Chapter 282: Waves Connecting to the Forest

【The White Forest grants you and your Pokémon divine power—your mental capacity has been dramatically increased!】

【Obtained: Divine Aura!】

【Description: Blessed by the White Forest, you and your Pokémon now possess Divine Aura, rendering you immune to dark and disruptive forces. You may bestow this aura upon newly captured Pokémon.】

【Effect: Greatly increases the HP and five physical stats of you and your Pokémon. Boosts all attribute damage by an additional 50%, including your Psychic power. Has powerful purification effects against dark matter, Dark-type Pokémon, and Shadow Pokémon, rendering them unable to attack.】

【Bonus: Psychic—Mirror Reflection (Divine Counter—Advanced).】

【For abnormal energy waves and dark energy corruption, you may use “Divine Counter” to create a barrier that purifies and reflects them back! Any special attack damage you receive will be returned to the attacker at double strength!】

Divine protective shield? Mirror reflection power?

Guang Tai sensed the newly emerged Psychic ability—Mirror Reflection was indeed a form of Psychic power. Most Psychic-type Pokémon moves could be learned by human Psychic users, though compatibility and difficulty varied.

【Item: Moon Stone (Moonlight).】

Description: A stone unlike ordinary Moon Stones—this one fell from the cosmos into Luo Si Mountain, infused with unimaginable moonlight. Giving it to a specific Pokémon triggers evolution. It is the key stone to open the realm of the Moon. Give it to Pokémon with favorable traits toward Ground, Fairy, Psychic, or Normal types to greatly enhance their power.

“Yatoo~”

The sound of Turtwig suddenly made Guang Tai turn his head.

The vine connected to the small tree on Turtwig’s back had also changed color—the spiraling branches now glowed white, not the pallor of decay, but a sacred, pure white.

【Obtained: VSTAR Heavenly Power ×1! Though you did not defeat the White Forest’s guardian, you have received its blessing! You may bestow this power upon Pokémon capable of connecting with Heaven.】

【Obtained: ex Time-Shift Power!】

【Description: ex Time-Shift Power is the energy of ancient and future times. Through the White Forest’s gift, this energy (originating from antiquity) has evolved into a stronger, grander form! The might of ancient and future eras endures!】

【Turtwig gained special abilities: “Forest March” and “Forest Hammer”!】

【Forest March: The more Grass-type Pokémon on the field, the stronger Grass-type moves become. As Turtwig continuously connects with natural forests, the power of its Grass moves grows further. Where Turtwig walks, flowers bloom and vegetation thrives, embracing all life.】

【Forest Hammer: Enhances the move “Wood Hammer.” Its power increases to 150, consumes no HP, and restores one-third of the damage dealt as HP.】

【Turtwig learned the move: Wood Hammer!】

【Turtwig’s base HP stat has dramatically increased!】

Turtwig could not see the color of the tree on its body, but it felt the changes within itself—and the greatest change was that its size had suddenly grown by a full circle!

The White Forest represents nature, antiquity, and life—thus granting power beyond time, ancient power. Turtwig, connected through the small tree, can secretly link with all forests. So now, its form is “Turtwig ex (Ancient)”?”

“Oh, Turtwig got bigger!”

The other Pokémon gathered around Turtwig in astonishment. The white connected tree emitted a strange power, purifying and sanctifying the surrounding air—apparently, this small tree now possessed a fraction of the sacred tree’s abilities.

Of course, Turtwig was not the only one.

Though Turtwig gained forest power through the connected tree, Skitty—also a Grass-type Pokémon—received the White Forest’s blessing as well!

As Skitty watched Turtwig, the flower crown on its head changed.

Its pale pink turned into sacred blue-white, and its body color began shifting toward a shimmering hue!

【Washed Skitty gained special ability: “Dream Dance”!】

【Dream Dance: When Skitty falls asleep, the opponent’s Pokémon also fall asleep.】

【Washed Skitty learned the move: “Healing Wish”!】

【Washed Skitty learned the move: “Role Play”!】

【Washed Skitty’s HP has greatly increased!】

The White Forest’s gift was abundant—it even granted Skitty moves it normally could not learn!

Role Play: Imitate the opponent, adopting their Ability.

This was a move only original Skitty could learn—but now Washed Skitty had learned it too.

“No wonder it’s the White Forest—this is ‘magic.’”

Guang Tai traced a circle with the white key. Though the White Forest had not given him a “branch,” the hollow key in his hand was already a magic wand of the White Forest.

But now that Turtwig had grown larger, it couldn’t fit through the door—even though it never could before.

Guang Tai tucked away the happily confused Turtwig and knocked on Dr. Zhen Gu’s door with the other Pokémon.

“Who is it?”

Someone knocking at midnight naturally raised suspicion. Dr. Zhen Gu’s excitement vanished instantly, but Guang Tai called out:

“It’s me! I’m back.”

Zhen Gu: “Huh! Guang Tai? Why did you suddenly come back? Wait—send me a message!”

Guang Tai sighed in exasperation.

