The branch groaned beneath Carmen's boots.
He didn't notice at first, too focused on the Cheri berry dangling just beyond his fingertips. The red skin gleamed in the afternoon sunlight, swaying with each gust of wind that rustled through the canopy. Carmen stretched further, bark scraping against his palm as his hand inched closer. Just a little more. His fingers brushed the smooth surface.
"Vulpix, vulpix!"
Below, Vulpix paced in anxious circles, her purple-tinted eyes tracking his every movement. Carmen glanced down at her and tried for a reassuring smile. the tree he was on, fifteen feet. Maybe twenty. High enough that a fall would most likely hurt, but Vulpix had been eating nothing but packed Pokemon food for three days straight and she deserved something fresh. The berry was right there.
He lunged.
The branch cracked. Carmen's stomach lurched as his grip slipped, the world suddenly spinning in a dizzying blur of green and blue . Wind rushed past his ears and he had just enough time to think this is going to hurt before—
Strong arms caught him.
The impact drove the air from Carmen's lungs, but the landing was far softer than hitting the ground would have been. He found himself staring up at a familiar face, disoriented and gasping for breath. The man had tanned skin, a serious expression, and was remarkably steady despite having just caught someone falling from a tree.
"Easy there," the man said, carefully lowering Carmen to solid ground. "You're alright. Just breathe."
Carmen's legs felt unsteady as his boots touched the forest floor. His heart hammered in his chest, adrenaline still flooding his system. The Cheri berry had fallen too, landing somewhere in the grass nearby, and Carmen spotted it after a moment of searching. He bent to retrieve it, fingers trembling slightly as he picked it up.
"Thank you," he managed, his voice quieter than he'd intended. Heat crept up his neck as the reality of what just happened settled over him. "I'm sorry, that was... thank you for catching me."
Vulpix darted over immediately, pressing her warm body against Carmen's leg and letting out a series of concerned chirps. He reached down to stroke her head, the familiar softness of her fur helping to calm his racing pulse. She nipped at his fingers gently, clearly displeased with his recklessness.
"I'm okay, I'm okay," he murmured to her.
"Are you hurt anywhere? That was quite a fall."
"No, I'm fine. Really." Carmen straightened "I was just trying to get this berry for her. She's been eating packed food for days and I thought..." He trailed off, realizing how foolish it sounded when spoken aloud.
The man's expression softened slightly, understanding crossing his features. He glanced at Vulpix, who had stopped her scolding chirps and was now eyeing the Cheri berry with obvious interest. "That's thoughtful of you, but maybe next time use a stick to knock it down instead of climbing?"
Carmen felt his face flush warmer. "Yes. That would have been smarter."
Behind the man, two other figures emerged from the path. A boy around Carmen's age with messy black hair and a Pikachu perched on his shoulder came into view first, followed by a girl with vibrant orange hair tied back in a side ponytail. Both of them were watching Carmen with open curiosity.
"Is he okay?" the girl asked, directing the question at the man who'd caught him.
"Seems to be, just shaken up." The man turned back to Carmen, and his eyes suddenly narrowed slightly in recognition. "Wait. Hold on a second." He leaned forward, studying Carmen's face more intently. "Are you... you challenged me at Pewter Gym, didn't you? About a week ago?"
Carmen blinked in surprise. It took him a moment to place the man's face outside the context of the gym, but once he did, recognition sparked. "Mr. Harrison?"
"Just Brock," the man—Brock—said with a slight sigh. "But yes, I thought I recognized you. Carmen, right?"
"Yes, that's right." Carmen kept his gaze lowered, still uncomfortable with the attention. "I apologize for not recognizing you immediately, Mr... Brock."
Brock waved off the apology. "Don't worry about it you were a bit preoccupied with falling." There was a hint of dry humor in his voice now. "Are you heading toward Vermillion City? Going for your third badge?"
Carmen reached for the inner lining of his jacket, fingers finding the cool metal pins there. He pulled the fabric aside to reveal two badges: the Boulder Badge and the Cascade Badge. "Yes. I challenged Cerulean Gym two days ago."
