Pallet Town — Days Before the League
The wind carried the scent of the ocean across Pallet Town, bending the tall grass and rattling the leaves.
But despite the beauty of the afternoon, a heavy tension hung over the fields.
Still no news from Gary.
Still no word from the shadows where he had vanished.
Skylar stood silently near the entrance of Professor Oak's lab, gazing out toward the horizon.
At his side, Giselle finished sorting supplies, her Gallade and Espeon resting close.
They didn't need to say it aloud.
Time was running out.
The Pokémon League was about to begin.
And ready or not — they had to move forward.
Today, Skylar would finalize the team that would walk with him onto the biggest battlefield of his life.
No more hesitation.
No second chances.
He opened his hand.
Six Poké Balls gleamed under the sun.
His chosen ones.
First:Gardevoir.His very first Pokémon. His partner from the very beginning. The one who had shielded him, fought for him, and grown alongside him. She was no longer just his protector — she had awakened her true strength. Gardevoir would represent Skylar's heart and soul in this journey.
Second:Charizard.While Gardevoir had been his first companion, it was Charmander who had marked the beginning of his true Pokémon journey through Kanto. Charizard's fiery spirit, his unbreakable will, and aerial supremacy made him indispensable for the battles to come.
Third:Arcanine.Skylar's steadfast guardian, loyal and powerful. Arcanine's raw speed, physical strength, and battle instincts made him perfect for overpowering and outlasting opponents on the field.
Fourth:Scizor.The perfect evolution of his Scyther's legacy. Scizor's ruthless precision, steel-hard defense, and blinding speed made him a strategic nightmare for any opponent who underestimated Skylar's tactics.
Fifth:Gyarados.The crimson serpent of fury and strength. Skylar's shiny Gyarados embodied overwhelming power and resilience — a living storm that could turn the tide of any battle when unleashed.
Sixth:Lucario.The miracle of Mt. Moon. Skylar's bond with Lucario transcended trainer and Pokémon. Their shared aura connection made Lucario not just a fighter, but Skylar's blade against the darkness — sharp, fast, and unwavering.
Skylar closed his hand tightly.
There was one Pokémon he would not bring to the battlefield.
Darkrai.
Darkrai was special — a being of nightmares, yet full of loyalty and pain.
Skylar had decided.
Darkrai wasn't just a weapon to wield.
He was a living being who had suffered too much.
He would fight alongside Skylar one day when the true storm came.
But not here.
Not for medals.
Not for glory.
Across the regions, the names of the League participants were spreading:
Red, the silent prodigy.Blue, the fierce tactician.Richie, the calm strategist.
And many others — elite trainers from across Kanto and beyond.
Cynthia, Skylar's bond and light, would not compete here — she was destined to join the League of Sinnoh.
The strongest had gathered.
And Skylar would stand among them.
Not just to win.
But to prove he belonged on the same stage as legends.
He clipped the six Poké Balls onto his belt with quiet determination.
Giselle joined him, her eyes bright, her heart steady.
Together, they would face whatever came.
Far beyond the safety of Pallet Town, the clouds thickened.
Dark winds whispered of coming battles, of ancient powers waking, of futures torn apart and reforged.
And somewhere, across that gathering storm—
Gary Oak ran through shadowed ruins, carrying with him secrets that could save or doom them all.