The sky above Stonecrest City was painted orange as the sun began to set.
Elior stood at the edge of the cliffs outside the city, staring at the horizon. Pyrolyn rested beside him, freshly healed but unusually quiet.
The loss still echoed in his mind.
"I wasn't strong enough…" Elior muttered.
Pyrolyn looked up at him.
Mira approached from behind. Aquarion slithered calmly beside her.
"You're thinking too much," she said.
"I lost."
"Yes," Mira replied bluntly. "But you didn't quit."
Elior stayed silent.
Mira crossed her arms.
"Rock-types are strong against Fire-types. You challenged a disadvantage head-on. That's brave… but reckless."
Elior looked at Pyrolyn.
"So what do I do?"
Mira smirked.
"You train. And maybe… catch a Pokémon that balances your team."
Elior's eyes widened slightly.
A second Pokémon.
He wasn't alone in this journey anymore. He had to build a team.
Pyrolyn's flame sparked brighter, as if agreeing.
"Okay," Elior said firmly. "Let's get stronger."
Training in Ironroot Forest
Just beyond Stonecrest City lay Ironroot Forest, known for its dense trees and powerful wild Pokémon.
The deeper they walked, the darker it became.
"Stay sharp," Mira warned.
Suddenly—
CRASH!
A large shadow dropped from the trees.
A wild Voltiger arrived..
A wild Voltiger, an Electric-type tiger Pokémon with crackling yellow stripes, landed in front of them. Sparks danced along its fur.
Elior stepped forward.
"This is it."
Voltiger roared and launched forward with Thunder Fang.
"Pyrolyn, dodge and counter with Flame Wheel!"
Pyrolyn rolled forward, surrounded by blazing fire, clashing directly with Voltiger.
Sparks and flames exploded on impact.
The two Pokémon separated.
Voltiger was strong. Fast. Aggressive.
Perfect.
"Again!" Elior shouted.
The battle intensified. Voltiger used Quick Charge, moving like lightning between trees. Pyrolyn struggled to keep up.
Elior remembered Darius's words.
Faith alone is not enough.
"Predict its movement!" he yelled. "Don't chase—wait!"
Voltiger lunged.
"Now!"
Pyrolyn jumped and struck with a direct Flame Wheel, slamming Voltiger into a tree.
The wild Pokémon struggled to stand.
Elior pulled out a Poké Ball.
He hesitated for just a second.
Then threw it.
The Poké Ball hit Voltiger and pulled it inside.
Shake.
Shake.
Shake.
Click.
Silence.
Elior stared.
"I… I caught it."
Mira smiled slightly. "Not bad."
Pyrolyn looked at the Poké Ball.
Not jealous.
Proud.
Elior held it tightly.
"Welcome to the team… Voltiger."
Shadows Return
But the forest suddenly grew cold.
Too quiet.
Aquarion hissed.
Mira's eyes narrowed. "Something's wrong."
A slow clap echoed through the trees.
"Well done."
From the shadows stepped three figures wearing black cloaks.
The emblem of Team Umbra glowed silver under the moonlight.
"You've grown since Stonecrest Gym," one of them said. "Impressive… but irrelevant."
Elior stepped in front of Pyrolyn.
"What do you want?"
The leader smirked.
"We're here for something much more valuable than badges."
He raised a strange device that pulsed with dark energy.
From deep within the forest, a roar echoed.
The ground trembled.
Mira whispered, "That sound…"
A massive shape moved beyond the trees.
Ancient.
Powerful.
A Legendary Pokémon.
Team Umbra activated the device. Dark energy shot into the sky, forming chains of shadow.
"You see," the leader said calmly, "the Legendary Pokémon of Luminara respond to energy signatures."
His eyes locked onto Elior.
"And yours… is special."
Elior froze.
"What do you mean?"
But there was no time for answers.
A massive silhouette burst from the trees — scales shimmering like molten stone, eyes glowing with ancient power.
The Legendary had awakened.
And it was furious.
"Pyrolyn! Voltiger!" Elior shouted.
"Battle positions!" Mira yelled, Aquarion ready beside her.
Team Umbra stepped back, watching.
They weren't here to fight.
They were here to observe.
"To test fate," the leader whispered.
The Legendary roared again, unleashing a shockwave that sent everyone flying.
Elior hit the ground hard.
He looked up at Pyrolyn.
At Voltiger.
At Mira.
This wasn't a Gym battle.
This was survival.
And somewhere deep inside…
He felt something awaken.
Not fear.
Not doubt.
Something stronger.
Faith.