Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

Aoki tended to Greninja's injuries, and the Pokémon soon regained consciousness, its expression one of profound surprise that it had survived the encounter. In the wild, battles often determined not only victory and defeat but also life and death, which was why so few Pokémon lived long enough to reach a high level of strength. This Greninja had engaged Blaziken directly, demonstrating significant confidence in its combat abilities, a trait honed through numerous life-or-death struggles that had allowed it to survive and eventually acquire the power of a Champion-level Pokémon. Its talent for battle was undeniable.

Upon waking, Greninja immediately stood up, glanced at Aoki and Blaziken with a nod of gratitude, and prepared to depart, but Aoki stopped it. Mistaking Aoki's intent, Greninja instantly dropped into a defensive stance, only to relax when it realized Aoki merely wished to ask a question. Judging by its direction of travel, this Greninja was not a resident of the lake but likely a wanderer, its very way of life defined by constant movement.

Aoki inquired about the nature of this unique space and the central volcano. Perhaps motivated by gratitude for the medical aid, Greninja shared all it knew: legends circulated among the older, more established Pokémon communities at the volcano's base. The tales spoke of a time when the central volcano had threatened to erupt, its dense smoke blotting out the sky, convincing all that the end was nigh. Then, a brilliant, multi-colored light had filled the sky, enveloping the entire space and quelling the eruption. The Pokémon responsible was thereafter revered as a deity by the space's inhabitants. However, aside from a few ancient clans, most Pokémon had never seen this savior, and the legend had gradually faded into myth. Greninja had heard this story during its travels but could not verify its truth. It had ventured to the volcano once before, but the environment was far too harsh, populated by immensely powerful Pokémon. Lacking its current strength at the time, Greninja had been forced to retreat.

Having obtained the information he sought, Aoki let Greninja leave. This was a born wanderer; attempting to capture it would be futile and benefit no one. The Greninja had earned Blaziken's and Aoki's respect through its skill. Furthermore, Aoki had little personal interest in adding a Greninja to his team; if he ever desired one, he could simply request one from Lysandre or the Kalos League. It was an option, not a necessity.

After the battle, Aoki and his Pokémon continued their journey.

Five days later, they stood at the base of the volcano.

Kommo-o was already there when they arrived, sleeping soundly at the mountain's foot, a clear perimeter around it that no other Pokémon dared cross. Aoki's group had fought their way to this point, but it was evident that Kommo-o commanded such respect that it could pass unopposed. When it learned of Aoki's intention to ascend the mountain, Kommo-o's expression turned unusually grave for the first time. Though it didn't know Aoki's purpose, it sternly warned him not to approach the crater, emphasizing that even it dared not provoke the creatures that resided there.

These warnings only solidified Aoki's theories and piqued his interest in the volcano's inhabitants. Caution was indeed necessary. He had Slowking prepare basic Teleportation coordinates as a safety precaution. Short of encountering a true Legendary Pokémon, Aoki was confident that Kommo-o's power was sufficient to prevent any instant, catastrophic defeat.

They hadn't been climbing long before the Unown tattoo on Aoki's wrist, dormant for over a month, suddenly began to glow. Sensing the Unown's urgent message, Aoki extended his psychic powers.

"The space here... it feels incredibly weak," he murmured, his own perception confirming it. The volcano acted as a fragile node in space; the dimensional barriers surrounding it were so thin that any creature with modest spatial abilities could likely tear them open with ease. "Is it connected to another dimension?" Aoki wondered.

He waved his hand casually through the air, and without any concerted effort or aid from the Unown, a spatial rift effortlessly tore open before him. The Unown's Secret Power hadn't even been necessary. Here, the fabric of reality was that delicate. Aoki watched as the rift slowly began to seal itself, but not before he caught a glimpse of what lay beyond.

"Eh—" he exclaimed softly, certain he had seen something. To confirm, he tore the space open again in the exact same spot. The second tear was even easier, like ripping paper.

In the distance, within the other dimension, he could make out three small black specks. The Unown on his wrist flashed wildly. The specks seemed to sense the rift and shot directly toward Aoki. He then realized something immense and ominous was chasing them, moving at an incredible speed.

The three specks grew larger, resolving into three distinct Unown symbols. Behind them churned a vast, gray, mist-like entity, its form indistinct and terrifying. The Unown on Aoki's wrist suddenly fell silent upon sensing this gray pursuer, the symbols settling into a static, tattoo-like state on his skin.

It was too late. The three fleeing Unown reached the weak point in space. Given the fragility of the spatial barrier here, it might as well not have existed for them.

Boom—boom—

A violent, thunderous roar erupted from the volcano Aoki stood upon. The very ground began to quake.

The three Unown flashed before Aoki in an instant and, without hesitation, attached themselves to his wrist alongside their six companions, immediately falling still and silent.

The problem, however, was that the colossal gray entity was still charging directly toward the rift.

The volcano shook more violently with the entity's approach, the tremors spreading through the entire space. The crater spewed forth great balls of superheated magma that began cascading down the mountainside.

Kommo-o, standing beside Aoki, stared at him with a dumbfounded expression. Didn't I tell you to be careful?!

Aoki's eyes were equally wide. This has nothing to do with me! I'm still at the foot of the mountain!

The spatial rift showed no signs of closing. The gray entity was now terrifyingly close, nearly upon them. Only when it was almost through the tear did Aoki finally see it clearly.

"Damn it! Slowking, retreat, now!" Aoki cursed, shouting for an immediate Teleport without a second thought.

Simultaneously, the volcano's crater exploded with another cataclysmic force. A massive shape burst forth from within.

Caw----

A deafening, piercing cry filled the entire space.

"Slowking, hurry!" Aoki urged again, desperation edging his voice.

Kommo-o stared at the gigantic bird that had erupted from the volcano, then at the seething mass of gray-black matter attempting to force its way through the spatial rift. It turned its gaze back to Aoki, its face an implacable mask.

Why did I choose to align myself with such a catalyst for disaster?!