The path leading to Mt. Moon meandered between rugged mountain terrain and grassy patches, dotted with boulders that marred the otherwise smooth trail.
As Ash, Misty, and Brock trekked along, they could feel the excitement thrumming in the air.
The Pokémon inhabiting this area may not have been exceptionally strong, but they certainly had their charms. Common sights included Rattata, Spearow, and Sandshrew.
Occasionally, one might come across the ferocious Ekans or its evolution, Arbok.
"What's really cool about this route is that you can catch Jigglypuff here!" Ash exclaimed, reminiscing about his gaming experiences.
"I've always wanted to catch one!"
As they moved further along the path, they began to spot other trainers—more numerous than those at the southern entrance of Pewter City and slightly stronger, to boot.
Ash noted how several trainers gawked and whispered among themselves, surprised to see Brock, the Pewter Gym Leader, out of his gym and among fellow trainers.
"It seems that many people know you, Brock," Ash remarked with a teasing grin as they passed by a small group who were pointing and murmuring in excitement.
"Haha, it's nothing," Brock replied nonchalantly, but a glimmer of pride flickered in his eyes.
Deep down, he aspired to be known for his skills as a breeder rather than just as a gym leader.
Misty looked up at the sky, gauging their progress. "We shouldn't expect to reach the foot of Mt. Moon today, right? We started a bit late because we spent time shopping."
"Yeah, we might not make it to the Pokémon Center before nightfall," Ash acknowledged, a hint of disappointment surfacing.
"It's okay! We can train a bit this afternoon instead," Ash suggested, ready to make the best of their day despite the late start.
"I'll be happy to help with that!" Brock chimed in, eager to learn more about Ash's training methods, particularly after witnessing the impressive performance of his Beedrill and Pidgeotto.
Noon arrived, and they found a shaded glade to rest and prepare their meal.
Brock took charge, firing up a camp stove and displaying his culinary skills. Ash and Misty pitched in, eager to assist.
"Wow, Brock! This is amazing!" Misty marveled as Brock effortlessly sliced vegetables, his knife skills smooth and practiced.
"You're even better than Ash!"
"Thanks, I'm quite confident in my cooking skills," Brock said, grinning as he chopped with efficiency.
The aroma of their meal wafted through the glen, and soon enough, all three, including Pikachu, felt their stomachs growl in unison.
"It'll be ready in about ten more minutes. I just need to finish up the soup and prep some food for our Pokémon,"
Brock said, the gleam of determination in his eyes. Cooking in the wild certainly added a layer of difficulty compared to the comforts of home.
"Ash, Misty, can I take a look at your Pokémon recipes?" Brock asked, his interest piqued.
"Sure!" Ash and Misty both nodded eagerly, pulling out their notebooks filled with carefully crafted recipes designed for their Pokémon.
Brock examined each recipe with curiosity, astonished at their creativity.
Although he expected the flavors and nutrients beneficial for Pokémon were included, witnessing Ash and Misty's thoughtful preparations surpassed his expectations.
Both trainers had gone beyond the basics, integrating various ingredients to cater to their Pokémon's dietary preferences.
Now it was Brock's turn to interject. "Let me suggest some changes!" He took out a pen, ready to adjust their notes.
"Oh let us see, Brock," Ash and Misty crowded around him, curious how he would enhance their recipes. Each of them thought that their existing recipes were near perfect.
To their surprise, Brock proposed several adjustments. He suggested adding some berries based on their unique benefits and recommended MooMoo Milk—a nutritious option that neither Ash nor Misty had anticipated.
"But MooMoo Milk is really expensive!" Ash exclaimed. "A single bottle costs 500 pokes! How can we afford to spend that much?"
Brock chuckled at their concerns. "Don't worry; I've accounted for that! The idea isn't to use a full bottle for every meal, but rather to divide it for a week's worth of servings.
You might find it a bit costly, but it will enhance your Pokémon's growth."
The realization struck Ash. He could supply three Pokémon adequately, but if he wanted to take on a full team, the costs multiplied rapidly.
"No matter what world you're in, it seems making money remains the most important factor…" he sighed, brows furrowing as he pondered finances.
The constant struggle was real, especially at the beginner trainer level where allowances were nonexistent.
With an encouraging smile, Brock opened his backpack and started to pull out several bottles of MooMoo Milk. "Five bottles—so that's 2500 pokes.
I'll provide this for everyone," he announced, his generosity shining through.
"No way!" Ash and Misty both protested instantly. "We can't let you do this! We didn't partner with you just for your generosity."
"This is just a little token of gratitude for having me along," Brock insisted earnestly, meaning it as a contribution rather than charity.
Feeling the weight of their refusals, Ash and Misty each raised the money they owed, handing over the 2500 pokes without further explanation.
Brock regarded the bills in his hand, overwhelmed by the determination in their eyes.
He realized their refusal wasn't out of pride; it was their ethics, their understanding of friendship and fairness.
Finally, he relented with a resigned smile, tucking the money into his pocket. "Alright, but only because you insist. I appreciate your thoughts."
With that, they moved forward in their culinary preparations. As the three of them cooked and shared stories, camaraderie settled in, transforming not just their meals, but their journeys together.
With Brock now firmly integrated into their group, they each looked forward to the adventures ahead, raring to conquer not just Mt. Moon but every challenge they would face together, each step drawing them closer to their dreams.
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Sayo nara~~