The dark tunnels of Mount Moon echoed with the clattering of rocks and the roar of Charmeleon's flames. Tharion's hands moved methodically, issuing orders that were crisp, precise, and unwavering. Every Pokémon under his command responded in perfect synchrony: Larvitar pushed boulders into perfect defensive stances, Ferrothorn twisted its body to intercept stray debris, while Charmeleon's controlled bursts of fire illuminated the cavern like a moving sun.
Beside him, Nina's Pokémon mirrored the intensity. Butterfree flitted through shafts of light, practicing targeted Sleep Powder on rocks and stray shadows. Roggenrola rammed stone columns tirelessly, while Luxio darted around, sparking electric arcs to simulate the attacks of an approaching enemy. Nina's eyes shone with awe and determination, her small hands clutching her Poké Balls as she quietly coordinated with her Pokémon.
Tharion's eyes, however, kept flicking to the darkness deeper within the cavern. He knew it was there. The silhouette he had seen earlier wasn't an accident. Something, or someone, was watching every move, studying every command, every Pokémon's reaction.
Even so, he pressed on. Training was paramount. He began implementing capture drills. Every Pokémon that appeared in the cavern—wild Nidoran pairs, Zubat, and even rarer cave-dwelling species—was caught systematically in pairs. Each capture was deliberate: male and female, as he had planned. After each successful capture, he would use the teleportation command to send the Pokémon back to his mountain villa, carefully placing them in their respective type-based territories.
"Charmeleon, larvitar—cover the left flank. Ferrothorn, shield the entryway. Nina, Butterfree—prepare to block aerial attacks," he commanded.
Every movement was efficient, choreographed, precise. The Pokémon responded instinctively. Even Nina's Luxio reacted in tandem, sparking electric arcs in tandem with Ferrothorn's metallic whip strikes.
And all the while, the silhouette lingered, sometimes closer, sometimes fading into the darkness—but always observing. Its presence was a shadowy tension in the back of Tharion's mind, a silent acknowledgment that he was not alone.
Hours passed in the blink of an eye. For every wild Pokémon caught, every boulder pushed, every controlled flame unleashed, Tharion's team grew stronger, more disciplined, more cohesive. The synergy between his team and Nina's Pokémon became palpable. He could feel their confidence surging. Every evolution, every learned technique added a layer of readiness, a layer of protection against what he knew would be the next challenge.
Finally, after what felt like a continuous blur of movement and commands, the last capture of the day—a rare Clefairy pair—was executed flawlessly. With a wave of his hand, he teleported the newly captured Pokémon directly to their villa.
He let out a slow breath and looked around the cavern. The shadows seemed thicker now, heavier, as if the mountain itself was aware of what had transpired.
The silhouette appeared again, more distinct this time. Its edges glimmered faintly in the cavern light—a creature of mystery, watching but not approaching.
Tharion's lips curved slightly, a small smirk playing at the corner of his mouth."Very well," he murmured. "I see you. Watch. Learn. But this training… this growth… nothing will be left unfinished."
With a swift gesture, he recalled his Pokémon, Larvitar, Charmeleon, and Ferrothorn shimmering back into their Poké Balls, followed by Nina's Butterfree, Roggenrola, and Luxio.
As the cavern emptied of life, the silhouette lingered for a heartbeat longer, then receded into the shadows, silent, patient, and observing.
Outside, the crisp air of Mount Moon greeted them. Tharion and Nina stepped into the fading daylight, the villa waiting in the distance.
And while the sun began its slow descent, Tharion's mind was already on the next step: continued training, expanding their team, and preparing for the challenges that waited beyond the mountain—whatever or whoever the shadowy observer might be.
The last of the wild Pokémon had been captured, the Clefairy pair already teleported back to the villa. Tharion stood still in the cavern, his sharp gaze narrowing at the shadows clinging to the far wall. He had felt the weight of that presence for hours now, silent and watchful.
Finally, the waiting ended.
From the darkness, a small figure stepped forward, its blue fur faintly glowing under the fractured beams of sunlight that filtered into the cave. Red eyes glimmered with intelligence, burning with a will not unlike Tharion's own. Its aura flared faintly, creating a ripple in the air.
