[Reward Obtained: Release Orb ×1, Illusion Forest Badge ×1, Voice of Flora ×1, Illusory Branch ×1]
『Illusion Forest Badge: A badge blessed by the Illusion Forest.』
『Requirement: Defeat the guardian of the Illusion Forest and be recognized by the forest.』
『Effect: You can lightly use nature-based magic to confuse others—vanish around a corner of trees, or suddenly pop out of the grass without anyone noticing. This is most effective for the Ranger profession. This badge is meant for you—Pokémon cannot use it.』
Hikaru: "Eh?"
Was it because she defeated Heracross herself and not with a Pokémon?
Hmm… Magic, huh! But she wasn't a magician, nor a Ranger either!
[Voice of Flora: You can hear the voice of plants. +50% to perception, +50% to requests. Sometimes, the forest may ask for your help, and you'll receive greater rewards in return. The voice of nature, the voice of humans, and the voice of Pokémon—each is different. You can sense natural spiritual power.]
[Illusory Branch: The most twisted branch in the Illusion Forest. It's curly like a small snake, peculiar yet resilient. Can be crafted into a special tool: a wand. Enhances magic, spell, and psychic usage.]
[Note: Your Sunshine Ability can also apply to it, with a 20% amplification. Comes with the built-in magic "Minor Illusory Spell," allowing you to switch someone's item unnoticed.]
[Note 2: Once you learn magic, you can craft specialized magical tools and wands.]
A twisted branch appeared in Hikaru's hand. The backpacker next to her stared in awe—it hadn't even seen where the branch came from.
Hikaru smiled and said,
"This is the forest's gift."
As Hikaru waved the branch, the backpacker felt a brief daze—then suddenly realized that something was missing from his pocket. A gemstone was now in Hikaru's hand.
Wait—item theft?! Isn't this the Dark-type move "Switcheroo"?!
The backpacker, though, felt awkward. After all, even though he was a Zoroark, Zoroark couldn't actually learn "Switcheroo"! That was a move no Dark-type could use!
And now, a human had mastered it? That's just not fair!
"I get it, I get it! The forest's gifts are amazing! But give me back my gem!"
Hikaru had only meant to tease the big fox. She handed the gem back—it was a Dusk Stone, capable of enhancing Dark-type moves.
"Herra…"
Heracross, meanwhile, had no interest in the sealed stone anymore. It curled up beneath a tree, utterly dejected. Hikaru went over and patted it gently.
"Don't look so gloomy! Here, have something tasty!"
What? Being beaten by a human was already humiliating enough, and now she wanted to feed him?
Did she think he was just any Pokémon? He was a proud Heracross!
But then… staring at the Rare Candy and Energy Cube in her hand, Heracross hesitated. Still downcast, it gobbled them up.
And then—its eyes widened.
A surge of power rushed through its body like a storm! Energy! Movement! It felt alive! …Even if its spirit was still a little down.
But man, that stuff tasted amazing!
Wild Pokémon rarely got to eat candy. Just like in the games, spreading Honey on a tree could lure Heracross. In the anime, Ash's Heracross was constantly sucking the sap out of Bulbasaur's bulb like it was sweet syrup.
No Bug Pokémon could resist sweet things—especially candy. Heracross wanted more, and Hikaru didn't mind. She still had plenty, so she gave him a few extra pieces.
Heracross's mood improved immediately. Pokémon, after all, were emotional creatures—easily hurt, but just as easily cheered up with food.
Meanwhile, Hikaru took the first piece of wood she had received from the forest and grabbed her tools. With deft precision, she carved it into the shape of a guitar and used the Release Orb to pull out fine, strong strings.
Backpacker: "What are you doing? A musical instrument? Whoa—how'd you finish that so fast?! I didn't even see your hands move!"
Hikaru: "Didn't I say? I came to this forest specifically to find good wood. Of course I'm gonna make something useful with it."
It was already late into the night, though not yet midnight. From the outer edge of the Illusion Forest, one could already see the towering cliff where the Fantasia Bridge stood, stretching across the water below.
The backpacker watched with great interest as Hikaru worked. Heracross, after polishing off the candy, still wanted more—but was stopped by Torterra and Riolu.
Candy's great, but too much is bad for you!
To distract him, Torterra and Riolu played a game with Heracross, chatting with him and trying to pry out secrets of the "Other World." But Heracross was clever—no treats, no intel.
Torterra and Riolu exchanged a look.
Torterra shook its little tree, dropping a few odd fruits. These weren't berries, but the forest-energy-infused fruits it produced as a Grotle.
Humans found them bland, but Pokémon loved them. Riolu handed one to Heracross, who bit into it and immediately lit up—chomping away with glee.
Hmm, tasty! Perfect as a snack!
"Well," said Heracross, "since you want to know about the Rift World so badly, I'll tell you a bit."
He explained:
"We live in a different world than yours. You're on this side, we're on the other. Only Pokémon have color—everything else is in black and white."
…And that was it.
"…Huh?" Riolu blinked.
That's it?!
"Herra," Heracross nodded innocently.
The rest of the world? Just forests, trees, berries, living peacefully. Occasionally the forest would ask them to do things—like guard the Sealing Stone.
As for the world at large?
"Ha! I've never even left the forest! How would I know?!"
Riolu and Torterra shook their heads.
Heracross seemed clever, but really, he was just a candy-loving simpleton. He didn't know much about the world's secrets—then again, most Pokémon didn't.
As long as they could live happily, they were content. Only a few Pokémon were curious enough to seek the truth. But some did—like those that formed explorer teams in mysterious Pokémon-only worlds.
Torterra loved the idea of such a world, and so did Riolu.
Curiosity was the root of adventure—the desire for answers, the greatest treasure of all.
