As evening approached, Red and Ash's trio arrived at a Pokémon Center nestled deep within the forest. The building's design embraced its natural surroundings, with wooden beams and living vines that made it seem like an organic extension of the trees themselves.
"Nurse Joy, could you please examine Bulbasaur's condition?" Ash asked anxiously.
Though Red had assured them that Bulbasaur was about to evolve, the worried trainer still requested a full examination to ensure the previous battle with Rhydon hadn't caused any hidden damage.
After a thorough check and treatment of its minor injuries, Nurse Joy confirmed what Red had observed—Bulbasaur was indeed showing signs of imminent evolution.
"How is Bulbasaur's condition?" Ash asked, his voice tight with concern.
"Don't worry," Nurse Joy said with a reassuring smile. "Bulbasaur's development is excellent. It's simply beginning to show the natural signs of evolution."
"This pure natural power..." Red murmured, gazing out the window as he sensed something resonating with his abilities. "That Venusaur's strength is indeed extraordinary."
He touched the Poké Ball at his waist, anticipation building within him.
'I hope I can give this ancient king a worthy battle,' he thought.
Before Red's eyes, the flowers near the Pokémon Center began to bloom in a cascade of color. The phenomenon was influenced by some kind of natural power that resonated deeply with the Viridian Force within his body.
"When will Bulbasaur evolve?" Ash asked excitedly, his earlier worry transforming into eager anticipation.
"Please, come and see this," Nurse Joy said, leading the group to the large windows overlooking the forest.
"It's the same as before!" Misty exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with wonder.
"What do you mean?" Brock asked, puzzled.
"When we brought Bulbasaur in earlier, the flowers in the vase suddenly bloomed," Misty explained, gesturing to the now-vibrant bouquet on the reception desk.
"It's said that when Bulbasaur reach a certain stage of development, they gather from unknown places to hold a festival—a celebration of evolution," Nurse Joy explained. "The timing seems to be tied to the phases of the moon or the movement of stars. It doesn't necessarily happen in the same season every year."
"How romantic!" Misty sighed dreamily.
"It seems we're witnessing something truly special," Brock observed.
"Where does this evolution take place?" Misty asked.
"In a place called the 'Mysterious Garden,'" Red said with a slight smirk. "I mentioned it on the way here, but it seems you weren't listening carefully."
"Well..." all three said in unison, their faces flushing with embarrassment.
They had been so worried about Bulbasaur's physical safety that they hadn't paid attention to Red's explanation. After all, Bulbasaur's evolution signs were very different from ordinary Pokémon—instead of the typical brilliant light that gave birth to new forms, Bulbasaur seemed driven by some external force, its body evolving uncontrollably.
"The Mysterious Garden... no one has ever seen that place, so it's even considered to be just a legend," Nurse Joy murmured, still gazing out at the blooming forest. "But I don't think these flowers are an illusion. I believe the Mysterious Garden must exist somewhere."
"The Mysterious Garden..." Ash said wistfully, looking out the window with Pikachu. "I'd really like to see it too."
"Pika pika!" Pikachu agreed enthusiastically.
"Bulba..." Bulbasaur, lying on the examination table, looked outside with conflicted eyes, contemplating its future.
The Grass-type suddenly recalled the scene of Charmeleon attacking Ash, and its face showed hesitation. Moreover, Bulbasaur genuinely loved its current form—it could freely jump into Ash's arms and be close to him.
In a distant, secluded clearing, a group of Bulbasaur, guided by natural power, gathered together, preparing to journey to the Mysterious Garden to complete their evolution festival.
Late that night, the confused Bulbasaur quietly left the Pokémon Center, seeking fresh air to clear its troubled mind. But this small action was noticed by both Red and Pikachu. The electric mouse hurriedly followed, determined to accompany his friend.
Since Red was sharing a room with Ash, his movement woke the younger trainer. Ash rubbed his eyes and looked at Red with confusion.
"Get up quickly, Ash!" Red said urgently, shaking his brother awake. "Bulbasaur has left the Pokémon Center. We need to catch up!"
After hastily getting dressed, Pikachu returned in a panic, chittering anxiously to inform them that Bulbasaur had been taken by the other Bulbasaur.
To find traces of their friend, Red and Ash's group embarked on a search through the moonlit forest, with Pikachu using his keen sense of smell to track Bulbasaur's whereabouts.
Following the guidance of floating, luminescent pollen, they realized they were approaching the legendary Mysterious Garden.
But as they drew closer, thick vines suddenly erupted from the forest floor around them, blocking their path with an impenetrable wall of vegetation.
"The whole forest is moving!" Brock shouted in amazement. "Look, the vines are trying to block our way!"
"Don't worry," Red said calmly. "Leave this to me."
Green light emanated from his body as his Viridian Power resonated with the forest's natural energy. The thick vines that had intended to bar their passage immediately recognized his connection to nature and opened a pathway.
After the group passed through, the vines immediately sealed the passage behind them, forming an impenetrable wooden barrier.
"I see," Brock said with sudden understanding. "No wonder no one has ever found it."
The reason people couldn't reach the Mysterious Garden was that the path was protected by these living barriers. Most travelers, unfamiliar with the forest's deeper mysteries, mistook the vines for natural growth and gave up, never witnessing the miracle within. Those stubborn few who tried to force their way through were thoroughly repelled by the defensive vegetation.
"Let's hurry," Red said, pointing ahead. "Pikachu has found Bulbasaur."
The group followed Red to where Pikachu waited. Standing on a hillside and following the drift of glowing pollen, they saw a breathtaking sight: dozens of Bulbasaur standing on a wide grassland, their faces showing joyful smiles as they called softly, welcoming the king who would preside over their evolution festival.
"This is the Mysterious Garden!" Ash said in awe.
"Bulba... Bulba..." The gathered Bulbasaur began to sing in harmony, their voices praising the arrival of the evolution festival.
As time passed, the withered giant tree standing in the center of the grassland began to change. After absorbing the concentrated natural power, it gradually regained new life. At a speed visible to the naked eye, thick branches sprouted, and brilliant flowers bloomed along its length.
After the ancient tree's revival, it bestowed this same life force upon the grassland. The grass beneath the Bulbasaur's feet burst with new vitality, and bright flowers instantly carpeted what had been simple green meadow.
The beginning of the festival captivated everyone's attention. Ash's group was stunned by the miraculous scene before them, and even Red found himself mesmerized. This was a rare natural celebration, a sight that could broaden anyone's appreciation for the wonders of nature.
'It seems this Venusaur can skillfully control natural power,' Red thought with growing excitement. 'Truly worthy of being the king of this Mysterious Garden!'
Heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed from within the tree's hollow trunk. A massive, four-legged reptilian Pokémon emerged, commanding the attention of every creature present.
This magnificent creature had blue-green skin marked with bumps similar to a toad's back. The bud that had once adorned its back had bloomed into an enormous flower, supported by a light brown, trunk-like structure resembling a palm tree.
The flower consisted of six red trapezoidal petals and a yellow crown-shaped pistil. The front of each petal bore two triangular notches and three irregularly shaped white spots, while the pistil displayed eleven pointed tips.
Four large leaves, resembling banana fronds, grew from the base of the trunk in a cross pattern, extending toward its head, back, and both sides of its body. Its claws were divided into three toes with pristine white nails, and its legs had grown far thicker and more powerful than any Ivysaur's.
This was the sovereign of the Mysterious Garden—Venusaur.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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