The journey out of the Viridian Labyrinth went a lot smoother than my solo attempts at traveling. Turns out, trained experienced guides are useful while spelunking in monster-infested caverns. Who knew? Promise, after I invent Yelp, Yasmin gets five stars. We were able to avoid most Pokémon, and the ones we did come across weren't that aggressive. Yasmin had a map with the latest info on the Pokémon’s habitats before the storm. Another pro tip for future spelunkers: bring a nice map with big red circles that say "danger here"; it might come in handy. A few knocked-out Geodudes later, and I could finally taste the fresh air blowing into the exit. If you're wondering about the Geodudes, Sandslash is a little sucker-puncher with his Dig. When he or Yasmin notice a threat, he practically fades into the ground without breaking pace, like a ninja. Next thing you know, he is uppercutting some poor unsuspecting Rock-type.
"That's our exit; it should lead us out near a hollowed tree stump where the Paras like to gather," Yasmin says casually, you know, like sentient mushrooms aren’t nightmare fuel. Dubious look activated; new target acquired; operation stare down Yasmin is a go. “Don’t worry so much; they will be sleeping this late in the morning, that’s if there’s even any around.”
“Why wouldn’t there be creepy mushrooms at the creepy mushroom grove exactly?” I asked Yasmin. Because it sounds like she just said they won’t be around, and something nastier is likely lurking nearby.
“There's a fairly territorial bug that moved in nearby after the storm. They've been smacking around anything that sticks around too long.” I knew it; this lady is crazy. “We can just head straight out of their area and get some rest before making the final rally to the outpost. It may be morning, but you clearly need the sleep.”
“My internal clock is all messed up, but I would rather just see Ekans to the centre.” Ah yes, I know that look it says, shut up you walking-corpse and sleep like the dead you are.
“Yeah, not happening. Now, come on, let’s leave this area quickly before…” Yasmin's words are cut short as she steps out of the cave and into the daylight. It seems you thought things would go easy, my dear ranger. Welcome to Cain's world. I don’t even need to see past Yasmin, who is standing, blocking my view of the grove beyond the cave entrance, to know exactly what’s happening.
“There is a bug Pokémon staring you down, isn’t there.”
“Yup.”
“A really big bug Pokémon.”
“Why do you sound pleased about this?”
“It’s nice not to be the only one Karma has abandoned.” The cruel bitch, I will have my revenge, Karma, do you hear me!?
I move up next to Yasmin, covering my eyes as I move forward into the light. The last thing I need is to go blind after finally escaping the darkness. My sight starts to blur into a reasonable working condition, and I see what has Yasmin's hackles up.
“Oh!” Nevermind Karma, we cool.
The blue and purple blur among the browns and greens of the forest shimmered into the form of a rather large Heracross. A Heracross wearing my cigar-smoking, Koffing hoodie, and backpack. The hoodie covered most of his body, with just the lower half of his legs showing from below the purple threads. The hood was up over his antennae, and with his complete lack of neck, made his eyes peer out of the shadowed interior from just over the neckline. His horn proudly exposed, making him look like a punk emo kid hiding his face.
“Cain, stay back; I will handle th… What are you doing?”
“Hey, that’s my hoodie!” How dare he wear it better than me! I walk out past the startled Yasmin and step right up into Heracross's grill. I’m sure if this was the anime, our glare would have had sparks flying, but instead, the only thing flying was the rather inventive curses coming from Yasmin behind me at my stupidity. Both Heracross and I had to stop and turn towards her as she finished venting in complete shock at the potty mouth on display.
“Heracross.”
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“I know, I’m not mad, just impressed, you know?”
“Hera, Hera.” Heracross nodded.
“So like, can I have my stuff back?” At this, while we both continue to watch Yasmin with applauding looks, Heracross slipped my backpack off his arm and gave it to me. “And the Hoo…”
“Heracross!” That one came out like a growl as the earth beneath his foot cracked a little.
“Ook, nevermind, you keep it. Looks better on you anyway.” At least he didn’t kill me; that was pretty dumb.
“Cain, don’t you think that was stupid dangerous!?” Yasmin cried out while stomping towards us.
“No, of course not.” Yes, absolutely. Not admitting it though, so there.
“What was the point in saving you if you're going to run straight at a wild Pokémon without even releasing your own? Did you sleep through trainer school? What if he was hostile toward humans?”
Actually, I never got the chance to go to trainer school, which sounds kind of awesome. I had normal school with algebra, and when I didn’t ditch, you better believe I slept.