"...Riolu," Tharion whispered, his eyes widening just slightly.
The tiny Jackal Pokémon raised its fists, aura trembling like fire around its body. It wasn't here to run. It wasn't here to watch. It was here to challenge.
"Interesting," Tharion muttered, lips curling into a faint smile. "You were drawn by my aura. My training. My will. And now, you want to test it."
Nina gasped, clutching Roggenrola's Poké Ball tightly. "Tharion, that's… a Riolu! They're so rare! But… it looks really strong."
Tharion nodded slowly, already reaching for his belt. "No, Nina. This one is more than strong—it's extraordinary. Look at its stance, its eyes. It's trained itself… and it knows." He pulled out a single Poké Ball, pressing the release. "Larvitar. This battle is yours ."
With a flash of light, Larvitar appeared, stomping its stubby feet against the cavern floor, the ground quivering under the impact. It glared at Riolu with fierce determination.
Riolu smirked—actually smirked—and leapt forward, fists glowing with icy mist.
"Ice Punch?!" Tharion's eyes sharpened. "On a Riolu? That's impossible without tutoring… unless…" His thoughts churned. "This Riolu is exceptional. It's forging its own path!"
The battle erupted.
Riolu darted in first, fist coated in frost."Larvitar, counter with Rock Slide—create space!" Tharion commanded.
Larvitar roared, summoning jagged stones from the cavern walls, hurling them forward. Riolu weaved between them, leaping off one boulder midair before slamming its icy fist into Larvitar's chest. The cold sting made Larvitar stumble, but it gritted its teeth and retaliated.
"Bite—now!"
Larvitar's jaws glowed as it clamped down on Riolu's arm, halting its next strike. Riolu snarled and slammed a glowing yellow fist into Larvitar's side. Sparks flew—Thunder Punch.
Tharion's eyes widened. "Ice Punch and Thunder Punch… without any help. This Riolu… it's rewriting its limits!"
The battle raged, fists against stone, aura against will. Riolu's movements were sharp, honed, far more refined than any wild Pokémon should be. But Larvitar was unyielding, pushing back with every ounce of strength, its eyes blazing with the will to stand beside its trainer.
Then it happened.
Larvitar glowed. A brilliant, radiant light engulfed its body, the cavern trembling with the force of its evolution. Nina gasped, clutching Butterfree's wings as the brilliance spread like wildfire across the walls.
The stubby form grew taller, sharper, heavier. Plates of armor-like skin encased its body, its tail lengthened, its roar deepened into a thunderous boom that shook Mount Moon's core.
When the light faded, Pupitar stood in Larvitar's place. Its body gleamed, power surging from within.
Tharion's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "Perfect timing."
"Pupitar, let's finish this!"
Riolu, eyes blazing with pride, charged with a final Ice Punch. Pupitar spun midair, its new body creating a cyclone of force before crashing into Riolu with a devastating tackle amplified by its newfound strength.
Dust exploded across the cavern.
When it cleared, Riolu lay panting, its body trembling from exhaustion but its eyes… still burning with respect.
Tharion stepped forward, silently kneeling down. Riolu looked up at him, and for a moment, their gazes locked. Aura to aura. Will to will.
"You wanted a challenge," Tharion said softly. "And you gave me one. But I'll tell you this—your growth doesn't end here. Join me, Riolu. Train under me, alongside my team. Together, we'll forge a path beyond what the world believes possible."
He held out the Poké Ball.
Riolu closed its eyes, aura pulsing once more—and tapped the ball.
Click.…Click.Ding!
The capture was successful.
Nina squealed, bouncing on her feet. "You caught a Riolu! And it's so strong already!"
Tharion stood, clipping the Poké Ball to his belt. His expression was calm, but inside, his blood burned with triumph. "Not just strong. This Riolu… has already broken limits. And with me, it will go further."
He glanced at Pupitar, who rumbled proudly beside him. "Our journey has only just begun. And with allies like this… not even the League will be out of reach."
Far behind them, the cavern settled into silence again. But for Tharion, this was only the beginning. The capture of Riolu wasn't just chance. It was destiny.