*Just found out that Route 5 and Route 3 have similar soundtracks, so... Otherwise, enjoy!*

After camping alongside the dirt road, the others and I continued to Cerulean City.

"So, what does it say about Cerulean City?" Eric asked.

I shrugged my shoulders before pulling out my phone and checking the brochure.

"Cerulean City, also known as Floral Lagoon City, is a seaside city in northern Kanto," I read, "The city has a gym with its Gym Leader, Misty, who specializes in Water-type Pokémon."

"Yeah, Misty is a sweet lass; she has a temper sometimes, but overall a real nice girl," Georgia explained, "She's called the Tomboyish Mermaid. Claims she's been to Johto, Hoenn, and even visited Alola for a short while."

Wow, she really gets around for a gym leader.

After climbing a short hill, a plateau of small fields and water sources expanded before us. Pidgey pecked at the crops while Rattata scampered across them. Then, a determined Growlithe came and chased them away.

"Whoa, look at this place!" Kat exclaimed.

Georgia chuckled as she adjusted her hat with a smile.

"Come along, y'all." Georgia said.

Nodding to the cowgirl, we followed her down the hill and along the path.

"So, you come here often, Georgia?" Eric asked.

"Funny you mention that," Georgia said, "This is my first time walkin' down this route,"

"It is?" Nina questioned, "Then how do you get from point A to point B without walking through here?"

"There's an underground path from Vermilion City to Cerulean City. I didn't say anythin' 'cause I knew you guys would want to explore this place rather than takin' shortcuts."

She does have a point.

"So, which way do we go from here?" I asked, glancing down the different roads.

The cowgirl stopped in her tracks and hummed in thought as she adjusted her hat. When she whipped her head around, she smiled.

"We can cross that bridge over there," Georgia said, pointing beside her, "Maybe it'll get us to Cerulean City."

"Uh, sure, Georgia," Nina said, "Whatever you say."

The cowgirl nodded before skipping ahead to the bridge. I glanced at the rope bridge and winced.

That doesn't look safe in the slightest.

Shaking away that daunting feeling, the others and I followed Georgia to the bridge. When I glanced over the cliff, I saw a small waterfall leading into a river with rapids moving faster than my eyes could follow. Sticking out of the water were jagged boulders. I swallowed a lump in my throat before stepping onto the bridge.

"Hold on tight to me, Libby." I said.

Libby nodded before clutching onto my shoulder. I grinned when Angel wrapped her ribbon-like feelers around Kat's wrist and waist. When I glanced at the bridge, I placed a hand over Libby's small body before stepping onto the bridge. The wooden planks started to creak as I walked, and the bridge gently swayed back and forth.

Come on, Eragona! You've climbed trees higher than this.

I glanced back at the others and saw them walk onto the bridge.

Okay, this is fine. This is totally fine and not scary at all. What could go wrong?

When that thought escaped my head, the rope on the bridge suddenly started unraveling.

No way! Are you kidding me!?

Before I could warn the others, the rope snapped in two and caused the bridge to wobble. I gripped one hand onto Libby and the other on a durable piece of rope.

"What in the world just happened?" Nina questioned.

"I don't know!" I exclaimed, "The rope just started breaking out of nowhere!"

"We've gotta get to the other side!" Eric cried.

Nodding, I started moving quickly but carefully across the now unstable bridge. Then, the other side of the bridge's rope snapped in two, causing the bridge to shake more.

Why is this happening!?

As I continued to move, I saw the other side of the bridge. Inching closer to the other side, I took Libby off my shoulder and tossed her on land, breathing a relieved sigh when she landed. My Eevee looked back and let out a concerned cry.

"Don't worry, Libby," I said, "It's okay."

After I said that, the rope holding the bridge together started coming undone.

Oh, no! If that breaks, we're all doomed!

"Libby, quick!" I cried, "Stabilize the rope before it breaks!"

Libby nodded before racing over to the small post. My Eevee took hold of the rope and started tugging at it. When I was close enough, I leaped over to the other side, quickly grabbed the rope, and started pulling.

"Hurry, guys!" I grunted, "I don't know how long I can hold it!"

I ground my teeth as I felt myself slipping, wincing in pain as the rope burned my hands. When I saw Georgia getting closer, I held my hand for her to grab. I immediately retracted my hand back to the rope when I saw the rope shake.

"Come on, guys!" I exclaimed.

When Georgia leaped over to the other side, she grabbed the rope and started pulling.

"This reminds me of wranglin' one of my Pa's Tauros!" Georgia grunted, "Gotta say, the Tauros put up a better fight, but this is a close second!"

I grunted as I pulled back on the rope. Then, an idea came to mind.

"Libby, call out the others!" I said, turning my hip to my Eevee.

Libby let go of the rope before pawing at the Pokéballs attached to my belt. When two fell to the ground, my Garchomp and Ajax appeared.

