Hey readers - here we are with another new chapter : )
Once again, I actually find myself with very little to say in the header note this time, so why don't we just jump right on in with the result of the last Encounter Vote? Well, we can't XD
Yep, you guys guessed it.
The first Voting Topic of 2025, and it ended in a tie. Isn't that just typical XD More details about that in the foot note though : )
Beyond that, I just want to say a GINORMOUS thank you to everyone that has reviewed, favourited, and followed this story. The support that has been shown to the story is amazing, and it means so much to me, so thank you : )
Please remember that Pokemon is not mine, only my OC's are : )
I hope you enjoy this chapter : )
Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village - Part 4
At the secluded clearing in the forest that housed the so-called Hidden Village, Nolan's gaze drifted through the dappled sunlight filtering between the towering pines, the serene silence of the forest wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. He shifted slightly on the rough-hewn tree stump, wincing as another jolt of pain shot up from his bandaged ankle - a painful reminder of the traumatic events that had occurred during his earlier hike. But the ache was a small price to pay for the unexpected adventure that had led him here, to this enchanted haven where nature thrived and time seemed to stand still. Before him, Melanie moved with a grace that was almost otherworldly, her fingers deftly working to care for the wild Pokémon that had found their way to her makeshift sanctuary. Each creature, from the sprightly Rattata to the graceful Poliwag, had its own way of interacting with the pretty blue haired young woman, its own quirks and charms, and as Nolan watched, he felt an overwhelming sense of awe. It was as if he were privy to an ancient ritual, one that spoke of a bond between human and nature that few ever truly understood.
"Hey there, little one" she cooed softly, her voice a melodic whisper that seemed to harmonize with the gentle rustle of leaves.
The Paras that Nolan had noticed before was nestled against her knee, its bright eyes sparkling with trust as Melanie applied a soothing balm to a scrape on its side. In that moment, Nolan couldn't help but admire her - not just for her skill with the Pokemon, but for the kindness that radiated from her very being. She was a healer in the truest sense, the embodiment of compassion and strength.
They were lucky to have met her.
As the golden haired boy sat there, nursing his injuries and soaking in the tranquility, Nolan contemplated how everything today had led to this, and his handsome features immediately darkened again. Try as he might, Nolan simply couldn't help but worry about his friends. They had all been separated for too long now, and it was beginning to wear on his nerves. And evidently, that must of shown on his face, because it wasn't long before Melanie was glancing at the young Pokemon trainer with concern again.
"Hey" the pretty blue haired young woman beamed said softly to get his attention, "Are you alright Nolan? Is it your ankle? I thought the ointment and medicine would have given you some relief from the pain by now".
Nolan just gave the woman a faint smile in response, strained though it may be.
"Oh no, it's not that" the golden haired boy assured her. He was actually quite surprised by how effective Melanie's homemade herbal ointment was. The pain in his ankle was starting to recede slightly, but he still got the occasional jolt from it, "No. I was just wondering if Brock and Meadow have had any luck finding Ash and Misty yet. They've been gone for too long now. I'm starting to get a little worried".
Melanie sighed deeply, her expression sympathetic. The pretty blue haired young woman set down the jar of cream she had just applied to the wild Paras' healing wound, crossed the clearing, and gently lowered herself down on the tree stump next to the anxious young trainer.
"I know it can't be easy. You're obviously very close to these friends of yours" Melanie's tone was very gentle and understanding, "But fretting really isn't going to help anything. Not them, and certainly not yourself. So what can I do to help take your mind off of it?"
"Oh there's really no need for you to do that Melanie" the golden haired boy was quick to assure her in the face of such kindness, "You've already done more than enough for me by patching my ankle up. I don't want to burden you any further"
Melanie just breezily waved his concerns aside.
"It wouldn't be a burden at all!" the pretty blue haired young woman told him kindly, her tone so genuine that Nolan simply couldn't help but believe her sincerity, "I'm always happy to help a fellow human or a Pokemon in need. That's what I'm here for, so lay it on me"
Nolan took a few moments to think about how best to answer that instruction.
"Well I suppose a distraction could be helpful right now" the golden haired boy admitted, glancing around the forest clearing in which found himself. His icy blue eyes quickly became fixated on the various friendly wild Pokemon scattered about, and the boy immediately knew precisely what he wanted to talk about, "Why don't you tell me a bit about how you got into all this?"
"What?" Melanie seemed a little confused by the request at first, but quickly guessed what Nolan was getting at, "Helping injured wild Pokemon, you mean?"
Nolan nodded his head, curious as to what had driven Melanie's path in such a way.
"Well, as I explained before, if I find a wild Pokemon that's hurt, I bring them back here and nurse them back to full health" the pretty blue haired young woman began her story, her expression becoming very thoughtful, "There's a lot of dangers out there after all, both from other Pokemon as well humans who might mean them harm. Someone has to look out for them!"
Her audience sensed that there might be a little more to the story than that.
"You know, I think that's really admirable of you" Nolan complimented the young woman sitting beside him, the praise utterly sincere, "Not a lot of people would go to that much trouble for Pokemon, especially not ones that are not legally their responsibility. I think what you're doing here is amazing".
The pretty blue haired young woman blushed and giggled modestly.
"Oh stop! I just do what I can!" Melanie smiled down at the kind young trainer next to her although she couldn't deny that his words had warmed her heart slightly, "It's just so... rewarding to see them recover and eventually return to the wild. Although a few of the ones who've been with me the longest have more or less adopted me as their pack leader at this point".
She casually gestured at some of the various wild Pokemon scattered about the clearing.
"But there is one thing I'm curious about" Nolan admitted, before he quickly pressed on to the question he wanted to ask her, "You said that all of these Pokemon are still wild at this point. Don't you have any Pokemon of your own then? It just seems strange that you have such a great knowledge about them without owning any yourself"
Melanie just giggled again, that pleasant light sound filling the clearing.
"That's a fair point" the pretty blue haired young woman acknowledged with a slight nod of her head, "And I suppose in a way I technically do have a Pokemon. Well, sort of. He isn't legally mine since I've never captured him in a pokeball. But we're very good friends and he helps me out around the village, so he's sort of like my own special Pokemon partner I guess".
Now that was enough to peak Nolan's interest again.
"What can of Pokemon is he?" the golden haired boy wondered aloud, before he reflected back over some of his other recent conversations with Melanie, and he was quickly able to make an educated guess, "Is it that wild Bulbasaur we were talking about before?"
