The night air in Eterna Forest was still.
Darkrai hovered beside Sung Jinwoo, its body flickering like mist in the dim light.
Even after agreeing to serve him, the legendary Pokémon's presence was unsettling, like a living nightmare lingering at the edges of reality.
Jinwoo glanced at it.
'Darkrai had power, but how useful would it be in my army? Unlike his shadows, it still had a will of its own.'
Darkrai remained unchanged, simply observing him with an amused expression.
"I am not one of your fallen soldiers," it said smoothly. "I have given my loyalty, but I am still myself."
Jinwoo expected as much.
It was similar to the Rulers and Monarchs of his past life, beings who existed outside the usual limits of life and death.
If Darkrai truly was a creature born of nightmares, then it had never been 'alive' in the way other Pokémon were.
It didn't matter.
As long as it followed orders, that was enough.
Jinwoo turned away, stepping through the forest, his shadow armies following behind.
He had what he came for.
It was time to leave.
By the time Jinwoo returned to Eterna City, the streets were empty.
Only the faint glow of streetlights illuminated the old buildings, casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths.
He moved without hesitation, his soldiers keeping to the darkness.
Weavile perched silently on a rooftop, ever-watchful, while the newly turned Zangoose followed closely behind.
Darkrai, however, simply faded into the night.
Jinwoo wasn't concerned.
If the legendary Pokémon intended to betray him, it would have done so already.
As he passed by a dark alleyway, he caught movement in the corner of his vision. Someone was watching.
He didn't stop walking.
But he listened.
A hushed voice whispered, barely audible.
"…that's him."
A second voice, lower, replied.
"Are you sure?"
"I saw him in the forest. And… that thing beside him--"
The voices trailed off.
Jinwoo didn't need to hear the rest.
They were talking about Darkrai.
'Interesting.'
He turned the corner and vanished into the night.
The next morning, Eterna City was buzzing with rumors.
"They say a Darkrai was spotted in the forest…"
"I heard it wasn't alone. There was someone with it, a man in black."
"Could it be Team Galactic?"
Jinwoo sat in a small café, quietly listening.
His hood was drawn up, shielding his face from view.
Across from him, Beru stood motionless, unnoticed by the people around him.
He was nothing more than another shadow beneath Jinwoo's feet.
As expected, his actions had drawn attention.
But how much attention?
He tapped a finger against the wooden table, thinking.
Team Galactic had been in this city recently.
If they caught wind of a Darkrai being tamed, they would be very interested.
That could be a problem.
Or an opportunity.
Jinwoo finished his drink and left the café, stepping back into the streets.
He had only taken a few steps before stopping.
Someone was watching him.
He didn't turn his head, but he felt the presence, sharp, focused.
A trained gaze, not just a bystander's curiosity.
A professional.
Jinwoo sighed.
He vanished.
In an instant, he reappeared behind the observer, gripping their wrist before they could react.
A choked gasp escaped from the hooded figure as they struggled, but Jinwoo's grip was ironclad.
"Who sent you?" he asked, his voice low.
The figure tried to twist free, but it was useless.
Finally, they stilled.
"…I'm not your enemy."
A woman's voice.
Calm, but slightly strained.
Jinwoo loosened his grip slightly, just enough for her to turn her head.
Blonde hair.
A serious expression.
She was Cynthia.
Or rather, the younger version of her.
The future Sinnoh Champion.
She met his gaze without fear.
"You're strong. Stronger than anything I've seen before. But I need to know---"
Her gray eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
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