The day was getting on. As Red glanced up at the sky, he noticed it was at least mid-day. After playing with their Pokémon for a bit, the black-haired boy looked in Imari's direction.

"We should keep going towards Viridian. I would like to be there before sunset." He spoke casually, his tone brooking no argument.

Red didn't particularly want to be caught out on the Route when the sun went down. He had heard of the resident Spearow flock, with their Fearow leader, badly injuring new trainers. Badly injured to the point where they couldn't return to their adventure.

Imari glanced over at her friend and nodded, having heard the tales as well. "I wouldn't want to be out here, either." The girl added, shuddering.

There was no need to look at the trees to know the flock was just waiting for them to become sidetracked. The childhood friends returned their Pokémon, so they didn't get tired from walking, and pressed on.

They knew, however, they would have to start endurance testing them after they left Viridian. But for now, their main priority was to reach the city safely.

"I feel sorry for the trainers who got caught here." Imari commented as the duo walked along the dirt path, the grassy fields on either side surrounding them.

Keeping a brisk pace, Red wasn't anticipating that they would run into any trainers on the Route. The only person on the Route was a salesman from the Viridian Poké Mart and he wasn't until the middle of the Route.

A small group of Starly flew above them as they walked, their cries content as the birds continued on. Red wanted to play it safe, though. He pulled his head back and kept his senses alert, just in case the flock attacked.

They must have made it to the halfway point of the Route sooner than either of them expected, as Red pocketed the free Potion bottle the salesman gave them. He thanked the man and the two trainers kept going, not wanting to waste any daylight they still had left available.

All the while, Red felt like they were being watched. Either that, or something bad was going to happen soon. Whatever it was, Red's sixth sense kept blaring silent alarm bells in his mind. He stopped for a moment and looked back the way they had come, before glancing forward at the forest around them.

Red breathed out quietly and grabbed Imari's hand. "Something's wrong," he muttered to the girl under his breath. "We need to hurry. Now." The last part was hissed as he surged forward.

At the same time, a roar burst from the forest, startling the birds.

"Oh crap!" Red couldn't help the word that tumbled from his mouth as Imari finally caught on and ran with her friend, after stumbling from being pulled.

Almost straight away, the loud shrieks of the Spearow and their flock leader echoed through the Route. There was no looking back.

Great.