The Crystal Adventure

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

Kenshin: Not much tail from last chapter.

Ester: Tail?

Yusei: He means sex.

Kenshin: is knocked unconscious by Ester's diamond bat

Yusei: Anyway, this chapter Lucas will battle against Gym Leader Clair. Houou will continue to watch Lucas for her judgment, and a test by dragon trainers will be placed upon Lucas.

Journal Entry 12: The Dragon Slayers


Lucas, Cheryl and Pidgeot land in Blackthorn city, dropping by the Pokemon center. After recalling Pidgeot he heads inside of the center and heads for the pc. He puts inside his Electrode and withdraws Houou's ball. "Lucas, what are you doing?"

"Houou has to watch me, right? She shouldn't be couped up in a ball then." Lucas takes Houou's ball and a blue light releases from it. Houou appears in her human form.

"I don't like her!" Cheryl growls while crossing her arms. "Why did she kiss you? Can't you stop attracting women other than me?"

"Calm down! It's not like I kissed her back!" Lucas argues with her.

"Yes you did!" - Cheryl

Lucas sighs and looks away. Houou takes this moment to hug Lucas, who shouts, "You're not helping!"

"Who are you yelling at?" Nurse Joy asks them.

"Uh..."

"Play it off as a joke." Houou quickly tells him.

"Uh, we're rehearsing a play!" He states. Joy nods and looks away. Lucas and Cheryl then walk outside the center, with the boy carrying Houou in his arms. "So, how does no one else seeing you work out?"

"Everyone else sees legendary Pokemon in their human forms as invisible ghosts. People like you and Cheryl can see us clearly." Houou speaks, while snuggling close in his chest. Lucas blankly drops her, making her chuckle a little. "Such a weird boy."

"Why are you so affectionate to me? We just met." Lucas asks her, looking down at the bird woman who soon stands up.

"I could tell you, but that doesn't really matter. You have a gym match up, right?" Houou speaks, taking Lucas' hand and preparing to pull him off to the gym.

"Hey, let go!" Cheryl shouts, taking hold of his other hand and moving ahead to the gym. 'I'm not letting you steal him away from me!'

Later In The Blackthorn Gym...

"I still don't get the lava!" Lucas shouts as he looks down at the liquid fire near his feet. "I'm not sure even dragons can survive this!"

"I can!" Houou states as she puts her right hand index finger into the liquid without getting hurt. "Of course, I'm a fire type."

"Let's just get this over with!" Cheryl says as she walks to the bridge leading to the leader's spot. After she and Lucas cross the bridge to the leader's spot, because Houou walked on the lava, they find the woman, yes it's a female gym leader, standing in waiting. She has light blue hair and a blue jumpsuit that exposes her thighs and arms with gloves and boots. She also has a cape over her shoulders and an orb strapped to her neck.

"Welcome. I am Clair, the world's best dragon master. I can even hold my own against Johto's Elite Four." She states in a gloating manner.

'I thought Lance was...' - Lucas

"Which one of you wishes to battle me?" She asks. Lucas steps forward and raises his left hand. "Very well. Our battle will take place outside."

"EH?" - Lucas/Cheryl

...

"This will be a three on three battle. Only the challenger can change Pokemon, and to you if you win goes the Rising Badge. Of course, I seriously doubt you can defeat me." Clair states as she smirks. She and Lucas are standing by the lake behind the gym. "Do you still wish to continue?"

"Ah. Let's get going!" Lucas shouts with excitement.

"Go Lucas!" Cheryl cheers. Houou simply watches from beside Cheryl, laying down in the grass.

"I'll choose you, Gyarados!" She sends her first Pokemon out, the atrocious Pokemon. It roars upon exit.

"Go, Plue!" Lucas, to everyone's surprise, sends out his fire type Typhlosion.

"Eh? Why send out Plue? It's a fire type!" Cheryl shouts, knowing it wouldn't stand a chance against Gyarados.

"Such a rookie mistake. Gyarados, Surf!" A large volume of water rises up from the lake and splashes at Plue.

