Pokemon: Echoes of the dusk

Shion walked.

Not with purpose, not with urgency just… wandered.

His coat was dusty from the earlier incident, his scarf fluttered with the breeze, and Bidoof had retreated to his bag in apparent protest of being yeeted.

They hadn't spoken about it.

And they wouldn't.

Ever.

Again.

"Probably should've just tried climbing the wall," Shion muttered to himself. Might've hurt less.

He sighed and checked the coin pouch at his belt.

Still fairly heavy.

Not noble-heavy. But definitely comfortable-adventurer-heavy.

"…Not bad," he murmured.

For a moment, he simply stood on the edge of a plaza, the late morning sun warming the back of his neck as Ravios stretched around him busy, massive, living.

He didn't feel as lost anymore.

That realization came slow, and soft.

He wasn't here for someone else's errands now.

This was his story.

The Plate can wait, he decided. Just for a day.

He unclipped his Poké Balls.

A flash of light, and Kiba landed beside him with a bark and a tail flick, immediately sniffing the cobblestone with interest.

Raku followed, Treecko blinking in the sun, tail twitching.

Rune..well shion can't really release in the city due to its large size he could get banned for that

"Sorry Rune.. "he muttered stroking rune's pokeball

Shion smiled. "C'mon, you two. Let's enjoy ourselves a little."

The city, despite its elegance and size, was not without warmth.

Ravios had districts the central towers and royal quarters were off-limits to most, but the outer city brimmed with life.

They started near the artisan row, where local craftsmen sold dyed scarves, carved stone figures, and Pokémon-themed trinkets.

A vendor tried to sell Shion a wooden badge shaped like a Garchomp fang. Kiba growled. The vendor retracted the offer.

Next, they passed through Riverstep Bridge, a huge arched causeway with open channels beneath it where water Pokémon basked in the sun. A Magikarp flopped enthusiastically. Raku stared at it like it had two heads.

They reached the market circle, where rows upon rows of stalls sold everything from Tamato-berry curry to Grumpig-tail incense (which Shion politely avoided).

A bakery caught his eye. Fresh Oran-topped bread rolls filled the air with warm sweetness.

He paused, reached into his pouch, and bought three.

Raku immediately latched onto his, eyes wide with delight.

Kiba sniffed his and carefully laid down to chew.

Bidoof emerged from the bag just in time to see the third one and launched forward with divine conviction.

Shion didn't even try to stop him.

They walked through the garden quarter, where towering stone hedges curled into archways and delicate fountains played soft music.

Children ran by, playing with a Minccino and a Togepi who squealed with laughter.

Kiba was approached by a kid who asked if he was dyed orange.

Shion just smiled. "He plays in the dirt. A lot."

The kid nodded like this was perfectly logical.

They moved on.

Everywhere they went, there was activity.

Lanterns being strung from tower balconies.

Banners of bright gold and red unfurled from rooftops.

Workers carving symbols of the sun and shield into decorative boards.

A festival was coming.

Even Shion could tell.

"Maybe that's why the guards were so uptight," he muttered, watching a group of knights direct foot traffic near a civic square. "Security's tighter during festivals…"

He watched as a massive Skarmory flew overhead, guiding a banner mid-flight.

For a second, he felt the weight again the Plate, the purpose of his journey

But then Kiba nudged his arm with a low huff.

Raku had already climbed a low stone railing and was balancing dramatically, tail waving.

Bidoof lay belly-up in a fountain, pretending to be a fallen hero.

Shion laughed quietly to himself.

Let it wait.

They visited a small battle arena, open to public use. Shion watched a couple of local People spar a Pawniard versus a Vulpix. The match was rough, but the crowd clapped after every move.

Raku hopped on the bench beside him, eyes gleaming.

"You want to try next time?"

Treecko gave a proud little chirp.

"Alright. But no trying to headbutt a Steel-type, okay?"

Chirp.

"That wasn't a promise."

Evening came gently.

The sunlight turned orange and rich, casting long shadows and giving the buildings a golden hue.

They stopped by a quiet hill outside the festival square just high enough to see a wide view of Ravios' rooftops, spires rising in every direction like spears of light.

Shion sat on the grass, legs stretched out, arms behind his head.

Kiba curled beside him, head resting on his boot.

Raku found a warm rock to sunbathe.

Bidoof sat on Shion's chest like he owned it, staring at the sky.

"It's really not that bad here," Shion said aloud, more to himself than anyone.

He didn't say he missed Jareth's quiet, steady presence.

Or Fena's teasing.

Or Dunlin's grumbling.

But he did.

Still…

He wasn't alone.

He looked at his team mismatched, chaotic, but his.

He thought about Ren.

About Mila.

They're here somewhere. And I'll run into them. Eventually.

