I sincerely apologize for the extremely delayed update. I will release Part 2 of the story as soon as I can, and I promise not to make you wait a whole year. In the meantime, I am also working on another project for you. Please make sure to read my message at the end about what I'm working on. Thank you for your patience, and I hope you enjoy the story. As always, I aim to make my chapters lengthy, and I hope you like it! So here you go, and Action!
"Let's Battle!" – People Talking
"Let's Battle!" – Pokémon Talking
'What's he/she doing?' – Thoughts/Flashbacks
(She is safe) – (Author's note)
'Important info' - Legends/Mythical Pokémon Thoughts
"Important info" - Legends/Mythical Pokémon Talking
Sunlight streamed through the leaves above, creating bright shafts of light that illuminated every gap. Where it met the forest floor and the lake's surface, the splashes of waves at the land's edge merged with a perfect reflection. The blond teenager smirked as he faced off against his teammates.
Naruto sat on a rock in the middle of a lake, wearing black swim trunks with an orange line running down both sides. His team gathered joyfully on the shoreline, along with some others circling around him. He swiftly flipped away to dodge the 'Hydro Pump' that Tessa sent his way, countering with a kick aimed at her as he avoided a 'Water Pulse' from Ame that was aimed at his back. The playful assaults continued until Naruto worked up a sweat, while Ame and Tessa swam around him, trying to knock him off the rock while also evading his relentless attacks. This unconventional training method had the two water-types running low on energy.
"Good job today, you two! We're heading to Shalour City next, and we should arrive before lunchtime," Naruto grinned, as Tessa swam up to him and playfully licked him, nudging him slightly off the rock with an eye smile. He wiped off the drool and chuckled at his oversized Pokémon as she rubbed her massive body against him, clearly seeking more chin scratches.
"Grrrraaaaooo," Tessa rumbled, while Ame hopped onto a floating tree trunk near the shoreline to rest. Naruto nodded and settled back down on the rock that had been both his resting and training spot, positioned right in the middle of the lake beneath a Sitrus Berry tree. He knocked against the tree a few times, causing Sitrus Berries to drop, and tossed some to Tessa and Ame, who eagerly caught them while he munched on one of the remaining berries. Looking up toward the shoreline, he saw his other Pokémon having a great time relaxing as he enjoyed his snack.
Just then, he heard rustling behind him and turned around to see Mars, Saber, and Chrome carrying an assortment of fruits and berries toward the group. They climbed out of the lake, eager to enjoy a nice snack. Naruto noticed Neon trailing behind, delicately picking her way through the vegetation toward them. The others cheered as she approached, the shiny Pokémon proudly dragging a cluster of Oran berries in her mouth as if she were showcasing a trophy. A smile involuntarily curled the corners of Naruto's mouth.
After everyone finished their lunch, the teen quickly recalled his team into their respective Poké Balls and packed up his campsite, placing all his items back into his bag. He then activated a gigantic holographic display of the entire Kalos map on his wristwatch.
"Alright, time to hit the road." Hikari glided over and happily landed on his shoulder, getting comfortable as they prepared to set off.
Naruto walked at his own pace along the winding forest path, with Hikari perched on his shoulder. Various forest Pokémon, along with a few Fletchlings and Taillows, watched from the shadows of the upper branches and behind tree trunks as the duo wandered past. After some time, Naruto spotted a directional sign indicating that Reflection Cave was to the south and Route 12 to the east. His attention was drawn to three individuals engaged in conversation at the split in the road.
Noticing the trio, Naruto chose to walk past them, ignoring their banter as he did so—he simply didn't care.
"Hey, Naruto?" called an incredulous, high-pitched voice, causing the Uzumaki to cringe. He turned to see the infamous Ino–Shika–Cho trio. The blond just nodded and continued on his way.
"Are you heading toward Reflection Cave too? Do you want to tag along? We're going the same way," Choji suggested, pulling out a bag of chips from his pack.
"Nah, I'm good," Naruto replied, giving them an uninterested look as he carried on down the trail. However, they followed him without his consent.
Choji chewed loudly on a handful of chips as Ino babbled on like she was the prom queen of the world, while the sound of Choji's chip bag rattled around. Naruto felt irritation rising in him.
"Okay, I give. Why the hell are you three clowns following me?" he finally asked.
"You just happened to be walking in front. Why don't you make yourself useful and help us..." Ino started, but was interrupted by Choji and Shikamaru.
"Why don't you help yourself? You're uglier than an Alolan Persian," Naruto shot back before walking away without waiting for a reply. His comment made both Choji and Shikamaru snicker in the background. Ino, on the other hand, turned red with humiliation and stomped forward heatedly.
"Listen, you!" Ino snapped angrily, reaching out to snatch Naruto's black cloak. "You should help us, or else I'll—!"
"Or else what?" Naruto threatened in a menacing voice. Ino flinched, instinctively taking a step back, intimidated by his fierce gaze. It was a look she had never seen from him before, even in their childhood.
Shikamaru, with his usual lazy demeanor, stepped in front of Naruto to defuse the situation. He scolded Ino, pushing her back from Naruto.
"Apologize, Ino!" he said sternly. Ino muttered a soft 'sorry' before huffing and turning away, her cheeks puffed in frustration.
"Troublesome..." Shikamaru sighed as he put his hands in his pockets, looking up at Naruto with crossed arms, annoyance visible on his face.
The other teens fell silent, allowing Shikamaru to handle the conversation. He was known for being smart and skillful in these situations.
"Well, she's not wrong about one thing. Look, Naruto, we didn't mean to intrude. We were hoping to tag along until we made it out of the cave. A couple of days ago, we heard strange rumors from some trainers about a really strong Pokémon that attacks both Pokémon and trainers inside the cave. We noticed you and hoped you could help us, okay? We all know you're a more skilled trainer, and we were hoping to tag along with you. What do you say? We'll even pay you for helping us out."
Shikamaru pulled out his dark green PokéNav, and a loud "What?!" could be heard from Ino's direction. Both boys frowned at her as she grumbled before pulling out her light purple PokéNav, and Choji followed suit.
"I don't need your money," Naruto said in an irritated voice as he looked away and patted the mythical Pokémon as it went back into Naruto's black cloak. The Nara sighed 'What a drag' he thought that the Uzumaki wasn't going to budge easily, but then he had a quick idea before the Uzumaki walked away.
"Hold on, I got this added to my purchases for free from the marketplace we passed by in Lumiose City," Shikamaru said, shuffling through his bag. He pulled out a yellow, cube-shaped object. "I know you have an Elekid, and I don't really have any use for this, so it's quite troublesome to keep carrying it around. Will you think again about helping us, please?"
'An Electirizer? I could use that for Thor later on'. The blond teen thought for a moment before agreeing. "Alright then. Just until we reach the end," he said as Shikamaru handed him the yellow cube. Choji and Ino walked over, both out of breath.
Before they could continue, a flash of light emerged from Choji's bag, revealing the Pokémon inside. It was a small, horizon-blue proboscid Pokémon with large, floppy ears that it used to fan itself. The ears had two red pads on each one, along with another pad on the bridge of its short trunk. Phanpy had a single nail on each of its four feet and a short tail.
"Not again! Get that little menace back in her ball, Choji!" Ino yelled, clearly annoyed as she pointed to the baby Pokémon, which was stretching energetically and ready to play.
The little elephant dodged the red beams of light from the Pokéball, playfully scampering over to Naruto, thrilled to see a new face. Completely ignoring Choji's commands and any social cues, the long-nosed Pokémon happily tugged on Naruto's long cloak, seeking his attention.
"A Phanpy?" Naruto asked curiously, bending down to the little Pokémon's level while retrieving his Pokédex from his bag.