"All done."
While the Pokémon were chatting, the backpacker eavesdropped, amazed by their casual reveals. Honestly, tonight's encounters were more wondrous than anything else he'd seen on his journey.
Hikaru's voice pulled him back to the present.
"Huh? Already? That was fast! No way that's normal crafting speed!"
"What is this, a guitar?"
Hikaru: "It's a ukulele—a musical instrument from the Oblivia Region. Looks similar to a guitar, right? But tell me—can you tell the difference between a bass and a guitar?"
Backpacker: "…Isn't a bass just a bigger guitar?"
Today's bass joke: 1/1!
Hikaru giggled. The backpacker sighed.
"Geez, I don't know instruments! I don't even play them!"
"So what's this thing do, anyway? Your… bass—wait, guitar—no, ukulele?"
Hikaru smiled as she strummed it.
"In the forest, its effect might not be very strong. It's meant for specific places. But I'm going to try playing it now."
[Item: Four-String Ukulele (Musical Replica)]
[Description: Plays the legendary tune "Ukulele Voice: Thunderstrike Melody"! Produces sound when electricity flows through it. The music's thunder effects ignore type interactions and soothe both humans and Pokémon, conveying the player's emotions. Since this is a replica, most effects are weakened—lightning cannot be used.]
[Effect: Attracts wild Pokémon to listen, increases friendship, and can summon Electric-types in places like Chargestone Cave.]
Brrrnnngg~
A strange melody filled the forest, awakening even its deepest slumber.
Pokémon peeked out to listen. The backpacker felt as if lightning had struck his heart—he was completely enchanted by the music.
Lively, whimsical, ethereal—yet with a mysterious, ancient charm. It was as if he could see illusions of ancient cities and people living in harmony with Pokémon, flickering into and out of existence.
Flying-types landed on branches, Bug-types peeked out from bark, Grass-types swayed and danced with the rhythm.
The song rode the forest wind, spreading far and wide, drawing more Pokémon into the hidden cave. Even the hidden Zoroark mother and child heard the melody. Curious, they turned to face the wind's direction—unconsciously leaving their shelter.
But they remained alert, not approaching the source. They sensed it came from a common hidden cave—where the scent of a familiar companion lingered.
Inside, Hikaru finished her song and realized she had been completely immersed in the music. Around her, many Pokémon had gathered.
They looked at her with curiosity, not anger. The music had soothed them, eased their fatigue, and brought peace to their hearts—helping them sleep better later.
"My heart feels… strange," said the backpacker, pressing a hand to his chest.
"It's like lightning passed through me. This music—your emotions…"
He stopped short—nearly revealing himself.
But Hikaru, unfazed, welcomed the approaching Pokémon and offered them Energy Cubes.
"The test went great. Time to move on."
Among the Pokémon she had drawn were a few Emolga. They listened with great attention and stared at Hikaru, seemingly waiting for instructions.
But she had none for them, so they simply returned to eating the cubes.
As Hikaru prepared to leave, the backpacker stared at her.
"…You already know what I am, don't you?"
"Even though your strange machine didn't catch it at first… you didn't need it to see me."
Hikaru was a bit surprised the Zoroark would confess. Maybe her music had reached him—proving she meant no harm.
"Yeah… I sort of knew."
"But I didn't expose you. Isn't it nice to just talk, human to human? I bet this disguise took a lot of effort."
The backpacker fell silent, then laughed softly.
"There are strange people in the world. Maybe someone else saw through me too."
Then, before Hikaru's eyes, the illusion dissolved.
The human form faded, revealing a tall, black-and-red, foxlike Pokémon—Zoroark.
The traveler Zoroark showed his true form… then quickly disguised himself again.
Seeing Hikaru unfazed, he grinned.
"You've got special powers, yet you show no greed. Don't I count as a rare Pokémon to you?"
"Well… maybe not," Hikaru replied. "There are a lot of Zoroark in Unova."
"Hmph. One of them follows that so-called 'King of Team Plasma'—talking about liberating Pokémon while stealing them and ruining beautiful things."
"Some Zoroark avoid humans and live quietly, yet still get hunted. But that's their choice. I can only offer advice."
"You and I… we're friends now. So let me give you something."
The Zoroark pulled out a disc and handed it to Hikaru.
[Obtained: TM—Snarl!]
"This TM contains Snarl. Not rare, but think of it as a normal gift. It lowers the opponent's stats."
"That was some beautiful music. I'll remember it."
"I'm heading out now too."
"Wait." Hikaru smiled. "Since we're friends… let me give you something too."
"Be careful. There are humans with ill intentions. Take this."
She handed him an orange Steel Die. With a tap, it released a yellow electromagnetic shield.
"A wave-jammer. Blocks tech devices and prevents others from seeing your real identity."
Zoroark was surprised—but bowed slightly.
"I'll remember this kindness."
"Farewell, friend."
Hikaru waved as she left, heading toward her next destination—Fantasia Bridge.
After her departure, the Pokémon dispersed. The shiny Heracross vanished like a dream.
Zoroark turned his gaze to a part of the forest. There, the Zoroark mother and child watched him silently.
"I told you—your presence has been discovered. A power-hungry man is coming to capture you. I've learned this from certain human channels."
"If you don't leave soon, you'll face danger. That man… has the power to foresee the future. He might already know what I'm telling you now."
"When you possess great power, people like that will hunt you."
"His hometown is right next door—Nimbasa City. He's on his way."
"But for every greedy human, there are others—like the one just now—who are wonderful and kind. Life is complicated… and that's the beauty of a journey."
"My warning ends here. Farewell, kin."
With that, the traveler Zoroark resumed his disguise and left—leaving the hesitant mother and child behind in the forest.
(End of Chapter)
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