Chapter Twelve: The Tyrant of the Forest, First Encounter with Mutation

Once again descending into the world of Pokémon, the scenery before him shifted from a vast, sun-blocking primeval forest to low-lying shrubbery. Realizing his return to the Pokémon world, Su Yi relaxed a little; at least he didn’t have to worry about a monster suddenly lunging from around a corner to gulp him down in one bite.

“Come out, Aibo, Chansey.”

“A brand new adventure begins in another world, meow!” The cat bounced energetically.

“Lucky.” Seeing the familiar landscape, Chansey felt nostalgic, reflecting on the marvelous adventures of the past few days.

Su Yi crouched down, looking Chansey in the eye, and solemnly invited, “Chansey, will you join me on an adventure?”

“Lucky!” Chansey responded with a smile.

Initially, Chansey had followed Su Yi to the Monster Hunter world out of concern for his injuries and because of his request, but the brief experience had revealed something it truly enjoyed.

Clearly, Chansey loved traveling—seeing different landscapes and tasting delicious local specialties.

Su Yi valued Chansey’s healing abilities; such a gentle, nurturing Pokémon could hardly be called the “pink demon.”

Just then, a small group of Pokémon gathered around, chattering and crying out to Chansey. Su Yi noticed that all of them were injured.

Recalling his first encounter with Chansey, where it was tending to several wounded Pokémon, Su Yi wondered aloud, “Is it really so easy for Pokémon to get hurt in the wild?”

While healing the Pokémon, Chansey expressed its concern. Hearing this, Su Yi scratched his head—he couldn’t understand a word.

Nearby, Leucas tilted her head. “Chansey seems to be saying there’s a fierce Pokémon in the forest bullying the weak and stealing their food, meow.”

Su Yi was surprised. “Aibo, you can understand what Chansey says?”

Leucas touched her cat ears with her paw, a bit uncertain. “I don’t know exactly, meow, but I get the general idea.”

Su Yi considered that since the cat was now a Pokémon too, it made sense that basic communication between Pokémon was possible.

Watching Chansey busying itself with the injured Pokémon, Su Yi realized that as long as others were getting hurt, this compassionate Pokémon would never feel at ease embarking on an adventure with him.

So...

“Chansey, let’s help you solve this problem.”

Chansey seemed worried.

Su Yi smiled, gently patting Chansey’s head. “You’ve helped me so much before—now that you’re in trouble, of course I won’t just stand by.”

...

Following a forest path, a river cut through the woods. Every so often a Magikarp leapt from the water, and occasionally a Rowlet floated on the surface, its eyes gleaming with intelligence.

“So many creatures I’ve never seen before, meow. Are these Pokémon too?” Leucas walked beside Su Yi, curiously glancing around.

“That’s right. This is a world where most Pokémon can coexist peacefully with humans.” Seeing all kinds of Pokémon, Su Yi couldn’t help but feel a sense of novelty and excitement himself.

“Lucky.” Chansey stopped, pointing ahead.

In a thicket laden with berries, a Scolipede was surveying its territory with a disdainful gaze.

“A Scolipede—Bug and Poison type.”

Though called a centipede, Scolipede walked on four articulated legs, not the hundred legs one might imagine, nor did it crawl flat on the ground. Its front body was raised, resembling not so much a centipede as a prehistoric millipede.

“This Scolipede is huge! Are you a boss monster too?” Su Yi exclaimed in awe.

In the distance, the Scolipede stood tall, at least 2.8 meters high and nearly five or six meters long—a size that could easily qualify as a large monster in the Monster Hunter world.

“Since it’s Bug and Poison type, you’re perfect for this! Go, Toucannon, prepare for your debut!” Su Yi sent out his Dragon/Flying-type Toucannon.

Toucannon appeared, cautiously observing its surroundings.

“Toucannon, can you follow my commands in battle?” Su Yi stepped forward to soothe its beak.

“Kaa!” Toucannon cried out; whether it understood was unclear.

Its appearance immediately drew Scolipede’s attention. Though Toucannon was slender compared to Scolipede, its nine-meter body was not to be underestimated.

“Guga!” Scolipede turned, aiming its two giant horns at Toucannon. The sudden intrusion triggered its vigilance and territorial instincts.

“Guga!” Scolipede charged, its horns glowing as it rushed at Toucannon.

“Toucannon, dodge!”

Cautious as ever, Toucannon leapt lightly, dodging with agility.

“Toucannon, use Stone Edge!” Su Yi seized the moment to command.

But Toucannon didn’t follow the instruction. Instead, it stretched its neck and pecked at the exposed weakness on Scolipede’s flank, missed by the linear attack.

“Guga!” Scolipede wasn’t flustered; it twisted its tail, two long stingers glowing purple, sweeping toward Toucannon.

“Poison Tail,” Su Yi recognized the move.

Careless in its unfamiliarity with Pokémon battles, Toucannon was struck hard on the head by Poison Tail, retreating with agitated cries and growing irritation.

“Thankfully, it’s not poisoned.” Su Yi sighed in relief, seeing no signs of poisoning on Toucannon.

“Toucannon! Listen to my commands—Pokémon battles aren’t as simple as your usual scuffles!” Su Yi shouted.

“Kaa!” Toucannon responded, its restless mood settling.

“Guga!” Scolipede screeched, the harsh sound lowering Toucannon’s defenses significantly.

“Goodness, you really can’t underestimate any Pokémon, especially those with formidable individual strength.” Su Yi’s face grew serious, no longer as relaxed as when he’d reassured Chansey.

Clearly, both Su Yi and Toucannon lacked practical experience in Pokémon battles, adding a layer of pressure to his first real match.

“If we’re inexperienced, forget strategy and improvisation for now—just charge in! Toucannon! Stone Edge!” Su Yi slapped his cheeks, shaking off scattered thoughts and shouted loudly.

“Kaa!” Toucannon responded, scratching at the ground with its talons. Deep yellow energy gathered from the earth, coalescing into a stone of pure energy.

Toucannon leapt high, clutching the stone to smash down on Scolipede. But Scolipede uttered a low growl, dodging swiftly.

“So fast! Faster than before—is this the hidden ability, Speed Boost?” Su Yi was surprised by Scolipede’s agility.

“Then throw the stone!” Inspiration struck Su Yi.

Missing its mark, Toucannon, following the command, hurled the energy stone forcefully. Scolipede, barely steady after dodging, was struck hard by Stone Edge—a move super effective against Bug types, inflicting immense damage.

Scolipede groaned in pain, bracing itself, its eyes flashing with even greater ferocity.

“Once more, Toucannon, Stone Edge!”

Seeing Toucannon ready to unleash the same threatening attack, Scolipede roared, “Gu! Ga!”

Suddenly, the ground split open, deep red light shining from the fissures. Scolipede’s body was enveloped by a crimson glow, growing larger and larger, the sky turning a dark red and several red clouds swirling above its head.

“Dynamax?! Is this really Galar?!”