A/N: Can't say I have a plan for this LOL... But it's in total need of catching up. So we're gonna go for a bit longer chapter this time.
[ NACRENE CITY ]
Black staggered into the old fashioned city, rubbing his eyes. Axew was tediously running his claws through his hair to rid it of rocks and mud. After being dragged off by those strange shadow men, he was knocked out! He woke up wet and dirty on the floor of Wellspring cave, and it was nighttime. Woobats were practically trying to eat him if not for Axew staying by his side the whole time. It was late, and he desperately wanted to get to the Pokémon center to bathe and sleep in a more comfortable lodging.
"What a set of jerks…they said they were planning a distraction for me to…sabotage her. But why?" He thought aloud, Axew squeaking in the same unknowing tone. "I dunno Axew…it sounds kind of fishy, but if I don't do what they say we might be in for a worse time. I kind of want to see if the legend of the dragons is true." Axew didn't seem too sure.
"But hey, if we've gotta fight Lenora, we're gonna need a tough fighting Pokémon…let's go do that now. If we clean up we won't wanna get this out of the way." Axew nodded, looking around through the city he pointed to a patch of grass surrounded by trees nearby a preschool.
It took a half an hour to weaken his new partner Pokémon, making his team a party of two. He and Axew were completely exhausted, but prepared. "Okay, let's sleep." He walked past the billboard of Lenora's gym that illustrated the challenge. "This says it's open now, but the place looks empty…no, I'll get up at…five. That's too early for trainers. She won't be in there this late anyways, I was only out for an hour or so." He walked past the museum to the Center, missing the group of Plasma agents disappearing down the road in smoke.
The alarm shaped like a Solosis shrieked at him from the bedside table of the room. He groaned, feeling sore beyond reason as he slapped the alarm silent. Axew was in his own makeshift bed at the foot of Black's, nuzzling and slightly gnawing at a spare pillow. Black rubbed his eyes, though they refused to open. He was groggy, but refreshed from the shower earlier. The warm feeling of steam and water reentered his thoughts and drifted him into pleasant thoughts…
"Ax, AxEW!" Black's eyes opened in a few short blinks, his small dragon partner clapping his paws on his cheeks.
"Morning Axew…" He rubbed his eyes again, subconsciously looking at the clock that read 7:23. He stared at it for a few moments before sitting up suddenly. "O-oh no!" He jumped from bed and changed into his every day and freshly washed clothes, pulling his hat on once done. Axew squeaked, having never seen his trainer move so fast. He watched until he was suddenly scooped up along with Black's bag as they exited the Center, making a beeline for the museum. He entered the massive structure, finally taking a moment to breathe as the place was desolate, aside from a group of two putting together a large, dragon-like statue. "Is that a Dragonite fossil? Wow!" He observed the large skeleton. Of course he loved dragons! Elite four champion of Kanto used three Dragonites, and that was no easy task! His protégé Claire was even a gym leader focused around dragons in Johto. There was also an Elite four member from Hoenn that had dragon types, like Salamence and Flygon. The champion of Sinnoh had a Garchomp, too, which was equally fantastic. He'd heard the 8th gym leader of Unova used dragon types, but Black always thought that maybe when he was older, he could take that position…
It was still just a dream.
He was forced to stop by a tired looking man in a white scientist coat. He gave the schpeel on Lenora's tournament just-not-fast enough. Black was still groggy from sleep but high on adrenaline. What was he to do now if he missed his chance? Those goons might be after him again and do worse that knock him out. He entered the dimly lit library of red carpets and oak bookshelves. He avoided eye-contact with the very sleepy gym workers that had breakfast and picked up the first book as the entrance sign explained. He paged through the story book and found a yellow sticky note inside. Lenora's handwriting and a question was scrawled on it. He took it back to the couch and re-read it. What is the first Pokémon you met in this gym?
Curse coming this early. He glanced to the side just slightly, keeping his eyes under the brim of his hat to see a young school boy by the entrance sign, sharing his breakfast bagel with a Patrat…
He stuffed the sticky note into the couch cushion and returned the book to its shelf. He waited for the navy haired boy to move away from him before continuing this action with all the books, hoping he wasn't seen by any eyes other than Axew's over his shoulder.
He climbed up the stairs underneath the bookshelf. Who knew they'd have that sort of technology in a museum library? The case slid back into place behind him for the next trainer, though he admired the badge in his hand. His newest Pokémon Timbur was incredible in the fight, even if he was new to the group. He and Axew would surely get along. The small dragon was snuggled up into Black's jacket, cradled in his left arm while his right held the same badge he'd won. He hated troubling Axew, he was a good Pokémon, but he didn't want to risk his health with those knight-dressed people. He passed through the library, amazed to be hearing loud complaints being directed at the scientist man. He thought he heard the words "scam" and "impossible", but he took his leave quickly. He was leaving this city before anything else could go wrong.