But considering the C-Device was vital, he sent a message via his Poké Device. Zhen Gu checked it multiple times, still holding a baseball bat, and cautiously opened the door—only to exhale in relief when she saw it was truly Guang Tai.

“Phew! Who knocks at this hour?! You scared me to death!”

Zhen Gu looked around: “Come in quickly! The C-Device is finished!”

From San Yao City to the White Forest took less than five days.

But returning from the White Forest would take time.

After all, he had no Pokémon capable of teleportation.

Guang Tai: “This return was accidental. After reaching the White Forest, a certain Pokémon sent me back ahead of schedule.”

Zhen Gu: “Huh? A Pokémon?”

Guang Tai: “No time to explain—let’s get inside.”

Skitty, Leafeon, Blaziken, and the twitching Rotom entered one by one. When Shieldon arrived, its massive sword-like body jammed at the door, then squeezed in sideways.

“You’ve gotten bigger too?”

“Guh? (I don’t know!)”

Shieldon thought growing larger was good—it meant more intimidation. As the saying went, bigger body, greater strength. But Turtwig, now larger than Shieldon, did not share this view.

Ah… it’ll be troublesome moving around town! If only I could learn a move to change size.

Wait—wasn’t there a move like that? “Minimize!”

Where could one learn it?

“Phew! You won’t believe who I saw while you were gone.”

Zhen Gu sat back by her machine, lounging carelessly, while Song Lu lifted its head from half-sleep.

It blinked upon seeing Guang Tai.

“Still half-asleep… what a strange dream.”

Guang Tai: “It’s really me. You’re not dreaming.”

“Whatever. Go back to sleep.”

Song Lu nodded drowsily and resumed lying down.

Zhen Gu began describing the strange figure she’d seen.

“He dressed like a normal person, but I felt a strange malice radiating from him. He lingered near our home for a long time, as if searching for something—only leaving after the three brothers from San Yao Gym spotted him.”

Guang Tai was startled: “Plasma Team? I checked thoroughly before leaving—how did he evade our spiritual detection?”

The operative was surely one of the Dark Triad. He appeared at the Ruins of Dreams, and since I never left San Yao City, it was natural he’d continue searching and tracking.

But unfortunately, the Dark had no knowledge of the research, so inspections yielded nothing. Besides, all the researchers had been captured—staying in San Yao was clearly dangerous. He must still be tracking me.

Then, since I was instantly teleported back by Aknom, if the Dark has been following my trail, he’s lost me now.

Guang Tai muttered: “Let him wait endlessly in the White Forest. He’s probably wondering why I went into the tree hollow and never came out.”

Zhen Gu: “Huh? What did you say? What about that guy?”

Guang Tai shook his head: “Forget him. Let’s start testing the C-Device!”

Zhen Gu: “Right! I should’ve messaged you as soon as the research was done—you’d have had ten days to return, no matter which Unova city you were in.”

“Then let’s connect now! I—I’m nervous. This is my first time attempting world travel. I’m still dazed—how did I say such a strange term so easily?!”

“The Dream World! My research—after all these years of study, the moment of verification has come!”

“Theoretically, anyone can enter the connected world via the C-Device. With Dream Mist, world synchronization becomes possible.”

Guang Tai obtained the C-Device!

As a prototype, it wasn’t installed on a communication device like the original—it resembled a mechanical box.

The secret of world travel lay within this small box.

“Wait! Let me explain! I’m nervous! This is a historic moment!”

Zhen Gu’s expression was excited and anxious—failure would be humiliating—but she quickly shook her head firmly.

“The C-Device is a device linked to world connection! Note: In areas where wireless connections are prohibited, power off the C-Device to avoid unintended consequences!”

“Ugh! This is just a disclaimer—but theoretically, there are no prohibited locations.”

Guang Tai powered on the C-Device. A crisp electronic tone sounded, and the black screen lit up with a special word transmitted by GEAR.

The word meant “Gear.”

Then, as the first hollow hexagon appeared, countless hexagonal shapes filled the screen!

“Look! The C-Device’s startup screen!”

“Next, we need a Pokémon to fall asleep, extract its memories, and use its dream waves to enter the hidden world—that is…”

“A miraculous place connecting us with others.”

Guang Tai supplemented the explanation, watching Zhen Gu’s excited and nervous face, and gave her a thumbs-up.

“Don’t worry—you’re a genius scientist!”

“Then the dreaming Pokémon is… Shieldon!”

“Guh?”

“Aww?”

It wasn’t just Shieldon who was confused—Leeroy was the most puzzled of all.

Huh? Shouldn’t you be looking for me?

After all, I’m connected to the Link World through Wave Conduction!

“If the C Device truly succeeded, then any Pokémon or person should be able to enter the Link World—that’s why I didn’t choose you.”

Guang Tai comforted the blue-haired Mao Xiaogou, and Shieldon’s single eye glowed bright.

Hmm, Wavequen!

I haven’t faced that guy in a long time—I won’t lose this time!

