Chapter 39:

The White Dragon awakens

Location: Icirrus City

I was about to head off to Dragonspiral Tower with Cheren. Now being on equal terms again, I felt that our teamwork would be stronger than ever. Bianca would be taking on the Gym today; we understood. But she did come with us to the Dragonspiral Tower entrance.

"There's something I want to do," she said.


Location: Outside Dragonspiral Ext.

"It's just through those trees," Cheren said, as we saw the old structure tower above the foliage. "You made preparations?"

I nodded. "Bianca, what is it you want to do then?"

Immediately, Bianca ran into the long grass.

"What is she looking for?" Cheren said.

Sure enough, something jumped out. It was cream and sleak, having red arms and padded hands and feet.


Mienfoo (コジョフー)

125

Fighting Type

Martial Arts Pokémon

2'11" (0.9)

44.1 lbs (20 kg)

They have mastered elegant combos. As they concentrate, their battle moves become swifter and more precise.


"Frillish, go!" shouted Bianca. Mienfoo fired its Swift, which involves shooting starts at the opposing Pokémon that doesn't miss. Being a Normal Type move though, it didn't work on Frillish.

"Ominous Wind!" Frillish brought up a ghostly gale that brought Mienfoo down to yellow health. Mienfoo came back with a Drain Punch, but that was useless to. "Ominous Wind again!" This one barely knocked out Mienfoo. Mienfoo used another Swift, which was of course pointless. "Okay. Go Great Ball!" shouted Bianca as Mienfoo went in. "I really hope I catch this…" she said.

The Pokéball wobbled to and fro.

It stayed shut!

"I did it!" Bianca yelled. "I have another Fighting Type! Now I'll really be good against the Ice Types."

"Good luck," I told Bianca.

Bianca ran over and hugged me. "Good luck to you to. Team Plasma are a nasty bunch."

As Bianca ran off to take on Brycen, me and Cheren nodded before running to the entrance of Dragonspiral Tower.


Location: Dragonspiral Tower Int.

"No Grunts here," Cheren said as he looked around the ruined tower. Really, they were like ancient ruins but inside a building. Since the tower was built on a lake, there was a great deluge of water spread out next to us.

"Let's keep at it," I said. After about three steps, I ran into a Pokémon. It was scaly and had two strong blue arms and giant red wings.


Druddigon (クリムガン)

127

Dragon Type

Cave Pokémon

5'03" (1.6 m)

306.4 lbs (139 kg)

It warms its body by absorbing sunlight with its wings. When its body temperature falls, it can no longer move.

Druddigon has no known evolutions.


"You know, Druddigon's face is harder than rock, and-"

"Scrafty, go!" I shouted. "Use Crunch!" Scrafty chomped down on Druddigon's right wing, but it was hurt a bit. Druddigon has Rough Skin, an Ability that works like Ferroseed's stupid Iron Barbs. Druddigon's right claw started to glow blue. It then swiped Scrafty.

"That was Dragon Claw!" Cheren shouted.

"Scrafty, Crunch again!" Scraggy bit down once again. Druddigon used Chip Away back. "You know what? If Bianca can catch a Pokémon today, then so can I. Ultra Ball, go!" I threw it and Druddigon went inside. I was shaking; a Dragon Type handy would be amazing.

Druddigon stayed in!

"Oh yeah!" I shouted, as the Ultra Ball was sent to the PC. "I'll be using this tomorrow."


Me and Cheren got to the next floor. This floor was in even more shambles. Every pillar fallen, all from a battle of two heroes.

I got out my book. "According to this, Dragonspiral Tower is the only surviving structure from the battle between Reshiram and Zekrom. Clearly it's not standing without scars though."

Suddenly from above, we heard a loud angelic cry. "Looks like that battle might just happen again if we're not careful, if we're not too late already."

Me and Cheren walked along the pillars. They made for a handy bridge. The only Pokémon we battled was Golett, none of which we caught. After Druddigon, I decided that I wanted to focus on battling rather than catching for a bit. With my final Gym challenge coming up, I decided it was necessary.


Floor 3f was interesting in that there were ramps everywhere. The floor was in pieces.

"Can you solve this puzzle?" I asked.

"Just because I could Chip Away an icy path doesn't mean I can created solid matter."

The only way to get across would be to hop for it. I went across the only ramp that went upwards so I could get a run to get to the other side. This led to three more ramps. Two would lead me back in circles with some items to pick up, but one would let me get to the next set of stairs. Cheren jointed shortly afterwards.

"We'll come back for those maybe," Cheren said. "We need to get to the next floor. That's where I was ambushed."


The next floor was a bit more straightforward, being made up of two levels that need a smaller set of stairs to get up. On the other level though, were multiple Team Plasma Grunts.

"Shall we do it?" I asked.

Cheren adjusted his glasses. "You bet."

We both ran up. "Hey!" I yelled.

All the Grunts looked at us. "Oh great, a team up. So close to our plans being succeeded, and this two just have to show up."

