HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Hey readers - here we are with another new chapter, the very first upload of 2025 in fact : ) I hope everyone had a brilliant end to 2024, and that the new year brings everyone a lot of happiness and good health : )
Beyond that though, I haven't got an awful lot to say this time, so I'm just going to move on to the result of the last Encounter Vote. I'm thrilled to announce that the winner this time was... Miltank! Honestly, I am over the moon with this one : ) I know I said in the previous chapter that I would have been very happy with any of the potential options, but I can't deny that I'm glad it was Miltank. She's just such an iconic Johto Pokemon, largely in part to the infamous one owned by Whitney : ) Either way, I'm very happy to be adding one to Nolan's team : D
Finally, I just want to say a GIGANTIC 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 3
Nolan glared at the treetops swaying above him, their leaves whispering secrets he was too irritable to hear. The world tilted and swayed with every jarring step Brock took, and each movement sent a fresh wave of annoyance coursing through him. He felt more like a sack of potatoes than a person, slung over Brock's shoulder while his ankle throbbed with indignation. How had a simple hike through the woods, the latest leg on their journey to Vermillion City, turned into this... absurd spectacle? Just hours earlier, they'd been laughing under a sun-soaked sky with Ash and Misty, all four of them together and dreaming of adventure; now, here he was, separated from two of his friends, a captive audience to his own frustration, being paraded through a forest that felt more like a prison than a paradise. It was infuriating. The golden haired boy couldn't shake the heat of embarrassment creeping up his neck, which naturally only served to fuel his brewing irritation.
"Next time... I'm choosing the route," he muttered, knowing that this had all happened because of Ash's supposed 'shortcut', but it came out more like a petulant whine than a declaration.
Brock chuckled, a deep rumble that did little to soothe Nolan's battered ego.
"It's really not that bad you know" Brock said to his 'captive' in an amused tone, making it perfectly clear that the aspiring Pokemon breeder was enjoying the spectacle, "Most people wouldn't mind getting carried through the woods. Gives their feet a rest, which out here, is always a good thing".
The golden haired boy on his shoulder harrumphed in disagreement.
"I'm not most people! And this is humiliating!" Nolan grumbled loudly enough to spook a few nearby roosting wild Pidgey right out of their tree. Then, in a voice that was obviously designed to try and sound more convincing than he felt, Nolan added, "I could have walked, you know".
Brock just snorted at his friend's sheer stubbornness once again.
"Sure you could, buddy" the aspiring Pokemon breeder shot back with a smirk, far too amused by this entire situation for Nolan's liking.
With a childish pout, Nolan fell silent and returned to his sulking. He didn't mean to sound ungrateful, he really didn't. It was just... well Nolan had always prided himself on his independence, so being carried through the woods like some helpless child was a bitter pill to swallow. It went against every instinct he had, and he longed for nothing more than to escape his friend's grip and force himself to walk, pain or no pain. But alas, he was stuck at the mercy of his friend and the whims of fate, trapped in a moment that felt as ridiculous as it was torturous.
Thankfully however, it appeared that poor Nolan's torment would mercifully be at an end soon.
Up ahead of the two boys, Melanie had been walking steadily through the woods with the air of a woman who knew this forest like the back of her hand. Her long hair cascading like a waterfall as she led the way, allegedly heading in the direction of her cabin, she continued leading the group of travellers to her refuge from the wilderness.
"Almost there now!" the kind young woman called back over her shoulder.
Nolan's mind raced upon hearing those words part company with their new friend's lips, battling between gratitude and irritation. In his heart, he just wanted to be put down now, but he knew that the moment that happened, even more fussing would be coming his way. It wasn't exactly an enticing prospect, and despite knowing their concern came from a good place, a small part of Nolan wished that Brock and Melanie would just leave him alone to deal with his injury in his own way. He'd never been a very good patient after all. Fortunately however, the golden haired boy was provided with an excellent distraction, before he could get too lost in those bitter and darkening thoughts.
They had arrived at their destination.
Emerging through the trees and finding themselves in another part of the serene forest, Nolan and Brock saw a picturesque clearing unfolding like a masterpiece crafted by nature itself. The sunlight was filtering gently through the colossal, towering trees that stood majestically on all sides, their emerald canopies swaying delicately in the whispering breeze. These ancient sentinels, with bark that told stories of countless seasons and deep gnarls that resembled the gentle touch of time, sheltered a small rivulet, its crystal-clear waters babbling softly as they danced over smooth, weathered stones. Each ripple caught the sunlight, scattering it like tiny diamonds across the tranquil surface. This small offshoot from the main river eventually converged into a charming little pond, where the mirror-like water reflected not only the vibrant colours of the surrounding foliage, but also the whimsical forms of the fluffy clouds lazily drifting overhead, creating an enchanting tableau that felt as if it belonged to a fairy tale.
At the edge of this idyllic enclave sat a rustic log cabin, its weathered wooden beams and moss-clad roof perfectly harmonising with the natural beauty that enveloped it. The cabin, exuding an aura of warmth and comfort, appeared almost as if it had sprung from the very earth itself, inviting weary travellers to pause and revel in the serenity that pervaded the clearing. Fragrant wildflowers bloomed haphazardly around the doorway, their cheerful petals painting a vibrant contrast against the cabin's timbered façade, while a small stone chimney hinted at the warm crackling fire that awaited within on particularly cold evenings. A porch draped with hanging ferns and golden sunlight created an irresistible invitation to sit and soak in the peaceful sounds of nature, the melodious chirping of wild Pokemon, the gentle rustle of leaves, and the soothing cadence of the flowing river, forming a symphony that resonated with the soul.
