Chapter Ten: An Unexpected Encounter

[Alliance Year 200, March 16th.
Today, Asuan mastered “Parasitic Seed,” so the growth level should have reached level 9…]

Am had just finished pitching the tent and begun his diary entry when he heard a strange noise gradually approaching. Night had already fallen, and Am had scattered repellent powder disliked by ordinary Pokémon around the area. Yet something was still drawing near, and he immediately became vigilant!

Though Pokémon generally aren’t malicious, that’s only “generally.” There are some with fierce tempers that occasionally harm humans. Trainers losing their lives during journeys is not unheard of; it’s merely a matter of statistics.

Exeggcute and Bulbasaur were already outside, and now both turned alertly toward the source of the sound.

Late at night, and ignoring the repellent powder…

Could it be a Ghost-type Pokémon?

Am felt a bit nervous as well! Most of the time, Pokémon won’t harm people, but accidents do happen.

Among cases where humans are harmed, Ghost-types appear almost as often as Bug-types, second only to them among the eighteen types. Even without malice, their peculiar nature can still cause harm.

Ghost, Psychic, Dragon, and Fairy types are regarded as the four most difficult to train—the “Upper Four Types”—since trainers specializing in these are rare. Without corresponding talent, training these types is exceedingly difficult, and forcing a Ghost-type can have grave consequences!

If someone without Ghost-type aptitude spends prolonged time with a Ghost-type Pokémon lacking sufficient closeness, their health may be invisibly eroded—not from the Pokémon’s malice, but from the natural corrosion of Ghost-type energy.

Thus, in ancient times, Ghost-types were greatly feared, and their trainers, often gloomy in temperament, were ostracized and persecuted!

Still, Am was only tense, not truly worried. After all…

The “Beastmaster” qualification granted Am a universal attribute tolerance. While it lacked the extra bonuses of specialized talents, at least there was no need to fear side effects.

Moreover, having twice chosen the “Moon Path,” Am’s trainer aptitude was naturally inclined toward Dark, Ghost, and Fairy types.

As the sound grew closer, Am discerned, besides footsteps, the turning of some metal structure?

Could it be a Steel/Ghost-type?

Aegislash, perhaps? Though Sinnoh and Kanto share the same continent, it’s rare to see the Aegislash family in Kanto.

The nearby thicket rustled, and a large, oddly shaped Pokémon silhouette emerged. Its lower half resembled a human, and its upper half sported two tires…

Wait, something’s off.

Surely it couldn’t be Cyclizar or Miraidon?

“Who’s there?” Am shone his flashlight toward the figure.

Using a flashlight on Pokémon moving at night… Such a rookie move, likely to irritate the other party—if it really was a Pokémon!

But Am had already guessed from the silhouette that something wasn’t right. Sure enough, the figure was revealed: a young girl… carrying a bicycle!

“Ah!” The girl cried out, startled by the sudden light.

“You scared me! Turns out you’re a trainer…” She breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Am clearly.

“Are you… training as a Fighting-type specialist?” Am speculated, seeing her hefting the bicycle.

“I’m not a Fighting-type trainer! My name’s Misty. Could I… rest here for a bit?” Misty said, though her gaze kept drifting toward the electric cooker.

“You’re welcome. If you don’t mind, there’s some instant curry left…” Am was surprised by her name but didn’t press further.

Helping fellow trainers in the wild is an unwritten rule, a custom of the Pokémon world.

“That’s wonderful! Thank you!” Misty said gratefully.

She seemed exhausted, and as Am heated up instant curry and rice, she devoured it ravenously.

Though Am couldn’t be sure whether this Misty was the Misty, judging by her age she was likely a year or two younger, probably just at the “minimum traveling age.”

Which meant…

She probably wasn’t the “Gym Leader” version from the games!

Nonetheless, Am didn’t pry, but was curious about her carrying the bicycle. Bicycles in this world are quite advanced—lightweight, foldable, and especially adept at off-road travel. Given the vast wilderness, bicycles are essential for many trainers without rideable Pokémon, and so development has been rapid.

Barring extreme terrain like swamps or steep slopes, bicycles usually traverse easily.

But Misty’s bike seemed in a sorry state…

“Were you attacked by Ursaring?” Am asked, intrigued.

In this area, Ursaring and Beedrill are the Pokémon most likely to attack humans.

Beedrill are wild, aggressive, and highly territorial; they’re numerous and account for half of Kanto’s wild Pokémon attack cases.

Ursaring, though registered in Johto, are common here due to the proximity, and they’re especially fierce when raising Teddiursa.

Judging by the bike’s warped shape, it clearly wasn’t stung by Beedrill…

“How should I know! Honestly, my luck’s been awful. Two days ago, some brat in a red cap snatched my bike and ran off… By the time I finally found it, it was already like this! Who knows how long it’ll be until I reach Viridian City, or if I can even get it fixed…” Misty complained angrily.

Am: …

A brat in a red cap? That sounded strangely familiar…

“Was it a red-capped kid with a Pikachu?” Am asked to confirm.

“Huh? You know him? When I get to Viridian, could you help me find him?” Misty looked like she wanted compensation for her bike.

“Well… First, I don’t have his contact info. I just battled him once before; he left in a hurry and forgot to add me as a friend.” Am guessed it must be Ash.

“First?” Misty caught Am’s wording.

“Yes, second, my direction is toward Maple Town. If you’re heading there, we’ll arrive in a day or two. Viridian City… is the way you came from.”

Misty: …