Episode 7: The Light at the End of the Forest

Continuing their journey to Horizoport City, our heroes now find themselves at the entrance to a vast forest.

Ash, Brock, and Brenda are standing at the boundary of a forest. Where they stand, the tree density is fairly low, but just a few steps more and it gets a lot denser. Brock, reading from his guidebook, says, "This place is called the Sol Forest. According to this, it's known as the Forest of the Midnight Sun."

Ash is confused. "That's a weird name. how could there be sun during midnight?"

Brock shrugs. "I don't know. It doesn't say here."

A female voice says, "That's an easy one."

The group turns around to see a girl walking towards them. She has long, green hair and wears simple brown dress. Brock's eyes go wide. He runs over to her and proclaims, "You may think that's an easy question, but I have one that should be so much easier! Are you the most beautiful thing I've ever seen my life? The answer is a resounding yes! Please, come with me and together we will find the answers to life's questions!"

Just as Brock's saying this, his Meteorfight lets itself out of its Pokéball and delivers an uppercut to Brock's chin, sending him flying away. It nods its head and says, "Meteorfight." Then it walks towards the knocked out Brock, taps its Pokéball on his belt, and returns to it.

The girl says, "Oh my."

Brenda laughs. "I guess that Meteorfight and Brock were meant to be together." She turns to the girl. "I wouldn't worry too much about that. It happens sometimes."

She nods. "Right."

Ash asks, "So you know why they call this place the Forest of the Midnight Sun?"

"Yes, of course. Sorry. They call it that because during the night, when the forest would normally be completely dark, due to the thick tree canopy, it's as bright as day because of all of the Light-Type Pokémon."

Ash is confused again. "Light-Type Pokémon?"

Brock springs up off the ground and says as if nothing had happened, "The Light-Type is a relatively new classification of Pokémon found here in the Tenno Region. They are characterized by the manipulation and creation of light."

Ash asks, "So it's a new type of Pokémon?"

Brock nods. "Actually, you've encountered Light-Type Pokémon before."

"Really?"

"Yes, Pokémon like Heliolisk, Starmie, Illumise, or Volbeat have recently been reclassified as Light-Types."

Ash nods. He looks at Pikachu. "You hear that, Pikachu? There's a whole new type of Pokémon for us to catch here in Tenno."

Pikachu nods. "Pika."

Brenda looks back at the girl, "So there are a lot of Light-Types in this forest?"

She nods. "Yes, it can be a wonderful sight. In fact, my family actually runs a rest stop nearby, and it's open to trainers who want to wait there until night so they can see the sight."

Ash smiles. "I think that would be great!"

Brock and Brenda nod as well. The girl says, "By the way, my name's Jillian."

Ash introduces himself, "I'm Ash, from Pallet Town, and this is my partner Pikachu."

"My name's Brock."

"And I'm Brenda."

Jillian bows. "A pleasure to meet you. Please, why don't you come with me?"

They all say at once, "Okay!"

It's night. Ash, Brock, and Brenda are standing outside of a small cabin. Jillian is standing with them. Jillian asks, "It's pretty dark out, would you like me to guide you to the forest entrance?"

Brock nods, "That would be great. Thank you very much."

Jillian pulls a Pokéball out and tosses it. Out comes a butterfly-like Pokémon. It has wings of white, with a yellow-gold pattern that glows brilliantly. It's compound eyes also glow, and the bottom portion of its abdomen glows in a way similar to a firefly. It lights up the area around it and sparkles. Ash exclaims, "Whoa, so that must be a Light-Type!"

He pulls out his Pokédex. "Glitterfly, the Bioluminescent Pokémon, and a Bug and Light combo-type. Glitterfly are often proclaimed to be one of the most beautiful sights of the Pokémon world. The light produced by their wings can be used to communicate with others across vast distances. Evolves from Chrysalux at level 10."

Brenda is an awe. "That's such a beautiful Pokémon you have."

"Thank you, we met in the Sol Forest many years ago." She turns to her Pokémon. "Would you mind using Flash to give us some light to see by?"

It says in a humming-like voice, "Glitterererfly!" The light its producing gets several times brighter, lighting up the immediate area around them.

Jillian starts to walk forward with Glitterfly following. "Come on, let's go!"

The group walks off.

Unbeknownst to them, hiding in the shadows nearby is Team Rocket. Jessie is staring in awe at the Glitterfly. James snaps his fingers in front of her face. "Hello? Earth to Jessie, Earth to Jessie, are you there?"

