Saffron City is a sprawling metropolis in the Kanto region. It lies in between Celadon City, Vermilion City, Lavender Town, and Cerulean City. It is home to Sabrina, the city's Gym Leader. It is the largest and one of the busiest cities in Kanto, being famous even in other regions. It is the tenth most populous city in the Pokémon world and one of the only cities in Kanto that has a lot of high rise houses. The large Silph Co. headquarters building stands firm as the city's centrepiece while two Gyms dominate the north-eastern corner district. Not only is this the central business district of Kanto, it also holds the region's largest infrastructure, including the Magnet Train station, which allows ease of access between Kanto and Johto.
The next morning, I had breakfast with Aria at a noodle restaurant that is famous in Saffron City. The owner is said to be a disciple of the Fighting Dojo. He is said to learn the art of punching for the sole purpose of creating the ultimate noodle.
"I'm sorry to say this but the culinary progress in Saffron City is actually quite low. There's not many good restaurants in here compare to its huge population."
"Why is that so, since it is a big City, I expect there to be a lot of good dining place."
"The main culprit is those heretic from Silph Corporation, they are always busy to the point they don't have any time to eat. They only survive this long thank to ration food like Calorie-bar and Vitamin Capsule. In fact, they are the one that invent that food to solve the requirement for food in the minimal time possible. They even claim that the act of cooking and eating is a waste of time. That's why the people in Saffron prefer instant food and fast food."
"But I also saw a lot of normal restaurant here."
"That is also the reason, thanks to heretic no 2 those guy from the Fighting Dojo. They prefer quantity over quality, that's why the restaurant owner here focus more on increasing the portion and decreasing the cost rather than improving the taste. So don't expect too much for the food in Saffron City."
"So what is the interesting place in Saffron City?"
"There are three main feature of Saffron City. The first one is the Silph Co. the second one is the Magnet Train and the third one is the two Gym we have here."
"I already know about the Magnet Train since I have ride it a few time."
"I wish to introduce you to Silph Co. but sadly that building is a private property so there's nothing I can do about it. So the only place I can show you is the Fighting Gym and Psychic Gym."
"So one of them is an official one and the other an unofficial one?"
"No, both Gym is an official Gym recognize by the World Pokemon association. But just one of them can be a city official Gym so every three years they will held a match to decide the current Saffron City Gym."
"Isn't that unfair, its common sense that Fighting pokemon is weak against Psychic type."
"Yes, that's why mostly the Psychic Gym is the official Gym of Saffron City except for a few years ago when Bruno is in Charge."
"Bruno, from the elite four?"
"Yes, Bruno is originally from the Saffron City but he doesn't like to stay in the city. He prefers to stay with his pokemon in cave and forest. But at the time when he is the ace of the fighting gym they manage to beat the Psychic Type Gym and become the City Official Gym."
"So, he become the Gym Leader?"
"Yes, but just for three years, then he goes on a journey to the other region. After he got back he join the Indigo League and manage to win. Then he proceeds to challenge the Elite Four. No one knows the result but the next time he appears, he already become one of the Elite Four."
"So who's in charge of the Gym right now?"
"It's the Karate Master Koichi. Because this City have two Gym, it also has two starter pokemon, Drowsee and Machop. This Fighting Gym is also the middlemen for the Breeder of Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan."
"So this is the Fighting Gym, it's bigger than I think."
"Of course this Gym is the place to train not only for pokemon but also for human, they have a complete set of fitness equipment for human to train. Other than that they also teach martial art like Karate, Judo, Taekwondo and many other style of martial art, each of them have their own room. This Gym also accept Challenge from pokemon trainer like the official Gym."
"What is the use of it, we can't use the badge for Indigo League right?"
"Yes, but this gym badge is recognize by all the other company, it is very good for job hunting since it is also considered as equal to official gym especially now that Viridian City Gym Leader is always absent. You must know that when searching for job the number of badge you have is affecting your salary and position."
"Is that the Psychic Gym? It's smaller than the Fighting Dojo."
