Route 2 was like a walk in the park after dealing with the fiasco earlier today. Those Team Rocket thugs that attacked me weren't caught. Some rumors said they were spotted around route 23 but we already left for Route 2 by then. Misty told me that Team Rocket don't reveal themselves for no reason, they were there to catch an incredibly strong Pokemon. I'm guessing it's Mew.
I didn't encounter any exceptionally unique pokemon to catch on the way. Misty was pretty chatty with me especially when I asked anything about her pokemon. I paid attention to her words even though she mostly bitched about her sisters. She's a friendly girl for a teenager her age. But my looks are pretty nice for a kid so there maybe some lookism at play here.
Let's face it, lookism is a global phenomenon. Even in the world of Pokemon. Ugly pokemon are deemed scary and are treated as monsters whereas the cute pokemon are called beautiful, being caught by wealthy individuals to be their pets and are given luxury care.
I don't mind raising pokemon considered ugly or monster-like, for me whatever pokemon fits my bill is gonna be in my party. Be it a defected Ditto or whomever else. I know what it's like to be discriminated for your looks from the experiences in my past life. But I'm also aware that truly good people do exist who don't judge on looks but by actions.
Our conversation goes back and forth. We talk about whatever comes to my mind. I ask her a question and she answers it. I tell her something about myself and ask her on the same subject matter. That's holding a conversation 101. By talking I learn more about the world of Kanto, more than what was shown in the anime and manga. Learning more about Misty's life in the process.
We've talked on all the stuff I could think of ,from topics such as Pokemon matchups and battle stratergies to discussing mundane topics like food, money, and running out of supplies.
After talking with her and getting to know her better as a gym leader. I now understood that battles are essential to teach me how to fight but listening to other trainers will teach me how to survive. The experiences other trainers have are of value to me who's had none yet.
Her insights are deep and each point she talked about made sense logically. I think that not putting much thought about survival in the wild is my achilles' heel. I thought this world was easier to live in than compared to when I would be studying for my next exam or applying for an internship. But travelling constantly in this world with dangerous wild pokemon in every area is not for the weak minded. There's a reason why only a few young trainers end up sticking to this profession in the long run.
"And you started training from a young age right? What made you do that?" I ask her.
"Well I always loved water type Pokemon and my dream is to become the strongest water type trainer in the world." she answers me without any unease or doubt about achieving that goal.
"Still it must've taken a while to defeat all your older sisters right?"
"Nah I was better than them from the beginning." she boasts.
'I can believe that.' She must be strong to command a gyarados like that.
Her Gyarados could sweep my party like it's a child's play. So she must be doing something right. Maybe if we battle now... No, I don't think I have a chance to win yet. My pokemon don't have much experience except for Icarus the pidgeotto. They also lack the firepower to combat her pokemon.
I think Bob could put up a good fight when he learns water gun at least. I'm eager to see him become a wartortle already.
Just before entering Viridian forest we're met with a huge building and an even bigger gateway leading to a building that acts as a bridge between the City and it's Forest.
Kinda like skybridges but it's on ground. So, a ground bridge? But that's a totally different thing in the context of electrical science. I look at the white building with blue painted pillars. There are multiple warning signs and boards with guidelines on them.
'What does it say?'
For any emergencies you are to encounter during your stay at the forest you are advised to use a flare that alerts the Flying-type pokemon trained by the locals to identify and home in on the signals, carrying the location's information straight to the locals who act as the protectors of the forest. All this for a small fee of 10,000 dollars per group.
"What the hell?" I exclaim.
I am being sarcastic about the price by the way. What's with this ridiculous pricing? I can buy 50 potions with that money.
"It's a hefty fee alright. Most merchants are wealthy enough to afford it and probably are in need of it more than the trainers. These guy's are getting rich of being a monopoly here and the merchants don't mind the prices as it guarantees their protection." MIsty explains to me.
"Still that's just ridiculous." Well money needs to be earned somehow. Maybe they really do need that much income to run their organisation within the locality.
So when a Trainer is cornered by wild Pokémon under the dark canopy of Viridian Forest, they can either call for help or team up with other trainers to fend off wild pokemon.
"Yeah I get it now. Paying that much at least guarantees some type of protection under this extensive forest."
"Yeah the locals are really serious about preserving their nature here. That's why they've created this system to not get a bad rep if people go missing frequently." Misty walks towards the end of the building which is narrow from the inside. I notice that some trainers were being told at the front desk that most rooms were occupied for the night.
I didn't plan on staying in this bridge cum hotel of the viridian forest anyways. We're here to camp. This'll be my first camping experience in both of my lives.
"It's dark already, You should teach Pikachu to use flash as it'll come in handy for times like this."
"Yeah but I did prepare some torches which are rechargeable via Pikachu's electricity."
"What if the torch breaks? A trainer should prepare for the worst scenarios in every situation."
"Got it. That's true." I agree, traveling with her was the right decision. Unlike the anime she seems competent.
"Aaaaahhhhhh!" She let out a shrill, deafening shriek.
"What happened Misty?"
"Get it away!" She says pointing to a weedle crawling towards her.
"Right away ma'am." I tell her sarcastically
"Go Percy, time for your dinner!" I throw the pokeball like how I'd throw a spin ball in cricket. The Poké Ball spun through the air, tracing a perfect arc, with Percy the spearow coming out after a flash of red light.
'That was decent.' Throwing pokeballs is a really cool thing to do. It felt wrong when I tried copying the way other's threw. I'd like to create my own way. I'll show this world how I do things. Not the other way around.
