Beedrill—while not top-tier in terms of base stats or raw strength—wasn’t inherently terrifying when encountered alone. The problem was, a Beedrill never came alone. Seeing one usually meant a whole swarm nearby.

But the green-colored Beedrill before them was different.

It had emerged from the rift of dreams—and there were no Kakuna or Weedle anywhere in Pinwheel Forest to explain its presence.

In the games, Beedrill only had a 4% appearance rate in Pinwheel Forest’s Hidden Grotto, always bearing the Sniper ability.

This alone confirmed it—this Beedrill wasn’t from this world.

“Spa!”

The shiny Beedrill locked eyes with Grotle, its figure bathed in scattered light leaking through the Hidden Grotto canopy—divine, yet oppressive. Invisible winds surrounded it, and a visible red aura gradually surfaced around its form.

Whoosh—!

Beedrill struck first!

Twin Needle!

Its massive, spear-like forearms gleamed murderously as it shot toward Grotle with impossible speed!

Boom! Before Grotle could react, Aegislash’s shield intercepted the attack. Beedrill instantly halted—sensing Aegislash’s mysterious aura.

“Hrmph.” Grotle glanced at Aegislash, signaling its desire to battle Beedrill.

This was the trial set by the forest. To hear its voice—to receive its blessing—one had to overcome its guardian.

Grotle wanted that blessing.

[…So that’s it. This forest is calling to you. I can feel how intently it’s watching you—it’s like it has awareness.]

As a sovereign sword and psychic being, Aegislash had sensed the forest’s whispering from the start. With the move Whisper, it had unparalleled sensitivity to external phenomena.

[Grotle, be careful. That Twin Needle just now was no joke. You’re not up against a normal Pokémon—that red aura is the forest’s power made manifest!]

Aegislash stepped back. Grotle now faced the shiny Beedrill alone.

The latter adjusted its stance—its posture firm and questioning.

Are you ready?

If so, it was time for battle—and for expulsion. Failure meant forfeiting the forest’s grace, even if you were its favored one.

[Isn’t that guy supposed to be the forest’s protector?] Aegislash asked, puzzled.

“It sees the contest for the slab as a trial,” Hikaru explained. “In nature, strong Pokémon monopolize powerful resources—and only after defeating them can others access that power. It’s part of the ecosystem. Even conflict has a role.”

“Battles are the best way to truly understand and respect one another.”

Hikaru tried to initiate “bug-to-bug” diplomacy…

Rejected.

Because this was the chieftain of another world’s insects. Flattery wouldn’t work.

The Beedrill blurred—its body becoming translucent.

Agility!

Its movements became fluid, weightless, speed drastically increasing!

It lunged again, spear-needles screaming through the air. Grotle erected a light green shield—Protect! The attack struck head-on.

But Beedrill sneered.

“SSSKRAA!”

Crack! The Protect barrier began to fracture.

Overflowing power surged from Beedrill—energy from the forest slab, or perhaps the forest itself. The Twin Needle transformed into devastating lances, accompanied by an echoing sonic blast.

[Interlink Tree Note: This is power from the Forest Seal Stone—granting “special abilities.” That last strike was boosted with a move called “Sonic Lance.”]

[Move: Sonic Lance – Based on Twin Needle. When user’s HP is high, the base damage greatly increases and inflicts both Poison and Confusion.]

[Be wary—this may not even be its full power. Beware its toxins!]

For a forest like Pinwheel—renowned for purifying decay—its guardians were surprisingly proficient at poisoning foes.

Beedrill, seeing its attack ineffective, pulled back instantly with Agility again. Hikaru realized they couldn’t let it unleash that move again.

He pulled a special fabric from his pack and wrapped it around Grotle.

Covert Cloak – Legbound Edition.

Since Grotle’s build didn’t suit capes, the cloth had to be secured to its shell, belly, or limbs. Its purpose: warding off status effects like Poison and Confusion.

Beedrill struck again!

Agility had now stacked 6 times—its speed was monstrous. For tank Pokémon like Grotle, such speedsters were nightmares—able to harass, dart in and out, chip away at health.

Now—

Pin Missile!

White streaks of light exploded from Beedrill’s spears like missiles, tearing through air with sonic booms!

Grotle’s eyes narrowed—listening for Hikaru’s command.

Return fire with something even stronger!

Bullet Seed!

Grotle unleashed a barrage of glowing seeds from its mouth. The volleys collided mid-air with Beedrill’s attack—an explosion of smoke and debris!