The pretty blue haired young woman smiled, impressed by Nolan's astute deductive powers.
"That's right Nolan. A sweet like Bulbasaur, just like your friend Meadow" Melanie confirmed happily, an almost wistful gleam appearing in her sapphire eyes, "And in a way, it was me meeting that Bulbasaur that kind of set all of this in motion I suppose".
Nolan just stared at her curiously, so Melanie took the hint to elaborate.
"You see, I first met him when he was barely more a little bud, and I was just a young girl, only a couple of years older than you are now" there was a faraway look in the blue haired young woman's eyes now, and she was clearly losing herself in the memory, "The poor little thing was half frozen to death when I found him, all on his own out in the forest. So I took him home and begged my mother and father to let me take care of him. Thankfully they allowed it, so I took him in, warmed him up and helped him grow strong again. Then, when I was confident enough to leave home and live by myself, I moved out here after I bought my little cabin, because I wanted to care for all the other wild Pokemon in the area as well. Bulbasaur came with me and he's been my faithful companion here at the Hidden Village ever since!"
By the time that Melanie had finished her story, Nolan was staring up at her with misty eyes.
"Wow..." the golden haired boy breathed, slightly awestruck by the heart-warming tale he had just heard, "That's incredible! I hope that me and Meadow are still as close after all that time. Well, her and all of my other Pokemon as well".
Melanie opened her mouth to assure Nolan that she was sure he would be, but sadly she never got a chance to voice that opinion.
For right at that moment, quite without warning or any kind of preamble whatsoever, something happened with caught both of the two young humans by surprise. In a move that meant that the tranquility of the moment was shattered, the rustling leaves of a nearby bush announced an unexpected arrival. The serene afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees, casting playful shadows on the ground, but the atmosphere shifted as a figure emerged from the underbrush, its presence both curious and commanding. And just like that, the very wild Bulbasaur that Nolan and Melanie had just been discussing, its vibrant green vines unfurling like the wings of a guardian, stepped into the clearing.
"Bulba... Bulbasaur!" the Seed Pokemon bulbous head bobbed slightly as he surveyed the scene, and in that instant, the air thickened with tension.
Nolan's heart raced, not from fear, but from the realisation of what this creature represented. It was Melanie's partner Pokemon, the one who had been by her side through thick and thin, embodying a bond that was as deep as the roots of the ancient trees surrounding them. And it immediately became clear that this example of the species was not the same as Meadow. This Bulbasaur was not here to offer greetings. Its ruby eyes narrowed into slits, glaring at Nolan with a fierce protectiveness that sent a shiver down the golden haired boy's spine. He could almost feel the weight of its disdain as the little green creature stepped forward, the ground beneath its feet dampened by recent rains, mirroring the storm brewing in the creature's gaze.
"Saur!" the wild Pokemon growled again.
It was clear: this was no mere creature. This was a sentient being, fiercely loyal to its one and only human friend, and it had come to assert its dominance in the face of a potential threat. Nolan knew that he had to play this next step very carefully. He'd risk incurring the wrath of the little green creature otherwise, and with his injured ankle, that was the very last thing that Nolan wanted to do.
Angering a wild Pokemon was never a smart decision after all.
"Uh, hey there, little buddy" the golden haired boy stammered out, an awkward smile plastered on his face as he raised his hands in a peacekeeping gesture.
"Bulba!" the wild Bulbasaur spat back at him in response.
Horribly aware of the fact that he didn't have his own beloved Grass Type Pokemon partner at his side right now to defend him, the golden haired boy helplessly glanced sideways at Melanie, hoping for some sign of reassurance or a command to ease the tension. Instead, he found her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation, as if this was a routine occurrence in her life, a peculiar dance of trust and misunderstanding between the humans and Pokemon around her.
"Don't mind him" Melanie chuckled good-naturedly, though her voice held a note of caution, "Bulbasaur's just very protective of those he considers his friends".
"Saur!" the Bulbasaur huffed, the vines at its sides trembling. It was obvious that although the small creature had deduced that Nolan wasn't a threat to them based on Melanie's interactions with him, the Bulbasaur was still non-too thrilled by the boy's presence in the forest clearing.
Nolan swallowed hard.
The golden haired boy couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency rise within him. He had to prove himself to this creature, to show that he was no enemy but rather an ally. But how does one earn the trust of a wild Pokemon, especially one with such an intimidating glare? He'd done it before of course, but this time it was different. He wasn't trying to capture this Bulbasaur after all, nor was he planning to make it a part of his team. It was enough of a differentiation to throw the golden haired boy off his usual strategy, and so Nolan wasn't exactly sure how best to approach this situation.
Fortunately however, Melanie was on hand to control the situation, and she quickly bailed him out.
"Bulbasaur, this is Nolan" the pretty blue haired young woman politely introduced the golden haired boy at her side, her tone taking on a somewhat stern edge, as if silently telling her unofficial Pokemon partner to behave himself without actually saying the words, "He injured himself while travelling through the forest, and so I've helped him, just like we do for all of the Pokemon here. He's our guest, so why don't you come over and say hello properly".
Oh Bulbasaur came over alright.
The little green creature stomped all the way across the clearing in fact, stopping right in front of where Nolan was sitting. The golden haired boy seriously doubted it was to greet him nicely though, and a few moments later he was proven right.
"Saur!" the wild Bulbasaur glowered up at him unpleasantly, his ruby eyes dark with suspicion. He promptly started smelling the boy intently.
Nolan knew what was happening right away of course.
Bulbasaur was scenting him, trying to determine through its heightened power of smell whether or not he found the young human to be trustworthy. It was the same tactic that Nolan had used back in Pallet Town on the very first day of his Pokemon The day that Professor Oak had given him Meadow, and the two of them had first started to bond. It was a common trick that trainers used to show freshly caught Pokemon that they were no threat to them, and it seemed that this Bulbasaur had also learned that fact, and was now using it to its own ends. Nolan patiently waited for Bulbasaur to finish examining him, his heart racing as he was kept on tenterhooks. Finally, the wild creature took a step back from him.
"Saur!" Bulbasaur still didn't seem to happy about it but he gave Nolan a begrudging nod.
The golden haired boy sighed in relief.
"Well it's nice to properly meet you too Bulbasaur" Nolan gave the little green creature a very warm smile, pointedly ignoring the frosty reception he had just received. The boy kept very still and made not efforts to pet the Pokemon in front of him like he usually would, knowing that it would not be well received, "I know that things didn't go very well between yourself and my group of friends when we met out in the forest before. I'm sorry about that, and I hope we can move past it".