"Jump up and use Flamethrower!" Plue jumps up above the water attack, and fires a stream of flames at the dragon. It bears the attack without much pain.

"Pointless. Gyarados, Hydro Pump!" Her dragon type fires a powerful stream of water that neutralizes the fire attack. Plue moves to the left to avoid the water technique and lands near the water. "Try another Hydro Pump!"

"Quick Attack!" Plue disappears in a flash and avoids the water attack.

"Twister!" It swings its tail and summons a twister of water and wind that sucks in the fire Pokemon. "Bite," Gyarados lunges out and bites down hard on Plue. It then tosses the fire type back at land.

"Plue!" - Lucas

"Dragon Pulse!" Gyarados fires a sphere of dragon energy at Plue.

"Plue, Eruption!" Plue growls and leaps underneath Gyarados, avoiding Dragon Pulse. The flames on its shoulder/back explode out and releases a geyser of red and orange fire. Everything around the water Pokemon is engulfed in smoke. As the attack ends, and Plue ends up falling in the water, Gyaradous becomes surrounded by flames.

"It's burnt!" Clair groans, knowing how bad this status ailment is.

"It's weakened! Plue, are you okay?" Plue rises up from the water, its fur completely wet. It wouldn't be such a big deal if it weren't a fire type. "Sorry about that. I'll treat you to a steak later. Anyway, use Thunder Punch!"

Plue leaps at Gyadaros' head, landing on top of it, and its right claw erupts with electricity. It then punches the dragon's head, electrifying it from the top down to its finned tail. Gyarados begins to fall down underwater, so Plue leaps onto dry-er land. Gyarados resurfaces, its eyes spinning to represent it has fainted. "Gyarados!"

"Alright, Lucas!" Cheryl cheers, glad that he was able to win with such a choice.

"Good job Plue! Enjoy your rest!" Lucas says, reclaiming his Pokemon back to its dry ball. Clair does the same, a look of anger in her eyes.

"Let's go, Kingdra!" Clair sends out her water dragon type. Kingdra lands in the water and squirts out some water.

"Go, Atlas!" Luacs sends out Heracross, which lands by the lake.

"Let's see how this works; Kingdra, Hydro Pump!" Kingdra fires a large torrent of water at Atlas.

"Take flight and use Aerial Ace!" Atlas spreads its wings and flies up into the air, avoiding the water attack. It then initiates its attack, flying around Kingdra while avoiding the consecutive Hydro Pump attacks. Atlas then divebombs down and hits Kingdra in the head. "Brick Break!"

"Dive underwater!" Kingdra sinks underneath the water to avoid the next move, a karate chop with the strength to destroy boulders. "Hyper Beam!"

Kingdra resurfaces and charges up a beam of destructive energy. As it fires it, Heracross prepares to fly out of the way. But that's when Lucas says, "Atlas, fall underwater!"

Shocked at what he said Heracross turns to look back at Lucas, who gives a confident smirk and nod. Heracross pulls its wings back and falls underwater, avoiding the Hyper Beam. Clair smirks and says, "Big mistake. Heracross won't do well underwater. Kingdra, Dragon Pulse!"

Kingdra charges up a ball of dragon energy and fires at Atlas. "Atlas, use Aerial Ace to spin the water current!"

Holding its breath, Atlas force flies through the water, creating a swirl that redirects the Dragon Pulse back at Kingdra. It hits and causes the dragon to sink deeper into the lake. "Kingdra!"

"Now, keep it up!" On Lucas' words, Atlas continues to swirl the water around with Aerial Ace, creating a whirlpool that eventually captures Kingdra. "Horn Attack!"

Using the pushing force of the water he created, Atlas flies towards Kingdra and hits using its horns, knocking Kingdra out of the whirlpool. The swirling ends, and Atlas resurfaces to call back its breath. It then crawls out of the water, waiting for the water to slide off its hard shell. "I figured that would work, but not this well."

