1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 16: Fire Mouse

The rain started before we were fully away from Union Cave.

It did not fall hard, but it covered Route 33 in a steady gray curtain, turning the grass dark and making the rocks shine. Water slipped down the slope behind us, gathered in little streams near Wooper's feet, and dripped from the leaves over the path.

Wooper looked delighted, while Pikachu clearly did not enjoy the wet route.

He sat on my shoulder with his ears lowered, trying to keep his tail from brushing wet grass. Hoppip floated low because the rain weighed down its leaves, and Mareep's wool was already beginning to puff in odd damp clumps.

"This route is short on the map," Kris said, holding her notebook under her jacket, "but the weather makes it slower."

East watched the path ahead. His Noctowl stayed tucked close under a tree branch while Golbat listened to the rain through the air. "Wet ground changes footing. Stay away from the slope edges."

Ethan adjusted the Egg case inside his coat. "The Egg is dry."

"That is good," Lillie said. "Now make sure you stay dry too."

"I am trying," Ethan said. "The sky is not cooperating."

Reisa's Croconaw loved the rain more than anyone except Wooper. He stomped happily through puddles until Marill copied him and splashed water onto Reisa's boots.

Reisa sighed. "I am glad you two are enjoying this."

Chikorita walked near Lillie, calmer than she had been before Solar Town. She liked the wet earth, but every few steps she looked back at me, then at Pikachu, then at Lillie, as if checking that everyone was still where they belonged.

Her meaning came soft and steady: "Rain makes the ground smell honest. No one leaves without tracks."

"That is comforting in a very Chikorita way," I murmured.

Lillie smiled because she knew I had heard something.

A Hiker waited near the first bend, sheltering under a broad tree while a Geodude sat happily in the mud beside him.

"Careful through here," he called. "Name's Anthony. Route 33 looks small, but rain makes fools out of people who think short roads are easy."

"That sounds like advice from experience," Kris said.

Anthony laughed. "More than once. Geodude does not like wet footing, Machop slips if it charges too hard, and Fire types get miserable if they cannot keep their flames steady."

At the word Fire, I looked toward the damp grass again.

Anthony noticed. "Looking for something?"

"Maybe a Cyndaquil," I said.

His eyebrows rose. "Then go slow. There are rumors of one hiding near the side caves, but it bolts from loud Trainers. A boy with purple hair came through earlier yelling about catching it. That is the kind of noise that makes a shy Pokémon hide deeper."

Lillie gave me a pointed look. "That means we should not rush."

"I heard him," I said.

Anthony also pointed toward two Apricorn trees by the path, their wet leaves shining in the rain. "Black Apricorn and Pink Apricorn there. If you are heading to Azalea, Kurt can make use of them."

Kris collected them carefully and marked them in her notes. "That fits the direction toward Azalea."

Ethan shifted the Egg case. "Good. A peaceful route task."