"Bulb" the Seed Pokemon snorted, but sharply nodded again.
"Oh?" Melanie arched a curious eyebrow, glancing between the two of them with an air of intrigue about her, "What happened when you guys met up before?"
Nolan grimaced as he began to explain.
"My friend Ash, the one I've been telling you about and who Brock's gone to find along with Misty..." the golden haired boy winced but forced himself to continue, knowing that Melanie deserved to hear the truth after all she had done to help him, "Well, he got very excited when Bulbasaur popped out of the bushes in front of us. He was very eager to add your friend to his team, and so Ash tried to capture him. Unsuccessfully of course, but still..."
"Saur!" the Pokemon in question huffed again.
Melanie looked very troubled by the information that had just been revealed to her.
"Oh dear... no wonder Bulbasaur's in such a bad mood today" the pretty blue haired young woman frowned and shook her head, glancing down at the seed Pokemon in concern, "He always gets very upset whenever any passing trainers try and capture any of the wild Pokemon around here, himself included".
Again, Nolan couldn't help but wince as he thought back over the morning's events.
"Errr... well, that might explain why he actually revealed himself to us in the first place" the golden haired boy ran his hand through his hair sheepishly. When he caught Melanie's confused expression Nolan quickly elaborated, "You see, we actually came across that Poliwag out in the forest first, and both me and Misty were interested in capturing it for our teams. You see, I'm still missing a Water Type Pokemon from my team, whereas Misty is actually a Water Type Pokemon Specialist. In the end I backed off, and Misty battled that Poliwag. It put up an incredible fight, but Misty's Starmie was able to win. It was right when Misty was about to throw her pokeball that Bulbasaur jumped out of the bushes and interrupted everything. He protected poliwag and stopped Misty from being able to capture it. She was rather disappointed about the whole affair to be honest".
By the time that Nolan had finished his sheepish explanation, Melanie understood everything perfectly now.
"I see" the pretty blue haired young woman rubbed her chin thoughtfully, "Well that's certainly sounds like my friend Bulbasaur. He always does whatever it takes to keep everyone here at the Hidden Village safe, and he does such a good job of it too".
"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur smiled, proud of the praise Melanie had bestowed on him.
The blue haired beauty smiled.
She took a moment to kneel down and gently pet the bulb on the back of the little green creature. Nolan couldn't help but be slightly amazed by how easily the stubborn and relatively hostile little Pokemon lent into her soothing touch. It was obvious that Melanie meant a great deal to him. The moment only lasted for a short while however, and soon enough the pretty blue haired young woman's attention was back on her human guest. She looked him straight in the eye, her expression very serious.
"Listen to me Nolan" Melanie said in such a firm tone of voice that the golden haired boy was taken aback for a moment. He knew that whatever the woman who had saved him wanted to tell him now had to be incredibly important. He therefore fixed her with the attention that such importance deserved. "Whilst I understand that it can be incredibly tempting for young trainers such as you and your friends to capture any wild Pokémon you might come across on your journey, there is a small request I must make of you now".
Nolan smiled at her reassuring.
"Considering you really helped me out today and I owe you for that, please feel free to name it" the golden haired boy answered kindly, his eyes sparkling with sincerity, "Whatever it is, I'll do it".
It was Melanie's turn to smile this time.
"Well I'm very glad to hear that" the pretty blue haired young woman admitted graciously, "You see, what I'm asking of you is to actually not do something".
"Huh?" Nolan blinked in confusion.
Seeing the boy's perplexed expression Melanie quickly explained herself.
"You see Nolan, while you and your friends are very welcome here at the Hidden Village, I must insist that none of you try to capture any of the Pokemon here" the pretty blue haired young woman said firmly, but not unkindly, "They've all been through enough after all, and a lot of them are simply still too sick or injured to be battling just yet. And for some of them, battling can be actually downright traumatic, both mentally and physically. I hope you can understand why it would be morally wrong for you to try and capture a Pokemon when it in such a fragile state, and I'm afraid that I couldn't and wouldn't allow it to happen in my presence".
Nolan was taken aback by the uncharacteristic firmness of her tone for a moment, but he quickly smiled up at her again.
"Of course I can understand that Melanie" the golden haired boy nodded empathically, his smile warm and reassuring, "You're right, it would be wrong to try and capture a Pokemon when it doesn't have a fair chance to fight back. I promise that me and my friends won't try and capture any of the Pokemon here at the village, and I'll make sure of Ash, Misty and Brock all stick to that promise as well. I'm sure they'll all understand after all. They're good people, and they all adore Pokemon just as much as I do".
Melanie clapped hands together joyously and beamed with gratitude.
"Oh thank you Nolan!" the pretty blue haired young woman said earnestly, her sapphire eyes positively sparkling with relief, "I'm so glad that you understand. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though. You and Brock have already proven what kind people you are, and this is just further evidence of it!"
Nolan chuckled and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
Satisfied that the young boy before her now understood the importance of leaving the wild Pokemon around here be, Melanie turned her attention back to her faithful but unofficial partner Pokemon. The Seed Pokemon stood up a little straighter, obviously awaiting an instruction from his clearly beloved human. She did not disappoint him in that regard.
"Bulbasaur, now that you know that everything's okay back here at the Hidden Village, would you please go and have a short scout around in the surrounding area again?" Melanie asked the little Grass Type Pokemon politely, her expression hopeful, "That Pidgey, the one that injured its wing that I tended too a couple of days ago, well it hasn't been back yet. I'm starting to get a little worried, so I was hoping you might go out and check that it hasn't injured itself again. I know that it could have left the area by now, but still... I'd feel better knowing we'd checked".
"Bulba!" the Seed Pokemon nodded happily, as if to say 'of course'.
"Thank you" Melanie smiled gratefully
Nolan watched as without another word, the little green creature obediently turned on the spot and began walking away again. In a matter of seconds, Melanie's unofficial partner disappeared into some bushes again, making just as abrupt and exit as it had an entrance. The golden haired boy smiled up at the other human as soon as it was gone.
"Wow... what a great Pokemon" Nolan murmured, unable to help but admire the bond between the two, "He kinda reminds me of Meadow actually. She's very protective too!"
Melanie grinned down at him and nodded warmly.
