Chapter 18: Chapter 16: A Night in the Forest
"How many Pokémon are we battling with?" Mira asked Theo. "Best of one, two, or three? Or a double battle?"
Theo grinned. "Let's do best of three. I've got two ready to go."
"Perfect," Mira said. She then took out her Pokédex and scanned Theo's Blitzle, recording its species and base information. Curious, she also scanned her own team to check their progress.
Petilil's moves—Absorb (Expert), Sleep Powder (Proficient), Mega Drain (Proficient), Petal Blizzard (Specialist), Synthesis (Beginner), Growth (Beginner) and Sunny Day (Novice)—had been honed through recent battles and her time spent absorbing the sun's energy. Snivy, still resting in her Poké Ball, now had Tackle (Proficient), Leer (Proficient), Vine Whip (Expert), Glare (Beginner), Grassy Terrain (Proficient), Mega Drain (Specialist), Petal Blizzard (Beginner), Grass knot (Beginner) and Grassy Glide (Novice). Scout had Tackle (Proficient), Leer (Proficient), Bite (Expert), and had learned Slash (Beginner) and Shadow claw (Novice), evidence of his growth since training with Glameow.
Satisfied, Mira nodded to Theo. "Alright, let's begin. Petilil, you're up first."
Theo started with a quick command. "Blitzle, use Quick Attack!"
The electric-type darted forward, a blur of movement. Mira reacted swiftly.
"Petilil, counter with Sleep Powder!" she called. Petilil spun in place, releasing a shimmering green powder. Blitzle's Quick Attack hit its mark but slowed as the powder began to take effect, causing the Blitzle to stagger and doze off.
"Good work, Petilil!" Mira encouraged. "Follow up with Mega Drain!"
Petilil formed a glowing green sphere, sending it toward Blitzle to absorb its energy. The sleeping Blitzle's energy was drained, and it stumbled backward. Theo quickly recalled Blitzle. "Great strategy, Mira. Let's see how you handle this! Pidove, let's go!"
A nimble Pidove emerged, flapping its wings energetically. Mira decided to switch.
"Scout, you're up!" she said, calling the Lillipup into battle. Scout barked and stood ready.
"Pidove, use Gust!" Theo commanded. Pidove stirred up a strong wind, buffeting Scout.
"Scout, counter with Bite!" Mira shouted. Scout leapt through the gust, clamping his jaws onto Pidove and shaking it loose from its attack. Pidove recovered quickly.
"Quick Attack!" Theo yelled. The Pidove sped forward, landing a glancing hit.
"Scout, try Slash this time!" Mira directed. Scout focused, slashing with his claws and landing a clean hit, knocking Pidove out of the air. Theo sighed and recalled Pidove.
"You win this one, Mira," Theo said with a smile. "Your team's great!"
Mira smiled back. "Thanks, Theo. Your Blitzle and Pidove were also impressive." As the afternoon wore on, Theo suggested setting up camp together for the night. Mira agreed, and the two trainers found a quiet clearing surrounded by tall trees. They worked together to pitch their tents and prepare a simple meal. Before eating, Mira took out a small container she had prepared earlier—a special PokéBlend she had crafted for her team. The mix included crushed berries and carefully chosen supplements to boost their energy and recovery.
"Here you go, Petilil," Mira said, placing a portion in a small dish. Petilil chirped happily, nibbling at the treat. Scout wagged his tail in delight as Mira handed him his share. Snivy, resting nearby, gracefully accepted her serving and began to eat with her usual poise.
"That looks like it took some effort," Theo remarked, watching her carefully distribute the blend.
Mira nodded with a smile. "I try to make something special for them when I can. It's a good way to thank them for their hard work."
"So, where are you headed next?" Theo asked as they sat by a small campfire.
"I'm thinking about heading to Nacrene City. There's a small botanical research competition I'd like to check out," Mira replied, stirring her soup. "What about you?"
"Same," Theo said, leaning back against a log. "Though I want to check out the Wellspring Cave before heading to Nacrene. Maybe we'll still see each other in the city."
As the stars began to appear in the night sky, Mira and Theo shared stories about their journeys, laughing and exchanging tips. During their conversation, Mira shared her usernames for PokéVision and PokéChirp, suggesting they stay in touch. "You can message me when you're in Nacrene, and we can meet up. Or I can let you know if I head out before you get there," she said. Theo, who had a C-Gear with both apps, eagerly added her. "Perfect! I'll make sure to reach out," he replied with a grin.
After cleaning up their campsite, Mira returned to her tent with her Pokémon. Petilil curled up beside her, while Snivy and Scout rested just outside in the cool evening air. Mira woke to the soft sounds of rustling leaves and distant chirping from wild Pokémon. The morning light filtered through the dense canopy, casting golden rays over the small campsite. She stretched, feeling rested, and unzipped the flap of her tent. Outside, Theo was already awake, packing up his tent with Blitzle by his side.
"Good morning," Theo said with a grin, Blitzle trotting beside him.
"Morning," Mira replied, smiling back as she began tidying her own camp. Petilil let out a soft chirp and hopped to her feet, ready for the day. Scout stretched luxuriously, his tail wagging in the fresh morning air. Snivy was already back in her Poké Ball.
As they finished packing, Theo turned to Mira. "I'm heading to Wellspring Cave before I make my way to Nacrene City. Blitzle and I want to explore and maybe find something interesting. What about you?"
"I'm heading straight to Nacrene," Mira said. "There's a botanical research competition there I want to join. It's perfect for what I've been working on."
"That sounds amazing," Theo said. "Make sure to share pictures on PokéVision or PokéChirp. Let's stay connected."
"Definitely," Mira agreed.
Theo offered her a handshake. "Good luck with the competition, Mira. I know you'll do great."
"Thanks, Theo. Have fun in Wellspring Cave," Mira replied, shaking his hand. With a final wave, the two trainers parted ways.
Mira and her Pokémon made steady progress through Route 3, the lush forest alive with activity. Scout bounded ahead, his nose to the ground, while Petilil perched on Mira's shoulder, basking in the sunlight coming through the trees.
As they walked, Mira paused frequently to document her surroundings. She sketched the intricate patterns of leaves and noted the vibrant colors of wildflowers. "This will be perfect for the competition," she murmured, jotting down observations about soil conditions and light exposure.
Scout's excited bark drew her attention. He had found a small berry bush and nosed out a bright blue Oran Berry. "Good find, Scout!" Mira said, patting his head and adding the berry to her bag.
Further along the trail, she spotted a group of wild Budew clustered near a small stream. Mira crouched, watching as they absorbed water and shared nutrients through their vines. Petilil chirped softly, observing the interaction with fascination.
"It's amazing how they work together," Mira whispered, making quick notes. She turned to Petilil and asked softly, "Do you want to go over and meet them, or would you rather just watch for now?" Petilil chirped and shook her leaves gently, signaling she preferred to observe from a distance. Mira smiled, respecting her decision, and continued learning from their natural behavior.
By late afternoon, Mira reached the outskirts of Nacrene City. The cityscape was once dominated by abandoned textile factories and century-old warehouses, remnants of its industrial past. The faint hum of activity filled the air as the streets echoed with snippets of laughter and the occasional clatter of a passing cart. Over time, enterprising young artists began transforming these spaces into studios, earning the city its reputation as the City of Art. Old railroad tracks, used to transport goods from the factories, still crisscross parts of the town, with an abandoned railway lying in the southern district. Today, Nacrene is known for its vibrant creative community, attracting artists, poets, and dreamers from all over.