Honestly, the public bathroom's of Viridian get a ten outta ten from me cuz that place was cleaned and well maintained. It also had breath mints which was neat.
And then I remembered on the toilet about something important, like any male, specifically I forgot my pokegear and some other stuff back in the rented Pokemon center room.
After sneakily running over to the center and back I came to the group with the things in my hands. Trivial in the long term really, it was just a snow globe of Cirrus town, a comic book on Jack the Eiscue, and the pokegear that I forgot again.
Running back only took ten minutes overall, and the group only chuckled at my lamentations while Miri was giving me back my poke balls, so I'll count this as a win however small.
We went to the entrance of Viridian Forest and five minutes in there are some discrepancies that are easily noted within the home of most of Kanto's bug types.
Firstly, there doesn't actually seem to be a lot of bug types within the forest.
Secondly, the Pokemon within the forest are all enraged and quick to attack trainers. Most likely because of Team Rocket situating here which probably made them on edge since high level Pokemon and moves were no doubt used against and for Blue when he took down the base here.
I know this as after the five minutes James got attacked by a couple Joltik, this caused Captain Slowbro to give up his role as travel leader... then a couple minutes later when Amy got jumped by half a dozen Weedle she made me travel leader.
Now, the most important part about being a ranger is to know the different ways a person can get in danger and how to get people out of said danger. Within the forest that means knowing the different Pokemon nearby, bug types, and their temperament means that a lot of people are gonna be in danger very quickly; case in point, a dude maybe a couple years older than me was gonna try to catch a Beedrill, the one in question was in a very large swarm of bugs. It was easy to get him to stop once he noticed all the pointy stingers that would be going after him if he did do it.
If the others think that I'm going the wrong way then they don't speak it out loud since they easily accept me moving left, right, or going back cuz of some bugs.
Along the way there were more examples of people who needed help. A kid around our age needed to take his Pokemon to a center because the poor Pidgey was heavily poisoned, a bug catcher who was about to piss off the group of an Ariados, a really pretty lady was about to get hit by her Minun's Thunderbolt since the move got hit back by a Mirror Coat from a Dewpider, and even a dude stuck in quicksand (I didn't even know quicksand existed in the forest).
But I also saw that there were Pokemon that needed help as well. A Rattata bullying a group of Caterpie, and then later there was a Raichu that needed to chill out because it was confused and was attacking everything in sight which was probably caused by a Pokemon using Rage Powder or something.
Notably, there was a Geodude which the ranger books heavily state should be in caves and mountains but never the forest as many Pokemon in Viridian forest are weak to the rock type and the new inclusion could heavily alter the current ecology, so I knocked it out and then tapped the button five times to signify rock typing before throwing my poke ball at the unconscious rock. James ended up explaining to the other two what I did while I was waiting for the confirmation ball that would come back to me.
We make decent progress despite the zigzagging through the forest and from my calculations we might just have to wait one to two days before reaching Pewter.
Maybe three hours in, we decide to have some lunch before moving again.
We all concluded that we would send out all our Pokemon to play except for Spinarak who would only come out when we make lunch.
On my lap, which was criss crossed applesauce style, I have Chardon who was being gently stroked by a fireproof brush (which costed like 250$) while to my side was Mirielle who was petting Pikachu on her shoulder with Mankey on her lap, sporting a flower circlet courtesy of Leaf, and all three were reading the same romance book in front of them, mom has that same one and let me tell you it is a ten outta ten with only a slight kissy scene at the end. It was more Mirielle reading aloud for Mankey and Pikachu since one of the two didn't actually know how to read, but they are starting to learn. Mom and I made sure to teach Leaf and Shadow how to read since one time they thought a tin of knitting supplies was a tin of biscuits, plus Leaf would feel left out when I did homework and she didn't understand; especially English.
On our right Leaf, Rookidee, Ralts, Zorua, and Tabs are playing together (I think hide and seek) while ahead of us Amy was cuddling with two of the Rockruff and Squirtle.
On our left was my Rockruff having a battle against James's Rufflet with both himself and Bulbasaur watching to ensure there wasn't any major harm caused. Both seem to really like to fight... seems like both of our Pokemon in the battle seem to be really persistent on getting stronger; but others like Fletchling, Shadow and Chardon are kinda paying attention to the battle as well.
