"Haha, I heard the Slumbering Weald is home to a powerful Pokémon, so I wanted to investigate and see if I could catch it." Summer feigned excitement, disguising himself as just another trainer in search of a strong Pokémon. He knew Professor Magnolia understood the dangers of the Weald. If he gave such a simple reason, she would likely refuse to let him enter.
"Hmm… I see." Magnolia paused for a moment before continuing, "If you follow this path straight ahead, you'll reach the forest. The League's so-called blockade is nothing but a wooden fence. For a young man like you, it should be easy enough to climb over."
Summer was momentarily stunned. She's… not stopping me? Not only that, but she's telling me how to get in? This didn't align with what he knew of Magnolia. She was supposed to be a cautious and responsible researcher.
What he didn't realize was that no trainer who had ventured into the Slumbering Weald had ever come to harm. In fact, they often woke up feeling refreshed after blacking out. That was the real reason she allowed it. To her, the worst-case scenario was Summer getting lost in the fog and ending up back at the entrance, giving up on his own.
Besides, she was curious about the powerful Pokémon rumored to inhabit the Weald. If Summer was lucky enough to discover its identity—or even capture it—perhaps he could finally solve the mystery that had plagued her for years.
"If you do manage to catch it, why don't you visit my home in Wedgehurst?" Magnolia added as she turned away, tapping her cane lightly against the ground. "I'd love to see it for myself."
"Of course, of course," Summer replied with a nod, watching as Magnolia entered the schoolyard, where a group of children eagerly surrounded her. So in her eyes, the Slumbering Weald isn't dangerous at all… He sighed. Capture Zacian or Zamazenta? Professor, you're quite the optimist…
Seeing that Magnolia was now fully occupied, Summer wasted no time. He needed to find a secluded place before the Temporal Distortion started. Thirty seconds left. The Slumbering Weald was the best choice—it was guaranteed to be empty.
Picking up his pace, he reached the entrance just in time. Without hesitation, he grabbed onto the wooden fence, vaulted over, and stepped into the ancient, mist-filled forest. The towering trees stood tall and proud, their canopies filtering the soft, silvery light that trickled through the fog. Wisps of mist clung to the air, dancing between the thick trunks.
Temporal Distortion—Initiating.
The scenery around him shifted in a barely perceptible blur. When his vision stabilized, he was still standing in a forest, still surrounded by mist… but something was different.
"No, this isn't the same," he muttered, scanning his surroundings. The trees were younger. His heart skipped a beat. Is this… the past?
No, he couldn't be sure. He needed confirmation. "Assistant," he called out mentally. "What's the name of this forest?"
[Unregistered location. No official records exist.]
"…Not the answer I was hoping for."
"Alright, then—where in Galar am I?"
[Coordinates match the western edge of the southern Galar mountain range.]
A chill ran down Summer's spine. This is the Slumbering Weald—but from the past. The exact time period, however, was still a mystery.
Before he could dwell on it, a sound caught his attention—A human voice.
"Sirfetch'd—no, you—run… hurry…!"
Someone's in trouble! His eyes snapped toward the northeast. There! No time to hesitate. He reached for a Poké Ball. "Rillaboom—go!"
The towering Rillaboom materialized by his side, its powerful arms resting against its drum.
"You hear that? Someone needs help—find them!"
"Boom!" With a sharp nod, Rillaboom leaped into the treetops, moving swiftly through the canopy.
Meanwhile, deep within the forest, a Galarian Sirfetch'd stood defiantly, its large leek held like a knight's lance. Across from it, a Corviknight hovered menacingly, its gleaming black armor unmarred by the duck's desperate strikes.
"Gah!!" Sirfetch'd let out a battle cry, launching another furious attack—only for its blade to skid uselessly against the steel plating.
The Corviknight responded with a powerful gust, sending the exhausted Sirfetch'd tumbling backward. Blood trickled down its cheek, staining its already ruffled feathers. Gritting its teeth, it planted its leek into the ground for support, trying to push itself up.
"…Damn it," the human beside it whispered, his hand pressed against the earth as he gasped for breath. His clothes were simple—a coarse linen tunic and trousers, a style that seemed ancient compared to modern Galar.
Nearby, fragments of blackened metal lay scattered across the ground—remnants of something the boy had been carrying. He barely noticed them. His mind was racing. I have to protect Sirfetch'd.
With the last of his strength, he scooped up a handful of dirt and threw it at Corviknight. "Over here, you bastard!!"
It was a pathetic attack—nothing more than a smear of mud against steel—but it worked. Corviknight turned, its crimson eyes narrowing. Then—It attacked.
The sheer force of the wind sent both the boy and his Pokémon crashing to the ground.
"…Ha… ha…" The boy coughed, struggling to lift himself. "…Is this it?" he whispered.
Sirfetch'd let out a pained, weak quack, barely able to lift its lance. Damn it… If only I were stronger…
Just as the Corviknight raised its wings to deliver the final blow—A shadow flashed overhead. A massive figure dropped from the treetops, its fist glowing green.
CRASH.
A deafening impact. The Corviknight let out a strangled screech, its form crumpling like a broken kite as it was sent hurtling through the undergrowth.
The boy could only stare. His gaze slowly shifted upward—to the towering, ape-like figure that now stood protectively in front of him and Sirfetch'd.
"…Wh… What…?"
Then, another presence arrived—a young man, dressed in strange clothes, stepping out of the mist. His calm, steady voice broke the silence.
"Are you hurt?"
The boy blinked rapidly, his brain scrambling to process what had just happened. Then—realization hit.
This man had just saved him. And not just anyone could command a Pokémon so powerful.
Which meant—The boy dropped to one knee, bowing his head in gratitude.
"Thank you… Thank you for saving us, my lord knight!"
"…Knight?"
Summer raised an eyebrow. What time period is this?!