The black-haired boy suddenly perked up, his eyes widening. "Wait, seriously?" He rushed forward, nearly dislodging his Pikachu in his enthusiasm, and flipped open his own vest. Two identical badges gleamed there. "We have the same badges! That's so cool!" He extended his hand with a grin that was almost startlingly bright. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. This is my partner, Pikachu!"
"Pika pika!" The Electric-type waved cheerfully from Ash's shoulder.
Carmen hesitated for just a moment before accepting the handshake. Ash's grip was firm and warm, full of an energy that seemed to radiate from him like heat. "Carmen. It's nice to meet you."
The girl stepped forward as well, offering her own hand. "I'm Misty, from Cerulean City. I'm traveling with these two." Her smile was friendly, though there was a sharpness to her eyes.
"Nice to meet you," Carmen said, shaking her hand as well. Her grip was surprisingly strong.
Ash was practically bouncing on his heels now, his earlier concern completely replaced by excitement. "So you've got two badges already? How many Pokemon have you caught? Do you want to battle sometime? I've been training really hard and—"
"Ash, slow down," Brock interrupted, though his tone was more amused than stern. "Give the guy a chance to breathe."
Ash deflated slightly but his grin remained. "Sorry, I just get excited meeting other trainers. Especially ones on the same path as us!" He paused, then added, "So seriously, how many Pokemon do you have?"
Carmen glanced down at Vulpix, who had finally claimed the Cheri berry and was nibbling at it contentedly. "Just two. Vulpix and my Nidoran."
The clearing went quiet.
Misty was the first to break the silence, her eyebrows rising. "Wait. Just two Pokemon?" She looked at Brock, then back at Carmen. "You beat Cerulean Gym with two Pokemon? But that's a three-on-three match."
"And you had the type disadvantage," Ash added, his excitement shifting to genuine awe. "How did you...?"
Brock crossed his arms, and there was something almost proud in the way he regarded Carmen. "He didn't just beat Cerulean, either. When Carmen challenged me, he only had his Vulpix." He let that sink in for a moment before continuing. "It was one of the most impressive matches I've seen from a rookie trainer. His tactics were brilliant."
Carmen felt his face burning now, and he looked down at his boots. "I just... Vulpix is strong. We've trained together for a long time, and I tried to use what advantages we had." He shifted his weight uncomfortably. "It wasn't anything special."
"That's not true," Brock said firmly. "The bond between you and your Pokemon, the way you read the battlefield and adapted your strategy... that's not something every trainer has, Carmen. You should be proud of that."
Carmen didn't know what to say to that, so he said nothing. Vulpix chirped softly and pressed against his leg again, as if backing up Brock's words. Down by his feet, Ash's Pikachu had wandered over to investigate, drawn by the scent of the berry. Vulpix glanced at Carmen, then deliberately tore off a piece of the Cheri berry and offered it to the Electric-type.
"Pika!" Pikachu accepted it happily, munching away.
Ash watched the exchange with a warm smile before turning back to Carmen. "That's really cool. Vulpix seems really friendly." He paused, then added, "Hey, since we're all heading to Vermillion City, why don't you travel with us? It's safer in a group, and it'd be fun to have another trainer around!"
Carmen blinked, caught off guard by the sudden invitation. Travel with them? He glanced between the three faces watching him—Ash's eager and open, Misty's curious but welcoming, Brock's unreadable one. He'd been traveling alone since he left home, moving at his own pace with only Vulpix for company. It was quiet that way. Peaceful
But it was also lonely, if he was being honest with himself.
"I..." He hesitated, unsure. "I don't want to impose."
"You wouldn't be imposing," Brock said. "Like Ash said, it's safer to travel in numbers. Wild Pokemon are less likely to attack a larger group." His expression warmed slightly. "And I wouldn't mind the company of another trainer who actually thinks before charging into battle."
"Hey!" Ash protested, though there wasn't much heat behind it. "I think before battles!"
"You rushed a Geodude with your Pikachu," Misty pointed out dryly.
"That was different! I was improvising!"
