Pokemon: I’m going to be a Dark type master

David sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of Agatha's study, absently flipping through a book on battle strategies while Gastly hovered beside him, occasionally peeking over his shoulder with curiosity. The peaceful silence was suddenly shattered by the shrill ring of Agatha's phone.

Agatha, seated in her high-backed chair with a cup of tea in hand, reached for the receiver. "Yes?"

A brief pause, then her lips curved into a smirk. "Oh? A challenger, is it?"

David immediately perked up.

Agatha listened for a moment longer before nodding. "I'll be there within the hour." She placed the receiver back onto its cradle and sighed.

David leaned forward. "A challenger? Does that mean you're battling?"

Agatha stood, dusting off her robe. "That's what it means, boy."

David's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Can I come watch?"

Agatha shook her head. "Absolutely not."

David deflated instantly. "But why?"

"Because it's a high-stakes match. This isn't some friendly battle—this is the Elite Four. It's dangerous, and I don't need you getting in the way."

David wasn't ready to give up. He folded his hands together and put on the best puppy-dog eyes he could muster.

Agatha, mid-stride toward the door, glanced at him—and froze.

He was good. Too good.

With a heavy sigh, she rubbed her temples. "Blast it… Fine! But you stay in the stands, and you don't cause any trouble."

David's face lit up. "Yes! I promise, Grandma!"

Gastly spun around him in excitement, giggling in triumph.

Agatha groaned, muttering under her breath, "What have I gotten myself into?"

It didn't take long before Agatha's private car was speeding down the road toward the Indigo Plateau. The journey was smooth, and David spent most of the ride bouncing in his seat, bombarding Agatha with questions about the Elite Four battles.

She answered some, ignored others, and scolded him once when he nearly spilled a bottle of juice on the seat.

By the time they arrived, the sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow over the grand battlefield of the Indigo Plateau. The enormous stadium loomed before them, a monument to power and skill.

David's eyes widened as he took in the sight. "Whoa…"

Agatha gestured toward the entrance. "Go on, find a seat. I'll be in the battlefield."

David grinned and sprinted toward the stands, Gastly floating behind him eagerly.

The Challenger Appears

The crowd murmured in anticipation as the battlefield lights flared to life. Agatha stood on her side of the battlefield, her long robe flowing slightly with the breeze, her expression one of quiet amusement.

Across from her, the challenger stepped forward—a young man, perhaps in his late twenties, with spiky blue hair and a confident smirk. His red jacket contrasted sharply with his black pants.

"I've beaten the others," he said, his voice steady. "Now it's your turn."

Agatha chuckled. "Is that so? We'll see if you can back up those words, boy."

David, sitting in the stands, grinned. This is going to be good.

The referee raised his hand. "This is an official Elite Four challenge match! Each side will use three Pokémon! Begin!"

The challenger wasted no time. "Go, Jolteon!"

A flash of light, and the sleek, yellow Electric-type materialized, sparks crackling from its fur.

Agatha smirked. "Arbok, let's begin."

The massive purple serpent uncoiled from its Pokéball, its menacing hood flaring as it hissed.

"Jolteon, Thunderbolt!"

Lightning crackled from Jolteon's body, shooting straight for Arbok.

"Dodge and Coil."

Arbok slithered out of the way with surprising speed, then tightened its body, its muscles flexing as it increased its defense.

"Thunder Fang!"

Jolteon dashed forward, fangs sparking.

"Glare."

Arbok's eyes flashed an eerie gold.

Jolteon froze mid-attack, its muscles locking up.

"Now, Earthquake."

Arbok slammed its tail into the ground. The battlefield trembled violently, sending cracks racing toward Jolteon.

Boom!

The Electric-type was launched into the air, tumbling hard as it hit the ground. It struggled to stand, still paralyzed.

"One more time."

Another Earthquake shook the arena.

Jolteon let out a weak cry before collapsing, unconscious.

"Jolteon is unable to battle!" the referee declared.

David clenched his fists. "Grandma's amazing…"

The challenger scowled but quickly recovered. "Braviary, you're up!"

A mighty screech echoed as the massive eagle Pokémon soared onto the field.

Agatha smirked. "Gengar, your turn."

A dark mist swirled, and Gengar emerged, grinning wickedly.

David felt Gastly tremble in excitement beside him.

"Braviary, Brave Bird!"

Braviary's entire body glowed with a blue aura as it rocketed toward Gengar.

"Counter with Destiny Bond."

Gengar's grin widened. Just before impact, a ghostly tether shot from its body, wrapping around Braviary.

Boom!

Braviary crashed into Gengar, sending it rolling backward.

But then—its body glowed an ominous purple.

Braviary's eyes widened as its energy drained. It let out one last cry before collapsing.

Both Pokémon fainted.

The referee raised both arms. "Both Pokémon are unable to battle!"

David gaped. "She sacrificed Gengar… just to take down Braviary?"

Gastly shivered in excitement.

The Final Round: The Challenger's Last Stand

The challenger gritted his teeth. "Fine. Last one. Go, Metagross!"

The steel behemoth landed with a heavy thud, its red eyes glowing ominously.

Agatha smirked. "Let's finish this, Golbat."

A burst of light, and the blue-winged bat took to the air, screeching.

David blinked. "Wait… a Golbat?"

He had expected something stronger.

The challenger grinned. "You've got to be joking. Metagross, Meteor Mash!"

Metagross' claw glowed a bright silver as it lunged.

Agatha didn't move. "Confuse Ray."

Golbat's eyes flashed.

Metagross, mid-attack, suddenly froze—then wobbled. It staggered sideways, slamming into the ground, completely disoriented.

David's eyes widened. "No way."

The challenger cursed. "Fight through it, Metagross! Zen Headbutt!"

Metagross tried to focus, but it ended up ramming itself into a boulder instead.

Agatha chuckled. "Now, Toxic."

Golbat spewed a thick, purple mist over Metagross. The poison seeped into its metal body, weakening it further.

The challenger was desperate now. "Meteor Mash, again!"

Metagross tried—but the confusion, the poison, and the self-inflicted damage had taken their toll.

It staggered, its body trembling—then crashed to the ground, completely out.

Silence.

Then—

"Metagross is unable to battle! Agatha is the winner!"

The crowd erupted into cheers.

David and Gastly cheered the loudest.

As David beamed, a voice beside him spoke.

"You're really into this battle, huh?"

David turned. A woman sat beside him, her arms crossed. She had long, crimson hair tied into a ponytail, and her sharp blue eyes gave her an intense, yet composed aura. She wore a high-collared blue coat, and her glasses gleamed under the stadium lights.

David blinked. "Uh… who are you?"

She smirked. "Lorelei. Another Elite Four member."

David's eyes widened. "Whoa! You're an Elite Four member too?"

She nodded. "And you?"

"I'm David. Agatha's grandson."

Lorelei raised an eyebrow. "Grandson, huh? That explains why you were so invested."

David nodded eagerly. "She's amazing!"

Lorelei chuckled. "She is. When I first met her, I thought she was just some old lady with a sharp tongue. But she's one of the toughest trainers out there. You should look up to her."

David smiled. "I already do."

Lorelei smirked. "Good."

As the crowd cheered, Agatha looked up at David, a rare, proud smile on her lips.

And for the first time in a long while, David felt truly happy.