Tiny flakes of snow floated gently down on Veilstone City. The sun had just risen over the horizon, but thanks to the current weather and plentiful skyscrapers, it was still fairly dark. One would expect it to be brighter outside at 7:30 in the morning, but it was Sinnoh after all. It always felt like winter here.

Cars could be heard honking in the morning traffic below as Shadow exited the bathroom in his high-rise apartment. He was glad he could fly to work on his charizard instead of driving. Although, it was annoying that he couldn't just walk like he used to. Ever since the police cracked down on Team Galactic, they have had to move all operations out of the official Galactic buildings to various unmarked warehouses across Sinnoh.

The 18 year old put his shirt on, his long black hair still not dry after his morning shower. He sighed as some water dripped from his hair, dampening his uniform. Shadow glanced out the window at the grey cityscape as he made his way down the hall. Once in the kitchen, he turned on the electric kettle, heating the water to a boil while he pinched a few tea leaves out of a jar and dropped them into a mug. He had time for a cup of tea before work, he thought.

Once the water was boiling, he poured it over the tea leaves, filling the mug. he then pulled a chair out and sat at his small table, reflecting on the events of the past few years as he sipped his tea...

Two Years Earlier

Shadow sat in a large office room in front of a large desk. Sitting across from him was an intimidating man with spiked blue hair, who was currently looking through a folder containing a few papers, the contents of which were unknown to the boy. He was nervous; the 16 year old boy had heard from his father that Cyrus was a fair boss and a good man, and something about him being charismatic, but all Shadow felt at this moment was pressure and anxiety.

"Your father has told me a great deal about you," Cyrus finally broke the nervous silence. "You graduated from Sunnyshore Institute of Technology at 16 years old, at the top of your class no less." The older man set down the folder and looked Shadow in the eye. "is that right?"

Shadow gulped. "Yes sir, that is correct." he said, his voice not betraying his nervousness.

"Well, if even half of the things Charon told me are true, then Team Galactic needs you. I trust your father's judgement, and he believes you're ready." Cyrus stated calmly.

Shadow smiled and nodded. "I'm prepared to help in any way I can, sir." he said in the most humble and respectful tone.

The Galactic Boss smirked. "Then welcome to Team Galactic, Shadow." Cyrus stood up and held his hand out to shake Shadow's. "I'm appointing you to work under your father as a scientist, and maybe take his place one day."

The boy stood up and firmly shook the hand of his new boss. "Thank you for this opportunity, sir." Shadow said, sounding more confident now. "I won't let you down."

Present Day

Shadow was roused from his trance-like state when Oakland, his talking Torterra, walked over to the kitchen. "Ready to head out, Commander?" the large Pokemon said in his deep, gravelly voice. The title was something Shadow had grown accustomed to over the past year since his promotion.

"Yeah, I guess we better get going.." the young man replied as he checked his watch. 7:56. He was cutting it close. Ever since his father Charon was arrested by that Interpol a*hole "Looker" or whatever his name is, Shadow had had to pick up the slack with research as well as manage what remained of the Science and Technology division at Galactic.

The commander pressed the button on Oakland's pokeball, causing the red beam to pull his Pokemon partner into the capsule. He grabbed his fur coat then walked out onto his balcony, closing the sliding glass door behind him as he walked into the cold. "Come on out, Zuko." Shadow commanded, releasing a large shiny charizard onto the balcony before climbing on its back. The fire type pokémon knew exactly where they were heading, and took off, flying east.

Once out of the city, they descended to the ground, landing right outside a warehouse in the woods. "Zuko, return." Shadow pushed the button on two pokeballs, releasing his Torterra and recalling his Charizard at the same time. He then walked to the door and scanned his retina and thumbprint on the console that controlled the lock. As soon as the door opened, the pair walked into the building. Several grunts greeted the Commander on his way to his office, to which he simply nodded in reply. Oakland wandered off to find something to eat, while Shadow continued straight down the main hall and through two warp panels.

Reaching his office, Shadow took off his fur coat and hung it up, quickly exchanging it for his labcoat, which was perfectly white except for a Galactic logo on the left side and the words "Commander Shadow" embroidered directly under it in black. The man sat down at his desk and sighed, preparing himself mentally for a long day. It had been three months since the police crackdown, and none of the Commanders had received word from Cyrus. It was as if their charismatic leader had disappeared off the face of the earth. The Commanders didn't want anyone to panic or quit on the organization, so they had continued business as usual, as if Cyrus was just in hiding, not telling their underlings about the lack of communication from their leader. Shadow, however, was beginning to worry, and he was sure the other Commanders had their doubts too. Was Cyrus... dead? Would he ever return?

All that doubt vanished when Shadow saw a notification on his computer: an urgent communiqué from Cyrus, sent out directly to the remaining commanders. He read through the email, noting the instructions, then read the last line aloud. "The new Team Galactic will rise."

[AN: So what did you guys think? should I continue the story? anyone curious as to the backstory of the talking Torterra? let me know, guys. Rate and Review please!]