(3 Days Later)

"Well. Now we'll be off." Serena says as she hugs her mom and Delia.

"Take care of yourselves and Ash. But more importantly stay safe." Grace says as she reciprocates her daughter's hug.

"I will." Serena says as she turns around to join Ash who is waiting for her.

"Serena. Before you go take this." Grace says as she puts her hand into a pocket and takes out a Poke-ball.

"Which Pokemon is it mom?" Serena asks.

"An old friend who missed you terribly." Grace says sweetly as she presses the button of the Poke-ball to bring out Rhyhorn.

"Rhyhorn. I missed you sweetie." Serena says as she gets on her knees and pets Rhyhorn affectionately who returns this act of affection by licking her.

"I thought it would be best if Rhyhorn went along with you on your journey." Grace says as she hands the laughing Serena the Poke-ball.

"So Rhyhorn do you want to come with me on my journey?" Serena asks Rhyhorn. Rhyhorn gives her a final lick before pressing the button of the Poke-ball in Serena's hand only to vanish in a beam of red light.

"I guess that's that. I promise I will take good care of Rhyhorn mom." Serena says brightly.

"I know. But if I could make a request." Grace says.

"What is it mom?" Serena asks.

"I actually like Rhyhorn the way he is. I just wondered if it would be possible for you not to evolve it." Grace asks in a hopeful tone.

"I will leave that up to Rhyhorn. If he doesn't want to evolve then I won't force him. That fine with you?" Serena asks.

"Of course Rhyhorn's happiness is what matters. Now go and have fun. But just be careful. It's not that I don't trust your teacher. I do but still I worry for you both." Grace says in a slightly worried tone.

"I will." Serena says before giving Grace and Delia a wink and then running of to her limousine with Ash.

"Will they be fine?" Delia asks in a worried tone.

"I don't know. But my heart tells me they will. What about yours?" Grace asks.

"My heart is also happy but I still worry for Ash." Delia replies.

"Of course it does. We mothers never stop worrying about our children. I guess it is genetic." Grace says with a chuckle as they both wave the Serena and Ash goodbye.

A little distance away Lance says into his radio "They are on the move. Track them."

"Will do sir." A voice replies as Lance walks off with the other champions.

(5 Minutes Later)

"What's that." Diantha asks pointing to a screen showing a map with 4 dots. One blue dot and others red.

"That is the GPS Tracking system. The blue dot is Serena's Limousine and the other 3 are those of my G Men who are following Ash and Serena. We also have satellite tracking." Lance says as he signals to the person sitting in front of the computer. The person nods and flicks a switch and the view changes this time showing Serena's moving Limousine on the road from a bird's eye position.

"Quite impressive Lance." Cynthia says in an impressed tone.

"Yes. This way we can track Ash and Serena's movements. We can find out what type of training Dragon Emperor has planned for them and where they are.

"Good. Wait what's that." Diantha says as she see Serena's Limousine take a turn onto a forest path.

"Interesting. Now we are getting somewhere. Switch to infra red so that we don't lose them in the forest canopy." Lance instructs as the person before the screen nods and presses a different button which results in the satellite view becoming infrared on another screen.

(1 hour 20 Minutes Later)

"Now take a right Harry. We should come up on a cave system. Just drop us off here." Serena says as she reads Dragon Emperor's instructions which he had sent earlier via a letter.

A few minutes later the Limousine comes to a halt next to the mouth of a cave where Dragon Emperor is sitting with his eyes shut.

"Alright Harry. We are of now. We are leaving our phone and holocaster behind just like last time. We will see you later." Serena says as she and Ash get out.

"OK. Stay safe you too and be careful." Harry says as Serena and Ash smile before turning around and walking away.

"Good you are here. Everything left behind except your laptop?" Dragon Emperor asks.

"Yup. Just like you instructed." Serena replies.

"Good. Now let us be on our way." Dragon Emperor says as he walks in to the tunnel.

"We are going in there? I thought we were training in this forest." Serena asks.

"No. We must go now. We wouldn't want them to follow us now do we?" Dragon Emperor asks.

"Who? Lance's G-Men?" Ash asks to which Dragon Emperor nods.

"OK then lead the way." Serena says as Dragon Emperor walks in and the 2 follow suit.

(Meanwhile back in KIP)

"What happened? There is no sign of any heat signature. The signature in the car is only that of the driver's." Cynthia says.

"I don't know. Focus the imaging on the last location where the car stopped. All agent travel to this location as well." Lance says into the radio as the image zooms in on a particular sector.

"I can't see anything. Is there something wrong with the system?" Steven says.

"Don't know. The infrared could just be ghosting or something else. Fine tune the search parameters." Lance says as the men sitting before the screens type some commands on the keyboard.

"No use sir." They reply.

"What's happening. Agents respond." Lance says as he presses his ears into the radio while he listens to a voice respond.

