Thin rays of sunlight glittered through the smooth, paned portals disconnecting the inside of the office from the greater world outside. The sun was shining, bird Pokemon chirping. The wind blowing rustling clipped shrubbery through oaken leaves, past trimmed blades of grass. Morning dew drops still fresh. An idyllic start to the day if there ever was one.
A set of sharp and swift scrawling, scratching sounds slice through the air. A soft breeze breathing in through an open window as lithe fingers danced over paper, twisting and twirling their held apparatus before clicking off, flying over to a holographic keyboard. A cycle of productivity, the true bane of bureaucratic work expressed in the practiced motions of a routine birthed over hundreds of hours hunched over this very desk.
Twirling the ornate ballpoint pen in his hand, Jin Blackthorn, current Head of the world renowned Johto Dragon Taming Clan and father of the latest Elite Four member, Lance Blackthorn, stretched back in his soft-backed, plush chair. Spine popping as he rolls his comfy fabric swallowed shoulders, the unholy mix of a yawn and sigh escaping through his mouth.
Looking around his office momentarily his sights settle on the open window, the dark blue curtains billowing slightly in an unseen breeze, Jin allows himself to fall into a respite. Thoughts swirling as the content of today's vile paperwork bounced around in his head. Comparisons drawn and discarded. There was no doubt that things were about to change.
Click
Ever since the foundation of the joint Kanto-Johto League Collaboration almost 700 years ago, the Blackthorn Clan had been the shining example to which countless people all throughout the world aspired to emulate. Jin was not blind to this. Just like his father before him, and his father before him and his mother before him… Jin was all too aware of these facts. Heroic tales of Dragon Masters forging ahead within the fires of combat. The terrific legacy left behind by their forebears still raged on, true, with no sign of slowing down. Their reputation had highs and lows but usually a sufficiently impressive trainer would form out of each generation allowing their name to stay, if only barely, in the public limelight. He knew how others viewed them- for he also grew up on such tales of valour and glory, their clan was a beacon of competence and power the civilised world over… if dimmed by the complacency of peace.
Click, click, click.
At that thought Jin allowed a small grimace to mar his visage alone in the privacy of his own office away from the prying eyes. The vitriol fuelled rhetoric he'd all but grown up on dragging its way to the forefront, his father had stuck to his honour, true honour he knew now, giving his son the tools to craft his own unbiased world view... A shame certain other elements had already gripped their talons into his young mind... he was such a foolish child.
Click, click, click, click, click...
Now he had to deal with this.
Shaking away those regretful thoughts, Jin let go of the pen he'd begun to habitually click before groaning. Whining the pitiful sound commonly attributed to those in positions of power in the aftermath of a mind bogglingly exasperating event.
Lance was making a run for League Champion. Tomorrow.
The following hefty sigh expressed his concerns on such matters better than any words. Twisting back around to face the monitor, Jin ran a search through the Pokenet, articles popping up. Sensational pieces filled with the usual shlock, honeyed words riding vinegar chariots.
Oh, it wasn't as if he was upset with his son- the very concept of rebuking his pride and joy in such a manner, not even worth the moment of consideration it would take to dismiss it. No, not remotely. The problem was that this was all happening far, far too quickly.
The Clan wasn't ready for this, no matter what Hokori screeched.
Lance had been given his first Pokemon a scant 5 years prior, on his 12th birthday. In practically no time at all he swept through the Gym Circuit in less than a year before winning the Pokemon League on his first try. 3 years later and he was on the Elite Four. Now he's hailed as the strongest of the current batch- including Bruno and Agatha, both incredibly affluent, experienced and powerful trainers. All before hitting his 18th birthday.
The Blackthorn Clan produces powerful trainers as a rule of thumb, truthfully, it's one of the main coming of age rites. A prodigy of this capacity, however? Rare beyond belief. Jin had heard of such prodigies in the past, of course, one doesn't enter the political scene of the world ignorant of Pokemon Trainers. The real movers and shakers of the world, no matter how much Silph or Devon may flaunt their wealth and ingenuity, will always be those who take their bonds with Pokemon to the max and adventure in their hearts.
Jin pauses in his contemplation as a particular article catches his eye, not one for baseless gossip yet painstakingly practised in picking out bits of truth from waffle- he notices something after a cursory glance over the piece that called his attention. A minor predictive tabloid with a couple Xatu on staff that just happened to be based out of Blackthorn and thus had their sights set around the Clan often.
