Well. Been over a year. I bet the last thing any of you were expecting was an update from me.

Hell, I thought all inspiration for any of these fics was long gone. But lo and behold, 2 am brings about the strangest things.

So here, have a chapter. I'm not sure how long this inspirational burst of mine will last, but you can be damn sure I'll be writing as much as I can while it's here.

Hope you like it, even if it is a bit late.

"We'll show him, Bandit, just you wait!" After getting patched up, Bandit and I had left the Pokémon Center and were picking up some supplies at the Pokemart before we took on Viridian Forest.

"Let's see, we've got potions, repels, and plenty of antidotes. Oh, we should probably grab some pokeballs as well. I completely forgot we didn't have any." Gathering the last of the supplies, I paid for them, dumped them into my bag, and headed back into the city.

Viridian really was a lovely place, as was most of this new world I was exploring. Everything seemed to be a mix of how it was portrayed in the anime and in the games for a world that was both new and familiar all at the same time. Everywhere I looked there were these little nuances that sent pangs of nostalgia through me. Like the tired old man who wouldn't get out of the road until he'd had his coffee, though he was much easier to get around in real life.

But now wasn't the time to be thinking about all that. I had issued a challenge to one of Kanto's strongest Pokémon trainers, and I wasn't in any way, shape or form capable of backing up my words. Not yet, anyways. But I would be soon.

"Okay, so now that we've got a decent start, it's time to start thinking about what kind of team I should put together." I was thinking aloud as we entered Viridian Forest, though Bandit seemed to be rather invested in the conversation.

"I'll have you, of course, and when you evolve you'll be able to cover a pretty good type range so long as I can pick up the right TM's in Celadon. Then of course we'll need to cover the basics: fire, flying, water, and electric, plus one more to spare. I'm thinking either a Growlithe or Vulpix for a fire type, whichever comes in this version. A Seel would be good, cause that covers water and ice. A Pidgey would be the logical choice for a bird in Kanto, naturally. And perhaps instead of a base electric type, we could go with one of the Nidorans. Male, I think. Nidoking has better attack stats, and he can learn so many moves. Then that would leave us with one empty slot, probably a Dratini if I can manage to find one."

The team was a bit gen 1, I know, but seeing as I was in Kanto and didn't know just what I'd find, Kanto Pokémon seemed like the safest bet.

"My, my, sure sounds like you've got a pretty good plan there, miss."

Having been under the impression that I was alone, I nearly jumped when I heard a voice just behind me. It was just a local bugcatcher, though, nothing to worry about.

"Yeah, I suppose I do." I let my hand drop back to my side from where it had landed on my chest just moment ago, and I smiled. "Everything's a little easier when you know what it is you're after, at least in my book."

The boy smiled, nodding. "Yes, that makes sense. Anyways, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I thought I should let you know you're heading towards a dead end."

"Oh, really?" I looked around, but honestly, all the damn trees looked the same. It was much easier to get through a 2D forest. "Heh, thanks. I guess I don't know the way as well as I thought I did."

"You new around here?" He asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "It's not too uncommon for people to get a little turned around, but you seemed extra lost to me."

"Well, I guess you could say that. My name's Ash, by the way. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Greg, and the pleasure is all mine." He smiled kindly. "Now, if you're lost, I wouldn't mind guiding you through the forest… If you can earn my help, that is."

"That, sir, sounds quite a bit like a challenge." I raised a brow, and Greg only laughed. "Ah, yes, that it is. If you can beat me in a Pokémon battle, I'll lead you out of the forest, no charge. If you lose, though…" He paused, smirking, "then you owe me dinner and your company for the evening."

Greg's confident smile glinted in the sunlight dappling through the treetops. "So? What do you say?"

I could feel a grin forming on my face. This place was way better than the games.

"You're on."

"I cannot believe you wiped out my entire team with just your Eevee."

"Dude, you had a Caterpie and two Metapods. I would have to try very hard to lose that fight."

It was only a few minutes later, and Greg was beginning to question the value of bug type Pokémon in competitive battling.

The poor boy just groaned, pushing up from where he had fallen to the ground in despair after losing. "Alright, well a deal's a deal. I'll take you out of the forest just like I promised."

"I'd very much appreciate that."

We made small talk as Greg led me through the forest. It was quite a bit more maze-like than I recalled, but then again, it was in full 3D now.

"Well, here we are." It didn't take very long to get through Viridian Forest when you actually knew where you were going, apparently.

"Thanks so much, Greg. I probably would have been in there for hours on my own."

"Yeah, no problem." He looked down at his shoes a little sullenly. "But it's really too bad I lost that battle. I would have loved to spend some more time with you tonight."

"Yeah, that really is too bad. If you wanted a date, you should have just asked."

He looked up hopefully, but before he had a chance to speak I was off again, on my way to Pewter City and my first gym battle.