Dragonite Island
Zach let out a light yawn as he woke up the following morning, not taking notice to the fact that one of the Pokemon weren't where he left them. He smiled and reached for the foot of the bed where Ninetales and Umbreon were sleeping, giving both of them a quick pat before he got out of bed. Lucario and Cinderace began stirring shortly afterwards as Cyndaquil let out an ecstatic cry upon seeing her trainer awake!
"Quil, Cyndaquil!"
"Morning Cyndaquil, Cinderace, Lucario!" Zach smiled at the three before pausing as he realized something was off. He shot a quick look around the room while counting the Pokemon off with his fingers. "Five? That's not right, where's Dragonair?"
He didn't get worried at first as he decided to look around the room in case she moved around. "Well she's not under the bed... did I even let her out last night?" He began questioning himself while picking up the empty Lure Ball, he pressed the release button but nothing came out! "That's strange, I don't think foul play is involved as if somebody kidnapped her then why would they leave Umbreon? He's a shiny!"
"Umbre..." Umbreon nodded in agreement. He wasn't oblivious to how popular he was as his trainer was often assaulted with trading requests despite having no intentions on trading him off!
Lucario closed his eyes as he began concentrating on the aura around him to see if he could get a lock on Dragonair. He frowned as he couldn't sense her presence but he did pick up on a very faint aura trail that belonged to her. "Carr..."
"Huh? You've got a trail on her?" Lucario swiftly nodded in response. "Well then let's go after her!" Zach quickly grabbed his bag and returned both Umbreon and Ninetales to their respective Pokeballs before racing out the door where he came face to face with Dawn who'd been waiting for him.
"There you are, sleepy head!" Dawn playfully teased her boyfriend before planting a quick kiss on his cheek. "Are you ready for our breakfast date?"
"Sorry Dawn but it'll have to be some other time, Dragonair's missing!" Zach anxiously exclaimed.
"Dragonair's missing? That's strange, she adores you! She'd never leave without a reason." Dawn tilted her head before offering her boyfriend a comforting smile as she took his hand. "Breakfast can wait, let's get to finding Dragonair!"
Zach gave her an appreciative smile and quickly returned the kiss with one of his own before turning his gaze back towards Lucario. "Alright buddy, you've got a lock on her trail just lead the way and we'll follow! I hope she's okay..."
"Car." Lucario's eyes continued glowing bright blue as the jackal guided them through the Pokemon Center, out onto the street and through the city before eventually taking them to the beach where the trail came to a halt at the water's edge.
Zach narrowed his eyes as he tried to see if he could get a glimpse of Dragonair in the water but he couldn't see a thing!
"Frosmoth take to the skies and see if you can locate Dragonair!" Dawn cried out as she tossed a ball into the air.
"Fros!" Frosmoth burst out and quickly took to the skies above, soaring over the ocean waters while keeping a look out for her draconic friend. After twenty minutes of searching she regretfully flew back to the shore with an apologetic expression.
"You didn't see her?!" Zach hung his head as Frosmoth began to shake her head. "Dragonair where are you...?"
Dawn's hand squeezed his own as she noticed him looking more anxious and worried by the second. "No need to worry, I'm sure that Sonia knows something that may help us find Dragonair! Why don't we go call her?"
"Morning Zach, Dawn. Calling to get Corviknight back I assume?" Sonia questioned while looking quite different than she had during the Darkest Day as she now wore a white lab coat over her teal sweater. Thanks to her research on Zacian and Zamazenta along with her getting to properly examine both Zamazenta and Eternatus, Professor Magnolia officially retired and named Sonia her replacement. Her official term was 'Professor Sonia' but she preferred Zach and Nessa simply refer to her as Sonia on account of how close they were. Scizor could be seen sparring with the shield maned wolf through the lab's window.
"Actually we're calling because Dragonair went missing!" Dawn was quick to exclaim.