Fletchling took this time to fly down from the sky onto my head for what I assume is a nap while Shadow was being a vigilante little daredevil keeping the crew safe, too bad I already checked the area and found nothing dangerous.
The three of us who caught the rock doggies decided to check their dex entry and...
Name Rockruff Type Rock Health 45 Attack 65 Sp. Attack 30 Defense 40 Sp. Defense 40 Speed 60 Total stats 280 Moves Rock Throw
Their moveset is really bad considering they're Rocket owned, we tried to entertain the thought that they were recently hatched but the biology dex says that these guys have been alive for at least a year. Mine just learnt Tackle mid battle.
Mine has the ability Own Tempo while the the other two have Vital Spirit. Great abilities all around as higher level battles have a lot of status moves used against oneself and having something to withstand confusion and hypnosis is far more helpful than having the ability Keen Eyes.
Mine has the Lonely nature, James's has an Impish nature, while the one Amy owns has a Jolly nature. Maybe that's why one is battling while the other two are snuggling up to Amy.
Anyway now seems like a good time to search up about Brock, after all we only have about four to five days to prep for the guy and then I'll only have nine to ten days to prep for the tournament in Celadon. Maybe take a break after, could definitely visit gramps in Fuchsia before going to Vermillion
A quick search into the gym on both forums and official sites are showing the basic stuff such as a list of Pokemon used, the tactics, and what people recommend against him. Only a day in and a couple trainers have already started battling him so I get to see three of his Pokemon used.
This year is guaranteed with a Geodude, Onix, and Roggenrola. While previously Brock used two Carbink and a bunch of Geodude, Onix, and Rhyhorn since these Pokemon are more abundant in Kanto. The rock types used alongside the others are a recently unveiled Kabuto and Omanyte since he had to up the star rating of his Lileep on account of it beating up wayyy~ too many Pokemon in its first and second year. He also has an Admin Carracosta which he only brings out to pummel a trainers team when said trainer lies about their badge level.
Onix looks to be the Pokemon that he uses to nod at trainers at the peak of one star if what the forums say, most likely he just uses them against trainers that could've aimed for a two star battle but decided to come in early.
Now seems like a good time to make lunch so I get up and coax Chardon to aim his flame underneath the pot I'll be using. I think mushroom sauce with chicken and potatoes is the best thing I can make right now, especially since the mushrooms I got yesterday are so fresh.
Back onto my pokegear, tactics wise the gym leader always starts things off with Rock Throw and from that one gesture he probably figures out whether the opponent is flying blind or made sure to check his battles. Since I already know about the Rock Throw and I can't lie about it that means I get one free shot at his Geodude which could be used for set up with Ralts... I'll have to think about my own tactics later.
Anyway it seems like he uses different tactics using each of his Pokemon like water moves with Omanyte, speedy attacks with a Rock Polish Kabuto, Light Screen Carbink, Smack Down Rhyhorn; I'm oversimplifying it and there are different moves he uses but for the first badge he mainly tries to use rock themed moves like Defense Curl which isn't actually a rock type attack but fits the general theme.
Also have to add that sometimes Brock can use two star Pokemon against trainers stronger than his Onix but he only did that against Red all those years back with his Onix from his personal team that later evolved into a Steelix.
Rock's aren't known to be tanky in special defense so Ralts will definitely see some use unlike Char, Tabs, and Kakuna... but why though? Is it because they have type disadvantage?
...This was my least favorite part about the search, the stigma against type disadvantage Pokemon used in gyms. Its not even a trainers fault because some just don't have money for buying poke balls or don't have space to catch a Pokemon they only need for one badge, that's just asking for that Pokemon to get released immediately after that win which would no doubt cause distrust between said Pokemon and the people that it might later meet.
Though, the search showed something interesting. People who win the fight against Brock end up getting as many views if not more than people using rare or powerful Pokemon. Just one example is a girl beating Brock with a Ponyta and Caterpie reaching three k views while another girl won with a Piplup and Bagon reaching only two thousand, a perfect example of type disadvantage fights being cooler then using tried and true methods like type advantage or rare and powerful Pokemon.