'He's a pretty good trainer. His Pokemon even trusts him enough to go through with that.' - Houou

"Go Lucas! Go Atlas!" Cheryl cheers, supporting her boyfriend.

"Atlas, use Brick Break once more!" The kabutomushi Pokemon flies towards Kingdra, who has resurfaced, while charging its fingers.

"Kingdra, Hydro Pump!" Her Pokemon fires at Atlas, who turns left to avoid the attack. "Dragon Pulse!"

"Knock it back!" Atlas uses Brick Break to deflect the Dragon Pulse back at Kingdra, who receives the hit and faints.

"Kingdra!" - Clair

"That's two!" Lucas states, throwing his left hand up into the air with his index finger pointing up.

Clair calls back her Pokemon and sends out her last one, Dragonair. 'I will be damned if I lose to this kid!' "Dragonair, Thunder Wave!"

Her Pokemon opens its mouth and releases a pulse of em energy. It captures Heracross who falls to the ground. "Atlas!"

"Dragonair, Slam!" The dragon leaps out of the water and slams its tail at the bug type. This knocks it away, causing it to roll.

"Atlas, Horn Attack!" Atlas slowly picks itself up and prepares to strike once again, but the paralysis takes affect.

"Dragon Pulse!" Dragonair fires at Atlas, causing an explosion upon impact. Atlas is knocked into the ground and faints.

"No, Atlas!" Lucas shouts, cringing at seeing his Pokemon getting hurt. He returns it to its ball, saying, "Thanks. You did your best."

"What will you try next?" Clair asks him confidently.

"Let's go, Wani!" He sends out his water type Feraligatr. It lands in the water, leaving only its red spikes on its head and its eyes present.

"Dragonair, Thunder Wave!" Dragonair releases its attack again, but this time Feraligatr dives underwater to avoid it.

"Drag Dragonair underwater and use Slash!" Upon Lucas' command Wani lunges out of the lake and bites down on the dragon's tail. It then crawls back into the water with it and grows long, glowing nails. Wani next proceeds to slashing Dragonair twice.

"Dragonair, Aqua Tail!" Water swings around Dragonair's tail before it slams it into Wani's face. Wani crashes into a wall and growls. "Dragon Pulse!"

"Dodge and use Ice Fang!" Wani ducks underneath the attack and swims towards Dragonair with glowing light blue teeth, cancelling out its attack. It bites down hard on its abdomen, causing a bit of it to freeze. "Slash!"

Wani swings and claws Dragonair's face, giving a critical hit. Dragonair's head lands outside of the lake on dry ground. Wani crawls out of the ground and grows claws. "Dragon Pulse!"

Dragonair fires at Wani, this time hitting square in the face. Wani rubs its face of the bruise from the dragon attack, before roaring angrily. "Ice Fang!"

"Aqua Tail!" Dragonair swings its tail at Wani, but the gator bites down hard on it, freezing the dragon completely. It falls to the ground fainting.

"Yay! Lucas won!" Cheryl cheers, happy her boyfriend was able to defeat Clair. Houou smiles as well, but had expected as much. Both trainers reclaim their Pokemon since now that the fight is finished.

"Do I receive my badge yet?" Lucas asks as he approaches the blue haired woman. She looks at him angrily. "What?"

"No. I don't accept you yet." She says, taking both him and the girls by surprise.

"What?" - Lucas

"What?" - Cheryl

"There must have been a mistake. I may have lost the battle, but I doubt you're worthy of the rising Badge." Clair states as she turns away frustrated.

"You can't do that just because you're a sore loser!" Shouts Cheryl at the dragon user.

"If you want the Rising Badge, you'll have to pass the dragon user's challenge in the Dragon's Den." She tells the boy.

"No way! He doesn't need to take your-"

"Okay." Lucas says, shocking Cheryl. "I'll take your challenge."

"Lucas, you don't have to do it!" - Cheryl

"Come with me." Clair says, heading to the pathway leading to the cave north of the lake. Lucas follows her, with Cheryl and Houou tailing him.

