Ash Aryan and Liana travel south, crossing open fields and dense forests. The journey to Vermilion City is tougher than before. Wild Pokémon are acting strange — not corrupted like Shadow Pokémon, but restless, almost as if sensing an approaching storm.
Ash's System pings quietly:
[WARNING]Environmental Energy Spikes Detected.Possible Cause: Experimental Synergy Device.
On the third night of travel, dark clouds roll across the sky. Thunder rumbles without rain. Ash looks up sharply."This isn't normal weather."
In the distance, Vermilion City's skyline glows faintly, but not with lights — with erratic flashes of electric blue. As they get closer, they find groups of Trainers gathered around closed-off streets. No one is battling for badges. Instead, illegal underground arenas have taken over, run by Black Synergy agents.
A teenage boy, bruised but smiling, warns Ash."Careful, newbie. If you're not strong enough, you don't even leave with your Pokémon."
Ash's hand tightens into a fist. Liana places a reassuring hand on his shoulder."We have to be smart. Find the source first."
Following his System's faint signals, Ash sneaks into the largest hidden arena: a dark stadium beneath the old Vermilion Power Plant. Inside, dozens of trainers watch as Pokémon are forced into brutal matches enhanced by unstable Synergy fields.
At the center of it all stands a new enemy: a cold-eyed woman wearing a sleek black uniform, her presence commanding. She releases a Synergy-charged Manectric, its fur crackling with unnatural lightning.
The woman speaks calmly into a mic:"Welcome, Trainers. To survive tonight, you must defeat our prized experiment. Winner takes the Core Crystal fragment."
Ash feels his blood burn. Without hesitation, he steps into the arena.
Gasps ripple through the crowd. Liana watches nervously from the edge.
The System activates:
[GENESIS COMBAT MODE ONLINE]Bonus: Electric Resistance Boosted.
Pikachu steps forward, facing the monstrous Manectric without fear.
The battle strikes like a storm. Manectric charges faster than lightning, but Pikachu's newfound speed under Genesis Sync keeps them even. Thunderbolts clash midair, lighting up the dark arena.
Ash calls out sharply:"Pikachu — Spiral Dash!"
Pikachu spins through the electric currents, landing a critical hit that shatters Manectric's Synergy collar.
The black uniformed woman narrows her eyes but gives a tight nod.
"You've made yourself a target, Genesis Trainer."
Before Ash can respond, a hidden chamber opens behind the arena — revealing a crystal platform and a rare Pokémon trapped inside a containment field: an injured Electabuzz, glowing faintly.
Ash's System pings again:
[SPECIAL RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITY]Electabuzz – High Sync Potential.
Without thinking, Ash releases Bulbasaur, who carefully disables the trap with precision Vine Whip strikes.
Electabuzz staggers free, looks into Ash's eyes — and without a word, joins his side.
Ash places a hand on its shoulder."Welcome to the team."
As the crowd disperses and alarms begin to wail, Ash, Liana, Pikachu, and their new Electabuzz dash into the shadows of Vermilion's crumbling underground.
The Genesis journey grows heavier… but Ash's team grows stronger.
To be continued…