The Way of the Dragons

Viridian With Envy [Part 1]

After healing up our Pokémon, the six of us began our journey to Viridian City.

"The only way to Viridian City is through Viridian Forest," Georgia explained, "It's a large forest crawlin' with Bug-types and some Flyin'-types, too. Hope you're not too skittish 'round 'em."

"We'll be fine," Kat said, "We did a Bug Catching Contest in Johto."

After agreeing with the brunette, I turned to Caps to see him staring at the sky.

"Caps," I began, tapping his shoulder, "You okay?"

The self-proclaimed Champion didn't answer. I glanced at Caps's eyes to see the once sterling silver eyes were a shade of vibrant royal purple; they resembled that of a galaxy.

I've never seen eyes like that before.

"Caps," I said, snapping beside his ear, "You in there?"

The green-haired trainer blinked in surprise and turned to me. His galaxy-like eyes had changed back to silver.

"Sorry, darling; I guess I was spacing out," Caps said sheepishly.

"No kidding," I said, "Your eyes were like a galaxy."

"Yeah, that tends to happen when I space out... and when I'm looking forward to the future."

I reeled back in surprise.

"You can see into the future?" I questioned, "That's new."

"To you, anyway," Caps said casually, "However, what I saw wasn't good."

My face shifted from surprise to concern.

"What was it?" I asked.

"A run-in with an old... acquaintance of mine." Caps answered with an edgy look.

The Clefairy on his shoulder let out a cry before nuzzling her cheek against his.

An old acquaintance of his? How he puts it sounds like he and his acquaintance aren't on good terms.

"We aren't, darling," Caps replied, "Dare I say, he's an old rival of mine."

A rival? I wouldn't think he would even have one, considering his power in Pokémon battles and his psychic abilities.

"What's this about a rival?" Kat asked, looking back at us.

When Kat asked this, the others turned to us.

"Caps has reason to believe we may run into someone... unpleasant." I said.

"What? How do you know that?" Nina asked, "And who is it?"

"It's not Team Xenon again, is it?" Eric asked in an annoyed tone.

"No, it's not Team Xenon," Caps answered, "And I know this because I can look into the future, but it only happens when I'm spacing out."

Caps softly groaned and placed a hand on his head.

"The aftermath of such is an unforgiving headache," Caps said, "But this old acquaintance of mine, he was surrounded by a lot of... vegetation?"

"Vegetation?" Georgia parroted, "That must be Viridian Forest, I reckon."

"Do you know when they'll show up?" I asked.

"No, I don't..."

Caps sighed as he ran a hand through his green bangs.

"How annoying..." he sighed.

A look of concern was painted on my face. As we continued down the trail, dark green trees bowed over the path, leading into a dimly lit forest.

"This is Viridian Forest," Georgia said, "This forest is crawlin' with Bug-types, and people are known to get lost here."