The storm showed no sign of stopping.
Black clouds circled endlessly above Aether Castle, while golden lightning flashed between its towering spires. The ancient fortress seemed alive, breathing with mysterious energy.
Outside its colossal gates, rescue teams continued evacuating the last spectators from the destroyed League grounds.
The Gym Leaders organized Trainers into groups to help the injured.
Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny worked tirelessly.
Yet...
Every few seconds, everyone's eyes drifted back to the castle.
It stood motionless.
Waiting.
Professor Solan walked toward the castle entrance.
In his hand was a small device used to analyze ancient energy.
As he stepped within a few meters of the gate...
BZZZZT!
A golden barrier erupted from the ground, forcing him backward.
The device instantly overloaded.
Sparks flew from its screen.
Professor Solan caught himself before falling.
He stared at the broken machine.
"...Incredible."
Kai frowned.
"Can we break it?"
One of the Gym Leaders sent out a powerful Pokémon.
"Use Hyper Beam!"
A brilliant beam of energy struck the barrier.
BOOOOOOM!!
The explosion echoed for miles.
When the smoke cleared...
The barrier hadn't even cracked.
Not a single mark.
Silence filled the ruins.
Umbreal stepped toward the barrier.
Without saying a word, he reached out his hand.
The golden light reacted.
Instead of attacking him...
It gently flowed around his arm.
The runes on the castle walls began glowing brighter.
Then...
Everyone gasped.
Eclipse Lunashade slowly walked beside Umbreal.
Its crimson eyes met the barrier.
The golden light parted.
Like water.
A narrow passage appeared.
The crowd murmured in astonishment.
Professor Solan adjusted his glasses.
"...The barrier recognizes them."
Umbreal nodded.
"Not just me."
He looked at Elior.
"It recognizes the bond between Elior and Eclipse Lunashade."
Elior stepped closer.
"Umbreal..."
"You keep saying this castle knows Lunashade."
"Why?"
Umbreal remained silent for several moments.
He looked at the ancient fortress.
Then finally spoke.
"Because Eclipse Lunashade is not an ordinary Pokémon."
Everyone fell silent.
Thousands of Years Ago...
The runes on the castle walls suddenly illuminated the sky.
Golden light formed images above the ruins.
An ancient kingdom appeared once more.
Children watched in awe.
Even the Gym Leaders stood speechless.
Umbreal narrated the vision.
"Long before Luminara existed..."
"Aether Castle was the heart of the world."
The vision showed humans and Pokémon living together in harmony.
At the center of the castle stood a great crystal that radiated black-and-gold light.
Its energy spread across the entire kingdom.
"That crystal maintained the balance between Fate and Faith."
Professor Solan whispered,
"The Heart of Aether..."
Umbreal nodded.
"Yes."
The vision changed.
Darkness spread across the kingdom.
A terrible war erupted.
People fought for control of the Heart of Aether.
Power consumed them.
The balance collapsed.
The crystal shattered.
Its energy scattered across the world.
From one fragment...
A mysterious Pokémon was born.
The image slowly revealed its silhouette.
Black fur.
Golden markings.
Crimson eyes.
The crowd gasped.
It was...
Eclipse Lunashade.
Umbreal looked at Elior.
"Eclipse Lunashade wasn't created to destroy."
"It was born to restore balance."
Elior looked toward his partner.
Lunashade remained silent.
As though the memories belonged to another lifetime.
Umbreal continued.
"Every generation..."
"The Guardian chooses one Trainer."
"Not the strongest."
"Not the smartest."
"But the one whose heart seeks to protect others."
Mira smiled.
"That's Elior."
Kai crossed his arms but nodded.
"Yeah."
Elior looked back at Umbreal.
"Then what does Zeff want?"
Umbreal's expression darkened.
"The Heart of Aether still exists."
The wind suddenly grew stronger.
Golden lightning struck one of the castle towers.
"Hidden in the Throne Chamber."
Professor Solan frowned.
"If Zeff reaches it..."
Umbreal finished the sentence.
"...he can rewrite the balance of Fate and Faith."
A heavy silence followed.
Everyone understood.
This wasn't about ruling Luminara.
It was about changing the world itself.
Kai looked toward the castle.
"Then we storm the castle."
Umbreal shook his head.
"It's not that simple."
He pointed toward the towering fortress.
"The Eclipse Rebellion has already entered."
"Every floor is guarded."
"Every path is a trial."
"And Zeff planned every step."
The League Chairman stepped forward.
"We'll send the Elite Trainers."
Several Gym Leaders immediately agreed.
Mira stepped beside Elior.
"I'm coming."
Kai smirked.
"Like I'd stay behind."
Professor Solan looked at Umbreal.
"I'll accompany you. Someone needs to understand the castle's history."
Umbreal nodded.
"Then we move together."
Just as the group prepared to enter...
A booming voice echoed from the highest tower of Aether Castle.
It was Zeff.
His voice carried across the entire region.
"Elior."
The newly crowned Champion looked up.
"You've defeated every challenge placed before you."
"But this..."
A deep laugh echoed through the storm.
"This isn't a League."
The castle shook.
Its countless windows glowed with golden light.