She opened her mouth to respond, but for the second time that afternoon however, the blue haired young woman was cut off before she could. Startling enough, this time was also because of a new arrival in the secluded forest clearing. Or should that be five new arrivals? Nolan honestly couldn't help it when his face split into a gigantic grin when he registered who it was who had finally turned up.
"Meadow! Brock! You're both back!" Nolan beamed happily at them, his expression and tone both filled with the utmost relief, "And you found Ash, Misty and Pikachu as well! That's such a relief! Hey you guys!"
Ash and Misty both returned the golden haired boy's wide grin as they stepped into the clearing.
"Hey yourself" his raven haired best friend greeted him back, his face threatening to split clean in two, his own relieved grin was so wide, "You're a sight for sore eyes Nolan".
"Yeah. When Brock told us that you were injured we hurried straight here" Misty added, her tone and expression both heavy with concern as she came to a stop in front of where the golden haired boy was sitting, "How's that ankle of yours doing?"
Nolan smiled up at the two of them reassuringly.
"It's doing just great, thanks to Melanie here" the golden haired boy gestured at the pretty blue haired young woman, who smiled as Ash and Misty's attention was drawn to her for the first time, "She patched me up with some special ointment that uses the medicinal effects of certain Pokemon, and I can already feel it working. I'll be back on my feet in no time".
"Great!" Misty beamed at him.
"I'm glad to hear it!" Ash added, looking relieved on his best friend's behalf.
The two of them then turned to Melanie, bowing their heads in gratitude and no doubt about to thank the woman for all that she had done for their friends. Before they had a chance to utter so much as a single syllable however, Melanie herself began the proper introductions between them.
"So you're Nolan and Brock's friends" the pretty blue haired young woman smiled kindly down at the newcomers, her eyes warm and welcoming, "They've told me a lot about both of you".
Ash and Misty both returned the smile graciously.
"Great" Misty repeated. Then, casting her gaze around the secluded forest clearing, she took in her new surroundings properly for the first time, particular the wide variety of wildlife that was dotted about, "Wow, look at that!"
Ash did as she instructed, and another wide smile eclipsed his own face.
"Do all those Pokemon belong to you?" the raven haired boy asked incredulously, turning to their host with renewed interest, and unknowingly repeating his best friend's earlier inquiry.
"Oh, no" Melanie smiled as shook her head, looking faintly amused that both Nolan and his friend had thought to ask the same thing, "As I explained to Nolan already, I'm not a Pokemon trainer of any kind. I just look out for the wild ones living in this area"
When Ash and Misty both seemed a little confused by the declaration, Brock stepped in to help explain further.
"You see Ash, Misty; this is a place where Pokemon are able to rest and relax" the aspiring Pokemon breeder glanced around the Hidden Village with a wistful smile, his admiration obvious.
"Like summer camp?" Ash tilted his head to the side. It was clear that the raven haired boy was still struggling to understand.
Brock took pity on him and tried to simplify things even further for his friend.
"Well, sort of, but all year long" the aspiring Pokemon breeder told the younger boy. Brock quickly went on to explain further before he could be interrupted with any questions his friends might have, "You see, when Pokemon get abandoned or injured, they can come here. Melanie takes care of them until they feel better. Then they leave".
A look of realisation flickered across the faces of the two newcomers.
"So this is a Pokemon Center!" Misty exclaimed brightly, unfortunately and unknowingly misinterpreting what Brock was trying to explain to the two of them, "And Melanie is a Pokemon doctor!"
For the second time, Melanie looked amused by the fact that all of these youngsters kept assuming that about her.
"Oh, no" the pretty blue haired young woman chuckled good-naturedly and shook her head. When she caught the now thoroughly perplexed expressions clouding the faces of Ash and Misty however, she quickly elaborated further for them, "I'm not qualified to be a Pokemon doctor".
From his spot still sitting on the knotted old tree stump, Nolan piped up in an attempt to help out.
"Think of this place as being more like a relaxation health spa, rather than an official hospital" the golden haired boy told his friend, causing them both to glance back towards him, "You know, the type of places people go to get special treatments to help them de-stress. Only this place is only really for Pokemon, right Melanie?"
The pretty blue haired young woman nodded at the comparison, able to see how that connection could be drawn.
"Yes, I suppose that actually is a good way of putting it" Melanie nodded approvingly, before she turned back to Ash and Misty, and gestured for them to take a closer look at the wild Pokemon scattered all around them, "Here, the Pokemon don't battle
with one another. They relax and try to enjoy themselves until they've recovered".
At long last, Ash and Misty seemed to get what the others had all been talking about.
"Cool" Misty nodded, looking around and smiling when she saw how happy all of the Pokemon were here at the Hidden Village. Her vermillion coloured eyes were quickly drawn to the pond where that Poliwag from earlier was bobbing about with the Staryu and the Magikarp. She noted it seemed to enjoy splashing about with the others, and she immediately felt her heart warm at the charming scene.
Brock seemed in the Water Type Pokemon Specialist's enthusiasm. He quickly turned back to Ash and continued supplying him with information about what Melanie did around here.
"Melanie collects plants to use for medicine" the aspiring Pokemon breeder cast a look of genuine admiration in the pretty blue haired young woman's direction, smiling when she blushed deeply again, "She knows all about which plants
can help a Pokémon feel better or grow stronger when it's too weak".
From his spot on the tree stump, Nolan nodded his head sagely in agreement.
"Amazingly enough, she can even harvest spores and pollen left behind by certain Pokemon to mix them into her medicines as well" the golden haired boy added, watching as Ash's eyes went wide with amazement. Nolan gestured down at his bandaged up ankle, "There's some in the ointment she put on my bruises. It apparently helps speed up the recovery process and promotes healing".
By the time that they were finished speaking, Ash was left gaping in absolute astonishment.
"That's incredible!" the raven haired boy stared at his best friend in sheer disbelief for a moment, before he turned back to Brock and grinned up at him, "So you and Melanie both love to take care of Pokemon!"
Brock couldn't help but beam happily in agreement.
"We do" the aspiring Pokemon breeder confirmed, his cheeks slowly becoming dusted with a faint pink colour.
Naturally, Misty picked up on that right away. She couldn't help but grin cheekily.
"Well..." the orange haired Water Type Pokemon Specialist drawled, her voice practically saturated, her tone was so playfully teasing, "It looks to me like there's something else Brock might love".
If Brock had been turning pink before, the teenage boy was beyond crimson after those choice words.