"Where are you getting that ideology from? Giallo wouldn't want that! Let's take them on!"

Just like at the Cold Storage, I took the right Grunts and Cheren took the left.

"Come at me!" an F Grunt said to me.


Hilbert Vs. Plasma Grunt F

"I choose Scraggy!" the Grunt shouted.

"Go Scrafty!" I replied. I was allowed to be unfair a bit this time. "High Jump Kick!" Scrafty darted forward with its leg. It hit Scraggy and knocked it out in one hit.

"Liepard, go!" the Plasma Grunt yelled as the black quadruped entered opposite to Scrafty. "Assist!" Suddenly, Liepard used a High Jump Kick! It hit Scrafty in the face and knocked it out. Clever.

"Samurott, go!" I yelled.

"Slash it!" Liepard came up to Samurott and swiped it in the face.

"Revenge!" Samuortt, remembering the hit it took, punched Liepard. It was so impactful that Liepard was knocked back and tumbled across the floor. I had won.

"PLAAAASSSMMMAAA!" the Grunt yelled.

"Good one Samurott!" I shouted. "Onto the next one!"

"Nice one, I must say." An M Grunt was my next opponent. These Grunts were getting stronger and stronger.


Hilbert Vs. Plasma Grunt M

"Gothorita, go!" I shouted.

"I choose Garbodor!" the Grunt shouted, sending out a disgusting green and grey Pokémon with a funny hand.


Garbodor (サヅトダス)

075

Poison Type

Trash Heap Pokémon

6'03" (1.9 m)

236.6 lbs (107.3 kg)

They absorb garbage and make it part of their bodies. They shoot a poisonous liquid from their right-hand fingertips.

Trubbish -Lv 36- Garbodor


"Psychic Gothorita!" Gothorita lifted Garbodor telepathically, then slammed it on the ground. It very nearly took it out.

"Garbodor, Payback!" Garbodor surrounded itself in black energy, then charged into Gothorita. It also managed to just about hang on.

"Another Psychic!" I shouted, as Gothorita lifted up Garbodor once again then slammed it down.

"PLAAASSSMAAA!" yelled the Grunt. I high-fived Gothorita.

"Nice one!" I said.


"Hilbert," Cheren said. "Team Plasma are stalling us by having us both fight them. I'll continue with this, you keep ascending. I'll join when I can."

"But why?" I asked.

"Because you're a hero! You can beat N! Trust me on this! Let Team Plasma deal with the brains. I'll let N deal with the brawn!"

With no time to waste, I made my way up to the next floor.


The next floor was a giant spirally platform with slabs in the way. I swear it was like the architects on this tower wanted the ancient people of Unova to get confused. Because it was certainly working on the modern people! Still though, I got through it and went up to the next floor.

Similar to 5f, there were two levels on the next floor. And also similar to 5f, Team Plasma Grunts were waiting, was another Sage. This one had a short white beard and a red cloak.


"Hilbert of Nuvema Town," he said. "Congratulations, you've reached the final floor before the summit."

"I'll wipe through every last one of you if I need to!" I said. "Just you wait, I have seven Badges!"

"I don't really want to go through with this," he said. "My name is Giallo. I am aware of the catastrophe that was plagued when the two heroes fought. I don't want that to happen again."

I shook my head. "If a big battle does go down, you can be sure that I will prevent destruction!"

"Well, isn't someone sure?" an M Grunt told me. "I'm going to put it out there. You're no hero. You're a pest. A twerp. Someone who just wanted to go on a journey because you were bored. You're not a hero, you're a little pest who's incapable of keeping promises."

All the Grunts started to surround me. I was scared that it would be the end.

"Druddigon, Shadow Claw!" From one of the windows, a Druddigon appeared and attacked the Plasma Grunts. Iris poked her head from the top of Druddigon's. "Long time no see Berty! Bianca told me you would need support, so I came as soon as!"

Iris got down and recalled Druddigon. Multiple Grunts had been attacked and had to retreat. "Thanks for making it easier for me," I said. "Listen, Cheren is down a couple of floors. Could you give him a helping hand please?"

Iris nodded. "Sure! Good luck!"

As Iris went down the stairs, the same Grunt who taunted me grabbed a Pokéball.

"It's on!" I shouted.


Hilbert Vs. Team Plasma Grunt M

"Go Krokorok!" the Grunt shouted.

"Foongus, go!" I yelled.

"Okay Krokorok, Hone Claws!" Krokorok sharpened its claws, raising Attack and Accuracy. "Good luck with-" Foongus fired some smoke at Krokorok, getting rid of its boosts. "Clear Smog! Come on, not now! Fine. Let's see how you like Crunch!" Krokorok jumped at Foongus and bit down on it. Foongus was almost done in one.

"Use Giga Drain!" Foongus drained a lot of HP from Krokorok. Still, I decided to change things up a bit. "Samurott, come out!" Foongus hopped over to my side as Samurott entered.

"Crunch!" Krokorok chomped down on Samurott's horn.

"Razor Shell!" Samurott sliced Krokorok for a Super Effective hit! Krokorok was down!

