Bill had said it wasn't far, but in truth, it was still quite a trek.
After walking for over two hours, Yozora finally reached a beautiful beach. At the end of the shoreline stood a tall lighthouse.
It was none other than the very lighthouse from the original anime—Bill's Lighthouse.
Yozora and Clefairy went straight inside. Within the lighthouse, Yozora soon spotted the machine Bill had mentioned—the Pokémon transformation device.
"That's it. I'll head inside first. You help me run the computer and start it up."
Saying so, Clefairy dove straight into the machine.
Yozora walked over to the console and, following Bill's instructions, managed to get the machine started.
"Boom…"
With a loud crash, the chamber door burst open, smoke spilling out in a burnt haze.
"Professor?" Yozora twitched at the corner of his mouth and rushed over.
"Haha, I'm fine…"
Accompanied by hearty laughter, a green-haired young man stepped out of the chamber. It was none other than Bill.
He looked far more dashing and youthful than the rumors suggested. At most, he appeared to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old—yet he had already made groundbreaking achievements in Pokémon research. His talent as a scholar was undeniable.
"Yozora, it's already late. You should stay the night here. It's a shame I can't cook, otherwise I'd treat you to a proper meal," Bill said with his usual bold cheer.
On their way back, he had naturally learned Yozora's name through their chat.
"No problem—I can cook."
"That's wonderful…"
After dinner, it was already around eight or nine in the evening.
Without a word, Bill went to the front yard. He broadcasted the cry of a certain Pokémon over loudspeakers while keeping watch on the sea through a telescope.
Yozora followed.
He knew exactly what Bill was trying to do—lure out that Giant Dragonite.
"Yozora, did you know? I didn't originally live here."
"By chance, I once discovered a mysterious Pokémon in these waters. To uncover its true identity, I built this lighthouse…"
"It often cries out in the sea, its voice filled with loneliness. I think it longs deeply for companionship."
"I recorded its cry, and I play it on loop every night—hoping it will come closer, so I can finally see it with my own eyes."
Bill spoke with passion.
Yozora was dumbstruck.
Just to research a single Pokémon—to glimpse its true form—Bill had gone so far as to build an entire lighthouse.
Only then did Yozora truly understand what "obsession" and "extravagance" meant.
Yet deep down, he admired Bill.
To live is to chase madness. Clearly, Bill had that unyielding, obsessive spirit of a true researcher.
Soon, the sea grew shrouded in mist.
Bill's eyes lit up. "It's here!"
Sure enough, Yozora spotted a massive silhouette within the dense fog.
The haze was too thick. He could only make out a giant shadow, never its true form—unless it came closer and broke through the veil of mist.
That was what Bill had been waiting for all this time.
But just like before, the shadow advanced only a little before slowly retreating.
No matter how Bill shouted in frustration, nothing could halt its departure.
"…Ah." Bill lowered his telescope with a heavy sigh.
Another night of failure. Another night without seeing the mysterious Pokémon's true face.
"Professor, don't you think that shadow looks a lot like a Dragonite—the pseudo-legendary of Kanto?" Yozora asked, voicing the very question every Pokémon fan had wondered.
Bill nodded. "Yes, it does resemble one. But ordinary Dragonite are nowhere near that enormous."
"Perhaps it's a mutated Giant Dragonite," Yozora offered. "Or maybe even an Ancient Dragonite, displaced through time. I recall that ancient Pokémon were often colossal in size."
Bill nodded again. "That's possible. But unless we see it clearly, we can never be certain."
Yozora froze for a moment, then said, "Professor, though the fog hides its form from us, it can see us clearly. The reason it turns away is because, in its eyes, we are not its companions."
Yozora's words were gentle, but Bill caught the implication.
He was saying that the mysterious Pokémon would never approach—because it knew Bill wasn't one of its own.
Everything Bill had done was, in essence, futile.
Bill understood, but he only smiled calmly. "Yozora, I'm well aware. But my wish is simply to know that mysterious Pokémon, to become its companion. I believe that if I keep trying, one day I'll finally see it face to face!"
Yozora was stunned, then deeply impressed.
No wonder this man was such an accomplished scholar. His resolve and vision went far beyond those of ordinary people—enough to inspire awe.
As the night grew late, Yozora bade Bill goodnight and returned indoors.
As for that Giant Dragonite…
The thought of capturing it never once crossed Yozora's mind.
Though he had not clearly seen its form, he had sensed its Aura—an overwhelming Aura far too terrifying. With his current strength, capturing it was absolutely impossible.
The night passed quietly.
The next day, Yozora prepared to leave.
"Professor, since Team Rocket tried to capture you, isn't it dangerous for you to remain here?" Yozora asked with concern.
Bill waved his hand. "I've already notified the League. I'm sure they'll secretly arrange protection for me. And since Team Rocket has failed once, I doubt they'll strike again so soon."
Yozora nodded, his thoughts drifting to Professor Oak.
Team Rocket may have been after top scholars for their secret projects, but he wasn't worried about Oak's safety.
After all, in his youth, Professor Oak had defeated Agatha herself when she was still an Elite Four member.
Even if age had dulled his edge, he was still far beyond the reach of common grunts.
At this moment, Bill suddenly handed Yozora a ship ticket.
"Yozora, you're planning to challenge Vermilion Gym, aren't you? From here, it would take ten days to half a month to reach Vermilion City on foot. But if you travel by sea, you can get there in just three days."
"This is a ticket for the S.S. Anne. With it, you can sail directly to Vermilion City."
"Thank you, Professor." Yozora accepted it.
In the original story, Ash had boarded the S.S. Anne for leisure only after reaching Vermilion City.
Now, Yozora would be using it to head straight there.
However…
The S.S. Anne was a luxurious cruise ship, and tickets were prohibitively expensive. Ordinary people could never afford to ride it.
(End of Chapter)