"Welcome..."
"...to your Final Judgement."
The voice faded.
The great gates slowly opened once more.
Beyond them...
Only darkness awaited.
Umbreal stepped through the opening first.
Elior followed, with Infernarx, Lucario, Thundrion, Mystveil, Skyrend, and Eclipse Lunashade at his side.
Mira and Kai exchanged determined glances before joining them.
As the heroes crossed the threshold...
The massive gates began to close behind them.
BOOOOOOM!
The outside world disappeared.
They were now inside Aether Castle.
And somewhere in its endless halls...
Zeff was waiting.
The massive gates of Aether Castle slammed shut behind the group.
BOOOOOOOOOM!!
The sound echoed endlessly through the ancient halls.
For a few moments...
Nobody spoke.
The only sound was the steady dripping of water from the stone ceiling and the faint hum of the glowing golden runes carved into every wall.
The air was cold.
Ancient.
As if no living soul had walked these corridors for thousands of years.
Elior looked behind him.
The entrance had vanished.
Where the great doors had once stood...
There was now only an unbroken stone wall.
Kai frowned.
"The exit..."
Professor Solan walked over and examined it carefully.
"It's gone..."
Umbreal wasn't surprised.
"Aether Castle changes its own structure."
"Once you enter..."
"You don't leave until the castle allows it."
A heavy silence followed.
The group continued forward.
Their footsteps echoed through a corridor lined with enormous stone statues.
Each statue depicted an ancient Pokémon.
Dragonite.
Metagross.
Gardevoir.
Tyranitar.
Volcarona.
Dozens more.
Each held a different pose, as though standing guard over the castle.
Professor Solan's eyes widened.
"These statues..."
"They're older than the Luminara civilization."
He carefully brushed dust from one pedestal.
Ancient writing glowed beneath his hand.
He translated slowly.
"Only those who seek balance may walk the path ahead."
The group exchanged uneasy glances.
At the end of the corridor stood a massive circular chamber.
Its floor was covered in glowing golden symbols.
The moment Elior stepped onto the circle—
RUMBLE...
The chamber trembled.
Every statue surrounding them began to glow.
Stone cracked.
Dust filled the air.
One by one...
The statues moved.
The audience of stone had awakened.
Their eyes burned with blue light.
Kai instinctively reached for a Poké Ball.
"They're alive!"
Umbreal raised his hand.
"Don't attack!"
But it was too late.
The chamber sealed itself.
Golden barriers blocked every exit.
The largest statue at the center of the room slowly opened its eyes.
Stone broke away from its body.
A magnificent Pokémon emerged.
Its body shimmered with ancient golden armor.
Its wings spread majestically.
Professor Solan gasped.
"...Impossible..."
He looked at the carvings.
"It's one of the Twelve Ancient Guardians..."
The Guardian's voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"State your purpose..."
Its voice sounded neither male nor female.
It was calm.
Powerful.
Ancient.
Umbreal stepped forward.
"We have come to stop Zeff."
The Guardian remained silent.
Then asked,
"Do you seek power..."
"...or do you seek peace?"
Nobody answered immediately.
Instead...
Elior took one step forward.
He looked directly into the Guardian's glowing eyes.
"If protecting others means fighting..."
"Then I'll fight."
"Not for power."
"Not for glory."
"But because no one should suffer for someone else's ambition."
The chamber became silent once again.
The Guardian stared at Elior for several long moments.
Then...
It smiled.
The golden barriers disappeared.
Every awakened statue returned to its original position.
The Guardian slowly lowered its head.
"You may pass..."
"Champion of Luminara."
As its body dissolved into golden light, one final message echoed through the chamber.
"Beware..."
"The path ahead will test not your strength..."
"...but your heart."
The group continued deeper into Aether Castle.
The corridors twisted and turned in impossible directions.
Some staircases led upward...
Only to bring them back to the same floor.
Rooms appeared and disappeared.
Windows showed impossible landscapes.
One revealed a frozen kingdom.
Another overlooked a sea floating among the clouds.
Another showed a burning volcanic world.
Kai laughed nervously.
"This place makes no sense."
Professor Solan smiled faintly.
"That's because this castle wasn't built using ordinary architecture."
Meanwhile...
Far above the clouds...
A powerful Flying-type Pokémon sliced through the storm.
Its wings cut through the fierce winds with incredible speed.
Upon its back rode a young Trainer wearing goggles and a long blue scarf.
He stared at the towering silhouette of Aether Castle.
A determined smile crossed his face.
"Looks like I made it..."
His Staraptor cried proudly.
The Trainer leaned forward.
"Let's show them the strength of the skies!"
The Staraptor folded its wings.
It dived like a meteor toward the castle.
Inside the castle...
Elior suddenly heard a familiar cry echo through one of the broken stained-glass windows.
He looked up.
A shadow flew across the stormy sky.
Kai blinked.
"...Did anyone else see that?"
Moments later...
A powerful gust of wind swept through the corridor.
A figure landed gracefully in front of the group.
A confident grin spread across his face.
"Sorry I'm late."
Elior's eyes widened.
"Aero?!"
The Flying Champion laughed.