It was beautiful.
With a bright smiling her pretty features, Melanie stepped forwards into the clearing, gesturing for the others to follow her.
"Here we are! Home sweet home" the blue haired young woman sighed wistfully. With an excited gleam twinkling in her sapphire eyes, Melanie glanced over her shoulder and smiled warmly at the two boys she had dragged out of the river, "Nolan. Brock. Meadow. Welcome to the Hidden Village".
The woman's declaration was initially met with a stunned, ringing silence.
"Hidden Village?" Nolan repeated from his perch on Brock's shoulder with an air of wonder, being the first to recover the power of speech. The golden haired boy glanced around the clearing again, a heavy frown of confusion dancing across his features, "But... there's just one cabin here. Not exactly what I'd call a 'village'".
Brock looked like he wanted to tell Nolan off for being rude, even if it was unintentionally. Thankfully however, Melanie took his blunt comment in good humour.
"Fair point" the pretty blue haired young woman laughed that gentle tinkling laugh of hers again, "You see, 'The Hidden Village' is really just a silly nickname I came up with for this place. Here, let me show you why".
And without further ado, she stepped forward and began calling out to beings unknown.
"Hey everyone, I'm back!" Melanie announced happily, her voice echoing gently around the clearing and across the surface of the idyllic pond, "And I brought visitors! Come out and say hello!"
For a long moment, nothing happened.
Then the bushes dotted around the forest clearing and amongst the trees began rustling, their leaves parting to reveal the presence of numerous small figures. It was the same over at the pond, shadowy figures slowly rising from the depths. Before the stunned eyes of Nolan, Brock and Meadow, a wide variety of wild Pokemon started to emerge. Some were familiar, others brand new to the weary travellers. After a quick count, Nolan saw a Caterpie, two Rattata, a Paras, and a creature that he recognised from his beloved textbooks as a Weepinbell. Over in the pond, splashing about lazily under the warmth of the summer's sun, the golden haired boy spotted a Staryu, a Magikarp, and what Nolan suspected was the same Poliwag they'd met before out in the forest, prior to this whole mess starting.
Melanie looked around at all the newcomers in sheer delight.
"Ah, there you all are!" the pretty blue haired young woman beamed down at them all happily, before she glanced over at her guests and added as an afterthought, "These are the real inhabitants of the Hidden Village, Nolan! All these Pokemon!"
The golden haired boy's icy blue eyes widened in sheer excitement, his earlier frustrations nought but a distant memory now.
"Wow, you're kidding me!" Nolan exclaimed in surprised delight from where he was still slung over Brock's shoulder. He quickly glanced back towards Melanie, his eyes sparkling with renewed interest now, "Are these all your Pokemon? Are you a trainer?"
Melanie let out of that light tinkling laugh or hers again.
"Oh goodness no" the pretty blue haired young woman looked amused just by the very concept of being a Pokemon trainer, "None of these little ones belong to me. They're all just wild Pokemon that I befriended and now help to take care of. You see, a lot of them were injured when the first arrived here, so I nursed them back to health. That's what I do".
By the time she'd finished explaining, Nolan and Brock both looked very impressed.
"Wow!" Brock breathed softly, staring at Melanie as though she'd hung the moon, he was in such admiration of her, "Does that mean you're some kind of Pokemon doctor, or a Pokemon breeder? You're clearly very skilled with them. They all seem so happy and healthy".
Surprisingly, Melanie shook her head again, still smiling gently at the group.
"Oh no, nothing like that" the pretty blue haired young woman said simply, before she turned her attention back to the various wild Pokemon in front of them, and her smile widened into a full-blown grin, "I'm just… someone who loves Pokemon. I do what I can for them, that's all".
Brock was practically trembling with excitement at the thought of having met someone who loved Pokemon the same way he did.
"Well, you must be very good at it" the aspiring Pokemon breeder paid the beautiful young woman a genuine compliment, unable to resist turning on the charm in the presence of such a pretty face and kind heart, "Look at how much they all adore you!"
From his perch on the boy's shoulder, Nolan couldn't help but roll his eyes. Melanie on the other hand appeared genuinely touched by Brock's kind words.
"Thank you, Brock" the pretty blue haired young woman replied softly, blushing even deeper, a shy smile playing on her lips, "That's very sweet of you".
Nolan felt Brock's body shift slightly beneath him, and he couldn't help but scoff from his precarious position.
"Excuse me" the golden haired boy said snippily, mostly just in an attempt to remind the others that he was actually still present, "But do you mind not flirting when I'm still dangling over your shoulder, please?"
Brock yelped, startled by the sharp input, but he quickly regained his composure. He sheepishly smiled over his shoulder at Nolan.
"Sorry about that, Nolan. I forgot you were here" the aspiring Pokemon breeder admitted, but upon catching the less than impressed expression on the golden haired boy's face, he quickly added, "Didn't mean to lose focus".
Carefully disentangling Nolan's body from his own, Brock lowered the golden haired boy into his arm, before he gently helped Nolan to sit on a nearby tree stump. Almost immediately, the boy's faithful partner was by his side, a look of concern set in her large ruby red eyes.
"Bulba..." she cooed at her beloved human, clearly worried about him.
"Don't you worry Meadow" Nolan smiled down at his beloved partner fondly, reaching down from his seat on the stump to pet her, "I'll be right as rain in no time. I promise".
"Saur..." Meadow still seemed a little unconvinced.
Nolan just patted her bulb one more time, trying his best to look reassuring. The golden haired boy then turned to his friend and smiled.