Psychics were an odd sort, Jin was nowhere near an expert on such matters- Human psychics existed but were very uncommon, only a few popping up worldwide per generation and most having relatively little talent when compared to Pokemon that fell under the classification.
Regardless or perhaps in spite of this fact, certain Psychic Pokemon were incredibly vital to both the day to day happenings and the long term governing of a region.
In his battling days, Jin had spent many long nights studying the Psychic type on a level most reserved for budding Psychic trainers. With the Clan's resources this wasn't a particularly challenging task, finding personal accounts, professional and scientific papers and delving through history with vigour. Publicly this was after a rather crushing defeat at the hands of a Claydol of all things- which was factual, to some extent.
Truthfully there was more of a… impactful motivation around the same time that he tends to repress, and after a fateful encounter he rather rationally developed the opinion that they were usually one of the greater threats to the Dragon classification regardless of the fact that they didn't intentionally counter the Dragon type itself. Both were rare to fight for most trainers, rare only suggests improbability, however.
Expecting the unexpected is a crucial skill to cultivate in the life of a Pokemon Trainer.
After taking on a leadership role those abstract facts took on a new light, the brash and prideful youth in him only seeing it all as interesting- though ultimately inconsequential filler information next to the immediately helpful, battle-related facts. He spent some time looking into the variations of seer-power aspects; including prophetic visions, future sight and other manifestations of precognitive ability. Upon taking the mantle of his newly political role, his eyes were blown open to the staggering amount of relevance such matters actually held.
This particular outlet held an advantage in insight that only Goldenrod could match, specifically on the Blackthorn Clan and their scions. It was part-way through their coverage of the upcoming event as they transitioned from Lance's meteoric rise through the ranks that he caught a line in the prophecy section that sent warning bells chiming in his head.
A proud Dragon's roar- will of old, spirit of youth, altered by divine Law.
Scraping hunger, triumphs vignette- minds draw, consumed by a Maw
Time's passage unhindered, yet events altered, an ending by Right.
Blackthorn's Star shining bright, bogged down by malignant Blight.
Destiny rewritten, determined by shifting pieces- Anew.
See this and Know, what now shifts to become True.
Jin felt a freezing chill crawl down his spine as he scanned the verse up and down. An equally unpleasant cold sweat suddenly slid down his cheek. Narrowing his eyes in response to the sudden reaction, he's taken aback as he notices his hands are shaking. Eyes widening in confusion, years of stressful situations prompting him to mentally take a step back and calm down. Holding still, he focuses inward as his heart rate slowly evens out- the loud palpitations of the thumping organ prompting him out of his reverie.
Despite the validity of Psychic powers and the truths behind their divinations such predictions are not quite as extensively spread as one might suspect. The key reasoning behind this is that quite simply- Psychics are melodramatic.
Whether it's a side-effect of being capable of tapping into, then channeling cosmic forces beyond the ken of the common man- including himself- special comprehension or something else entirely, the one thing certain is that every single Psychic Jin has had the pleasure of interacting with. Be they Human or Pokemon, can be placed at some point on the large spectrum of psychic dramatisation. Be that a compulsion to talk purely in rhyme, withhold information until it becomes prevalent or just downright messing with you. It's utterly infuriating.
It really doesn't help that the public view on them- despite the myriad of documentaries, courses and dossiers he's found all over the place, psychics tend to congregate at very stereotypical life-choices. Fortune telling, counselling- sometimes even performance related roles you'd not expect, street performing or in a straight up circus. Thus most people treat it all as largely useless curiosities- considering how rare it is for someone to actually find a useful prophecy second hand. Still, these sections sell well and the chances of you matching one are higher than the lottery at least…
This combined with the rarity of powerful Human psychics, such as the Saffron Gym Leader Sabrina and you have a common perception of vast underestimation of the general psychics capabilities. If Jin was a paranoid man, he'd suspect something along the lines of 'all according to plan'. Whether or not there was a behind the scenes puppet plot engineered by the Psychics of the world, however, wasn't important as of right now.
Tearing his thoughts away from these tangential thoughts, Jin turned back to face the music. Something he kept to himself was that… he wasn't quite as ignorant to such things as he let on. Oh, he had no real potential for even the most rudimentary of psychic abilities. No moving things with his mind was far beyond his reach, no seeing into the future- or reading expressions at an unnatural rate. Nothing so blatant. However… after a certain event in his past...
