Chapter 4: Training

Chapter 4: Training

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The first light of dawn illuminated the dense foliage of the forest, as Akira ventured once more among the trees. The air was cool, and the morning dew covered the grass beneath his feet. It hadn't been long since he had made the promise to become a great trainer, and although his understanding of the Pokémon world was still that of a child, his motivations had changed. He now had a clear purpose, and with Giratina's company in his shadow, he didn't feel alone. Although the legendary Pokémon remained trapped in its reduced form, its influence was beginning to grow.

"So you want to become a trainer, huh?" Giratina had said the night before, with an invisible smile. "Maybe that's our path to achieving great things."

From that moment on, Akira had decided that the forest would be his training ground. Here, among the wild Pokémon, his journey would begin. Without any human friends to accompany him, Akira felt more comfortable with the creatures that had always surrounded him. What he didn't expect, however, was to discover a new ability that would change the way he interacted with Pokémon.

As he walked through a clearing in the forest, Akira saw a small Pichu hopping between the branches of a nearby tree. The electric Pokémon, with its bright yellow fur and pointy ears, seemed to be enjoying the morning, emitting sparks as it played by itself. Akira smiled. Even though he didn't have any Poké Balls, he decided to approach the Pichu in hopes that it would accept him as a friend.

"Hey, little one," Akira said quietly, approaching cautiously. "Wanna play with me?"

Pichu watched him curiously, tilting his head as a small spark jumped between his cheeks. Akira reached out, but before he could touch him, he felt a strange sensation. His shadow, cast elongated by the sunlight, began to move on its own. Giratina, from its hiding place in Akira's shadow, seemed to be doing something.

Suddenly, the Pichu stopped moving and looked directly at Akira's shadow. A dark flash emerged from beneath the boy's feet, and before he could react, the small Pokémon was enveloped by a shadowy energy that dragged him into Akira's shadow, disappearing into it.

"What... what was that?" Akira asked, frightened, taking a step back.

"Interesting," Giratina replied in a calm voice. "It seems you've inherited more than I thought. You can summon Pokémon that accept your presence... and trap them in your shadow."

Akira looked at the ground around him, trying to process what had just happened. He didn't fully understand what it meant, but he didn't feel like the Pichu had disappeared permanently. It was as if the Pokémon was there, somewhere in his shadow, waiting for his call.

"Does that mean I can... summon it again?" "What?" he asked, still in disbelief.

"Exactly," Giratina replied. "Pokémon that agree to be your partners can reside in your shadow, ready for you whenever you need them. You don't need Poké Balls, just your bond with them… and, of course, my power."

Akira looked at his shadow in amazement. This new ability was unique, something he had never seen in any other Pokémon trainer. He crouched down, placing a hand on the grass, and focused his mind on the Pichu. In an instant, a dark shadow rose from the ground, and the small electric Pokémon emerged from nowhere, blinking in surprise, as if nothing had happened.

"It works!" Akira exclaimed, smiling widely.

Pichu, far from being scared, approached Akira and jumped onto his shoulder, emitting a small spark of electricity that made the boy laugh.

"Looks like you did well, Akira," Giratina said, his somber tone somewhat warmer. With this power, we will be able to train more Pokémon and become stronger. But remember, all power comes at a cost. Don't overuse your ability.

Although Giratina's words were full of warning, Akira couldn't help but get excited. He knew that his path as a trainer had just begun, and although he was still young, he felt capable of achieving anything. If he could train Pokémon without the need for Poké Balls, he had a unique advantage over other trainers. But beyond that, he felt more connected to the Pokémon, as if they were true life partners.

Days passed, and Akira began to practice more with his new power. The Pokémon of the forest, timid at first, soon began to accept his presence. Some, like the Pichu, joined him easily, allowing Akira to catch them in his shadow. Others, more reluctant, challenged him to prove his worth before trusting him. As his team grew, Akira also became more skilled and strategic.

However, not everything was so simple. Sometimes, he felt that something dark lurked in the power he had inherited. Every time he summoned a Pokémon from his shadow, he felt a deeper connection to Giratina, as if the legendary Pokémon was manipulating his growth for its own purposes. But Akira, excited by his progress, didn't pay too much attention to these signs.

"Remember, Akira," Giratina would often say, "the stronger you get, the closer I'll be to breaking free. And when we do, there'll be nothing to stop us."

Akira, still with the innocence of a child, simply smiled and nodded. To him, it was all still a game, an adventure to become the best trainer he could be.

However, deep in his mind, a small voice warned him that not everything was as simple as it seemed. The power of his shadow was great, but also dangerous. And although Giratina had been by his side for as long as he could remember, Akira was beginning to wonder if he could really trust it.

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