Carmen found himself smiling despite his uncertainty, watching them bicker. There was something comfortable about it, something that reminded him of siblings teasing each other. The warmth in his chest that had been absent for so long flickered cautiously to life.
"If you're sure it wouldn't be a burden," he said slowly, "then... yes. I'd like that."
Ash's face lit up like Carmen had just handed him a master ball. "Awesome! This is gonna be great!" Pikachu echoed his trainer's enthusiasm with a cheerful cry, little sparks dancing across his cheeks.
Carmen's smile froze. His body tensed involuntarily as Pikachu bounded toward him, electricity still crackling faintly in the air. The Electric-type was small, clearly friendly, obviously excited, but Carmen's feet had rooted themselves to the spot. His heart rate kicked up and his palms grew damp.
Vulpix noticed immediately. She stepped smoothly between Carmen and the approaching Pikachu, chirping softly and nudging the Electric-type back toward Ash with gentle insistence. Pikachu tilted his head in confusion but allowed himself to be redirected.
"Hi, Pikachu," Carmen managed, though his voice came out thin and strained. "It's nice to meet you."
Ash's enthusiasm dimmed. "Hey, are you okay? Did Pikachu scare you? He wasn't trying to shock you or anything, he's just excited."
"No, no, it's not..." Carmen forced himself to take a slow breath, willing his shoulders to relax. "I'm sorry. I'm just... I get tense around Pokemon I don't know well. It's nothing against Pikachu."
Understanding crossed Brock's face, and his expression gentled considerably. "That's perfectly normal. Pokemon are powerful creatures after all, its sometimes good to be catious"
Misty nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I've seen plenty of trainers, plus bug pokemon are the worst anyway" She offered Carmen a small smile. "You'll get used to Pikachu once you've traveled with us for a bit. He's a sweetheart once you know him."
"Thank you," he said quietly
Brock clapped his hands together, clearly deciding to shift the mood. "Alright then! Since we're all traveling together now, we should probably figure out where we're actually going. Ash, you said you knew the way to Vermillion?"
Ash straightened, his confidence returning. "Yeah! If we follow this path south, we should reach the main route by tonight. From there it's a straight shot to Vermillion City." He pointed down the forest trail with absolute certainty.
Misty raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Because you said the same thing an hour ago and we ended up walking in a complete circle."
"That was different!" Ash protested. "The paths all looked the same!"
"They're marked with signs, Ash."
Brock held up both hands before the argument could escalate. "Okay, okay. Let's just take a break here and rest for a bit. We can figure out the route after we've all had something to eat." He glanced at the sky, where the sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon. "We're not going to make it to Vermillion today anyway, so we might as well set up camp."
Relief flashed across Ash's face. "Yeah! Good idea, Brock. I'm starving anyway!" Pikachu chirped in agreement, patting his stomach dramatically.
They found a small clearing just off the main path where afternoon sunlight filtered through the canopy in golden shafts, painting everything in warm tones. Brock immediately set about unpacking supplies, Ash and Pikachu scrambled off into the forest to gather kindling, their voices fading as they ventured deeper into the trees. Misty spread out a travel blanket and began arranging their packs, creating a rough circle around where the fire would go.
Carmen stood at the edge of the clearing, unsure what to do
After a moment, he approached Brock, who was setting up a portable camping stove. "Do you need help with anything?"
Brock glanced up, and his expression brightened. "Actually, yeah. Can you cook?"
"A little. Simple things, mostly."
"That's more than enough." Brock reached into his pack and pulled out a container of tomatoes and a small pouch of dried herbs. He tossed them to Carmen, who caught them reflexively. "Think you can handle making stew? I'll get the fire going properly."
Carmen looked down at the supplies in his hands, surprised "Yes. I can do that."
"Great. There's water in the blue canteen if you need it."
Carmen knelt beside the stove, and Vulpix immediately settled next to him with a contented sigh. Her tails curled around his leg, as he opened the container and began working, letting the familiar rhythm of cooking soothe his lingering nerves. Dice the tomatoes into even chunks. Crush the herbs between his fingers to release their fragrance—rosemary and thyme, he thought. Add water from the canteen and set everything to simmer over low heat.