He shudders involuntarily at the mere thought of that time, exacerbated by his already jittery nerves. It's safe to say it left its scars- the Blackthorn bloodline was heavily adaptive, that's all he felt comfortable admitting on the matter, in the aftermath. One such 'scar' was a minor… pull, at certain spiritual phenomena. Mostly Psychic, though there was a slight difference in his view on standing in proximity to Ghost Pokemon following this development.
In all honesty it had served him well and saved his hide multiple times that he could recall. Perhaps even more times that he wasn't aware of. Regardless, this was perhaps the most volatile reaction he'd had to anything in years. Frowning he steadies himself before pressing a button on his desk, moments later a suited woman opens the door- the sounds of a typical morning in the compound rushing through the portal before cutting off as the soundproofed walls return the room to silence.
Jin takes a moment to review a few things before speaking up- eyes still locked on the monitor. Long red hair draping around a composed face, white spectacles contrasting the immaculate black suit, with white undershirt pushed out further by the black League sponsored Trainer boots. Maria Sky dressed to complete the crisp image of a League professional associate- yet one who isn't above getting things done personally.
Jin holds back a snort at the thought, politics is all about sending a message. Just like how he is now not providing his full attention. Roundabout and dissociated, just how they like it- just how he has to behave in a position of such 'acclaim' as his own.
The younger woman herself was the third person to hold this position since he'd taken over from his father, whilst remaining in it the longest so far. The first two had merely used it as a springboard of experience to heighten their careers. He learnt to be careful with how he interacted with them.
"You remember the list of relevant, yet overlooked information I forwarded you as an example a few months ago? Yes? Good. Page 3, the prophecy section, your opinions?" Not allowing Maria to get a word in edgewise, Jin pushed through to the point quickly.
It was a tactic he'd started to develop fully after taking the post, he was well aware that from some perspectives he and the rest of his clan tend to come off as brash and rude individuals. This was usually overlooked by those wanting to court favour, so it had stuck around. It was especially common in those members who had never had a good humbling or otherwise placed in a position that warranted a lot of communication.
"A-ah, yes… I see… The Indigo-Silver Coalition already has multiple branches dedicated to the prediction of threats using Psychic means, surely you could just inform them of your issue? I don't understand your fixation with those local additions..." Maria quickly caught herself, easily working through the logic before posing a question that seemed obvious, adding in the latter under her breath, though not really trying to hide it.
Jin caught it regardless of intent, slowly turning to Maria fluidly moving his hands into a tented posture and resting his chin atop them in a not at all practised motion. The Blackthorn Clan Leader raised an eyebrow in response, silently asking her to elaborate and completing the song and dance of their typical interactions.
Adjusting her glasses and clearing her throat as if she was about to impart some wisdom to be heeded, Maria spoke a few words in response.
"It's a waste of time. You're looking for a needle in a haystack."
Jin grunts in response to the valid point, but otherwise does not back off from the topic. A small smile works its way onto his face before he crushes it, remembering how immense a reaction he had to the words printed on that paper…
"This particular matter is too important to leave to the whims of chance, I have reason to believe that there is something of relative importance to the Blackthorn Clan, though ultimately not something that should threaten Regional security." Jin concluded, keeping his tone light yet determined. He, of course, was not entirely sure where this would lead him- hopefully he was just making a mountain out of a Drillbur den.
Cultivating an image as a stern, powerful and in most cases, prideful Clan Leader made working the job a lot less taxing. A sad conclusion he'd come to, one that had shed a whole new light over his fathers lax and calm demeanour. His already immense respect for his father skyrocketed after the first few months in his place. This was, unfortunately, rather difficult to accomplish when the other party was fully aware of your mask.
"You're set on this, then?" He nods. "Is there anything you need me to do now?" Maria adjusts her position, hiding a small amused smile before forcing it away.
As unlike with his prior attendants, however, with Maria this had quickly changed from a hollow act into a routine. Like a 2-manned play with both actors improv-ing each line, whilst holding to some general tropes. He knew she wasn't as well put together as she seemed at a glance, and she knew he would rather drop the stuffy formalities.
