Jinwoo left Eterna City before dawn, moving through the forest paths with his shadows trailing silently behind.
Darkrai drifted beside him, its body flickering in and out of existence.
"You do not fear what is to come?" the legendary Pokémon asked.
Jinwoo smirked.
"Fear?"
Darkrai chuckled.
"Cyrus will not be a simple enemy. He will not be like those fools we defeated earlier."
Jinwoo didn't stop walking.
"Then I'll deal with him when the time comes."
Darkrai studied him for a moment before nodding.
The morning air was crisp, and the sounds of wild Pokémon echoed through the forest.
Jinwoo sensed movement ahead, wild Pokémon watching him from the shadows.
He wasn't interested in hunting them.
Not yet.
But something big was approaching.
Jinwoo stopped.
A roar shook the trees.
Branches snapped as a massive figure emerged from the dense foliage.
A Torterra stomped forward, its massive body covered in scars.
Unlike the other Pokémon Jinwoo had seen, this one had no trainer, it was completely wild.
And judging by its eyes, it had seen many battles.
Jinwoo smiled slightly.
This one might actually be worth fighting.
Torterra snarled, lowering its head.
It wasn't running, it was challenging him.
Jinwoo's eyes glowed.
"Let's see if you're strong enough to join me."
The ground trembled beneath Jinwoo's feet as the wild Torterra let out another deafening roar, its massive body tensing for battle.
Its eyes burned with challenge, recognizing Jinwoo not as prey, but as an opponent.
Jinwoo smirked. It had been a while since a wild Pokémon had the nerve to stand its ground against him.
"Let's see what you're made of."
Without giving a command, his shadows reacted.
Weavile was the first to move, disappearing in a blur of motion.
A sharp gleam of Night Slash cut through the air as it streaked toward Torterra's exposed flank.
The giant tortoise didn't flinch.
Instead, its entire body glowed green, Giga Drain.
The moment Weavile's claws made contact, vines shot from Torterra's shell, wrapping around its limbs.
Weavile's energy drained rapidly, forcing it to leap back before it could take serious damage.
Jinwoo's eyes narrowed.
'Smart.'
Torterra wasn't just relying on brute force, it was countering with a defensive offense.
Jinwoo didn't mind.
It just meant the battle would be more interesting.
Torterra stomped the ground, sending tremors through the earth.
A wave of jagged Stone Edge spikes erupted toward Jinwoo and his shadows.
Jinwoo barely moved as his Zangoose lunged forward, claws flashing.
The sharp rocks shattered against its Shadow Claw, breaking apart before they could reach their target.
Torterra growled, lowering its stance.
The sunlight filtering through the trees intensified, bathing its shell in a golden glow.
Synthesis.
It was healing.
Jinwoo clicked his tongue.
"You're getting annoying."
Torterra had power and endurance, but it was too reliant on recovery.
He needed to break through that.
His eyes change light blue.
Beru.
The Ant King materialized beside him, towering over even the massive Torterra.
The wild Pokémon froze, sensing the overwhelming presence of a true predator.
Beru vanished.
Before Torterra could react, Beru appeared directly above it, mandibles wide.
A sharp X-Scissor slashed downward, carving deep into Torterra's shell.
The force of the attack drove it into the ground, causing the earth to crack beneath its massive weight.
Torterra roared in pain, but it wasn't done yet.
It bit down on Beru's leg, its powerful jaws glowing with Crunch.
Beru barely reacted, his exoskeleton unscathed.
Then, Beru drove his claws into Torterra's skull.
Torterra's struggles slowed.
Its breathing grew shallow.
And then, silence.
Jinwoo watched as the wild Pokémon's body collapsed, its strength finally failing.
He stepped forward, shadows swirling at his feet.
"You're strong," he murmured. "But let's see if you're strong enough to rise again."
Jinwoo extended his hand, pausing briefly, then he said...
"Arise!."
Dark energy spread on the ground, seeping into Torterra's fallen body.
The air grew heavy as the Shadow Monarch's will called forth the lingering spirit.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then...
A deep, earth-shaking growl rumbled through the clearing.
Torterra's body twitched.
Its eyes snapped open, now glowing an eerie shade of violet.
It had been reborn as a shadow under jinwoo's command.
Jinwoo smirked.
"Good. Welcome to the army."
Torterra rumbled in response, bowing its head slightly.
Jinwoo turned, sensing movement nearby.
The battle hadn't gone unnoticed.
Wild Pokémon had gathered in the trees, watching with cautious eyes.
Some fled.
Others remained, their curiosity outweighing their fear.
Jinwoo ignored them.
He had what he came for.
With his new shadow following behind, he continued his journey toward Hearthome City.
-------
Hello! if you want to support my writing, check out my subscription on p@treon.
By subscribing you would get access to 10+ advance chapters of this novel, and other benefits.
Your support will encourage me to continue writing more chapters! Check it out here: pa treon.com/Aisoo_Star
-------