A/N - Chapter 7 is up! Hope you all like it.

Disclaimer - I do not own Pokemon.


Chapter 7: Progress; facing the Ghosts of the Past.

"Poison Jab!" Lance told Nidorino. Nidorino executed the move to perfection on the wild Drowzee, defeating it.

"Well done, Nidorino!" Lance said, recalling his Pokemon..

They were currently on Route 11, heading East. Lance had decided to go to Lavender through the second route, bypassing Saffron completely. He would go East until he reached the sea again, and then follow the coast North to Lavender Town. This would take 3 weeks as well, making him reach Lavender Town a week before the Tournament.

As he traveled, he noticed that his Pokemon were becoming harder to train. When he asked Wan about this, he had said that it was because he continuously gave them new moves, which the Pokemon were finding difficult to cope with. Wan advised him to stop teaching them new moves for a while, after they completed learning whatever they had in progress. He also said that as Pokemon grew stronger, they would be more difficult to train, as younger Pokemon found it easier to learn and grow, and this slowed down as they grew older, just as people found it more difficult to learn something as they grew older.

So, Gyarados, Charmeleon, Nidorino and Dragonair stopped learning new moves. Weepinbell and Kadabra hadn't stopped, as Wan had said not to stop in the middle of learning a move. Lance figured that Kadabra would take a week or 2 to learn the move Psychic, while Weepinbell would take less then that to master Giga Drain.


"Kadabra, try to control the tree better!" Lance said, as Kadabra struggled to move the heavy tree.

"Concentrate, Kadabra! Use Calm Mind and try again. You can do it!" Suddenly, Kadabra was surrounded by a purple aura, and so was the tree. Kadabra picked up the tree and flung it far away.

"Well done, Kadabra! Now you just need some practice in refining it better. Take some rest. You can continue after some time." Lance said.

They were a week into their journey to Lavender Town. Weepinbell had successfully learned Giga Drain, by combining the move Synthesis with his vines, and thus being able to sap power from the opposing Pokemon. Kadabra had made some headway into mastering Psychic, but clearly, he needed much more practice.

As he sat down and called for the end of the training session, all the Pokemon sat down around a campfire Charmeleon had provided.

He looked at Kadabra. "I'm sure you'll nail the move in some more days."

Yes.

Lance was shocked. He looked around, and saw nobody. Then he saw Kadabra, who was meditating, open his eyes and look at Lance.

"Wa-was that you, Kadabra?"

Yes.

"That's great, Kadabra! You're learning how to speak through telepathy! How much can you speak?"

Not much. This form of communication is not...usual. It is...uneasy.

"You mean difficult, not uneasy."

Yes, difficult. I will need more time to purify it.

"That's fine, Kadabra." Lance said. "You take your time, learn in your own pace. You can speak to me whenever you want."

Thank you, Master.

"Call me Lance."

Very well, Master Lance. Kadabra went back to meditating.

Lance smiled. 'This journey gets better everyday.'


"Come out, Dragonair, Gyarados!" He let out his two Pokemon that could swim.

Lance had reached the East Kanto Sea. He would follow this for the next week to reach Lavender Town. He let out the two Pokemon that could swim. They would enjoy the water. Also, it would give them more experience in battling in water. Lance didn't travel near water much, and hence it was difficult for them to get much experience in water.

As Lance walked down the road beside the sea, he saw his two Pokemon diving and resurfacing multiple times, sometimes throwing attacks, sometimes just splashing water at each other. Lance smiled, happy that his Pokemon were enjoying themselves.


Lance walked into Lavender Town. The town was a quiet place, with not many people about. 'Who would think that there's going to be a festival here in a few days?' Lance thought to himself.

Lance went into the Pokemon Center and asked Nurse Joy, "Where is the Tournament being held?"

Nurse Joy replied, "The Tournament is to the North of the town. Actually, the whole festival is to the North of the town. The main town does not participate, as it is beside the Pokemon Tower, and hence there is always a silence here, to respect the dead Pokemon."

"I see. Thank you, Nurse Joy."

"Anytime!"

After healing his Pokemon, Lance head towards the Tournament. He had arrived a week before the Tournament, and he wanted to see how the place was. He had decided to head towards Saffron after he finished the Tournament.

When Lance left the main town, he spotted bright banners flying and colorful streamers put up everywhere. There were rides and games, people and Pokemon performing. This place was a sharp contrast to the town Lance had just left. In the middle was a big arena that had been clearly marked out. Lance realized that this was the Tournament Arena.