"I see. Follow in come out after 15 minutes." Lance says as he flicks the radio off in a pissed of manner.

"Lance what's wrong? Why are you so pissed off?" Alder asks.

"It seems Ash and Serena have gone into a cave system. That Dragon Emperor knew we were tracking them. That is why they vanished. You see the infrared doesn't work when the target has gone underground or in a cave system. There is too much disruption and interference. I have told my agents to follow but I doubt whether they will be able to find them. That cave system is vast with a system of inter-connected networks of cave systems." Lance replies.

(Back in the Caves)

"How long do we have to walk?" Serena asks.

"About 30 seconds more. Then we will be flying." Dragon Emperor says as he keeps walking ahead.

"But we are in a cave system. Will we be flying through the tunnels?" Ash asks.

"Heavens no. That will be boring. We will be flying below the tunnel." Dragon Emperor says while chuckling as he comes to a halt before a boulder. Ash and Serena look at each other while gesturing to each other conveying 'What is he up to?"

"Alright you two move this rock in form of a circular disk aside." Dragon Emperor says pointing to a circular disk behind the boulder.

"OK." Serena says ash she and Ash move the rock only to find a hole below.

"Ladies first." Dragon Emperor says while gesturing.

"Fine then." Serena says as she jumps inside. Ash follows suit. Dragon Emperor takes the rock disk in his hand and covers the entrance while sliding down as well.

"Wow." Ash and Serena say as they come to a stop. There are shining crystals stuck all over the cave's mouth.

"Welcome to Crystal Cave. A long forgotten part of Kalos' history." Dragon Emperor says.

"Wow. These crystals are so pretty." Serena says as she touches the glossy smooth surface of the crystals with her fingers.

"How did you know about this place Dragon Emperor?" Ash asks.

"This tunnel was discovered in ancient times. It was often used as a secret escape or getaway tunnel by certain aristocratic families of the Kalos of old during the time of the Kalos Unova war." Dragon Emperor says.

"Cool." Both Ash and Serena say as they look around the tunnel in marvel.

"Alright. That's enough sightseeing. This cave leads all the way to mountains near Shalour City. We will be flying on a Pokemon. Come out Dragonite." Dragon Emperor says while tossing his Poke-ball.

"Come out Salamence." Serena says while doing the same.

"You too Charizard." Ash says while tossing his.

"I will take the lead. Serena behind me and Ash behind Serena. Stay in one line and follow my lead. Eyes forward and ears sharp. Should I raise my hand in form of a closed fist it means I wish to stop. Should any of you wish to stop just shout." Dragon Emperor says while getting on Dragonite. Ash and Serena nod as they get on the back of their Pokemon.

"Here we go." Dragon Emperor says as his Dragonite starts flying through the tunnel. Ash and Serena follow as they fly behind Dragon Emperor as well.

"This is amazing." Ash and Serena say in unison as due to the high speed the color changing crystals look like spotlights in a dark tunnel. Dragon Emperor chuckles on hearing their excited squeaks.

(Back in KIP)

"Alright. Come back." Lance says in a defeated tone as his agents come out of the cave and contact him.

"I guess that is that." Diantha says while dropping into an empty chair.

"Yes. Very clever Dragon Emperor." Cynthia says in a disappointed tone.

"Smart fish." Lance mutters as he thinks about the Dragon Emperor outwitting him again.

(1 hour later)

"Alright Ash and Serena we will soon be out of the cave and be out. We shall be flying over the sea soon. So don't panic in case you see a bright light ahead. it will be the opening." Dragon Emperor says.

"Right." Ash and Serena reply.

A few moments later all three of them come shooting out of an opening in a cliff and the 3 Pokemon are flying elegantly over the expanse of clear blue seas.

"That was fun." Ash says to Serena's agreement.

"If you look to your right you can see the Shalour Gym." Dragon Emperor says as both Ash and Serena look to see Shalour City Gym a little distance away.

"That's nice but where are we going Dragon Emperor?" Serena asks.

"To the Unova region. From their to the Sinnoh region." Dragon Emperor says.

"How long will it take to get there?" Ash asks.

"At the current speed. About 6 hours." Dragon Emperor shouts.

"Looks like we are going on another journey Serena." Ash shouts.

"Yup. I look forward to it." Serena shouts back as they both smile and fly away into the horizon and out of view.

(7 hours later)

"Alright set up camp here. We will start training tomorrow. Today just revision of what you have covered." Dragon Emperor says ash both Ash and Serena nod and walk away.

"Ash do you have traveled through Unova before right. Tell me which kind of Pokemon did you encounter?" Serena asks as she sets up the tents.

"You know what. I can think of 2 Pokemon which I saw in the Unova region which will be perfect for you." Ash says after a moment of thinking while setting up the bonfire.

"Really which Pokemon are those?" Serena asks.

