Chapter 9: Viridian Forest  

Walking through the rest area, Gary went straight to the restaurant in the Pokémon Center. At this time, Mia had already taken a seat and was waiting for him. Seeing him walk out of the rest area, she quickly stood up and shouted, "Gary, you are so slow. I have ordered the meal for you. Come and eat it while it's hot. I have already eaten."

"You are still the same. You are not good at anything, but you are the first in eating... Then I will eat first. Please help me get the Pokémon I deposited here and the badge box for participating in the League Competition."

Sitting in the seat, Gary said while eating. Mia grew up with him in Pallet Town since childhood. She knows everything about him, and Gary is still very relieved to let her help pick up the Pokémon and badge boxes deposited here.

Hearing Gary's words, Mia nodded and said, "You are the only one who talks too much. Then you eat first, I will go get it for you." After that, Mia went to the counter and received the Pokémon and badge box that Gary had deposited. When she got the Poké Balls, she was stunned at first, and then she walked towards the restaurant. When she returned to the restaurant, she saw Gary still eating. Mia took out three Poké Balls and shook them in front of Gary, and said, "Gary, you are not honest. You only have two Pokémon. Where did you get three Poké Balls? Tell the truth."

"Oh no, I forgot about the Charmander I received before. This new Pokémon has not shown up yet. It seems... I need to think of a way to get away with it first." Seeing Mia holding three Poké Balls, Gary was immediately shocked and said, "Why are you making a fuss? I have to participate in the gym competition in the next town. Isn't it normal to have three Pokémon? Besides, I thought you knew, and you didn't ask me how many Pokémon I have?"

"Well, I don't think I asked you this question... Have you eaten yet? After eating, we should hit the road."

"After eating, let's go."

Seeing that Mia was temporarily fooled, Gary put down his chopsticks and smiled slightly. Then, the two left the Pokémon Center and headed towards the Viridian Forest.

"According to the introduction of the Viridian Forest in the anime, plus some of what I know, the Viridian Forest will be more dangerous after dark."

Outside the Viridian Forest, looking at the densely covered trees and lush grass in the Viridian Forest, Gary didn't have much reaction, after all, he had seen it in the anime.

After the two entered the Viridian Forest, the scene in front of them suddenly became much darker, and it looked like dusk. This is because the trees in the forest are densely covered, blocking the sunlight.

"This Viridian Forest is really dark, and it feels very depressing. Let's go quickly. I don't want to stay here all the time, or I will have psychological trauma."

Looking around, Mia was a little uncomfortable with the dark environment in the Viridian Forest, and spoke.

"Hearing what you said, it is indeed quite depressing, but this is our only way. Instead of complaining here, it is better to hurry up. After all, if we want to get out of the Viridian Forest as soon as possible, we have to hurry up."

"But we can't rush this matter. After all, the Viridian Forest is not like the small forest where we met before. If you get lost there, you may still be able to get out, but if you get lost in the Viridian Forest, you will most likely be trapped. If you are lucky, you may be able to get out, but the chance is too small."

Gary also felt the same as what Mia said. He was also a little uncomfortable, but not as exaggerated as Mia said, so he didn't complain too much.

In addition, there are various complicated forks in the Viridian Forest. Even people who are familiar with the Viridian Forest dare not wander around in the Viridian Forest, let alone people like them who are not familiar with the Viridian Forest.

"What should we do? Hearing your terrible words, I want to go home."

Hearing Gary say that the danger level of the Viridian Forest is so high, Mia panicked a little. Not only that, she even had the idea of going home.

"Why are you panicking? The Viridian Forest is indeed dangerous, but we will find a way out when the time comes. However, what you said later reminded me that if you really want to go home now, you should go back as soon as possible. If you really go deep into the heart of the Viridian Forest, you may have no way back."

Seeing Mia panicking and saying that she wanted to go home, Gary patted her on the shoulder and comforted her first. Then, Gary looked at her seriously and asked her to think clearly. Before she went deep into the Viridian Forest, she still had a way out, but once she went deep into the Viridian Forest, there would be no way out.

"Honestly, I don't know."

At this moment, Mia was very entangled, and she didn't know what to do.

"To be honest, I think you should go out of Pallet Town. This will undoubtedly benefit you, and with your strength, you can completely solve these dangers. You just can't get over the psychological hurdle now, but the final choice is in your hands. If you choose to go back, I understand."

Seeing Mia's difficult expression and not knowing what to do, Gary smiled helplessly and spoke slowly.

"You're right. I should go out of Pallet Town. This will undoubtedly benefit me, and with my strength, it's not difficult to solve these dangers. So I choose to stay. But as you said, I can't get over the psychological barrier. If I choose to stay, will it drag you down? And I'm a little worried. After all, the Viridian Forest is so dark. We have to find some light sources. Otherwise, make a torch. In this way, the feeling of fear can be slightly reduced."

After a long ideological struggle, Mia finally chose to stay. However, she still couldn't completely solve some of her psychological problems. In addition, she was still a little worried, so she suggested making a torch. At least if there is a light source, it can also make people less afraid.

"You have a point, but I have a better way, but I don't know if it's feasible, and this method needs your help." Hearing Mia's words, Gary smiled slightly.

"Don't joke, how can I help? Except for a little talent in fighting, I'm basically useless in other aspects. You know this."

Hearing Gary actually say that he needs her help, Mia smiled helplessly, obviously still extremely unconfident in herself.

"How can you think so... I believe that after this journey, you will change, but now is not the time to talk about this. You should release Charmander first. We can use the flame on its tail as a torch. Isn't this more practical than making a torch? After all, its flame will not go out."

Seeing Mia looking at him blankly, Gary smiled and said what he thought.

"Yes, isn't the flame on Charmander's tail the most useful light source? If you hadn't said it, I would have forgotten this. Charmander, come out."

Hearing what Gary said, Mia suddenly realized and quickly released Charmander. Under the illumination of Charmander's tail flame, the originally dark Viridian Forest suddenly became brighter, but it was only brighter. If you look closely, the forest is still relatively dark.

"It doesn't work much, but it's not completely useless. At least it's much brighter now than before."

Glancing at the brighter Viridian Forest, Mia's face dimmed at first, but she was relieved after thinking about it.

"Of course, one Charmander won't have much effect, but two are completely different."

Seeing Mia's face darken, Gary smiled slightly.

"You said it lightly. Although Charmanders exist in the wild, they are still very rare near Viridian City. How can we possibly encounter a second one? I think it's pretty good now, at least there is a little light."

Hearing Gary say that two Charmanders would be much more effective, Mia smiled helplessly.

"That's not necessarily true. Charmander, come out."

Seeing Mia helpless, Gary smiled slightly, threw out the Poké Ball, and a Charmander appeared in front of the two. With the appearance of this Charmander, the dark forest suddenly became much brighter.