The sky above the city of Luminara crackled with electricity, casting golden glows across the skyline. Known for its iconic lightning towers and a Pokémon Gym powered by pure electric energy, it stood as a symbol of progress and power. Akira and Ame had just entered the vibrant city, walking past glowing neon signs and bustling markets as they headed straight for the Pokémon Centre.
Inside, to their surprise, William sat calmly near the healing station, sipping juice. He looked up and smirked. "So you finally arrived."
Akira smiled. "William! We meet again."
William. "Did you win against Droid?"
Akira nodded. "I did. It wasn't easy, but I managed to pull through."
William's eyes drifted to Ame, standing beside Akira. "And who might she be?"
Akira gestured. "This is Ame. She's traveling with me now."
Ame gave a soft smile and stepped forward. "I'm Ame. My goal is to destroy Team Darkness. They took everything from me... especially my father."
William's expression shifted to solemn respect. "I'm sorry for your loss... If I can help in any way, I will."
"Thank you," Ame nodded.
Akira then asked, "Who's the Gym Leader here?"
William straightened. "His name is Volt. He's a master of Electric-types. His signature Pokémon are Electross and Electivire. It was one of the toughest battles I've had. Even my Dratini evolved into Dragonair during the fight."
Akira's eyes widened. "Dragonair? That's amazing! I want to see how strong you are now. Want to battle?"
"You're on," William smirked.
Ame moved to act as referee. "Let the friendly battle... begin!"
As the two trainers faced off, elsewhere—far from the light of Luminara—a gathering of shadows began.
In the depths of a cavern cloaked in darkness, a dozen silhouettes formed a circle. Each one bore the mark of an infamous evil organization—Team Rocket, Aqua, Magma, Plasma, Galactic, and Flare. At the center stood a man cloaked in black with a symbol no one had seen before. He radiated control and power. It was Noctic.
He raised his arms as if embracing the entire gathering. "Welcome, leaders of the past. Today, we become one. Together, you shall no longer act as separate entities... but as one united force. Team Darkness."
Giovanni stepped forward, his cold eyes narrowing. "You've gathered us here. Now tell us what you truly want."
Noctic smiled. "Our goal is simple. Capture the world's most powerful legendary Pokémon. And once their energies are combined, we will awaken a being of pure darkness—sealed for centuries inside a place called the Dark Forest."
"Dark Forest?" Maxie from Team Magma asked. "I've never heard of it."
Noctic explained. "It is a place hidden from all maps, inhabited only by dark-type Pokémon, far stronger than most trainers can handle. At its center sleeps a Pokémon beyond imagination. When it awakens, we will rule not just regions—but reality."
The room was silent, a tension hanging in the air. Then Cyrus from Team Galactic spoke. "Very well. Count me in."
"Us too," said Archie from Team Aqua. The others nodded in agreement.
Noctic grinned. "Then let the hunt for the legendaries begin."
Back in Luminara, Akira and William's battle had concluded. Akira's Gyarados stood tall while William's Dragonair, though evolved, had been pushed to its limit.
William returned his Pokémon and smiled. "You've gotten even better, Akira."
Ame clapped. "Looks like you're ready."
Akira felt his aura rising, his determination burning. "Then it's time... I'm challenging the Luminara Gym."
As he walked toward the Gym, thunder rumbled above. Little did Akira know, a storm far greater than weather was about to begin.
And in the shadows, Team Darkness had begun its march.