The night had grown quiet again in Emberfall City.
The streets that had just witnessed the battle were now empty, lit only by the dim glow of canal lamps. Smoke from the earlier clash still lingered in the air.
Elior stood silently near the laboratory entrance.
Riolu rested beside him, breathing slowly. Though it had regained consciousness, the battle had clearly taken a toll.
Infernyx stood behind them, its flames burning softly rather than fiercely.
Voltiger perched on Elior's shoulder, sparks flickering faintly.
Lunashade remained a few steps away, half-hidden within the shadows.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Finally, Elior clenched his fists.
"…I couldn't stop them."
His voice was quiet, but heavy.
The memory replayed in his mind.
Riolu charging forward.
Umbreon's dark energy exploding across the battlefield.
The overwhelming power of Dark Resonance.
And the calm confidence of Commander Varkis.
Riolu slowly stood up.
It looked at Elior and shook its head.
Elior blinked.
"You're… not blaming me?"
Riolu stepped forward and placed its small paw against Elior's hand.
A faint blue glow of aura appeared for a moment.
Infernyx watched quietly.
Voltiger chirped softly.
Even Lunashade lifted its silver eyes.
Elior took a deep breath.
"You're right," he said quietly.
"This isn't the end."
At that moment, the laboratory doors opened behind him.
Dr. Selene stepped outside.
She looked tired, but determined.
"The damage inside is manageable," she said.
"But the equipment Team Umber stole was critical for tracking the titan."
Elior turned toward her.
"You mean Pyrotherion?"
Selene nodded.
"Yes."
She walked over to a portable screen and activated it.
A map of the northern region appeared.
Several red energy signals flashed deep within the volcanic mountains.
"They're here," she said.
Elior stepped closer.
"Team Umber?"
Selene nodded again.
"We believe their main extraction facility is somewhere within the northern volcanic chain."
She zoomed in on a large mountain surrounded by lava flows.
"The energy readings of Pyrotherion are coming from this area."
Infernyx's flames flickered stronger.
Riolu clenched its fists.
Voltiger sparked with renewed energy.
But Lunashade suddenly reacted.
Its shadow stretched unnaturally across the ground.
The silver glow in its eyes flickered.
Selene noticed immediately.
"…That's strange."
Elior looked back.
"What is?"
Selene studied Lunashade carefully.
"Your Pokémon reacted the moment I mentioned the titan's energy."
She paused.
"Almost as if it recognized it."
Lunashade's shadow slowly returned to normal.
But its eyes remained fixed on the distant mountains displayed on the map.
Elior crossed his arms.
"So that's where they went."
Selene nodded.
"Yes."
She looked at him seriously.
"If Team Umber successfully harnesses Pyrotherion's power… the volcanic chain could erupt."
Elior looked at Riolu.
Then at Infernyx.
Then at the glowing map.
The defeat he felt earlier was still there.
But now—
It was turning into determination.
"We're going there," he said.
Riolu nodded immediately.
Infernyx's flames surged.
Voltiger chirped with excitement.
Even Lunashade stepped closer.
Selene watched them quietly.
"You realize what you're walking into," she said.
Elior smiled slightly.
"Yeah."
He looked toward the northern mountains beyond Emberfall City.
"Team Umber thinks they've already won."
His eyes sharpened.
"But this time…"
"We'll be ready."
Far away—
Deep within the volcanic mountains—
The ancient titan Pyrotherion stirred once more.
And somewhere in the darkness…
Team Umber continued their plan.
And the journey continues ....