"I will tell you if we encounter them. Till then you will have to wait." Ash says in a teasing tone.

"Fair game I suppose." Serena says.

"So Serena and Ash. Did you catch any Pokemon during your break?" Dragon Emperor asks while walking towards them.

"I got these 2." Serena says as she releases a Rhyhorn and a Steelix.

"A Steelix. Where did you catch it Serena?" Ash asks.

"Well remember I came back a few weeks before you." Serena asks Ash.

"Yup I do. What about it?" Ash asks.

"Well it was after my 2nd exhibition performance. I had a morning off. I remembered my encounter with this Steelix when it almost killed me back when I went to fetch my Delphoxite." Serena says to Ash's shock and Dragon Emperor's raised eyebrow.

"This Steelix almost killed you!" Ash asks in a shocked tone.

"I must say t catch a Pokemon that almost killed you requires character indeed." Dragon Emperor remarks.

"I guess you can say that. Anyway it then hit me that I didn't have any Steel type Pokemon. I also remembered how big this Steelix was. So I did a little research and I found out that this Steelix was almost 4 times as big as normal Steelix making it quite unique and powerful. Since I was only an hour away from the cave so I flew on my Salamence. I found the Steelix, fought it, caught it and came back within 2 hours without anyone noticing anything." Serena says.

"Quite the tale. But next time be careful and don't let any Pokemon do anything to you like Steelix did to you alright?" Ash replies in a slightly worried tone.

"This is one of the largest I have seen during the course of my travels as well. It's big and strong alright but needs work on being trained." Dragon Emperor says as he walks towards Rhyhorn.

"This Rhyhorn has very good body and excellent speed. But needs work on attack power and defense. I take it that it was your mom's Rhyhorn which she gave you." Dragon Emperor asks while turning to Serena.

"Yup that's right." Serena replies with a beaming smiling.

"Good job. These are 2 fine Pokemon. What about you Ash?" Dragon Emperor asks while turning to Ash.

"I caught a Hawlucha and Goomy." Ash replies as he brings out Hawlucha and Goomy.

"Hawlucha looks like it has been through quite a lot of battles already. But if I were to take a guess it lacks elegance and grace in it's battling style. It's style needs polishing and work." Dragon Emperor says as Hawlucha strikes a pose.

"As for Goomy what made you catch the Pokemon which is considered the weakest Dragon type Pokemon?" Dragon Emperor asks as he sounds disappointed.

"U mm. Well I don't consider Goomy as a weak Dragon type Pokemon despite what the Pokedex says. Pokemon are as strong as their trainer's belief in them. Those are the words I live by." Ash says as he fearlessly gazes into Dragon Emperor's eyes. Both of them gaze at each other in an intense manner for some time. Dragon Emperor's serious look turns into a smile.

He puts his hands on Ash's shoulder's and says "Well done. That's what I was expecting from you."

"Thank you Dragon Emperor." Ash says.

"Well. I have something for you too." Dragon Emperor says while going to his bag pack.

"Really and what is that?" Serena asks as she and Ash look at Dragon Emperor in an inquisitive way.

"Here you go." Dragon Emperor says as he hands both Ash and Serena 2 poke-balls each.

"Come on out." they both say in unison as they toss one Poke-ball each.

"Drakeon." a purple red colored Pokemon says in front of them both.

"What Pokemon is this?" Ash and Serena say in unison as they scan it with Pokedexes supplied by to them by Dragon Emperor only to hear "Unidentified Pokemon. No data Available.".

"This is Drakeon. The Dragon Type Evolution of Eevee." Dragon Emperor replies.

"Drakeon I have never heard of it." Ash replies.

"Of course you haven't for I am the only one in this world who knows how to bring about Eevee's Dragon Type Evolution. Serena's is a male while yours is a female. Also the Pokemon inside the Poke-ball in your hands is a Meowstic. Just like the Drakeon Serena's Meowstic is a male while yours is a female." Dragon Emperor replies after chuckling.

"Great." Ash and Serena say as they are about to toss the Meowstic's Poke-balls as well.

"You can see them later. Start off on food. We have been flying for 7 hours straight. Your Pokemon need food as well. After eating we shall talk more." Dragon Emperor says as he turns away.

"Wait Dragon Emperor. Just one last thing before we get started." Ash says.

"What is it Ash?" Dragon Emperor asks.

"I found this egg just like Serena found her Steelix." Ash says as he runs to his bag pack and brings out a dark magenta egg with purple markings on it in a case.

"Interesting. That is a male Noibat egg." Dragon Emperor says after looking at it.

"You can tell the gender of the Pokemon from it's egg. How?" Serena asks.

"There is so much to teach you and so little time. But enough questions for now. I am hungry and I am sure you are starving as well." Dragon Emperor says while entering his tent.

"We'll call you when food is ready." Serena says as she and Ash get started on food.