The day after deciding to ask for an audience with Duke Satoshi, Timothy got on a ship heading to Viridian City. Timothy and Coovers hugged and wished each other well before Timothy got on the ship. Timothy was initially uncomfortable when the ship left the dock, but he eased up, noting there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Still, the Kalosian man was compelled to often pray that there wouldn't be another storm while he was out at sea again.

Timothy stayed in his room for the majority of his trip. He only left his room for meals or to use the lavatory. He ate alone rather than sitting with the other passengers, opting to think about hoping he would gain an audience with Satoshi and otherwise silently grieve for Serena.

But whenever Timothy was out to eat, he noticed a man sitting alone at a table on the other side of the dining hall. The man always sat facing Timothy, wearing a black suit and cloak. He had his head down as he ate with his glasses and sizeable black hat hiding his face. Timothy grew uneasy with the mysterious man, thinking he was spying on him. He tried to assure himself that he was letting his imagination get the better of him, noting that he couldn't know that the man was looking at him, nor could he think of a reason anyone would be spying on him.

On the second day of the voyage, the ship reached the docks east of Viridian City. Timothy got off the ship, relieved that he reached his destination safely. He took the main road from the dock to Viridian City, mentally preparing himself to speak to the Duke of the Kanto region.

But as Timothy entered the city, he felt someone was following him. He looked back as he walked but didn't see anyone suspicious walking behind him. Timothy grew more uncomfortable as not seeing anyone walking behind him worried him more. He wondered if there was a Kanto native who recognized him as a foreigner and was going to attack him out of prejudice or a thief waiting to rob Timothy, not knowing he didn't have any money.

Suddenly, someone covered Timothy's mouth and grabbed him by his jacket from behind. He struggled and tried to call for help as he was being dragged into an alley. The unknown person dragged Timothy further into the alley before holding him against the wall. Timothy turned to see the mysterious person and pulled his arm back to punch him.

"Wait! Wait! Timothy, it's me! It's me!" the man shouted.

Timothy stopped just as the person took off his hat and glasses to reveal himself to be Coovers. His eyes widened in disbelief as he realized his good friend had followed him from Fuchsia City. Coovers gave Timothy a sad smile before they hugged each other.

"I couldn't stay behind," Coovers said. "I wanted to believe you'd get your audience and things would improve for you without a fuss, but I couldn't help being worried. I feared what might happen to you since you don't know this area, and it can be rough and inhospitable to a stranger without a guide or friend. I had to follow you even if it was in secret."

"My kind Coovers, the only response I can give you is thanks, and thanks, and thrice thanks," Timothy said. "If I had any wealth, I would use it to strengthen my gratitude, for I admit I have been uneasy with going to a new area on my own. But, now I'm more worried about your safety than mine. Aren't you a criminal here?"

"Er, well, I wouldn't say I'm a criminal per se. More of an old enemy of sorts," Coovers said hesitantly. "The truth is, I served in the navy of Unova, my home region, a while back. There was a quarrel between Kanto and Unova, and I fought a battle close to Viridian City. I distinguished myself when fighting Duke Satoshi's forces enough that I might be recognized, hence my disguise."

"Distinguished yourself? You must've killed many of Duke Satoshi's men," Timothy said.

Coovers hesitated, biting his lips, and said, "I don't know if I would go that far. I killed a fair share of men, but it's not as though I single-handedly destroyed the duke's entire fleet. In the end, our regions resolved the matter by paying reparations for the damage we did to maintain our trade relations. Most of the soldiers made their contribution, but I was the only one who refused to pay anything."

"Why wouldn't you pay to help Duke Satoshi's people make repairs?" Timothy asked. "It sounds like it was your duty to pay to put the regions back on good terms."

"Maybe so, but I didn't think it right to give money to those who killed some of my fellow sailors over a political quarrel. On top of that, my beloved Erin was pregnant with our triplet sons. So, I saw it as my duty as a husband and an expecting father to not spend more than I needed when there would be more mouths to feed," Coovers said. "Nevertheless, my refusal to help make reparations mixed with my deeds in battle led to me still being an enemy to Duke Satoshi and his subordinates."

"Good grief, that explains why you're here in disguise," Timothy said. "You better be careful with how you walk these streets, Coovers. Don't walk too conspicuously, even if you're wearing a disguise."

"I'll do my best for my safety and for the sake of my family," Coovers said. "In the meantime, let us focus on you getting an audience with the Duke. If you're going to meet him, you want to look your best."

Coovers reached into his pocket and took out his black purse. He took Timothy's hand and put his purse in it before patting his hand. Timothy looked at the purse and then at Coovers before he shook his head.

"Coovers, I appreciate the gesture, but I can't in good conscience take your purse," Timothy said. "You need it more than I do while your family waits for you."

"Please, take it. Before seeing the duke, you'll need money for better clothes and a shave. I even consent to you buying a sword just in case," Coovers said. "It's also best that I don't join you when Duke Satoshi's guards could be anywhere. I shall wait for you at the Elegant Elephant Inn on the city's south end. If I don't see you by the end of the day, I'll take it as a sign that you're lost or have begun employment in the duke's house. If you don't get an audience or gain favor with him, meet me at the inn, and we'll think about what to do from there. You are welcome to sail home with me if you wish."

"I am grateful for your offer, Coovers," Timothy said. Whether Duke Satoshi employs me or not, I swear to pay you back for whatever I spend. Until then, I pray you will get to the inn safely."

"And I pray you will succeed in getting an audience," Coovers said. "Until then, don't forget the Elegant Elephant on the south side."

"I remember," Timothy assures.

Timothy and Coovers hugged again before Coovers put his hat and glasses back on. They exited the alleyway in opposite directions, Timothy exiting the north side and Coovers exiting from the south. As he reached the end of the alleyway, Coovers looked back to see that Timothy was already gone. He sighed and prayed for his friend before he went back to the streets with his head down and his hat covering his face, keeping a lookout for guards as he made his way to the inn.