If I face off against all the gym leaders with type disadvantage and neutral Pokemon then there'll be more attention on me compared to the others, poachers might even aim for my Pokemon considering I have a rare Ralts and a Charmander... better me then them, they should enjoy their journey so with my mind set up I should probably get my head out of the clouds and tell the others.
"-and that's why you should expect me to jet-ski onto a Magmortar over a volcano. Oh, guess who's back in the land of the living." Amy teases at me.
I just roll my eyes "hardy, har, har" the group kinda gets focused at my left eye so I move the conversation along "Anyway I have some tactics and ideas I think all of us can use against Brock." That got their attention. "To start things off all of the current Rockruff in our group are gonna learn Trailblaze as its a type advantage move." Easy nods from the group, so I continue on.
"So I think I'll start things off with Amy since you technically go into this in a bigger disadvantage compared to the others. I think you should use Squirtle last and first use Rockruff which will force Brock to use a rock and ground type against you which Fletchling and Squirtle will have an easier time dealing with. Definitely try to train Rockruff up for speed and making sure it can't be hit by any Pokemon aside from like a Zapdos cuz it has a Jolly nature. Make sure to keep Spinarak out of this unless your Fletchling gets knocked out too fast against Brock's second Pokemon. Roost and Gust for Fletchling will definitely help but make sure to train Ember since you want the little bird to be as far away from Brock's Pokemon if possible. You definitely want him to send out a Carbink so you can use Spinarak to attack with poison type moves after significantly weakening it with String Shot and Constrict. Honestly, I think it would be good if you caught a Machop in an outcropping at Route 3 and I'll even send you the coordinates if you wish. Oh, also make sure your team trains to dodge Rockruff's Rock Throw okay?" By around halfway Amy started writing notes on her poke dex to try while looking at her team, the food on her plate no longer diminishing. She still gave a thumbs up at the end.
After taking a bite to consider who to tell next I choose "James, your up now. Honestly you're probably the most neutral of the group since you only have one Pokemon with type disadvantage and two of your Pokemon have type advantage moves against Brock, the only reason you aren't at the top is because you currently have four Pokemon so Brock will match that amount. I want you to start after Amy and send out Zorua first but make sure its illusion is Rockruff so Brock thinks twice about using a rock and ground type, the-"
"Then use Rufflet to bait out Omanyte, Roggenrola, or Kabuto before switching into... Bulbasaur to finish off his second Pokemon... and then use the actual Rockruff against what'll most likely be... a Carbink since Zorua is a dark type. At that point the last Pokemon will be Onix or a second star Pokemon but if I play my cards right I'll have... two to three of my party ready to fight it." James interrupts.
I open and close my mouth a couple times before replying "y-yeah basically, I also heard that Lycanroc can learn Counter so it'll be a good investment to learn that move if you can, I know from your last battle with Zorua it knows Counter so the two could work together to learn moves like Snarl. You could also save a switch if Zorua and Rufflet learn U-turn just incase the last Pokemon ends up being too tough for one of your Pokemon that needs to slightly rest. Rufflet can learn Hone Claws and Bulk Up so that might be a good investment. I know you're training Bulbasaur to be able to handle using Power Whip so I think you should keep that up."
Miri then coughs to get our attention "Can I say something?"
"Yeah sure" we all reply easily enough.
"I don't really want ideas on what I should do since I kind of already have a plan against Brock... is that okay?"
It goes without saying but I'll say it anyway "Obviously, just make sure you double check and do some training with our Rockruff okay?"
The girl nods and I begin eating my food. Not even five minutes pass by and the pot is empty aside from the sauce and a single chicken strip and I gave a bit of the sauce to Tabs and the rest I just put into a container, seems like Tabs can eat it and actually likes it so I should probably get some berry smoothies for her when we get to Pewter.
I kinda feel like I'm forgetting something but I don't remember what. Must've not been that important then.
Oh right.
"Amy... you forgot to send out Spinarak." Primeape whips her head back at me from her bonding with Squirtle before getting her party to be ready in case the bug she caught gets fighty and/or flighty.
