"Okay! Anyway, it's boring to be alone, so please give me some advice!" Ash agreed, realizing that traveling alone could indeed be dull.
"Well! Please give me more advice!" Misty was equally happy to hear Ash's response. They reached out to shake hands, marking the start of their new friendship.
"Let's go!"
After shaking hands, Ash greeted Misty, and the two embarked on their journey together. Their next destination was Pewter City. To reach Pewter City, they first had to pass through Viridian Forest.
Pewter City is located north of Viridian Forest, and traveling through the forest is the quickest route.
"Huh?" As they approached the gate of Viridian City, Ash felt a strange sense of being watched, similar to what he had experienced before. He looked around but saw nothing unusual, just passersby.
"Could it be that those two are following us?" he muttered to himself. The feeling persisted, making Ash suspect he was not mistaken.
The first culprits he thought of were Team Rocket. Given their persistent nature, it could really be them, though he didn't see any sign of them.
"What did you say?" Misty, who hadn't heard him clearly, asked.
"Oh, nothing!" Ash replied, and they left Viridian City, continuing on their way.
After walking for a long time, they saw a plain, and beyond it was a dense forest—Viridian Forest.
Viridian Forest is a natural labyrinth and the largest forest in the Kanto Region. It serves as a testing ground for novice Trainers. The trees are thick, and sunlight barely penetrates, making it hard to navigate by the sun's position. It's easy to get lost here.
New Pokémon Trainers from the Kanto Region, unless they have a Pokémon from their own home, need to go to Pallet Town to receive their starter Pokémon from Professor Oak. Typically, they follow this route and must pass through Viridian Forest, which is vast and teeming with Pokémon. It's an ideal place for many novice Trainers to catch Pokémon.
"Hey, hey! You've been like this since we entered the forest. It's hard for me to walk like this!" Misty complained.
Entering Viridian Forest, the light had become very dim, which could easily make people claustrophobic. Misty was hiding behind Ash, her hands on his shoulders. She closed her eyes, only daring to open them occasionally.
Ash knew Misty was afraid of Bug-type Pokémon, but he hadn't realized her fear was so intense.
"No way, in this environment, it always feels like they could appear at any time..." Misty said, trembling.
It's not surprising. Some people are fearless except when it comes to insects, and others are afraid of simple things like injections despite being brave in other areas. There's no reason to make fun of these fears.
"Even if it's a Bug-type Pokémon, it's still a Pokémon! They might feel pitiful seeing you so scared!"
However, some fears can be overcome. For example, Misty was once afraid of Gyarados, yet she eventually managed to train and use one effectively.
"Even if you say that, it's hard for me to face it!" Misty felt a little better after listening to Ash's words. They are indeed Pokémon, and it felt unfair to them to be so afraid.
Swish Swish Swish!
"Ah! It appeared!"
Just after a short pause, they heard a piercing cry. Ash turned his ears helplessly, feeling himself being pushed to the side.
"Uh..." Ash looked at the side of the road and saw a Pokémon about the length of a forearm, divided into segments, covered in green with light yellow circular patterns—it was a Caterpie.
"Even if it's a Bug-type Pokémon, you're overreacting!" Ash was a little speechless. Caterpie and Magikarp were known as some of the weakest Pokémon, and Misty could easily handle it with her own strength!
"Anyway, hurry up and deal with it!" Misty closed her eyes and grabbed Ash's clothes from behind, not daring to look.
"Really! Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
"Pika! Pika-pika!"
Pikachu immediately responded to Ash's command. Ash had originally considered using Thunder Shock but decided against it.
With the new command, Pikachu dashed forward, quickly increasing speed and transforming into a silver streak that slammed into Caterpie.
Caterpie couldn't react in time and was knocked out by Pikachu, crashing into the trees behind it.
Seeing this, Ash adjusted his hat, turning the brim backward, and then took out an empty Poké Ball.
"Go, Poké Ball!"
He threw the Poké Ball, and when Caterpie hit the tree and was about to fall, it was caught by the Poké Ball. Caterpie turned into red light and was sucked inside.
The Poké Ball landed on the ground, shaking slightly as the button flashed red. Ash watched it intently.
Ding!
After a few shakes, the Poké Ball made a pleasant sound and stopped moving. The light on the button faded.
"Great, well done, Pikachu." This was Ash's first official capture, and he was excited as he stepped forward to pick up the Poké Ball.
"Pika!" Pikachu was also excited, as they had gained a new companion.
"Phew... Ash, really, just drive it away. Why do you have to catch it? It's weak, and it's a Bug-type Pokémon." Misty was relieved but sounded a bit aggrieved.
"Don't say such things. This Pokémon is very pitiful. Since it exists, it has a purpose. Maybe it can shine in a different way." Ash looked at the Poké Ball in his hand and spoke calmly.
"But..."
"Even if you don't like it, there's no need to hurt it, right?" Ash interrupted Misty and released Caterpie from the Poké Ball.
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