"Then I want you to postpone the meeting at 3, and cancel all other non-crucial functions I had booked in for today, as I need to look into this and won't be back until tomorrow at earliest." Jin watches the League agents reaction out of the corner of his eye, noticing the minute setting of her shoulders, the suppressed twitch of her lips and the very slight furrowing of a brow. She was good at holding her image together, but after so many years of experience with raising Dragon Pokemon from birth with only their body language to go off, he'd found it far, far easier to read humans as a result.
Continuing on as if he hadn't just told his secretary and primary liaison that he was shirking his work to go follow a 'superstitious horoscope hoax' with her raising only a token protest of disagreement. This must've made a rather awkward sight to behold from an outside perspective, Jin allowed a smile to grace his features at the mental image that presented.
Pushing back his chair to stand abruptly, his ornate mantle flaring dramatically as if fluttering in an unseen wind- Jin marched out of the respectfully opened door into the compound proper. The smile smothered into a thin, regal line more befitting of the Blackthorn Clan Head in a public setting- even if that location was their own private property.
Appearances were half the job, after all.
Letting out a low sigh, the Blackthorn Clan-Head briefly allows his thoughts to drift back to that specifically troublesome predictive poem. It wasn't enough for some people, even when it seemed that Lance was only busy with breaking records on his lonesome. It wasn't surprising that this would have some backwards impact on the Clan as a whole- no matter how small. He wouldn't ignore this.
Could it be a coincidence? Perhaps, however… In addition to how specific this was, and the intellectual dots to be connected- his gut was bringing his attention to the verse. And after his last dismissal all the way back on the Seafoam Islands so long ago…
He would never ignore that feeling again.
The room shakes as the field is parted, a massive geyser erupting from the water. Moments later a stark cyan Kingdra emerges, scales glistening off the down-pouring droplets- already rearing its head back with narrow eyes.
"Kingdra, Hydro Pump!" Kingdra's Trainer, the current Blackthorn Gym Leader, finishes the command the Pokemon had anticipated. In perfect harmony with one another, the Seahorse Dragon is already aimed across the field at the ready as its opponent breaches the surface of the pool itself.
"Dodge it, Starmie, then nail it with Ice Beam!" The spinning Starfish Pokemon hurls itself out of the line of fire, the compressed gushing water clipping one of its limbs twisting it into an uncontrolled spin, psychic reflexes and unnatural grace combined with hours of intense training allowing the Starmie to right itself, letting loose a chilling spread of white beams in retaliation.
Unable to move out of the way in time, the spindly lasers impact the Kingdra's lower body, grazing off the side as the regal Pokemon winces in discomfort, but otherwise doesn't allow any more of a reaction to show.
Clicking his tongue, the challenging Trainer locks eyes with the Gym Leader for a moment- the look of serene calm on her face twists his face in a rictus of annoyance, he holds it for a moment more growing more and more restless before tearing his gaze back towards the conflict. Starmie automatically powers itself up with an Agility, the tell-tale pink glow of psychic energies coalescing from its gem spreading outwards. A slight grin works its way up the young man's cheeks, a sudden flash of inspiration guiding him as he prepares to call out a new strategy.
Surely this will land him the victory he desires.
Unfortunately for the challenger, the Gym Leader had not been sitting idly by, finally signaling to her Kingdra to engage in a pattern that signified a ramp up in the battle's pace. At this level of combat, Trainer's were not expected to dictate every moment of a battle- assuming and requiring that their Pokemon's education under their Trainers would allow them to work autonomously without constant input from their technical coaches.
Droplets of water slowly begin to fall across the field, one moment the Seahorse Dragon Pokemon was floating just atop the water level then in a blink Kingdra blurs into movement as the rain makes contact with its body. The opposing Trainer's eyes widen in realisation- but it's too late.
In the time it takes the challenger to open his mouth to scream a warning, Kingdra has crossed the battlefield, floating directly over the Starfish Pokemon. Starmie has just enough time to look up with its gem before being impacted in close quarters by a devastating Dragon Pulse. Knocking it clean off its feet, then out of consciousness.
The young man's face drops, all excitement is wiped away into reluctant acceptance. Confidence vanishes into distasteful bitterness, a disappointed glint in his eye. Shoulders slumping as the bell rings out the end of the match. Gritting his teeth, he lifts up Starmie's Pokeball before turning to walk away- not even gracing the Gym Leader with another glance.
Turning to the cameras trained on the action, the Blackthorn Gym Leader beams a toothy smile before bowing dramatically as the arena reconfigures itself below her. Stopping and straightening as the camerawoman signals the end of the recording, her grin quickly morphs into a slight frown.