"Lucas, you can't be serious." Cheryl whispers to him.

"Let her do what she wants; she is the gym leader. Besides, it's not like I have to battle her again." Lucas explains to Cheryl in the same whispering voice she uses. "If I do I'll just borrow the strength of my last team."

"I see." - Cheryl

The quartet enter the Dragon's Den and go down the steps. Houou floats down since it's easier. They find that the entire underground cave is mostly flooded except for the floor they're standing on and a house just past some whirlpools. Clair points to the house and says, "There. In there you will find the dragon elders. They will give you a test to prove if you're a true trainer. Only if they approve of you and convince me you aren't some lucky kid you will gain the Rising Badge."

"Deal." Lucas turns to Cheryl, who nods. He then sends out Wani. After giving it a Hyper Potion he and Cheryl climb aboard its back and it begins to swim over the water.

Clair smiles as she watches him leave, muttering, "Although, since they haven't approved of even me that only shows how little chance you have."

'What a sour loser.' Houou thinks as she flies over to the den.

Lucas uses HM06 Whirlpool on Wani, and it blows the whirlpools away. They then continue to the house and finally reach land. Lucas reclaims Wani and he and Cheryl enter inside. They spot three old men in sage clothes, sitting in a position that makes the teens believe they were waiting for them. Lucas approaches them with a stern look on his face.

"I assume you've defeated Clair, right?" The oldest looking elder asks him.

"Yes." Lucas responds.

The elder sighs and says, "That girl is such a handful... I am sorry, but I must ask you some questions. If we find you worthy, you will pass and become a part of our clan."

"...Is that necessary?" Lucas asks.

"Now, we ask that you clear your mind." He says to him. Lucas sits in a pretzel position, and closes his eyes. "Clear your mind free of all obstructions. Make sure you're thinking of nothing at all. When I ask you these questions, say the first thing on your mind."

"Got it." - Lucas

'Why?' - Cheryl

"How old are you?" The elder asks Lucas.

"Huh?" - Lucas

"Answer the question! Don't think!"

"13."

"Where were you born?"

"Twinleaf."

"What are Pokemon to you?"

"My best friends!"

"What helps you win battles?"

"Strategy!"

"What kind of trainer do you wish to battle?"

"Any!"

"What is most important for raising Pokemon?"

"Hardship and love!"

"Which is more important; Strong Pokemon or Weak Pokemon?"

"Both are important!"

"Are you an idiot?"

"Y-" Lucas pauses at that and looks up at him. "What?"

"Just kidding. A little humor we use to mess with people!" He says, looking down at him while chuckling. The other two laugh at him too. "Anyway, you pass."

Lucas sighs and sits up, brushing his shorts dry. At that moment Clair enters the den and asks, "So, how'd it go? Did you fail?"

"Actually, he passed." He tells her, shocking Clair to her very being.

"WHAT? HE PASSED?" Clair screams, her words echoing throughout the entire cave. "How could you pass him? Even I haven't been approved!"

"Gee, I wonder why..." Cheryl asks sarcastically.

"Must you cause such a scene, Clair? This boy here more than qualifies for the Rising badge. After all he is at the same trainer rank as Lance, a League Champion." This gives Clair her third shock of the day, one that almost causes her heart to stop.

"No way..." - Clair

"Sorry I didn't tell you. I'm trying to keep a low profile here." Lucas states, sheepishly rubbing the side of his head. "Can I get the badge now?"

Clair pauses for a moment as she glares at Lucas. The elder then says, "Give him the badge Clair, or do you want me to inform Lance?"

Clair receives her fourth shock of the day, and holds her hand out. In it is the Rising Badge Lucas has been waiting for. "Here."

"Thanks, I guess." He says, taking the badge and placing it in his case. "Now I have all eight."

"Why were you challenging the Johto gyms if you're the Sinnoh Champ?" Clair asks curiously.

"I promised someone I would face them properly as a gym leader, and I wanted to finish what I started." He says to her, remembering Jasmine and his promise to defeat her.