“What’s trainer school, and do they accept older applicants?” Hey, I could play match the type weaknesses for the next six years for a high school diploma. Sounds safer than Team Rocket or Koga's gym. “And besides, Heracross and me go way back, like four or five whole days. Not sure how long I was underground, but that’s like one of the longest relationships I have now, outside of Ekans and Venonat.”
“Huh? How do you not know what trainer school is?” Right, never did mention the whole fake amnesia thing.
“Short story shorter. Big rock meet head. Head forget everything.” That about sums it up, right? Wait, why is Heracross inching round to stand beside a confused-looking Yasmin? What did I say? “I have amnesia.” At that, Yasmin's eyes bugged out, and she had to visibly stop herself from lunging to inspect my head. I caught the movement and undisguised staring at my dome but appreciated her restraint.
“Sandslash, check his…”
“Relax, it happened before I got to the forest, not anything that happened in the underground.” I raise my hand to stall any more physicals. Yasmin visibly relaxed, Sandslash too.
“Oh, okay, a long-term condition. I’m sorry; that must have been a hard thing to live with. How long ago did it happen?”
“Um, if I was in the underground for around 4 or 5 days then… last week,” I say with confidence. Wow, has it only been around 2 weeks? I am one busy boy. It felt like I was fighting Rhydon alone for months.
“LAST WEEK!”
“HERA CROSS!”
“SAND SLASH!”
Heracross starts taking off the jumper. Wait, is the homeless bug feeling sorry for me? Okay, that hurts my pride. I did need to get this out of the way to cover any blunders I make with Yasmin, but it’s not like I’m actually brain-dead here. I stop the bug and explain.
“What, it’s no big deal. I still remember what Pokémon are; that’s what matters, right?”
“Pokémon? What about your family!?”
“Never met them.”
“You’re an orphan too!?” Yes, actually, but…
“No, I mean I literally haven’t met them; they live in Vermilion City, and I went lights out in Viridian.” Okay, these "is this boy an idiot" stares are getting hurtful.
“So what, you woke up without any knowledge of who you are and just decided to go for a walk in the woods during a storm?”
“No, let's say past Cain had made the bed in which I now find myself and was encouraged to go on my Pokémon Journey in hopes I won’t soil said proverbial bed any further. Apparently, I never went on one before.” I give a shrug, not wanting to go into details. Yasmin will likely look it up later when we arrive at the outpost, and I see no need to lose her goodwill early.
“Cain.”
“Yeah, Yaz?”
“You’re a real pain, you know that, right?”
“Sure do.” Though I honestly don’t try to be. A sigh from Yasmin bring the interrogation to an end for now and she turns to Heracross.
“From the fact you took most of that in, I take it you picked up speech from listening to the kids that come through the forest.” Heracross gives a nod. “Well can’t leave you here or the paras will never return. Why have you never been caught?”
“Heracross.” Yasmin glances at Sandslah who pumps the muscle in his arm. Seems I’m not the only weirdo who talks to Pokémon. Wait if they can pick up human speech while still being wild, are they smarter than humans. I’m going to file that under the ethics section of “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”
“Never been beat by anyone strong enough. Well, if that’s the case…” I don’t like the mischievous look that has reappeared in Yasmin's eyes. Why is Sandslash limbering up? Hey, weren’t we supposed to hightail it out of here? Think of my snake child, people.
“Hera!” Not you too, you damn Shino wannabe.
“Cain, you’re the ref. 1 on 1 battle. We win, we catch Heracross; he wins, he gets your bag too.”
“Wait, what? I don’t know how to ref. And what do you mean, my bag?” She has the gall to just smirk at me like she didn’t just bet my worldly possessions.
“Oh, right.” Yeah, you get a guilty look, you degenerate gambler you. “Just stand to the side and say fight; it’s been a while since I added to the team.” Her hand brushes away her jacket to uncover the six Poké Balls that are on her belt. I wonder how many of them are filled. Oh well, guess this is happening. I release Venonat so she can enjoy the show; who knows she might learn something. Guess I’ll try and imitate the anime as best I can. The two separate a distance from each other, Yasmin with Sandslash in tow.
“Heracross, are you ready?”
“Heracross!”
“Yasmin, choose your Pokémon.”
“Sandslash, you’re up.” He runs forward a little bit.
Well, I guess this is happening; I wonder if she knows this guy has a bounty? I check both sides one more time, not for anything in particular; I have no idea what I’m doing, but it seemed the professional thing to do. I raise one arm, since that’s all I have going for me at the minute, then bring it down with a swoosh and yell out, “Go!”