chapter4:Potential

The sky was a vast stretch of blue as Agatha's private jet soared toward Saffron City. David sat across from her in the luxurious cabin, his small hands resting in his lap. The reality of everything he had learned still weighed heavily on him, but his mind was beginning to sharpen. He had a goal now, a purpose that cut through the fog of pain and confusion.

He was going to find his mother.

Agatha studied him for a moment before breaking the silence.

"David, how do you plan on finding your mother?"

David looked out the window, thinking carefully. "If I join the police force, I can gain access to classified information. That way, I might be able to find out where they're holding her."

Agatha nodded, seeming impressed by his quick thinking. "That's a solid plan. But there's a problem."

David turned to her, frowning. "What problem?"

Agatha sighed, adjusting the grip on her cane. "You'll have to wait ten years before you can even try."

David stiffened. "Ten years?! Why that long?"

Agatha leaned back. "The police academy only accepts candidates who are fifteen or older. The entrance exam takes place once a year, and there are thousands of applicants. Even if you were old enough, passing the exam would be tough."

David clenched his fists. "I don't have that kind of time."

Agatha smirked slightly. "That's why I have a shortcut for you."

David's ears perked up. "A shortcut?"

Agatha nodded. "You'll have to wait until you're at least ten to get your starter Pokémon. But if you can prove yourself as a strong trainer, the police academy might allow you to skip the written exam and enter directly as a recruit."

David exhaled, rubbing his chin in thought. "That's still five years of waiting."

"Five years is better than ten."

David sighed but nodded. "Fine. I'll take that route. But what will I do in those five years?"

Agatha's expression grew serious. "Train."

David sat up straighter.

"I told you I would teach you how to harness your aura," Agatha continued. "Five years is more than enough time to master the basics and develop your abilities. But I won't lie to you, boy. The training will be brutal."

David swallowed hard but nodded. "I don't care how hard it is. If it makes me strong enough to find my mother, I'll do it."

Agatha's eyes darkened with something unreadable. "It's not just about strength, David. Your aura is unique, but it's also dangerous. The Darkrai DNA inside you… it's more than just a power boost. It will affect your mind. You'll constantly feel the negative emotions of others—both Pokémon and humans. Fear, anger, despair… all of it will seep into you. If you don't learn to control it, it could destroy you."

David felt a chill crawl down his spine. "So, I'll always be on edge?"

"Yes. It's like walking a tightrope. One wrong step, and you could fall into something you can't escape from."

David gritted his teeth. "Then I'll learn to walk that tightrope."

Agatha's lips curled into the faintest of smiles. "Good answer."

She tapped her cane against the floor. "Once we reach Lavender Town, your real training begins. First, you'll study the theory of aura and how to detect it. Then, you'll learn the basics of science, psychology, and law. If you want to be a detective, you need more than just physical strength. You need intelligence, strategy, and discipline."

David listened intently.

"You'll also learn about Pokémon battles. If you want to bypass the entrance exam, you need to prove yourself as a trainer. I'll teach you everything I know."

David clenched his fists with determination. "Then I'm ready."

Agatha's expression grew solemn. "There's one more thing."

David looked at her questioningly.

"Promise me, David." Her voice was softer now, but firm. "Promise me that no matter how dark things get, no matter what you learn about yourself or your mother, you won't let it turn you into something evil."

David hesitated. The weight of her words pressed down on him.

Agatha sighed, looking away. "I've lost a student before. I don't want to lose another."

David's chest tightened. He could hear the sadness in her voice, the pain of a past she rarely spoke of.

Finally, he spoke. "I promise, Grandma."

The word slipped out before he could stop it.

Agatha's eyes widened slightly. A slow, warm smile spread across her lips.

David felt his face heat up in embarrassment. "I-I mean—"

"It's alright, boy." She reached over and patted his head. "Grandma Agatha has a nice ring to it."

David let out a small laugh. For the first time in days, the weight on his chest felt just a little bit lighter.

A few hours later, David was woken up by a familiar presence.

Gengar.

The mischievous ghost Pokémon grinned down at him, jabbing a shadowy hand at the window.

David rubbed his groggy eyes and sat up. "We're here?"

Gengar nodded eagerly.

David stretched before stepping off the jet and into the cool evening air. He followed Agatha toward a sleek black limousine waiting on the tarmac.

As they settled into the car, David turned to her again.

"You said I have an aura. Do you know what kind?"

Agatha nodded. "Aura is like an affinity—your specialty. It determines what kind of abilities you'll develop and what Pokémon will bond best with you."

David leaned forward. "What kind of abilities?"

Agatha tapped her cane thoughtfully. "A strong aura specialist can develop various techniques. Some can create shields, others can manipulate energy into weapons. The most advanced can even sense emotions from great distances or read people's intentions."

David's curiosity deepened. "What about me?"

Agatha's expression darkened slightly. "Your case is… unique."

David frowned. "Because of the Darkrai DNA?"

"Yes."

Agatha folded her hands together. "Your aura will be different from any other aura user in history. Darkrai is the embodiment of nightmares. That means your aura will be heavily linked to emotions—particularly fear, sorrow, and despair. If left unchecked, you'll constantly absorb negative energy from everything around you."

David's stomach twisted. "And if I can't control it?"

Agatha's voice was grave. "Then you'll lose yourself."

David swallowed hard.

"But," Agatha continued, "if you do learn to control it, you'll gain powerful abilities. Your mind will be untouchable—no psychic Pokémon or aura user will be able to invade your thoughts. Your presence alone will be enough to make weak-willed people and Pokémon faint. And, if you learn how to shape your aura, you can create a barrier that even the strongest attacks won't break."

David's heart pounded.

"That's… incredible."

Agatha nodded. "It is. But it's also dangerous."

She looked at him with a piercing gaze. "Mastering your aura won't just make you powerful, David. It will decide who you become."

David met her gaze, his jaw tightening.

"Then I'll master it."

Agatha smiled slightly. "Then let's begin."

As the limousine rolled through the night toward Lavender Town, David knew one thing for certain.

This was the start of something new.

Something terrifying.

Something that would change him forever.