Sam's first stop during his quest was Canalave City, which was southwest of Celestic Town.
Renowned for its affluent cultural heritage, exotic structures, and the Sinnoh Region's biggest library, Canalave City also hosted numerous historians and researchers.
If there were a place where clues to the reclusive Garchompite could be found, that would be there.
But to get to Canalave, Sam would have to navigate the thick, meandering labyrinth of Psychedelic Forest, a serene, foggy tract of wilderness famous for illusions and disorienting paths.
The great trees above him coiled up like spirals, and light seeped between the leaves in brilliant colors, drenching the forest floor in greens and purples.
Lucario paced at his side, always on guard, his ruby-red eyes sweeping every bush, every rustle of wind.
Sam muttered to himself, "I seriously need to catch a flying Pokémon."
He walked over a root and continued, hands behind his back in a contemplative stance.
"Fly-types aren't only useful for quick traveling," he mumbled, "they provide high-ground observation and scouting capability as well…"
"Perhaps a Staraptor, or if I'm lucky… a Salamence."
"But better yet, if I could find something that would be able to utilize Teleport. A Psychic-type. Like Gardevoir, or even Alakazam."
He smiled at the possibility. An ideal plan of escape if things ever went wrong.
"And I'll require a tank. Someone who can take damage and protect the rest of the team."
He thought over some options in his mind.
"Tyranitar, dual Rock/Dark, or Aggron, Steel/Rock, nearly indestructible and excellent synergy with Lucario."
He was still considering possible team configurations when,
"Luka!"
Lucario abruptly halted, a low rumble in his throat.
Sam hesitated in the middle of a step.
"Hm?"
Lucario's muscles went taut, and his eyes fixed on a thick copse of bushes in front of them.
"What did you feel, Luca?" Sam asked quietly, aware that Lucario's Aura Sense was seldom wrong.
Lucario faced him and replied through their Aura connection:
"I heard something. Faint. Like a voice. That way."
Sam's eyes narrowed.
The wild was never entirely secure; there were peaceful Pokémon, yes, but also those with fierce natures, particularly in certain seasons.
He remembered a recent news story:
"Two Arbok attacked a lone Trainer. He'd been walking upon them during mating season, and curiosity killed him."
Even today, there exist species that attack intruders at random, particularly territorial animals such as Scyther or Ursaring.
Luckily for Sam, his ace was a fully charged Champion Lucario.
Its presence alone sent most lower-level wild Pokémon running instead of choosing to fight.
Predators sensed predators, and they didn't want any trouble.
However, curiosity got the better of Sam.
Something in the woods calling out wasn't to be taken lightly.
"Let's go check it out," he said, slapping Lucario's shoulder before walking in the direction of the voice.
"Luka~!"
Lucario trailed behind, his senses reaching out in all directions.
He pushed out his aura, checking for hostility, reading minds, and mentally mapping their environment.
The forest stood in silence.
Branches almost didn't rustle. The light in the canopy changed to a pale teal.
Sam padded, pushing ferns aside, as they ventured deeper into the mystical forest.
The sound they'd heard, distant, almost human, grew louder.
Was it a Pokémon?
A stranded traveler?
Or something even more unusual?
Sam's heart pounded harder, not with fear, but with excitement.
Adventure had commenced officially.
----------------
Psychedelic Forest – A Tiny Meadow
The dense foliage parted to a round clearing filled with glimmering light.
Standing in its center were five fat Stantlers, their majestic antlers softly radiating psychic power.
The black spheres resting in their stands glimmered, sending delicate ripples through the air like waves of heat.
They all surrounded something. No, someone.
A red-capped boy and a dark-hooded figure lay on the ground.
His Turtwig friend, a little Grass-type from the Sinnoh Region, was stretched out next to him in the same position.
Both of them were,
Swimming.
Yes, on land.
Eyes shut. Arms stroking. Legs kicking.
Faces aglow with innocent merriment.
"Turrr~!"
Turtwig chuckled as it 'swam' along on its stumpy little legs.
"Wahoo! I'm catching a Gyarados!" the boy muttered euphorically, still kicking up dust.
The nearby Stantlers, far from being aggressive, looked.
Amused.
Their eyes twinkled with wicked glee as if to witness the bizarre, dream-like spectacle.
Stantlers were said to weave illusions by warping space with the black spheres on their antlers.
This was not evil; it was merely harmless taunting.
Then, everything changed.
The lead Stantler's eyes grew wide.
It turned to face Lucario and locked eyes with him.
With a burst, the black energy on its antlers dissipated.
The mischievous twinkle in its eyes became pure terror.
"Stannn!" it whinnied, spinning and racing away at full speed.
The other four stampeded after it, thudding through the underbrush like terrified deer, leaves and dust flying as they ran.
Sam and Lucario calmly entered the clearing, observing the psychic deer disappear into the woods.
"Guess you scared them off, Luca."
"Luka~." Lucario ducked his head, a little embarrassed.
Sam looked down at the boy who was still 'swimming' around on the grass with his Turtwig.
The illusion dissipated, but the dream remained.
The boy laughed, "Mom, the pancakes are flying again…"
Sam knelt to take a closer look.
He couldn't make out the kid's face, though; his cap was pulled low, and half his face was on the ground.
However, there was something about the getup that was. familiar.
A Pikachu-badged badge. A worn-out backpack. The faded Poké Ball belt.
Sam's eyes went wide.
"No way… is it who I think it is?"
He looked for a second longer.
"Wait… that's Ash Ketchum?!"
That boy who once towered above the world, champion of Alola, thorn to legends, and dreamer of endless adventures
He was lying face down in a clearing of trees, sleep-talking about flying pancakes as he pretended to swim.
Sam blinked, dumbfounded.
"What an idiot. Idiot way to end up."