Johto Saga

Chapter 18: Travel Upon Silvered Wings to a New Land

Charonus slowly wakes the following morning after his evolution. A dream that he had during the night stays fresh in his mind, "What a strange dream...it felt like the two shadows were somehow still around, but that just isn't true." Charonus tries to put the dream out of his mind. He eventually heads outside to see the Diving Pokemon and the Rainbow Pokemon still watching guard.

"Sleep well young Charmeleon?" Lugia asks.

Charonus replies back, "Yeah, I slept like a log after what happened yesterday."

Ho-oh smiles at Charonus, "Well that's good. Before you decide what to do next, there is one more training exersize to complete. I never got to give you my training due to that whole Shadow Lugia fiasco."

Charonus looks at Ho-oh and realizes that he is right, "Oh man...I kind of forgot about that in the turmoil that Shadow Lugia caused."

Ho-oh nods, "I'll give you some time to prepare yourself, then I shall impart my knowledge of Sacred Fire unto you."

Charonus smiles and goes to get ready for his new training.

The rest of the group slowly wakes from their slumbers and converse amongst themselves about yesterdays events. Chase sits off in his own corner though and takes out the two jewels from the mountaintop and stares at them for a bit.

Cynder eventually notices Chase and heads over to see why he isn't with the group, "Chase? What are you doing off by yourself over here?"

Chase turns to face Cynder, still holding the two jewels on his paw. When Cynder takes a closer look she sees that one of the jewels is silver and black in color and the other is golden where the silver from the first jewel is.

Cynder asks the Houndoom, "Where did you find these Chase?"

Chase responds, "On the mountaintop in the area where Shadow Lugia was felled."

Cynder's face shows some worry, "Chase, can you hand those to me. They still might be dangerous."

Chase looks down at the jewels then hands them to Cynder, "I didn't know...but I just couldn't leave them there."

Cynder reassures Chase, "It's alright. They may be dangerous, but at least no others will be able to use them while we have them."

Chase inquires, "What are they anyway?"

Cynder answers, "They are like the jewels Charonus wears on that pendant he has. They are what is left over from a Pokemon who has passed away, or so I think. I'm still not quite sure yet."

Cynder and Chase rejoin the rest of the group and Cynder shows the others the two jewels Chase found. They decide to let Lugia and Ho-oh know as well.

As they exit from the building at the Indigo Plateau they see Charonus in his Charizard dreamform recieving training from Ho-oh, much like the training he recieved from Lugia.

Cynder walks over to Lugia who is currently monitoring Charonus' progress, "Lugia, could I speak to you for a moment?"

Lugia looks over at the dragoness wondering what she wants to talk about, "What is it Cynder. Something seems to be on your mind."

Cynder shows the two jewels to Lugia, "Chase happened to find these on the top of the mountain after Shadow Lugia was felled. What do you suppose we should do with them?"

Lugia looks at the jewels with some concern, "My brother's Pokecore...and Shadow Mewtwo's as well...I think we should wait and converse after Ho-oh and Charonus are done with their training. They should have a say in this as well. Let us not rush to judgement too soon."

Cynder nods, "I agree with your assessment Lugia. We shall wait then."

Charonus stands amidst the flames of Ho-oh attack, able to hold his own quite well after the power boost of his evolution. Eventually the attack from Ho-oh subsides and Charonus falls to a knee as he recovers from the strain that defending from an attack of that power usually puts him through.

Ho-oh looks over at Charonus as he reverts to his Charmeleon form again, "With that you have now earned the balance that Johto's legends can provide, as well as some new abilities that go with it. I hope that you will use those abilities for good and bring peace to the rest of the Pokeworld."

Charonus smiles as he stands back up. He then bows to Ho-oh, "I will make sure to keep the way of balance in my core as I continue my journey."

Lugia looks over and waves at Ho-oh and Charonus, "Now that your training is done, there is another matter that has just come to light that needs to be attended to."

Charonus looks over at the silver avian with a curious look on his face, "What do you mean Lugia?"

Ho-oh begins to join his avian friend beckoning Charonus to come with, "I guess we should just find out. Come Charonus."

The two make their way over and Cynder shows everyone the two Pokecores, "Chase found these at the mountaintop. We were wondering what should be done with them. They are too dangerous to just leave anywhere for any unsuspecting person or Pokemon to just happen on them."

Charonus takes a look at the two cores, then to his own that rest in his pendant, "I wonder what my parents would do in this situation..."

The Caretaker looks over at his grandson, "They would make sure that they stay out of the hands of those that would use them for evil. They would also look for a place that would help facilitate that if such a place is possible. I believe that your group should keep them until such a place can be found. It may be possible that other legends may have an idea as to where that may be."

Draco, Cynder, Bowser, Chase, and Charonus take a little time to converse amongst themselves for a bit before coming to a consensus that Charonus should keep hold of them as another facet of his training in balance until as such time that they can find a safe place to rid themselves of the two shadow cores.

The group then wonders what their next objective is. As they converse about this, Zardius and Charla land nearby.

Charonus smiles when he sees his uncle and aunt. It takes the pair a moment, but they smile once they realize that Charonus evolved.

"Well, what do we have here. You have grown up into a Charmeleon my nephew." says Zardius

Charla hugs Charonus, "They grow up so fast...in this case literally."

Charonus smiles, "Well, a lot has happened. It's good to see you though, because my group were getting ready to decide where to go next."

Lugia looks at the group, "Maybe you should look in the region of Hoenn. I hear the Weather Trio might be able to give you some help."

After hearing this, a picture forms in Charonus' mind of an island with a tower sitting upon it that reaches towards the sky. At the apex is a green, serpent like Pokemon. Charonus looks at Lugia and asks, "Does one of this Weather Trio happen to look like a large, green serpent?"

Lugia wonders how Charonus could possibly know this, "How do you know about Rayquaza? Only us legends should know about eachother."

Charonus looks at Lugia, "I have had dreams about regions I have never seen, and Pokemon I don't know. All of them so far have led me to you and the others along my journey."

Lugia nods, "I see. So you have a link to those you seek. It is strange, but also it is a boon to aid you on your travels."

Cynder asks as she looks over a map of the Pokeworld, "So Hoenn is our next destination huh. How are we going to get there. A lot of ocean lies between us and there."

Lugia smiles, "You're in luck today. Before all this mess with my brother started I was going to head there for a matter I needed to attend to. I can get you there if you want."

Bowser looks at Lugia, "Riding on the back of a legend to a new land. Hope you can bear the weight of my shell for that long."

Charonus laughs, "I wouldn't worry about that Bowser. I think an avian of this size can take it."

Lugia blushes, "You guys are too much. I hope you keep that light on your travels. If you guys are ready to go, I shall ferry Chase, Bowser and Charonus upon my back."

Ho-oh smiles, "I hope you take care my friend."

Lugia smiles, "I always do silly."

Charonus, Chase and Bowser climb upon Lugia's back and feel him lift off slowly. Cynder and Draco take off along side him. The group waves to the others that are still on the ground.

Zardius yells out to Charonus, "You take care nephew. Don't be afraid to come visit us again at the valley if you get the chance. Your aunt and myself will be eager to see you again."

Charonus smiles and yells back, "I won't forget you two. I'll be back someday. I promise."

Lance, Clair, and Silver even say their goodbys to the group. The dragon Pokemon that are with them give a goodbye wave.

Lugia, Draco, and Cynder turn and head off in the direction of Hoenn and are soon just specs on the horizon. The ones left at the Indigo Plateau smile and keep waving until the group can no longer be seen.