In that smoke, Beedrill had already surged forward!

Its style—Single Strike, Precise Hit—was a battle approach that sought only the strongest blow.

If a special power resided in the enemy Pokémon, it would seek to knock it out in one hit.

Fell Stinger!

If this move knocks out an opponent, the user’s Attack skyrockets!

CRACK! Beedrill struck—but Grotle’s body dispersed like a mirage.

Substitute!

Beedrill spun around—just in time to eat a devastating beam of white light.

SolarBeam!

“In combat, using smoke to get close and attempt a decisive blow is common,” Hikaru said calmly. “That’s why we prepare for it.”

Burgh’s Heracross had once tried the same approach—and like most high-offense Pokémon, the pattern was predictable.

And when their hit misses… there’s always a brief delay. No matter how fast.

“Spa!!”

Despite Beedrill’s low bulk, its special defense wasn’t bad—80 base—and with a 4× resistance to Grass, one SolarBeam wasn’t enough.

Beedrill rose from the shattered trees, buzzing with fury.

But Hikaru was intrigued by its technique.

Ordinary moves, imbued with special forest energy… this felt more like a card game ability than standard move mastery.

Well, two can play at that game.

Shell Smash!

Grotle’s shell cracked wide open—raising Speed, Attack, and Sp. Atk while lowering defenses.

Then—again! Two stacks!

Defense discarded—pure offense now!

BOOM! The heavy-looking Grotle suddenly became a blur—kicking up dust as it sprinted.

Beedrill panicked. Its plan of blitzing a slow tank had just been destroyed.

Counterattack time.

Beedrill fired more Pin Missiles at Grotle’s afterimage—

Miss. Find this chapter’s source on MV-LEM-PYR.

Suddenly, the dust whirlwind surged—trapping Beedrill!

Sand Tomb!

Though Beedrill could fly fast, it wasn’t a Flying-type. It was yanked from midair and battered within the swirling storm!

Time to strike again—don’t let it recover!

Stomping Tantrum!

Grotle’s forelegs slammed the ground—shockwaves rippling into Beedrill.

Stomping Tantrum lowered Beedrill’s Speed again and again. Grotle timed its rhythm with its Grassy Terrain dance, syncing beat with strike.

Beedrill’s stamina plummeted.

Still, it didn’t give up.

It went still in the storm, like it had accepted defeat.

Once the waves ceased, Grotle charged—

Body Slam!

A clean hit! Beedrill was crushed and paralyzed. But—!

A hidden sting struck Grotle!

“Yah?!”

Its HP plummeted instantly!

Endeavor! Beedrill had matched its opponent’s HP to its own!

This was a classic trick from Pokémon with Sturdy—cutting the enemy’s health to 1.

Then—

Focus Energy!

A deep breath—power pooled in its twin spears. Its next attack would critically strike!

Poison Jab!

Sniper + Reversal Thorn!

If in peril, its next strike would be devastating—inflicting Poison and Paralysis together!

A perfect combo of item and forest blessing!

And the hit landed on the real Grotle—not a decoy.

But—

Overgrow activated!

When low on health, Grass moves become stronger!

And Grotle had used—

Endure!

Held at 1 HP, its back-tree began glowing.

Synthesis!

Photosynthesis and energy restoration commenced! The mini-forest on its back merged with Revival Herbs to grant continuous healing!

Beedrill was stunned!

It had the type advantage—how could it lose?

This Grotle… it wasn’t normal.

Energy Ball!

Life force gathered into Grotle’s maw—nature’s wrath condensed.

The entire Hidden Grotto shook!

BOOM!

Beedrill was blown across the chamber—finally defeated.

It collapsed.

Grotle turned toward the slab at the grotto’s end. But instead of approaching, it looked to Hikaru.

“I get it—you want to heal it first.”

Hikaru smiled, offering a Recovery Jelly to the unconscious Beedrill. It stirred.

Groggily, it looked from Hikaru to Aegislash… then to Grotle.

It retreated slightly, maintaining distance.

You’re a chieftain… and so am I. We don’t get chummy.

But it acknowledged Grotle’s strength.

Fine. I lost.

It hovered cautiously as Grotle and Hikaru neared the stone slab.

But inwardly… it admitted, this human felt strangely familiar. Like a friend from a world it had never seen.

That presence… it couldn’t just ignore it.

“I guess you really are from another world… Alright, we’re going to touch it now.”

SPA!