"Huh? That's peculiar, Dragonair always had a close bond with him. I couldn't imagine her running off unless-Oh! Perhaps it's time?!" Sonia quickly raced out of view before returning with a book, the orange haired girl quickly opened it up and flipped through it before stopping on a certain page. "Right here it is, back during the olden times when traveling by boats was more commonplace than it is today, several shipwrecked sailors claimed that they were rescued by Dragonite and taken to an island that was filled entirely with Dragonite's species! It also appeared to be where Dragonair came to evolve as their was always a mass gathering of them evolving in each reported incident. Though once they were healed up, Dragonite took them back to the mainland and no matter how hard they tried nobody ever found where the Dragonite live!"
"So you think that my Dragonair went there to evolve?" Zach questioned.
"Precisely!" Sonia exclaimed.
"If that's the case then we'll have to find Dragonite Island!" Dawn exclaimed.
"Easier said than done, we don't even know where to start. It could be all the way across the world for all we know!" Zach exclaimed with an anxious look.
"Actually I've looked over all the reported incidents and I've come to the conclusion that it has to be somewhere in the ocean surrounding the Kanto and Johto regions," Sonia informed while offering her friend a warm smile. "I'm sure that you can get that whole area scouted out once you've got Corviknight with you!"
"That sounds like a plan then," Zach put Umbreon's Friend Ball down on the video phone's transfer platform. "Well if we're going to an island full of Dragon types, I should keep Ninetales with me." He reasoned as the ball transferred itself away to Sonia's lab before being replaced by Corviknight's ball as it phased into view.
"Thank you Sonia, I appreciate the help." Zach gave his childhood friend an appreciative bow.
"Don't mention it and good luck, I hope you find Dragonair!" She had no intention on confirming the location's existence nor did Zach. They knew each other well enough to know that it'd be a secret they took to their graves for the sake of the Dragonite living there.
Zach turned back to Dawn and gave her a look. "You can stay here with the others, you don't have to come along. It'll probably be a long while before we find her."
"I don't have to but I'm coming along anyways!" Dawn wrapped her arms around his waist while offering him an affectionate smile. "You're my boyfriend and I'll be darned if I let you get lost at sea without me!"
"Corviknight!"
"Latias!" Before the two had a chance to leave the Pokemon Center they crossed paths with Ash and Marnie and upon learning of the situation, Ash and Marnie immediately offered their assistance in finding Dragonair! Corviknight and Latias took off and left Fula City behind them as they took to the skies and soared over the ocean, the four trainers and their Pokemon kept an eye out for islands as they soared across the ocean but unfortunately everything they came across was either too small for a colony of Dragonite to reside upon or it was full of Bug type Pokemon!
"Dragonair..." Zach clenched his fist before punching at a nearby tree trunk upon yet another failed search. The branches above rustled as a pair of red eyes shined outwards, locking onto the trainer before an ecstatic cry could be heard as a Butterfree with a blue scarf came flying out to greet his former trainer!
"Freee!"
"Car?!" Lucario had a startled expression as he never expected to see Butterfree again!
"Ace!" Cinderace's eyes lit up as a bright smile spread across her face.
"Butterfree?!" Zach gasped as the butterfly Pokemon began nuzzling up against him!
"Freeee!"
"I-It's good to see you too, I never thought I'd see you again!" Zach laughed while gently petting Butterfree's head. "Is Beautifly around then?"
"Freeee!" Butterfree swiftly nodded before turning his gaze towards the tree above where May's former Beautifly could be seen looking down at them from a tree branch, accompanied by a group of Caterpie and Wurmple!
"Y-You have kids?! That's great, I'm so happy for the two of you!"
"Freeee!" Butterfree excitedly exclaimed before tilting his head as he glanced towards the tree bark. "Freee?" He asked in a questioning manner, seeming to ask why he punched their home.
"Huh? O-Oh sorry about that Butterfree, I was just frustrated! Dragonair's missing!"
"Freee?" Butterfree blinked.
"Oh right she joined after you left..." Zach frowned. "Well I captured a Dratini not that long after you left, I managed to raise her into a beautiful Dragonair but now she's disappeared to evolve into a Dragonite and I want to find her before it's too late!" He didn't get to see Porygon 2 and Piplup evolve, he wasn't going to miss a third Pokemon's evolution!
Butterfree's eyes widened as he let out a series of ecstatic cries and shouts! "Freeee!"
"Carrr!"
"Wait you know where Dragonite Island is?!"
