Cold wind blew through the broken corridor of an ancient stone bunker buried in the cliffs.
Ash's battle against the Shadow Leader had left the place in ruins. The crater where their clash ended still steamed faintly, aura scorched into the walls.
It had happened here.
Deep in Johto.
Near the League—yet hidden from every satellite.
Buried by Shadow.
Far below the surface, he watched.
The Shadow Leader sat alone in a room of black glass and pulsating light, a single screen casting flickering illumination over his face.
He studied a profile glowing red on the display.
Skylar.
Trainer ID. Badge count: 7.
Current status: rising.
A threat.
He pressed one clawed finger to the screen, opening a secondary file.
Ace.
Status: Defector. Location: Unknown.
Target: Eliminate.
The Leader didn't speak aloud.
He didn't need to.
Behind him, three dark-cloaked figures emerged from the mist—Shades, elite assassins of the Division, bound to Shadow by unnatural means.
He held out a document.
Skylar's photo was paperclipped to the top.
"Before he wins his last badge."
He smiled.
"Erase the spark before it becomes a blaze."
The Shades nodded once.
And vanished.
Pallet Town – Professor Oak's Lab
The map of Kanto glowed with red and yellow pings.
Gary tapped the table with a pen.
"Every city's on edge. Johto too. You saw what happened with Ash. That crater… it wasn't normal."
Skylar folded his arms, eyes narrowed.
"We don't have time to play defense. If we want to challenge what's coming, we need status. Influence. And for that—"
He pointed to the blinking dot just off the western coast.
Auroria Town.
"That's our next stop."
Professor Oak looked up.
"That's where Lorelei built her Gym."
Misty raised an eyebrow. "You ready for an Elite Four member?"
Skylar nodded.
"I have to be."
Later – Sunset, Pallet Cliffs
Skylar stood overlooking the sea, wind tugging at his coat.
Misty stepped beside him.
"Hard to believe this all started with just a badge quest."
Skylar half-smiled. "It still is. Just… not the same kind."
She nudged him lightly. "You sure about this?"
He looked toward the horizon.
"If I win that final badge… if I become Champion… then when I say the world is under attack, they'll have to listen."
Far above, hidden in the clouds, three cloaked figures soared aboard corrupted Flygon mounts.
They did not speak.
Their eyes burned violet behind their masks.
Their orders were clear:
Eliminate Skylar before he reaches Auroria.
And eliminate the traitor Ace—before he speaks again.