The wind carried a hush through the trees, as if the forest itself held its breath.
Ashwin crouched beside a moss-covered log, brushing a few leaves aside to collect a soil sample. He gently scooped it into a sterile vial, marking it with a label: "Glade Sample #04." Beside him, Gogoat nuzzled at the ground, nibbling on tall shoots of grass while Zigzagoon (Galarian) sniffed ahead cautiously.
The mission had two primary objectives: begin scouting for a high-intelligence Psychic-type Pokémon capable of aiding in medical and logistical tasks on the farm — and collect environmental samples from unexplored glades rumored to have unique breeding properties.
Ashwin was meticulous in his work. Ever since the grotto's expansion and the influx of rescued Pokémon, he realized that infrastructure alone wasn't enough. He needed Pokémon who could help communicate, analyze conditions, and even assist in delicate treatment or emergency response. Psychic-types — especially those with high intelligence or empathic skills — would be invaluable.
The deeper they moved into the forest, the more Ashwin noticed signs of disturbance. Patches of scorched bark. A half-collapsed den. Feathers and fur scattered in patterns that spoke of panic.
"Something's not right," he murmured.
[Gogoat senses residual fear energy. Alert status: Elevated.]
Ashwin nodded. "Stay close."
After nearly an hour of careful trekking, Zigzagoon darted forward, chirping in a sharp rhythm. Ashwin followed, pushing through thick fern walls to emerge into a quiet clearing. At its center stood an unusually twisted tree — its trunk spiraled like a corkscrew, bark pulsing faintly with psychic resonance.
There, floating weakly beneath its canopy, was a Pokémon.
A pale, shivering Elgyem hovered barely off the ground, surrounded by glinting fragments of a cracked psychic barrier. Its eyes flickered open as Ashwin approached, and he felt it — a wave of pain, confusion, and desperate trust reaching into his mind.
[New Interaction Triggered.]
[Pokémon Identified: Elgyem (Psychic-Type) — Intelligence Tier: High — Empathy Sensitivity: Moderate.]
[Status: Wounded. Psychic Circuitry Unstable.]
Ashwin reached for his emergency medical kit. Gogoat moved beside the injured Pokémon, using its soothing presence to calm the area. Elgyem hesitated… then let out a quiet sound of relief as Ashwin began to patch a deep cut on its side with practiced hands.
"I've got you. You're safe now."
[Side Quest Unlocked: "Psychic Sanctuary"]
Objective:
Treat and earn Elgyem's trust.
Identify the source of psychic disturbance in the glade.
Escort Elgyem to the grotto and analyze its potential as a research companion.
Ashwin's grip tightened slightly around the gauze. Another Pokémon hurt. Another mystery waiting beneath the roots of this world.
He looked toward the forest ahead, where shadows twisted silently.
Whatever was coming, this glade held answers.
And Ashwin wouldn't stop until he uncovered them all.
Ashwin moved quickly once Elgyem was stabilized, setting up a mobile shelter beneath the corkscrew tree. With the glade's psychic resonance still subtly vibrating through the air, he placed a few dampening crystals around the perimeter — tools he'd acquired from the guild store for sensitive environments like these.
Elgyem floated weakly above a cushioned mat, the faint glow around its body pulsing in time with each breath. Zigzagoon sniffed gently at its side, then curled protectively nearby. Gogoat kept watch at the treeline.
Ashwin ran a hand through his hair and opened his notepad.
"Symptoms resemble psychic overload," he murmured, voice low but steady. "Likely caused by environmental trigger. Psychic circuits unstable. But not damaged permanently."
Elgyem's eyes blinked slowly. Then, faintly, it lifted one arm and projected a thin beam of light toward Ashwin's open datapad. Symbols and pulses of light danced across the screen.
Ashwin's eyes widened.
"You're communicating through pattern-based signals… That's amazing."
The Pokémon didn't speak, but the glow in its core brightened, seemingly pleased.
[Data Sync Initiated with Elgyem.]
[Analyzing… complete.]
New Data Acquired:
Spore readings found in soil and air samples—psychotropic in nature.
Spores linked to mental disturbances, aggressive behavior, psychic feedback.
Spore source: unknown, spreading from deeper underground fissure system.
Affected Pokémon: primarily Psychic, Grass, Bug-types — with varying results.
Ashwin's brow furrowed.
"So that's what's been causing the sickness in the wild. That explains why some Pokémon have been coming to the farm, disoriented or injured."
He opened his pack and brought out one of the glade soil samples.
[Analysis Module Active…]
[Spore Strain: Mutagenic Variant – Inert in daylight. Highly active underground.]
[Note: Can cause psychic feedback loops. Dangerous in high concentrations.]
"Could this be spreading toward the farm…?" Ashwin whispered. "We'll need containment protocols. A full study."
Elgyem hovered closer and pointed toward the roots of the twisted corkscrew tree. As Ashwin followed its motion, he spotted something strange: a faint, pulsing vein in the bark — a greenish-black growth that throbbed unnaturally.
"Elgyem, is this the origin?"
The Pokémon responded by creating a small illusion: a map-like vision showing tendrils of spore-veins spreading underground, many weaving near the forest but a few reaching dangerously close to populated areas.
Ashwin's eyes narrowed.
"We'll need to act fast. If this reaches the Pokémon Reserve or the outskirts of the town…"
He stood, determination hardening in his posture.
"I'll bring you back to the grotto. We can stabilize you there — and with your help, we'll research this fully."
[Main Quest Updated: "Breeding Grounds of Tomorrow"]
Secure Elgyem and return it to the grotto.
Begin lab module construction for environmental hazard analysis.
Investigate spread vector of mutagenic spores.
[Sub Quest Activated: "Glade of Spores"]
Map 3 underground spore channels.
Neutralize one growth node.
Collect full-spectrum samples with Elgyem's aid.
As Ashwin gently lifted Elgyem into a containment pod designed for psychic stability, the Pokémon hummed softly, sensing Ashwin's genuine resolve.
Back at the farm, Vespiquen and the others would be preparing for routine patrols — but this? This was the start of something else. Not just a medical mystery, but a rising threat to wild ecosystems… and perhaps the very ground the farm thrived upon.
And as Elgyem's light gently glowed in sync with Ashwin's own steps, one thing was certain:
The glade had whispered its secrets… and Ashwin was now listening.