"Aaah!" the blushing boy leapt forwards, crossing the distance between himself and Misty in an instant. Faster than the human eye could process, the aspiring Pokemon breeder had grabbed hold of his female friend and slapped his hand over her mouth, effectively muting her, "Be quiet! She might hear you! Aaah!"
Misty smirked behind his hand, clearly amused by the teenager's obvious mortification. Ash's lips quirked up into a wide grin as well.
Nolan's reaction on the other hand was a lot less subtle.
The golden haired boy threw back his head and laughed so hard, he ended up clutching his stomach. Meadow hopped up into his lap and joined. Oh, it felt good to back amongst all of his friends.
Very good indeed.
As the criminal trio of Team Rocket emerged from the shadowy embrace of the towering mountain they'd been on, a wave of exhaustion washed over Jessie, James, and Meowth. The vibrant forest below beckoned with its lush greenery, yet each step felt like wading through molasses. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, a stark contrast to the crisp mountain breeze they had just left behind. Little did they know, a surprise awaited them in the depths of the ancient trees, and when it presented itself to them as they arrived on the edge of the forest, Team Rocket couldn't help but stare at it in confusion.
A telephone booth.
They were looking at a telephone booth.
A telephone booth out in the middle of the forest, a bizarre mismatch of technology in the midst of nature. No wonder Jessie, James and Meowth were all so taken aback by its presence there.
It was Meowth that recovered from the surprise first.
"Hey, guys! What's dis thing doin' out here in the middle of nowhere?" the Scratch Cat Pokemon asked curiously, a look of sheer bewilderment clouding his adorable fluffy face, "How's a phone even supposed to work out here?"
Jessie, slightly annoyed but begrudgingly curious as well, shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh, Meowth, it's probably one of those fancy new gadgets that runs on solar energy or something" the magenta haired woman sighed, although why anybody would bother putting something like that out here in the forest was beyond her, "But really, it doesn't matter. What matters is that we find the Hidden Village and steal all the Pokemon there!"
Meowth nodded his agreement, already dismissing the strange contraption. James on the other hand was staring at the phone booth with an air of interest.
"Wait, guys, hold on a sec" the cyan haired man suddenly exclaimed, preventing his friends and co-workers from walking away and drawing their attention back to himself, "This thing's just given me an idea".
"An idea?" Jessie repeated, raising a curious eyebrow, "What's up, James?"
James smiled confidently as he began to explain his current thought process.
"Well, even if we successfully steal all the Pokémon from the Hidden Village, we'll still need a way to carry them all away. Think about it: we could be talking about dozens of Pokemon, maybe even more" the cyan haired said with an air of excitement, but knowing they still needed to take the logistics seriously despite the potential for a high payoff, "How are we going to transport them without being noticed?"
Jessie and Meowth both frowned. It was clear that neither of them had considered that aspect of their latest scheme yet.
"You have a point, James" Jessie admitted.
"So who ya gonna call?" Meowth asked the most obvious question, and Jessie had to admit, she was curious about that as well.
James' smirk only widened at the inquiry.
"I think we should call Team Rocket Headquarters and request some specialized equipment" the cyan haired man quickly explained, "Something that will not only make it easier to capture all the Pokemon at the village, but also store them so they'll be easier to transport. Heck, if we ask for the right thing, it could also help us make a speedy withdrawal, just in case anyone tries to get the Pokemon back from us".
Jessie considered his words, but quickly came across a flaw in his suggestion.
"But James, it could take days for that much equipment to arrive out here" the magenta haired woman pointed out reasonably, "We don't have that kind of time".
The cyan haired man's smile didn't dim. If anything, it only grew brighter.
"Ah, but that's where you're wrong, Jessie" James teased his female friend playfully, and she looked at him in surprise, "Remember the Team Rocket Fearow Delivery Service? If we use that, we can have everything we need within the hour".
"The Fearow Delivery Service?" Jessie repeated, her tone and expression both very intrigued, "I thought that was just a rumour. They can really deliver specialized equipment that fast?"
James nodded his head at her eagerly.
"Absolutely!" the cyan haired man confirmed with a wide grin, "I've heard it's the fastest way to get supplies from HQ. We just need to call in a request, and they'll send a Fearow over with whatever we need".
Jessie nodded slowly, more convinced now.
"Hmm, that could work" the magenta haired woman acknowledged, "Tell me more".
James nodded, and he, Jessie and Meowth all formed a tight huddle, their heads close together as James began to explain his plan.
"Here's what I'm thinking: we call HQ and request one of the large inflatable stadiums that the Team Rocket Scientists developed a few months ago. You know, the ones with the huge vacuums attached to them?" James asked, and when Jessie and Meowth both nodded their understanding, he eagerly continued, "That'll make it easier to sweep all the Pokemon up in one go, and we can keep them captive inside the stadium until we can hand them all over to the boss".
"And how do we get away from the area quickly enough to avoid any mishaps?" Jessie wanted to know.
James thought about it for a moment, but to the surprise of the two humans, a solution was quickly proposed by their furry little companion.
"We could always ask for some of dose helium balloons and tie dem to da stadium roof" the Scratch Cat Pokemon suggested helpfully.
Jessie and James both beamed at each other.
"Good idea Meowth, that'll work!" Jessie praised the adorable fluffy little creature, "Just as long as we can get all of that stuff here quickly".
"That's where the Fearow Delivery Service comes in" James patiently repeated his earlier sentiment, "We call them, and they'll send a Fearow right to our location. It's fast, efficient, and totally confidential. We can have everything we need in no time at all".
Meowth didn't seem quite as convinced as his two human counterparts both were.
"Sounds good in theory, but what if da Fearow gets attacked by wild Pokémon?" the Scratch Cat Pokemon mused aloud, "Or what if it's spotted by whoever's down at da village?"
"That won't happen Meowth" James assure him, his tone and expression both firmly confident, "The Fearow Delivery Service uses specially trained Fearow that can fly under the radar. They're fast and can dodge almost anything. Plus, the package will be delivered directly to us, so we won't have to leave this spot".
Jessie nodded, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"I like it" the magenta haired woman smirked gleefully, "It's risky, but it could be just what we need. Let's do it".
And so with the plan decided, the three of them stepped away from the huddle, their faces determined. James approached the phone box, opened the door, and picked up the receiver.
It was time to put their latest diabolical scheme into action.
