Chapter 2: On to Unova
Slateport was huge, far surpassing Rustboro. Nico nearly forgot his purpose there wanting to see the beach, museum, battle tent, and shipyard. Remembering his father could show up at any time refocused the young man. Common fisherman and traders docked in the south so Drake's son made his way to the north of the city. He arrived on a good day. Docked were the HighSpeed 2, HighSpeed 4, S.S. Tidal, Royal Unova, and the S.S. Anne. Royal Unova was the one Nico wanted, but the cost was too high. The day passed quickly and unfruitous for Nico.
It was nearly evening when the ships started to set sail, and also when there was a dragon sighting north of the city. Salamence was flying fast.
"He will be here by sunset." Nico realised. Salamence can not smell from a long distance, but once they are in your proximity, there is no escaping them. Nico knew this.
A horn blew as the Royal Unova left port. Nico ran as fast as he could but by the time he reached the dock the vessel was a few hundred yards into open water. Nico let loose his Altaria.
"Fly, Altaria. Fly to that ship." said Nico as he grabbed ahold of his first pokemon. Altaria arrived at the ship in less than a minute. Nico jumped off onto the deck to see countless pairs of eyes staring at him. Then security arrived. Nico surrendered and was taken to a cell. His pokemon were taken away. A few hours passed before the captain showed up.
"Young man, you have a lot of nerve attempting to grab a free ride on my liner. What were your reasons for your crazy antics?"
"I couldn't afford a ride and desperately need to see my uncle in Unova."
"On what business?"
"Official Dragon Clan business."
That got the Captain's attention. "You are a dragon tamer?"
"Soon to be the newest member of the Clan."
"As impressive as that is, you can not ride for free. Knowing your family, you should have honor in some capacity, so let's make a deal. You work for your ride. Food and living quarters will be part of your pay, as is the passage. Do we have an agreement?"
"Yes, Captain -?"
The cell door slid open. "Rox. You may address me as Captain Rox."
"Thank you, Captain Rox."
"So, son, are you challenge some gyms while you're in Unova?"
"I'm not sure yet, sir."
"Well if you are then you might want to stay with us all the way to Virbank City. My daughter Roxie is the gym leader there."
So Nico worked for a week before land was sighted. In that time he cleaned floors and scraps and developed a friendship with the Captain. Apparently Rox had become captain only a few short months ago when the former captain retired.
A day after land was sighted the ship entered Undella Bay and made port in Undella. Nico parted ways with the luxury liner which was next off to Humilau before turning south for Castelia. Undella was a nice town facing the bay with Reversal Mountain to its back. To the south was an untamed but beautiful path with numerous waterfalls. To the north a beach route with sheer cliffs leading to Lacunosa Town. The next morning Nico would take that route but he would need to travel fast to get to Lacunosa before two days time or he would be locked outside the walled town during the night.
The journey did not fare well. Trainers, wild pokemon, and natural obstacles all spelt disaster. At around midnight he was hopelessly lost, but luckily stumbled across a house nestled between cliffs with its own waterway back to the ocean. He knocked on the door as rain started to fall.
"Who's there?" a gruff voice asked.
"A lost trainer seeking shelter."
The door opened. "Come on in. Wouldn't be decent leaving you out."
Inside was the man who answered the door, a woman who seemed to be his wife, and two children.
"Welcome," said the woman, "I am Megan Moov, that is my husband Tod. These are our adorable grandbabies, Yancy and Curtis."
"It's nice to meet you all. I'm Nicolas."
"Do you happen to have one of the chosen water, fire, or grass type pokemon?" asked Tod.
"I don't know what you mean by chosen, but no sir, all I have are my Altaria, Skarmory, and Aron."
"That is a shame."
So Nico spent the night with the Moov family. He learned that the family was on vacation to their remote lodge and how Curtis and Yancy were child stars at Pokewood Studios. After a generous breakfast Nico went on his way.
"...And remember," said Tod, "If you ever have Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, Typlosion, Feraligatr,-"
"I understand, Mr. Moov. Again, thank you, have a good vacation."
That day fared better than the last. Less battles, a sure path, and just better luck. Unfortunately, the sun set while he was just a couple miles from Lacunosa. It was supposed to be dangerous to be so close to Lacunosa at night, but most people just regarded that as superstition, or so Nico was told.
Nico brought out Altaria to sleep on her wing as the other acted like a tent and shielded him from the elements. Nico woke up not long after falling asleep. Altaria was shivering. There was a chill in the air growing colder every second. From Nico's left came a bone-chilling gust followed by the grass being covered in frost and freezing. From the same direction Nico saw something monstrous. He see its body, only its huge, hellish, yellow eyes.
Nico withdrew Altaria, turned, and ran for his life. He ran as fast as possible to stay ahead of the beast he heard behind him trampling over trees. Nico ran into somebody. "Umph!"
"Follow me!" commanded the woman Nico had just knocked over. Nico obeyed without question. The seemed to be running nowhere in particular before the woods opened up. Nico nearly ran off the cliff, but the woman stopped him. The beast was closing in. They ran along the edge of the cliff to a bridge leading them to the top of a jutting rock. It was straight down on all sides, hewn out of an old cliff long since gone. A roar was heard from the woods. Trees were brought down and the monster emerged. Its body was mostly grey and it was bipedal. It would at Nico and the woman but did not dare cross the bridge which would surely not support its weight. After a few moments it turned around in defeat.
"Kyurem." muttered Nico as warmth returned to him.
"Yep, and the fool who didn't respect his territory."
"Who are you?"
"Pokemon Ranger Dianne. I patrol this route at night rescuing idiot trainers like you who get caught in Kyurem's hungry gaze."
"Are you ever scared it will catch you?"
"Hell yeah I am. It nearly has twice. One of those times it took my Flareon. I never saw him again nor do I expect to. It's a hard job but a job that needs doing."
Nico starred in awe of Dianne. "This is what a Clansman should be like. Strong and Overcoming."
At dawn Ranger Dianne and Nico set out for Lacunosa. The two parted ways there. The walk to Opelucid was as easy as could be. The hills were beautiful, Village Bridge was ancient, Route 11 calm, and Opelucid gleaming. The shining blue lights of the bustling city matched well with its penchant for technology while the stone gym was a good contrast for the old dragons. Located at the heart of the city, Drayden's house was easy to find.
Nico walked in and the blue doorway faded away. Inside a man sat at his desk. His hair was bone-white and his beard encompassed his face. The man looked up.
"Nicolas?"