Phanpy: Long Nose Pokémon:This small trunk is sensitive, yet strong. It can send a person flying with an affectionate, playful bump of its snout. The trunk is also strong enough to shatter any arm bones it hits. Additionally, this little Pokémon is easily capable of carrying an adult human on its back.
Abilities: Pickup
This Phanpy is female and registered to Choji Akimichi
"I'm really sorry! She's still really young, and I just got her a few days ago, so she's been very restless…" Choji's nervous rambling was interrupted as Naruto rubbed the right side of Phanpy's floppy ears. The little elephant immediately melted into the blond's arms, completely engrossed in the amazing ear scratches. The trio looked at Naruto in amazement, having never seen the tiny elephant so quiet and composed before. The kneeling blond beckoned the Akimichi closer to him.
Choji quietly walked up behind Naruto and peered over his shoulder, a sparkle of curiosity in his eyes. He stopped eating, wide-eyed, as he watched the scene unfold.
"Hmmm." Choji observed Naruto with a mix of nervousness and determination, waiting for an evaluation from the more experienced teen. His gulp was practically deafening in the silence as he felt Naruto's obscured gaze narrowing in thought. After what seemed like an eternity, Naruto turned to the chubby teen beside him.
"Well, I can see her trunk and ears are healthy," he said, getting up and looking between the plump boy and his Phanpy as he pocketed his Pokédex. "I'm actually planning to do Pokémon contests instead of Gym battles," Choji beamed at the praise from Naruto.
"…But because she's young, she will often 'play' with their trainers by charging into them. The force of her impacts can be strong enough to shatter any arm bones she hits, and she will knock things around with her trunk for fun quite often." The trio cringed at this bit of information.
"If you're trying to showcase her appeal, you should definitely display her strength with her trunk if you want better results. You have to remember that these Pokémon can lift over 150 lbs. with their trunks alone," Naruto explained, turning to Choji once again. "Also, do your research about your own Pokémon. Knowing their characteristics and behaviors should be basic knowledge. It says something about you as a trainer."
Choji's shoulders drooped, and Shikamaru walked up, giving the boy a comforting pat on the shoulder.
"Thanks, I'll remember that next time," Choji nodded, taking in Naruto's advice to heart.
"Oh, we met up with Kiba, Shino, and Hinata a little while ago. We spent a couple of days with them while walking by Lumiose City. They said they'd seen you, so we were wondering when we'd catch up with you," Shikamaru added as Choji hurriedly returned Phanpy to her ball and took out a new bag of chips.
Naruto asked, tilting his head to the side, "So... is that why all three of you are traveling together?"
"Before we left the village, there was a rule about new trainers and rookies going off alone. Therefore, we had to travel in groups of three until we gained more experience. Shikamaru is the only one among us doing gym challenges, and he has one badge right now," Choji clarified while stuffing more chips into his mouth.
"Our parents advised us to travel together, and I'm not in any rush to get every badge, so I'm taking my time," Shikamaru shrugged his shoulders lazily.
"That's why Ino got so salty about not being on Sasuke's team," Choji specified, which earned a heavy glare from the blonde girl herself as she stomped ahead in a bad mood. Naruto briefly thought he had dodged a bullet by leaving the village when he did. 'Thank Arceus.'
"At least all my Pokémon are better than that billboard brows!" Ino stated arrogantly, likely imagining Sakura with her hands on her hips in victory because she got to be on Sasuke's team.
The blond looked away, not at all interested in that news, but paused when he heard the last bit of information from the lazy teen.
"I also heard Hinata is doing contests and participating in her first contest in Shalour City," Shikamaru replied, fiddling with his ear. Naruto was surprised by this information.
'If it's to support Hinata in her first Contest. I guess it won't be too bad to at least watch from the back.' The Uzumaki was rethinking the idea of going to watch it now.
"Actually, only Choji has a ribbon in our team, and neither Ino nor Sakura has one yet," Shikamaru replied. Ino grumbled under her breath but managed to hold her tongue.
"Well... good for you," Naruto said half-heartedly as the trio followed behind. The blond-haired girl walked beside the Uzumaki, her hands behind her back, looking at Naruto curiously.
"So, I'm going to just ask, what made you leave Konoha?" Naruto glared at the girl, his gloved hands clenched into fists. Shikamaru quickly pulled the platinum blonde away, recognizing that the topic was a sensitive one for him.
"That's none of your business," the blonde muttered, leaving the matter unresolved as they continued to follow.
"Alright, let's establish some ground rules before we go any further," Naruto said, walking ahead while the others trailed behind.
The genius Nara wasn't arguing; he already expected some sort of speech from the blond about boundaries.
"First, don't ask me any stupid questions about the past, got it? Second, do NOT expect me to come save you if you wander off the trail. This is actually for your own safety since we're going through a cave, and you don't know if we may get separated in the dark."
"Three, you better listen to all my instructions in case of an emergency. I do not need anyone dying on me because they want to be stupid. If I tell you to run you better pick up your shit quick and book it. And if you decide to be insubordinate. I will punch you regardless of gender." Naruto cracked his knuckles, causing the three to flinch and take a step backward from the verbal warning. He nodded sharply before turning around and continuing to walk away, with the Ino-Shika-Cho trio trailing slightly behind him.
"Hey, Naruto! I had a chance to read a couple of your scholarly articles in the latest issues of Kalos Spotlight and Mythical Allure magazines. It was really cool! Did you really get to take part in the Bell Tower ceremony summoning Ho-oh and battle Drake from the Orange Islands Championship?" I said, trying to break the silence and showing my interest in the stories that the reporters shared with the public. He never thought he had a bad relationship with the blonde, but he wanted to see if he could break the ice and hopefully mend their broken friendship. Since it wasn't a direct question about his dark past but rather material from a different source of information, he felt it was worth a try. Naruto sat in silence, lost in thought. 'It was probably Gabby who posted that article.' Needless to say, the lady was relentless as she practically begged on her knees, in tears, asking the blond for a few of his discoveries and scholarly reports. These reports had been shared with some of the regional professors and documented his research results, along with articles from prestigious university records. The blond eventually gave in after she insisted on following him until she received at least something from him. Naruto felt a bit sorry for Ty, the cameraman, who was stuck by her side until his job contract was complete. After a minute of silence, the blond-haired teen finally nodded in agreement.
Choji continued to chat excitedly, bombarding the group with questions about Pokémon, while the blond remained relatively quiet. Shikamaru stared lazily but couldn't hide a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. Ino wanted to jump in with her own questions but held herself back, preferring to listen to the juicy gossip she could share later.
"We're here," Naruto announced suddenly. The others looked around and saw they were approaching the mouth of a gigantic tunnel that pierced through the colossal rock to the other side of the mountain. Many first-timers likely shared their awe and astonishment; it must have taken years to carve such a massive hole through this type of stone. Was it even possible with conventional tools? As they moved closer to the entrance, Naruto slowed his pace, gazing up at the large crystals jutting out from the stone doorway on either side. They sparkled brilliantly amid the mountain rocks, and the details were exquisite. Naruto wondered if the crystals served a specific purpose.
"These crystals are huge! I wonder why they're blocked off like this?" Choji asked curiously as he pushed against the shiny stones, but the chubby teen couldn't budge them.
"I would love a few to make some really cute hair clips for myself," Ino thought out loud, nearly drooling over the glimmering gems, hoping Choji would break off a couple for her to snatch.
"I bet some people got greedy trying to steal them, which is why they put up warning signs for materialistic individuals like yourself," Naruto replied dryly, gesturing toward the signs prohibiting the removal of the crystals before walking past the duo with his hands in his pockets. Shikamaru sensed the underlying tone in Naruto's voice.
