Indigo Plateau, Top-tier Mimicry Space, Origin Forest.
The giant tree that covered the sky and sun looked imposing, but its roots had long been hollowed out by an Ursaring, which had claimed it as its own den.
Until one day, Ursaring encountered Sato. The bear den... pfft, tree hole changed hands from then on, becoming Sato's temporary residence in Origin Forest.
Watching the countdown watch on his wrist flash rapidly, Sato knew in his heart that he did not have much time left to stay in Origin Forest.
Five days ago, Sharpedo's Dark-type talent had accumulated to the Champion threshold.
Three days ago, Honchkrow's Quasi-Champion Dark-type talent rose another half level, giving it, like Sharpedo, the potential to become a Champion level Pokemon.
As for why Sharpedo had managed to surpass the others later on, it was entirely because it had been receiving Dark Power: Blood Feeding for a long time. Its accumulated strength exploding forth was hardly surprising.
Then, Sato and all the Pokemon spent another uneventful three days together. Looking at Gardevoir, whose bottleneck had loosened but who still had not broken through, Sato quietly made a decision.
"Today, we continue deeper!"
All the Pokemon sat around the spacious tree hole. Upon hearing Sato's decision, they all raised their heads in surprise.
"Momo, we can't go any farther!"
Gardevoir was the first to object. Though the other Pokemon said nothing, they all nodded rationally, including even the battle-crazed Hydreigon.
The tree hole's former owner, that Ursaring, had already reached Pseudo-Elite Four Peak. Sato and the others had expended quite a bit of effort to drive it away.
If they wanted effective training, they could simply go around the forest and find Pokemon around Ursaring's level. That would be completely sufficient for most of Sato's Pokemon.
But Gardevoir was