The process was meditative in its simplicity, and Carmen found himself relaxing as he worked. This, at least, was something he knew how to do.
Ash returned after a few minutes, his arms loaded with branches of varying sizes. Pikachu rode on his head, looking quite pleased with himself despite not having gathered anything. "Whoa, something smells amazing already! What are you making?"
Carmen stirred the pot, watching the ingredients begin to blend together. "Just tomato stew. Nothing fancy."
"Are you kidding? That smells way better than 'nothing fancy!'" Ash dumped his armload of kindling next to where Brock was arranging stones for a firepit. "Pikachu loves anything with tomatoes, don't you buddy?"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu produced a bottle of ketchup from seemingly nowhere—Carmen had no idea where the Electric-type had been hiding it—and clutched it to his chest like a prized possession.
Misty laughed as she joined them, settling onto the blanket. "That's an understatement. Ash's Pikachu is completely obsessed with ketchup. He puts it on everything."
"It's not an obsession," Ash said defensively. "He just has refined taste!"
"He drank an entire bottle yesterday."
"That's... okay, that's a fair point."
Carmen found himself smiling as he added a pinch more herbs to the pot. The banter washed over him, comfortable and warm despite being among near-strangers. Brock got the fire going properly, and soon flames were crackling softly in the growing dusk. The four of them settled around it in a loose circle, and Carmen continued to tend the stew while conversation flowed around him.
Ash talked while the stew simmered, his hands moving animatedly as he described his journey so far. He'd started in Pallet Town just over a month ago, he explained, and his first day had been a disaster involving an angry flock of Spearow and Pikachu refusing to listen to him. Carmen listened quietly, stirring the pot occasionally while Ash recounted how he'd earned his Boulder Badge and then moved on to Cerulean City.
"The gym leader turned out to be misty's sister!!" Ash said, leaning back on his hands. "They were super lazy and almost gave the badge to me for free!! but Misty challenged me again and..."
Carmen glanced at her with surprise, they had a fourth sister? Brock was feeding small sticks into the fire, keeping it at a steady burn that cast dancing shadows across the clearing.
"What about you?" Ash asked, turning his attention to Carmen. "How did your battles go? Brock said you only used Vulpix against him."
Carmen tasted the stew, decided it needed a bit more salt, and added a pinch before answering. "Vulpix is a Fire-type, which gave us an disadvantage against Rock-types. We used her speed and the terrain to our advantage though." He paused, considering how to explain without sounding boastful. "Mr. Harrison's Pokemon were stronger, but they were also slower. We just... stayed out of range and wore them down."
"That's a nice way of saying you ran circles around my Geodude," Brock said with a slight smile. "I couldn't land a single hit."
Carmen's face warmed. "You adapted quickly, though. Your Onix almost caught us twice."
"Almost doesn't count in Pokemon battles," Brock replied, though there was no bitterness in his tone. "You won fair and square."
Ash was watching Carmen with open admiration now. "That's so cool! I had to use both Pikachu and my Butterfree to beat Brock. And you did it with just one Pokemon!" He scratched behind Pikachu's ears absently. "We should battle sometime! I want to see how Vulpix fights."
The idea sent a small thrill through Carmen, Battling was the one thing that made him feel truly alive, the one moment where everything else faded away and there was only him, his Pokemon, and the opponent across the field. "I'd like that," he said, and meant it.
"Maybe after we get to Vermillion," Brock suggested. "Give you both time to train and prepare properly."
Misty leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "So what about Cerulean Gym? How did that battle go with just two Pokemon?"
Carmen ladled a bit of stew into a bowl to test if it was done. The flavor had deepened nicely, the tomatoes breaking down into a rich base while the herbs added complexity. Almost ready. "Nidoran evolved during that battle," he said quietly. "He became a Nidorino. That gave us the strength we needed to push through."
"I think he knew we needed the extra strength. He pushed himself to evolve because he wanted to win as badly as I did."
Vulpix chirped softly at his side, and Carmen stroked her head. She'd been watching the whole conversation with those intelligent purple eyes, occasionally sharing bits of berry with Pikachu, who had given up on staying with Ash and had settled comfortably next to the Fire-type instead.