"Jet, quick!" I grunted, "Go help the others!"

Jet nodded before leaping off the cliff.

"Ajax, help us with this rope!" I exclaimed.

Ajax let out a cry before gripping the rope and started pulling back. I watched as my friends climbed onto Jet's back through the open hole the rope made. When Jet returned to land and set the others down, the others and I let go of the rope and watched in horror when the bridge collapsed altogether. I dropped to my hands and knees, panting heavily.

"Is... is everyone alright...?" I asked in between pants.

"We're good, Era." Kat said.

When I sat on my knees, I glanced at my hands and winced when I saw my hands calloused and red.

That's gonna sting for a while.

"Thanks, Libby, Jet, Ajax," I said, "And you, too, Georgia."

My Pokémon and Georgia nodded with smiles. I picked up my Pokéballs and retracted my Pokémon as Libby hopped on my shoulder. Libby glanced at my hands and let out a sad cry. She jumped onto my forearm and gently licked my palms. I chuckled before gathering Libby in my arms.

"I'll be fine, okay, Libby?" I questioned, "It's a small price to pay when keeping those you care about safe."

Libby winced out a cry and nodded.

"So, now, where do we go?" Eric asked, glancing around.

"Well, there's a forest in front of us," Nina commented, "Might as well see where it takes us."

Agreeing with the redhead, we entered the dimly lit forest. Pidgey chirped in the trees, and Metapod hung from them.

This little forest is relatively peaceful.

When the thought escaped my mind, I tripped over something on the ground. Before I could fall, Nina, Libby, and I got snared in a net.

"What in the world is going on today?" Nina questioned.

Eric looked around before staring down at something, causing him to kneel.

"It looks like you triggered some sort of trap." Eric said, pressing down on a small hook.

When Eric did this, the net fell to the ground and released us.

"Ouch..." Nina winced.

"Are you three okay?" Kat asked, helping us up.

"We're good, thanks." I said, dusting off my skirt.

Libby let out a cry as she shook out her fur.

"I'm now considering taking that underground path you mentioned earlier, Georgia." Nina said.

"Same," Georgia admitted, "But it's not like we can turn back now while we're so close. Plus, the bridge ain't there no more, and I reckon Eragona's Garchomp can't carry all five of us with an additional two Pokémon as carry-on."

All true statements...

I groaned as I placed a hand on my head.

"Let's keep pushing forward," I said, "Traps don't just appear out of nowhere. Someone must've placed them there. Hopefully, they can direct us to Cerulean City if we run into them."

"Now that sounds like a plan I can get behind." Georgia said.

The others agreed with firm nods.

"And be careful, guys," I said, "Don't want to set off any more traps."

When the others nodded, we continued down the forest. Watching my footing, I stepped over many small trip-hooks to avoid getting snared in a net again.

Goodness, how many traps are in this forest?

When we neared the forest's edge, I noticed a cabin up ahead.

"Hey, you guys!" I exclaimed, "There's a cabin up ahead."

When the others looked up, they smiled.

"Hopefully, someone's there to give us directions." Eric commented.

When I pushed past the bushes, I noticed a lot of little Pokémon scampering around a large pond. Paras, Poliwag, Oddish, Bellossom, Yanma, Marill, Seadra, and many others were there.

What is this place?

When the Pokémon noticed us, the Water-type Pokémon hid in the pond, and the others scurried into nearby bushes.

"Hello? Who goes there?" called out a voice.

Then, a woman emerged from behind the house. Her skin was fair, with matching blue hair and eyes. She wore a pink shirt with red overalls and sneakers.

"Who are you?" she asked, "And how did you find the Hidden Village?"

The Hidden Village?

"We're not looking for trouble, honest," I said, "We're just looking for a way to Cerulean City, and we ended up here."

"Oh, alright," she said, "Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize," Nina said, "We're the ones trespassing."

"Hold on a second," Eric commented, "Did you say this place was a Hidden Village?"

The girl nodded as she gestured for us to come closer.

"It's alright, everyone!" she called out, "They're friendly!"

After her call, the Pokémon we saw before came back out.

"Sorry about them," she said, "They're rather timid around other people,"

"How come?" Georgia asked.

"Well, you see, the Hidden Village is a haven for Pokémon mistreated or abandoned by their trainers."

Abandoned or mistreated?

I glanced at the little Pokémon, and my face fell.

"That's so sad." I said.

"It's okay," she said, "I take care of them until they are ready to go back into the wild."

The girl crouched as she placed her hand on top of a Paras. The Mushroom Pokémon smiled and let out a hiss-like cry.

"Oh, where are my manners?" the girl questioned as she stood up, "I forgot to introduce myself."

The young woman smiled before bowing her head.

"Apologies, but my name is Melanie," she said, "I'm the caretaker of the Pokémon here in the Hidden Village."

"Nice to meet you, Melanie," I said, "I'm Eragona, and this is Libby."

