The City Gates

After a few close calls with more wild Pokémon, I finally found myself before the city gates of Cherrygrove. "City" was a kind title that was probably an exaggeration, as Cherrygrove was definitely not a city. The town had a bustling fishing industry at one time, but the war ended all of that. As the young men went off to war, the factories and piers closed up and never reopened. Now, Cherrygrove was an unfortunate shell of what it used to be, and seeing it so miserable was terrible to behold. Approaching the main gate, I was all smiles until I was stopped by someone standing nearby.

"Where do you think you are going?" said a young man, a Pokeball in his hand. Clothed in a black hoodie with dark eyes, the man was looking me up and down with lewd intent.

"I need to go to the Poke Center." I say, trying not to meet the man's eyes.

"There is a toll to enter." the man replied, his fingers gently rubbing the Pokeball. "You have to pay up if you want to shop."

"Yeah right." I shook my head as I continued forward, not looking to get scammed today. Before I could pass the gates however, the man put his hand out and lightly pushed me back.

"I am not kidding, girl." his tone was acidic, and the sudden movement put me on guard entirely.

What could I do here?