Nolan honestly couldn't help it when his handsome features contorted into a heavy scowl, the sharp twinge in his ankle a constant reminder of his recent misadventure. The golden haired boy had to admit - this was getting really old, really quickly. Honestly, you'd think he'd have been lost at sea for hours with how much his ankle was killing him, rather than just taking a quick dip in the river, albeit an unexpected one that was far from being fun. It really shouldn't be hurting him so much though, but apparently fate had other plans, and now he was left nursing a bruised ego along with his injury. As he perched on his moss-covered tree stump to rest the throbbing appendage, surrounded by the vibrant hum of nature, Nolan watched his friends Ash, Misty, and Brock roam the lush landscape, their laughter ringing through the air like chimes in the wind. Each joyful shout was a dagger to his heart, a reminder of the fun he was missing out on. Just as bitterness threatened to creep in however, the golden haired boy caught a glimpse of Ash, seemingly deep in thought, a look of determination etched on his face. Nolan's heart pulsed with a mix of curiosity and concern. Was Ash contemplating their next big adventure already, or something more serious? With a deep breath to chase the shadows of self-pity away, Nolan forced a smile, channelling every ounce of enthusiasm he could muster.
"Hey, Ash! What's on your mind?" he called out, the words spilling from his lips as if to bridge the distance created by his injury.
At the call of his name, Ash turned to his best friend, and mustered up a small smile of his own. The look told Nolan everything he needed to know.
Whatever was going on, it potentially meant trouble.
It was in that moment that Nolan realised that while he may be side-lined, the adventure was still currently unfolding around him, and he was determined to be a part of it, even from the edge. He therefore listened with rapt attention as his best friend began to explain what was so deeply troubling him.
"Sorry, Nolan" the raven haired boy replied as he was pulled out of his reverie, "I was just thinking about something that happened whilst me and Misty were searching for you guys".
Nolan just gave him an expectant look, so Ash hastily continued.
"I just can't help but wonder who might have put that net up in the tree, not to mention why" the raven haired boy said to his best friend, as if that explained everything. He seemed to miss the blonde haired boy's look of total bewilderment.
Misty and Brock didn't seem confused in the slightest as they came over to join them, their expressions weary.
"It was probably the same person who dug the hole that I fell into" the orange haired girl murmured, the same concern reflected in her vermillion orbs. Nolan quickly got the sense that he was missing something important.
"Okay" the golden haired boy held up a hand to halt any further progression of the conversation, "I'm gonna need a detailed explanation".
His raven haired best friend nodded his head at the boy's request.
"Fair enough" Ash chuckled, knowing that without the proper context, everything he and Misty had just said would probably be very confused and difficult to understand. Not to mention it would probably sound rather alarming to boot, "Okay. After you, Meadow and Brock all tumbled off the bridge and fell into the river below, me, Misty and Pikachu all managed to hang on a little longer".
"Correction" Misty chimed in, her vermillion eyes twinkling with amusement, "Ash held onto the bridge and me and Pikachu both ended up stuck clinging onto him".
Ash smiled and nodded.
"I was holding us all up, true" the raven haired boy nodded in agreement, feeling oddly touched that Misty wasn't about to allow his efforts to go unacknowledged despite the fact that Ash had been trying to downplay his heroes, "But we all knew that I wouldn't be able to support our combined weight for long. Thankfully, I managed to find the strength to haul us back up to safety, and we managed to get to the other side of the valley".
Misty gave the raven haired boy a grateful smile.
"Ash was very brave" the Water Type Pokemon complimented her friend, knowing that he deserved every word of praise for his actions earlier that day, "He saved the rest of us from falling into the river. Perhaps even our lives".
"Chu" Pikachu nodded sagely in agreement.
The raven haired blushed a delicate shade of pink, but he was unable to resist preening at the praise he was being showered with. Ever since the incident with A.J where his ego had gotten the better of him, Ash had been trying to rein it in, just like he'd promised Nolan he would. But man was it hard work when he friends were stroking his ego like they were.
"Anyway..." the raven haired boy briskly moved on before anything arrogant had a chance to slip his lips, refusing to allow his progress to come undone, "We immediately began looking for the three of you".
Misty nodded as they resumed the telling of their tale.
"We didn't even stop to rest. We were too worried that one or both of you might have gotten hurt when you fell" the orange haired girl admitted, casting a regretful glance towards Nolan's injured ankle, which he was still resting, "So, we quickly began climbing down the side of the valley, and eventually we made it down to the riverbank".
The raven haired boy took over once again.
"But that's when things started to get a little strange" Ash explained whilst Nolan, Brock and Meadow all listened with rapt attention, their curiosity piqued, "As we began searching along the river for any trace of you guys, Misty suddenly... well, she suddenly feel into a huge hole".
The orange haired girl blushed as all eyes turned to her in surprise.
"I wasn't worry looking where I was going" the Water Type Pokemon Specialist admitted in embarrassment, shyly running her fingers through her hair, "I was more concerned with finding you guys. But in my defence, it wasn't just a hole, at least not a natural one. More like a dug out pit".
"You mean somebody made it on purpose?" Nolan asked to clarify.
Ash and Misty both nodded their heads in confirmation at their golden haired friend's inquiry. From the look in their eyes, it was clear that the two young Pokemon trainers were still concerned about whoever had created such a trap, or more accurately, what their intentions were when they snared an unsuspecting victim. None of the scenarios that Ash or Misty could come up with were particularly reassuring.
"If it was just that, maybe it could be dismissed as an accident..." Misty began slowly, her eyes flashing with a glint of unease, "But after what happened next... No, it was no accident".
A sense of dread coiled in the pit of Nolan's gut.
"Why?" the golden haired boy demanded to know, positively he wouldn't like the answer but needing to know just what his friends had endured in their efforts to reunite with him and the others, "What happened to you guys after that?"
His friends shared a look that spoke of deep unease.
"Well... after Ash helped me climb out of the hole, we figured it was probably wise to get out of that area quite quickly" Misty was the one to pick up telling their story, "Just in case whoever set the trap was close by. We set off to begin searching the forest, but..."
"But then we walked straight into another trap!" Ash interrupted, his tone blunt due to his frustration over the incident.
Nolan's eyes widened in shock.
"What kind of trap?" the golden haired boy demanded to know, his own concerns growing with each word he heard, "Another pitfall?"
Ash and Misty both shook their heads.
"No. This time it was a net trap that one of us must have inadvertently set off" the raven haired boy told him best friend, his teeth and fists clenched tightly, "It was quite a shock, I can tell you. One minute we were walking along, the next we were up in a tree!"