Kingdra drifts back across the pool, floating up to the scowling Gym Leader who shakes her head before raising an arm and placing a hand just under the Seahorse Dragon Pokemon's dorsal fin. Letting out a snort in vitriol amusement at the young man's exit whilst idly petting Kingdra's scales, a low grunt from the Seahorse shaking off the melancholy as a small smirk appears on her face.
"Good job, Kingdra. I wonder if that'll be the last we'll see of that brat?" She wonders out loud, before laughing as Kingdra's snout invades her personal space. Pulling back, the smirk turns into a genuine smile as she lifts up a Pokeball and the cyan-scaled Water Dragon vanishes in a beam of crimson light.
"Guess it don't matter, curbing enthusiasm is our job." Turning to the acting referee who had walked up to her in the intermission, she nods before handing over two of the Pokeballs on her belt, followed by her twisting on a heel, striding out of the electronic doors as the man in the League Judge uniform starts directing the people around him to prepare the ring for the next challenger, whenever that may be.
Traversing the Gym's halls, Piper Blackthorn- Gym Leader of the Blackthorn League Gym, known throughout the Kanto-Johto Regions as one of, if not the most unforgiving and challenging experience in any Trainers circuit. The famous Blackthorn Clan of Dragon Tamers are known far and wide, budding Dragon Trainer's the world over make the trip to Johto just in hopes of learning something new, or testing themselves against the best.
It was common knowledge that the Blackthorn Gym has been passed down through the clan for hundreds of years- a potential leader rising out of the batch of children every other generation or so. It had started with Dragon Pokemon, and it had remained with Dragon Pokemon. Any attempt to alter the challenge by the League had been rebuffed, and the already immense pride of the clan had shielded the position from outside ownership. Allowing youngsters to grow into the position to test a new generation of Trainers, region-wide. Such was the case for the current Leader- Piper Blackthorn.
She had set out on her own journey of self discovery at 13, as the daughter of the last Clan Head- a position which had since fallen to her brother, Jin, after his retirement. Piper had something to prove and a lot of confidence in her own abilities, that much at least has not changed with time or encouragement through victory...
Taking a turn into the nearest lounge, she takes long strides through the doors, cape fluttering slightly in a familiar fashion. Scanning the room quickly, Piper crosses over to the seating slowing to a stop behind the head of one of the chairs.
Whilst the amount of staff required to run the day to day operations of the Gym isn't extreme, due to the length in which the Gym has been in the clan's possession and its cultural significance in the modern era, it is often the ideal hangout for those training Dragon Pokemon. Both within the clan, and outside of it- such is such a scene Piper walked into.
Laid out facing away from the wall television monitor on the sofa is a younger cousin of some variation that she recognises, a hat covering his face, though noticeably awake from the mindless twitching of a shrunk Pokeball in his hand.
Seated across from him, with a small Skitty pressed against her leg is a young girl with blue hair and a designer jacket over a red shirt and yellow running shorts- her nose in a Pokegear connected to a band around her neck. She perks up as Piper approaches.
"Oh, wow, that battle was awesome! Your Kingdra and Dragonair are both really cool!" The young woman gushes, eyes literally sparking pools of excitement, hands clasped together and almost leaning off the furniture in a charmed pose. A giant, goofy smile presented front and centre.
"Hoh? Impressed, are ya?" Unfazed by the youthful vigour metaphorically beaming into her face, Piper quips back, taking idle note of the 3 Pokeballs hanging from the newcomer's belt, as well as the dirt and scuff marks on her clothes. A Trainer, obviously, but probably pretty fresh.
"Yeah!" The girl cheers, disturbing the Skitty who had otherwise remained silently curled up into a ball, muttering a quick apology, the aquamarine maned lass moves a hand down to pet the Pokemon as it mewls in satisfaction and starts snoring again.
Watching the interaction, Piper glances at her wristwatch, then the door before shrugging and settling down on a nearby chair. Propping a leg over the other and resting her chin on a fist quickly flicking her eyes around the room as more people came in and left, waving lightly to one of the Gym Trainers who was just on their way out.
"Guess this'll mean I'll have ta put down a challenge slot for you too then?" She retorts with a small smirk that evolves into a full blown grin as the girl reacts in a panicked manner, once again disturbing the cat-like creature on her lap.
