Viridian Forest was known for its tranquility. It wasn't the bustling, lively atmosphere of the nearby cities, nor was it a place where trainers typically sought major challenges. Instead, it offered a quiet haven—a place where one could gather their thoughts or catch their breath away from the competitive nature of Kanto's towns. To most trainers, it was just another forest, but to Misty, it was a place to escape from the pressures of her role as a Gym Leader.
Misty walked along the forest path, her newly caught Horsea hopping beside her. The little Water-type struggled slightly on land, using its tail to push itself forward in small bursts. It wasn't the most elegant way to travel, but Misty didn't mind.
She had come here to train, to see how Horsea fared outside the water. Cerulean City's Gym had no shortage of aquatic battlefields, but if Horsea was going to be a strong battler, it needed to adapt to different environments. This forest was the perfect place to test its abilities, and with no pressing Gym duties today, she had taken the chance to train in peace.
At least, that was the plan—until she spotted someone up ahead.
A lone figure stood in the middle of the dirt path, seemingly deep in thought. His cloak shifted slightly with the breeze, and beneath it, Misty could make out a simple tunic and pants. His black hair framed a face that was unreadable, his golden eyes calm and observant.
Misty stopped, suddenly on guard. Travelers passed through Viridian Forest all the time, but this guy felt… different. He didn't seem lost, nor did he look like a rookie trainer trying to catch his first Pokémon. He just stood there, as if he belonged.
Still, she wasn't about to let her guard down.
"Who are you?" Misty asked, her voice firm.
The young man turned his gaze toward her, his expression unreadable. "Eliott Sett," he said, his tone measured and calm. "I'm just passing through."
Misty narrowed her eyes. His voice lacked the usual excitement or nervousness she expected from trainers she met in the wild. He was too composed, too… still.
"You're not from around here, are you?" she asked, crossing her arms.
Eliott shook his head. "No. I'm new to this region."
Misty studied him, still unsure what to make of him. "Huh. You don't seem lost."
"I'm not."
The way he said it, so matter-of-factly, made Misty even more curious. There was something different about this guy.
Then, an idea struck her. If he wasn't lost, maybe he was a trainer. And if he was a trainer…
A smirk crossed her face. "If you're new to Kanto, how about a battle?"
Eliott raised an eyebrow slightly, but his expression remained neutral. "One-on-one?"
Misty nodded. "Yeah. Just a friendly match."
She took a few steps back and gestured to Horsea, who perked up at the mention of a battle. The Water-type had only been with her for a short time, but this was the perfect opportunity to see how it performed in a real fight.
Eliott, meanwhile, reached for a PokéBall at his belt. With a flick of his wrist, he released his Pokémon—a Charmander.
Misty's eyes immediately locked onto the Fire-type. It stood tall, its tail flame burning brightly, but what struck her most was the way it carried itself. There was no hesitation, no nervous energy. Just a quiet confidence, mirroring its trainer's demeanor.
"Alright, Horsea, let's do this!" Misty called out.
Eliott's response was far calmer. "Charmander, ready yourself."
The battle began.
"Bubble Beam!" Misty commanded without hesitation.
Horsea inhaled deeply before firing a rapid stream of bubbles straight at Charmander. Against most Fire-types, this would be a devastating move, but—
Charmander dodged.
Misty's eyes widened slightly. The Fire-type sidestepped with precision, moving just enough to let the attack pass without wasting motion. It was fast—faster than she expected.
Eliott gave a small nod. "Charmander, Ember."
The Fire-type opened its mouth and shot a burst of flames at Horsea. The Water-type barely managed to hop out of the way, landing clumsily on the dirt path.
Misty clenched her fists. Charmander wasn't just fast—it was trained.
"Don't let up, Horsea! Another Bubble Beam!"
This time, Horsea adjusted, spraying bubbles in a wider arc to make dodging harder. But Charmander reacted instantly, leaping to the side in a fluid motion before closing the distance.
"Scratch."
Before Misty could react, Charmander's claws slashed across Horsea's side. The Water-type let out a startled cry as it tumbled backward.
Misty gritted her teeth. "Shake it off, Horsea! Water Gun!"
Horsea retaliated, shooting a pressurized stream of water.
Charmander dodged again—but barely. A few droplets hit its arm, causing it to recoil slightly.
Misty smirked. "Gotcha."
Eliott didn't seem fazed. He remained still, watching the battle unfold with quiet focus.
Charmander, despite the hit, held its ground.
"Charmander, one more Ember."
The Fire-type responded immediately, launching another burst of flames. Horsea, still recovering from the last exchange, couldn't dodge in time. The attack landed, sending the Water-type rolling back.
Misty inhaled sharply. "Horsea!"
The small Pokémon twitched, trying to push itself up, but after a moment, it slumped down.
It was over.
Misty sighed, stepping forward and kneeling next to her partner. "You did great," she murmured, gently rubbing Horsea's head before recalling it into its PokéBall.
She looked up at Eliott, who had already returned Charmander to its PokéBall as well. His expression hadn't changed. No smugness, no arrogance—just quiet acknowledgment.
"Good battle," he said simply.
Misty studied him for a moment before smiling. "Yeah. Your Charmander is something else. That thing moves like it's been in a hundred battles already."
Eliott gave a small nod. "He's a fighter."
Misty could tell there was more to it than that, but she didn't press. Instead, she placed her hands on her hips. "So, what's next for you?"
Eliott met her gaze, his golden eyes steady. "I'll keep moving forward."
Something about the way he said it made Misty think she'd be seeing him again.
She grinned. "Well, if you ever make it to Cerulean City, come find me. I owe you a rematch."
Eliott gave her a slight nod. "I'll remember that."
With that, he turned and continued down the forest path, disappearing into the trees.
Misty watched him go, her curiosity only growing.
Something told her that Eliott Sett wasn't just another wandering trainer. And if fate had anything to say about it—this wouldn't be their last encounter.