"Ace?!" Cinderace gasped out alongside her trainer.
"Freee!" Butterfree nodded while proceeding to explain that shortly after he and Beautifly broke away from the swarm, a tropical storm hit and sent them careening into the ocean where they'd surely have drowned if not for the arrival of a Dragonite! The Dragonite had taken them back to Dragonite Island where they could rest up and heal, within a matter of days they were back to perfect health and were able to fly off! Butterfree had never forgotten what Dragonite did for them. "Freee!" Butterfree spread his wings as he offered to take them there.
"Carrr!" Lucario translated every word to his trainer.
Zach's eyes were quick to light up upon Butterfree's offer. "O-Of course, I'd appreciate the assistance!"
Butterfree flew back up into the tree and gave Beautifly a quick nuzzle as he told her he'd be back in a few hours. "Freee!"
"Beautifly!" Beautifly affectionately nuzzled him in return before pulling away, allowing for Butterfree to hang out with his trainer.
"Freee!" Butterfree cried out as he raced out of the trees alongside his former trainer and teammates.
"Oh hey you found Butterfree!" Ash exclaimed with a smile as they caught up to the others.
"Huh? Never thought we'd see him again." Marnie blinked.
"Hey Butterfree, we never met but I heard about you. The name's Dawn!" Dawn greeted Butterfree with a warm smile and a wave.
"Pip Piplup!" Piplup waved up at the Bug Pokemon.
"Freee?" Butterfree tilted his head.
"Yeah I found somebody else after you left, Dawn's my girlfriend!" Dawn smiled at Zach before placing her hand around his while giving Butterfree a quick nod.
"He's right, Zach's my boyfriend!"
"Freee?" Butterfree tilted his head. 'I knew that his relationship with Sonia wouldn't last but I thought for sure he'd get with Beautifly's trainer.' "Freee!" Butterfree let out an ecstatic cry as he offered Dawn a smile before landing atop his trainer's shoulder as there was no way he'd be able to fly alongside Corviknight and Latias!
"Butterfree apparently knows where Dragonite Island is, he was saved by the residents of the island but he's willing to show us so long as you agree to keeping the island a secret!"
"Of course, I know that's what you'd want." Dawn was quick to inform while leaning her head against his.
"I know how to keep a secret, I've kept many over the years!" Ash informed while Marnie nodded in agreement.
"My lips are sealed!"
"Morpek!"
"Pi Pikachu!"
Zach smiled at the group before making his way back to Corviknight before climbing back onto his back after helping Dawn up first. "Alright Butterfree just tell Corviknight where we need to go!"
"Freee!"
"Those brats actually know the way to Dragonite Island? Interesting..." A black colored Rotom Drone silently hovered over the island before zipping away as it's owner called it back to him.
"Freeee!"
"Carrrr!"
"Latias you'll wanna fly up, the Dragonite create storms that surround and hide the island so nobody can find it. We'll have to fly high up as to not get caught in it!" Zach relayed the information.
"Lati!" Latias responded by adjusting her aim, taking Ash and Marnie higher up while Corviknight swiftly followed. They rode above the storm clouds for a few minutes before the sky brightened as they reached the other side!
"Oh wow, that's a lot of Dragonite!" Marnie commented as she looked over Latias' side towards the ground below!
"And Dragonair." Ash breathed out.
"I wonder which one's mine..." Zach narrowed his eyes as it was hard to tell from up here, especially with the Dragonair all clustered together. The tips of their tails glowed bright blue, indicating that it wouldn't be long before they became Dragonite! "Let's get a closer look, Corviknight land!"
"Corvi!" Corviknight swooped towards the ground and landed in front of the Dragonair. Zach quickly leaped from Corviknight's back and started firing his gaze left to right as he tried identifying his Dragonair out of the cluster but it was so hard as they all looked alike!
"DRAGOOO!" Several Dragonite swooped forward and surrounded him from all sides, their usually friendly gazes turned threatening as they leered down at him.
"Carrr!"
"Ace!"
"Hey back off my boyfriend!"
