The forest was unusually quiet that morning.
Alex walked slowly, hands in his pockets, letting the crisp air cool the growing heat inside his chest. Yesterday had been a long day: finding the lake, discovering Milotic, searching for Feebas, finally capturing one… and then realizing he couldn't evolve it without a Prism Scale.
Now he had yet another mission on his list.
But even the thought of evolution didn't weigh on him as much as the secret locked in his backpack — the data he stole from Team Rocket's restricted files. Their plan to spark a war between regions, to use conflict as camouflage while infiltrating governments from the inside… that truth dug into Alex like a thorn he couldn't pull out.
He couldn't tell anyone.Not the League.Not a wandering trainer.Not even someone he trusted.
Because one slip could mean death — not just for him.
But for Riolu.For Charcadet.For Grovyle.For Larvesta.And now Feebas too.
As he walked, Riolu walked beside him, sensing the tension. He didn't speak, but his eyes stayed fixed on Alex's expression.
"I know…" Alex muttered. "I'm thinking too much."
Riolu shook his head, letting him know it was okay.
Charcadet waddled a few steps behind them like a living ember, while Grovyle moved through the branches above with soundless precision. Larvesta sat clinging to Alex's shoulder, soft and warm, occasionally chirping to remind him it was there.
These Pokémon…They were his world now.
"I won't drag you all into danger," Alex whispered. "Not unless I have no choice."
He kept walking, moving past the familiar lake where he had camped the night before. The water shimmered with calm ripples, giving no hint that a Milotic had been there just yesterday. The place looked peaceful, undisturbed.
Alex sighed.
"Let's move. We need to reach the next town and search for a Prism Scale."
Riolu nodded.
They continued into the deeper parts of the forest—until something strange caught Alex's eye.
A path.
Narrow, overgrown, squeezed between two ancient trunks like it didn't want to be found. Branches covered it, bushes pressed against it. It was subtle, almost invisible, like nature was hiding it.
Alex stopped.Pulled out his map.
Nothing.
Not a road.Not a trail.Not a mark.
According to the Sinnoh maps, this area was untouched wild forest.
"…Then what is this doing here?"
Curiosity crept up his spine, slow and deliberate. He knew he should ignore it. He knew he should go toward civilization, find supplies, maybe search for the Prism Scale.
But the unknown tugged at him.
A hidden path could mean danger.Danger could mean opportunity.Opportunity could mean strength.
"Let's check it," Alex decided.
Riolu followed without hesitation.Grovyle silently leapt into the trees above the trail.Charcadet's flames flickered with interest.Larvesta chirped.
They stepped onto the path.
The moment they did, the world felt… different.
The air cooled.The wind disappeared.The trees cast long shadows that stretched unnaturally far.
The entire forest seemed to hold its breath.
Alex kept walking.Five minutes passed.Then ten.Then twenty.
But walking felt far longer than that.
"It's like time is slow here…" Alex whispered.
Still, he pushed forward until suddenly—the trees ahead opened.
And Alex stepped out into a clearing so vast he stopped breathing for a second.
Before him rose a mountain.
A towering giant of stone and greenery, disappearing into the clouds. Waterfalls dripped down unseen caverns. Jagged cliffs jutted out like ancient guardians.
This mountain was massive.Impossible.And most importantly—
It wasn't on any map.
"How does something this big not exist officially…?"
He stared for a long moment.It was beautiful, mysterious… and completely impractical.
"I can't climb that. Not without equipment."
He wasn't suicidal.Not yet.
But what he could do was explore around it.
So Alex walked along the base of the mountain, following a natural slope that curved along the side. As he moved, the ecosystem changed. The air grew warmer. The sunlight brighter. The ground more rugged.
Then Alex froze.
Because all around him…were Pokémon.
Not common forest Pokémon.
But wild, strong, rare ones.
A massive Ursaring tearing bark from a tree.A Machoke lifting boulders twice its size like dumbbells.A herd of Gogoat grazing peacefully.A soaring Braviary screeching from a cliff edge.A Yanmega hunting insects in sharp loops.A Carracosta dragging itself toward a pool of water.A Luxio pack stalking shadows.
Alex's heart thumped.
"This place… this is perfect."
A hidden ecosystem.No humans.No hunters.No criminals.
Just strength.
He could feel Riolu's aura intensify beside him.Grovyle sharpened his claws.Charcadet's flames burned brighter.Larvesta buzzed with excitement.
Alex smiled for the first time that day.
"We're training here."
He wasn't sure where the path led.Or why it existed.Or why this mountain had vanished from maps.
But right now, none of that mattered.
Because in this forgotten corner of the world—Alex had found the perfect place to grow stronger.
For his team.For himself.And for the war he feared was coming.