The secret base mechanics from the games weren't quite the same in the real world—especially not with a "half-baked" expert like Ditto. If Feng Che waited for Ditto to successfully manifest a "Secret Power" hideout, he'd be waiting until the cows came home.
In the blink of an eye, the sky turned ink-black, heavy with gathering storm clouds. Silver lightning danced across the horizon, and the air became stiflingly humid.
"I need to find a place to stay, and fast."
While Feng Che had a tent, staying on the ground in the middle of a tropical torrential downpour was a recipe for disaster.
"Ditto, look for a cave or some shelter. Hurry!"
The Ditto, currently in Golbat form, flapped its wings and darted into the canopy, using ultrasonic pulses to map the surrounding terrain. Just as the first heavy drops of rain began to fall, the Golbat spiraled back down. It chirped, signaling for Feng Che to follow.
They navigated through the thick undergrowth, twisting and turning until they arrived at a gargantuan ancient tree.
"Ditto, why here? I don't see any shelter," Feng Che grumbled as the rain started to hammer down.
The Ditto flew to the mid-section of the trunk and nudged a specific patch of bark. To Feng Che's shock, the bark peeled back like a door, revealing a small wooden room of about sixty square meters.
"Good job, Ditto! You actually found a pre-built hideout," Feng Che praised, quickly climbing inside and pulling the bark door shut behind him.
"Talk about luck. A free treehouse," he muttered, pulling out his high-intensity flashlight to inspect his new home.
The room was ingenious. It was built into the hollow of the tree in a way that didn't compromise the trunk's structural integrity. It was tidy, featuring a decent-sized bed and windows made of a translucent resin that looked exactly like bark from the outside. From within, however, Feng Che had a perfect view of the forest.
There was even a fireplace with a hidden flue and a neatly stacked pile of dry firewood. On one wall, countless "Tally Marks" (正) had been carved into the wood. Some were faded with age; others were fresh. The very last mark was incomplete—just a single vertical stroke.
Two possibilities for the owner, Feng Che mused. Either they successfully returned to the base as a formal member, or they ended up in the belly of a high-level Pokémon.
Searching the room, he found his greatest prize yet: a comprehensive, hand-drawn map of Death Island. Unlike the simple bookmark he found earlier, this one detailed supply cache locations, Pokémon habitats, berry groves, and medicinal herb distributions. This map alone was enough to guarantee his victory.
As the rain intensified, turning the world outside into a white blur, Feng Che watched the forest floor. Pidgey, Rattata, and Oddish were all huddling for cover under the giant roots. Suddenly, a small bird began pecking frantically at his resin window.
The storm had driven a little Rookidee into a panic. Feng Che unlatched the window and pulled the shivering creature inside. As he touched the air outside, he realized the rain was unnaturally, bone-chillingly cold.
Rookidee were small, round blue birds with black facial markings. They were notoriously brave, willing to challenge any foe, no matter the size. But right now, this one was just cold and wet. Feng Che draped a warm blanket over the little bird.
"This weather is bizarre. What's the secret of this island?"
[Rookidee: So cold... so cold...][Rookidee: That Abomasnow from the peaks must have come down and turned part of the forest into a frozen wasteland. Why is it so angry?]
Feng Che understood immediately. An Abomasnow has been provoked. It's using Blizzard, turning this tropical rain into an icy slush. No wonder the local Pokémon are suffering.
Ditto, having returned to its blob form, was lazily warming itself by the fire he had just lit. The Rookidee, however, was more active. It chirped curiously at Feng Che as its frozen body began to thaw.
Rookidee is a pure Flying-type. This potion should help it recover, he thought, pulling a blue vial from his bracelet. The bird, lured by the fragrant scent, gulped it down.
Feng Che didn't care much about base potential—with his breeding skills, he could improve any Pokémon. This Rookidee was already at the "Yellow" (Outstanding) level.
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