"Pip Piplup!" Cyndaquil was left on Corviknight's back as Cinderace, Lucario, Dawn and Piplup all raced forward to stop Zach from getting obliterated if a fight broke out. Ninetales seemed to sense the danger as the Alolan fox burst out and let out a growl as she leered up at the Dragonite.
"Oi back off!"
"Snarl!"
"Pika pi!"
"He's with us, we're not here to hurt you!"
The Dragonite didn't appear to be convinced as they began charging up a series of Hyper Beams!
"Freee!" Butterfree rapidly flew around the Dragonite as he tried reasoning with them but they weren't willing to listen!
"Dragooo!" Dragonair quickly sprang forward and wrapped her long draconic body around the group in a protective fashion. "Dragooo dragooo!" She anxiously cried out while pleading with the Dragonite as she didn't want a fight to break out! The Dragonite seemed to calm down as they realized that the humans had come for her and not to hunt them. The Dragonite all bowed before backing away from the group while Dragonair gave her trainer an apologetic look as she pulled away from the others.
"Dragooo..."
"It's okay Dragonair, I know it's hard to fight your instincts." Zach smiled while petting his Dragon atop her head. "I was just worried about you... and I didn't want to miss out on another evolution!"
Dragonair smiled and nuzzled against his cheek before shortly taking notice of Butterfree.
"Dragoo?"
"Freee!"
"Oh right, Dragonair this is Butterfree! He was part of the team before you left, he's actually how we found you!"
"Freee!"
"Drago!" The two Pokemon gave each other a look and a bow of respect before Dragonair suddenly grunted out as her body rapidly blinked a bright blue color!
"It's happening!" Zach excitedly cried out, his eyes lit up as Dragonair started changing form. Her body expanded and grew more dragon-like as she no longer had the serpentine shape of her previous stages! Her blue skin shed away to reveal light orange skin beneath, the wings that donned her head fell off as two antennae sprouted out in their place while a set of wings burst from her back! The light then faded away to reveal the form of Dragonite!
"Dragooo!" Dragonite excitedly cried out, the cry echoing across the beach as the other Dragonair evolved!
"Dragonite the Dragon Pokemon, incur the wrath of this normally calm Pokemon at your peril because it will smash everything to smithereens before it's satisfied!" Zach's Rotom Phone read off as Dragonite's entry was registered.
"Oh man this is so awesome, I've always wanted a Dragonite on my team! I can't wait to fight alongside you!" Zach excitedly exclaimed.
"Dragoo!" Dragonite roared before taking a glance towards the sky above with a longing expression. "Dragooo!"
"What? You wanna go fly around or something?"
Dragonite smirked while giving her trainer a swift nod.
"That sounds fine by me, Corviknight could use a break!"
"Corvi!" Corviknight sweated while giving a quick nod in agreement. He loved his trainer but flying across the world every few days wore him out, it was about time he had another Pokemon capable of the job so they could take turns!
"Hey Dawn, wanna join me for a ride?"
Dawn playfully rolled her eyes before giving her boyfriend a smirk as she took his hand. "Of course, you don't have to ask! I'll follow you anywhere you go!"
"Alright, Corviknight return!" Zach returned Corviknight to his ball before gesturing towards Butterfree. "Let's take this opportunity to get you back to your mate!"
"Freee!" Butterfree excitedly cried out, the butterfly landed atop of Zach's head as he and Dawn climbed onto Dragonite's back with Lucario, Cinderace and Piplup followed after their trainers.
Dragonite stretched out her wings before taking off into the sky with an excitable shout!
"We'll be back!" Zach waved at Marnie before Dragonite disappeared over the storm.
"See ya!" Marnie waved after him before turning her attention towards Ash. She noticed his gaze was fixated upon something and noticed a Dragonair that hadn't been graced with evolution. A saddened look was present in the Dragon's eyes as it let out a sad coo. Ash felt bad for the Dragonair as it was clear that he wanted to evolve, he just didn't have enough experience!
Ash walked forward and extended his hand while offering Dragonair a smile. "Hey Dragonair, how about you train with us? We'll help you become a strong Dragonite in no time!"
"Pi Pikachu!"
"Dragooo..." Dragonair looked up at him and offered out an appreciative sounding coo.
"Alright Drakloak, Dracovish I choose you!"
"Drak!"