Libby let out a happy cry as she wagged her tail.

"I'm Kat, and this is Angel." Kat said.

Her Sylveon mewled out a cry and waved one of its ribbon-like feelers.

"I'm Nina." Nina said.

"Name's Georgia." the cowgirl said.

"And I'm Eric." Eric said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Melanie said with a smile, "You're welcome to stay for a while. I can write out a map to help you get to Cerulean City."

"That sounds wonderful, thank you." Kat said.

The blue-haired girl nodded before walking into the cabin. I glanced around at the Hidden Village and smiled as I watched the Pokémon play.

I can see why this place is considered hidden. This place is really secluded.

Libby let out a cry as she hopped off my shoulder and into the pond. She popped her head out of the water and mewled a happy cry along with the Water-type Pokémon. Angel mewled a cry before splashing Libby and the other Pokémon with her ribbon-like feelers. I chuckled at the sight before walking over to the cabin. After knocking, I opened the door to see Melanie pouring food into colorful bowls.

"Need a hand with that?" I asked.

The young woman turned to me and smiled.

"That would be a big help, thank you." she said.

I smiled as I grabbed some of the bowls and walked them outside. I laughed when I saw the others playing with the Pokémon. I noticed that Kat and Nina had released their Chikorita and Togepi to play with the small Pokémon.

How cute is that?

"Lunchtime, everyone!" Melanie called out.

When she said this, the Pokémon flocked over to us. Melanie and I set down the bowls and smiled as we watched the little Pokémon eat.

"So, I'm assuming you head into Cerulean City to get the supplies you need to care for these little ones?" I questioned.

"That's right," Melanie answered, "Speaking of which, let me get that map ready for you."

Melanie then went back into the cabin without another word. I sighed silently before walking over to the pond's edge, sitting down as I watched the afternoon sun's rays bounce off the water's surface. I smiled when I saw Libby paddle up to me. When she hopped out of the water, she shook her fur, splashing water all over me.

"Easy, Libby!" I laughed, shielding myself from the water.

My Eevee laughed as she wagged her tail. I glanced at her and chuckled; her fur was now puffy, making her look like a mini cotton ball. I rolled my eyes fondly before reaching into my bag and pulling out a brush to smooth out my Eevee's fur.

"There, all better." I said, pulling away.

Libby mewled out a cry before hopping on my shoulder. I smiled when a bright light caught my attention. I turned to see Chikorita and Togepi glowing.

"No way! Are they really?" Nina questioned.

"They are!" Georgia exclaimed.

"They're evolving!" Kat and Eric exclaimed.

The Hidden Village Pokémon watched in awe. When the light died down, two new Pokémon were before us. I pulled out m Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.

"Bayleef, the Leaf Pokémon, and the evolved form of Chikorita. Bayleef's neck is ringed by curled-up leaves. Inside each tubular leaf is a small shoot of a tree. The fragrance of this shoot makes people peppy."

"Togetic, the Happiness Pokémon, and the evolved form of Togepi. Togetic is said to be a Pokémon that brings good fortune. When the Pokémon spots someone who is pure of heart, it is said to appear and share its happiness with that person. It grows dispirited if it is not with kind people. It can float in midair without moving its wings."

Those are both really awesomely adorable Pokémon!

Bayleef let out a cry before rubbing its head against Kat's side. Kat laughed and wrapped her arms around her newly evolved Pokémon.

"Oh, I'm so happy you evolved, Bayleef!" Kat said.

The Togetic flew around Nina's head, showering her in rainbow sparkles. Nina smiled as she took the tiny hands of her new Pokémon.

"You are the cutest thing ever, Togetic!" Nina said, "I can't wait to see what you're capable of!"

The Happiness Pokémon smiled and mewled out a happy cry. When Melanie came back outside, she smiled at the sight.

"Did I... miss something?" she asked jokingly.

The others and I laughed along with our Pokémon. After gathering our things, Melanie handed me a map.

"This is a map of the Kanto region," Melanie said, "I marked it to where we are now and where you need to go."

"Thanks a lot, Melanie." Kat said.

After saying goodbye to the blue-haired girl and the Pokémon, the others and I walked away from the Hidden Village with a new pep.

"It says here to keep heading straight," Eric said, looking at the map, "Oh, and Melanie was kind enough to mark out where the traps are so we don't fall in them."

Following the map, the others and I walked out of the forest and onto an open dirt road. When I looked up, I smiled when I saw silver and white buildings ahead.

"Hey, guys, check it out!" I said, pointing ahead.

The others looked up and smiled.

"That's Cerulean City, alright," Georgia said, "Come on, y'all!"

After placing the map in my pocket, the others and I raced down the dirt path.

Who would've thought that after crossing a rope bridge and almost meeting our doom would lead us to the Hidden Village and have Kat and Nina's Pokémon evolve? Something tells me that our Kanto journey will only get more interesting from here!