After a lot of struggle, and complaining about holding strangers' hands, Tene finally agreed to accompany the duo to at least Pewter City.
"You know Tene, I think you could be champion one day," Gray complemented as the group walked down Route 2," I mean, I'd beat you afterwards easily, but still, that fight was pretty ninja. Your small eevee beating that jolteon."
"Meh, being champ isn't as good as it sounds, I'd assume. Like many things."
"For Tene to get Kanto champion she'd have to beat the current champ, TaLegends. I hear he's really strong with his Charizard and he also runs an organisation known as 'The Resistance'," Yob added," They help the police fight crime and strive to defeat Team Rocket, like a boss."
Before Gray could respond a man interrupted," haha, you kids, let me let you in on a little secret, The 'great' TaLegends isn't all that great. Just an overconfident goody two shoes," the grumpy old hoot was coming out of Viridian Forest with a basket of berries.
"Who are you?" Gray asked.
"The name's Stngklabee, I was champion before Ta. I live in the first house in Viridian City."
Gray was shocked that this man was champion before Ta. This guy had been beaten by him and was now living a small, pointless life, a burden on the community. After the group shifted around him without talking or making eye contact, except Tene who appeared to give a swift shake of the head as Stng looked like he had reconised her, they headed up to the entrance of the forest. After the awkward conversation Gray noticed Tene had a second Pokeball on her belt but she hid it away in her shirt before he could ask.
Yob seemed to love this forest, he pranced around with joy, picking toxic flowers, smelling them then falling unconscious for a few minutes. He described the place as perfectly balanced with nature, while stroking weedil.
While walking Gray spotted a wild Pikachu and immediately announced he wanted to catch it. As he tried to sneak up it used thundershock on him, making him collapse on the ground.
"Pika!" It sounded before a pidgeotto came out of the sky, grabbed it and flew off.
"Poop," Gray exclaimed.
"Yum," Tene replied.
***
After walking for ages Gray noticed a small caterpie rubbing a tree.
"Ooooooo, imma catch it! You ain't gonna flee/get eaten like that Pikachu!" Gray announced," Go Squirtle!"
Squirtle came out of its Pokeball and used bubble as commanded. The caterpie got blasted back by the attack, before getting orientated again and using string shot on Squirtle.
"Squirtle, squirt!" It cried with dismay.
While Squirtle was getting the sticky white string off the caterpie tried to run away, making a metre before Squirtle was ready.
"Finish it off with tackle!"
Squirtle lunged forward into Caterpie, knocking it out.
"OMG Squirtle well done!!" Gray exclaimed before grabbing Squirtle by its hands and spinning it around in circles with joy, before letting it go into Yob and Tene," Squirtle return! Now, Pokeball go!"
As predicted, the caterpie was caught and Gray bounded around with joy, proceeding to kick a kakuna into the trees, stating that he didn't need any new Pokemon now. The kakuna let out a distress call and before the group could react a large horde of beedrill came out of the surrounding trees and charged at them.
"Run!" Tene yelled, as the group ran screaming through the forest.
"I'd pimp slap you if I wasn't a pacifist Gray!" Yob added as the ran in the direction of the exit.
Despite the groups best efforts, the beedrill caught up and stung them all over, in many places before flying off smirking.
The trio attempted to get back to their feet, moaning in pain.
"Don't worry guys! I have anti-beedrill sting ointment made from freshly squeezed odishes," Yob said.
"Eww," Tene replied.
After reluctantly applying the ointment, the trio limped out of Viridian Forest, swearing to never return.