After checking the place out, Lance returned to the Pokemon Center. He placed a call to Wan.

"Master Wan?"

"Hello, Lance. Have you reached Lavender Town?"

"Yes, I have."

"Good. I hope you know that you should go to the Pokemon Tower and pay your respects to the dead?"

"I have not forgotten, Master."

"Good. Now, why have you called?"

"Master, Kadabra has started to talk telepathically."

Wan was surprised. "A strong Kadabra indeed, to start so early. What is the problem, then?"

"How do I go about training him in his telepathy? I have helped him improve his language, but he needs to meditate for some time before he can establish a strong connection. Also, he is struggling with his moves now"

"That will come with time, Lance." Wan frowned. "I assume he has learned the move Psychic?"

Lance was surprised that Wan knew that. "Yes, he has."

"The Alakazam line," Wan explained, "find it easier to communicate telepathically than most other Psychic families. This ability is released only after it has enough control to extend their Psychic power over a larger area. Usually, this amount of power and control corresponds the amount of power needed to start using the move Psychic. The difference between the moves Confusion and Psychic is the amount of control, and the amount of force it can exert on an object. The move can also control a Pokemon's, or even a human's, mind. If it can do this, it is then powerful enough to link its mind to a person, or communicate with a person." Wan seemed to become more serious. "Lance, you are trying to make your Pokemon learn moves too fast. Your Kadabra is still young. Excess pressure on his Psychic powers can result in him being mentally affected, or worse, may make him lose his mind. You are not to teach Kadabra any more moves for some time. I am sending Alakazam to see your Kadabra now, and he will report back to me."

Lance was shocked that his actions may hurt his Pokemon permanently. He agreed with Wan and decided not to teach Kadabra any more moves for as long as Wan decides.

Alakazam appeared beside Lance. Lance took out Kadabra's Pokeball and released Kadabra.

Alakazam and Kadabra seemed to have a conversation telepathically.

Then Kadabra suddenly looked at Lance. His eyes glowed, and he felt himself float into the air. He was there for a few seconds, after which Kadabra deposited Lance back into the chair.

Alakazam gave Lance and Kadabra a nod, and teleported.

He appeared beside Wan on the other side of the videophone. Yet again, Alakazam seemed to have a telepathic conversation with Alakazam. He then turned to Lance.

"Thankfully, Kadabra has not been affected much by your act of teaching him moves too quickly. He will struggle with his moves for some time, but overall he will be fine. Alakazam and I have decided that Kadabra will not learn moves for 2 months, that is, until you reach Fuchsia City. However, I think you should also talk to Fabian, as he is more of an expert on Psychic Pokemon than me. Also, Kadabra should not go through your intense training for a week. He needs to get his powers back in control before he can battle again. Let him meditate for longer. Since he knows Calm Mind, this will be easier. I hope you understand, Lance. The safety of your Pokemon matter more than their power."

"I understand that perfectly, Master."

"Good. Now, let Kadabra stay outside his Pokeball. Alakazam has told him what to do, and he will follow that for a week. Do not worry, Lance. Kadabra will be fine." Wan said.

"Thank you, Master. Goodbye."

"Bye, Lance."

Lance turned to Kadabra. "Kadabra, I'm sorry about what I put you through. You could have told me, and I would have stopped immediately. Always tell me if you think there is a problem, okay?"

Very well, Master Lance. I will tell you if I have a problem.

"Good. I know what Alakazam has told you is for the best, so follow whatever he said. I am always here to help."

Thank you, Master Lance.

As they both went to their room, Kadabra sat down and started meditating. Lance wished him good night and went to sleep.


When Lance got up the next day, he saw Kadabra in the exact same position Lance had last seen him, the previous night. He decided not to bother Kadabra and as he tried to silently leave the room, a voice said in his head,

Good Morning, Master Lance.

Kadabra's voice was clearer than before. It seemed like there was a smooth connection between them and he was talking with someone face-to-face. Lance looked at Kadabra, "Good morning, Kadabra. Has the meditation helped?"

Yes, Master Lance. My mind seems to have become clearer, and I can talk more easily. However, this cannot be maintained for more than a minute, and it takes considerable energy to do this. My powers need to develop further.

"I see. Do your best, Kadabra. I am here when you need me." Lance smiled. He then asked, "Will you be able to fight in the Tournament?"

I cannot give a final answer now. I need to have better control over it before I partake in battle. I will inform you of my decision within a few days.

"Very well, Kadabra. It is your wish." Lance left Kadabra, who went back to his meditative state.