It was kinda anticlimactic how the little bug first blinked its eyes before looking around and seeing the group of people and Pokemon before huffing and having the chicken strip in mushroom sauce which I handed out after a good ten seconds of waiting for it to do something. Amy then realized she had to feed the bug as well and got the chow for poison and bug types.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
After maybe ten minutes later we all decided to get up and continue our trek, only this time the group was Ralts, my Rockruff, Shadow, and Spinarak who was really warming up towards Amy and not really that oddly Kakuna. Poison bug solidarity and all that.
Maybe ten minutes into our walk and I notice some person is ahead battling a rock type with their water type.
While we're walking Ralts took the opportunity to read the league rule-book while Rockruff was making sure there weren't any approaching Pokemon using his nose next to Shadow who was using his ears.
Oh right. I also forgot to nickname Rockruff.
"Hey buddy," I motion to said Pokemon who looks back at me with an affirmative 'ruff' "what do you think about having a nickname?"
My rock type proceeded to look away and blow air out of his mouth in thought before giving a curt nod.
"Okay how about Rocky... no that seems so generic. Maybe Brock, nah that'll just make others think I'm his fanboy." I really don't know what name to give my lupine partner... hold on a sec. "How about Lupa, you okay with that?"
Rockruff spends a couple seconds scrunching his face up in thought before giving an affirmative yip.
I kinda talk about immediate moves Lupa should learn and the little Rockruff immediately denies using Tail Whip or Growl, considering both revolve around cuteness I think I've got a fighting style ready for him but that'll only be ready when he gets Trailblaze and his battle style'll be further accentuated when he evolves to access Accelrock.
Two minutes later and I realize something is wrong with the trainer. Their water type fainted.
I ran in their direction, a little bit to the north-east before an eternity but what must've really just been ten seconds pass. I hear a scream.
After jumping over a group of Kakuna and sprinting a bit further I see it.
A trainer on the ground. Blood on the ground right where his head is. Like †ç∂-
The trainer is the main priority so I send out Leaf, plans for the future be damned if it means that I can save a person.
A quadrupedal creature with fur like grass, with a tail and part of her forehead shaped reminiscent to a Leaf. She uses Quick Attack to force the opponent away. The opponent Pokemon dodged, being only barely faster with a light sheen signifying that it's got a boost in something. Probs speed.
In front of my eyes the trainer seems to be safe and the blood seems to be coming from his broken nose, thank Arceus. Near him is an unconscious Krabby.
I get pulled away from my assessment when I hear a cry of anger. Oh right, the enemy Pokemon.
I look at the opponent and do a double take, I thought this thing was a rock type, seriously why is this grass type here. Its a little stubby thing with three green orbs on its head. Clearly this little fella is a grass type, so why am I feeling like its a rock type?
A quick look at my pokedex explains it.
Name Bonsly Type Rock Ability Rattled Nature Naughty Health 50 Attack 80 Sp. Attack 10 Defense 95 Sp. Defense 45 Speed 10 Total stats 290 Moves Tearful Look, Copycat, Harden, Defense Curl, Stomping Tantrum, Rock Throw, Rock Polish
A... Bonsly. This little thing must really be persistent to be raring to battle. It seems to even be using Tearful Look.
Oh wait its just crying. Now it's using Tearful Look.
"Leaf use Duo 6" Is what I wanted to say before Leaf got slammed back by some type of ice type attack. For those who don't know, ice is strong against grass.
"LEAF" I shout in worry before trying to school myself, luckily the grass eeveelution is more than ready to fight. On second thoughts, now that the threats been assessed.
"Leaf, come back and protect the trainer and his Pokemon, someone else is gonna deal with this." My Pokemon dutifully listened to my order and moved away from the Bonsly who constantly kept an eye out on her.
I take out a poke ball and chuck it into the air where it opened in half releasing the creature from within, blinding light going from the air onto the ground. Kakuna is ready to fight.
"Okay pal use Electroweb into String Shot." Kakuna dutifully did just that. Of course, despite the sparking net wrapping around the little Bonsly it decided to use another ice attack I really think might be Ice Beam onto the white string laced with bug energy aiming for it, good news is that ice type energy shifted to normal type so Copycat must've run out. I also forgot that it has the ability Rattled so it almost got boosted in something, can't remember what though.