She knocks his hand away and says in a dreamy voice, "That was the most beautiful Pokémon I've ever seen."

Meowth asks, "Yeah, so what?"

She says with anger, "So what!? A beautiful Pokémon deserves a beautiful trainer!"

James looks around, "Okay, I don't see any nearby…"

She slaps him, knocking him back. "I'm talking about me you idiot, I'm the most beautiful trainer in the land. A Pokémon like that was meant for me. We need to catch it!"

Meowth and James nod. Meowth says, "I think we could handle that."

Who's that Pokémon!?

This Pokémon's tail's tip shines brightly and can be seen from far away. It acts as a beacon for lost people. In the Tenno Region, this Pokémon becomes a Light-Type.

The group now finds themselves back at the entrance to the forest. Even though it is nighttime, there's a bright light emanating from the forest. The group takes a couple of moments to observe the sight. After a little bit Jillian says, "I'd be more than willing to show you guys the way through if you'd like."

Ash says, "That'd be great. I've gotten lost in quite a few forests."

Brenda laughs, "Is that so? Even with Brock with you?"

Brock states defensively, "Hey, even the best of navigators get lost sometimes."

Jillian laughs. "Come on, let's go."

They walk into the forest. Just as its name might infer, it seems bright enough to be daytime, despite the dark outside. The leaves of trees themselves almost seem to glow.

A Volbeat and Illumise fly out of some bushes and begin to dance around each other in front of the group. Brenda pulls out her Pokédex. "Volbeat, the Firefly Pokémon, and a Bug and Light Combo-Type. Volbeat flash their tails in an attempt to attract Illumise. The brighter they flash, the more likely an Illumise will join them. Does not evolve."

"Illumise, the Firefly Pokémon, and a Bug and Light combo-type. Illumise aren't as efficient at creating light as their partners, Volbeat, so they instead use their sweet scent to attract mates. Does not evolve."

The two continue to fly around each other, apparently in a courting dance. Ash pulls out a Pokéball. "Alright, those are Light-Types! Let's catch one of them Pikachu!"

Pikachu jumps off of his head. "Pika!"

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaa chuuuu!" Pikachu launches a bolt of electricity at the two Pokémon, but misses. They fly away.

Brenda complains, "Ash, why'd you have to scare them away!? That was a brilliant show!"

Ash scratches the back of his head. "Sorry, but I've got to get myself one of these Light-Type Pokémon."

"Well do it on your own time. I was enjoying those Pokémon."

"Sorry…"

It's Ampharos!

The group is still trekking their way through the Sol Forest. Everywhere they look is a spectacular show of lights. Jillian says, "Alright, it shouldn't be too much further now, right Glitterfly?"

"Glittererererfly!" Glitterfly nods.

Brock says, "I don't know if I've ever seen such a lively forest before. Just imagine, all these tree's leaves appear to be glowing because there are glowing Pokémon hidden in the branches."

Ash slowly states, "Is that so…" He sneaks off and starts to climb a nearby tree. After a couple of failed attempts, he finally manages to get a good hold, and starts to climb. He pokes his head into the leafy section of the tree.

Brenda notices that Ash isn't with them anymore. She calls out, "Ash, where are you!?"

Startled, Ash falls out of the tree. Several Volbeat and Illumise fly out of the tree, startled by Ash falling. He quickly gets up. "Sorry." He catches back up with them. He whispers to Pikachu, "Don't worry, we'll find a Light-Type to catch sooner or later."

Pikachu smiles and nods. "Pik."

Brock asks Jillian, "So you seem to be pretty knowledgeable about this forest."

She nods. "Yes, my family has lived in that cabin for several generations. We've taken it upon ourselves to watch over it. As a child I would always play here. It was actually back then that I caught Glitterfly. Of course back then she was only a Glowva. I got lost in the forest once, and Glowva helped me get back out. Next time I went in to the forest, she was waiting for me. We quickly became good friends. It wasn't long until she evolved into a Chrysalux, and then a Glitterfly. When I was old enough to have my own Pokémon, she let me catch her. We've been together ever since, right Glitterfly?"

"Glitterfly!"

Brenda says, "That's a great story, isn't it Ash?"

Ash isn't listening. He's poking his head in a bush. Several Patrat, a Watchog, and a Sunflora are running away. He looks up, "What?"

Brenda laughs. "Nothing."

Jillian holds up her hands to get everyone to stop. Brock asks, "What is it?"

She points a little further up on the path and says, "We almost stepped on that little one."

