Route 101.
Symbolizing the starting point of the path.
Xiaoyao contributed her bicycle here, then joined Ash Ketchum's travel group.
Baimu initially thought that this path, typically traveled by most rookie trainers, shouldn't have many wild Pokémon around, but it turned out he was a bit off.
Other possibilities aside, Wurmple were definitely plentiful, and if you search the trees carefully, you could also find Cascoon and Silcoon.
If you venture into the woods a bit, you might even spot Beautifly and Dustox.
After all, this place is one of the migration sites where Beautifly and friends rest and rejuvenate.
"In search of a more suitable environment, they travel long distances together with their companions, up to several thousand kilometers..."
Baimu sat on a large rock by the roadside, reading about Beautifly's introduction, "We only see them once a year, looks like our luck isn't great."
He spoke regretfully, but didn't hear a response from Chansey.
Turning his head in confusion, he saw it lying face-up, with two Zigzagoon on either side holding it down, while a larger Zigzagoon was stealing... no, snatching the egg from its belly.
Baimu: "..."
The three Zigzagoon, noticing the gaze directed at them, turned back: "..."
Chansey: "...lu, lucky?"
"Mind Control!"
He shouted, and the three Zigzagoon instantly started to flee, as Chansey also jerked and unleashed a surge of spiritual power, immediately trapping them in mid-air.
"You three have some nerve, bothering anyone you please?"
Baimu leaned forward, giving a cold laugh to the three panicked Zigzagoon, then looked at Chansey and said helplessly, "Why didn't you say anything when they bullied you?"
"Lucky..."
Chansey chuckled awkwardly.
The Zigzagoon were just after the egg, not intending to harm its trainer, so it didn't actually mind; after all, nutritious eggs were meant to be given.
"Remember to warn me next time, it's quite dangerous." Baimu understood that Chansey, accustomed to caring for Pokémon, was less vigilant about wild Pokémon.
But throughout a journey, wild Pokémon are indeed a major source of danger, from aggressive types to playful pranksters, none of which are particularly friendly to trainers.
"Lucky~" Chansey rubbed its little hands together, nodding to show understanding.
Then.
Baimu began dealing with the three Zigzagoon; due to their disgraceful robbery behavior, he decided to subject these fluffy creatures to the punishment of rough treatment.
Starting with the largest one.
"They're really different with so much fur, so soft." He gleefully "tormented" the Zigzagoon.
Since arriving in the Hoenn Region, the quite tranquil days had eased Baimu's mood considerably. During the days spent in the Pokémon Center for breeding studies, he reignited his old love for Pokémon from playing games.
Including his fondness for the cute, fuzzy type of Pokémon.
Back in Pyrite Town, even when surrounded by Furret, he felt nothing, focusing solely on accumulating strength. Thinking back now, he really regretted it.
If he knew, he should have petted a few more before leaving.
Once one was petted, swap to another, pet it and then switch to another one.
Until the three Zigzagoon stared wide-eyed at him, trembling all over, with a look of "how much longer are you going to pet us."
Only then did Baimu consider himself as somewhat satisfied, tossing three Poké Blocks as compensation.
"Let's go, Chansey."
He dusted off his pants and turned to leave.
Chansey hesitated, glanced at the three Zigzagoon, and released the restraint.
The moment they regained freedom, the three Zigzagoon bolted away, afraid if they were caught again they'd have to endure more petting, disappearing into the nearby woods.
A few minutes later.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh.
The three Zigzagoon emerged from the bushes, cautiously checking their surroundings, twitching their furry ears to listen intently before they darted out upon seeing the Poké Blocks still on the ground.
"Guma!"
"Guma guma!"
The three Zigzagoon chomped down enthusiastically, although it felt slightly unfair to be tormented for so long only to receive three Poké Blocks, but it was better than getting none.
Soon, the three Poké Blocks were finished.
They began cursing Baimu in their hearts.
That human was really cruel, petting them for so long and only giving them three!
From afar.
Baimu was scouring for a stream.
He said to Chansey, "The downside of petting wild Pokémon is they're too smelly, it's like they have a wild scent, simply put..."
"Lucky?"
Chansey clearly didn't catch the metaphor in his words and was eagerly helping him find a place to wash his hands.
Luckily, after circling a bit, he successfully found a shallow stream nearby, where he washed his hands, then checked the map.
"Hmm? Already here?"
With Chansey, he crossed the stream, pushed through a bush, and suddenly saw Oldale Town at the bottom of the slope.
From departure to arrival, it surprisingly took just over twenty minutes.
Unlike the highly modernized, skyscraper-filled Littleroot Town, Oldale Town's buildings were much sparser, with vast spaces between each house, with few people in sight at a glance.
Not far from Oldale Town, Baimu spotted a gigantic Natural Park, with its extremely iconic eight towering stone pillars surrounded by some abandoned ruins.
[Oldale Ruins].
He remembered beneath the ruins was a large lake, home to many Pokémon Relicanth, once thought extinct, which of course were still very rare now.
Unfortunately, while he wasn't interested in selling Pokémon, surely there would be guards here, making getting in for insight nearly impossible.
"Let's charge straight to Petalburg City."
Baimu sought Chansey's opinion.
"Lucky~"
Chansey was all for it; this short stretch wouldn't be tiring enough to require rest.
——
Route 102.
The first route in the game where trainers can battle.
Baimu was no exception, engaging in battle with a shorts boy who suddenly jumped out of the bushes.
"Poochyena, use Bite!"
The shorts boy shouted excitedly, as the Poochyena in front of him was even more excited, barking loudly while charging at Chansey.
"Dodge, and Severe Poison."
He waved his hand.
Chansey promptly swerved to avoid Poochyena's lunge, bent down, and lightly jabbed its back with a small paw.
Pale violet poison quickly penetrated its body.
"Awo? Awo awo awo!"
Poochyena initially didn't react, but soon, as the toxin took effect, it started whining pitiably, collapsing after a few steps and foaming purple bubbles.
Baimu, Chansey: "?"
"Poochyena!"
The shorts boy dashed up, heartbroken, clutching Poochyena. "Wuwuwu, are you okay?"
"It's alright, it's just poisoned."
Baimu got closer, took out an antidote from his pocket, and sprayed Poochyena's mouth with two fingers holding it open, "It'll be fine soon."
As he finished.
Poochyena's mouth stopped foaming purple, and it soon regained its vigor.
"Thank you! Big brother! You're amazing!" The shorts boy gazed at him and Chansey in admiration.
"Uh, not really, you can do it too."
Baimu smiled at him, oddly reminded of his second simulation target.
He remembered the opponent was also a shorts boy.
Hmm.
Also quite weak.
A bit nostalgic~