[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Initial team of six captured. Commencing system upgrade.]
The familiar, mechanical voice echoed in Red's mind. He hadn't heard it since the system first activated during that summer camp years ago; it usually remained silent, only making a soft chime when overlaying abilities. The timing of this upgrade, immediately after Scyther's capture, was significant.
After about half an hour, the process was complete. Red glanced at the azure Scyther standing stoically beside him, and a familiar panel materialized in his mind's eye, now more detailed than ever before.
Pokémon Profile: Scyther
Variant: Shiny (Azure)
Type: Bug/Flying
Ability 1: Technician
Ability 2: Swarm
Known Moves: Quick Attack, Fury Cutter, Wing Attack, Double Team, Slash, Focus Energy, Agility, X-Scissor, Air Slash, Swords Dance, Hone Claws
Disposition: Arrogant. Verbally mocks conceited weaklings but holds deep respect for true strength.
Profile: The former young heir of the Viridian Forest Scyther clan. Ostracized since birth for his unique azure exoskeleton. Despite being an outcast, his innate talent allowed him to easily defeat any who challenged him. This forged a proud, solitary warrior who believed no one was his equal.
This was a new function, a way to understand the heart of his Pokémon, not just their stats. Red felt a pang of sympathy as he caressed Scyther's head. The proud Pokémon, despite towering over him at 1.8 meters, subtly lowered its head, allowing its trainer to comfort him.
"You won't have to experience that loneliness again," Red said, his voice soft but firm. The words made Scyther's body tremble, but it suppressed its emotions, giving a single, calm nod as if its painful past was an insignificant matter.
[Ding! Detecting anomalous energy fluctuations in Viridian Forest!]
The system's voice chimed again, this time presenting Red with a vivid image. It was a vision of a young boy, no older than himself, standing in this very forest. He looked familiar.
(Isn't that... a young Giovanni?) Red realized with a jolt.
In the vision, the young Giovanni, having received a "blessing" from the forest, placed a hand on his own Beedrill. A peculiar, emerald-green light enveloped the Pokémon, and its battle wounds healed at a visible rate until they vanished completely.
"The Power of Viridian..." Red breathed, the image fading from his mind. He felt a deep longing for that incredible ability.
[Host, do not be disheartened. A path to obtaining the Power of Viridian has been arranged.]
The system presented him with a plan. The time period Red was in happened to be exactly ten years after the last "blessing." Today, another human in Viridian Forest would have a chance to inherit that power.
"It seems this power is destined to be mine," Red murmured, a new determination in his eyes. He followed the map in his mind, heading toward the heart of the forest, the stoic azure Scyther following silently behind him.
Deep within the forest, in a hidden, abandoned Team Rocket research base, chaos reigned.
"Damn it, where did Experiment Two run off to?!" a young man with black hair and furious red eyes snarled. He was Yagawa, a newly promoted squad leader, and he was in deep trouble.
He had been assigned to assist the infamous Dr. Fenris, a mission he thought would be his ticket to a captaincy. But the Pokémon chosen for the experiment—"Experiment Two"—was far from a simple creature. It had taken advantage of a moment of lax security, broken out of its cage, and effortlessly defeated every grunt in its path before escaping into the forest.
Now, Yagawa was left to face the wrath of a very displeased Dr. Fenris, who had dressed him down with cold, precise fury. Yagawa had sworn to find Experiment Two and teach it a painful lesson in "punishment." In truth, the fault was his own. His indifferent attitude had infected his subordinates, leading to the lapse in security.
A dark shadow swooped down from the sky. It was his Golbat, returning from its search.
"Well? Did you find any trace of Experiment Two?!" Yagawa demanded.
The Golbat shook its head regretfully, then paused. As if sensing a faint trail, it pointed its wing toward the central area of the forest—the same place Red was now heading.
"Everyone, on me! Follow Golbat to the depths of the forest!" Yagawa commanded. It was a long shot, but it was better than searching aimlessly.
Red and Scyther arrived at the center of Viridian Forest to a sight that left the proud Bug-type in shock. It was a hidden world, a pristine sanctuary surrounded by a thick, impenetrable wall of ancient vines. Scyther had never known this place existed.
"You've worked hard," Red praised, recalling the exhausted Pokémon to its ball. Scyther had used its sharp blades to carve a path for them the entire way.
The air here was pure, humming with a vibrant, natural energy. Red walked to the edge of a serene lake. According to the system's prompt, he released his Aura and his psychic power, letting them float freely and resonate with the energy of the forest.
Soon, the ancient trees began to sway, and small, emerald-green orbs of light materialized in the air. They floated like fireflies, bathing the clearing in a soft, ethereal glow. The natural power of the forest acknowledged his presence. The orbs began to drift together, merging into a single, brilliant sphere of green light.
Red followed its guidance to the very center of the clearing. The sphere floated above his head and then descended, slowly integrating into his body.
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully gained the recognition of Viridian Forest and comprehended the Power of Viridian!]
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