Day 7.

While in Ecruteak City, I step in to chase off a Team Rocket grunt harassing a Kimono Girl—just one more reminder that those creeps are everywhere. I decide to hold off on challenging the Gym for now and head east toward Mahogany Town. Along the way, I catch a determined Machop, then press north toward the Lake of Rage, picking up a quirky Girafarig en route. I hear tales of a mysterious red Gyarados lurking in the lake, but without a way to reach it, I’m forced to pass on the opportunity—for now. Instead, I set my sights west and journey to Olivine City. On the road, I expand my team with a loyal Magnemite and a strong Miltank. Once in Olivine, I find the Gym Leader, Jasmine, tending to a sick Ampharos in the lighthouse. She asks me to fetch medicine from Cianwood City, but there’s a catch—I still don’t have Surf. My path is now clear, but I’ll need to find a way across the sea before I can help, challenge Jasmine, and continue my climb toward greatness.