"A-aaah, you don't need to do that, heheh… No, really, please don't I only have 3 badges!" The girl shrinks back in her seat, some of the enthusiasm bleeding out of her visage.
"She's messing with you, Crystal, you're a thousand light years too soon to be facing Piper." The hat-covered kid pipes up, still smothered by his headgear- the blue haired girl pouts in response.
"That's mean, Cody, I'm totally a good Trainer!" She springs back to full power, waving her arms dramatically in the air- her Skitty yowling in annoyance as it jams its head into her thigh. The hat-hidden boy humming in monotone, still not deigning to move the obstructive accessory.
The aforementioned Gym Leader snorts in amusement at the contrast of the duos' responses before looking back at the suddenly sheepish young lady, looking contemplative.
"I got options for less experienced Trainers, ya know? It ain't like yer gotta fight all my aces or something. That last brat had 6 and wanted to fight me at my best. Heh. Whatcha think, Phineas?" Piper turns to the man who had remained quiet thus far, fiddling with an Apricot at one of the corner tables.
"I think that I'm almost at a breakthrough... Kurt's secrets shall be mine." The mousey looking, auburn haired man responded, habitually scratching at the small stubble on his chin as his eyes dart over the components laid out on the desk.
Rolling her eyes, Piper looks back over to the now bewildered looking girl and the now upright hat-kid who is directing a deadpan stare at the back of Phineas' head. Shaking her head at the antics, she gets back on topic.
"Ya just here to hangout then? Scout out the competition and see what yer aimin' for with ya own two eyes? Yer Crystal, right, what badges have ya got so far?" The now named Crystal rubs behind her head laughing nervously whilst sticking her tongue out. She gets more animated as she continues on, gesturing wildly before biting her thumb.
"Uhhh, yeah… I only started this year, I'm from New Bark Town. Got the Zephyr, Hive and Plain badges, it was really tough! My Pokemon fought really hard, though, and we won each in the end." Crystal preens, puffing up her chest with a smirk and a nod. That lasts until the previously hat-hidden child to her side decides to add his own interpretation.
"Hmph, you mean lucky. Those 3 fell into your lap on your first attempt each- as you wandered around flailing aimlessly in their general direction. If you hadn't gotten that Rockruff with your freakishly good luck, you would still be butting your head against Hayato." Cody monotones with a ghost of a smirk on his now visible face.
"Hey! I caught Scruff fair and square, and beat Akane with my team! I'm not as dumb as I look, I went to school too!" Crystal retorts punching Cody in the shoulder, her upset face betrayed by the small smile peeking out onto her lips.
"Don't be so violent, it doesn't fit you." The boy rolls with the light impact in his spot, an almost unnoticeable blush colouring his cheeks. Piper shakes her head before nodding to herself a small smirk on her face at the byplay.
Piper rises from the seat glancing over at the man hunched over the far table, still fiddling with Apricots. Internally sighing at the futility of further interaction with him in this state, she decides to move on with her day, bidding the two kids a quick goodbye.
"Well, sounds like yer got a good start there, I'll be waitin' for ya when you got a bit more experience and ya feel like taking a real challenge." Waving a hand behind her at the contrastingly lively farewells she wanders over to the beverage machine on the other side of the room. Inputting her order, she is quickly out of the door, slowly meandering back towards the battlefield taking momentary sips at her drink.
Climbing up the stairs towards the bleachers, she walks over to a nearby balcony, hands resting on the metal taking in the sights and sounds. The marks of the last battle had already been cleared up, the pool field having retracted with a plain marked out rocky area taking its place, some Pokemon and humans still hanging around under the rafters, the day hasn't ended yet, after all. A few Kadabra were sitting in the corner either meditating or munching down on something. There was a single Mr. Mime helping a Rhydon move a few crates behind a construction crew making routine checks.
Piper smiles, taking another gulp from her cup, enjoying the sight of the well oiled social machine of teamwork in all its glory. As well, of course, as the taste of the Chesto flavoured coffee mix.
"Mrs Piper! There you are!"
So lost in thought she didn't notice the young woman who had walked up behind her until she spoke, clamping down on the instinctive reaction rushing to secure her beverage before it spills she is pulled right out of her inner thoughts. Turning slightly to face the voice, belonging to a stylishly dressed red haired teenager in ripped jeans, a printed shirt with a Garchomp emblazoned over it and a Dragon Fang necklace hung over her neck.
