Petalburg Woods was one of Hoenn’s well-known forests.
Located along Route 104, it connected the area around Petalburg City with Rustboro City.
Large numbers of low-level Bug-type Pokémon lived throughout the forest, Wurmple being among the most common.
But rarer Pokémon had also been reported there.
Some Trainers on online forums even claimed to have spotted Slakoth and Shroomish deep inside Petalburg Woods.
“Corphish, use Bubble Beam!”
“Carvanha, use Psychic Fangs!”
“Fearow, get above it and cut off its escape!”
The peaceful forest erupted with the sounds of battle.
Fearow burst through the canopy and soared above the trees, its sharp eyes sweeping the ground below.
A Taillow desperately shot upward.
It had just escaped the terrifying human and the two Pokémon attacking it below and seemed to believe it was finally safe.
Then Fearow intercepted it.
Fearow’s long, pointed beak struck hard.
The blow tore into Taillow, leaving blood seeping from its injured wing.
Even with Taillow’s famously gutsy temperament, the pain made its body tilt sideways as it began falling back toward the ground.
“Poké Ball, go!”
Kuroba threw the ball.
His three Pokémon slowly approached and stared at it.
One shake.
Two.
Three.
Ding!
The Poké Ball finally stopped moving.
Kuroba breathed out, walked over, picked it up, and scanned it with his Pokédex.
“Beep, beep…”
“Taillow, the Tiny Swallow Pokémon. Normal/Flying type. Height: 0.3 meters. Weight: 2.5 kilograms. Physical development: good.”
“Known moves: Growl, Peck, Focus Energy, Quick Attack, Supersonic.”
“Taillow courageously challenges powerful opponents. Even after losing, it does not become discouraged. When hungry, it cries loudly.”
Kuroba’s face brightened.
“That’s four Taillow captured. I finally found one with an inherited move. Its development is good too. This should satisfy the commission.”
The mission he was currently working on required a high-quality Taillow that possessed at least one inherited move.
He had already caught three before this one, but all three had been ordinary and possessed no inherited moves.
This fourth Taillow, however, had inherited Supersonic.
It was a useful support move capable of emitting strange sound waves that could confuse an opponent.
“I’ll submit this one for the mission. The other three can be sold through the black market.”
Kuroba placed the Poké Ball inside his Spatial Bag.
Besides earning money and League Points, this trip was also an excellent opportunity to train his Pokémon and improve their teamwork.
“Cor! Cor!”
Corphish hurried over and held both pincers toward Kuroba as if demanding its reward.
Kuroba smiled.
“Relax. I haven’t forgotten you.”
He took a piece of dried meat from his Spatial Bag.
It was one of the Pokémon snacks he had bought at the shopping center.
Kuroba had no idea exactly what ingredients were mixed into it, but Corphish absolutely loved the stuff.
After instructing Fearow to keep watch, Kuroba began setting up camp nearby while also drawing a topographical map of the surrounding area.
There was a good chance this part of the forest’s outskirts had already been mapped by someone else.
Still, having something was better than having nothing.
Besides, Kuroba could use the opportunity to practice his mapmaking skills.
The sun slowly disappeared beneath the horizon.
At night, Petalburg Woods became eerily quiet.
Kuroba slept peacefully inside his tent.
He could afford to relax because the tent was exceptionally sturdy.
According to the manufacturer, it could withstand attacks from Pokémon below level 40.
Given enough time, a determined Pokémon could still destroy it, of course.
But even then, the tent should buy him enough time to wake up, react, and escape.
You really did get what you paid for.
Durability wasn’t its only feature.
The tent also included temperature control, moisture removal, drying functions, cool-air circulation, and several other conveniences.
“Hopefully tomorrow’s missions go smoothly.”
Kuroba’s thoughts gradually faded as he drifted into sleep.
Elsewhere in the forest, however, two Pokémon were locked in a vicious battle.
One was a snake covered in ugly, jagged markings.
The other was a large white mongoose-like Pokémon.
Hatred burned in both of their eyes.
They were natural enemies, a rivalry seemingly carved into their very blood.
Even though both Pokémon were already covered in wounds, neither showed the slightest intention of retreating.
They lunged at one another again.
The brutal struggle continued deep into the night.
…
Early the next morning, Kuroba slowly opened his eyes.
“Morning, everyone.”
After preparing breakfast for his Pokémon, Kuroba ate his own simple meal—biscuits, water, and a bottle of nutritional supplement.
The supplement was an extremely popular product among adventurers.
A single small bottle supposedly provided all the nutrients an ordinary person needed for an entire day.
His Pokémon eagerly ate their food along with one Pokéblock each.
That was enough energy to support their activity for the day.
Once breakfast was finished, Kuroba packed away the tent.
Modern technology really was convenient.
There was no need to struggle with poles or fabric.
He simply pressed the tent’s retrieval button and watched as the entire structure automatically folded itself away.
Before leaving, Kuroba had his Pokémon use moves on the surrounding ground and vegetation.
Only after they had thoroughly destroyed the traces and scent left by their camp did he move on.
“Fearow, scout from the air. If you find anything dangerous, come back immediately. And don’t go too far from us.”
Kuroba’s warning was serious.
Fearow acknowledged the order, launched upward, and soon disappeared above the canopy.
Kuroba continued deeper into the forest.
At first, he could occasionally hear insects chirping and birds calling.
Gradually, however, the forest became quieter.
Too quiet.
“I must be entering the central area of Petalburg Woods.”
“The Pokémon here are generally stronger than the ones near the outskirts. I need to be careful.”
This was his first true wilderness expedition, and he couldn’t completely suppress his nervousness.
But when he glanced at the excited Corphish beside him, some of that tension eased.
Then a harsh bird cry tore through the silence.
“Fearow!”
Kuroba immediately became alert and ran toward the sound.
A moment later, Fearow came flying back at high speed.
“FEEEAR!”
It dove toward the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.
Kuroba hurried forward.
“What happened?”
“Fear! Fearow!”
Fearow repeatedly gestured with its wings and beak.
Kuroba watched carefully and gradually understood.
“You’re saying there are two Pokémon fighting ahead… and both of them are at least as strong as you?”
Fearow was already level 24.
Although it currently had the lowest level among Kuroba’s three Pokémon, level 24 was hardly weak.
“Stronger than Fearow…”
Kuroba fell into thought.
Should he go and investigate?
The two Pokémon were already fighting each other.
Even if their levels were higher, that also meant they would be wearing each other down.
“If I intervene at the right moment, couldn’t I simply reap the benefits after they’ve exhausted themselves?”
And even if his plan failed, he had three Pokémon fighting together.
Surely they could at least retreat safely.
There was no point hesitating after making up his mind.
“Fearow, lead the way. Keep quiet. Don’t alert the two Pokémon while they’re fighting.”
Kuroba’s spirits rose.
Perhaps today he really would become the fisherman who benefited while two others fought.
He pushed through layer after layer of undergrowth, following Fearow.
The sounds of combat grew louder.
Closer.
More violent.
At last, Kuroba parted the foliage and clearly saw the two Pokémon locked in battle.
His eyes widened.
Seviper.
And Zangoose.
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