Chapter 45:

Live and Let Deino

Location: Opelucid City

With Bianca already having gone to take on Drayden, I knew the main activity of today was to talk to Iris about Zekrom. She said she would be waiting in Drayden's house, which was just down the road from the Gym. The Gym is the only stone structure in the city. It had both Reshiram and Zekrom carved on a side each.

I went down to the tall grey and blue house. The door slid open automatically and Iris was waiting in there. With her was Axew, Druddigon and a Pokémon with a blue mouth and feet whose black fur covered its eyes.

Deino (モノズ)

139

Dark/Dragon Type

Irate Pokémon

2'07" (0.8 m)

38.1 lbs (17.3 kg)

They cannot see, so they tackle and bite to learn about their surroundings. Their bodies are covered in wounds.

"Don't worry!" Iris said. "This Deino is calm at my place. It knows every step around the place." Deino smiled at Iris patted it on the head. "With that out the way though, I feel we should get down to business."

Iris took me to a table where I put the Dark Stone and Lenora's book on it. "Iris. You were raised by the biggest Dragon Type expert in the Unova region. Surely you must know how to awaken Zekrom."

Iris shook her head. "He may look like it, but Drayden isn't hundreds of years old. As vague as that sounds, that was the last time Zekrom awakened. But of course, it's not out of the question. If those Munna stealing brutes can awaken Reshiram, then it must be somewhat possible. Even if the chances are slimmer than finding a Shiny with Perfect IV's THEN having it get diagnosed with Pokérus the same day, we must grab onto that chance."

I felt the Dark Stone. I felt a bit of electricity come off it and hurt my finger. "Do you have another book?" I asked.

Iris pointed to a bookshelf that for some reason I didn't see when I first entered the house, so I walked over. I scanned the books.

'The Dragon Type that lives in the ozone layer.'

"The Time and Space Legends of Sinnoh.'

"Here we go!" I said. "Truth and Ideals: Unova's past."

I took the book and found the two stones. "Here we go. Apparently, they chose the heroes because of their fierce rivalry and their ambition to achieve great things. Yeah, that's me and N. What makes it different from last time?"

Iris held up the stone. "Because you have this! You just need to encounter N and Reshiram, then Zekrom will awaken! Problem solved I hope!"

Well, there was of course one more thing. N didn't tell me WHERE we were going to face. Maybe Accumula Town, because that's where we met. Maybe Nimbasa City where he let loose his secret to me. I don't know. But huge obstacle solved!

"I suppose I should just continue on my journey for a bit!" I said. "Tomorrow, I'll get my last Badge and then head to the Pokémon League!"

As I ran back into the streets, I bumped into Cheren.

"Oh, hey. What's the hurry?" he asked.

"I know what to do!" I sung. "Once Bianca has won her Badge, meet me at the Pokémon Center! We have some interesting times ahead of us."

Location: Opelucid City Pokémon Center

"So that's what we need to do," Bianca said. (She was gleaming because she now had all eight Badges). "It's not simple by any means, but at least now we have a clear direction. Then what?"

I sent my team out. Samurott, Scrafty, Excadrill, Gothitelle, Lampent and Druddigon. "This is the team I'll be using for the League. I will also use Zekrom when I catch it. It'll be great!"

At that point, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to find Iris.

"I have some things to say," she said. She had brought the book with her. "I found this loose page inside."

On the page was Reshiram and Zekrom, but also another Pokémon. It was grey and white.

"What is that?" I asked.

"Doesn't say," Iris said. "Which is where my announcement comes in. Once all this is done, I'm going on a journey! Drayden gave me his approval, so I can do it!"

We all smiled. Amazing news!

"Seems I might have another rival on my hands! Iris, go for it! And thanks for waiting to. You'll be a great Trainer."

As everyone talked, I told everything that I needed a walk.

Location: Opelucid City

I sat on a bench that night, looking at the Dark Stone. It was still as ever, but it felt like so much energy was radiating from it.

"Do I deserve to do this?" I asked myself.

"Yes." It was Drayden.

"Oh, hey," I said. "I had a talk with Iris and we believe we have found the solution."

Even if I couldn't see it under his beard, I knew Drayden was smiling. "That's good, both of you. And I must give a thank you to you and your friends. Whilst Iris is looking out for Bianca, I believe all of you are doing the same for her. I am more than happy to allow her on her personal journey around Unova. She has great things ahead of her. And you to. In fact, Bianca booked you in for a Gym battle tomorrow, and Cheren the day afterwards. I wish you the best."

All of a sudden, my optimism tank has gone from pointing at the E symbol to shooting up to F. N is a tough Trainer. You put a Legendary on his side, and he's an even bigger threat. But tomorrow, I will put my training to the test again, as I battle for my final Badge of my journey!