer. She looked around the room slowly, taking in the colors, the motion, the laughter that echoed off the wooden beams above us. Her hand let go of my jacket as she stepped forward, her eyes scanning every detail with quiet curiosity.

It was subtle, but I could tell—she liked it here.

After Aria took a step forward into the open space, the rest of us slowly reached for our Pokéballs, each of us pressing the buttons on our Poké Balls—well, except for Amaris's Feebas and Magikarp, for obvious reasons.

With a flash of light, Oddy materialized beside me, blinking slowly as he adjusted to the lively atmosphere. On Khan's side, an Electabuzz stretched its arms with a low grunt, while a Gligar flitted upward with a gleeful screech before perching on one of the rafters above. A stout Politoed popped out beside Amaris, blinking up at her with wide, eager eyes.

Amaris crouched down slightly, smiling at the Pokémon with warmth in her voice. "Alright, guys—we're taking a break here. We'll be over at the café, but you're free to run around and have fun, okay?"

Their reactions were instant. The moment they registered her words, all of them lit up with energy and bolted off in different directions, vanishing into the cheerful chaos of the clubhouse.

Amaris stood up again, brushing her knees as she turned toward us. "Let's go. I want to look around a bit," she said with a spark in her voice, already walking ahead with Rhea beside her.

Khan and I shared a glance, silently syncing up before falling in behind them. As we walked, the space reminded me of the kind of playgrounds I used to visit with my family—not too big, not too small. Just enough to have fun.

Eventually, we found ourselves standing in front of a charming little Pokémon-themed café tucked into one corner of the clubhouse. Trainers, coordinators, and even a few older folks were seated at small round tables, chatting and sipping drinks while their Pokémon lounged nearby. Waiters in aprons adorned with Poké Ball motifs zipped between tables, balancing trays stacked with vibrant drinks and plates decorated like Poké Ball designs.

We slid into a booth near the window. A moment later, a server approached us while delivering a tray to the table beside ours.

"Hello! What can I get for you today?" he asked, notebook in hand and a practiced smile on his face.

"One Azumarill Latte," Amaris said without hesitation.

Khan leaned back in his seat. "Tyranitar Mocha."

The waiter nodded, scribbling with quick precision before turning to Rhea.

"Just give me whatever's you guys have the best," she said with a relaxed shrug, leaning an elbow on the table.

As he looked to me, I skimmed the laminated menu laid out before us: Ursaring Pancake. Espeon Cookies. Surprise Ditto juice. Farigiraf Juice.The names were playful, maybe even a little ridiculous—but somehow, they fit the place perfectly.

"I'll have the Aerodactyl themed Black Caffè," I said, tapping the name on the menu while ı looked at the man.

"Great choices," the waiter replied with a grin. "I'll have your drinks out in just a second!"

And with that, he dashed back toward the counter, weaving skillfully between a waddling Quagsire and a barking Growlithe, disappearing behind the swinging café doors.