After breakfast, Lance head over to Pokemon Tower to pay his respects to the dead. As he went in, he saw many others, either standing near a grave or putting flowers over them.

He reached the shrine, and payed his respects to the departed. On his way, he met a few ghost Pokemon like Gastly and Haunter wandering the tower.

When he gave his respects and turned around, he saw a man standing there. He said, "By any chance are you from the Wataru Clan."

Lance was surprised that someone recognized him. "Yes. My name is Lance Wataru."

"Then I assume you would like to see the Dragon shrine in here." Lance didn't know there was one in the Tower. He thought that all dragons from Kanto and Johto were buried in the Dragon's Den.

Seeing Lance's confused look, the man said, "I think you are confused, are you not? You wonder whether there truly is a shrine here. Young man, many thousand years ago, Kanto and Johto were independent kingdoms, and were always at war with each other. At that time, all Pokemon who passed away in Kanto used to be buried here, Dragons and non-dragons alike. In Johto, the Pokemon were buried near Ecruteak City, but the Dragons were buried in Dragon's Den.

Then, after the Great War, the two regions made peace and established the Pokemon League, the first ever to be formed. After the two regions made peace, the Wataru Clan requested that dragons be buried in Blackthorn's Dragon's Den, a sacred place for the powerful Pokemon. And so, for the past thousand years, all dragons are buried there. However, the graves of the previously buried Pokemon still remain, deep underground, below the Pokemon Tower. There, there are shrines for all types of Pokemon, from the intelligent Psychics, to the majestic dragons, to the powerful Fire Pokemon." The man paused to take a breath.

"Now, that place is barred from everyone except authorized people. However, knowing you to be a part of the Clan, I can take you there. Would you like to come?"

Lance nodded. He knew that he should see this Dragon shrine. He went along with the man, who took him down to the reception area of the Tower. The man then went into one of the corridors leading away from the reception. Lance followed him. They walked until they reached a door. The man opened the door, and it revealed a set of steps spiraling down.

Lance and the old man walked down the steps. After what seemed like an hour, they reached yet another door. However, this door had no keyhole. The man closed his eyes, and moved his hands in a pattern. The lock clicked, and the door opened. The man ignored Lance's look of surprise and led him down yet another corridor. The corridor opened into a large room's walls seemed thousands of years old, and the floor tiles were discolored to the extant that no one would know what the real color was.

This room had many corridors leading away from it. Lance counted eighteen, nineteen including the one he had come through.

The man took him into one of these corridors. At the end of the corridor, was a door, with a figurehead of a Dragonite above it. The man opened the door, and gestured to Lance.

"Go in."

Lance walked into the room. It was lit by a dull orange light. In front of him was the statue of a huge Dragonite. On his two sides, he saw rows of tombstones. He looked behind for a second. He saw that the man was gone.

Lance was nervous, but he steeled his nerves and reached the shrine at the foot of the Dragonite. As he payed his respects, a voice called out, "Who is it that has come to this sacred room?" The voice roared, the words bouncing off the walls.

Lance was terrified of this other-worldly voice. His mind told him to turn around and run away. But his heart told him to stay and reply.

Lance swallowed, and replied in a slightly high-pitched voice, "I a-am Lance Wataru, of the Wataru Clan of Blackthorn City, successor to the leader of the Wataru Clan. I have come to pay my respects to the fallen dra-dragons of old." Lance seemed to whisper the last few words because, in front of him, it seemed like a ghost slowly materializing.

The smoke seemed to form into the shape of a Dragonite.

"Lance Wataru, I have been waiting to meet you."

"You-you have?" Lance asked in a slightly cracked voice.

"Yes. I am Galio, one of the original Dragons of this land. I have remained here for more than a thousand years, and fought for Kanto in the Great War. The statue in front of you is my grave."

Lance looked in awe. Everybody knew of Galio and his amazing strength and wisdom. It was said that he led the Dragons into war against Johto, and was unbeatable. His only match was Drago, the Dragon of Blackthorn City. Both had fought as equals, neither gaining the upper hand.

After the War ended, both dragons made peace with each other. When Galio died, he was buried where he wanted to be buried, the Pokemon Tower. After Drago passed away, he was buried in Dragon's Den. Lance had been told that Drago's spirit appeared when a new Leader was named for the Dragon Clan. He did not know that Galio's spirit, too appeared before such successors. Clearly, it was a closely guarded secret.

"I did not realize that. Please accept my apologies for not giving proper respect to this holy ground." Lance said, his voice becoming clearer.