"Unoooo!" The two Galarian Dragons burst from their Pokeballs.
"Alright you two, we're gonna help Dragonair get enough experience to evolve into Dragonite. You up for this?!"
"Unooo!"
"Drak!" The two Dragon types excitedly cried out as they were eager to help out their fellow Dragon!
"And there you go, back to your family just like we promised!" Zach gazed up towards the tree containing Butterfree's family with a bright smile. "I'm proud of the life you made for yourself, I'm glad that everything worked out!"
"Freee!" Butterfree nuzzled against his trainer once more before gazing towards the ground with a saddened expression.
"There's no need to feel sad Butterfree, now that I know where ya live I'll come visit you I promise! This won't be the last we see of each other!"
"Carrr!"
"Ace!"
"Dragooo!" Dragonite chimed in alongside her teammates.
Butterfree offered them an appreciative smile before flying back up to join his family. He couldn't wait to see his former teammates again, he missed them dearly but he'd never leave Beautifly for them! Zach watched Butterfree and Beautifly nuzzle against each other as she welcomed him home.
"Alright Dragonair keep up the hard work!"
"Pi Pikachu!" The two cheered Dragonair on as she sparred against Drakloak and Dracovish, the two taking turns on facing off against her while being unaware of a cloaked figure walking along the beach.
The figure walked along the beach, not seeming satisfied with what he saw as he didn't immediately grab the first Dragonite he came across and that one was basically begging to be stolen as it was fast asleep! No what he wanted was something of a rarity and he soon got what he wanted as he came face to face with a dark green scaled Dragonite!
"Crikey, ain't you a beauty!" The Hunter fired off his arm cannon, alerting the rest of the island as the green Dragonite was encased in a golden material!
"Dragoooo!" The Dragonite all let out an enraged shout as they began firing up a series of Hyper Beams!
"Pokemon Hunter R!" Ash exclaimed as he turned around to investigate the source of the ruckus.
"Pi Pikachu!" They knew that he either escaped prison or the possessed Chairman bailed him out as he was previously seen engaging Eternatus before the alien creature sent him packing!
"'Ello there!" The Pokemon Hunter offered Ash a mocking smirk as he decloaked. "Like my new tech? Luckily for me that Chairman paid in advance so I'm back in top shape and fully back in the swing of things! A shiny Dragon type will fetch me big bucks, I was actually searching for the island myself when one of my Rotom Drones identified you meddling kids and I must thank you for leading me straight to it! Now that I know where it is, I can sell the location for even more money!" Hunter R laughed before leaping back as a Dragonite fired a Hyper Beam at him!
"Ahh! Well it was fun but I've got a ride to catch, see ya!" He activated a button on his artificial arm, teleporting him and the captured Dragonite to his ship which hovered high above the island!
"We won't let him get away, I promise!" Ash vowed to Dragonair as he stared up at the ship with an anxious expression. "Latias let's take to the skies!"
"Latiii!" Latias quickly swooped across the beach before landing, allowing Ash to climb onto her back before she took off into the air!
"Hold up-!" Marnie held out her hand before narrowing her eyes as Ash took off without her. "I really need a Flying type of my own..." She muttered with a sour look as Ash often let her behind in his haste to help other Pokemon out!
"Dragooo!" The other Dragonite soared into the air alongside Ash and began firing off a series of Hyper Beams at Hunter R's ship, not seeming to grasp that if it blew up then they'd take out their friend too!
"The Pokedex was right!" Ash gritted his teeth. "Latias use Psychic to tear a hole through the bottom of the ship, we're going in!" They needed to do this fast as the Dragonite were too enraged to see sense!
"Latiiii!" Latias' eyes glowed a bright blue color as a similar colored outline formed around the ship's bottom, identifying the metal's material before picking up a weak link and ripping it right off to gain them entrance to the ship!
Pokemon Hunter R could be seen hastily working away at the controls as alarms were going off inside of the ship. "No no no no! Salamence must have ripped something critical out of the ship that I missed!" His partner having gone into a Dynamaxed state during his escape from Hammerlocke, the Dynamaxed dragon took a massive chunk out of the ship's engine and the Hunter had spent the past few days repairing it but only now did he realize a crucial part that was lost! "The Hyper Core! Oh no.." Without it he couldn't blast off at super speed like he had when he stole Bonnie's shiny Fennekin!