"Good, now use Poison Sting" I know that its his weakest move, he knows its his weakest move, and I genuinely don't believe that Celebi'll give us a cheap shot like a poisoned effect on the Bonsly. The point of using the attack is to have some distance while also forcing the little rock to try and use Copycat on the poison move, which it sadly didn't this time as it took the hit and gave back with Rock Throw.
"String Shot to a tree!" Kakuna takes a second to process the order before using his string to pull himself out of harms way, time that forced him to dodge too late as the rock attack barely hit Kakuna and off balanced him, the little cocoon bouncing until he crashed into a tree.
"Reorient and use Poison Sting again" The Bonsly expected the poison barb to aim at him and jumped to dodge. But we aren't finished. Not by a long shot.
"Now, use Electroweb into Poison Sting" this time the move hits the Bonsly while its still in the air and due to the nature of Electroweb Bonsly is stuck until it gets out, the blue light signifying a stat decrease, but it still kept some of its shine. Bonsly must've been trying to use Harden or something before it got startled and forgot to finish its move... shoot that's good for Stomping Tantrum. Right before my assessment on the ground type move finished, Kakuna had already fired off Poison Sting onto Bonsly.
"Good, now use Poison Sting into Electroweb one last time. Then get in close and use Bug Bite." I almost shouted out that last part out loud before I remembered that I'm in a forest.
This time the little Bonsly aimed Rock Throw again, but due to the speed decrease Kakuna improvised his string move to dodge before aiming Poison Sting again at Bonsly. Thankfully Bonsly decided to use Copycat right then to contest with the Electroweb which it couldn't overpower as it had low stats in special attack. The electric type move hit and gave Kakuna enough time to hop towards Bonsly before hitting it with Bug Bite. Bonsly lost its sheen entirely before regaining it after the bug move hit. So most likely Rattled increases speed from bug moves.
"Kakuna jump back an-" Bonsly faints.
Just like that. Done.
How? Its not li-
A groan right next to me alerts me to the reason, specifically the guy's Krabby.
Well... the only thing to do now is wait and help out the poor fella.
"Lets see here," I say aloud, mainly to steel myself, as I begin checking for additional damages "some s-scrapes on the hand and a couple on the face, a bruise to the chest probably by Bonsly, and a broken nose. Should probably set that before it gets too late." And just as I give the nose job, the rest of the group comes over to see me roughly move the nose of an unconscious kid with a loud crick following shortly with two fainted Pokemon with Kakuna and Leaf nearby.
They might've wanted to say something but right then the guy groaned and started trying to stand up, any person can tell you that getting up immediately after hitting your head is a terrible idea.
I keep him locked down and try to keep him calm, which is kinda hard since the guy is trying to resist me which in hindsight is a natural response.
"Dude stay calm and keep lying down," I start in as soothing a voice as I can "the Bonsly's fainted and if you stop I can look after your Krabby."
He kinda deflates and just lies down. Thankfully my group realizes I'm just trying to help him and begin looking after the Krabby and, with a word of warning, the Bonsly. Both Pokemon overlooked by the rest of my team.
"Hey Evo," Amy gets my attention with a careful voice "your hands are shaking."
I look down and realize she's right, granted the last time I was in this situation someone died so~
"Oh yeah probably the adrenaline." I lie while giving her the most confident smile I've got, somewhere between the range of winning a game of hide-and-seek and getting one's favorite video game. Code from summer camp when we met those bullies maybe a year back.
Amy wisely drops it before giving the simplest sign she could, two open palms towards the middle of her chest then putting her hands down flat before using her left hand to point at me.
I- I can't lie to her, not after our promise, so I just make a fist and shake it left and right.
She proceeded to hand me a water bottle and squeezes my shoulder before moving to check the guy out, he fell unconscious again.
Man, I'm really thankful I met her in summer camp four years ago.
When the dude finally woke up once more he was groaning a whole lot less and after a few seconds of waiting he tentatively took a glance around noting the multiple Pokemon and people in his vicinity.
His Krabby came too a while back but it can't fight since its claws got broken off, nothing to worry as the claws quickly regenerate and by the end of the week they should heal back, but it decided to stick around and wait for its trainer to wake up.