"PLLAASSSSMAAA!" shouted the Grunt.


Foongus jumped up and down happily. Just then, it started to glow. "Foongus?!" I yelled. Foongus got bigger and bigger, till its evolved from was revealed. It was bigger and had two plate like hands with Pokéball patterns on them.


Amoongus (モロバレル)

097

Grass/Poison Type

Mushroom Pokémon

2'00" (0.6 m)

23.1 lbs (10.5 kg)

They show off their Pokéball caps to lure prey, but very few Pokémon are fooled by this.

Foongus -Lv 39- Amoongus


"Urgh. You won't get to Lord N!" The Grunt ran down the stairs. "Plasma will prevail!"

Giallo walked up to me. "I believe N should be almost done. Would you like to experience the majesty?"

That cry again, even louder this time, came from above us.

"Yes!" N yelled from above. "Burn baby burn!"

I adjusted my hat. "Okay. But truth be told that victory may seem like it's in your grasp, I will stop you. Trainer's honour."

With that, the two of us walked to the top of the spiral stairs to the top floor.


The wind blew through my hair. Not just from the height, but from the other giant presence there. Standing above N was a large, white, feathery Pokémon whose tail was blazing.


Reshiram (レシラム)

149

Dragon/Fire Type

Vast White Pokémon

10'06" (3.2 m)

727.5 lbs (330 kg)

This Pokémon appears in legends. It sends flames into the air from its tail, burning up everything around it.

Legendary Pokémon


"What do you think Hilbert?" N asked. "How do you like the beautiful form of the Pokémon who appears before and fights beside that hero that will lead a new world?"

Usually, I would come up with a reason immediately. But I was too in awe at the majesty of the Pokémon before me.

"My Lord N," Giallo said. "What is your plan?"

N smiled. "Me and Reshiram will take on the Pokémon League. This will be the last of thoughtless fighting. And the last battle?" N looked at me. "You will challenge me one last time. But I have a request; awaken Zekrom. Then we will be even."

"But how?" I asked. "I need the Dark Stone!"

"I know," he said. "I will give you two weeks. That's how long it will take me to uncover the truth to everyone. Our battle will be as Legendary as the battle of the heroes!"

"No!" Giallo said. "I will not have another clash like any years ago!"

"Giallo, it's fine," N said. With that, he got on Reshiram, and they flew off.

"Plasma has prevailed," Giallo said. "And don't you try to stop it; it will be a disaster."


Location: Icirrus City

Despite the snow, a town meeting had been called for everyone. The only person that wasn't there was Nurse Joy, but she obviously had business to attend to as a worker. Me, Cheren, Bianca and Iris joined to. Brycen had just came back, having been swept by N. As a positive side note, Bianca had won against Brycen! But we were too busy to discuss that. Brycen had to ignore the one battle a day rule to take on N an hour before the meeting had gone underway; he was being threatened by Giallo.

"Gym Leaders duty," Brycen said. "I had to give him the Icicle Badge."

"We understand," the Icirrus City Mayor said. "Okay, so Hilbert. What did N say?"

"He said I have two weeks to awaken Zekrom and fight him. I have an idea of where it might be, but I'm not sure how long it will take. It might not even be the Dark Stone. I suppose the best way we could start is the place where Team Plasma found the Light Stone. Where was that?"

Everyone looked at each other. "We don't know. Despite their obvious presence, they work very well undercover. Evidence shows that the Dark Stone isn't at Dragonspiral Tower either, which of course is the oldest standing structure in the Unova region. Why don't we try somewhere even older, somewhere that isn't standing but has at least remnants?"

Once again, chatter amongst the crowd went up.

"Where would that be?"

"What could possibly be older than Dragonspiral Tower?"

Bianca put up her hand. Immediately, the murmuring died.

"When I was in Chargestone Cave, Professor Juniper told me about the Relic Castle. It's not so much standing as it is buried underneath the Desert Resort. Maybe it's hidden there?"

Everyone stared at her. Bianca, embarrassed, was about to sit down.

Then, Brycen clapped. This was followed by the Mayor, myself, Cheren, Iris and the other residents.

"Woo!"

"Good thinking Bianca!"

"You go girl!"

Bianca's face lit up. "Thank you! I'm not 100% sure it will be there, but it's worth a look!"

"Then its settled," the Mayor said. "Hilbert, would you please go to the Relic Castle and search for the Dark Stone?"

I punched my fist into the air. "I will do it! N will go down and I will become a hero of the Unova region!"

Bianca got up again. "I'll call the Professor and tell you to meet us over there. We'll give you key points of the castle."

Finally, Cheren stood up. "And I'll go to Nacrene City to ask about Lenora about the Dark Stone. She's a walking talking Bulbapedia, she must know something."

Our plan was in place.


Team Plasma's victory over me is horrifyingly close, plus N's wager has got me a bit worked up. Two weeks to find a Legendary is like trying to find a lost toy in long grass. Or is it? Hawes, I hope I'm right…