The morning sun rose gently over the lush horizon, casting golden rays through the trees as Akira and Ame made their way toward the next city. The air was calm, the sounds of wild Pokémon chattering in the distance. It seemed like a peaceful day, but the tension from their previous battle against Team Aqua, Magma, and Darkness still lingered.
Ame glanced over at Akira, her curiosity getting the best of her. "Akira... that aura you released during the battle against the leaders—what was that? It was like something inside you exploded with power. Even your Pokémon changed."
Akira looked thoughtful. "Honestly, I don't know. It just activates when I'm desperate, when I feel like I'm about to lose. Then... something awakens inside me, and it feels like that energy flows to my Pokémon too. It makes us stronger, more connected."
"That's... strange," Ame admitted, "but kind of unique. It makes you different from anyone I've met."
Akira nodded slowly. "Yeah, but I know there are stronger trainers out there. If I want to face them, protect others, and defeat Team Darkness... I have to get stronger."
As they continued walking, a loud crashing sound echoed through the forest nearby. A group of wild Pokémon rushed past them in panic. Akira and Ame exchanged looks and ran toward the noise. Before them was a large garden—lush and serene—but now under attack. A group of aggressive Pokémon led by a powerful Rhyperior was rampaging through it.
The garden protectors, both human and Pokémon, struggled to fend off the invaders. Without hesitation, Akira threw a Pokéball into the air. "Charizard, let's go!"
Ame followed. "Mawile, I need your help!"
Charizard took to the skies, unleashing Flamethrowers on the attacking Pokémon. Mawile defended the protectors with Iron Head and Play Rough. The battlefield was chaotic, but it became clear that Rhyperior was no ordinary Pokémon—it held its ground against Charizard's powerful strikes, countering with Stone Edge and Earthquake.
Just as Rhyperior launched a devastating Rock Wrecker, another Pokémon burst into the fray—a large, battle-scarred Drapion. With a ferocious roar, Drapion deflected the attack with Cross Poison and stood between the attackers and the garden.
"What is that Drapion?" Akira asked.
Kal, one of the protectors, stepped forward. "That Drapion has always protected this garden. Every time Rhyperior attacks, Drapion comes to defend."
Ame was amazed. "But why do these Pokémon attack in the first place?"
Kal sighed. "They're released Pokémon. Their trainers abandoned them. Now they distrust humans and lash out. Rhyperior leads them in these attacks. But Drapion... his story is different."
Akira looked toward Drapion, who was standing strong next to Charizard.
"He was also released?" Ame asked.
Kal nodded solemnly. "Yes. Drapion's trainer sacrificed himself in a battle to protect him. Since then, Drapion's only goal has been to protect others, just like his trainer did."
Moved by the tale, Akira and Ame joined Drapion in battle. Together, they overwhelmed Rhyperior, forcing him and his group to retreat.
That night, as the garden calmed and everyone rested, Akira continued training with his Charizard and Gyarados. Drapion watched from a distance, eyes focused, quietly absorbing their techniques.
Akira smiled and approached. "You want to train too, don't you?" Drapion turned away, feigning disinterest.
Suddenly, in the depths of the forest, something dark stirred. A shadowy figure watched Rhyperior and his defeated team limp away. It was a Pokémon Hunter. With a sinister grin, he sent out a Zoroark.
"Catch them," he ordered. Zoroark unleashed Night Daze, knocking out the weakened Pokémon. The hunter threw Pokéballs, trapping them.
"You'll make me rich," the hunter said, smirking. "And if there's a garden nearby... I'll catch whatever else I find."
Back at the garden, Drapion suddenly snapped to attention. Kal noticed. "What is it? You sense something?"
Akira stood up. "Could it be Rhyperior again?"
They all turned toward the forest—just as a dark Zoroark leaped out, snarling. Drapion roared and intercepted it with Poison Fang. The hunter emerged from the woods.
Kal gasped. "He's a Pokémon Hunter..."
Behind him, Rhyperior and his allies were trapped in cages.
"Let them go!" Ame shouted.
The hunter chuckled. "Oh, I will—for a price. But that Charizard and Mawile of yours? They'll fetch even more."
Akira stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "You're not taking anyone."
Charizard appeared beside him, wings spread wide.
Mawile growled next to Ame.
Drapion slowly stepped forward, face like stone.
"You want a fight? Fine!" the hunter snapped. "Zoroark, use Night Slash!"
And so, the battle began.
To be continued...