"Thanks for getting me here Brock" he said to the older boy earnestly, his icy blue eyes genuinely sincere, "I know I was a bit of a pain about the whole, but I am grateful, and I do appreciate you bringing me to get help".
Brock just waved his friend's thanks away modestly.
"It was nothing" the aspiring Pokemon breeder said to Nolan kindly. Before the golden haired boy had a chance to reply, Melanie suddenly stepped in front of him, the motherly concern he was coming to associate with her firmly back in place.
"Okay, let's get that ankle of yours sorted, Nolan, before we do anything else" the pretty blue haired young woman, "First, let me just check that it hasn't got any worse since when I checked it before".
Nolan winced, but nodded gratefully, as Melanie gently removed his shoe and sock in order to properly examine his ankle again. The young woman's touch was reassuring and gentle.
"Thanks, Melanie" Nolan said softly, his icy blue eyes shining with gratitude, "I really appreciate you taking the time to help me like this. You're a lifesaver".
Melanie just bestowed upon him a gracious smile.
"Just doing what I can" the pretty blue haired young woman winked playfully, her sapphire eyes sparkling, "It's important to look after each other, and that includes our Pokemon friends too".
The wild Pokemon around her all chirped and nuzzled Melanie's legs in agreement.
"Yes. It's like I said before" Melanie eventually nodded her head decisively as she finished her examination of Nolan's ankle, "It's definitely a nasty sprain, but thankfully not broken. You're a lucky one, Nolan"
The golden haired boy nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I guess I am..." he agreed, knowing that despite this situation not being ideal for a traveller like himself, it also could have been much, much worse, "How long do you think it'll be before it's healed?"
Melanie took a moment to ponder the inquiry.
"Well... normally I'd recommend taking it easy for at least three days, if not longer, making sure to keep the area elevated and well rested. But since I know that's not a scenario you're likely to follow given your nature as a traveling trainer, maybe... a couple of hours with the right treatment" the pretty blue haired young woman rubbed her chin thoughtfully for a moment, before she suddenly snapped her fingers as an idea came to her, "I know! Rest here for just a moment. I've got the necessary supplies in my cabin to patch you up and get that ankle moving again in no time!"
And with that, the pretty blue haired young woman dashed off in the direction of her cabin, the two boys both staring after her.
"She's truly something special" Brock whispered to himself as he watched her go with a newfound admiration, his playful flirting replaced by a genuine respect, "I've never met anyone like her before".
Nolan rolled his eyes at Brock's obvious infatuation, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Before anything more words could be spoken, the door to the cabin suddenly opened again, and Melanie step back out into the wilderness. Gathered in a big bundle in her arms was an collection of basic medical supplies, a humble assortment of bandages, antiseptic, and soothing ointments. She quickly marched over towards the tree stump upon which Nolan was sitting. As she approached, the blue haired young woman could see the determination in Nolan's eyes, a clear indication that he was counting on her to get him back on his feet in a timely manner. Melanie could only hope that she wouldn't disappoint him.
"Here we go!" the pretty blue haired young woman said cheerfully and she set down her supplied and held up a particular bottle of ointment, "My own special recipe! If this can't clear up that nasty bruise is a hurry, nothing can!"
The confidence with which Melanie said those words peaked Nolan's interest.
"Own recipe?" the golden haired boy repeated, arching his eyebrow as he stared at the bottle in Melanie's hand. He didn't want to sound like he doubted her, but admittedly Nolan had been expecting licenced medication, not a herbal remedy, "What makes it so good, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Well..." she began, a teasing lilt in her voice, clearly in her element, "This family recipe has all-natural ingredients that would make any herbalist green with envy".
Nolan couldn't help but chuckle at the joke, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
"Oh really? What's in it, Moltres tears and fairy dust?" he asked teasingly.
Steadily getting used to the boy's sarcastically sense of humour, Melanie took no offence and just laughed again.
"Close" the pretty blue haired young woman replied, stifling a grin, "It's actually Arnica for the bruise, Vitamin E for healing, and just a hint of lavender to keep the patient calm. But what really gives it a kick are Paras' spores and Weepinbell's pollen!"
"Paras' spores and Weepinbell's pollen?" Nolan repeated incredulously, his eyes flickering over to the two wild Pokemon in question.
"Oh yes" Melanie nodded her head sagely, but upon catching the confused expression on her patient's face, she quickly elaborated, "As I'm sure you're aware since your own partner is a Bulbasaur, but Grass Type Pokemon have always been associated with healing, for example through techniques like Leech Seed, Absorb and Synthesis. But what people often don't know is that the parts those Pokemon shed, like leaves or flowers or in some cases even fruits, those too can contain various different medical properties. There's even a theory that Grass Type Pokemon in the ancient past are responsible for bestowing on nature the different effects of each berry you might find growing out in the wild today, though many different scientists have disputed that last one. It just goes to show once again how truly amazing all Pokemon are".
By the time that the pretty blue haired young woman was finished speaking, Nolan and Brock both looked slightly awestruck.
"That's incredible" the golden haired boy whispered in amazement, before he glanced down at his partner in wonder. She just smile up at him, almost like she knew a secret her beloved human didn't.
"And you use those ingredients to help make medicine? Impressive" Brock couldn't help but compliment Melanie, who smiled but continued her work on Nolan's ankle.
The two boys, along with a protective Meadow, all watched closely as the pretty blue haired young woman first spread a thick layer of the homemade herbal ointment over the damaged area. Nolan couldn't help but gasp, not because it stung, but because the natural remedy felt refreshing cool against his bruised skin.