In the middle of the path a small, caterpillar-like Pokémon. It is composed of orb-like segments, and is colored primarily white with a gold pattern on it. The final segment of its tail glows white. It's slowly inching itself across the path. Ash exclaims, "Alright, that's got to be a Light-Type!"

He pulls out his Pokédex. "Glowva, the Glow Worm Pokémon, and a Bug and Light combo-type. Glowva eat large amounts of leaves in their preparation to evolve. This grants it large amounts of energy, the excess of which is given off as light. Evolves into Chrysalux at level 7."

Ash pulls out a Pokéball. "Alright, this is it. There's no way that this Pokémon's going to get away from me!" Brenda holds her arm in front of Ash, blocking him. Ash complains, "What is it this time?"

She confidently states, "Let me have this one."

Ash and Brock both gasp. Ash asks, "But why?"

"Because Glowva will eventually evolve into Glitterfly. A Pokémon that beautiful would be an honor for me to train. Besides, you and Brock have already had an opportunity to catch a Pokémon. Why don't you give me a chance?"

Ash puts away his Pokéball. "Alright Brenda, good luck."

She nods and pulls out a Pokéball. "Kappaqua, center stage!" Kappaqua emerges. "Kappaqua, attack the Glowva with Water Gun!"

"Kappa!" A stream of water is sent at the caterpillar Pokémon.

The Glowva, which seems to not have noticed them until now looks at the attack with wide eyes. It is hit by the attack and knocked back. After recovering, it looks towards Kappaqua and fires a String Shot at it from its mouth.

Brenda shouts, "Kappaqua, stop the strings with Confusion!"

Kappaqua starts to gather its power, but a flash of light from the Glowva distracts it. The Glowva then hurls itself at Kappaqua, tackling it. Kappaqua shakes off the effects of the Flash.

"Alright Kappaqua, Aqua Bomb!" The Pokémon launches an orb of water that explodes upon hitting Glowva, knocking it back. "Alright, go Pokéball!" She throws a Pokéball. It pulls in the Glowva. Wiggles once…twice…three times…it clicks. She picks it up. "Alright, Glowva is all mine!"

Kappaqua cheers, "Kappa pa pa!"

Ash says, "Good job Brenda!" He mutters under his breath, "Of course I wanted that Pokémon…"

Brenda asks, "What was that?"

"Oh, nothing…"

She throws up Glowva's Pokéball. "Come on out!"

Glowva emerges. It contently states, "Glow."

Glitterfly flies over to it and happily says, "Glitter!"

Glowva smiles. "Glowva."

A giant bug net suddenly swoops down from the sky and scoops up the two bug Pokémon. The group gasps and looks towards the source of the net. It's a giant robot, made to look like a bug catcher holding the net. Jillian gasps, "What's that!?"

Team Rocket appears on the robot's head. They are all wearing sunglasses. Jessie declares, "Prepare for flashing trouble!"

James adds, "Make that a shining double!"

"To protect the world from luminescent devastation!"

"To unite all people within our glowing nation!"

"To denounce the sparkling evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the twinkling stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket's lighting up the night!"

"Surrender now, our light might ruin your sight!"

"Meowth, that's bright!"

"Wobba!"

"Mime mime!" Wobbuffet and Mime Jr. are also wearing sunglasses.

Ash shouts, "Team Rocket!"

Jessie laughs, "Who else twerp?"

Jillian asks, "Who's Team Rocket?"

Brenda explains, "They're a group of no good Pokémon thieves who follow us around."

Meowth exclaims, "And these no good Pokémon thieves have captured two Light-Type Pokémon with one net!"

James explains, "Now we have one for Jessie's ego, and another for The Boss."

Jessie says, "Yeah, one for my ego- One for my ego!? What's that supposed to mean!?"

Meowth and James frantically say, "Oh nothing…"

Jillian demands, "Give me back Glitterfly now!"

Jessie scoffs, "I don't think you're in the position to make demands."

Ash steps forward and Pikachu leaps to the ground, ready to fight. Ash begins to shout, "Pikachu, use-!"

He's cut off by Brock, "No Ash, don't! You might hurt Glitterfly and Glowva!

Pikachu stops charging energy. Jessie sticks her tongue out. "Ha ha, you can't touch us!"

Meowth says, "Now for our retreat!" Team Rocket lowers back into their robot. The robot runs through some trees.

Ash shouts, "After them!"

The group runs into the trees following them. Jillian says, "If they keep heading this way, they're going to run into the Shimmering Lake!"

