The wagon appeared on the road ahead like something from a different era.
Wooden construction, weathered by years of travel, drawn by a patient Mudsdale whose hooves clopped against the highway with rhythmic steadiness. Colorful awnings extended from its sides, displaying an array of merchandise that sparkled in the afternoon sun. The entire apparatus seemed displaced from time, a merchant's cart from centuries past navigating modern infrastructure.
"Is that legal?" Kiyomi asked, peering through the windshield with academic curiosity. "Using a Pokémon-drawn wagon on a major highway?"
"Technically yes," Miyuki replied, consulting traffic regulations on her tablet. "Historic commercial vehicles have protected status under Kanto preservation laws. Merchants who maintain traditional trade routes are grandfathered in."
Sasuke slowed the Mobile Home as they approached, the wagon having pulled to the side of the road in what was clearly a deliberate stop, a merchant preparing to display his wares for passing travelers.
"Should we look?" Kasumi asked. "Traveling merchants sometimes have rare items that don't appear in city shops."
The decision made itself when the wagon's proprietor emerged and began waving toward them with unmistakable invitation. He was elderly, perhaps seventy, with a long white beard and clothing that matched his wagon's anachronistic aesthetic. His eyes, however, were sharp and calculating, suggesting a mind that hadn't dulled with age.
"Might as well," Sasuke agreed, guiding the Mobile Home to park behind the wagon. "We have time."
The merchant's display was impressive.
What had appeared modest from the road revealed itself as an extensive collection once they approached on foot. Evolutionary stones gleamed from velvet-lined cases, Water Stones catching light like captured ocean, Thunder Stones crackling with contained electricity, Fire Stones radiating warmth that could be felt from inches away. TM cases stood organized by type, their technical contents representing moves that could reshape a Pokémon's combat capabilities.
"Welcome, welcome!" The merchant's voice carried the practiced warmth of someone who'd spent decades in sales. "Please, examine anything that catches your eye. I guarantee authenticity for everything in my collection."
Kasumi immediately gravitated toward a section featuring botanical items, berry seeds, growing supplies, and what appeared to be samples from regions beyond Kanto.
"Are these Hoenn berries?" she asked, examining small packets with handwritten labels.
"Indeed! Spelon, Pamtre, Watmel, and Durin seeds, all imported from trusted Hoenn cultivators." The merchant joined her with obvious pleasure at finding a knowledgeable customer. "Difficult to grow outside their native climate, but with proper care and the right soil amendments..."
"I've been experimenting with cross-regional cultivation." Kasumi's excitement was genuine. "My Vitaberry research suggests that hybrid approaches might overcome climate barriers."
"Vitaberry? You're the young woman from the news! The one who developed the enhanced healing berry!" The merchant's expression shifted to genuine respect. "My suppliers mentioned your research paper is making waves in agricultural circles."
Kasumi flushed at the recognition. "It's still under review."
"But already influential. Please, take these Hoenn seeds at half price, call it professional support for promising research."
While Kasumi negotiated berry acquisitions, Miyuki had found the evolutionary stone collection.
"Water Stone, Thunder Stone, Fire Stone," she catalogued, examining each with clinical precision. "Also Dawn Stone, Dusk Stone, and..." she paused, lifting a small, iridescent scale that seemed to catch light from impossible angles "what is this?"
"Prism Scale." The merchant moved to join her. "Extremely rare. Found only in specific deep-ocean locations. Causes Feebas to evolve into Milotic when traded while holding it."
"Milotic evolution." Miyuki's golden eyes sharpened with interest. "I've read about this, but never seen the actual item."
"Few have. I acquired this one from a Hoenn merchant who'd obtained it from... well, sources she preferred not to detail." The merchant's smile suggested he hadn't pressed for information. "If you're interested in breeding research, understanding evolution triggers is essential."
Miyuki considered the scale, then set it aside with obvious reluctance. "Perhaps later. For now, I'm more interested in stones I might actually use."
Kiyomi had found the map section, rolled documents stored in protective tubes, their age and origin clearly marked.
"Ancient Kanto routes," she murmured, carefully extracting one for examination. "These predate modern highway construction by centuries."
"Copies of originals held in the Celadon Historical Archive," the merchant confirmed. "Hand-drawn by cartographers who traveled the region before urban development changed the landscape. Some trails marked on those maps no longer exist, others lead to places modern travelers have forgotten."
"The passage through the mountains near Rock Tunnel..." Kiyomi traced a route with her finger. "This shows a path that isn't on any current survey."
"Ancient construction. Possibly pre-League era. Whether it's still passable..." the merchant shrugged expressively. "That's for explorers to determine."
Sasuke examined the TM collection with strategic focus.
The discs were organized by type, each one representing a technique that could be taught to compatible Pokémon through technological transfer. Some were common, moves available in any Pokémon Center mart. Others were rare, obtained through gym victories or special circumstances.