The stew was ready. Carmen carefully ladled it into four bowls, serving Brock first since he'd provided the supplies, then Misty, then Ash, before finally filling his own. The steam rose in fragrant curls, carrying the scent of tomatoes and herbs through the clearing. Ash took one bite and his face lit up.
"This is really good!" He was already reaching for seconds before he'd finished half his bowl. "Way better than the stuff we usually make!"
"Hey now," Brock protested mildly, though he was smiling. "My cooking isn't that bad."
"It's not bad," Misty agreed diplomatically. "It's just... practical." She took another spoonful of Carmen's stew, savoring it. "This actually has flavor."
Carmen ducked his head, uncomfortable with the praise but pleased. Cooking was one of the few things he'd always been good at "It's just a stew. Nothing special."
Pikachu had completely abandoned any pretense of eating the stew itself. He'd somehow acquired a second bottle of ketchup—Carmen was starting to think the Electric-type had an entire stash hidden somewhere—and was happily squirting it directly into his mouth. Ash didn't seem bothered by this, just rolled his eyes fondly and continued demolishing his own meal.
The conversation drifted after that, becoming less focused and more comfortable. Misty told a story about one of her sisters flooding the gym during a particularly enthusiastic Water Gun demonstration. Ash described his hometown of Pallet Town and his rival Gary, who'd also started his journey the same day. Brock talked about his siblings—he had nine of them, apparently, which made Carmen's eyes widen in shock—and his dream of becoming the world's best Pokemon Breeder.
"What made you want to be a Breeder instead of staying as a gym leader?" Carmen asked. It seemed like an important position to give up.
Brock was quiet for a moment, staring into the fire. "Being a gym leader was my father's dream, not mine," he said finally. "I loved battling, and I was proud to represent Pewter City, but it wasn't what I wanted to do with my life. I want to understand Pokemon on a deeper level—their health, their nutrition, what makes them thrive. Breeding and raising Pokemon from eggs, helping them reach their full potential..." He smiled. "That's what calls to me."
There was something in the way Brock spoke that resonated with Carmen. The idea of doing something because it was expected versus doing something because it truly mattered to you. He wondered if Brock could see that understanding in his expression.
"That makes sense," Carmen said quietly. "Following your own path instead of someone else's."
Brock met his eyes across the fire and nodded slowly. "Exactly."
The sun had fully set by now, and the forest around them had come alive with the sounds of nocturnal Pokemon. Somewhere nearby, Carmen could hear the rustling of something moving through the underbrush—probably a Rattata or maybe an Oddish. Vulpix's ears swiveled toward the sound, tracking it, but she remained relaxed against Carmen's leg.
Misty stretched her arms above her head and yawned. "We should probably figure out sleeping arrangements. Who's taking first watch?"
"I can," Brock offered.
"I'll take second watch then" Ash volunteered.
Carmen hesitated, then spoke up. "I can take third watch if you'd like. I'm usually awake early anyway."
"That works," Brock said. He started pulling out sleeping bags from his pack, distributing them around the fire. "We'll rotate every few hours. It's probably overkill this close to a main route, but better safe than sorry."
They settled into their sleeping arrangements as the fire burned down to embers. Ash was asleep within minutes, Pikachu curled up on his chest like a warm, fuzzy blanket. Misty took a bit longer, turning over a few times to find a comfortable position before her breathing evened out. Carmen lay in his own sleeping bag with Vulpix nestled against his side, her body heat keeping him warm as the temperature dropped.
He didn't fall asleep immediately. Instead, he stared up at the canopy above, watching the stars peek through gaps in the leaves. The sounds of the forest were different from what he was used to—less threatening, somehow, with other people nearby. He could hear Brock moving quietly around the camp, tending the fire and checking on the surrounding area.
Maybe traveling with companions really wouldn't be so bad. Maybe he could learn to trust people the way he trusted his Pokemon. Maybe this journey would be different from everything that had come before.
Vulpix made a soft sound in her sleep and pressed closer to him. Carmen closed his eyes and let the warmth of the Pokemon lull him toward rest.