CHAPTER 373: SECRET GARDEN

The fall of the Shadow Dragonite marked the beginning of the end for the Shadow Pokemon invasion. Although Latios couldn’t defeat the Shadow Dragonite, the other corrupted creatures weren’t nearly as powerful. With Blaziken and Garchomp’s assistance, they systematically eliminated the remaining threats throughout Altomare.

The Shadow Pokemon assault on the water capital was quickly repelled.

When the main force of Shadow Pokemon suffered heavy losses, the surviving few began retreating voluntarily once the tide turned against them.

Shadow Pokemon with minds closed by darkness couldn’t retreat on their own. In their world, there were only two outcomes: destroy the enemy or be destroyed by them.

From this observation, John realized that the Shadow Dragonite’s trainer, the one commanding this attack on Altomare, was also watching the entire battlefield.

John stood on the shoreline, observing the Shadow Pokemon departing like dark clouds.

"Did you mark them mentally?" John asked Mega Gardevoir.

He’d instructed Gardevoir to place a psychic imprint on the escaping Shadow Pokemon. As long as the mental mark held, he could follow the trail and locate the Shadow Dragonite’s trainer.

For this purpose, John had deliberately let the Shadow Dragonite go. As a Shadow Pokemon with a closed mind, since it couldn’t be captured, it would only be a rabid beast upon awakening.

He’d also had Gardevoir perform Mega Evolution. The psychic imprint would be more subtle, profound, and longer-lasting in this enhanced state.

John waited until the dark clouds disappeared completely from sight before mounting his Totem Salamence to give chase.

However, after flying for about two minutes, Gardevoir informed John that the group of Shadow Pokemon had vanished from her psychic range.

They hadn’t simply moved beyond detection, they had disappeared entirely, vanishing into thin air.

"Let’s go see where they disappeared," John said, patting Salamence’s back.

The Totem Salamence immediately used Agility.

A few minutes later, John arrived at the Shadow Pokemon’s disappearance point.

Then he found himself sitting on his bed.

"I was transported out..." John murmured, looking at the Gameboy in his hands.

On the screen, his character was flying through the air on Salamence. Not far away was Altomare.

Moving further from Altomare’s direction, John had re-entered the game’s story mode.

"It seems leaving Altomare’s sea area caused the interface to switch automatically."

"Troublesome," John frowned. If that were the case, he wouldn’t be able to follow the psychic imprint to find the departed Shadow Pokemon. After all, if he returned to reality, Gardevoir would follow him back as well.

The only clue remaining was the direction the Shadow Pokemon had taken when they left...

"If you fly in that direction, where would you end up?"

"The Hoenn Region?"

Ten minutes later, John returned to Altomare.

The water resort city was bustling with activity again. Despite being attacked by Shadow Pokemon with over a third of the city destroyed, the residents were quickly beginning repairs and rushing the injured to hospitals.

Fortunately, in this world of Pokemon, with their partners’ help, they would soon be able to restore the Shadow Pokemon’s damage.

John landed on the shore.

Since the Shadow Pokemon couldn’t be pursued, he’d continue completing his original mission in Altomare.

"Gardevoir, take me to the Secret Garden."

Light and shadow flickered before him, and John immediately found himself facing a wall. He stepped through what appeared to be solid rock but was actually transparent. Through a short, dark corridor, John entered Altomare’s Secret Garden once again.

This marked his third visit.

The first had been a mistake while searching for legendary Pokemon items. The second was to confirm the existence of the Latios siblings after winning the Altomare Cup medal. Now, for the third time, he’d come to recruit these two legendaries.

In the vast, tranquil garden sanctuary, grasslands and ponds were divided orderly by pathways, with towering trees standing like sentinels. Various Pokemon came and went, playing in the forests, grasslands, and ponds. It seemed the recent Shadow Pokemon attack had no impact on this place.

Long white steps descended toward a small fountain visible in the distance - the same spot the treasure hunter had indicated during his first visit.

"John! Why are you here?" From far away, John heard an elderly man’s voice.

Following the sound, he spotted Ben Gray, as expected.

As an important figure in the city’s history, Ben Gray had long known of the Latios siblings’ existence and maintained the Secret Garden daily.

Appearing alongside him were Latios and Latias, flying on either side of the old man. Given John’s recent assistance, they could reasonably judge him to be trustworthy.

John approached Ben Gray and the two Pokemon, speaking directly.

"I’m here to recruit these two siblings."

Immediately, both Pokemon showed wariness!

Ben Gray was also taken aback.

John looked up at the siblings and extended his invitation.

"What do you say? Are you interested in adventuring with me to become stronger?"

John had considered this approach before coming, deciding against defeating and capturing them in favor of inviting them to grow stronger together.

Although this was a game, John felt like he’d truly stepped into the Pokemon world.

Latias and Latios had hearts dedicated to protecting Altomare. Even if forcibly captured with a Master Ball, their hearts wouldn’t be in it, making establishing bonds afterward even more difficult.

Instead, it was better to invite them to become stronger.

Before the Shadow Pokemon’s appearance, the siblings might not have felt such a strong need to improve themselves. But after Latios was beaten and Latias was sent flying, they should now realize they couldn’t protect Altomare with their current power alone.

Sure enough, Latios and Latias didn’t immediately refuse but looked at each other before turning to discuss the matter together.

"Latias~"

"Latios..."

After some communication John couldn’t understand, Latios finally nudged his sister forward toward John.