Misty shivered at the memory.
"We couldn't free ourselves" the orange haired girl swallowed hard, the feelings of claustrophobia she'd experienced returning for just a brief moment, "It... it was scary".
From her side, Ash scowled indignantly.
"And to make matters worse, suddenly that wild Bulbasaur we saw in the forest earlier showed up again" the raven haired boy spat in annoyance, "I challenged it to another battle, but it seemed to laugh at us before it just walked off! Can you believe that?!"
Nolan suddenly remembered what Melanie had told him about that same Bulbasaur, as well as the promise he'd made her.
"Err... there's actually something you need to know about that Bulbasaur, Ash" the golden haired boy admitted, his tone and expression both a little sheepish, "But carry on with your story first".
Both Ash and Misty looked curious, but they acquiesced his request.
"There's not an awful lot more to tell" Misty was the one to speak first, offering her friend a small shrug of her shoulders, "Me, Ash and Pikachu were all stuck in the net for quite a while. But then Brock and Meadow found us, and he was able to set us free. Then he brought us here to the Hidden Village and the rest is history".
It was at this point that Brock chimed into the conversation for the first time.
"And on the way here, I filled Ash and Misty in on everything that happened to us, so now we're all caught up" the aspiring Pokemon breeder informed him. Nolan nodded his understanding, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"So the real question now is; who set those traps you ended up in?" he wondered aloud. It was a worrisome notion after all, to know that somebody willing to trap innocent people was potentially nearby. It was... unsettling.
To their surprise, the answer came almost immediately.
"Err... I... I actually have a confession to make" Melanie gently broke into the conversation between the four youngsters. When she had all of their attention, the pretty blue haired young woman bowed her head apologetically, "I'm sorry, but I was the one who set those traps. Both of them".
The shock that coursed through the group was practically palpable.
"What?!" Nolan gaped at her.
Surely he had just heard that wrong. Melanie - the sweet young woman who had stepped in to help when he'd it the most - was also the same person laying the traps which had caught his friends, twice in Misty's case? It was almost inconceivable, and it was very hard to put the two things together. But why? What possible motivation could Melanie have to do such a nasty thing?
"It's the truth" the pretty blue haired young woman confirmed, sounding... not quite ashamed, but more like she genuinely believed that her actions were a necessary evil, "I wanted to catch Pokemon trainers before they reached the village".
She turned her gaze onto Ash and Misty and smiled at them both apologetically.
"I'm sorry if my pitfall or net traps caused you any pain or distress" the woman apologised sincerely, before her smiled morphed into something a little more relaxed and playful, "But since you got caught in them, I guess they really worked".
Neither Ash nor Misty seemed particularly amused.
"But why?" Misty demanded to know. After all, being strung up in a tree was quite an alarming experience, one that encouraged disturbing thoughts such as Pokemon thieves or deranged serial killers to enter into one's mind. The orange haired girl would like to know why she and Ash had been forced to endure something as frightening and traumatic as that.
Melanie sighed deeply, hanging her head in remorse.
"There are so many injured Pokémon here" the pretty blue haired young woman began to explain herself, gesturing around at the wild creatures clustering around in the hopes of helping all four of the youngsters to understand there was no malice driving her action, "I have to protect them, both from humans or other Pokemon that might mean them any harm. They're as much of a scare tactic as opposed to merely functional traps".
All four of the young Pokemon trainers carefully reflected on her words.
"Oh no..." Nolan whispered under his breath as he said paled to an unpleasant shade of white. A very nasty suspicion had just come over him, accompanied with an unpleasant idea. He looked up at their host, hoping against hope that she wasn't about to prove him right, "Melanie... please tell me that the bridge collapsing wasn't a trap you set up too".
Much to the golden haired boy's relief however, the pretty blue haired young woman quickly shook her head.
"Good heavens no! I would never!" Melanie vehemently denied the insinuation with such a sincere reaction that Nolan simply couldn't help but feel compelled to believe her, "I know protecting the wild Pokemon around here is a serious matter, but that would be going a step too far. My traps are designed to scare people away. I'd never set up one that could hurt someone intentionally!"
Nolan nodded up at her slowly. She quickly continued before he had a chance to speak though.
"Rigging a bridge to collapse underneath another person wouldn't just be dangerous, but incredibly reckless too!" the pretty blue haired young woman continued restlessly, "As you experienced for yourself, someone could get really hurt! That bridge is ancient, and it probably should have been decommissioned years ago. But I promise, it had nothing to do with me Nolan. I promise".
Nolan's expression lifted into a warm, genuine smile.
"I believe you"
The golden haired boy spoke the words to her so honestly that Melanie didn't doubt then. She nodded at the boy gratefully, her relief palpable. Nolan's smile widened as the woman before him visibly relaxed. The tension dropped from her shoulders, and a small smile appeared on her delicate features.
What they had no way of knowing was that the very bridge they'd just been discussing... was about to claim three more victims...
The sun was slowly making its way across the sky behind the towering pines, casting long shadows that danced across the forest floor as Team Rocket lingered at the edge of the woodland, their excitement mingling with impatience. Jessie tapped her foot rhythmically, her eyes scanning the horizon intently, while James fiddled nervously with the hem of his uniform, glancing at his watch as if it could summon their delivery. Meowth, perched atop a nearby rock, squinted skyward, his feline ears perked in anticipation.
"Where is dat Fearow?" the Scratch Cat Pokemon complained, his voice dangerously close to a whine, "We've got a heist to pull off!"
Just as Jessie was about to remind the adorable little creature of their impeccable sense of patience, Meowth's sharp gaze caught a glimmer in the sky.
"Hey, look! Up dare!" he exclaimed, pointing a paw towards the heavens.
Jessie and James instinctively turned their heads, their hearts racing as three sleek silhouettes emerged against the amber backdrop of the sunset. The unmistakable shapes of Fearow swooped down, their wings cutting through the air with precision.
"Three of them? We only ordered one!" James gasped, his surprise quickly morphing into a devious grin as they descended.
At his side, Jessie shrugged.
"Well, we did request quite a lot of equipment" the magenta haired woman reasoned, "Perhaps it was simply too much for one Fearow to carry on its own".
With a flurry of feathers and a gust of wind, the three Fearow landed gracefully before Team Rocket, their sharp eyes gleaming with the promise of danger to anyone that crossed them. The air crackled with tension as the Pokemon unfurled their wings and dropped hefty bundles onto the forest floor, the sound echoing like a drumroll signalling the start of a grand performance. As the Fearow promptly took off into the sky again, leaving only the rustle of leaves in their wake, Jessie, James, and Meowth exchanged wicked smiles, their mischievous plan suddenly feeling tantalizingly within reach.