"I see. Before you head back home I ask that you defeat Lance. I'll atleast feel better." She says to him, leaving the den to head outside the cave.

'Weird... But, at least I'll have an excuse for talking to him.' Lucas states in his head as he prepares to head out with Cheryl and Houou.

"Excuse me for a moment," Says the Elder. "I would like for you to have something."

"Eh?" The elder approaches Lucas and hands him a Pokeball.

"Inside is a Dratini. You have shown that you can be entrusted with one, as a member of our clan." He says to him.

"Wow, thanks." Lucas says as he places the Pokeball on his belt with the others. "Let's go Cheryl!"

"Okay, Lucas." She says as they head off. Houou sighs and follows them, intrigued with Lucas even more.

'He really is a great choice for Arceus.' Houou says as she follows him.

The group makes it outside of the Dragon's Den, with Lucas looking over his Pokemon Badges. He now owns 16, including Sinnoh and Johto. 'I've finally fulfilled my quest... But I have to deal with something else before I can return home.'

"Is something wrong, Lucas?" Cheryl asks her boyfriend. She had expected him to be happy that he has gained all his badges, but he seems troubled.

"We're going to the Pokemon League. I want to see Lance." Lucas tells her.

"Is it about Red?" Houou asks the boy, surprising the two humans.

"You know about that?" - Lucas

"Red was my first choice before you, but I couldn't choose him because he cares more for Pokemon instead of humans." Houou says, sighing while stepping past Lucas. "You were chosen because you care for both equally. Arceus can't follow on the personality of a human who hates other humans. I can't either."

"I still think you could have chosen other people." Cheryl states as she turns away with a questioning look. "Lucas shouldn't be given such a challenging task."

"But for now let's celebrate your victory!" Houou says as she hugs Lucas and kisses him on the lips.

"WHAT DID I SAY?" - Cheryl

The Next Day...

"Let's go!" Lucas shouts as he throws his fists into the air, vigorous with excitement. Cheryl comes up to him from behind, exhausted. "What's wrong? We have breakfast."

"I hate that bird! All she does is hang around you and constantly flirt with you! Just how is she judging you for humanity?" Cheryl cries as she ruffles her hair in frustration.

"Just go with it. You know no woman can take me away from you." Lucas reminds her, turning around to face the woman.

"I know..." She agrees, hanging her head. "But that still doesn't make me feel better."

"Sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you when this is all done." Lucas says to her in hopes to cheer her up.

"Thanks, I guess." Cheryl says, smiling while placing a kiss on his left cheek.

"We'll fly to the Pokemon League on Houou." Lucas says as he takes out a Premier ball. "I organized my team yesterday, so this should work."

"No, leave her in the ball!" Cheryl begs him, but he releases her anyway just like he did yesterday.

"You guys ready?" Houou asks the young trainer. He nods, and the Legendary Pokemon transforms into her true appearance. Lucas and Cheryl hop on her back, and she flies away to the Pokemon League. The residents of Blackthorn watch in awe as the fiery phoenix takes off.

The Pokemon League...

"We're here." Cheryl says as they approach the League. Ho-Oh lands in front of it and reverts to human, causing both Lucas and Cheryl to fall off her back.

"You okay?" Lucas asks his girlfriend while helping her up.

"Thanks, Lucas." She replies, smiling as she looks up at him. After standing she says, "Let's go!"

"Ah!" Lucas and Cheryl head inside the League Center. Lucas approaches the Nurse Joy of that center, asking, "Do you know if Lance is here?"

"Pass those doors. To reach him you must face the Elite... Wait, you're the Sinnoh Champion! What brings you here?" She asks, surprised to see him before her.

"I'm here to ask him something." He replies.

"Well, just go on ahead. As champion you won't need to face the Elite Four." She explains.

"Thanks!" Lucas heads for the PC and logs on.

"What are you doing?" Cheryl asks him.

"Adding a sixth member to my team, just in case." He explains to her. He takes out a Master Ball and pockets it.