He smiled faintly.

"There's time."

---

The sun filtered softly through the high, arched windows of the Order of Silver Flame headquarters a towering marble structure on the east side of Ravios, trimmed with silversteel columns and a stained glass dome that shimmered with the emblem of the Ravelle Kingdom.

Ren stood in the central briefing chamber, the new crest of knighthood pinned firmly over his heart.

His uniform had changed.

Gone was the dark blue of student cadets. Now he wore polished obsidian leather reinforced with silver plate across the shoulders and forearms. The cloak draped across his back bore the Ravelle phoenix wings up, rising toward the sun.

He looked older somehow.

Taller. Still young, still quiet but the weight in his eyes told another story.

He'd earned this.

Through battles. Sacrifice. Blood, sweat, and Aura.

He was no longer a student.

He was a knight.

Commander Seris stood at the far end of the room, arms folded, posture straight. Her own cloak billowed slightly as she walked toward him, the sound of her armored boots echoing softly against the marble floor.

"You've done well," she said simply. "Your evaluations are complete. Your commission is formal. As of today, you are officially recognized by the Knight Command and Royal Council as a Knight of Ravelle."

Ren bowed deeply, his hand pressed flat against his chest.

"Thank you, Commander."

Seris nodded. Her Gallade stood behind her, silent as always, watching with calm, intelligent eyes.

"There will be no ceremony," she added. "No parade. Your deeds speak for themselves. Let others have the noise. We have work to do."

Ren nodded. "Yes, Commander."

Seris studied him for a long moment.

Then she stepped to the side, reached into a leather folder on the command table, and retrieved something.

A poster.

She walked over, handed it to him without a word.

Ren took it curiously. "What is this?"

Seris didn't reply.

He unfolded it.

His eyes scanned it quickly and widened.

It was a festival announcement, printed in bold gold and red ink, with sweeping flourishes and crests at each corner.

The heading read:

RAVELLE GRAND FESTIVAL

"Where Kingdoms Meet and Legends Rise"

It detailed an enormous public celebration to be held in a week's time.

The city would host events, cultural showcases, trade fairs, exhibitions of rare Pokémon, and most notably

THE RAVELLE ROYAL TOURNAMENT

An open invitation to all combatants adventurers, knights, mercenaries, even foreign participants from allied nations.

No rank restrictions. No noble blood required.

Anyone who could prove themselves in battle… could rise.

Beneath that, in smaller but striking font:

> Winner shall be granted a Royal Favor a request made to the Crown, within reason, and the honor of being recognized before the Royal Family.

Ren blinked slowly.

"This is real?" he asked.

Seris finally spoke. "It is."

"But… it's open entry? Anyone can join?"

"It has been over 5 years since the last Grand Tournament," she replied. "It returns now for a reason. The people need a symbol. Something to rally behind. A distraction, perhaps. Or something more."

Ren looked at the poster again.

People from all over the continent would come.

To test their strength. To win glory. To be seen.

Seris stepped closer.

"I want you to join."

Ren's head lifted slightly.

"You are no longer a student, Ren. You are a knight. A soldier of Ravelle. You survived the corrupted Hydreigon. You pushed the limits of your Aura. And most importantly… you carry yourself as one who has not yet shown the world what he truly is."

Ren said nothing, but his fingers tightened slightly on the edge of the poster.

"This tournament is not about pride," Seris continued. "It is about standing on the stage the world watches and proving who you are. For your country. For yourself."

Ren looked down again at the parchment.

Crowds.

Combat.

The Crown watching from above.

"Winner shall be granted a Royal Favor…"

It sounded like a dream.

It also sounded like a challenge.

"…I'll do it," he said.

Seris gave a slow nod.

"I expected no less."

As Ren left the chamber some time later, the poster still in hand, his steps echoed through the halls of marble and steel.

The late afternoon sun washed over the city rooftops.

In the distance, festival banners fluttered. Distant horns signaled the arrival of merchant caravans. The city was already preparing.

So was he.

That evening, back in his room, Ren sat at his desk, the poster rolled up beside him.

His Pokémon rested nearby Lucario, seated calmly by the balcony, eyes closed in meditation. Fraxure lay curled up under the table, breathing soft and even. Blaziken, recently evolved, rested by the window with one claw tapping rhythmically on the sill. Braviary perched on the wooden beam overhead, wings slightly open.

They all had grown stronger.

They all had scars.

Ren looked at them his partners, his friends and gave a soft smile.

"We're not done yet," he said.

Lucario opened one eye and gave a quiet, approving nod.

The others responded with quiet roars and rustles of feathers.

They understood.

Ren leaned back, eyes drifting toward the window and the glowing horizon beyond it.

The world was watching.

And he was ready to be seen.