Standing proudly beside him was his loyal partner—
Staraptor, its eyes blazing with determination.
Aero crossed his arms and looked at Elior.
"You didn't think I'd let you save the world without me... did you?"
The tension in the group eased as smiles spread across their faces.
With Aero joining them, the journey through Aether Castle had gained another powerful ally.
A smile spread across Elior's face.
"Aero... you really came."
Aero laughed as Staraptor landed beside him.
"I promised we'd battle again someday."
He looked around at the endless halls of Aether Castle.
"...I just didn't expect it would be inside a place like this."
Kai smirked.
"Good. Now we have another strong Trainer."
Mira folded her arms.
"You certainly know how to make an entrance."
Staraptor proudly spread its wings.
The atmosphere, heavy only moments before, became a little lighter.
But Umbreal remained serious.
He looked toward the darkness ahead.
"Don't relax."
"The castle knows we're here."
As if responding to his words...
The golden runes along the walls suddenly changed color.
From bright gold...
To deep crimson.
RUMBLE...
The floor shook beneath everyone's feet.
The corridor stretched unnaturally.
The ceiling rose higher.
Ancient gears hidden inside the walls began turning.
Professor Solan stared around in amazement.
"The castle..."
"...it's changing again."
Suddenly—
A loud metallic clang echoed ahead.
Then another.
Then dozens.
Footsteps.
Heavy.
Perfectly synchronized.
From the darkness...
Figures slowly emerged.
Each wore black armor engraved with a golden eclipse.
Unlike ordinary members of the Eclipse Rebellion, these warriors moved in complete silence.
Not a single one spoke.
Each carried a Poké Ball.
The leader stepped forward.
His helmet hid his face.
He pointed directly at Elior.
Then...
Without saying a word...
He threw a Poké Ball.
A burst of light illuminated the corridor.
Aggron roared.
Immediately afterward...
The other soldiers released their Pokémon.
Houndoom.
Bisharp.
Golurk.
Absol.
Honchkrow.
More and more Pokémon filled the corridor until nearly twenty stood before the heroes.
Kai whistled.
"...That's a welcoming party."
Battle Begins
Umbreal drew a Poké Ball.
"No holding back."
A flash of crimson light.
His Umbreon landed gracefully.
"Dark Pulse!"
The blast struck a Bisharp and sent it crashing into the wall.
At the same time—
Elior: "Infernarx! Flamethrower!"
A torrent of fire swept across the battlefield.
Several opposing Pokémon scattered.
Mira released Mega Salamence.
The mighty Dragon roared, forcing several opponents backward.
Aero smiled confidently.
"Staraptor!"
"Brave Bird!"
Wrapped in blue energy, Staraptor crashed through Honchkrow, sending it flying across the hall.
Kai released his Lucario.
"Aura Sphere!"
Blue Aura exploded through the corridor.
The once-silent hall erupted into chaos.
The battle spread throughout the chamber.
Infernarx and Umbreon fought side by side.
Mega Salamence dominated the air despite the confined space.
Kai's Lucario intercepted attacks aimed at Professor Solan.
Mystveil used Psychic to protect falling debris from crushing the group.
Thundrion moved like lightning, rescuing trapped Pokémon while striking from impossible angles.
Skyrend and Staraptor flew together through the castle's towering ceiling, creating powerful gusts that disrupted the enemy formation.
For the first time...
The Eclipse Rebellion's disciplined ranks began to break.
Suddenly...
A slow clap echoed through the battlefield.
Clap...
Clap...
Clap...
Every Eclipse Rebellion soldier immediately stopped fighting.
They stepped aside.
A path opened.
From the darkness...
A tall man wearing a white cloak walked forward.
Unlike the others, his face was uncovered.
A scar crossed one eye.
His expression remained calm.
He smiled faintly.
"So..."
"These are the heroes who defeated so many of Zeff's plans."
Umbreal's eyes narrowed.
"...Commander Orion."
Professor Solan gasped.
"One of Zeff's highest-ranking officers..."
Orion bowed politely.
"Umbreal."
"It's been a long time."
Orion looked around at the group.
His gaze stopped on Elior.
"Champion of Luminara."
"I've heard much about you."
He slowly removed a black Poké Ball from his belt.
"Unfortunately..."
"None of you will go any farther."
He threw it high into the air.
A pillar of silver light erupted.
From within it emerged a powerful Pokémon.
Hydreigon.
Its three heads roared simultaneously.
The sound shook the entire hall.
The pressure radiating from it silenced every Pokémon on the battlefield.
Even Mega Salamence stared cautiously.
Aero tightened his gloves.
"...Now that's a serious opponent."
Orion smiled.
"Commander against Champions."
"Let's see whose conviction is stronger."
Hydreigon spread its massive wings.
Dark energy gathered around its mouths.
Behind Orion...
The Eclipse Rebellion soldiers slowly retreated into the shadows.
They weren't fleeing.
They were leaving the battle to their commander.
The heroes stood together.
Elior.
Mira.
Kai.
Aero.
Umbreal.
Five Trainers.
One Commander.
The first true battle inside Aether Castle...
Was about to begin.
Till the Next Phase...