As the teens stepped into the cave, it felt like entering another dimension. The cool air that met them suggested hints of an early winter. The tunnel was dark, providing a perfect backdrop for the vibrant treasures within. Shards of glowing jewels in various colors were embedded in the walls, similar to rainbow quartz. Shades of blue and green resonated together, dancing across the walls like mythical lights.
The scene was enchanting as the trio gazed around in wonder. Naruto observed the precious stones that lined the walls like a shimmering mirror showing his reflection. He stepped closer, gently placing his gloved fingertips on the gem-like surface. With a gentle smile, he watched as Hikari glided over to marvel at the giant crystals in awe.
Naruto walked over and peered into the crystalline surface of the mirror to take in his reflection. The crystals illuminated a mysterious glow around the blond boy.
Naruto's eyes widened sharply as he noticed his reflection. His eyes had turned blood red, narrowing into slitted black pupils. The image in the mirror seemed to be in a trance, with his lips twitching, revealing sharp fangs. His reflection appeared to have a mind of its own, with blood-red eyes sparkling with sadistic intent, the pupils thin and sharp like those of a deadly predator. The swirling emotions in those blood-red eyes bore into Naruto's own cerulean ones.
They all jumped as they heard the sound of glass breaking, and their eyes widened in horror when they saw Naruto staring at the ground with a clouded expression. More cracks began to form around the fracture caused by Naruto's clenched fist on the crystal-like glass.
"Hey, you okay, Naruto?" Choji asked with concern, noticing the blond's sudden strange demeanor.
"Uh, yeah, it's nothing. I'm fine. Let's get going," Naruto said flatly. However, Shikamaru narrowed his gaze after hearing Naruto's response and glanced in the direction of the fractured crystal, wondering what had made Uzumaki so tense.
After a few minutes of persuasion, the Ino-Shika-Cho group brushed off the awkward moment and continued down the path, unaware that Naruto's eyes had flashed crimson for a brief second.
He was grateful that none of them noticed the small wound he received when he hit the shattering crystal, slicing open his hand. Naruto glanced down, his eyes shining as he watched the injury heal itself as if it had never happened. Hikari hovered nearby, holding onto her adoptive father's already healed hand with a worried expression. He gently patted her head, which eased the tiny Pokémon's concern. She purred and made herself comfortable on his shoulder as Naruto continued walking.
His long blonde hair fell over his beautiful blue eyes, partially covering his cheeks as he looked down in disdain. Naruto scowled at the unsettling sight of his mirror image.
"Damn it, this has been happening too often," Naruto muttered. He felt frustrated as he faced countless questions in these uncharted territories, unable to find any answers. Legends spoke of a Mirror World where one could encounter mirror versions of themselves—individuals who possessed characteristics completely opposite to their real-world counterparts.
A mirror reflects various qualities, characteristics, and aspects of your own essence and your most primitive self. In your daily life, when you encounter traits in others that you find unappealing, it's common to reject or feel disgusted by them. However, it is important to recognize that the qualities you dislike in others also exist within you.
He lowered his gaze, fully aware of what Nova was referring to—the Shadow Aura. Naruto recalled the dark substance that had latched onto him and the overwhelming darkness that had consumed and infected his entire body. He sighed as he remembered the excruciating pain from the surge of darkness still etched into his being.
'You're not alone anymore, Naruto… 'Nova thought.
'Thank you.' Naruto communicated with his partner telepathically, urging them not to dwell too much on this matter.
"Are you feeling better Papa?" Hikari felt worried whenever she saw a look of darkness in Naruto's eyes. Contrary to what many believed, including Naruto himself at times, she was not naïve.
"Yes, I feel a lot better," Naruto said cheerfully. "I just need a few minutes." He scratched her gently under the chin as he walked along the man-made path in the cave, following closely behind the trio.
It was a lie, and she knew it the moment he spoke those words. His smile always brightened her day. "I understand, Papa. Remember, you don't have to hide anything from me. I will be there when you need me," Hikari said softly, nuzzling his cheek adorned with whisker marks. He smiled back at her, grateful for her understanding.
CRACK!
The indent Uzumaki created, a single uneven line that slithered across the rainbow mirror, grew at an alarming speed. It expanded rapidly, becoming more spider-like as cracks formed within it. Finally, it shattered like stained glass, with light reflecting off the fragments as they plummeted to the earth. The power the blond wielded transformed the impossible into reality.
"Alright, let's take a break," the whiskered trainer said, noting that they had made good progress through the cave checkpoint. If they maintained their pace, they should make it through before midday. Naruto looked back to ensure that the others were keeping up, as they had been hiking for well over two hours.
"Why don't we have a quick bite to eat?" Shikamaru suggested, noticing his plump best friend sweating and nearly falling over in relief at the proposal.
Choji's eyes lit up as soon as those magic words were spoken, and he began inhaling some sandwiches and chips that seemed to have appeared from thin air. Ino looked at the chubby boy with disgust on her face.
"The cave opening looks pretty big," Shikamaru mused, glancing around their resting area.
Naruto blinked as he grew accustomed to the darkness surrounding them, taking in their rest spot. The fortunate thing about Reflection Cave was that as long as they kept going straight, there was an exit on the other side. They just had to move through quietly, avoiding the Zubat and Woobat swooping above them. Those creatures were incredibly annoying once they caught your attention, and Naruto wished he had brought some Repel spray.
Each time they stopped to rest, it seemed a Pokémon appeared, but it didn't always lead to disaster. The Ino–Shika–Cho trio actually worked pretty well together. While traveling through the tunnels, the three of them trained their teams. However, there was one incident when Ino's Bulbasaur and Choji's Squirtle accidentally collided their attacks into a wild Gigalith, which made it furious.
Ino's Bulbasaur and Choji's Squirtle tried to fight back, but they stood no chance and were quickly taken out, causing both trainers to run for their lives from the swarm of Roggenrolas that followed the Gigalith. Fortunately, they passed through without any more issues.
Then, Naruto picked up Tohru's Poké Ball from his belt and tossed it into the air. The moment the blond Salamence appeared with a horrifying snarl, both the Gigalith and its mini army of Roggenrolas fled the scene as quickly as possible. Naruto felt Tohru nuzzle her giant frame against his side. He smiled and began to scratch her under the jaw.
"Graaaa!" she growled happily at the attention.
The two of them had been a team for so long that they were simply happy to be in each other's presence. No words were needed between them.
"Good work, girl. As usual, you scared them off," Naruto said with a sweet voice. He was rewarded with a long lick from the giant Pokémon's rough tongue. "When we get out of here, I'm going to get you the best treat I can find."
After that awful incident, the group arrived at the cave checkpoint by an underground lake while caving. Needing some relaxation, the teens let out a few of their Pokémon. Choji spoke to Ino as he released Phanpy and his Squirtle to share a bowl of Pokéblocks. Ino let her Bulbasaur and Spewpa stretch while she bragged about her improvement in training. Shikamaru had his Abra asleep on his shoulder, enjoying the moment.
"We only got this far because of Naruto's help, you know," Choji remarked between bites of snacks. Ino didn't want to agree but kept her mouth shut as she bit down hard on a green apple she had packed.
Naruto remained quiet as he set his bag on the nearest boulder by the lake and began rummaging through it. He pulled out a pink, claw-shaped berry and handed it to Hikari. The Victory Pokémon cheered happily as she bit into the Mago Berry. Naruto drank from a bottle of water while the others discussed their plans for when they reached Shalour City.
As the teens continued to talk, a chilly breeze swept through the area. "Hmm?" Naruto turned toward the source. Small snowflakes floated down from the upper stalactites of the cave. "What was that about?" Shikamaru asked, also looking in that direction.
