Pinwheel Forest

After listening to Marlon's explanation, Yuga and the others became very interested in this ruin. A ruin with the presence of a Volcarona should hold significant exploration value. Therefore, all three of them agreed to join Marlon and his group in exploring the ruin.

"Where is this ruin located?" asked Sora.

"In the Pinwheel Forest," replied Marlon.

"Oh, it's in that forest," Yuga remarked.

The Pinwheel Forest was one of the largest forests in the Unova Region, situated between Castelia City and Nacrene City.

The forest was abundant in Pokémon resources, especially Grass-type and Bug-type Pokémon. Legend had it that one of the Sword of Justice from the Unova Region, Virizion, lived deep within the Pinwheel Forest. However, no one had ever seen him in person.

To facilitate trainers' adventures in the Pinwheel Forest, a man-made road on the forest's outskirts provided direct access to the Skyarrow Bridge, with one end of the bridge located in Castelia City. As Marlon had mentioned, the Pinwheel Forest wasn't far from Castelia City.

After Marlon, Yuga, and their friends briefly discussed the situation of the ruins, they prepared to set off for the Pinwheel Forest. Delaying their departure might prevent them from returning in time.

However, before leaving, they passed by the Pokémon Center in Castelia City. Yuga made a quick call to Verdanturf Town.

The Skyarrow Bridge was located to the east of Castelia City. Upon reaching the bridge, they each released a ride Pokémon to expedite their journey.

Marlon's ride Pokémon was a rare Three Starter Pokémon Samurott from the Unova Region, a Water-type.

Yuga wasn't familiar with Marlon's background, so he didn't know if Marlon had received the Samurott from the League or acquired it through other means.

Roxie's ride Pokémon was a formidable and intimidating Bug/Poison-type Pokémon, Scolipede.

Sora's Pokémon, Stanler, had a distinct characteristic typical of the Johto Region. This Pokémon wasn't particularly common in Johto, but it wasn't exceptionally powerful either. Instead, it possessed unique abilities, akin to the Illusion abilities of Munna and Musharna, although its methods of employing these abilities differed.

Contrary to expectations, Brawly's ride Pokémon wasn't a Fighting-type, his specialty. Instead, it was an elegant Fire-type Pokémon, Rapidash.

This Rapidash had unremarkable potential and level, seemingly chosen for its suitability as a mode of transportation. After all, it was rare for Fighting-type Pokémon to serve as suitable ride Pokémon, even when meeting the size and strength criteria. Riding them was often an uncomfortable experience.

The sight of Yuga's massive Absol prompted expressions of awe from the others.

Although the Skyarrow Bridge was quite long, they encountered no obstacles along the way. In no time, they crossed the bridge and entered the artificial passage leading to the outer rim of the Pinwheel Forest.

Inside the Pinwheel Forest, the trees were incredibly dense, obscuring the sky above with lush foliage. Bug-type Pokémon like Sewaddle and Swadloon were visible everywhere, feeding on leaves and cocooning.

The Unova Region was the only region among several where it was difficult to spot Butterfly Pokémon and Bee Pokémon in the forests and grasslands.

In Kanto and Johto, Butterfree and Beedrill were abundant. In the Hoenn Region, there is common Bug-type Wurmple and its evolution line, Silcoon and Cascoon, Beautifly and Dustox. In the Sinnoh Region, Mothim line is quiet rare but the combee were common (Vespiqueen is not common). In Kalos region, there is Vivillon with its different wing patterns. Even in the Alola Region boasted the Cutiefly and Ribombee.

However, the Pinwheel Forest in the Unova Region hosted Bug-types that appeared unassuming in appearance, but they were indeed the strongest of their kind among the various Bug-types. Combined with their gentle and amiable nature, these Pokémon were quite popular among civilian trainers in the Unova Region.

Yuga followed the others along the narrow path in the forest. Occasionally, he used his Insight ability to observe the Sewaddle and Swadloon they encountered, hoping to find some with promising potential to add to his own Ecopark.

However, the artificial passage had a fair number of people, and even though others couldn't assess the Pokémon's potential like Yuga, many had already captured the most exceptional Pokémon. So, Yuga's journey didn't yield much in terms of catches.

Trainers who frequently ventured into the Pinwheel Forest were not uncommon. The Pokémon living around the forest's outskirts often saw all sorts of humans passing through, so when they saw Yuga and his group, their reactions were quite calm, and they continued with their activities.

About halfway through the artificial passage, Marlon stopped and warned Yuga and the others, saying, "From here on, we'll be deviating from the artificial passage. The environment inside the Pinwheel Forest is incredibly complex, like a maze, especially for those visiting for the first time. So, please be careful not to wander off; it's easy to get separated from the group."

One of the reasons for constructing an artificial passage around the outskirts of the Pinwheel Forest was to facilitate trainers' access while avoiding the forest's complexity. Every year, numerous trainers would get lost inside due to the intricate layout.

Upon hearing Marlon's advice, Yuga, Brawly, and Sora, who were first-time visitors to the Pinwheel Forest, nodded in agreement.

Once they left the artificial passage, the path became significantly more challenging to traverse. Everywhere they looked, there were overgrown bushes and thorns blocking their way. However, Marlon's Samurott was adept at using its "swords." It sliced through the bushes and thorns with the sharp blades on its segmented forearm guards.

The reason Samurott were called Sword Masters was because of the segmented forearm guards with beige sections on all four limbs. They used these in battle, and these shell-blade forearm guards were known as "Sword Blades." They were formidable weapons in combat.

Being chosen as one of the initial Water-type starter Pokémon in a region, Samurott and its evolutionary line possessed unique traits.

Inside these maze-like surroundings, the behavior of the Pokémon they encountered was no longer as docile as those near the artificial passage.

Some Pokémon continuously watched Yuga and his group with a wary eye.

For example, a Mandibuzz kept circling above them, following them along the way. It was only frightened away by Yuga's Absol, which activated its Intimidate ability.

Mandibuzz were known for circling in the sky and targeting weaker Pokémon as prey. The bones decorating their bodies were remnants from their hunts, and it was said that their favorite food was Cubone. Yuga couldn't confirm if that was true.

After walking for what seemed like a considerable time, Yuga and the others unknowingly stepped on a hidden Foongus in the undergrowth. The Foongus screamed in pain, and soon they found themselves surrounded by a group of Foongus and Amoonguss.

Foongus and Amoonguss were a common type of Pokémon found in the forests of the Unova Region.

They had dual Grass and Poison types, and their appearance, with patterns resembling red-and-white Poké Balls, led to their nickname "Pokeball Mushrooms." This was due to the resemblance between their patterns and the old-style Poké Balls.