Sure enough, they make it through the tress to find themselves at the shore of a lake. The water itself glows. It appears that Team Rocket wasn't watching where they were running and ran right into the lake.

Inside the cockpit, Jessie complains, "Alright, which one of you morons just drove us into a lake!?"

James shouts, "It wasn't me!"

They both look towards Meowth, "Hey, don't look at me, I was trying to get us away from the twerps!"

Back outside several Pokémon are surfacing in the lake, including Staryu, Starmie, Finneon, and Lumineon. They all cry out. Then, within moments Pokémon start to pour out from all sides of the lake. Pokémon including Glitterfly, Volbeat, Illumise, Sunflora, Watchog, and Shinx gather. There are also some non-Light-Types, like Apprentichick and Chipmunch.

Brenda says, "Wow, look at all the Pokémon."

Jillian states in awe, "The forest is defending itself…"

Ash asks, "What do you mean?"

"Team Rocket has threatened the forest, and now the forest is prepared to fight back."

In Team Rocket's cockpit, James asks, "What's up with the shining congregation of Pokémon?"

Jessie says, "Who cares, let's just snag them all for The Boss!"

Meowth starts to press buttons. "Operation Shining Capture is on!"

Back outside, the Team Rocket mech manages to straighten itself up in the water. It swings its net towards a group of Pokémon on the shore. All of the Pokémon focus various light-based attacks on the robot's arm, breaking it off. Glitterfly and Glowva make their way out. Team Rocket can be heard giving a collective, "Uh oh…" All of the Pokémon attack again, this time focusing on the mech itself. It explodes, and sends Team Rocket flying.

As they're flying up into the night sky, Jessie says in an overly dramatic voice, "Oh cruel fate! To have seen true beauty and to have it ripped away! I do not know if I can go on like this!"

Meowth says annoyed, "Oh put a sock in it."

Jessie cringes and turns away. "Betrayed, even by my friends."

James says, "Come on Jessie, we'll find you even more beautiful Pokémon."

She looks up. "Really?"

"Really."

Meowth jumps in, "But first…"

They all shout, "We're blasting off again!"

"Wobbuffet!"

Back on the ground, Jillian and Brenda are running towards their Pokémon. Jillian hugs Glitterfly and asks it, "Are you okay?"

"Glitter!"

Brenda asks, "And how about you Glowva?"

Glowva looks up to the sky and shouts, "Glow!" It begins to glow a pure white. Brenda's eyes go wide.

Ash and Brock catch up. Brock exclaims, "Glowva is evolving!"

It begins to change shape. It becomes bigger and bulkier. The light ceases. Where Glowva once stood, is now a crescent-shaped cocoon-like Pokémon. It looks strong and durable and is colored silver. Its entire body gives off a slight glow, while its bottom tip brightly glows gold.

Ash pulls out his Pokédex again. "Chrysalux, the Glow Cocoon Pokémon, and a Bug and Light combo-type. Underneath the shell of Chrysalux, what once was Glowva is undergoing a drastic change. This change produces energy, which leaks out in the form of light. Evolves from Glowva at level 7 and into Glitterfly at level 10."

Jillian says, "Your Glowva evolved into Chrysalux! That's great!"

Brenda exclaims, "So that's evolution! That's so great! Congratulations Chrysalux!" Chrysalux stands completely still.

Jillian smiles. "I guess that it's time to get moving again. Come on, let's go."

A little later, the group has made it to the exit of the forest. Judging by the sky, its just becoming morning. Brock observes, "It looks like we're out."

Jillian nods. "Yes, this is the end of the forest." She looks back behind her. "I guess I'd better start heading back."

Brock turns to her. "Thank you for your help. I doubt we would have made it out so easily without your help."

"It was my pleasure. Goodbye." She walks off into the forest. Everyone waves goodbye. Once she is gone, the group turns around and continues on their way.

After an exciting journey through the Sol Forest, Brenda has found herself with a new Pokémon, and all three of our heroes a new friend in Jillian.

Ash suddenly halts in place. "Shoot!"

Brenda asks, "What is it Ash?"

"I never ended up catching a Light-Type Pokémon!" Brock and Brenda laugh. "Guys, I'm serious!" They keep on laughing. "Guys!"

Stay tuned!

To Be Continued…

If you want to learn more about the Light-Type visit the Cosmic Quest Official Website. It has a page full of everything you need to know about this new type, a type chart, a list of old moves that become Light-Types, a list of old Pokémon that become a Light-Type, and more. A link is provided on my profile page.