Percy picks up the weedle by it's brown body. It was my first time seeing a bug pokemon. This guy looked like a larva about an arms size with a segmented body. Combined with its red nose and feet ,it had a conical, two-inch poisonous stinger on its head and a barbed one on its tail, but every other body part is spherical.
"Take it away!" I command Percy knowing it'll serve as his dinner for tonight.
"It's repulsive to look at for sure." I was never a huge fan of bugs or insects. But in the Pokemon world it's different. They can be capable in battle and I need them to complete my pokedex anyways. Misty told me that most, but not all Bug-type Pokémon live in forests, though some of them are a little harder to find because they live atop the trees.
'I'll catch all the bugs here.' I hope to find a pinsir in this forest to add to my party. Talking about my team, I've sent back Gary the meowth and Sasuke the ekans to Prof Oak's lab. I would train them but that'd be too much on my hands. I already have enough to beat Brock as of now.
I wanna love all my Pokemon equally but I won't get to when I'm on a journey like this. When I do stop travelling for a while which might be before the Indigo Plateau Conference. I'll get the time to enjoy loving them and getting to know every mon I've captured.
For now my future plans include beating Brock at Pewter City with Bob. After he learns water gun that is. Till then I need to train Pikachu countlessly to help me win the gym battle against Misty in the Cerulean City. He won't be hard carrying the battle as Misty's pokemon will probably have strategies to deal with electric types.
"You alright?" I ask her, she thanks me and finally tells me about her fear of bugs.
"That's normal. I'm not too fond of this forest myself." I'm being for real. Viridian forest at night is scary to be in. I don't think there's any ghost pokemon here. But I'd totally accept if somebody told me there's ghosts here. I believe in ghosts even more now that Ghost type pokemon exist.
The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and decay, and the silence between sounds feels heavy. Almost like the forest is listening.
"So where do we set up camp?" I ask in a hurry. This 12 year old body felt weak after today's erratic events. I could sleep on the ground but Misty would freak out if a Caterpie even came in her line of sight.
"I know of a place, it's under a century old tree. It will take a while but I'll lead us there."
"Hope that's worth the trouble."
"You'll see when you get there."
Soon after a terrifying walk where Misty called upon me for pest control at each moment's notice. I let out Icarus so he can have some fun while helping too. We arrive at a area clear of wild grass, Only a massive tree stood upright. It's bark clean of bugs. I saw multiple kakuna along the way but why's nothing here?
"A tree with no bugs?"
"That's the good part. We only need to spend tonight here. By tomorrow we'll be close to leaving this forest if we hurry. I found this place after I defeated a haunter back when I first came here. Ghost-types are linked to abandoned places, fear, spirits, and death. All the other pokemon avoid this area like a plague."
"Nice find. Actually it must've been a god send for you."
"Well if I didn't get to come across this, I'd be screwed at that time."
I choose a clean area under the tree and set up a light tent. With the help of Misty of course. This was a first for me. In the tent I place bedrolls for both of us and prepare for dinner. It was packed rice and canned goldeen. I also brought along a berry sauce I bought in a store. It's sweet with a smooth aftertaste.
"Come out y'all" I bring out all my pokemon. Icarus and Percy have had their fill of bugs but the others need to eat their meals.
"Rattata!"
"Pika!"
"Squirt-squirt."
I've introduced Chungus the Pikachu to everyone in the party before coming here. Even though Icarus and Percy didn't like the electric mouse for some reason the others took a liking to him. Especially Tyson the rattata.
"Eat up everyone." I brought berries and multiple packs protein-heavy pellets for my pokemon.
"You should know what your pokemon like to eat. It's crucial for bonding." Misty advised me on the way.
"Hey why don't you let your pokemon out Misty?"
"A pokemon as large as my gyarados will attract unwanted attention. I did my best to to feed them before hand." She says as she brings out her pokeballs.
"Wait why did you only carry a gyarados?"
"Because he's more than enough to handle emergencies. I wasn't looking to battle when I left for the Indigo plateau."
After dinner I pack my stuff and the trash separately. Littering is a punishable offense in this forest. I turn around to let my first friend here know I appreciate her presence.
"Thanks for the guidance Misty."
"No problem. We're friends after all. I'm sure that you plan on challenging Brock, the gym leader of Pewter City. He's a trainer of only rock type Pokemon. Your squirtle will have an advantage in the battle."
"Yeah I know."
"Beware of his Onix. it's his ace pokemon."
"Oh yeah. I think Bob will do fine."
"I don't think so. As he is right now Bob is weak. If he can't learn water gun his chances against onix are null."
"Do you know a way to teach that move?"
"I'll give you a hint Red. It's just like the bubble attack."
"That's not a hint."
"Yes it is."
"No it wasn't."
"Yes it was."
"Ugh can't you simply tell me directly."
"You'll learn if you do things your way. I did my best to guide you without spoiling the fun of it."
"Thanks I guess."
"I'll tell you right now if you beat my gyarados alright?" she smirks.
"I'll battle you after I find a dragonite." we both laugh.
She's a good person. I like how easy-going she is. Having a relaxed attitude just like water. But in battle she becomes something else. Like a stormy sea I think.
"Goodnight Misty." I already inserted myself into my comfy bedroll. This was a new feeling for me. Bedrolls are so superior to hammocks. I feel my eyes already closing on their own. Damn this young body, I can't even force myself to stay awake.
"Goodnight Red." She replies having stored all the gear and food away. She slumps into her bedroll right beside me.
That marked the end of tonight for me. I'll wake up tomorrow to capture some bugs I guess.