Ash Aryan, Liana, Pikachu, and Electabuzz move silently through the broken tunnels of Vermilion's underground. Sirens wail above, but down here, the air feels heavier — not just with tension, but betrayal.
The System gives a faint warning:
[CAUTION]Identity Match Error.Companion Status: Liana – Suspicious Behavior Detected.
Ash frowns. He glances at Liana, walking a few steps ahead. Her hands are clenched too tightly. Her steps are too deliberate.
Before he can ask, a soft laugh echoes in the tunnel.
From the darkness steps the cold-eyed woman from the arena, flanked by masked Black Synergy agents. Liana halts… and slowly turns around to face Ash.
No fear in her eyes. Only sadness.
"I'm sorry, Ash," she says softly. "They have my brother. I never had a choice."
Ash's heart sinks. A dozen memories flash through his mind — every laugh they shared, every battle they fought side-by-side. He forces himself to stay calm.
"You had a choice," Ash says, voice low. "You just made the wrong one."
The Black Synergy leader smiles cruelly."Hand over the Genesis Core, Ash Aryan. Or your journey ends here."
Pikachu and Electabuzz step protectively in front of Ash, their bodies crackling with energy. The System flashes again:
[DEFENSE PROTOCOL ONLINE]Battle Style: Dual Combat Mode Activated.
Ash doesn't back down."Come and take it."
The battle erupts. Dark-boosted Pokémon clash against Pikachu's electric fury and Electabuzz's crushing blows. Ash commands with sharp precision, every move stronger, smarter — as if the Genesis Core itself fuels his instincts.
Liana watches from the sidelines, torn between duty and guilt.
Ash faces her once during the chaos."You can still choose, Liana. Right now."
The cold-eyed woman notices her hesitation and throws a black Poké Ball, releasing a corrupted Dragonair that coils menacingly around Liana.
Ash doesn't think. He dives forward, calling Pikachu and Electabuzz to his side, and launches a combination attack — Thunderbolt and Thunder Punch — breaking Dragonair's hold and sending the corrupted Pokémon crashing into the wall.
Smoke and dust fill the air.
When it clears, Liana is on her knees, shaking, the Genesis agents retreating into the shadows, dragging their fallen Pokémon with them.
Ash walks up slowly, offering his hand."This isn't over. But you don't have to fight alone."
Tears fall from Liana's eyes as she takes his hand."I'm sorry. I'll help you… no matter what."
Ash smiles faintly."Good. Because it's only going to get harder."
The System pings a new alert:
[MISSION UPDATE]Black Synergy Mastermind Located – Saffron City.Codename: "Eclipse."
Ash looks toward the horizon where the tallest towers of Saffron City shine under the darkening sky.
A bigger storm is coming. And Ash Aryan is ready for it.
To be continued…