Jack had realized when theyâ€™d gone in to fight Brock that having four superiorly trained PokÃ©mon was perhaps a bit too much of advantage to be fair, but thankfully Brockâ€™s other PokÃ©mon teams were leveled according to the number of badges a trainer had, so he hadnâ€™t been too concerned. Even if he hadnâ€™t had Irvine for as long as his other PokÃ©mon, he did respect the vicious little monsterâ€™s propensity for mauling his opponents to the brink. In fact, he was letting the Sneasel walk along with him, though that was partially because it was somewhat fun to see him leer the small children that offered to battle on the road into submission. Irvine seemed to enjoy the freedom of being able to walk around on his own anyway.<br/><br/>It was almost a good time to rest for the night; they could probably make it to the PokÃ©mon center at the base of Mt. Moon, but it was hardly worth being accosted by the largest swarm of Zubats in the world simply to find a bench to sleep on when he had a sleeping bag. He hated Zubats, and therefore he knew he would probably hate Mt. Moon, even if it was a chance to find some rare fossils to trade off for something more useful later.<br/>In the distance he could see someone had set up a campfire; maybe he could hang around for a while with someone who wasnâ€™t one of the eager Rattata-obsessed children heâ€™d met thus far. He wondered if Unovaâ€™s trainers were that strange, but then again heâ€™d seen what Professor Juniper had been dealing with, and Patrat was even more useless than a Rattata for anything competitive. Jack wondered how many of the poor Kanto-native rodents had been smashed to a pulp under Brockâ€™s very large Onix. He felt his back pack become suddenly heavier and correctly assumed that Shades had decided his pokÃ©ball was boring and had decided to poke his head out for a look around.<br/><br/>â€œHey Irvine, listen, I know you like terrifying small children and all, and thatâ€™s great, but if you could not beat up this guy with a campfire up ahead thatâ€™d be fantastic.â€ Jack explained, feeling Shades start to crawl out of the bag and onto his shoulder. â€œI canâ€™t keep Shades from biting people and stop you from freaking out on some guyâ€™s Charmander or something at the same time.â€<br/><br/>The Sneasel ran one paw down the scars covering his left shoulder and started growling. Fire was something of a sore topic with Irvine, and his hatred for fire types in general was nothing if not expected. It had taken a very long time and more than a few "accidental" injuries to teach him not to attack any Pokemon on sight, but there were still many things that could set him off. Most things would, in fact.<br/><br/>Jack bit his lip a little bit, something he did when he was thinking hard and adjusted his glasses. â€œI donâ€™t know, I guess if youâ€™re good I can get you something in the next town? Iâ€™ve got a little extra money, so I think I can cover most anything reasonable.â€ he paused â€œYou seemed to like taking candy and stuff from those kids back in Pewter City, so maybe you like sweets, then? Iâ€™ll get you some.â€<br/><br/>The offer didn't elicit a very promising response from Irvine, who was still growling as they approached the fire and making his best attempt to keep to the shadow it cast behind Jack. Although it was undeniable that he had improved since their first encounter, being civil was something he continued to struggle with.<br/><br/>As they got closer, Jack let out an audible sigh of relief. â€œThank goodness neither of you are ten-year-olds. Honestly, I donâ€™t know how the Professors do it! Theyâ€™re way too eager. My nameâ€™s Jack Fox, this is Irvine. Donâ€™t mind the growling.â€ he explained, before holding up his arm, with Shades firmly biting down upon it â€œAnd this is Shades, who is apparently hungry. This used to hurt a lot more when I was younger.â€ he added with a smile, wagging his arm to little effect. Jack caught glimpse of a smaller youth who also seemed to be at the fire along with girl who had seemingly recently arrived as well. â€œNot that thereâ€™s anything wrong with being ten, I just feel a bit old for this stuff. Shouldâ€™ve done it with my friends when I was younger.â€ he considered, straightening his glasses. As long as the little kid didnâ€™t go on about shorts, or his Rattata, or try to explain to him how a potion worked, heâ€™d be able to relax.<br/><br/>â€œDo you mind if we set up near the fire youâ€™ve got going? We might be able to make it to the PokÃ©mon center, butâ€¦ well, Zubats are incredibly annoying, even if theyâ€™re not really a challenge. Say, did you all just go through Pewter?â€