Chapter 34: Nidorino

For the next few days we headed farther to the north. Nothing exciting happened until we came across a large fence, that blocked our path. Behind the fence we could see rails and another fence behind them.

That must the Magnet Train railway. Jess said. It connects Goldenrod City with Saffron City in Kanto.

So they must have built that fence to prevent wild Pokémon from getting on the railway. The question is...how do we get past this place? I don't want to break the fence. It could be dangerous for the Pokémon who live here.

I sssee you need sssome help?

I looked behind me to see where that voice came from. An Ekans had come close to our group. Its voice sounded likeit was a female but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I was also a little surprised by the fact that a wild Pokémon was talking to us. That has actually never happened before. Wild Pokémon usually shunned our group as they wouldn't interfere with a group as large as ours.

Well, we need to get past that fence. Do you maybe know a way?

There iss a way. We built a tunnel that leadss to the other sside, when the pale giantss sseperated our foresst.

Pale giants? I asked.

Thosse who built thiss thing that preventss uss from going to the other sside of the foresst.

You mean the humans?

Whatever you call them. Wait...I ssmell a faint sscent of a pale giant in your group. You carry one of their curssed itemss with you.

You mean that bag here? It once belonged to a human. But don't worry, there are no humans around here. Anyway, can you lead us to that tunnel you mentioned earlier?

I can't trusst you. You even talk like one of those pale giantss. Did they ssend you here? What do they want?

Noone sent us. We just want to pass through this forest. Just show us that tunnel and we'll be leaving this place. I promise!

Just let them pass, Ekans! Another voice interfered.

No Nidorino, we can't trusst them. The pale giantss ssent them!

A Nidorino came from behind a tree.

They don't have any bad intentions. You can see it in their eyes. he turned to our group. I must apoligise for his behaviour. Please follow me.

He walked off and we followed him along the fence. I soon closed up to him.

Thank you.

No need to thank me kid, Ekans is just a little hot tempered since that fence here was built. But for something else: What leads a group like yours to this forest? I've never seen anything like this.

That's a long story.

I don't mind long stories.

I guess I owe you one for showing us the way, but could you keep this to yourself?

Sure!

Silver closed up to us. Are you sure you want to tell him?

I don't see a problem in telling him.

Your friend seems to make a big deal of your story, now I'm even more interested. Nidorino said with a smile of anticipation on his face.

Fine, just go ahead. I'm out of this. He fell back to the others.

Alright where do I start...have you ever heard of Team Rocket?...

I told him the whole story. That I once was a human, that I travelled around with Jess and Travis, and also about what happened in Ilex forest. Nidorno listened closely, but we never stopped walking. He also kept listening after we passed the tunnel that leads to the other side of the forest. After I finished my story he fell in thoughts.

I know, that story sounds unbelievable, so I won't blame you if you don't believe me.

You know, actually I do believe you, because I can't imagine any Pokémon being able to make out such a crazy story. So either your story is true or you're not a Pokémon, which also implies that your story is true.

Oh well, if you put it that way...

I'd like to thank you for sharing your story with me. I've lived all my life in this forest, so this was the most exciting thing I've ever heard.

This is also the first time for me to ever really talk to a wild Pokémon. In Ilex forest they kept avoiding our group, and when I still travelled around, there was no time for smalltalk in battles.

I always wondered what being with a trainer is like, but I didn't like the idea of being forced to battle others.

Don't you have to battle to survive here?

Well sometimes, but it's quite peaceful here in this forest, there's enough food for everyone, so there's hardly any conflicts.

I see. Well, being with a trainer isn't as bad as it seems first. Of course you can't do whatever you want, but you also don't have to worry about food or surviving in general. I actually enjoyed it, and I also thought about looking for a new trainer after we're done with Team Rocket. Being forced to battle other Pokémon isn't that bad either. I see it a some kind of competition. Testing your own skills and see who's stronger.

You mentioned earlier in your story that you didn't even want to become a human again, even if you had the choice. Why do you think so?

There's several reasons, but I have to admit that I became kinda addicted to those Powers. I mean I couldn't form a blade of Water when I was a human, and I'd totally miss that. Sure, being a human also has its advantages, but I prefer being like this.

I see, you already made your decision about your life. So I guess it's time I make mine.

What do you mean?

I've spent my entire life in this forest, not really caring about anything that happens out there. Now I've heard your story and I want to join your party. I'd like to help you and I also want to see more of this world.

Are you sure about that? I mean it's going to be dangerous.

It'll be even more dangerous if these guys won't get stopped right? I've made my decision.

Alright but let me ask the others first.

We stopped and turned around to the others who closed up to us.

Well, Nidorino here wants to join our party and help us fight Team Rocket. Any objections?

The others looked at me and Nidorino.

I don't see a problem. Travis said and the others agreed with him.

Alright Nidorino. Welcome to the team.