Once he came too we started asking him about details about himself as gently as possible.
James was the one who started the conversation with "So... mind telling us your name?"
"A-Aron... the names Aron." We all just sit around in silence, which Aron probably realized. With a groan he continues "my mom forgot the Pokemon existed when she named me."
"Coo', coo', coo' coo' coo'." Amy near whistles out.
"Ignore the owl and please tell us which city you're from." I say getting a playful punch to the head, Amy seems to be extra careful since the punch was more of a pat as her hand was open this time.
"I was heading to Pewter since I'm from Viridian, I... wanted to save Blue for last and catch really strong Pokemon. Then I met that grass type, Bonsly you said, and here we are." Oh, now I know why the little rock type had Ice Beam from his Copycat.
"Bonsly is a rock type." He looks at me a bit before face palming himself. Krabby mimics him as well which was really funny to see considering it didn't have any of its claws and needed to be picked up since it couldn't walk sideways anymore.
Well at least the guy knows his typings.
Bonsly itself woke up shortly after we got him standing up and lended him some water to clean his face a bit, I also took the time to clean my hands, and though the rock type was really angry it seemed to be frustrated at itself.
Actually.
"Hey Bonsly," I got its attention with a growl from it as its response "do you wanna be caught by one of us."
That shut it up.
Aron decided to interrupt, hurriedly saying "W-wait I can't catch it since I don't have any poke balls, plus I don't think I could trust that Bonsly anytime soon."
I look at him. "Valid point, but my offer still stands, I want to catch the little guy," I slowly get up and cautiously walk over to Bonsly, the little fella looking up at me as if I've either grown horns on my head or that I'm crazy "so what do you say. Wanna join me." I enlargen a poke ball that I took from my belts pouch and hold it in front of Bonsly.
My words must've shook it cuz it took a few seconds to think before turning around and yelling something.
Out of nowhere a Sudowoodo appears and chatters with Bonsly who headed back towards it. The common theme of most Pokemon is that if they have scars then their either really strong or they just contest for land a lot and considering that Viridian Forest is not only very big but also only has a couple grass types that you commonly see around here... this Sudowoodo must be really strong.
It has a conversation with Bonsly who nods along before coming back but it doesn't touch the button on the ball, instead it gets into battle stance against Kakuna.
I take that as a question to challenge the little rock so I get behind Kakuna before... he shakes his body? Instead he looks towards Lupa who's shocked by the turn of events but nevertheless gets ready to fight.
Okay, two attacking moves I can use against three attacking moves and a few status moves. No pressure.
James gets a rock while Aron and Mirielle have a discussion before she sent out Rookidee and says bye to him and his Krabby. Guess he isn't gonna stick around for the show.
James then proceeded to throw that rock into the middle of the field. Both sides tense up in anticipation. When the rock landed on the ground both parties began moving.
Both were attacking.
Lupa landed the attack first since he used Tackle and Bonsly used Copycat.
"Lupa back off and strafe shot with Rock Throw."
Lupa is the first to disengage and gathers rocks around his tail to fire off onto Bonsly who took the hit and didn't even flinch before firing back with its own Rock Throw.
"Jump right to dodge, then get in close using Rock Throw as a shield to Tackle."
My chosen partner moves right, barely dodging the rocks and gathered his own on his tail except this time he didn't fire them immediately and kept them in front of him. Bonsly used Rock Throw again, to hit my Pokemon but the attack was intercepted by previously summoned rocks, before tanking a hit from Rockruff's Tackle.
Gotta stay in mid range so Stomping Tantrum doesn't hit "get back and circle around Bonsly before firing Rock Throw."
Rock- sorry Lupa followed my instructions and began running around, something to know is that Rockruff like most versions of dog Pokemon have a large amount of stamina. So he could run circles around this Bonsly for ages.
My worries proved correct when Bonsly used Stomping Tantrum right then but due to the attack having a small area of effect, like Play Rough or Flame Wheel, it didn't hit Lupa who deliberately kept staying just out of reach to fire Rock Throw after Rock Throw. By maybe the third rotation of cat and mouse, except the roles were vice versa, Bonsly was blown back by Lupa's attack. The energy from the attack was far more stable this time around so clearly it must've been a critical hit.
