After seeing off his first customer, Fang Yan returned to his chair and picked up the herbology book to continue studying.
Gengar sat nearby watching the big television. It was a little hot after lunch, so Fang Yan had invited Dali and the others over to sit and watch TV. Petilil, however, had no interest in it.
Closing the book, Fang Yan glanced outside. Figuring there would be no more customers today, he stood up.
Gengar, Dali, and the others all looked at Fang Yan.
"How about we go take a look around the forest today?"
Fang Yan asked with a smile.
The Pokémon nodded. Gengar turned off the TV, and Dali and the others stood up. Seeing this, Fang Yan went outside and brought the wooden board back in, then hung a "Temporarily closed" sign on the door before returning to the backyard.
"Dali, San Li, you two can come along. Er Li, can you stay home and keep an eye on our place?"
Not knowing what he might find in the forest, Fang Yan put on a carrying basket, then looked at the three of them as he spoke.
Then one of the Machamp, presumably Er Li, stepped forward and saluted, the very picture of a qualified security guard.
"Champ!"
"Sorry for the trouble!"
Fang Yan returned the salute with an equally serious expression.
Having arranged for a Pokémon to watch the house, Fang Yan went to the grass by the lake and asked whether Petilil wanted to come with him. After getting an answer, he picked Petilil up and headed toward the forest behind the Pokémon Day Care.
Passing the area designated as the herb garden, Fang Yan stopped and examined it carefully. He decided to buy some herb seeds to plant when he returned, then buy some vegetable seeds to plant next to them.
"Dali, when we get back, I might need your help tilling this patch again. Then we can plant herbs and some vegetables you like to eat."
Fang Yan looked at the Machamp as he made his request.
Looking at Fang Yan's sincere face, Dali and San Li froze for a moment, then patted their chests.
"Champ."
We've long since thought of this place as home.
Standing at the forest entrance, Fang Yan still found it a little eerie inside, even though it was noon.
He patted Petilil's little head in his arms to bolster his courage, then turned to Gengar.
"Gengar, you'll all protect me, right?"
Hearing this, Gengar stopped grinning, stared straight at the entrance, then nodded seriously and floated into Fang Yan's shadow, leaving only a pair of scarlet eyes.
Feeling the temperature around him drop a few degrees, Fang Yan shivered.
Why did it feel... even creepier?
As for Dali and San Li, one stood beside Fang Yan while the other led the way ahead.
Seeing them surround him, Fang Yan nodded. If they really encountered danger, he would have Gengar deliver a point-blank Hypnosis, then send Dali and San Li over to help put the threat to sleep.
Fang Yan nodded. Sensing the strange air emanating from him, Petilil called out in confusion from his arms:
"Lil?"
"Let's go!"
Patting Petilil's little head, Fang Yan entered the forest.
Unlike the city's concrete jungle, the canopy before him blotted out the sky, allowing only scattered sunlight to fall through the gaps. The leaves were lush and green, like emerald jade in the sunlight, and every breeze set them dancing. Their rustling mingled with the Pokémon cries, now loud, now soft, now distant, now close, seemingly clear yet indistinct, like a moving piece of music.
The scent of nature in his nose eased Fang Yan's nerves, and even Petilil in his arms grew happier.
It doesn't look all that threatening.
With that thought, Fang Yan continued walking with Dali and the others.
"Bidoof? Those teeth really are huge up close. Why does it look so dopey? I wonder if it'll let out an 'ah...'"
"A forest Burmy? It really is wrapped in leaves. How amazing."
"What's that? Kricketot and Kricketune? They really do sound lovely."
Watching the red Kricketune cross its blade-like forearms over its chest and produce a pleasant cry, Fang Yan was a little tempted to take it back to the Pokémon Day Care.
As they ventured farther in, signs of Pokémon grew more plentiful, and rustling sounds came from the surrounding grass from time to time.
There's no danger at all.
Like a curious child, Fang Yan looked around at the Pokémon while thinking to himself.
"What's that smell? Why does it stink so much?"
A foul odor suddenly wafted over, growing increasingly strong. Fang Yan covered his nose and looked around, but saw nothing unusual.
"Could it be a Gloom?"
Fang Yan was about to search more carefully for the Gloom when he noticed Dali staring fixedly at the grass ahead.
After a rustle, a Skuntank appeared in front of Fang Yan.
It stared at Fang Yan, the stench coming off its body growing stronger and stronger. Just as it was about to act, Dali delivered a textbook uppercut, and it vanished from sight.
"Champ."
It stinks.
One punch... sent it flying?
The stench still had not dissipated, though, so Fang Yan walked away.
They reached a small stream, which was unusually quiet.
A bad feeling came over Fang Yan as he watched the vines moving constantly before him.
"No way, right?"
No sooner had he spoken than an enormous Tangrowth stood up and reached out an arm to grab him.
Then, right before Fang Yan's eyes, it flew into the air.
"Gengar..."
Gengar's voice came from behind him, and immediately afterward, Tangrowth was flung away, disappearing without a trace.
Fang Yan turned back and gave Gengar a thumbs-up.
"Gengar (￣^￣)"
I'm super strong.
Seeing Gengar retreat into his shadow again, Fang Yan happily continued forward.
Some time after they left the stream, signs of Pokémon grew plentiful again.
A Budew lazily basked in the sun nearby, its round body resembling an unopened flower bud.
A Cherubi's pink body drew the attention of the Starly and Staravia in the trees.
Murkrow and Honchkrow perched in the trees watching Fang Yan, not daring to make a move.
Several Aipom were swinging back and forth through the trees as well.
Every so often, Fang Yan found some fairly good herbs and Berries. He left some behind and put all the rest straight into the basket on his back without a second thought.
The Aipom followed Fang Yan. Seeing the Berries in his basket, one took advantage of his distraction, hooked the hand on its tail around a branch, and hung upside down. It quickly scooped up some Berries along with some herbs, then pulled itself upright, snickering.
The next second, a purple figure appeared in front of it.
"Gengar?! (•́へ•́╬)"
You dare steal my food?!
No sooner had the words left Gengar's mouth than Aipom saw light flare in Gengar's eyes, then swayed and collapsed.
Gengar used psychic power to put everything back into Fang Yan's basket, looked at all the food inside, then looked at the other Aipom.
Not trusting Fang Yan to carry it, Gengar floated to his side and gestured for him to hand over the basket so Gengar could carry it instead.
Unable to win against Gengar's insistence, Fang Yan had no choice but to hand it over. After Fang Yan helped settle the basket on Gengar's back, Gengar tested its weight, found it satisfactory, then followed beside Fang Yan, continuing to gather Berries.
Gengar was much faster than Fang Yan, floating all over with the basket, sometimes up into trees, sometimes into the grass, and sometimes... unable to go into the water, Gengar could only tearfully give up.
Even Dali and San Li, after making sure Fang Yan remained within sight, began their own treasure hunt.