"You have not done anything wrong, successor. I wished to meet you as it is tradition for the next leader of the Wataru Clan to come here. It is their destiny."

"I see."

"Lance, I sense that you have more capabilities than many of the previous Dragon masters that have come to this shrine. As it is my duty, I will impart you with knowledge that will guide you and help you become the next Leader of the Clan. However, before I do that, you need to release your Dragon, as I need to create the Bond."

Lance released Dragonair. Dragonair took one look at Galio and immediately bowed, slightly scared.

Galio said, "Rise, young one. It is now time that I create your Bond with your trainer."

The Spirit released a beam from his mouth, which seemed to become some sort of glowing energy that enveloped both Lance and Dragonair. Then, the glowing energy died out.

Lance did not feel any different from before. He looked at Dragonair, who was looking at Lance, clearly confused as well.

"Did you feel anything, Dragonair?"

"No, I didn't."

Lance stared. Did he just understand what Dragonair said?

"Dragonair," He said. "I think I can understand what you're saying."

"You can?" Dragonair said, surprised. Suddenly, it seemed as if he could understand what the Pokemon was saying.

Galio said, "I have just created the Bond known as the Dragon's Bond. This will help you, Lance, communicate with Dragonair. He is, as such, your first Pokemon and your closest friend. Now, you can speak to him, and you can sense his emotions, and he, yours."

Lance was happy that he could communicate with his best friend now. He asked, "Does this apply for all my Pokemon?"

"No, it is only between you and your Dragonair."

"Thank you, sir, for giving me this ability. I will forever be thankful."

"I am happy you like this ability. Now, onto the second duty I have. Lance, you will stay here for 5 days, and I will help you hone your ability to communicate with your Pokemon. Also, I will guide you and help you understand Dragons better. I shall impart you with the secrets of the ancient Dragons. However, you cannot give this knowledge to anyone else. This will remain with you only, understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well, let us begin."


5 Days Later

Lance emerged from Pokemon Tower a changed person. He was still the boy who enjoyed traveling with his Pokemon, but he seemed to have become more mature than before. Just before he had left, Galio had told him, "Lance, I have given you the ancient knowledge that will help you become a powerful Dragon Master. But remember, you are but a boy now. Do not lose your present time in what I have taught. Enjoy your boyhood years, these will never come back. Do not give yourself into the pure pursuit of power. Travel, train and experience the world. Have fun, and do not become a serious and single-minded trainer. Use the knowledge sparingly, and not as a habit. Go, Lance and continue your journey. I shall always be here to counsel you."

He made his way to the Pokemon Center. As he entered his room, Kadabra, who was sitting in the same place as he was 5 days ago, asked,

Has the Dragon of Kanto enlightened you?

"Yes, he has." Lance did not question how Kadabra knew. He clearly had read his mind.

Lance smiled. He lied down on his bed. "You've improved."

Yes, I have. Meditation has helped considerably. My control has increased, and communication is much easier now. I think I will be able to battle in the upcoming Tournament.

"Good." Suddenly, Lance realized what Kadabra had said. There was only one day left before the Tournament!

"Oh, no! I forgot about the Tournament! We need to train, now!" Lance jumped up and looked at Kadabra.

I shall remain here.

Lance nodded, and rushed out of his room. As Lance left, Kadabra felt a presence in his mind.

"Has he given into the temptation of power?" A deep voice asked.

No, he hasn't. His mind does not seem to be so. Master Lance has not lost himself to the power.

"Will he endure?"

He will endure.


Lance's Pokemon -

Dragonair - Aqua Tail, Slam, Dragon Rage, Twister, ExtremeSpeed, Dragon Tail, Flamethrower.

Charmeleon - Scratch, Growl, Dragon Rage, Metal Claw, Smokescreen, Flamethrower.

Nidorino - Peck, Double Kick, Poison Sting, Horn Attack, Fury Attack, Poison Jab.

Weepinbell - Vine Whip, Stun Spore, Toxic, Magical Leaf, Growth, Acid, Giga Drain.

Kadabra - Teleport, Disable, Psybeam, Recover, Calm Mind, Psychic.

Gyarados - Tackle, Bite, Aqua Tail, Flamethrower, Twister.

Aerodactyl (Fossil) - ?

Bet you didn't see that coming! I thought I would add something original to the story, something a bit different, outside of the 'travel, train, and beat Gym Leaders' routine.

Please R&R.

BannerMan3375, Over and Out.