"There we go" Melanie said as she finished spreading the ointment, before she then produced a support brace and slipped it over Nolan's foot and up his ankle. Finally, the pretty blue haired young woman held up a roll of bandage, and began working on tightly binding everything in place, "Let's get this ankle wrapped up. I'll need to elevate it and ice it, but these bandages will help take the strain off and keep it stable until it heals. Then I have some shop-bought anti-inflammatory pills to help with pain and swelling".
Melanie continued wrapping the bandages around Nolan's ankle with practiced expertise. Soon enough, her work was done.
"There we go! That should do the trick for now" the pretty blue haired young woman smiled in self-satisfaction, "Try to keep weight off it as much as possible, and we'll change the ice packs every hour or so until you guys decide its time to move on".
Nolan wiggled his toe experimentally, before beaming up at his saviour.
"Thanks for taking care of me, Melanie" the golden haired boy bowed his head, both his tone and expression positively shining with the utmost gratitude, "I owe you big time".
Melanie just let out that pleasant giggle of hers again.
"Oh don't worry about that!" the pretty blue haired young woman casually waved his thanks aside with an air of modesty, "Helping others is what I love doing. It's what brings me joy".
From off to the side, Brock couldn't help but smile flirtatiously at her again.
"I bet you get a lot of joy bringing smiles to handsome young men like us too, don't you?" the aspiring Pokemon breeder teased, enjoying how Melanie instantly started blushing.
"Brock!" the pretty blue haired young woman gasped, her cheeks now dusted a faint pink, "I... I suppose it doesn't hurt that I'm able to put the basic medical skills I have to good use like this..."
Pausing in his efforts to carefully pull his sock over the stiff bandages on his foot, Nolan rolled his eyes at his friends.
"Ugh, seriously Brock?" the golden haired boy shook his head in sheer exasperation, "Could you please focus? We have way bigger things to worry about right now, like finding Ash, Misty and Pikachu, not to mention getting to Vermilion City!"
Before Brock could open his mouth to respond, Melanie piped up first.
"You need to take your medication first Nolan" the young woman reminded him as she handed him the anti-inflammatory pills she had mentioned earlier. Nolan accepted them gratefully.
"Actually, could I trouble you for some water with the pain meds?" the golden haired boy hated to ask, but knew it was necessary, "I've never been able to swallow pills on their own".
Melanie was only too happy to accommodate him.
"Of course!" the pretty blue haired young woman hopped up and headed over to the cabin to fetch Nolan a bottle of water. While she was gone, Brock sighed warily before he tiredly sat down on the tree stump next to Nolan.
"Dude... What are we gonna do?" the aspiring Pokemon breeder asked hopelessly. He seemed to be taking there situation a lot more seriously now that Melanie wasn't around to flirt with for the moment, "We can't exactly just sit around here waiting for your ankle to heal. Ash and Misty could be in real trouble..."
Nolan's handsome features twisted into a heavy frown, his own concern for their friend palpable.
"I know, I know... Don't you think I'm worried about them too?" the golden haired boy grumbled as his own frustration with their situation bubbled to the surface, "But what can we do? I can barely walk!"
The aspiring Pokemon breeder ran his hand through his hair as he tried to think of a solution.
"What if I left you here for a while to rest up?" Brock eventually suggested, watching Nolan's expression carefully, "Melanie could keep an eye on you whilst I go scout ahead and look for them?"
Nolan didn't looked all-too-thrilled by the idea, but he could admit it was a creditable one.
"I suppose..." the golden haired eventually sighed, hating the idea of being left behind but knowing there was no real alternative he could off, "But take Meadow with you. She might not exactly be built for long distance searching, but she can still be useful, just in case you run into any trouble. You got that Meadow? Go with Brock and do what he tells you, okay?"
"Bulba..." Meadow begrudgingly nodded, looking no more happy with the situation than Nolan himself did.
"Good girl" Nolan smiled as he leaned down and petted her bulb, "Alright, I guess you should get too it. The sooner you guys search for Ash and Misty, the sooner you'll find them".
At that moment, Melanie returned with a small bottle of water and pills, just in time to hear the last part of their conversation.
"Oh! I couldn't help overhearing" the pretty blue haired young woman admitted sheepishly, "You guys are leaving already? To go look for your missing friends?"
"Brock and Meadow are, yeah" Nolan nodded his head in confirmation, before clarifying, "I was going to stick around here for a while to rest this ankle. Would that be alright? I won't get in the way, I promise".
"Of course you won't be in the way!" Melanie laughed as though the very idea of Nolan being an imposition was ridiculous, "It's probably for the best that you do stop here and rest a while. It's no problem at all".
With that decided, Brock quickly stood up and dusted himself down.
"It's agreed then" the aspiring Pokemon breeder smiled, before he cast his gaze in the direction they had originally come from, the direction which the river laid in, "I'll be back once I've found Ash and Misty. You guys be prepared at this end, just in case they need medical attention too. Come on Meadow".
"Bulba!" Meadow sadly said goodbye to her beloved human, before she stepped over to join Brock.
In a matter of seconds, they had both disappeared amongst the trees.
As they went, Nolan couldn't help but sigh miserably, glaring down at his injury with a new sense of loathing. He hated being stuck here whilst there was a possibility his friends might be in danger, but alas, in this state Nolan would only be more of a hindrance than a help. That didn't mean he had to be happy about it though.
"He'll find your friends, and if they need help, we'll give them it" Melanie placed a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder, her tone reassuring, "Try not to worry".
Sadly, that was easier said than done.