After a long journey, everyone gained incredible power, and now Wavequen is the most legitimate one of all.

Shieldon immediately fell into a deep sleep!

Shieldon used the move “Sleep”!

ZZZ

The King’s Great Sword sank into slumber, and the C Device detected dream fluctuations; magical dream mist projected Shieldon’s dreams and memories onto the screen, with the sleeping Mewtwo as the backdrop.

Then, drifting gently, a spectral image of a mysterious Dragon Pokémon appeared on the screen and slowly drifted into Shieldon’s dream.

Guang Tai aimed the C Device at Shieldon, then activated the Dream Synchronization function.

The Link virtual button began to glow.

“Wait, isn’t this only usable out in open streets?”

“Huh? There’s no such restriction.”

Dr. Shinju shook her head, puzzled: “Why would you ask that?”

Guang Tai smiled silently.

Under the gaze of the Pokémon and Dr. Shinju, he pressed the button.

Space-time suddenly rippled and warped; waves of distortion spread outward, and in an instant, Guang Tai vanished before Dr. Shinju and the other Pokémon.

The Link World. The Link Forest.

Just then, Wavequen, who had been drooling and lying on its back asleep, suddenly jolted upright!

It flipped over, crouched low to the ground in a defensive stance, but its eyes still seemed half-asleep—mumbling, snarling, half-dreaming—until massive energy surged through the entire forest, startling Wavequen fully awake!

Aow! What’s going on?!

Since entering this forest, there had been nothing but Dreamcloud and dream mist—finding berries meant rummaging through dreams. This forest had always been deep and silent. What’s happening today?!

It felt like someone was calling out to it.

Wavequen tilted its head, staring down the forest’s corridor, then gradually sensed something—letting out a delighted low growl!

“Hululu”

It wanted to dash through the corridor to the outside, but suddenly remembered something and halted mid-step.

Its twin tails whipped like waves, betraying its urgent excitement!

Hurry. Hurry in—I’ve been waiting too long, too long!

“Hmm! You’re here!”

A low, deeper voice echoed—deep in the forest’s darkness, the slumbering Phantump opened its eyes!

A gentle breeze stirred the grass, rippling waves of emerald green.

The ancient ruins lay in ruins; at their center stood a twisted, rotting spiral tree.

The Link Ruins. And the Link Tree.

Before the Link Tree stood a blue stone tablet—a stone forged from the will of many.

Behind the Link Tree stretched an endless, profoundly deep, silent forest.

The Link Forest. And the Deep of the Forest.

Guang Tai greeted the core of the Link Tree, then entered the Deep of the Link Forest. Around him, the forest held nothing—but dream energy pulsed everywhere: the dreams of Pokémon.

Then, a confused roar echoed from the forest’s depths. As Guang Tai passed through the tree-lined corridor and reached the clearing in the Deep, there awaited a legendary dragon from ancient times!

And a mountain of items and treasures!

“Aowh!”

Wavequen let out a deafening roar, then sprinted to Guang Tai’s side, lowering its massive head and rumbling happily, before turning to gaze at the pile of items stacked like a small mountain.

Not only had they recovered their items from the dream!

When dreams became reality, these items fell from the dream into the Link Forest. Why could they appear out of nowhere? Hmm—probably because dream energy is just strange!

Wavequen proudly displayed its “loot”!

Look, Trainer—these are all the treasures I gathered from all of Unova!

By the way!

Wavequen told Guang Tai that Zoroark had come back several times, but each time it had been fooled—Zoroark still believed Wavequen was the Legendary Dragon, so Wavequen made all sorts of demands and tricked it into giving up many treasures!

Guang Tai marveled: Professor N’s Zoroark was truly loyal. Perhaps it knew Wavequen was fake—but still gave its all for its master, even emptying its entire hoard.

“Alright, alright! I know you were lonely! Anyway—the C Device has succeeded!”

Guang Tai tapped Wavequen’s crystal crown!

Then, let’s properly capture it!

After capturing it in the dream, you must capture it again in the Link Forest.

Guang Tai picked up Wavequen’s Dream Ball, which sat atop the treasure pile, then aimed it at the long-awaited Wavequen.

The Dream Ball opened—Wavequen turned into a flash of light and was drawn inside!

“Now, all my partners are here!”

“I caught Wavequen!”

‘Wavequen, a Pokémon from a distant ancient era.’

‘Has a somewhat impatient personality.’

‘Met in the Deep of the Link Forest.’

‘Loves sweet flavors, dislikes bitter ones.’

‘Loves eating, and is extremely curious.’

At the same time, Guang Tai gazed into the darkness of the forest’s depths.

Phantump stepped slowly forward, its eyes filled with gratitude and joy.

“What an incredible world—this phantom, born of imagination, has one day gained a real, mobile body. If my form and power are truly identical to the real Yan Di...”

“Does that mean Fengwang’s power was involved in my creation?”

“Come to think of it, I did see it in the Black and White world—a strange rainbow streak flashing across the canyon...”

(End of Chapter)