"Yes, the two gym is actually neighbour, they are both located at the north side of the City. Since the fighting dojo already take the role of the citizen to exercise the Psychic Gym only focus on training psychic type of pokemon for the regular people. They can find instructor to teach their pokemon Psychic type move."
"If I'm not mistaken all the gym open up class for their type of move right."
"Yes, that is the responsibility of all the gym including the Fighting Dojo we just saw. But the specialty of Saffron Psychic Gym is they also organize a special show just like the Cerulean and Celadon City."
"What show is it?"
"It's magic show."
"Magic show? Isn't it easy using their psychic type pokemon."
"The specialty of Saffron Magic Show is that they don't use any pokemon skill in their show. At least the pokemon power is only use as the special effect to high light the performance."
"Is that the advertisement for the magic show, it says that there is a show in two days."
"Let's buy a ticket, we can get a discount if we have Psychic Type of pokemon. I have my Hypno and you have Espeon right. Why don't you show them your Espeon to the Disciple here? You might learn something new here."
We manage to buy a ticket for the show at discount price, but someone suddenly call for me from behind. She is a woman in her early twenties, she is a slim young woman of medium height. She has long black hair with shorter layers around her face and a fringe and small purple eyes. She wears a red and black dress with yellow cuffs over black tights/leggings, white gloves and red and yellow knee-high boots. I have a feeling that the outfit is somewhat familiar but I can't remember where I have seen it.
"Miss Sabrina?"
"What, She's the Gym Leader Sabrina?"
"I'm Sabrina, that is an Espeon right? I can see it is well trained."
"Thank for the compliment, but is there anything I can help you with?"
"Actually I want to borrow your Espeon for a while. I've been wanting an Espeon since I saw it in Johto before. I already have an Eevee but it still hasn't evolved into an Espeon yet. I think it might help by having a real Espeon for a while."
"Wait I need to ask it first. Espeon do you want to stay with her for a few days?"
Espeon watch Sabrina for a while and then it nods it head slightly. I know that Espeon is going to agree, I have heard that Sabrina have a high affinity with psychic type of pokemon. I heard rumour that when Sabrina is still little she found an Abra and that Abra did not teleport away like usual but instead follow her back.
"It seems Espeon agree but I will only stay here for a few days only and I will need to take it back later."
"Thank you, I owe you one for this, take my contact number if you need any help call me."
"OK. Please take good care of it."
After exchanging contact number, Sabrina left with my Espeon. We also left the Saffron Gym.
"I can't believe that we got to met Sabrina. She also owes you a favour. She is very trustworthy so you don't have to worry about your pokemon. So what are we going to do next?"
"How about you show me to Silph Corporation and then we can have lunch."
"OK but we can't get inside."
In front of us is The Silph Co. Office Building, based in Saffron City, is an eleven-floor skyscraper that is effectively a giant maze.
"Hey, you are Fei right? It's me Seo. What are you doing here?"
"Ah, Professor Seo. I just arrive in Saffron City so I got my friend here, Aria to show me Around. We are going to have lunch but we just pass by here."
"Are you free tonight. Actually today is our company anniversary, so we are going to held a grand celebration. I have permission to invite two more people but I don't have anyone to go with. I just planned to go alone but since you're here why don't you go with me."
"Is it OK to invite Outsider like us?"
"It's OK and I can guarantee your identity. The Party will start at 08.00 pm, just call me when you arrive. If you arrive at 06.00 I can tour you around the company, of course just the public section."
"Thank you, then I will come back at 06.00."
"Professor Seo go inside the company, leaving us alone in front of Silph Corporation."
"I am surprise that you know someone from Silph Co. and his position did not seem like low."
"There is an incident at Pokemon Tower before and I got to know him. So are you going to come tonight."
"Of course this is the chance for me to get into Silph Co. maybe I can buy some new product for cheap."
"Then let have lunch first, I'm hungry. After lunch I'm going back to my hotel. We will meet again here at 06.00 pm."
"How about we just have some fast food? I know a good place around here."
"OK"