Now's the perfect time to throw the poke ball while Bonsly is almost beginning to touch the ground so I threw a poke ball at it before it bounced up into the air.
It touched.
One roll.
Two roll.
Click, I win.
With a smile on my face I happily sigh before picking up and raising the capture device into the air.
Feeling a bit incensed and in the moment I say "I just caught. A Bonsly! Whipee!"
Then as soon as those words left my mouth the poke ball glowed before disappearing. Wait WHY?
Amy had the answer
"Oh yeah, you've already got six Pokemon don't you?"
Oh yeah I already have a group of six.
Sudowoodo doesn't look fazed which makes me think that it was previously owned by a trainer. It bows its head towards all of us and walks away shaking its hands as it goes further away into the forest, eastwards towards the nearby mountains.
We all decided to continue walking just a little longer before beginning to set camp to wait for Mirielle's Rookidee. Maybe a ten to fifteen minute walk north just to get away from the nearby Beedrill horde. Apparently the Kakuna pods I jumped over evolved and attacked the group while I was helping the trainer, something I said sorry for a bunch of times, and though they ran off the new Beedrill no doubt were running towards where they thought the older Beedrill will be thus it was imperative we moved a little bit away.
We waited two hours for Rookidee to come back, she came quickly most likely because the guy rushed to get out and probably stumbled upon some Ace trainers or some of the stationed rangers, and every twenty minutes we would be assailed by the different Pokemon native to the forest. Previously I was worried about facing off against Erika and Koga... now not so much since I have a few counters for their dual grass, bug, and/or poison types.
Once Rookidee came back Mirielle found out it apparently learnt Mean Look while it was escorting Aron.
After setting up camp with all of us in different tents we all sent out our Pokemon, I can't use Char in the forest so I kept up his punching training in hopes of learning Thunder Punch, Drain Punch, and Fire Punch. He still had to keep his tail below the pot I was using to cook some classic porridge. Other than that the rest of the group had to stay on high alert since the smell of food incensed even more wild creatures to aim for our supplies.
Once dinner was made Mirielle decided on catching this cute Scatterbug that was playing with Mankey the entire time.
Dinner was uneventful aside from a Paras that tried to Stun Spore the entire group. Paras are really dangerous so I made sure that Chardon blew it away with a sprinkling of Ember.
Once it became time for sleep we all decided that we would take shifts to allow us optimal times for sleep while maintaining security.
If nothing happened then I would have just woken up James to take the next shift before going to sleep... but something did happen. Arceus, I didn't realize how affected they were by nightmares, I had to go to each of them once just to calm them down and get them to think calmly. I had to leave Ralts with Amy as she cuddled both my Pokemon and her starter, James entire team decided to sleep with him including Rufflet who donned the same face of worry upon assessing his trainer, and Miri... I left Leaf with her and told her to keep her entire party out if it made her feel safer.
Even if they could be trusted with staying awake, the night would only further theirs haunts within their mind.
Its probably best if I just stay up the entire night. No. Maybe leave a third of the time to the group before resting, even my Pokemon need their sleep.
Tonights gonna be a lo~ng night.
----------------------------------------
So many inconsistencies are found in his behavior each day they spend with him.
So much previously thought as normal is once more put into question.
And again the same worries about him are surfacing.
Who really is Evandros, and who the hell made him look like he scrapped against a Mightyena and lost.
Once more Mirielle has to quash her first fears she felt when she saw the boy, on a summer day where the grass smelled like dewdrops.
The color of the Burgundy tent and lavender scent coming off of Leaf, the sister of her own Shadow, soothing Mirielle into security.
Though it still doesn't stop the small, insidious, and fearful part of her giving her more doubts on her decision to journey into the unknown. Especially with a boy as scarred as the one who saved her, one so quick to save others at the detriment of himself. One that almost was about to die from an explosion.
That part was squashed and stabbed with each breath her chosen Pokemon brush onto her back, arms, and even her face.
Though her mind was in turmoil of her choice, her heart knows that if given the chance she would gladly journey again.
Mirielle just needs to get stronger than she thought possible, stronger than her group of friends and stronger than the gym leaders.
Maybe then she'll have the confidence to do what she wants.