Ash gazed silently at the Pokemon Hunter before glancing towards the frozen Dragonite, he silently creeped towards Dragonite and began to peel the golden material off the Dragon's body before ripping it off! "D-Dragoo?!" Dragonite gasped out with a surprised expression before looking around as he wondered where he was? A loud explosion suddenly rocked the ship, suddenly Dragonite and Latias falling out on top of each other while Ash followed on after them! The two Dragons were unable to fly as they were stuck together, the two shook as they tried breaking free of each other before landing with a large heavy splash as they landed in the ocean, their struggle having adjusted their aim allowing them a safe landing!
Ash wasn't so lucky though as his arms flailed about. "Ahhhh!"
"Pika!" Pikachu clutched tightly to Ash's head while the two closed their eyes as they dropped towards the hard ground of the beach!
"Drago?!" Dragonair's eyes widened as he caught sight of them, his blue skin quickly shed and broke away as he hastily evolved into Dragonite! The newly evolved Dragonite swooped upwards and grabbed hold of Ash and Pikachu.
"Wha-Who?" Ash was surprised to see a Dragonite had helped as they were seemingly in an anger induced rage! He thought that Zach had returned but when he caught sight of another Dragonite approaching the island in the distance with a certain white rabbit he realized that wasn't the case. "You're Dragonair, aren't you?"
"Dragooo!" The serpent cried out while nodding his head in confirmation.
Ash and Pikachu smiled up at the Dragon as he continued holding them in his arms before dropping them safely upon land where Zach's own Dragonite landed moments afterwards.
"What happened-Wait isn't that Hunter R's ship?" Zach asked as large explosions surrounded the ship, the ship began leaning forward as it crashed towards one of the many tropical storms that surrounded the island, disappearing into it before a large explosion could be heard followed by a large splash as the ship sank beneath the ocean's surface! The other Dragonite's rage induced expressions disappeared and were replaced by a look of calm as they flew back towards the beach as if nothing had happened!
"Not anymore it ain't." Marnie stated. "Do you think that's the last of him?"
"Somehow I don't think it's that easy." Ash spoke before gasping out as his Dragonite suddenly pulled him back into a tight hug!
"Dragooo!"
"Heh looks like you made a friend today." Dawn laughed.
"Dragooo!" Zach's Dragonite smiled at her fellow species.
"Dragooo!" The male Dragonite continued hugging Ash, not seeming to want to let go of him!
"Ha, if you ask me it looks as if Dragonite wants to come with you!" Zach laughed.
"I-Is that true, Dragonite? Y-You want to come with us?" Ash gasped out as Dragonite wasn't letting up on the hug!
"Dragoooo!" Dragonite gave a quick nod while giving Ash an affectionate warm smile!
"A-Alright... I-I can't reach the Pokeballs!"
"Unooo!" Dracovish raced forward and joined in, affectionately nibbling Ash's head as he remained within Dragonite's grasp!
"Pika!" Pikachu and the others laughed as Ash tried getting Dragonite to let him go so he could catch him but the Dragon was persistent, seeming to love giving his soon to be trainer hugs!
And so Ash now has a Dragonite of his own! Next time the Hisui arc begins with 'The Unown Predicament!' :)
"Will we see Zinnia?" Yes, she's been planned to make an appearance since the start!
"If Ash's Oshawott/Dewott hasn't evolved" It hasn't! I was holding off on him and Rowlet as I thought the whole regional form situation would start with Dewott and Dartrix, not the final form! That's why Quilava evolved and how Zach ended up with Cyndaquil
"I hope we do see Hisuian Growlithe/Arcanine & Braviary (I can't wait for the Hisui arc!), Honedge (Did someone already catch this? I might be remembering another fanfic) Aerodactyl, and even Silvally" I plan on showing most if not all the Hisui Pokemon and no, nobody has the Honedge line. Well Shielbert and Sordward do but they're not going to appear again. It's been on my 'maybe' list for Ash, I just can't think up a good situation for it to happen along with a personality for it.