"I don't know," Naruto pondered, while Choji and Ino exchanged confused glances.
"Is it just me, or is it getting colder?" Choji thought aloud, noticing he could see his frosty breath.
Naruto remained unfazed as Hikari shivered from the chill. "It's probably nothing. Regardless, let's keep moving; we should be out of here before nightfall," he said, having traveled through the cave since mid-morning. The group packed up and returned their Pokémon to their respective Pokéballs. However, before Choji could return Phanpy to her capsule, she playfully galloped away.
The group stood in horror as they watched the tiny elephant sprint deeper into the cave.
"Phanpy, no! Come back!" Choji shouted as he quickly ran after her. "Choji, wait!" Shikamaru called, trying to stop their friend. He didn't realize that he was separating himself from the group. Shikamaru chased after Choji, and Ino followed behind, thinking to herself that she could not catch a break with her traveling companions. Naruto trailed behind slowly, staring at his feet. It was then that he noticed the thin layers of ice covering the underground terrain, creating loud snaps and cracks with each step.
'Damn, I have a bad feeling about this,' he thought as he ventured deeper into the cave after the two panicking teens.
A tough but sarcastic voice instructed everyone in the room. Several men and women, all wearing black uniforms with a large letter "S" on the back, were present. They also sported musical note symbols on their arm straps and black paper-boy hats. The grunts wore long, tight pants and white boots. In the middle, overseeing the entire operation, stood the leader. He had white hair tied into a ponytail and wore round glasses. With a thin, muscular build and a sly grin on his face, he looked ecstatic at the prospect of finishing on time. He was particularly pleased that the meddling young trainers had chosen to interfere with his plans.
"Kabuto-sama, we have located only a few fossils and evolutionary stones, but the Moon Stone has yet to be found," one of the grunt messengers reported. Kabuto's grin faded slightly, but he maintained his composure.
"Tsk. Figures. These Konoha kids aren't adults, so it'll take twice as long," he thought, considering that he could likely sell the stones and fossils on the black market. "Everyone, grab some pickaxes and start digging! No complaints!"
"Yes, sir!" the grunts all saluted, picked up their gear, and began chipping away at the rocky walls. Alongside them were a group of young trainers who were still forced to work in the mountain caves.
A quarter of the way through the cave, Shikamaru and Ino were breathing slightly heavier, while Naruto appeared perfectly fine.
"Crap! Another nail broke!" Ino exclaimed irritably as she dropped her backpack and frantically inspected her fingernail. Her long hair was a bit messy, and her skin and clothes were drenched in sweat, covered in bruises from the unplanned chase.
Shikamaru summarized the experience in the cave with a single word: "Troublesome."
"Oh, for the love of—!"
Suddenly, the icy walls exploded open as a four-armed boulder grappled with a horned cocoon-like Pokémon.
"It's a Graveler!" Shikamaru gasped in surprise as it pushed back its opponent with all its might. The Pokémon's eyes glowed blue as it charged a frozen orb in its mouth.
Reaching for his Pokédex, Naruto scanned the ice-covered rock. "Glalie: The Face Pokémon. While Glalie tends to be mischievous, they are considered one of the most loyal Pokémon. Colonies are known to defend their territory with the harshest of blizzards," he read.
"A Glalie? But I thought they only lived in snowy mountains or frozen caves?" he muttered, just as he noticed the incoming attack.
"IT'S AN ICE BEAM! GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Naruto warned. Hikari flew up high while Naruto, Shikamaru, and Ino took cover behind the outer walls of the cavern. They peeked out just in time to see a crystal blue ray blast from the large hole, freezing the ground and part of the walls surrounding it. The trio glanced back to see that the Graveler had been frozen solid.
"Whoa, instant freeze! Usually, it takes several seconds to completely freeze an opponent. I'm impressed—"
"Levi, Blaze Kick!" Naruto commanded, tossing a capsule. Out popped his Riolu, who front flipped into the air as red flames ignited from its foot. It delivered a scorching kick, slamming the Glalie against the wall with a powerful drop kick, indenting it.
Naruto walked over to inspect the situation, with Levi by his side, ready for anything in case the ice-type got back up again. The Glalie lay knocked out, covered in several bruises and cracks along its cocoon-like body. Ino and Shikamaru looked at Naruto, stunned.
"That wasn't a low-level Glalie," Shikamaru said, his expression serious as he examined the damage caused by the Ice-type.
"Maybe it belongs to someone?" Ino suggested.
"Could be. Come on, let's see if there's a trainer nearby, just to be sure," Naruto replied.
A tough yet snide voice instructed those in the room. Several men and women, dressed in standard cloaks and masks, lacked actual uniforms. Beneath their cloaks, they wore short, black midriff jackets with red straps over their shoulders.
In the center, overseeing the entire operation, was the leader with white hair tied back in a ponytail and round glasses. He had a thin, muscular build and wore a snide grin, clearly pleased that he might complete the operation on time.
"Kabuto-sama, we have located only a few fossils and evolutionary stones, but the Shadow Crystal has yet to be found," reported one of the Grunt messengers. Kabuto's grin faded, but he maintained his composure.
"Tsk. Figures. Everyone, grab some pickaxes and start digging! No complaints!"
"Yes, sir!" the grunts all responded, saluting as they grabbed their gear and began chipping away at the rocky walls.
"Sir, I found something!" Kabuto looked over as the grunts held up a shiny purple crystal. He snatched the gem, examining it with a wild smirk on his face.
"We're definitely on the right track. Let's move forward down this path!" he ordered, and the group followed him further along the narrow passage. Suddenly, they noticed thin layers of ice coating the underground terrain, creating audible snaps and cracks with each step. As the team of grunts and admins continued down the frozen path, they came to a halt when their boots splashed against an extended puddle of water.
One of the grunts in front reached down and dipped his fingerless gloves into the crystal-clear liquid. "It's warm," he said, causing Kabuto to snarl.
"Move forward now!" he ordered.
Taking off in a full sprint, the grunts arrived at a melted archway that appeared to have been forcefully dug and drilled through. Following the half-destroyed staircase adorned with tribal drawings, the cloaked criminals raced past hot winds and through a single passageway shattered by ice and rock, eventually reaching a frozen battlefield.
Several Glalie lay motionless on the ground while others pushed back their oppressors with beams of cold energy. Houndoom scorched the air and the frost-covered ceiling with flames as their trainers plowed through the Ice-types and deeper into the ice-coated palace.
One of the grunts, Zaku, charged forward with his Loudred following closely behind, blasting down some of the ice-coated walls without a second thought.
"Zaku, you idiot, get down!" shouted Kabuto, successfully garnering the attention of his team as ice pillars began to cover the entire terrain.
Kabuto smirked as his eyes fell on the source of the chilling beams of light. "Well, well, well, looks like we've found our prize," he said mockingly.
The frozen battlefield was massive—an ancient underground chamber filled with frost-covered columns and deep cracks lining the ground like veins. In the center of the arena, half-buried in ice and rubble, stood a jagged obelisk of blackened crystal, radiating a faint violet hue that pulsed in rhythm with an unseen force.
Kabuto stepped forward slowly, as if the very air demanded reverence. His breath fogged up his glasses, but he didn't wipe them clean. Instead, his sharp eyes peered through the mist, focused on the center of the room. The Shadow Crystal wasn't complete, but it was here—partially awakened.
"Tch… it's responding. Must be the warmth from that underground spring," Kabuto muttered. "Sir," one of the Admins said, adjusting her mask, "the structure around it looks like a battlefield altar, possibly of ancient Sinnoh or Johto design."
