Chapter 44: Campfire

Weedle and Venonat nicknames? Can't think of any, or leave alone?

Don't forget to drop those power stones!

*

"Ken, was it? I'm Itsuki. Serena is to the right, and Lillie is to the left." (A/N: Ken in JP means blade/sword)

"Hello! I think this is the first person we've had to join our campfire since we started our journey a few days ago. It's nice to meet you."

"Yes. It's nice to meet you too...", Lillie also responded.

"No wonder you three aren't familiar, so you are new coming here after all."

"Have you been living here in Viridian Forest for a while, Ken?", I asked him.

"For a while. I've come to know the ins and outs of this forest pretty well. You three may have just started but I feel you aren't that new with Pokemon. I'm sure you've caught a few already."

"So it appears that way? We have indeed caught a few already.", I answered Ken.

"From what we've heard since coming here to the halfway point in Viridian Forest, they say you are quite an expert in bug types. Is that true?", Lillie asked with interest.

"You heard right. You three have also probably heard that I like to promote growth during battles too, regardless of a Trainer's background. I find doing that also helps me grow as a Trainer."

"I feel a similar way actually. Doing battles does help promote growth not only between Pokemon and their fellow Trainers, but also between Trainer to Trainer, regardless of who wins or loses. I may not look like it, but I am actually a Pokemon Professor you know.", I grinned back at Ken, who in turn showed me a surprised look. I decided to reveal a bit of myself, seeing if he knew that much about me. Some may or may not pay attention to news after all, if one pays more attention than others, they'd probably come to realize who I am.

"A Pokemon Professor...I did hear one joining the field recently here in Kanto. Was that person you?"

"That may be so, I'm not sure if anyone passed along with me then. It is quite difficult for one to get a Professor's license."

"Shouldn't you have a lab then? Why would you come all the way into the heart of Viridian Forest?"

"Haha, technically I should, yes, but I'm a bit different. I've always wanted to journey, regardless of my new status. I'm here to have some fun."

"And we're here to accompany Itsuki!", Serena responded happily.

"I see. It always does make it more fun traveling with a group. I take it you're on the way out of the forest then and using this spot to res for the night. You three made good pacing to reach it here."

"That we did. Thankfully we set our goals beforehand. We are planning to go into the inner region first before we leave the forest."

"The inner region...Actually I just came from there to take a breather, only to find you three set up camp here. I do thank you for letting me join here once again."

"It's no trouble, right Itsuki?", Serena asked with a smile.

"None at all. In fact, since we encountered you, would you be up for a battle or two?", I asked Ken.

"Haha, eager I see. I wouldn't turn down a battle from a fellow Trainer. I've got plenty of Pokemon stored away besides the six I have on hand. A couple battles is no problem for me."

"Great. I have interest in having a battle with you, Ken. Do you think you're up for it Lillie?", I asked her.

"It's still a bit nerve-wracking for me but I want to try a battle if that's fine with you Ken."

"Of course. You seem a lot newer to this so I think I know who to choose. As for you, Itsuki you seem to be quite accustomed already despite being a new Trainer."

"I've had a few battles, to say the least. Why don't we bring out our Pokemon while I start cooking up some dinner."

"Yeah!"

"Works for me. Come on out, guys.", Ken said, suddenly grabbing hold of six Pokeballs and tossed them in the air.

Six beams of light shone, revealing six Pokemon. This brought amazement to our eyes seeing which Pokemon they were, each of them greeting us.

"Scyther!", "Pinsir.", "Venomoth!", "Hera!", "Beedrill.", "Bellossom!", the six Pokemon said. Looks like he had a couple from the Johto region, or perhaps did Jen get lucky in the inner region? A Scyther, a Pinsir, a Venomoth, a Heracross, a Beedrill, and a Bellossom. Moreover Ken's Scyther appeared to be shiny...

"You've looked like you've had a few good encounters yourself, Ken.", I responded to this with a chuckle.

"Over time, yes.", Ken answered simply with a nod. "Scyther was my first partner. I started developing an interest in bug types not too long after. Not every one I have is a bug type though as you can see."

"Yeah. Before we show our rest I'll introduce my partner too. She is probably the reason why you think I've done some battles already. Come on out, Amber.", I said, reaching towards the love ball. Ken was surprised seeing me grab a hold a special Pokeball. My shiny Alolan Ninetails revealed herself.

"Nine!", Ninetails happily yelled out. Seeing me, Ninetails quickly approached me and rubbed her head against my hand. Ken became surprised once again.

"Is that...a Ninetails? But it looks so different, Isn't it an alternate color too?", Ken asked with shock in his eyes.

"I guess before answering that, have you been to other regions, Ken?"

"Unfortunately no. I've only lived in Kanto up till now. Fascinating, are you telling me this Ninetails hailed from another region? Some Pokemon I own come from different regions too but I've had some lucky encounters. Yet this Ninetails appears very different. Is it even a fire type anymore?"

"Nope. Wait to battle me to find out what typing Amber is. I think your Scyther will be a good opponent for her. She hasn't been in much action lately."

"I see. So it will be a one on one then, which is fine by me. You guys said you have others too?", Ken asked, only for us to nod.

We brought out our other Pokemon, reveling to Ken some non bug types besides the ones we caught in Viridian Forest today. He was shocked again to see a shiny Weedle and Caterpie too. He learned that he will battle Lillie using her Caterpie, in hopes for it to evolve quickly. And then after her battle, Ken will battle Amber using his Scyther.

As to whether I will use my Z-Move, it will depend on how Scyther compares up to my Ninetails. Thankfully it was still a Scyther. If he had a Scizor that could Mega Evolve, that could potentially pose a problem.

Ken was quick to shake his shock away though and let his Pokemon have some fun with ours as we chatted some more. It was well into the night already so I was able to prepare a quick meal for us. Ken warned us about how dangerous the nights in Viridian Forest can be, which we gratefully accepted his warning.

He was especially keen on warning about smells, like the dinner we made. We made sure to dampen the smells out as a result, but it was still a good meal all of us enjoyed. As we were on the main path, Ken said we could rest easy. One shouldn't go out to challenge in the night either, so we agreed we would have our two battles in the morning.

After making sure no one would approach us anytime soon, we soon dozed off into dreamland, with me tending the fire every so often. We changed it up and only brought out our sleeping bags instead of the tent we use, falling asleep under the stars.

The next morning arrived before we realized it. I welcomed Ken for breakfast and he joined in. Lillie and I prepared Pokemon food for everyone as well.

After getting ready for the day, we found it was now a good time to have our battles!