Pokémon: Wings Of Shadow

"Alright! The battle is over!"

Seeing Rookidee still trying to land a final blow, Shiro quickly stopped it.

After comforting Rookidee in his arms, Shiro took out a few light blue Pokéblocks and fed them to it to restore its stamina.

Although both Pokémon in this battle were inexperienced and weak, Shiro was very satisfied with the result.

Rookidee was naturally a hard-working Pokémon. It had made some progress during the battle, and after resting and digesting the Pokéblocks, it would likely reach Beginner level.

As for Gastly, although it was a bit mischievous, its talent was excellent. It had mastered many high-level moves and Shiro was sure there were still some moves it could use that he wasn't aware of.

Shiro placed several Pokéblocks into Gastly's mouth, returned it to its Poké Ball and planned to train it slowly once it woke up.

The battle had taken quite a bit of time, and now it was evening. There were no more League trainers near the Route 9 Tunnel.

Two security guards in blue uniform were leaning on a brown cart outside the tunnel, chatting.

Shiro walked down the slope and crouched in the grass, thinking about how to get through.

If he tried to rush in while the two security guards weren't paying attention, the risk was too high. He had no idea what the situation was on the other side of the tunnel, and it would be easy to get caught.

But if he didn't enter through the Route 9 Tunnel and chose to go around...

This area was part of a very large mountain range. The League had built the tunnel here to make passing through more convenient. If Shiro tried to climb over the mountain, the danger was one thing, but the time it would take was another—it definitely wouldn't be solved in just an evening.

Standing at the foot of the mountain, Shiro looked up and saw the endless slope.

How to get through was a problem.

But Shiro was patient.

There were definitely many others like him, who needed to avoid the League trainers. How had those people made it through here?

Shiro had originally planned to wait and see, learning from their methods.

During the battle between Gastly and Rookidee, when Shiro didn't have time to observe, someone like that had probably already passed by.

He quietly waited in the grass.

Around twenty minutes later, a disheveled middle-aged man appeared, walking along the side of the mountain near the tunnel. His olive-green outdoor gear was covered in dirt.

He walked along the wall until he reached the edge of the Route 9 Tunnel. There, he immediately pulled out two Pokédollars bills and handed them to the two security guards. The guards then took a black cloak from their brown cart and draped it over the man.

The man continued to press against the wall, moving along the side of the tunnel.

Shiro had good eyesight, but he couldn't make out the exact amount of the Pokédollars.

He then placed Rookidee from his coat in the grass and took out several different denominations of Pokédollars from his bag, letting Rookidee identify them.

"Rook!"

Rookidee pointed its beak at the Pokédollar with a value of one thousand.

'A two thousand Pokédollars toll?'

Shiro nodded, then put the money and Rookidee away.

He stood up and headed for the tunnel.

However, he remembered the strange way the man had entered, by staying close to the wall.

Though confused, for safety's sake, Shiro decided to mimic the man's approach. He first moved to the side of the tunnel, closely following the wall.

He edged along the wall toward the tunnel entrance. The two blue-uniformed security guards noticed him and came closer.

After expertly taking the Pokédollars from Shiro, they pulled a black cloak from the cart and draped it over him, then gave him a warning.

"Kid, remember to stay quiet. If you come across a trainer, act like a piece of wood. Don't speak, don't move. Got it?"

Shiro nodded repeatedly, hiding his face under the black cloak and following the man's earlier movements, edging along the wall toward the tunnel.

The two guards continued to lean lazily against the small cart, casually observing the surroundings.

Inside the tunnel, it was pitch black, with no lights in sight.

The tunnel floor was a smooth dirt path, with two tracks running down the center.

Shiro had not walked far when he saw a short-haired boy darting out from the nearby forest, wearing a brown coat and running straight toward him.

Seeing another person approaching, the two security guards, who had been casually standing around, immediately straightened up, taking their positions like gatekeepers, one on each side to greet the newcomer.

However, when the boy got closer, he gave a flattering smile and reached into his coat with a dirty hand, pulling out some Pokédollars. He said, "Hehe, gentlemen, please show some leniency..."

"Damn it, I thought you were a Trainer!" The younger security guard immediately cursed, snatching the money from the boy's hand. After a quick glance at the amount, his expression softened slightly.

The older security guard handed the boy a black cloak, explaining and giving instructions, "Those without proper identification have to stick to the wall to enter. What would happen if an official Trainer sees people like you? Besides, we still need to identify everyone..." he said, putting the money into his pocket.

The short-haired boy quickly put on the cloak, constantly nodding in agreement.

Shiro, however, noticed the amount on the Pokédollars. Each one was five thousand.

'This guy looks dirty, has no identity, and is spending money so lavishly... Could I rob him along the way?'

The thought briefly crossed Shiro's mind but was quickly dismissed.

He would never take such a risky action without knowing the other person's strength.

So, Shiro continued sticking to the wall, moving further into the pitch-black tunnel. After walking roughly another 20 meters, the light from the tunnel entrance had become faint.

Suddenly, Rookidee in his coat moved, its beak pointing sharply in one direction—the tunnel ahead.

Shiro immediately stopped.

In the darkness ahead, just beyond the reach of his eyes, a figure stood still.

"Did you find me?" a faint, hoarse voice came closer.

Shiro didn't step back. Instead, he reached for his knife.

"Looks like it's your first time, huh? Did you copy me to get in?" The voice stopped about a meter away from Shiro.

He could barely make out the figure now. It was the same disheveled man who had entered before him.

The man had long, dirty hair that covered his eyes and a stubbled chin. A foul smell emanated from him.

"Kid..." The man nodded at Shiro. "Shouldn't you pay a tuition fee? Not much, just two thousand Pokédollars. I'll take you in and out, how about it?"

'Two thousand Pokédollars?'

That seemed like a small amount, and paying a newcomer's fee to gain information seemed worth it.

He didn't hesitate or think twice. He immediately agreed.

"Alright! But you need to tell me what's ahead in the tunnel first."

Shiro slightly raised his hand, pointing towards the tunnel's end.

"Hmm?" The disheveled man didn't move, his eyes locked onto Shiro's raised arm.

The next moment, Shiro struck with his knife, aiming for the man's throat.

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