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Sam's first destination on his journey was Canalave City, located southwest of Celestic Town.
Famous for its rich cultural heritage, exotic architecture, and the largest library in the Sinnoh Region, Canalave City was also home to many historians and researchers.
If there was any place that might hold clues about the elusive Garchompite, it would be there.
But to reach Canalave, Sam had to cross the dense, winding maze of Psychedelic Forest—a quiet, misty stretch of wilderness known for illusions and confusing trails.
The towering trees around him twisted upward like spirals, and light filtered through the leaves in vibrant hues, bathing the forest floor in purples and greens.
Beside him walked Lucario, ever-vigilant, his crimson eyes scanning every bush, every whisper of wind.
Sam murmured to himself, "I really need to catch a Pokémon that can fly."
He stepped over a root and continued, hands behind his back in a thoughtful pose.
"Flying-types aren't just great for fast travel," he muttered, "they give high-ground vision and scouting utility too…"
"Maybe a Staraptor, or if I get lucky… a Salamence."
"But even better—if I could find something that could use Teleport. A Psychic-type. Like Gardevoir, or even Alakazam..."
He grinned at the idea. A perfect escape plan if things ever went south.
"And I'll need a tank. Someone who can eat damage and keep the rest of the team safe."
He mentally reviewed some choices.
"Tyranitar, dual Rock/Dark... or maybe Aggron, Steel/Rock—tough as nails and great synergy with Lucario."
He was still thinking through potential team compositions when—
"Luka!"
Lucario suddenly stopped, a low growl rumbling from his throat.
Sam paused mid-step.
"Hm?"
Lucario's body tensed, and his gaze locked on a clump of dense underbrush up ahead.
"What did you sense, Luca?" Sam asked calmly, knowing Lucario's Aura Sense rarely failed.
Lucario turned toward him and responded through their Aura bond:
"I heard something... faint. Like a voice. That way."
Sam narrowed his eyes.
The wild was never completely safe—there were gentle Pokémon, yes—but also those with violent instincts, especially during certain seasons.
He recalled a recent incident from the news:
"A young Trainer was mauled by a pair of Arbok while traveling alone. He'd stumbled upon them during mating season, and curiosity cost him his life."
Even now, there were species known to attack intruders without warning, especially territorial ones like Ursaring or Scyther.
Fortunately for Sam, his ace was a fully powered Champion Lucario.
Its mere presence caused most lower-level wild Pokémon to flee rather than pick a fight.
Predators could sense predators, and they didn't want that smoke.
Still, curiosity gnawed at Sam. A voice in the forest wasn't something to ignore.
"Let's check it out," he said, patting Lucario's shoulder before striding toward the direction of the sound.
"Luka~!"
Lucario followed closely, his senses extending in every direction.
He pulsed out his Aura aura—scanning for hostility, reading intentions, and forming a mental map of their surroundings.
The forest seemed to hold its breath.
Branches barely rustled. The light through the canopy shifted to a pale teal.
Sam stepped lightly, brushing aside ferns, as he made his way deeper into the mysterious forest.
The noise they'd heard—faint, almost human—grew clearer.
Was it a Pokémon?
A lost traveler?
Or something far stranger?
Sam's heart beat faster—not from fear, but from anticipation.
Adventure had officially begun.
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Deep within the Psychedelic Forest – A Small Clearing
The thick foliage gave way to a circular clearing bathed in shimmering light.
In the middle of it all stood five plump Stantlers, their majestic antlers glowing faintly with psychic energy.
The black orbs nestled within their racks shimmered, casting subtle waves that rippled through the air like heat mirages.
They were all gathered around something... no—someone.
A boy wearing a familiar red cap and a dark hoodie lay sprawled on the ground.
His Turtwig companion, a small Grass-type from the Sinnoh Region, lay beside him in the exact same position.
Both of them were—
Swimming.
Yes, on dry land.
Eyes closed. Arms paddling. Legs kicking.
Faces glowing with innocent joy.
"Turrr~!"
Turtwig giggled as it 'swam' with its stubby little legs.
"Wahoo! I'm catching a Gyarados!" the boy mumbled deliriously, still kicking up dirt.
The surrounding Stantlers, rather than being hostile, looked... entertained.
Their gazes sparkled with mischievous delight, as if enjoying the strange, dream-like performance.
Stantlers were known to cast illusions by bending space with the black orbs on their antlers.
This wasn't malicious—it was just harmless teasing.
Then, everything changed.
The lead Stantler's eyes suddenly widened.
It turned its head and locked eyes with Lucario.
In an instant, the black energy on its antlers fizzled out.
The playful sparkle in its gaze turned into raw panic.
"Stannn!" it whinnied, spinning around and galloping away at top speed.
The other four followed in a stampede, crashing through the underbrush like frightened deer, kicking up leaves and dust.
Sam and Lucario stepped into the clearing calmly, watching the psychic deer vanish into the woods.
"…Guess they got scared of you, Luca."
"Luka~." Lucario tilted his head, slightly embarrassed.
Sam glanced down at the boy still 'swimming' on the grass with his Turtwig.
The illusion had faded, but the dream lingered.
The boy giggled, "Mom, the pancakes are flying again…"
Sam crouched down to get a closer look.
He couldn't see the kid's face clearly—his cap was tilted low and half his face buried in the dirt—but something about the outfit felt... familiar.
A Pikachu-shaped badge. A frayed backpack. The worn Poké Ball belt.
Sam's eyes widened.
"No way… is that who I think it is?"
He stared for another second.
"Wait… that's Ash Ketchum?!"
The boy who once stood atop the world—champion of Alola, rival to legends, and dreamer of infinite journeys—
Was now face down in a forest clearing, sleep-talking about flying pancakes while pretending to swim.
Sam blinked, speechless.
"…What a stupid... stupid way to meet."