As the sun dipped behind the jagged peaks of the valley, casting long shadows that danced like wraiths along the rocky ledge, Ash felt a surge of urgency pulse through him. He glanced down at the tumultuous river below, its frothy waves crashing against the jagged stones, a turbulent reminder of the peril his friends faced.
"Careful you guys!" he shouted, adrenaline quickening his heart as he turned to Misty, who was gripping the ledge with a fierce determination. Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, crackled with electric energy, sharing in the gravity of the moment, "This part's a little steep!"
The group continued making their cautious, slow descent down to the riverbank stretching out beneath them.
"Do you think they're okay?" Misty's voice wavered, a mix of worry and bravery lighting her eyes. Ash could see her resolve hardening as she focused on the task ahead.
"I certainly hope so" the raven haired boy replied, but he couldn't deny the knot of worry twisting up his stomach, "But we have to get down there, fast, just in case they're not!"
With every careful step, the trio inched further down the edge of the cliff, their hearts racing in sync with the rushing water below. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of damp earth mingling with the faint aroma of wildflowers that clung stubbornly to the cliffside. Each slip of gravel beneath their feet sent a shiver of fear through Ash, but he couldn't let that stop him. Together, they were more than just a team; they were a family forged through countless adventures, and today, they would not let anything tear them apart. With a final nod to each other, they prepared to navigate down the steep incline, the sound of Brock and Nolan's voices echoing in their minds like a distant melody. As Pikachu's cheeks sparked with determination, Ash knew one thing: they would bring their friends back, no matter the challenge that lay ahead.
Soon enough, they were one step closer to making that a reality.
"Phew!" the raven haired boy wiped a bead of sweat from his brow as his foot touched down against the riverbank, "We made it!"
"Yeah" Misty gave her friend a strained smile, but it faded as she turned her attention to the rushing river just a few steps away from them, "But I don't see Nolan or Brock or Meadow anywhere".
"Chu..." Pikachu looked worried about their friends as well.
"I guess they must have got swept away downstream somewhere" the raven haired boy reasoned, his russet coloured eyes narrowing as he eyed the choppy waters.
"We have to find them!" Misty fretted nervously, "Come on, let's go!"
"Right" Ash nodded in agreement.
So without pausing to even catch their breath, the group all set of running ago, a sense of urgency buzzing under their individual skins like a live wire. In the end, Ash ended up at the front of the search, and when he noticed Misty beginning to lag behind, he called back over his shoulder.
"Hurry up!" he told her with a little more bite than he'd meant too.
"Pika!" Pikachu added anxiously.
Misty shot him a glare that could rival the intensity of the midday sun, her temper bubbling just beneath her calm façade. But just as she opened her mouth to unleash a scathing retort - something along the lines of 'You think I'm a machine?' - the ground beneath her gave way. One moment she was standing, the next she was plummeting down, a scream ringing through the air as she vanished into the depths of a concealed pitfall trap.
As the cool earth enveloped her, time seemed to stretch into a surreal eternity. Thoughts raced through her mind like wildfire - what had happened? How deep was this hole? Would Ash even notice she was gone?
The orange haired girl tumbled down, the world above her fading into a distant echo, replaced by the damp scent of soil and the muffled sounds of nature. In the chaos of her descent, the adrenaline surged through her veins, igniting a spark of fear and curiosity that intertwined like vines around her heart. Finally, she landed with a thud, the impact jarring her senses back to reality. Dust settled around her as she sat up, brushing her hair out of her face and blinking away the disorientation.
"Misty?" she heard Ash's voice say from somewhere up above her, his tone filled with a mix of concern and disbelief.
She couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Her day had taken a turn she never saw coming, and as she looked around the dim confines of her new surroundings, a sense of panic began to set in. Why would someone make a pitfall trap so close to the river? Who dug it? And more importantly, how would she escape?
"WHOA!" Ash's voice sound again, much closer now. Looking up, Misty saw him standing at the edge of the pitfall trap, staring "How'd you get down there?"
Misty didn't even try to hold back the derisive scoff of irritation that slipped her lips.
"I fell in! How else?!" the Water Type Pokemon Specialist snapped in annoyance, gingerly clambering to her feet, pleased to note that she was still in one piece and nothing seemed injured, "What's a trap doing here?!"
Ash glanced around, an air of suspicion in his gaze.
"It seems pretty strange" the raven haired boy eventually remarked thoughtfully, unable to shake the feeling that someone might be watching them.
Evidently, Misty was having similar thoughts.
"Just help me out, quick!" the orange haired girl pleaded desperately with her friend, reaching her hands up so Ash could grab her. After all, if there was a deranged lunatic going around setting traps in the woods for unsuspecting trainers like herself, Misty didn't much fancy sticking around to meet them.
Ash just sighed and shook his head in disbelief. He knelt down and firmly took Misty's reaching hands in both of his own. He quickly got to work on hauling her back to safety.
"This is just not our day" the raven haired boy muttered under his breath to himself.
Truer words had never been spoken.
Meanwhile, high above the lush and vibration forest, where the skyline of pine trees brushed the cerulean sky, a hushed tension hung in the air. Atop a rugged mountain, nestled within the tangled undergrowth of the dense forest, three notorious conspirators crouched furtively inside a bush, their eyes wide with anticipation. Jessie, with her sleek magenta hair peeking through the green foliage, adjusted her binoculars, the lenses glinting in the dappled sunlight. Beside her, James, ever her suave yet slightly anxious sidekick, fidgeted nervously, his fingers tapping on the ground.
"Are you sure this is the right area?" he asked his friends, an air of scepticism in his tone.
Meowth, the street-smart Scratch Cat Pokemon with a penchant for mischief, rolled his eyes from his spot between the two humans.