Kabuto snapped his fingers without looking at her. "I'm not here for a lesson on cave paintings. Secure the perimeter. If anyone—anyone—gets in, I'll personally feed them to a master's mega-Steelix."
The Admin swallowed hard, nodded, and barked orders. "Group A, fortify the passageway! Group B, get the extraction gear ready!"
The grunts spread out like a swarm, placing strange magnetic pillars around the edges of the crystal. Others began pulling in cables, machines, and a specialized containment orb—crimson and black, unlike any Poké Ball used by trainers.
Kabuto turned to his right, where a large, hulking man stepped forward to protect the white-haired man. This brute had three patches of orange hair and piercing orange eyes. He had a plain, pale face with a necklace of sharp charms dangling below. Dressed in a beige tank top, a large purple rope belt, black thin pants, and sandals with bandages wrapped around his ankles, the man's threatening expression was enough to make anyone squirm and flinch.
"Jugo, handle these annoying balls of ice!" ordered Kabuto as he tossed a Poké Ball along with the rest of the team. An Arbok emerged, slithering by Kabuto's side. The serpentine Pokémon, resembling a cobra, narrowed its eyes and bared its sharp teeth, ready to fight. One of the cloaked figures raised a metallic, three-pronged scanner, the tips glowing the same shade of violet as the crystal.
"It's still dormant… but I sense something behind the crystal," the figure rasped.
Kabuto raised an eyebrow. "Behind it?"
The cloaked figure nodded slowly. "A presence. Something old. Something… bound."
Suddenly, a chilling breeze swept through the chamber. The frost along the ground shimmered and began to crawl toward the center, as if drawn by a force beyond the laws of physics.
Then a sound echoed—a low, guttural growl. It wasn't from a Pokémon; it was deeper… more ancient.
The Shadow Crystal pulsed.
Kabuto took a slow step back, a grin curling across his face. "Heh. Looks like we've found the gate."
As the glow intensified, tribal runes along the floor flared to life with radiant light. Ice began to crack violently across the room.
"Grunts—on your guard!" Kabuto yelled as the purple cobra slid in front of him. "We're not alone anymore."
From the darkness behind the crystal, the jagged silhouette of something massive began to stir.
The crystal's pulse grew frantic—thump-thump-thump—like a war drum, shaking the battlefield's foundations. Ice splintered violently across the chamber. Chunks of rock cracked from the ceiling and fell like hail. The grunts scrambled, some drawing their Pokémon in panic.
Then came the sound—like metal scraping bone—shrrrk—as a clawed hand slowly emerged from the black crystal, tearing its way out like a creature being born.
"Formation! Defensive!" one of the Admins shouted.
Too late.
A blast of icy-black energy erupted from the obelisk, knocking back half the team. Kabuto slid across the floor, planting his heels to stay upright, his lab coat fluttering wildly from the shockwave. His glasses cracked, and yet… he laughed.
"Heh… Heheheh. It's real…"
From the shattered crystal, a figure rose—towering and otherworldly. It had a sleek, armor-like body laced with dark crystal plating, and its face was veiled by a bone-white mask with glowing violet eyes. Shadow tendrils curled from its back like living blades of smoke and ice.
The air froze around it—Poké Balls failed to open. Grunts collapsed, unable to breathe through the supernatural cold.
The ancient entity opened its maw—a sharp, split-jaw mouth—and let out a deep, echoing voice, one that reverberated in their skulls more than in their ears:
"You who dares awaken me…."
Kabuto's smirk deepened as he pushed his broken glasses up the bridge of his nose with a trembling finger.
"Oh, you can talk. Excellent."
The shadowy creature turned its head toward him and paused.
"…You are not of the chosen blood."
Kabuto chuckled. "No, but you have what we want, and this disorganization annoys me to no end... You lot, destroy it!" he ordered. Suddenly, the creature lunged forward in a blur of shadows and frost, but it never got the chance to close the distance between them. The other grunts had released quadrupedal hellhounds, black and gray-furred hyenas, and large blue bats with gaping jaws. They also unleashed occasional Fire, Rock, and Ground-type creatures.
"Camerupt, Houndoom, use Flamethrower!"
"Mightyena, Golbat, use Shadow Ball and Air Slash!"
As their commands were given, the hell hounds Houndoom and Camerupt unleashed a torrent of flames and shadowy projectiles to counteract the encroaching darkness. Mightyena and Houndoom ferociously bit and clawed at the resilient shadows and ice, while Golbat swooped in with powerful Wing Attacks and Air Slashes.
The chamber trembled under the force of their assault. Flames roared from the snarling mouths of Houndoom and Camerupt, their fire attacks striking relentlessly at the shadowed entity. Golbat screeched through the smoky air, launching Air Slashes that cut through the icy mist, while Mightyena and Tyrantrum charged across the battlefield, howling and snapping at the curling tendrils of ice and darkness.
The ancient creature recoiled—not in pain, but in surprise. Its shadowy limbs deflected the brunt of the attacks, but scorch marks marred its armor-like plating, and cracks shimmered across its crystalline chest.
"Leave…" it growled, its voice rumbling like thunder within their skulls. "This domain is not yours. Leave the crystals and live."
Kabuto responded with a scoff, his grin shining behind cracked glasses.
"I don't think so," he replied simply.
Then, he raised one hand high.
"Everything you are belongs to us now. Focus fire!"
The chamber erupted in light and fury as a coordinated strike slammed into the entity—fire, rock, darkness, and steel combining in a chaotic blast. The obelisk behind it cracked further, with veins of purple energy splintering out like lightning across the floor.
The entity roared—not in rage, but in sorrow. "You will bring ruin," it said, staggering under the barrage.
"Good," Kabuto hissed, his eyes wide with obsession.
Then, from a pile of toppled crates near the edge of the battlefield, a cheerful squeak broke through the chaos. From a half-crushed crate in the corner, a tiny blue trunk emerged, followed by a waddling gray-and-blue body. A Phanpy, big-eyed and blinking, stumbled out onto the icy floor. Its little feet skidded slightly, and it let out a cheerful toot, swinging its trunk playfully.
Oblivious to the storm of violence around it, the Phanpy bounced toward the center of the room, eager to join the action. It let out another cheerful squeal as it waddled toward the fight, trunk raised and ready to play.
Kabuto turned his head and saw the little elephant coming closer. He curled his lip in disgust. Without hesitation—
WHAM
His boot connected, sending the Phanpy flying like a kicked ball. It struck the ground hard and rolled, letting out a pained cry as it came to a stop near the collapsed edge of a broken support beam.
The creature—shadowed, wounded, and divine—paused.
But Kabuto didn't. He stepped forward again and pointed sharply. "Arbok. Remove it. Iron Tail."
A hiss slithered through the battlefield as Kabuto's Arbok rose from the debris, its gleaming scales glinting in the firelight. Its tail pulsed silver with energy as it coiled back, muscles bunched and ready to strike.
Phanpy squeaked, blinking up at the monstrous serpent with wide eyes.
The tail lashed forward—
"PHANPY!"
A blur crashed into the scene.
Choji dove from the shadows, his cloak flaring as he hurled himself between the strike and the tiny Pokémon. He scooped up Phanpy into his arms mid-leap, twisting in the air
CRACK
Arbok's Iron Tail narrowly missed Choji's shoulder, but the force still sent them both flying and tumbling across the battlefield like ragdolls. Choji hit the ground hard, shielding Phanpy with his body and clenching his teeth against the impact.
He came to a stop near a fractured pillar, clutching the dazed baby Pokémon close to him.
The divine shadow froze.
So did the fire. The chaos. The storm.
