"Hello."
Ye Qing put his luggage in the trunk and climbed into the back seat, where a girl about his age was already sitting. Her soft skin and long chestnut hair made her look especially cute, though she seemed a little spacey.
Wang Yao turned around to introduce them. "This is my good buddy Ye Qing. This is my girlfriend, Sun Xiaowei, and this is her best friend, Su Yiqin."
"Hello."
Ye Qing looked toward the driver's seat. Sun Xiaowei looked stylish in her sunglasses, her shoulder-length hair and denim outfit making a sharp contrast with the sweet, naturally ditzy Su Yiqin.
After exchanging greetings, Ye Qing and Wang Yao shared a knowing look.
Wang Yao grinned, well aware that Ye Qing was marveling at how quickly he had found himself another girlfriend.
They sped along the road and reached the foot of the mountain in just a few hours.
Since it was the weekend, quite a few people were visiting.
With a backpack on her shoulders, Sun Xiaowei excitedly suggested, "Why don't we explore Back Mountain? The front has all been developed. It's no fun."
Su Yiqin adjusted her sun hat and stammered, "Is... is that really a good idea? Our Pokémon are all too weak. What if we run into danger..."
Wang Yao interrupted her with a laugh. "Oh, what danger could there be? Don't worry, we definitely won't go far. What do you think, Ye Qing?"
Ye Qing took a backpack. Seeing Wang Yao and Sun Xiaowei exchanging flirtatious looks, he knew exactly what they were planning.
The front of the mountain really was crowded, and finding a wild Pokémon to battle there would be a hassle. After weighing things up, he could only agree. "I think we'll be fine as long as we don't go far."
"All right, then."
Su Yiqin pursed her lips and thought for a moment. Seeing that the other three agreed, she said nothing more.
Wang Yao led the way, waving with a smile. "Follow me! I know a trail that leads to Back Mountain!"
Avoiding the crowds, they followed a rugged mountain trail and arrived at Back Mountain. Unlike the developed front, this area was full of century-old trees towering into the sky. Their branches intertwined throughout the forest, and the dense foliage spreading in every direction formed enormous umbrellas that blocked out the scorching sun.
The sight fully awakened their sense of adventure. Ignoring the sign warning of danger and forbidding entry, the four released their Pokémon and headed into the forest.
"Chimchar, I'm counting on you to protect me."
Ye Qing released Chimchar and rubbed his head.
The others had released their Pokémon as well. Compared with Chimchar, who had hatched last, Wang Yao's Treecko was already level 9. Sun Xiaowei had a level 10 Torchic, while Su Yiqin had a level 8 Swablu.
"Your Xiao Qing is so cute!"
Sun Xiaowei stroked Swablu's cotton-candy wings, reluctant to take her hands away.
"A traitor to dragonkind?"
Ye Qing rubbed his nose and muttered under his breath as he looked at the adorable Swablu.
"What did you say?"
Wang Yao hadn't caught what Ye Qing had said and leaned closer to ask curiously.
"Nothing. Let's go."
Ye Qing shook his head and took the lead into the forest.
"Xiao Qing, keep an eye on the sky."
Su Yiqin patted Swablu on the head and gave the instruction quietly.
"Chirp~"
Swablu nodded gently, then flew above their heads with a light flutter of wings.
Noticing Wang Yao and Sun Xiaowei holding hands and getting lovey-dovey, Ye Qing said to Su Yiqin, who was bringing up the rear, "Walk with me. That way, I can help keep any wild Pokémon in the bushes from attacking you."
"That's right, Qinqin. Walk with Ye Qing so you can look out for each other."
Sun Xiaowei glanced at her bashful friend and pushed her over to Ye Qing's side.
"Um, thank you."
Walking shoulder to shoulder with Ye Qing, Su Yiqin felt a little nervous and kept her hands clasped together.
This girl really is tall...
Walking beside Su Yiqin, who stood a full 175 centimeters tall, even Ye Qing, at exactly 180 centimeters, felt a little pressure.
"Cha!"
As soon as they entered the forest, Treecko seemed to cut loose, nimbly leaping from branch to branch.
Chimchar never forgot that he had to protect Ye Qing. Though he envied Treecko, he dutifully stayed out front, watching for any signs of movement nearby.
"Chic."
Torchic ambled leisurely along beside Sun Xiaowei's feet, looking perfectly content.
Rustle~
Just as everyone began to lower their guard, a sound suddenly came from the bushes ahead and to their left.
"Wah!"
Chimchar stopped and swiftly darted back in front of Ye Qing, taking an attacking stance.
Treecko and Swablu also landed on branches above the group, their eyes fixed on the source of the sound.
Wang Yao and Sun Xiaowei were walking behind them. Seeing Ye Qing and Su Yiqin stop, they asked in confusion, "Did you find a wild Pokémon?"
Before Ye Qing could answer, a purple figure shot out of the bushes, heading straight for Chimchar at the front!
"Chimchar, Quick Guard!"
Since the figure had attacked first, Ye Qing could only have Chimchar block it.
"Woo!"
Chimchar clenched his fists and crossed his arms in front of his chest. A transparent round shield formed before him, knocking the purple figure back with a bang.
Pokémon: Rattata (level 6) Potential: F− Status: Healthy Gender: Male Type: Normal Ability: Guts (If afflicted with a status condition, he guts it out, increasing his Attack.) Held item: None Egg move: Fury Swipes Basic moves: Tackle, Quick Attack Tutored moves: Super Fang TMs: None Notes: Rattata can survive in almost any environment and reproduce quickly. Left unchecked, they can become a pest.
"Rattata?"
After reading the wild Pokémon's information, Ye Qing felt a surge of delight. A Rattata at this level would make a perfect opponent for Chimchar.
"Keep an eye on our surroundings. Chimchar, charge in and use Scratch!"
"Leave it to us."
Wang Yao knew Ye Qing intended to use Rattata for practice and thumped his chest as he readily agreed.
At the command, Chimchar pushed off with both legs and lunged fiercely at Rattata, leaving a blur behind him.
The opposing Rattata was clearly no pushover either. Pushing off with all four legs, he became a streak of white light and hurtled toward Chimchar!
"Grab him!"
Ye Qing knew Chimchar wasn't fast enough to dodge Quick Attack. He might as well seize the opportunity to shut down Rattata's speed advantage!
Bang!
Rattata rammed headfirst into Chimchar's stomach. After landing the hit, he tried to pull away, only to find Chimchar's hands gripping him tightly.
"Use Ember!"
Seeing Rattata's front teeth blazing with white light, Ye Qing immediately gave the command.
Chimchar had put plenty of effort into practicing Ember lately. He blasted the Rattata in front of him with a torrent of sparks that hammered into his face like bullets.
Looking at the defeated Rattata, Ye Qing rubbed Chimchar's head and praised him. "Well done."
"Wah!"
Encouraged by knocking his opponent to the ground, Chimchar raised his fists and roared, brimming with fighting spirit.
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