"Of course it is!" the furry little creature exclaimed, his voice a mix of bravado and impatience. "If we don't snag dose Pokemon today, den my name isn't Meowth! Meowth!"
James still didn't look too convinced, but as the trio continued peering through their binoculars, they caught sight of a clearing below, a hidden glade bathed in golden sunlight, where a single cabin stood gracefully among the wildflowers. Jessie's lips quirked into a cruel sneer as she noticed it.
"Aha! See that little cabin?" the magenta haired woman cackled with glee, "I bet its part of this so-called Hidden Village we're looking for! It's supposed to be on the other side of that bridge after all".
From his spot in the bush beside her, James nodded his head sagely.
"Let's just hope the rumours about it being chock-full of Pokemon are true" the cyan haired said wistfully, his eyes hopeful.
In-between the two of them, the Scratch Cat Pokemon began to laugh.
"Hee hee hee!" Meowth let out an adorable little giggle, which coming from anyone else could almost be considered cute, "Just wait and see what Team Rocket's got planned for you, you delicious little village. Hee hee!"
Oh, and what beautifully diabolical plans they were...
Having successfully rescued his friend from the pitfall trap she had unwittingly fallen into, it hadn't taken long for Ash to suggest that perhaps they were better off searching a different area of the forest for their missing friends. Misty had readily agreed, and so they had quickly vacated the riverbank. Now the sun hung high in the sky, casting an amber hue over the dense canopy of trees, a stark contrast to the dark worry pooling in Ash's stomach. Each step deeper into the woods felt heavier, as if the vibrant greens around them were conspiring to keep their friends' current location hidden. They couldn't give up though. And they wouldn't. They would find Nolan and Meadow and Brock, no matter what it took. Ash only hoped that they would all be okay when they did.
The alternative didn't bare thinking about.
"NOLAN?!" the raven haired boy called the name of his lifelong best friend, his brother in all but blood, "HEY, NOLAN?! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!"
"BROCK?!" Misty added, her voice strong despite being heavy with concern, "BROCK?! NOLAN?! MEADOW?! ANYONE?!"
Nothing. Not even the chirp of a nearby Pidgey. The forest was silent.
"Think they washed this far downstream?" Misty's voice trembled slightly, breaking the eerie silence enveloping them like a thick fog.
Ash glanced at her, his heart racing with unspoken fears. Nolan and Brock seemed to have vanished like whispers in the wind, their day of adventure turned into a nightmare in a single moment. A moment they were all still paying dearly for. The raven haired boy opened his mouth to respond, but any words he might have been about to utter died on his lips. The reason why was very simple.
At that exact moment, something unbelievable happened.
The only indication that something odd was about to happen was a faint snap that seemed to echo through the trees. Then, before Ash and Misty could do more than exchange puzzled glances, the ground seemed to vanish from beneath their feet. A hidden trap, expertly camouflaged by nature's design, had sprung into action. In an instant, the two young Pokemon trainers and Pikachu were hoisted aloft, ensnared in a coarse net that swung like a pendulum from a sturdy branch above. The world tilted precariously, and with a flutter of panic, Ash and Misty both instinctively struggled against their bindings.
"WHOA!" the raven haired boy exclaimed with a flutter of panic, squirming like a Caterpie on a fishing hook, "Hey! How'd we get up in a tree?!"
Misty seemed to be a little quicker on the uptake.
"It's another trap!" the Water Type Pokemon Specialist gasped, scarcely able to believe that she had escaped from one trap only to walk headlong straight into another, "Do something!"
Ash just gaped at his fellow prisoner incredulously.
"What can I do?" the raven haired boy demanded to know. Couldn't she see that he was just as trapped in this net as she was?!
"Try wiggling" Misty suggested desperately, her tone and expression both growing steadily more frantic as she began wiggling and flailing about as well, hoping that they might be able to shake themselves loose, "See if the net will open!"
Not expecting much to come of this suggestion, Ash obediently began wriggling and squirming as well.
"Oh, this is dumb!" the raven haired boy exclaimed after several moments of flailing but to no avail. He didn't mean for it to come out quite so condescending, but considering just how frustrated he felt by how today had gone so far, Ash simply couldn't help it.
Needless to say, his blunt words did little to ease Misty's own brewing temper.
"YOU GOT ANY BETTER IDEAS, LET'S HEAR 'EM!" the orange haired girl snarled, practically foaming at the mouth, in the face of one of her closest friends.
Surprisingly it was Pikachu, sensing this was going to escalate into a full-blown argument, who stepped in to try and mediate.
"Pi!" the small yellow creature yelped anxiously, hold up his tiny paws in a placating manner, "Pika! Pi!"
In the end though, it wasn't actually the little Electric Type Pokemon that got Ash and Misty to stop bickering, despite his best effort. Oh no. That particular little miracle came about because of a new arrival on the scene. One that none of them had been expecting, and didn't even notice at first. In fact, it was only the soft growls from the creature in question that alerted the group to its presence.
"Bulba..."
Glancing down, Ash's russet coloured eyes widened to almost comical proportions. Standing there at the base of the very tree that Ash, Misty and Pikachu were all strung up in, was none other than an adorable little Bulbasaur.
"Saur..." the small green creature growled again.
For one fleeting moment, Ash and Misty both shared the hope that the little critter down below might be the partner of their dear friend Nolan. A quick cursory sweep of the Grass Type Pokemon beneath them with their eyes nixed that theory though. The way this Bulbasaur held itself, its facial expression, and even the pattern of its spots was all wrong. No. The Bulbasaur before them most definitely was not Meadow. A disappointment, sure, but it did present Ash with an opportunity to correct his recent failure.