Choji lay on the ground, his arm wrapped around the trembling Phanpy, shielding it from the turmoil around them. Dust settled in the eerie silence that followed the flash. Above them, the fractured remains of the obelisk still pulsed dimly, but the divine entity had momentarily withdrawn, wounded and watching.
Choji groaned as he pushed himself upright on one elbow. His other arm remained wrapped around the tiny elephant, who blinked up at him with wide, worried eyes.
He managed a weak smile.
"Hey, hey…" he whispered, gently patting Phanpy's head. "Are you okay, Phanpy?"
Phanpy let out a soft, shaky toot, curling into Choji's side with a sniffle. Choji's hand trembled slightly as he gave the Pokémon a reassuring pat.
Then, slow, deliberate footsteps crunched over the shattered crystal.
Choji's head snapped up.
Kabuto walked toward them with maddening calm. His glasses were more cracked now, one lens completely missing, yet his grin was infuriating. He stopped just a few feet away, looking down at the pair as if they were nothing more than garbage.
"Tch," Kabuto scoffed. "You should've stayed hidden," he said coldly. "Children shouldn't interfere in matters like this." His voice was icy.
He raised a hand, and behind him, Arbok slithered forward, its wounds smoldering but its eyes burning with hatred. It prepared to unleash Hyper Beam. The snake opened its mouth with a hiss as energy began to build in its gullet—red, gold, and volatile.
"No—!" Choji cried, clutching Phanpy tighter and twisting his body to shield it.
A flash lit up the serpent's jaws.
And then—
FWUMP
The world went white.
The immense power of the beam slammed against a dome of interwoven blue-violet aura, causing it to explode outward and form a barrier just as the Hyper Beam fired. This collision made the aura dome ripple and groan like metal under pressure. Shockwaves surged outward, tearing chunks from the floor and shattering the ice beneath their feet.
Inside the barrier, the air remained still. A rift of blue and violet aura split the space just above them, resembling a blade slicing through fabric. A swirl of blue aura and wind erupted outward, and in that instant, a figure appeared in a crouch between Choji and Kabuto.
Spiky, long blonde hair danced in the wind as Naruto emerged, his black, tattered cloak billowing behind him like the wing of a celestial guardian. Most of his torn garb concealed his face, leaving only his hair and eyes visible. Veins of radiant blue and violet aura pulsed through the cloak, illuminating the war-torn battlefield with flickers of color, resembling lightning frozen in fabric.
Choji opened one eye. Naruto stood motionless, one hand still raised, his cloak billowing around him, eyes glowing with an intense light. Choji noted how the teen's boots were dug into the cracked stone, absorbing the blow with unwavering focus.
Still shielding the small, trembling Phanpy in his arms, Choji blinked in disbelief.
Naruto didn't turn around.
"Stay down," he said simply. "This won't take long."
Across the chamber, Kabuto narrowed his eyes, stepping forward slowly as his expression shifted from curiosity to annoyance.
"Who are you?" Kabuto asked flatly, tilting his head. "Are you with the League? The secret police?"
Naruto's eyes glowed faintly with an aura, but his expression remained unreadable.
"It doesn't matter who I am," he replied, his voice low and controlled. "I'm just someone who doesn't like watching people get executed."
Kabuto's frown deepened, and he lazily motioned to Arbok. "You're interfering in something far bigger than you realize."
Naruto lowered his hand slightly. "And yet you're the one shooting at a child."
Kabuto's gaze sharpened at that. "So you're a moralist. Lovely. You'll die first."
He raised a hand to command Arbok, but Naruto acted first. He snapped his fingers once, and in a shimmer of pink-violet light, a small, winged Pokémon appeared at his side, glowing like a falling star, its eyes filled with determined resolve.
"Hikari," Naruto said without looking at her. "Get them out of here."
Victini gave a quick salute and then darted toward Choji and Phanpy, leaving a trail of gold and blue aura. It gently touched Choji's shoulder with one paw.
"Wait—what about you?" Choji managed to ask.
Naruto's tone remained steady. "I'll handle this."
FWUMP.
In a swirl of light and energy, Choji and Phanpy vanished—teleported away in an instant.
High atop the cliffside of the cave, a swirl of color formed just behind Shikamaru and Ino, who stood overlooking the battlefield with tense expressions.
In a burst of energy, Choji appeared, landing hard on the rock while still cradling the Phanpy.
"W-What—?" Shikamaru turned in surprise. "Choji?! Where's—"
"Naruto!" Choji gasped. "He showed up out of nowhere… Took the Hyper Beam like it was nothing. He sent me up here. I don't know what he did, but I've never seen anything like it."
Ino was already checking Choji for wounds, her gaze drifting back down the cliff.
"Whatever's going on," she whispered, "It's not normal."
Naruto stood tall, his aura blazing around him like blue fire interlaced with violet lightning. Kabuto narrowed his eyes.
"You have power, I'll admit that," he said. "But I don't know your name or your face. And that's a problem."
Naruto took a step forward, causing the stone beneath his boots to crack.
"Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about you."
The pressure between them built, like two storms on the verge of colliding. The obelisk behind them pulsed, and the entity stirred once more. The real fight was about to begin.
Kabuto's eye twitched. He had reached his limit.
He snapped his fingers sharply.
"All units—engage! Use whatever you have left. Release your Pokémon—now!"
From the shattered archways of the broken chamber, Kabuto's grunts scrambled into position. Their hoods were torn, and their uniforms were scorched from the earlier shockwave, but they moved with desperate precision, tossing Poké Balls into the air with wild energy.
CRACK-BOOM-BOOM!
In bursts of red light and smoke, the chamber filled with Pokémon:
A Rhyperior stomped forward with a thunderous roar.
Houndooms and Mightyenas bared their fangs, spitting flame and shadow.
Golbats and Crobats shrieked as they filled the upper airspace.
Camerupts advanced, lava bubbling from their humps.
A hulking Tyrantrum moved in, jaws snapping and tail crushing stone with each step.
Kabuto pointed at Naruto, his voice sharp and commanding.
"Bury him!"
But Naruto didn't move—at least, not at first.
His hand slid to his belt.
One click. Two. Three. Four.
Poké Balls flashed from his cloak and burst open with light, flooding the chamber with an eerie blend of blue, violet, and battle-ready steel.
"Form up."
In perfect silence, his team took battle positions around him. Gyarados coiled through the shattered chamber like a siege weapon. Frogadier perched low at his side. Electabuzz crackled with growing energy. Zoroark bared its claws, the illusion already warping the air around them.
Kabuto snarled, "You think four Pokémon will stop an army?"
Naruto's eyes didn't waver.
"Funny thing about armies—they don't do very well when they're outclassed."
The clash began
"Camerupt! Use Flamethrower!"
"Houndoom, use Shadow Ball!"
"Mightyena, use Crunch!"
The chamber erupted with fire, shadows, and the sounds of fierce battle cries.
The first Pokémon emerged—a massive, serpentine figure that resembled a leviathan born from nightmares. With a roar that sent tremors through the chamber, Gyarados uncoiled into view. Her enormous body was covered in deep ocean-blue scales laced with glowing violet veins. Her fins trailed through the air like ghostly banners, and her eyes glinted with a cold, ancient fury.
Naruto raised his hand.
"Tessa, use Dragon Pulse, then Aqua Tail to sweep the front!"
Gyarados reared back, unleashing a beam of shimmering blue-violet energy that blasted through the Houndoom squad, sending them flying. With a shriek that echoed through the chamber, she slammed her tail down, sweeping the devil hounds away as if they were nothing more than dust, roaring as waves of water pulsed from her fins.
Next came a blur of navy-blue light, sleek and focused. Ame crouched low, ready to launch forward at a word.
"Ame, use Water Pulse overhead, then Double Team!"
