Ash and sat back and watched as Hop looked around for a new pokemon to catch. ever since they left he had been fired up to change up his training and get his own style. However, he also needed a new Pokemon as if he was to take on the rock gym leader again he would need a new Pokemon. Thankfully he agreed to look around while they were on the road to the next city.

"Hey, Hop? We should get going. It's getting dark." Ash said.

"I know, but I really think today's the day!"

"The only thing you can find around here that would help is a grass type." Marnie pointed out. "And this late there won't be any out. They will be going to sleep since there is no sun."

He let out a long sigh. "Alright. Let's set up camp then."

"Me and Marnie already did."

"Huh? How long was I looking around here?"

"About two hours," Marnie said.

After he got over that he went to join them for dinner. Marnie was able to put something together and they started eating. They shared stories with one another, but it was clear they were more interested in the story's Ash had. No surprise as he had gone through a lot.

"You have done so much!" Hop said. "I can't wait till I can battle you."

"That will be a lot of fun. Do you agree Pikachu?"

Pikachu gave an agreeable "Pika".

Marnie let out a yawn. "We should turn in now."

Ash nodded. "Yeah, good night everyone!" Ash said as he went to his tent.

Everyone went to sleep after that. Hop however could not sleep and got up to look around outside. It was a very nice night at least. There was a cool breeze making him feel more comfortable He was going to try to go back to bed when he noticed something.

It was on a nearby tree. A pokemon was hanging from it watching him. It looked to be a little worm-like Pokemon covered in leaves. His eyes grew wide at this as he reached for his Pokedex.

"I think I heard of that Pokemon. A Burmy? Maybe it's a grass type-."

He realized it must have fallen out when he was getting out of his tent. He was about to grab it when he noticed it started to crawl away. It was really booking it also, it did not look like it should go that fast. Realizing it would get away he just gave chase to the oddly fast Pokemon.

He chased it down the forest as it bulleted through the paths. This Pokemon was really giving him a hard time. He was about to lose it when it stopped all of a sudden and seemed to motion him to stop. He stopped dead and looked to see a bunch of sleeping Mightyena.

"Ah, yeah. I see your point..." He whispered.

Deciding to hold off the chase the two moved slowly and quietly around the sleeping canines. While the little bagworm moved around very easy Hop had a few close calls. Soon they made it to the other end. Just before they could continue their chase a branch snapped and fell. They looked up to see an Aipom with a guilty look runoff.

The Pokemon all woke up and growled at them. The two ran off fast with them on their heels. It took a while for them to lose them but in time they climbed to the top of a tree and the Mightyena could not find them. After a bit, they left and he and the Burmy let out a sigh.

"That was close huh?"

The little worm gave a nod and an affirmative before they got down. He noticed he had no idea where he was now. He had been chasing Burmy for a while and was chased. Now he had gotten lost.

"Well lucky I still got my Pokemon." He grabbed a Pokeball and tossed it into the air. "Go Rookidee!"

The little bird popped out and let out a cry.

"Hey Rookidee, I got a bit lost can you look for camp?"

It nodded and flew around for a bit. He looked to see the Burmy was still present for whatever reason. He did not mind but he did find it a bit odd. Perhaps it felt a little guilty for getting him lost. Silly as he did choose to chase it, it was more his fault. Soon Rookidee came back.

"Hey buddy, you find the way back?"

The bird let out an affirmative and pointed in a direction.

"Alright, thanks!" and he recalled it. "Bye Burmy."

Right as he started to walk off the Bumry crawled in front of him.

"You want to lead me back?" It nodded. "Well alright. lead on."

The little worm started to lead him through the forest. It made a lot of strange twists and turns but he soon saw it was to avoid some pretty hostile-looking pokemon. They soon came to a small pond and it stopped to get a drink. He decided to sit and wait, he was helping so it was fair it got to stop and drink. He noticed a shadow in the water swimming up to it fast.

"Look out! Rookidee! GO!" He yelled as he sent the little bird out again.

A Goldeen leaped up to attack the little bagworm Pokemon. However, Rookidee was faster and pecked it hard. It planted a few more pecks to scare it off before returning to Hop. The little Worm like Pokemon looked a bit scared about its close call.

"Hey, no worries friend. I'll keep Rookidee out alright?" It seemed to feel better about having it out.

The two continued down the dark path running into nocturnal wild Pokemon every now and then. While some left them alone a few were quite aggressive. Still, the little Burmy continued to help him out. Though it was quick to flee to a safe place it always came back once the coast was clear. Things were familiar after a bit. He could tell he was almost back to camp.

"Hey, thanks for the help. And sorry again for trying to catch you."

It seemed to accept his apology and they continued forward. However just before they made it to camp one of the Mightyena leaped out before them. This one seemed very strong and was growling angrily at them. Hop got ready for a fight. There was no way out of this.

"Rookidee! Peck it!"

The little bird went forward and gave a few good pecks. Burmy went up a tree to wait out the attack. Rookidee was fighting hard but this wolf-like Pokemon was a good fighter and the little bird was getting tired. However instead of finishing off Rookidee and ran right by it and leaped at Hop.

"Oh no! Someone help!" Hop yelled.

Right before the Wolf was able to get to him some strange-looking orbs nailed it in the side knocking it back. It looked up and saw Burmy had used Hidden Power on it. It leaped down now ready to fight the giant wolf. IT got up growled and leaped at it just to be stopped midair by a ThunderBolt.

Hop looked to see Ash, Marnie, and Pikachu standing there. The Mightyena seemed to sense it was outmatched Pikachu and fled into the woods. Hop was so relieved.

Later Marnie was taking care of rookidee while ash and Hop chatted.

"So Burmy is not a grass type? Huh." Hop said.

"Yeah, I would have made the same mistake. Though it sounds like it was pretty amazing."

"Yeah! It moved really fast and was able to be brave when it felt it needed to be. I'm gonna miss it."

Marnie walked up with Rookidee. "He is doing just fine!"

Hop thanked her and recalled him after making sure he was fine. Just as they were to go back to sleep they heard a sound. They turned to see Burmy standing there. It was staring at Hop.

"I think it wants you to catch it," Ash said.

Pikachu ran up to it. After a short exchange between the two Pikachu smiled and nodded giving a few happy "Pika's".

"So you want to join me?" Burmy nodded. "Alright, buddy! Come on!"

With that, he threw the Pokeball and it registered the catch right away. Hop picked it up welcoming his new friend to the team.