"Earthquake," he said, lifting a disc that pulsed with contained Ground-type energy. "Universal coverage. Works with Landorus, potentially Groudon, Tyranitar..."
"An excellent choice for a trainer building a diverse team." The merchant had circled back to observe Sasuke's selection. "Though I suspect you already know that, given your reputation."
Sasuke glanced up. "My reputation?"
"You're the Uchiha boy everyone's talking about." The merchant's sharp eyes held no pretense of ignorance. "Sasuke Uchiha. One of the Four Supernovas. Three gym badges already, and a tournament victory that impressed even veteran observers."
"Word travels fast."
"When you have a team of Legendary Pokémon and you're traveling with three beautiful heiresses, word travels very fast indeed." The merchant leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Which brings me to a special offer, rising stars deserve encouragement."
"How special?"
"Twenty percent off everything you purchase. Call it an investment in future success." The merchant's smile was knowing. "I've been trading in Kanto for forty years. I know a Championship-level trainer when I see one."
The transactions concluded, each group member satisfied with their acquisitions.
Kasumi's Hoenn berry seeds, carefully stored for future cultivation experiments.
Miyuki's selection of evolution stones, a Water Stone, Thunder Stone, and Moon Stone for potential future use.
Kiyomi's ancient map collection, three documents that would feed months of archaeological investigation.
But as they prepared to depart, the merchant gestured for one final word.
"A moment, children. Information worth more than merchandise."
They paused, curiosity overcoming the urge to resume travel.
"Aether Foundation," the merchant said, his voice now stripped of sales warmth. "You've encountered them before, I suspect."
"We have." Sasuke's expression hardened. "Mt. Moon. The abandoned power plant. Both incidents involved their operatives."
"They're expanding. Aggressively." The merchant glanced toward the western horizon as if checking for observers. "Building a new facility near Lavender Town. Large construction. Locals are suspicious of their intentions."
"What kind of facility?"
"Officially? Research into Pokémon psychology and development. Unofficially..." The merchant spread his hands. "The surrounding area has seen increased traffic, unusual vehicles, personnel who don't interact with locals, equipment that suggests something more than academic research."
Kiyomi's archaeological instincts were clearly engaged. "Lavender Town is home to significant historical sites. The Pokémon Tower, memorial grounds, ancient burial traditions."
"Exactly what I thought. Why would an organization known for capturing rare Pokémon set up operations near Kanto's largest spiritual center?" The merchant's gaze fixed on Sasuke. "I'll tell you what I think. They're interested in powerful trainers. Especially those with rare Pokémon."
The implication was clear. Sasuke's team of Legendaries represented exactly the kind of power Aether Foundation had shown interest in during their previous encounters.
"You're saying we're targets?"
"I'm saying you're valuable. Your Pokémon, your connections, your potential, all of it makes you interesting to people with acquisition-focused agendas." The merchant began closing his display cases. "I've survived forty years of trading by paying attention to dangerous patterns. Aether Foundation is a dangerous pattern."
"Why tell us this?"
"Because you bought quality merchandise and treated an old merchant with respect. Because you're young and powerful and might not realize how visible that makes you." The merchant climbed onto his wagon's seat. "And because those who would exploit Pokémon deserve opposition from those who would protect them."
Mudsdale began moving, pulling the wagon back onto the road.
"Be careful near Lavender Town," the merchant called over his shoulder. "And trust your instincts if something feels wrong."
The wagon creaked into the distance, leaving them standing beside their Mobile Home with purchases in hand and warnings in mind.
"That was ominous," Kasumi observed as they resumed their journey.
"It was informative." Kiyomi was already pulling out her tablet. "Lavender Town's Pokémon Tower has connections to ancient death rituals and spirit energy. If Aether Foundation is researching that area..."
"They could be interested in Ghost-type Pokémon," Miyuki continued. "Or the spiritual energy that accumulates in memorial locations. Or historical artifacts with residual power."
"Or all of the above." Sasuke's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. "We've disrupted their operations twice now. They know who we are."
"You think they're specifically targeting us?"
"I think they're collecting powerful Pokémon by any means necessary, and my team represents exactly what they want." Sasuke's crimson eyes met Kasumi's violet ones through the rearview mirror. "The merchant's warning wasn't paranoia. It was experience."
"Then we stay alert." Kiyomi's voice carried determination rather than fear. "We document everything unusual. We report to appropriate authorities. And we don't let threats keep us from our journey."
"Agreed," Miyuki said. "We've handled Aether operatives before. We can handle them again."
Victini chirped agreement from the dashboard, its small form radiating protective warmth.
"Celadon first," Sasuke said, returning his attention to the road. "One challenge at a time. But when we reach Lavender Town..."
"We investigate," Kiyomi finished. "Properly. Whatever they're building there, we find out what it is."
The Mobile Home continued westward, carrying them toward Celadon City and the gym battle that awaited. But the merchant's warning lingered in all their minds, a reminder that their journey existed within a larger conflict they hadn't chosen but couldn't avoid.