Far from the quiet paths of Hartwick, beyond the sunlit fields and scattered townships of Ravelle Kingdom, the world turned darker.
In a place untouched by sunlight a fortress deep beneath the deadlands stood a hall carved of obsidian and blackened bone. The walls pulsed faintly with residual energy, as if the ancient rock itself remembered something dreadful that once passed through.
There, beneath the vaulted ceiling of that long-forgotten ruin, knelt Arlon.
His black hair slicked back and tied behind his shoulder, he wore a high-collared white and gold robe adorned with intricate markings. A heavy, flowing cloak rested across his shoulders. Despite the stoic air he exuded, his posture now was one of deference.
Before him stood a figure draped in shimmering white garments stitched with scarlet thread. The Apostle's leader, whose face remained hidden beneath a translucent veil, sat calmly upon a low throne.
Cradled in his arms was a child.
At first glance, it was a little girl blonde-haired, eyes closed peacefully, dressed in pure white. But Arlon's trained eyes could see the truth lurking just beneath the illusion.
Nihilego.
Its presence pulsed faintly beneath the false skin, masked to all but those who had been touched by its influence. Arlon had learned to perceive its true form long ago.
The leader's voice rang out softly, yet it echoed with unnatural clarity through the chamber.
"Speak, Arlon. Tell me what became of your offering."
Arlon lowered his gaze, hiding the brief flicker of anger that crossed his features.
"The Hydreigon was destroyed," he said, voice calm. "A boy survived. An Aura user."
The leader was silent for a long moment.
The child in his lap blinked once, slowly.
"How curious," the Apostle finally said. "And disappointing. That strain of corruption was laced with divine energy. Even the dragon fell short?"
"He pushed it to its limit. The Hydreigon could have finished him," Arlon replied. "But something interfered. An Aura surge far beyond the norm. It wasn't a technique I recognized. This boy… he may be more than just a rare case."
The leader shifted slightly. The child looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. But Arlon still saw the subtle twitch of the parasite beneath the girl's skin. Nihilego's presence never rested.
"And the body?" the leader asked.
Arlon shook his head.
"Disintegrated."
A moment of heavy silence followed.
"So be it," the Apostle said, gently stroking the child's hair. "The east has become volatile. Perhaps too soon for large movements. Leave it for now. We will wait. Watch. Seeds grow in silence."
Arlon stood, bowed deeply, and turned to leave.
---
He walked through the hall alone, boots echoing on ancient stone.
His thoughts churned.
That boy… Ren. He had shown something unusual. It wasn't just Aura. It was something deeper more ancient. It had pushed the Hydreigon back. Almost purified it.
His lips curled slightly in thought.
Then came a voice behind him.
"Still reporting failures, Arlon? How unbecoming of someone in your rank."
He turned calmly.
There she stood Orla, her long purple coat sweeping the floor, sharp green eyes glinting with mockery. A tall woman with a graceful yet lethal air. A Gengar floated just behind her shoulder, grinning wide with spectral teeth.
Arlon raised an eyebrow. "Orla. Still lurking around graveyards, I see."
She smirked. "Only when something interesting's buried in them."
"You have something to say?" he asked coolly.
Orla walked forward, hands behind her back, gaze playful yet sharp. "Only wondering how long you plan to keep embarrassing yourself. First the Royal Knights track your movements, now a kid nearly kills your pet dragon."
"You speak like you've done any better," he said.
Her smile widened.
"I don't need to. My job is to clean up your mess. And enjoy the show."
She stepped past him, the chill of her Gengar brushing his shoulder. Then she paused.
"By the way… the boy you failed to kill? I'll be watching him too."
Arlon said nothing.
And then she was gone.
---
Elsewhere… in Hartwick
The river babbled softly, winding through the town's outskirts and beyond into the wild meadows. Tall grass bent gently in the breeze, the distant rustle of bird Pokémon rising in lazy circles above the hills.
Shion lay on his back near the riverbank, arms folded behind his head, eyes squinting up at the clouds. His boots were off, toes just barely skimming the cold water. A bit downstream, Kiba stood mid-river, paddling happily while snapping at darting Surskit.
Bidoof floated by on a piece of driftwood, eyes half-closed and mouth full of berries. Shion wasn't sure where he found them, or whether they were edible.
He didn't ask.
Golurk, once again , was not present. Too large, too heavy, and too capable of causing unintentional landslides to let roam freely near water.
Shion exhaled, content.
"Nice day," he muttered to himself.
For once, there were no quests, no threats, no mysterious underground tunnels or collapsing caverns. Just air, sun, and the occasional berry-scented breeze.
"Feels like I haven't just… rested in forever."
He looked over to Bidoof.
"Don't suppose you're sensing another plate yet?"
Bidoof gave a lazy snore in response, the berry stem still sticking out of his mouth.
Shion smiled.
Then came the voice.
"Hey. Been a while since we sparred."
Shion sat up. There, just up the path, stood Jareth.arms crossed, smirking. His Rhydon stood beside him, stamping its foot eagerly.
Shion grinned. "Feeling confident?"
"Feeling generous. Figured I'd let you try out that new Golurk of yours."
Shion stood, brushing off his coat. "Nah. Golurk's taking a break. He's not exactly subtle. But Kiba's ready."
Kiba, hearing his name, perked up with a bark and trotted over, tail swishing.
Jareth nodded. "Then let's find a spot. I know a field just up the hill. Flat ground, no people."
The two trainers walked together, talking lightly as they went.
They passed through a grove of berry trees, the scent of ripe Pecha and Nanab fruit thick in the air. Kiba walked ahead, tail flicking, tongue out. Bidoof followed last, somehow still chewing.