"That's a lot of gear!" Jessie remarked, her voice dripping with enthusiasm as she lunged for one of the bundles.
"Let's see what we've got here!" James followed suit.
Meowth eagerly pawed through the equipment as well, his devious mind already envisioning all the chaos they could unleash upon the Hidden Village. The Scratch Cat Pokemon could hardly wait.
"Let's get moving!" Meowth urged, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Dose Pokemon won't steal demselves!"
So with renewed determination, Team Rocket plunged into the depths of the forest, ready to set their cunning plan into motion and steal not just Pokemon, but the spotlight they believed they so rightfully deserved. James was left carrying most of the equipment on his back, but since it was his idea he didn't mind. The three of them wandered through the woods, taking care to avoid tripping on any stray roots, and eventually they came across the high edge of a valley, a river churning far below them.
"Uh oh" Meowth immediately frowned, "How are we gonna get across dis?"
Jessie smirked.
"Look over there" she replied simply.
Meowth and James both squinted in the direction she was gesturing towards.
Instantaneously, they both grimaced.
The air suddenly seemed to become thick with tension as Jessie stood at the edge of the valley, her finger pointing resolutely at a precarious rope bridge swaying like a fragile pendulum against the vast expanse below. One of the ropes holding it up appeared to have snapped, causing it to now dangle side-way across the wide chasm. It was hardly a stable structure, and even the sun seemed to hang lower in the sky for a moment, casting long shadows that danced ominously as if warning them of the peril that lay ahead.
James and Meowth both gaped at it in disbelief, but their leader wasn't discouraged.
"This is it, guys" Jessie declared, her voice a mix of determination and mischief, "That bridge is our ticket to the Hidden Village, where untold rare Pokemon await us. We can't let a little thing like gravity stand in our way".
Meowth's fur bristled, his face a mask of disbelief.
"You want us to cross dat rickety old thing? No way!" the Scratch Cat Pokemon protested heatedly, stubbornly crossing his arms across his small furry chest, "It's gonna snap like a twig!"
He glanced over the edge, his stomach lurching at the sight of the dizzying drop.
"Why not just inflate the flying stadium?" James, ever the pragmatist, chimed in before an argument could break out, "We could float right over without risking our lives!"
Jessie shot him a look that could cut through steel.
"And let anybody down at this so-called village see our grand entrance?" the female criminal scowled before shaking her head, "We need stealth for this heist. If we blow our cover too soon, we'll miss our chance to nab those Pokémon. We can't afford any mistakes!"
The reality of their situation settled in, and James and Meowth exchanged resigned glances, knowing deep down that Jessie was right.
With a collective sigh, they took a step toward the bridge, the wooden slats creaking ominously as they swayed in the breeze. The thought of their impending success at finally stealing some Pokemon spurred them on, mingling with the raw terror of what it would take to get them there. As they approached the half-collapsed bridge, the world around them felt charged with possibility, each step echoing the promise of mischief, daring, and the allure of the unknown. Their hearts raced, but with a shared nod, the three of prepared to leap into the abyss and seize their destiny.
Jessie went first.
With all the grace and pose of a talented tightrope walker, she stepped onto the edge of the planks that were now standing vertically instead of horizontally, and cautiously began making her way across. James and Meowth swallowed hard, but followed her example, and they started crossing the vast chasm.
"Across this bridge lies a lifetime supply of Pokemon" Jessie called back to her friends, hoping to motivate them into continuing to be brave.
Her tactic appeared to work.
"You see? Aren't you glad we stopped to get the stadium delivered before setting off?" James called back in a smug tone, one lacking his previous fear entirely, "There's no way we'd have been able to carry them all back across this bridge! No without falling off ourselves!"
From the rear, Meowth nodded his fluffy little head in agreement.
"You right James" the Scratch Cat Pokemon was surprised to find that crossing the slanted bridge was easier than he'd initially thought. As long as he didn't look down, there was no need to be frightened, "Now dat's a bridge I wouldn't want to cross!"
No sooner had the words parted company with his lips did the inevitable happen.
SNAP!
An ominous crack filled the air, cutting through the moment like a knife. In an instant, the rope securing the half-collapsed bridge gave way, sending all three of them hurtling into the abyss below
"AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!" Jessie, James and Meowth all screamed in panic.
Time seemed to stretch as their screams mingled with the roar of the rushing river, fear and adrenaline coursing through their veins. It was a plunge into chaos, and a favourable end wasn't in sight.
SPLASH!
And things had been going so well for once...
And that's the end of another chapter : )
As I have come back and edited this chapter, what I said here before doesn't really fit enough, therefore I've removed it from the author's note. So instead, let's just talk about the tie I mentioned that happened regarding the last Encounter Voting Topic.
Now normally when these votes end in a tie, I'm... not disappointed... but more just wanting the tie to break as soon as possible because I want to move onto the next voting topic. This time however, I'm really not gonna complain, because if I had to pick two Pokemon from the group on offer myself, I'd definitely have picked the two the tie's between: - Murkrow and Sunkern. Yes, you read that right. I would happily take a Sunkern. The reason I'd prefer a Murkrow is because I desperately need a good counter for Psychic Type Pokemon in my current Nuzlocke Team, as I current have absolutely no idea how I'm going to beat the Elite Four at this point. You guys and this particular game have given me some really challenging Pokemon this time around ; ) But, I also wouldn't mind a Sunkern, or more specifically a Sunflora, because out of all the Pokemon on Nolan's teams across the three Nuzlockes, there's currently one only Grass Type Pokemon, Meadow. Some more variety would admittedly be nice. Plus, both Murkrow and Sunkern are Johto Pokemon, which is what I'm really gunning for now. I have a LOT of good, popular and fun Kanto Pokemon by this point, so I really want more Johto ones. So either way, this time I'm going to be pretty happy with either outcome : D
It isn't up to me though, so please, pretty please, help break the tie between Murkrow and Sunkern by leaving a review and decide which one you guys would like Nolan to add to his ever-growing Pokemon family : )
And I think that's just about everything from me for this time. Thank you so much for reading this chapter and my story in general. I hope you are enjoying it all so far, and please consider leaving a review because I'd love to hear your comments and feedback : )
Until the next time, keep on reading : )