Can you get to route 45 through Dark Cave?

Lost in the Dark: Debunking the Route 45 Shortcut Through Dark Cave

Dark Cave, a sprawling, Pokémon-filled cavern in Johto, is known for its branching paths and hidden treasures. It's also the source of a persistent rumor among trainers: a secret shortcut to Route 45 and Blackthorn City, bypassing the need to navigate the winding paths outside. This article delves into this rumor and definitively answers the question: can you reach Route 45 through Dark Cave?

The myth centers around a specific fork in the road, west of where TM13 (Snore) is located. After encountering the hiker who gifts you the BlackGlasses, the path splits. One branch heads south, seemingly promising a faster route and eventually merging with the path leading back to the TM13 location. This southern branch fuels the shortcut theory. Could it lead, through some hidden passage, directly to Route 45?

Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding no. While this southern path offers a slightly different perspective of the cave's interior and allows you to loop back to the main path, impassable ledges block any further southward progress. These ledges effectively create a dead end, preventing any access to the outer areas of Dark Cave that connect to Route 45 and Blackthorn City.

The rumor likely persists due to the cave's complex layout and the desire for a quicker route to Blackthorn. The southern path's initial southward direction gives a false sense of progress towards Route 45, further solidifying the myth in the minds of hopeful trainers.

So, while exploring this southern branch might yield a few extra wild Pokémon encounters or simply satisfy your curiosity, it ultimately offers no time-saving benefits. To reach Route 45 and Blackthorn City, you must navigate Dark Cave the intended way, exiting through the northern passages and traversing the outdoor routes. The shortcut, sadly, remains just a rumor.