'He chose Shaymin?' - Cheryl

"Ready?" He asks her, to which she nods to. Houou follows them silently as they head up the stairs to where the Elite Four are.

Shinto Ruins...

"Begin the ceremony!" Giratina shouts as he steps on a circle. He, Palkia and Dialga are underground in a set of ruins, hidden within an unknown location. As he steps on the circle, its design glows. Dialga stands on a second circle, and the other steps on the other. The three of them shine red, blue and pink, and travel through the ground to connect with one another.

A fourth circle appears in between all three of them. Dialga then says, "Now for the orbs."

They each take a step back and bring out their orbs. Each dragon places their orbs in the middle of their circle, which causes them to glow. Palkia then says, "Finally, our techniques!"

"Shadow Dive!" Dark energy releases from Giratina into the Griseous orb, transferring it to the center circle.

"Subspace Tear!" Pink energy releases from Palkia into the Lustrous orb, transferring it to the center circle.

"Roar of Time!" Blue energy releases from Dialga into the Adamant orb, transferring it to the center circle. All the colors attach to eachother, separating the energy into each respective spot.

Indigo Plateau...

Lucas, Cheryl and Houou come before the door leading to the final room of the Elite Four, where Johto Champion Lance resides. Together they open it, and it reveals a large golden room with Dratinis in the back by a throne. In that seat sits Lance, his head hanging down.

"I've been waiting, challenger-" He lifts his head to face the trainer, but has a shocked look on his face when he sees it's Lucas. "Lucas?"

"Lance, how's it going?" He says, trying to bring up small talk to not seem rude.

"What brings you here?" He asks, standing up from his throne.

"I'm here for two things. The first thing is about Red." The teen says, going to the point. "Is he finished soon with what he wanted?"

"I told you before, if you want to know go ask Blaine of Cinnabar island in Kanto... But, he did say it would take three years." - Lance

"Really..." - Lucas

"That's all I can tell you... Now, what was the other reason?" Lance asks him.

"A gym leader named Clair wanted me to battle against you because she wanted to believe I was truly someone worth losing to." Lucas explains, bringing sweat down Lance's face.

'Clair, why do you keep disappointing me?' "Alright, we'll battle. I've been itching to test your strength anyway, Sinnoh Champion." Lance speaks, crossing his arms together and smiling.

"Ah. I'm also interested. So, how should we do this?" Lucas asks him. Taking the hint, Cheryl moves to the side to give him space.

"It will be a one on one battle. I'm sure you know how that will turn out," Lance tells Lucas.

"Of course. Let's go, Gabriel!" Lucas sends out his strongest pokemon, Garchomp.

"You're up, Dragonite!" Lance chooses his strongest pokemon, Dragonite. Both dragons stare at one another and growl.

"Garchomp, use Dragon Rush!" Garchomp takes flight and summons energy around him, tackling Dragonite. The dragon catches Gabriel though and throws him away.

"Hyper Beam!" Dragonite fires a beam of destructive energy at Gabriel, but it soars out of the way.

"Draco Meteor!" Gabriel opens its mouth and fires a ball of dragon energy into the sky. It explodes into millions of smaller balls that fall down to Dragonite like meteors. One strikes Dragonite on its wing. "Dragon Claw!"

"Outrage!" Dragonite spreads its wings out and releases an explosive blast of energy from in between them. Gabriel takes the hit and falls to the ground.

"Gabriel!" Lucas calls out.

Dragonite releases a second Outrage wave, but this time Gabriel digs underground to avoid it. It rises up to the surface and leaps at Dragonite. "Dragonite, behind you!"

"Gabriel, Draco Meteor!" Gabriel opens its mouth and fires a Draco Meteor point blank. It blasts Dragonite and sends it flying.

"Hyper Beam!" Dragonite fires a Hyper Beam while still falling, having it contact Garchomp's chest.


Kenshin: Finally, we end this chapter. Next time Lucas and Lance's battle ends and he, Cheryl and Houou move to Kanto. Their first big journey; finishing the last of Team Rocket.