Ame hit the ground silently, landing in a crouch beside Naruto like a ninja ready to strike. His body shimmered with a subtle sheen of violet aura, water droplets hovering unnaturally around his fingertips. He blurred into afterimages, weaving between the Crobat overhead and firing orbs of water that exploded with disorienting bursts. The air was filled with the shrieks of startled Pokémon.
Then came sparks—violent, wild, and charged with crackling yellow electricity, veins of pale violet aura flickering up his arms.
"Thor—use Thunder Wave, then Brick Break!"
He pounded his fists together, the sound echoing like drumbeats of war, then lunged at a Rhyperior with a battle cry. Static crackled off his body as he Thunder Waved a Crobat mid-flight, paralyzing it before delivering a powerful Brick Break straight into the gut of a snarling Mightyena. The force lifted the Mightyena off the ground before slamming it unconscious into the floor.
And last—
A shadow slithered forward, rising like smoke, forming a shape behind the blonde. Her mane flickered with tendrils of violet illusion, and her eyes glowed like duskfire.
The air dimmed unnaturally as she stepped into view—her mane rippling like a banner of smoke and fire. Her claws clicked against the stone floor, and her fur shifted subtly, trailing illusions as if reality struggled to decide whether she was truly there.
Naruto nodded, his eyes locking with his Zoroark.
"Menma, use Extrasensory and Night Daze from the back."
She grinned, fangs flashing, before stepping back into the shadows and disappearing again.
Naruto stealthily pulled out his Pokédex.
Arbok: Cobra Pokémon: The pattern on its belly appears to be a frightening face. Weak foes will flee at the sight of the pattern. To intimidate foes, it spreads its chest wide and makes eerie sounds by expelling air from its mouth.
Abilities: Intimidate/Shed Skin
This Arbok is Male and Registered to Kabuto
Naruto poked his deck as he stepped forward slowly, aura threads coiling tighter around his shoulders like a second skin.
And what about Kabuto?
He was done watching.
He stepped forward through the debris, his lab coat fluttering with each stride, eyes locked onto Naruto with complete disdain. His Arbok slithered at his side—fangs bared and muscles tense.
"I'm through playing games," Kabuto snarled. "You don't belong here—and I'm going to cut you out myself!"
Naruto didn't move. Not an inch.
But Arbok did.
"Thunder Fang!" With a low hiss, it lunged forward in a burst of terrifying speed, its aura flickering along its fangs, which sparked with crackling electricity. Its open jaws aimed straight for Naruto's chest—
The fangs gleamed with lethal intent.
Just as it struck—
SHOOM!
A streak of radiant light collided with Arbok mid-air, striking like a cannonball of psychic fire. Hikari intercepted in a blur of speed, her body wreathed in a shimmering blue-violet aura, and her eyes glowing with fierce psychic energy. Her small frame slammed into Arbok with a devastating Zen Headbutt, knocking the serpent sideways with a bone-cracking THWAM. It skidded across the stone floor and crashed into a support pillar.
Kabuto's eyes widened. "What—?!"
Hikari hovered mid-air, tiny and furious. The glow surrounding her intensified; her pointed ears stood erect, and her fur bristled. She landed gracefully between Naruto and Arbok's path, her back arched slightly and her wings flaring outward.
"Vi!" Hikari cried, floating protectively in front of Naruto. Her small body trembled not with fear, but with determination. Just as Arbok recovered and prepared to strike again, Hikari's eyes flashed with newfound power.
A translucent barrier snapped into existence.
'Protect'
In that desperate moment, her desire to shield Naruto had awakened a new move. As Arbok crashed against the shimmering wall, Hikari stood her ground, her wings spread wide, letting out a low, warning hiss that echoed her resolve.
No one was getting past her. Not now. Not ever.
"No one tries to hurt my Papa and gets away with it," she hissed.
Behind the protective shimmer of Protect, Naruto stared at Hikari, wide-eyed. A warm wave of pride welled up in his chest, and without thinking, he reached out to her telepathically.
"That was amazing, Hikari... I'm so proud of you."
Her eyes widened, glowing faintly, and her tiny cheeks flushed a soft pink. She floated a little higher, startled by the direct connection, but then her expression softened.
She didn't speak aloud, but Naruto could feel her joy radiating back at him—a gentle warmth, like a sunbeam on a cold day. Even with a blush still tinting her fur, she turned back to Arbok, her eyes narrowing once again.
The battlefield wasn't finished yet.
She was no longer just a partner; she was now his protector. A deep, low, protective sound echoed from her, embodying more power than her small frame should have contained. Her eyes locked onto Arbok as it slowly rose from the rubble, rattling with pain but not yet defeated.
She didn't care; she stood her ground.
A guardian of victory.
Naruto glanced at her for a brief moment, silent. The tension in the air increased as Arbok began to rise, charging up for another strike, its muscles twitching with renewed rage. Sparks danced across its scales.
Kabuto's eyes tracked every movement of the small, glowing figure before him—proud and resolute.
A Victini
She hovered just in front of Naruto, her eyes fierce and her body surrounded by a crackling blue-violet aura, still radiating the aftershocks of her Zen Headbutt that had sent his Arbok flying. Kabuto adjusted his glasses slowly, almost reverently.
"I never noticed it before, but seeing a real Victini," he murmured, his voice low with greed, "I never thought I would see one in my lifetime." He took a careful step forward, and his tone shifted from curiosity to condescension.
"Listen," he said, folding his arms across his chest. "There's no need for this to escalate further. That Pokémon you've got—it's legendary, right? Incredibly rare and valuable." He smiled. "I'm willing to make a trade." Naruto narrowed his eyes.
Kabuto continued, "Give me Victini. Hand her over, and I'll let you go. You can walk out alive. There's no need for any more casualties. That's a fair offer, isn't it?"
Silence filled the air.
Victini let out a low, psychic hum behind Naruto—clearly offended, but patiently waiting for his response.
Naruto blinked once, then raised his eyebrows. "You want her?" he asked. "Really?"
Kabuto grinned. "Think about it. She deserves a better home—one with purpose—not whatever backwater dump you crawled out of."
Naruto let out a dry, sharp chuckle and tilted his head.
"…You can go fuck yourself."
Kabuto froze.
Naruto continued, his tone laced with calm sarcasm. "Trade my partner for my life? Yeah, that sounds like a real win-win for you." His expression darkened, and his aura coiled tighter.
"But just so we're clear—if you touch her again, I'm gonna bury you so deep not even your own shadow'll remember where you died."
Kabuto's smirk disappeared, replaced by a twisted scowl. He clenched his fists in anger.
"You arrogant little shit," he spat. "You don't know who you're dealing with!"
Victini floated higher, her aura flaring around her tiny frame like a miniature sun, fangs bared as she hissed in defense of Naruto. "You don't either," Naruto shot back.
Kabuto pointed forward furiously.
"Finish them!" he commanded. "Rip them apart!"
But Victini didn't flinch. She slightly turned her head, her eyes glowing brightly again, and gave a chirp—almost like laughter but sharper and more focused.
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
I hope you enjoyed the story! As I mentioned before, I'm currently working on the next part of this chapter, and I promise I won't make you wait too long. I'm also excited to share that I'm working on a project to turn this story into an actual comic! I plan to post it on YouTube. I'm still perfecting the details and correcting any mistakes, but I've received a lot of emails. I mean a lot! Asking about this specific story, and I'm committed to making it into a comic for everyone to enjoy. I appreciate your patience, and I promise to have bits and pieces of it ready for you all. Once it's released, I will include a link below so you can watch and enjoy it. I've been getting many messages requesting this fanfic as a comic, and I won't disappoint you all. Your support means a lot to me, and I'm excited to bring this idea to life. Stay tuned; I'm definitely going to work on this for you all to enjoy. Thank you for your time and patience! Peace out!