Jareth looked over. "Hey. I meant to ask…"
"Yeah?"
"You doing okay?"
Shion blinked.
"Since Ternstone. You've been quieter."
Shion hesitated… then nodded.
"I'm alright. Just thinking a lot."
"Thinking's good. Just don't let it freeze your feet."
Shion smiled faintly.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
---
The sparring field was just as Jareth promised: open, quiet, bordered by forest on one side and wildflower-covered rocks on the other. The afternoon sun slanted across the grass, warming the earth.
They stood facing each other.
"Same rules?" Jareth asked.
"One Pokémon each?"
"Yeah. First to knock out."
Shion gave a mock bow. "Ladies first."
Jareth grinned. "Bold. You're going down."
They threw their Poké Balls in unison.
From Shion's side, Kiba leapt forward with a howl, rock dust swirling beneath his paws.
From Jareth's side, Boldore landed with a low rumble, its crystalline body humming with power.
And with that the match began.
Kiba growled low, stance ready.
Jareth raised his hand. "Boldore, Iron Defense. Let's set the pace."
The solid rock Pokémon braced, its surface shimmering as a hard metallic sheen coated it. Its rocky frame seemed even sturdier than usual.
"Kiba, Accelerock! Circle around it, fast!"
Kiba shot forward in a flash of light, his speed a blur. He darted right, left, then behind Boldore before striking from an angle. The move hit clean—crack!—but Boldore barely budged, its reinforced body taking the blow like a stone wall.
"Now Rock Blast!"
Boldore spun quickly and fired jagged shards from the crystals on its back. Kiba yelped and dashed out of the way, but one rock grazed his flank, knocking him off balance.
Shion winced. "Kiba, pull back and use Rock Slide!"
Kiba skidded back, lifted his forelegs, and stomped the ground. Boulders erupted in a rumble and barreled toward Boldore. A direct hit
But Jareth was already on it. "Stone Edge. Break it!"
The air screamed as giant, glowing stones speared upward from beneath Boldore, smashing the falling boulders midair. Shards of energy and rock sprayed the clearing.
Shion raised an arm to shield his face. That's Jareth for you… even on the defense, he's pressing back with force.
Kiba snarled, crouched low, and flicked his tail ready again.
Jareth called out. "Get in close, Boldore. Heavy Slam!"
The rock-type charged forward with surprising momentum for its bulk.
"Kiba—wait!"
Too late.
The slam landed. Kiba was flung backward, dust kicking up from the impact.
"Kiba!" Shion shouted, eyes wide. Kiba skidded across the dirt and rolled to his feet, breathing hard but still standing. His eyes narrowed. Determined.
And then… a shift.
Kiba crouched low, not lunging forward like usual. He stood firm, growling. His fur flared slightly, his stance grounded. Shion recognized that posture—but from where?
The memory came back like a flash. During one of their earlier spars, Kiba had taken a hit deliberately from Jareth's Rhydon… and responded with a crushing Bite. Not instinct, but calculation.
Was he learning?
Shion clenched his fist. "Kiba… wait for it."
Jareth raised a brow as Boldore stomped forward again. "Sticking to defense? Alright then. Let's see how much it can take. Smack Down!"
Boldore launched a heavy rock straight toward Kiba's chest.
Shion didn't call for a dodge. He whispered instead.
"Now. Counter attack ."
The rock hit, square on.
But Kiba didn't move.
Instead, he absorbed the impact, his body briefly glowing with red kinetic energy. His legs shook but then he roared, leapt forward, and slammed a retaliating blow straight into Boldore's core.
The backlash from the blow sent a shockwave through the air.
Boldore was hurled backward with tremendous force, crashing into the dirt and kicking up dust in a massive cloud. When it cleared… Boldore was lying still. Its crystals dimmed.
Silence.
Then Jareth raised a hand and gave a sharp whistle. "Alright, alright. That's enough."
Shion blinked. "We… won?"
Kiba stood panting, but proud. His claws trembled slightly, body marked with bruises but he stood tall.
Jareth returned Boldore with a hum. "That was new."
Shion smiled weakly. "It's… Counter. I think Kiba learned it just now."
"Smart pup," Jareth muttered, then looked at Shion with a crooked grin. "You've really grown."
Shion exhaled, stepping over to Kiba and kneeling beside him. "You okay, buddy?"
Kiba barked once, licking his arm. Shion scratched behind his ears and gave him a rare chuckle. "You did great."
Jareth walked up beside him. "You've come a long way. Controlling Kiba like that, reading the rhythm of the battle… you were green back in Riverleaf. Now you're a proper battler."
Shion smiled, a bit sheepishly. "Still learning."
"You all are. That's what the journey's for."
The wind carried a few dry leaves across the field. Shion stood, dusting off his knees.
His thoughts drifted.
To Riverleaf.
To Ren.
To Mila.
He wondered what they were doing now. How strong they'd become. Mila with her Ralts probably a gardevoir by now . Ren… well, he was always strong. Even as a kid. Sparring with his Riolu, talking about knights and titles.
He didn't envy them, not really. But he couldn't help but feel like a shadow sometimes. He hadn't heard from them in so long.
He hoped they were safe.
---
That evening, the was quiet, the fire crackling with soft pops. The smell of stew hung in the air, mixed with roasted berries. Fena leaned against a Chair with a book in hand. Dunlin was scribbling something in a ledger. Jareth had fallen asleep in his room
Shion took a bite from his bread .
Dunlin glanced up. "We'll be hitting the road early tomorrow. One more town, then a three-week trek, and we'll be in Ravios."
Shion nodded,
Almost there, he thought.
The capital.
His friends.
And whatever else awaited.