"Oh, Cara, what's up?" Piper regards the younger woman quizzically, before remembering that she was currently filling in as one of the primary administrative workers as well as operating the front desk in order to gain some experience.
"You got another challenger, booked in an hour from now, just had to let you know. The challenger has 5 badges but has requested a stronger team, says she's stronger than her badge count." The teen rolls her eyes slightly at this, a smirk growing into place, as if everyone who'd claim such a thing must always be blowing hot air.
The Blackthorn Gym Leader slumps at the news, having hoped to have an easier day and to spend some time with her stronger Pokemon before getting thrown into another match. Clicking her tongue she speaks her mind.
"Maah, really? Aww, that's gonna be a toss up… Dragonair was knocked out in that last battle. Hmm, have you seen my kid today?" The sudden non sequitur catching Cara off guard, evident by her sudden rapid blinking as she processes the last few words.
"Eh? I think she came in yesterday to watch a few of the matches with her Horsea. Um, oh right!" After blinking silently for a few seconds she slaps her palm with a fist, bridging into an answer for the question
"She was found passed out at one of the passages out of the deeper Dragon's Den, I think they shoved her in her room back in the compound." Cara shrugs, as if she was remarking on the weather.
Everything goes quiet for a moment, the silence persists as it is Piper's turn to blink uncomprehendingly in the direction of the red-haired teenager. This persists for a few moments longer before the words that just had just been spoken sink in for the older women.
"Wait, what!?"
Shadows danced, flickering light splashing up against the dim walls as Hokori exhaled through his nose, a draught of incense wafting around his relaxed form. An inhale followed this, his meditative state tempering his emotions, all was still.
The old, withered looking man sits in seiza upon a mat in the centre of the cavernous room. Beams of stout polished mahogany strutting up, embedded into the walls- supporting the rich dark blue-ish hue bouncing off of the literal rock walls. A few ornate torches stacked on stakes driven into the floor, light up with alternately with dragon-fire and normal orange flames interspersed. The scene painted a luminous contrast upon the shrine located on the far end of the oriental room, visible by the reflected light swallowed by darker shadows.
The wooden shutters behind him open slightly, a small piece of paper levitated in, dropping from the air in front of the focused stout figure. Fluttering slightly in an unseen wind, the material drifts down onto his lap. The door is shut once more, the sound of distant plodding footsteps vanishing into the distance.
The sound of the short elder breathing fills the echoing void, hands still. Wizened eyes creep open, Hokori's elderly face a picture of calm, punctuated by the deep breathing exercises- he is still for a few moments more, soaking up the atmosphere. Carefully, with measured movements, he reaches down into his lap to retrieve the paper before moving it up into his line of sight.
His gaze sharply darts across the offered piece like a man in a desert would onto an oasis, his perfect mask cracking slightly into incredulity before outright dropping into an open mouth gape. So taken by surprise, was he, that he didn't even notice his breathing rapidly accelerating and the wrinkled prune-like skin stretching to permit the introduction of a new expression on his sternly set visage.
That original picture of composure is finally fully shattered as his breaths morph into low chuckles- slowly rising into a cacophony of cackling glee. Completely contrasting his prior behaviour, the true depths of his obsession laid bare in the privacy of this private locale, he lets it all go.
A gnarled finger is raised and stops midair, pointed definitely into empty space. A massive, unhinged grin adorning the short man's face, splitting his cheeks to the sides, yellowed teeth peeking through. Slightly too sharp incisors waving up and down as his jaw starts to work itself into uproarious, gut wrenching laughter. An almost comical sight to any onlookers, one without a given context would have any such interlopers scratching their heads in confusion at the sight.
Of course, there could be no spies here, not within the inner sanctum of the most private point in Blackthorn. The last bastion, an ancient construction held up since times long past- dug right into the side of the mountain Blackthorn sits upon. The man in question is the current eldest member of the Blackthorn Clan, Hokori. The Great Grandfather of both Lance and… Clair Blackthorn. Once the Clan Head, years past as his children grew and his life ticked by- faded into obscurity, even the most devout fans of the titular Dragon Taming Clan would struggle to name anything more than his name, age and the species of his remaining partner Pokemon.
Some might say that this, self imposed removal from the spotlight, has had an… interesting effect on the man. They would not be wrong.