Here are updates for Naruto's current Pokémon he has so far:
Riolu/Levi - level 25 – Male- Abilities: Inner Focus-Great Ball
Attacks: Aura Sphere, Low Kick, Blaze Kick, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Cross Chop, Detect, Circle Throw, Counter, Brick Break, Force Palm
Frogadier/Ame- level 20 – Male- Abilities: Torrent/Protean-Pokéball
Attacks: Pound, Lick, Mud Sport, Quick Attack, Water Pulse, Icy Wind, Scald, Double Team, Surf, Ice Beam
Eevee/Neon- level 21 – Female - Abilities: Adaptability/Anticipation-Heal Ball
Attacks: Tackle, Bite, Sand Attack, Hidden Power, Quick Attack, Swift, Shadow Ball, Dig, Iron Tail
Electabuzz/Thor- level 32 – Male - Abilities: Static/Vital Spirit -Quick Ball
Attacks: Thunder punch, Ice punch, Fire punch, Dynamic punch, Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Signal Beam, Low Kick, Thunder Wave, Shock Wave, Swift, Light Screen, Cross Chop, Brick Break, Double Edge, Protect
Metang/Chrome– level 38– Genderless- Abilities: Clear Body/Light Metal -Heavy Ball
Attacks: Metal Claw, Confusion, Ice Punch, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Thunder Punch, Psychic, Bullet Punch, Pursuit, Magnet Rise, Light Screen, Earthquake, Sludge Bomb, Rock Polish, Power-Up Punch, Rockslide, Body Slam, Swagger, Double Team
Victini/Hikari– level 46 – Female- Abilities: Victory Star- Dream Ball
Attacks: Quick Attack, Headbutt, Incinerate, Searing Shot, Zen Headbutt, Flame Charge, Sunny Day, Thunder, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Fire Blast, Energy Ball, Focus Blast, Dazzling Gleam, Will-O-Wisp, Psyshock, Grass Knot, V-create, Bolt Strike, Blue Flare, Glaciate, Solar Beam, Protect
Zoroark/Menma:– level 47 – Female- Abilities: Illusion - Luxury Ball
Attacks: Night Slash, U-turn, Fury Swipes, Feint Attack, Foul Play, Hone Claws, Pursuit, Agility, Sucker Punch, Counter, Extrasensory, Scary Face, Copycat, Dark Pulse, Hyper Voice, Shadow Claw, Focus Blast, Double Team, Flamethrower, Shadow Ball, Protect, Night Daze, Snarl, Low Sweep, Grass Knot, Hyper Beam
Genesect/Mars:– level 89 – Male- Abilities: Download - Cherish Ball
Attacks: Flame Charge, Electroweb, Tri Attack, Gunk Shot, Zap Cannon, Bug Buzz, X-Scissor, Slash, Lock-On, Fell Stinger, Metal Sound, Shadow Claw, Energy Ball, Rock Polish, Giga Impact, Solar Beam, Toxic Light Screen, Reflect, Hyper Beam, Thunder, Iron Defense, Iron Head, Giga Drain, Flamethrower, Psychic Ice Beam, Flash Cannon, U-turn, Thunder Wave, Techno Blast
Gyarados/Tessa:– level 52 – Female- Abilities: Intimidate/Moxie - Lure Ball
Attacks: Bite, Tackle, Twister, Ice Fang, Aqua Tail, Dragon Rage, Crunch, Hydro Pump, Dragon Dance, Hurricane, Rain Dance, Hyper Beam, Bounce, Roar, Hail, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Earthquake, Return, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Scald, Giga Impact, Stone Edge, Bulldoze, Dragon Tail, Swagger, Surf, Dark Pulse, Waterfall, Icy Wind, Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Whirlpool, Zap Cannon, Dragon Breath
Sceptile/Saber– level 62 Level: - Male - Abilities: Overgrow/Unburden -Safari Ball
Attacks: Dual Chop, Fury Cutter, Leaf Storm, Night Slash, Quick Attack, Leaf Blade, X-Scissor, Dragon Claw, Hidden Power, Sunny Day, Solar Beam, Earthquake, Brick Break, Rock Tomb, Energy Ball, Acrobatics, Swords Dance, Rock Slide, X-Scissor, Grass Knot, Substitute, Nature Power, Leech Seed, Dragon Breath, Grass Whistle, Synthesis, Frenzy Plant, Seed Bomb, Thunder Punch, Dragon Pulse, Giga Drain, Outrage, Power-up Punch, Seismic Toss, Dynamic Punch
Raikou/Zeus- level 62 Level: - Male - Abilities: Pressure/Volt Absorb-Fast Ball
Attacks: Extrasensory, Discharge, Crunch, Thunder Fang, Rain Dance, Calm Mind, Thunder, Dig, Body Slam, Double-edge, Zap Cannon, Detect, Signal Beam, Iron Head, Magnet Rise, Iron Tail, Hidden Power, Hyper Beam, Light Screen, Thunderbolt, Shadow Ball, Double Team, Sandstorm, Charge Beam, Giga Impact, Volt Switch, Thunder Wave, Bulldoze, Wild Charge, Snarl, Signal Beam, Iron Head
Gengar/Kage- level 56 Level: - Male - Abilities: Cursed Body/Levitate -Dusk Ball
Attacks: Shadow Punch, Hypnosis, Lick, Mean Look, Curse, Night Shade, Confuse Ray, Sucker Punch, Shadow Ball, Dream Eater, Dark Pulse, Hex, Nightmare, Toxic, Venoshock, Hidden Power, Taunt, Hyper Beam, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Psychic, Brick Break, Double Team, Sludge Bomb, Focus Blast, Energy Ball, Will-O-Wisp, Embargo, Shadow Claw, Dark Pulse, Dazzling Gleam, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Disable, Foul Play, Icy Wind, Knock Off, Giga Drain, Zap Cannon
Rayquaza/Sora:- level 72 Level: - Male - Abilities: Air Lock -Ultra Ball
Attacks: Twister, Crunch, Hyper Voice, Air Slash, Dragon Claw, Ancient Power, Outrage, Dragon Dance, Fly, Giga Impact, Extreme Speed, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Hyper Beam, V- Create, Iron Head, Earth Power, Aqua Tail, Defog, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Hyper Beam, Solar Beam, Thunder, Earthquake, Fire Blast, Stone Edge, Dragon Tail, Surf, Dragon Ascent
Salamence/Tohru– level 72 -Female – Abilities: Intimidate/Moxie- Friend Ball
Attacks: Ember, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Zen Headbutt, Fly, Crunch, Dragon Claw, Hyper Beam, Earthquake, Return, Fire Blast, Steel Wing, Shadow Claw, Dragon Dance, Hydro Pump, Dragon Pulse, Aqua Tail, Iron Tail, Hyper Voice, Draco Meteor, Body Slam, Heat Wave, Toxic, Stone Edge, Protect
Mewtwo/Nova– Level 100 –Genderless (In the story Mewtwo is a male) - Abilities: Pressure/Unnerve -Master Ball
Attacks: Psychic, Aura Sphere, Psystrike, Psycho Cut, Recover, Future Sight, Disable, Blizzard, Earthquake Shadow Ball, Fire Blast, Thunder, Focus Punch, Foul Play, Gravity, Stone Edge, Rest, Solar Beam, Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Sandstorm, Hail, Psyshock, Focus Blast, Water Pulse, Telekinesis, Giga Impact, Poison Jab, Thunder Wave, Toxic, Double Team, Safeguard, Protect, Light Screen, Calm Mind, Hidden Power, Magic Coat