[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully assembling the initial team of six Pokémon. The system will now upgrade automatically!]
The familiar voice echoed once more in Red's mind. Ever since he activated the Ability-Stacking System during the summer camp at age seven, he had rarely heard the system speak. Most of the time, it only produced default sounds when stacking Pokémon Abilities. He hadn't expected that capturing Scyther this time would also trigger an upgrade.
About half an hour later, the Ability-Stacking System successfully completed its upgrade. Red glanced at the Scyther standing beside him as the familiar status panel appeared in his mind.
"Pokémon: Scyther (Shiny: Blue)
Attribute: Bug + Flying
First Ability: Technician
Second Ability: Swarm
Moves: Quick Attack, Fury Cutter, Wing Attack, Double Team, Slash, Focus Energy, Agility, X-Scissor, Air Slash, Swords Dance, Hone Claws…
Personality: Arrogant. It mocks weak opponents who overestimate themselves, yet shows respect toward the strong.
(Note: Personality is not the same as in-game Natures. Personally, I believe overemphasizing game Natures would make reading uncomfortable.)
Background: The young heir of the Scythers in Viridian Forest. From a young age, it was met with cold treatment by its own kind due to its blue skin. However, this exceptionally gifted Scyther could easily defeat any challenger who provoked it.
Over time, Scyther developed an arrogant temperament. It believes that aside from its father, the clan leader, no Pokémon is its equal. The faint blue glow radiating from its scythes seems to conceal terrifying destructive power."
Clearly, this status panel was one of the new functions unlocked after the system upgrade. Besides viewing basic Pokémon data, Red could now roughly understand a Pokémon's temperament and personal history—an effective way to deepen his understanding of his partners.
Red gently tried to pat Scyther's head. Though Scyther stood 1.8 meters tall—making it difficult for him to reach—even with its proud personality, Scyther respected its trainer. Seeing this, it subtly lowered its head, allowing Red to stroke it properly.
"Scyther, from now on, I won't let you go through the pain you once endured."
Scyther's body trembled at Red's words. Yet for the sake of its pride, it suppressed its emotions and calmly nodded, as if loneliness had always been something trivial to it.
[Ding! A change has been detected in Viridian Forest!]
The system's voice rang out again. This time, an image appeared in Red's mind—a scene of a young boy receiving the "blessing" of Viridian Forest. But upon closer inspection, Red found the boy strangely familiar.
"This guy… isn't that the current Team Rocket Boss, Giovanni?" Red muttered helplessly, clearly recognizing the boy's identity.
"So this is the ability granted by Viridian Forest's 'blessing'?"
In the vision, young Giovanni, having obtained the Power of Viridian, looked curiously at the Beedrill beside him and placed his hand upon it. A miraculous scene unfolded. A soft green light enveloped Beedrill's injuries, and at a visible speed, its wounds healed completely, leaving no trace behind.
"As expected of Viridian Forest's 'blessing'!" Red exclaimed in astonishment. The vision in his mind then faded away. Closing his eyes thoughtfully, he replayed the image of the Power of Viridian and felt a faint longing stir within him.
[Host, please do not feel discouraged. A plan has already been arranged for you to obtain the Power of Viridian next!]
The system's voice echoed again, revealing in full detail the plan for acquiring the Power of Viridian.
"So that's how it is…" Red murmured.
The time period he was currently in happened to coincide with another ten-year cycle since Viridian Forest last bestowed its "blessing." That meant anyone present in the forest today had a chance to obtain the Power of Viridian.
"It seems I'm determined to claim this Power of Viridian."
The closer one moved toward the center, the stronger the force of nature became. Following the map displayed in his mind, Red steadily advanced toward the forest's core. Scyther quietly followed behind him.
...
Viridian Forest — an abandoned experimental base once used by Team Rocket.
"Damn it! Where did Test Subject No. 2 run off to?!"
Deep within the hidden forest, a squad of Team Rocket members was searching for the escaped Test Subject No. 2. A black-haired, red-eyed young man glared furiously around him, as if he wanted to tear the runaway subject to pieces.
Yagawa was the name of this squad's captain. Having only recently been promoted, he had received orders to assist Professor Hemlock. Yagawa had thought this assignment would greatly boost his reputation—after all, Professor Hemlock was a favored figure by Giovanni. With a bit of flattery, perhaps promotion to senior captain would be within reach.
But plans never keep pace with change. A Pokémon selected by Professor Hemlock to serve as a test subject could hardly be ordinary. Taking advantage of Yagawa's group letting their guard down, the test subject smashed through its cage, crushed every Team Rocket member who tried to block its path, and swiftly escaped the base.
Yagawa, left trembling with guilt, endured a grim reprimand from the grim-faced Professor Hemlock. Bowing and scraping repeatedly, Yagawa swore he would make Test Subject No. 2 understand what "punishment" truly meant.
In truth, he hadn't expected the test subject to be so bold. He had stationed numerous subordinates at every possible escape route, yet none had managed to stop it.
Ultimately, the root of the problem lay with Yagawa himself. Since their leader had adopted a careless attitude, it was no surprise his subordinates handled matters just as poorly.
At that moment, a dark shadow appeared overhead. Yagawa looked up excitedly as it descended rapidly—it was his Pokémon, Golbat, returning from its search.
"Well? Did you find any trace of Test Subject No. 2?!" Yagawa demanded.
Golbat shook its head regretfully at first, then seemed to recall something. It pointed toward the central region where Red was headed, signaling that the test subject might have gone there.
"Everyone, move out! Follow Golbat into the depths of the forest!" Yagawa ordered decisively. Wandering aimlessly was pointless; they might as well trust Golbat's lead.
...
Upon arriving at the central area of Viridian Forest, Scyther was stunned. It had never ventured here before. The outer regions were surrounded by thick, tangled vines, and Scyther had never bothered wasting time pushing deeper, eventually forgetting the existence of the forest's core. It never imagined such a hidden paradise lay within.
"Good work, Scyther," Red praised, recalling the exhausted Pokémon into its Poké Ball. Along the way, Scyther had tirelessly sliced through thick vines with its scythes.
Sensing the purity of nature's energy intensifying, Red quietly approached a nearby lake. Though the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, there was no sign of any Pokémon inhabiting the area. It was as though this place existed as a separate world within Viridian Forest.
Following the system's guidance, Red released his psychic power and Aura abilities. The two forces manifested and resonated with the surrounding natural energy.
Before long, the towering trees around him swayed gently in the breeze. Tiny green light orbs floated into the air, illuminating the surroundings like fireflies at night. The sight inspired endless imagination. Red silently used his Pokédex to capture the scene.
The resonance of nature ultimately acknowledged Red's presence. The floating green orbs merged into one, and guided by their pull, Red stepped toward the center. The unified green light orb hovered above him before finally merging into his body.
[Congratulations, Host, on successfully gaining the recognition of Viridian Forest and comprehending the Power of Viridian!]
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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