In an instant he moves, suddenly darting to his feet in a motion that belies his age- padding towards the side wall and a desk as he snatches a small orb off the top of a pedestal on the desktop. The enormous grin still peeled across his lips, his chin jutted down with his mouth still open. Grasping the orb in now shaking fingers he shoves it into his chest with both hands, hunching over, an utterly crazed look glinting in his eyes.
"I TOLD THEM! I TOLD THEM ALL, FINALLY! All MY wondrous exertions have paid off, years of experimentation bearing fruit, within this moment! Fufufu!" Flinging his arms to the sides he dips his head back as the cackles flow, eventually twisting into coughs as he wobbles a bit before steadying himself on the edge, the massive grin now shrunk into a grimace as his face quickly warps into a scowl.
Clenching his fist until the blood in his wrinkled knuckles rushes away leaving them white and strained, Hokori twists on the spot with a roar- lobbing the orb in an overhead toss as the object twists and turns in the air before impacting the far wall with a high ping, bashing into the cold floor with a bounce.
Silence reigns, highlighted only by the slowly pattering of the spinning orb- revealed to be perfectly unmarred by it's impromptu impact into the hard stone. Gritting his teeth a vein popping on his forehead as he glares at the rolling orb, a single drop of sweat collecting on his brow. He snorts furiously, twisting to the side and breathing in deep.
As if a switch had been flipped he alternates in mood massively, twirling on the spot before practically skipping over to the fallen object, scooping it up before spinning on the spot now clutching it like a lifeline.
"Hmph. They all said I was mad! MAD! Hah! So do they wish, fufufu, very much so, do they wish- WITNESS US NOW! AT OUR HEIGHT! OUR TRIUMPH! THE BOY FINALLY DID IT! I knew he had the potential!" He declares into the empty room before pausing mid spin, jauntily dancing a few steps before letting out a contented sigh. Looking down at the orb in his hand, a genuine smile appears as he starts to lovingly caress the luminous ball. The strange pattern, just within the visible range on the inside of its lustrous surface, bringing Hokori back to focus.
Giving it one last lingering pat, Hokori plops it back upon the pedestal on the desk as he reviews the rest of the content of the surface top. The snippet of information left to the side as he begins to stack multiple Dragon Scales and a few Evolution stones into a bag. Humming a quiet tune, lips twitching in excitement he darts up and down the isle grabbing things seemingly at random before hefting the bag over his shoulder.
"Zoop, relocate yourself into my general vicinity! This moment!" Taking a quick glance at the shrine in the corner, Hokori mutters a prayer as a Goodra pushes open the door with its bulk, waddling into the room. Smiling goofily, the Slime Dragon Pokemon tilts its head quizzically at the diminutive man.
"Prepare yourself for immediate traversal out from this lair, we move with the utmost haste!" The goopy wyrm blinks placidly at the blathering human before nodding its head serenely. A moment passes as the short elder is practically vibrating in anticipation, Goodra letting out a short cry in question.
"What is the occasion…? WHAT IS THE OCCASION?! You have not received the relevant knowledge?! Travesty! Alas, you are within the parameters of sufficient luck, for I, Hokori, shall enlighten you." The tiny, white haired fossil stops moving as he tents his fingers in midair- wiggling them distractedly, a glazed over look in his eye. The Goodra simply watches the scene with the same unassuming smile never wavering.
"Yes… yes, allow me to present these wondrous concepts towards your individual." As Hokori turns fully to the Dragon Pokemon, a dark glint in his eye heralds his proclamation. A deep breath in, a loud exhale, the gargantuan grin revives upon his lips- his madly grinning visage revealed.
"Lance has become the Champion!"
Sorry, it's been a few months! I have a ton of stories I worked on and off all throughout 2020, but I could never force myself to post any of them. Making excuses, or just dumping a majority, then coming up with new ideas that bounced around in my mind for a few weeks before moving on to the next. Lockdown didn't help with that procrastination, so when 2021 started I decided to make somewhat of a New Years Resolution to not only post, but actually finish one of them.
Unfortunately I decided to start fresh with a brand new idea born out of frustration with some things I had been reading at the time, ironically enough. Not only does it share in some of the problems I had, I only barely built a skeleton of a structure for it... So, essentially, I was working on a chapter daily for a story that I was making up as I went along. Not… a great idea, that, as should be fairly self evident. Like, at all, that was really stupid of me. I've hopefully mapped out my goals, mostly, for this story now so things should progress at a better rate from this point on. Assuming I don't just randomly lose interest. Whoops.