The fire cracked gently as the stars blinked into the darkening sky.
Skylar sat on a fallen log near their forest camp, silent, staring into the flames. Misty sat beside him, arms wrapped around her knees. Neither had spoken much since the battle with Ace.
The weight of the confrontation still lingered.
Skylar finally broke the silence.
"Not all of them are bad."
Misty looked at him.
"Shadow?"
He nodded slowly. "Ace… he could've tried to take Darkrai. He could've attacked with more than one Pokémon. He didn't. He was testing me. Watching."
"Still," Misty murmured, "he said the vote was close. That means there are others who wanted you arrested. Or worse."
Skylar exhaled sharply. "Exactly. Not all of them are extremists… but the ones that are? They're dangerous. And they're inside the League."
Misty frowned. "We need someone we can trust. Someone inside the League."
She hesitated, then added, "What about Professor Oak?"
Skylar looked at her.
And nodded.
Inside the Pokémon Center lobby, Skylar connected his PokéGear to the secure League line and called the only man who'd never once questioned him without reason.
The screen flickered.
Then came the familiar, kind voice.
"Well, well. Skylar. I was wondering when you'd reach out."
"Professor."
Oak's smile faded slightly the moment he saw Skylar's expression.
"You're not calling about badges, are you?"
Skylar shook his head.
And told him everything.
Fifteen minutes later, Oak rubbed his temple with one hand, the other gripping his pen tightly.
"So a Shadow agent confronted you directly. Confirmed they're watching. Mentioned a vote."
Skylar nodded.
"And that keeping a legendary—specifically Darkrai—is against policy."
Oak sighed. "That policy was always... selective. It's been used to target threats—not truly regulate them."
Misty leaned into the screen.
"Professor… what if they're not just watching Skylar? What if they're watching everyone?"
Oak's eyes narrowed.
"I'll find out."
Skylar hesitated. "If this goes deeper…"
Oak looked straight at him.
"I won't let it pass."
He reached for a second device on his desk.
"You're not alone, Skylar. You've earned more allies than you know."
The screen dimmed as the call ended.
Skylar stared at the dark glass for a long moment.
Then turned back toward Misty.
"Let's rest. We move at sunrise."
Meanwhile…Far away.
On an island framed by white beaches and teal waves, a campfire crackled beside a hammock tied between two palm trees.
A young man lay stretched in the hammock, one arm behind his head, the other gently tossing a piece of fruit into the air.
Beside him, a Pikachu lay curled up, snoring peacefully.
The man's eyes were closed, his smile faint but content.
Then—
His PokéGear buzzed.
He opened one eye.
The name on the screen made him sit up instantly.
PROF. SAMUEL OAK
He tapped it.
"Professor! Been a while!"
Oak's face appeared. His voice was warm—but serious.
"Ash. I need your help."
The trainer straightened.
"What's going on?"
Oak leaned closer to the camera.
"I need you to look into the Shadow Division of the League."
Ash blinked. "Shadow? The internal affairs guys?"
Oak nodded. "They're operating unchecked. Their agents are confronting trainers with no oversight. I think something's shifted. Something deeper."
Ash's smile faded.
"I've heard whispers. A few agents moving… unusually. And someone told me one was spotted near Lavender."
Oak's eyes darkened.
"They're targeting a trainer I trust. One who's holding the line."
Ash reached beside him and gently patted Pikachu awake.
The Pokémon chirped sleepily and leapt to his shoulder.
Ash's voice, when it came, was serious. Solid.
"I'll look into it. Quietly. Deep."
Oak nodded.
"Thank you."
Ash stood up, brushing sand from his pants.
"Professor?"
"Yes?"
"If they've gone rogue…"
Ash's eyes sharpened.
"I'll bring them back in line."