"It's that wild Bulbasaur again!" the raven haired boy gasped in joyous delight.
"Bulba".
The wild Bulbasaur's lips quirked into a smug smile, and the noise it let out sounded suspiciously like an amused snigger. It was obvious that the creature was amused by Ash and Misty's predicament. A fact that was only reaffirmed when the Seed Pokemon suddenly turned its back on the ensnared humans and slowly walked away.
Needless to say, Ash was not happy to be given such a brush off. Not. One. Bit.
"HOLD IT THERE BULBASAUR!" the raven haired bellowed, his loud voice startling a few nearby roosting wild Pidgey and Pidgeotto right out of their tree. He quickly began thrashing about, kicking and punching and not caring who or what he hit, he was so desperate to escape so he could pursue the elusive rare wild Pokemon, "I WANT A MATCH!"
The boy was so lost in his frenzy, he didn't even realise that he was bouncing Misty and Pikachu around like ragdolls.
"NOW YOU'RE WIGGLING TOO MUCH!" Misty clung onto the ropes around her tightly, fearing that Ash was actually going to end up launching them, he was struggling so frantically. A harsh yelp of pain tore its way past her lips when Ash's foot suddenly collided with her, "OUCH! ASH! YOU KICKED ME!"
But Ash was much too far gone to even think about apologising to his friend. He simply just kept thrashing and squirming.
"COME BACK!" the raven haired boy demanded as the Seed Pokemon vanished from sight into some bushes, "BULBASAUR!"
It was no use though.
The wild Bulbasaur was gone, and so were Ash's hopes of adding that rare and elusive wild Kanto region starter to his team today. The raven haired boy grit his teeth in sheer frustration. He couldn't believe that he'd let such a wonderful slip through his fingers. Twice. In a single day. As an upcoming Pokemon trainer, it was humiliating. Sadly however, there was nothing he could do about it now. It was already too late, and that was enough to knock the gust out of Ash's sails. He finally stopped struggling and his protests faded away into nothingness.
A tense silence fell over the group ensnared in the trap.
Surprisingly, it was Ash himself that eventually spoke up first. His reasons were two-fold. First, he couldn't stand the almost oppressive atmosphere that had suddenly descended upon them. And second, he wanted to pull himself back from his depressing thoughts of failure before he ended up spiralling in them.
"Gee, I wonder what happened to Nolan and Brock" the raven haired boy mused aloud, his tone now gentler.
"I wonder too" Misty admitted softly, the tension between them easing now.
"Maybe the river carried them far away, all the way to the ocean" Ash suggested, although he wasn't being entirely serious. He just wanted to fill the heavy silence, by any means necessary, "Then some pirates spotted them and brought them aboard their ship. And one of the pirates has a wooden leg".
Misty just gaped at him as though he had lost the plot entirely.
"You have a crazy imagination" the orange haired girl exclaimed in disbelief, eyeing her friend incredulously.
"Kachu!" even Pikachu seemed to agree with that blunt assessment.
Ash just smirked teasingly at them both.
"Then came the storm" he whispered ominously. It was clear that he was only joking with that last remark though.
Misty rolled her eyes at him. Before she could verbal respond however, the inane conversation was abruptly cut off, a new voice ringing out that caught them all by surprise.
"Ahoy!"
"Huh?" Ash and Misty both looked down, and their eyes practically bulged right out of their heads.
Standing there at the base of the tree was none other than Brock.
The aspiring Pokemon breeder flashed them both a grin, before he suddenly turned and called over his shoulder.
"Over here Meadow!" his voice echoed through the trees, "I've found them!"
"Saur!"
Moments later there came the sound of rustling leaves, and from out of some bushes stepped Nolan's partner. Ash's heart leapt at the sight of her, but to his confusion, there was no sign of the golden haired boy himself. He couldn't help but fear what that might mean.
"Brock!" the raven haired boy gasped, recovering from the surprise first, "Meadow!"
"Why are you guys hanging around up in that tree?" Brock asked curiously, his expression and tone a strange mix of both amusement and bewilderment.
His words were enough to snap Misty out of her own stunned reverie.
"We're not up here by choice Brock!" the Water Type Pokemon Specialist exclaimed incredulously, shooting the boy an annoyed look, "We were searching for you when this trap activated and we got caught in it! Now can you please let us out?!"
Still looking faintly amused, Brock obliged.
"Sure thing" the aspiring Pokemon breeder replied, quickly pulling his small flick knife from out of his pocket, before he approached the rope that was suspending the net high up in the tree. In one swift motion, Brock's knife slashed through the rope, sending the captives plummeting.
"WWWWWAAAAAHHHHH!"
Ash, Misty and Pikachu all came crashing down like a lead balloon, landing in a crumpled heap on the ground at Brock and Meadow's feet. They each looked a little worse for ware, and poor Pikachu was even swaying on the spot dizzily. Misty looked up at Brock with a reproachful look on her face.
"Thanks" the orange haired girl said with genuine gratitude, but she couldn't resist adding, "But maybe next time, you could let us down a little more gently".
Brock chuckled and ran a hand through his hair sheepishly.
"Yeah, sure" the aspiring Pokemon breeder agreed, his tone and expression both rather apologetic, "Sorry about that".
Ash and Misty both waved his apology aside as they clambered to their feet and dusted themselves off.
"We've been looking all over for you" Misty informed their friend brightly, relieved to see that he was doing okay after that nasty fall.
At her side, Ash nodded as well.