Fine. You won—take it. Victory earns everything.

“Oh? You’re pretty shy. Tsundere much?”

“Spa!! (Don’t say weird stuff!)”

Grotle placed a paw on the stone.

It pulsed with light—surging power flowed into both Grotle and Hikaru!

It resonated with a divine force…

[Artifact (?): Forest Seal Stone – Pinwheel Forest]

[Description: A gemstone from the stars, nurtured by Pinwheel Forest into a unique seal. Its energy is otherworldly. Only those acknowledged by the forest can hear its call. The slab is one with the forest and cannot be removed.]

[Crafting Knowledge: With special meteorites and forest time, more slabs—like Earth and Sky Seals—can be made.]

[Effect: Blessed beings can draw power from any forest. With multiple blessings, Grass-types can alter form—growing larger and mightier.]

[Grotle gained: “Sun-Shell” — Doubles Synthesis effectiveness and ignores weather.]

[Grotle gained: “Forest Seeding” — Using Energy Ball shares plant energy with allies.]

[Grotle absorbed forest blessing and Dream World power!]

[Grotle can now evolve… Proceed?]

Evolution—it was time.

The Interlink Tree had awaited this moment.

As the light enveloped it, Grotle grew massive—bushes twisting into towering trees, shell edges developing white triangular rocks like miniature mountains.

The golden carapace turned earthy again, coated in moss and soil.

BOOM.

Torterra.

The moving forest. The roaming garden. The Pokémon of legends.

On its back, creatures built homes. Some lived their entire lives on its shell.

Ancient myths spoke of colossal Torterra under the earth.

“The tree… it’s different!”

Indeed. Not just the tree.

Torterra’s face and body armor were now crimson—like autumn leaves.

It had become truly unique—one-of-a-kind.

On its central rock… the Guardian Stone’s sigil—Thousand Aeons Emblem.

Could the other rocks evolve too?

Its back-tree twisted in a spiral—like the early Interlink Tree—but with brilliant red foliage, not barren.

[Torterra evolved from Grotle!]

[New Moves: Earthquake, Body Press, Giga Drain, Earth Power, Smack Down]

[Forest Blessing Move: Grass Pledge]

[Interlink Tree Gift Move: Frenzy Plant]

[Torterra – Interlink Tree Form]

[Notes: A unique Torterra with multiple blessings. Its back-tree is a mini Interlink Tree, capable of connecting to various forests and the Dream World (when the Tree regains power).]

[The mini-tree gathers willpower. It can be used to exchange temporary Release Power.]

[The fertile soil on its back grows rare Berries and Herbs. With care, it boosts Ground-type power.]

“Next, let’s hunt down the Mythical Soil,” Hikaru grinned.

[Rewards: Release Orb ×2, Pinwheel Emblem ×1, Power of Nature ×1, Branch of Pinwheel ×1!]

[Pinwheel Forest Emblem: For Pokémon blessed by Pinwheel.]

[Effect: Immune to status in forests. Never lost. Always guided.]

[Power of Nature: Rangers’ connection to nature. Gain more natural aid. Pokémon may assist you. Grass, Water, Fire, Bug types get boosts.]

[Branch of Pinwheel: Straightest stick in the forest. Can craft a wand to fire Grass, Ground, Electric arrows. Strong vs. Duraludon.]

Beedrill, watching, tried to leave with the slab—but Hikaru stopped it.

“…?”

It didn’t get it—but hey, he was forest-approved.

Fine! Just this once!

And with a flick of its wings, the shiny Beedrill vanished into the trees.

“Oi! We might see each other again!”

“Spa! (Never again!!)”

A ripple of energy brushed the nearby space-time.

The charm on Hikaru’s chest flickered—not the blue crystal this time, but the Miracle Diamond.

“Space-time fluctuation…?”

The light faded. Curious, Hikaru left the grotto with Aegislash and Torterra—and found a swarm of Bug-types waiting beneath the giant ancient tree.

They whispered among themselves and presented bundles of glowing Four-Leaf Clovers.

A particularly large Scolipede bowed, urging Hikaru to follow.

To the legendary Plain of Contemplation—where the most Four-Leaf Clovers could be found.

Hikaru hugged Torterra.

“Congratulations. You’ve evolved. And this is only the beginning. One day, you’ll be the strongest Torterra in the world.”

“Doh-ta.” Torterra rumbled softly, nuzzling him.

Now, I can carry you. I’m big enough now.

Our journey has only just begun.

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep