Pokémon: Dreams Come True Starting in Sinnoh

Chapter 268 A Strange Environment, An Unexpected Incident?

A cave entrance on the lakeside didn't attract much attention. By the time Ash and Dawn arrived, many people who had been gathered around the lake had already dispersed.

Looking into the distance, Ash seemed to spot Professor Yamanashi, while everyone else was gathered around him, some clutching their heads, others running around frantically. It seemed Professor Yamanashi had already explained the rules of tonight's dinner game to them.

Thinking about this, Xiao Zhi couldn't help but feel grateful that he had discovered it early. Otherwise, if he had to squeeze into the crowd with everyone else to search for the note with the ingredients written on it, he probably would have died of exhaustion in the forest.

If they only find ordinary ingredients, that's fine. But if they find something particularly good and others notice it, who knows, a battle of wild Pokémon to protect the food might break out. After all, unlike the previous situation where they were divided into three groups, this dinner is basically everyone fighting for themselves, so the scene might be exceptionally "bloody."

After considering this possibility, Ash began to silently mourn for Brock and Ash who had already set off to search for the note.

In such a critical moment, those who set out first to find ingredients will definitely become highly sought-after by everyone.

"It's so dark inside, no light can get in at all."

Standing at the cave entrance, Xiao Guang peeked inside. After discovering that the situation inside was somewhat different from what she had expected, she couldn't help but feel a little reluctant to leave.

Even a fool would know that entering an unfamiliar cave without any light is a dangerous act, especially in a place that is damp and devoid of sunlight. You don't even know if there is moss growing on the path, and it would be dangerous to slip and fall if you couldn't see the way.

"It doesn't look like there are any Pokémon here. Shall we go in and take a look?" Ash put his hands on his hips, not looking as nervous as Dawn.

In the past, he might have been a little more wary, but with the power of waveguides, this pitch-black place is his domain.

"Are you sure it's okay? Isn't it dangerous?"

In this situation, even Hikari couldn't utter her standard catchphrase. She just looked at Satoshi with a questioning look and asked him weakly.

Ultimately, the decision rests with Ash, who is able to explore the cave. If Ash says it's okay, she can confidently follow him inside.

"Don't worry, I've got your back." With his trump card in hand, Ash confidently patted his chest and assured Dawn. Seemingly worried that Dawn might still be uneasy, he added, "Of course, if you're still worried, you can send Piplup out. Just let Piplup go first and scout ahead."

"That's right!"

Bogarman: "???"

Piplup, hiding inside the Poké Ball, suddenly felt a chill.

As for Dawn, although she said it was a good idea, in the end, whether out of trust in Ash or for some other reason, she did not call Piplup to lead the way. Instead, she let Ash use his Aura to walk in front, while she followed behind him with a "cautious" expression, holding Ash's shoulder.

The pebble paths on both sides of the lake have long been affected by the dark and damp environment, and as Xiao Guang thought, they are covered with moss. In places where lake water occasionally overflows, if you step on them with a little force, you will have the illusion that you will fall down at any moment.

Along the way, Hikari almost fell several times. If Ash hadn't reacted quickly enough, the two of them might have fallen into the lake.

Outside, the sun was blazing, but the temperature inside the cave was strikingly different from that outside.

Despite having walked for a while, Xiao Guang felt his body trembling slightly after only two minutes inside. The cold air was one factor, but the other was probably the fear of the unknown environment he was in.

"S-Satoshi...is there really nothing strange here?"

Hwang gripped Ash's shoulders even tighter, his initial ulterior motives vanishing, replaced by a vague unease.

For some reason, Ash has been unusually silent ever since entering the cave, and has not said anything except to tell her to be careful not to fall.

"..."

Xiao Guang's question went unanswered, and an eerie atmosphere began to spread throughout the dark cave. The strength in Xiao Guang's hand seemed to gradually weaken.

"Xiaozhi?"

She tried calling out again.

However, Ash still didn't answer. Just as Dawn was about to call Piplup out to bolster her courage, Ash suddenly grabbed her hand and quickly ran towards the depths of the cave with her.

"Huh?!"

Xiao Guang was caught off guard by this situation. Before she could react, the two of them had already arrived at another stone cave at the deepest part of the cave.

Ash, who had been silent until now, slowly turned around, smiled at Dawn, and spoke—

.......

(Happy belated National Day! QAQ~)