"We saw you and Nolan fall into the river. Then what happened?" the raven haired boy wanted to know, before another thought occurred to him, "And how come you have Meadow with you? Where's Nolan? Is he okay?"
The raven haired boy's concern for his best friend was practically palpable. It was for that reason that Brock was so quick to explain.
"Well, we were being washed away in the rapids..." the aspiring Pokemon breeder quickly launched into an explanation of everything that had happened in the time they'd been separated. He left nothing out. He retold the tale of how Melanie had rescued them all by dragging them from the depths of the river, how they had quickly realised that Nolan's ankle was hurt and that he couldn't walk on it just yet. Ash and Misty were particularly amused when Brock relayed to them just how much Nolan had whined at being carried through the woods over his shoulder. The aspiring Pokemon breeder then explained about the 'Hidden Village', how they had taken Nolan there so Melanie could properly patch him up, and how Nolan had insisted Brock take Meadow with him as he set out to search for Ash and Misty, "So you see, Nolan's back at the Hidden Village. He's resting, waiting for all of us to go back and meet up with him again".
By the time that Brock was finished explaining, Ash and Misty both looked very reassured.
"He's okay though?" Ash wanted to make sure.
"Yep" Brock confirmed with a nod of his head and an easy grin, "He just needs to rest his ankle for a while. Melanie's keeping an eye on him".
"And Melanie's that... how did you describe her?" Misty asked playfully, her tone and expression both incredibly teasing as Brock couldn't help but blush slightly, "The beautiful girl that saved you all?"
Brock didn't like the teasing lilt in her tone. Not. One. Bit. It spelled trouble, he just knew it.
"That's right" Brock confirmed uneasily.
"Hmm, a beautiful girl, huh?" Ash rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his russet coloured eyes brightening, "That's even better than pirates! Unless, of course, she was really a pirate in disguise!"
The absurdity of the comment left Misty, Brock and even Pikachu all gaping at him in sheer disbelief.
"And maybe it's time to get a reality check" Misty retorted dryly before she could stop herself.
Ash honestly couldn't help himself.
The raven haired boy threw back his head and laughed long and hard.
They had successfully reunited with one of their friends, and soon they would be back with the other as well. And whilst the latter might have sustained an injury along the way, at least it was on the mend, and on the bright side, they were all safe and sound again now.
And that was just... fantastic.
And that marks the end of another chapter : )
Now I don't actually have an awful lot to say about the contents of the chapter this time, but since I've had some time off recently, I have played through a significant portion of the game and so I wanted to give you guys an update on exactly what's been happening and where I'm up to in the Nuzlocke so far. I know I did one not too many chapters ago, but I still wanted to give an update on my progress.
So, as you might remember, I previously mentioned that I had defeated Morty and earned the badge from the Ecruteak City gym, which unlocked the ability to use Surf outside of battle, meaning that a significant portion of the Johto map has opened up to me. Since then, I have been going to as many different locations as possible, picking up my encounters so I could start grouping them together into the voting topics that we'll come in future updates. This includes the Johto Safari Zone, which I have unlocked in its fullest by passing both of Baoba's tests after I got the medicine to cure Amphy the Ampharos. This meant that I had access to all twelve of the different biomes there, and I've now captured all twelve of my Safari Zone encounters, so they will begin filtering through soon, perhaps even sooner than you guys might think ; ) In addition to that, I have also cleared out the Team Rocket Hideout side-quest in Mahogany Town, as well as defeating both Chuck and Jasmine in their respective gym battles. I'll go into further details about how those battles went when the time for their Evolution Votes come around. And, as of today in fact after the winner of the latest vote was decided, I have successfully beat all five of the Pokeathlon courses, meaning that I now have access to those additional evolutions as well. There was one I was hoping to use Miltank for, so I'm very glad she won ; ) Finally, I have levelled everybody up to the current level cap, so I'm currently in a very good position in terms of my Johto Nuzlocke. As of now, I am currently waiting before I challenge Pryce. I'm not worried in the slightest since I have Mareep and a platoon of Fire Type Pokemon to deal with his team, but I would like to have a few more encounters and evolution's decided first. Like I said, I'm not particularly worried about that gym battle. It's the one afterwards that has me a little concerned. Claire isn't to push over after all ; )
Anyway, that's it for the update this time, so let's move on to this week's voting topic.
Now as I just mentioned, I've unlocked the vast majority of my remaining potential encounters for this particular Nuzlocke, so this week's voting topic is going to be another Encounter Vote to decide the next new member to be joining Nolan's team. Here are the options you guys can pick between this time : )
Pokemon Options: -
Safari Zone (Swamp): - Murkrow - Male - Hardy Nature - Super Luck Ability
Route 48: - Farfetch'd - Male - Relaxed Nature - Inner Focus Ability
Safari Zone Gate - Pineco - Timid Nature - Sturdy Ability
Safari Zone (Meadow): - Sunkern - Female - Brave Nature - Solar Power Ability
Safari Zone (Desert): - Sandshrew - Male - Gentle Nature - Sand Veil Ability
Okay, so I won't deny that I have high hopes for how the result of this particular Voting Topic will go. There's one specific Johto Pokemon available here that I'm really hoping for, not only because it would add a brand new elemental type to Nolan's team (And I mean literally all of the Pokemon collected in all three of the Nuzlockes I've done so far when I say that), but the evolution it eventually received in a later generation is potentially one of my very favourite Pokemon ever. It's definitely in my top ten, so I literally have all my fingers crossed that you guys like it too and will vote for it. As always however, I don't get to decide the votes myself, so please go leave your vote in a review : )
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 : )