To say that a man like Gonzap could even show signs of fear would be an insult to his pride. He would admit that he was nervous, but he would never show it to anyone. He especially didn't want these people to notice.
"So… from what I've been getting is that you want us to cause a commotion while you guys do whatever the heck you want?"
The blonde and red eyed beauty in front of him held out the suitcase of Poké Balls to him. "Here, we followed Cipher's Shadow Pokémon Process, the Pokémon of your choice have been turned into Shadow Pokémon."
Gonzap took the spheres back.
The woman then continued speaking. "As for your question: yes. We will require you to capture their attention. You don't need to make yourselves at risk, just catch their attention."
"… I don't like beating around the bush any more: we heard you know where Wes is, and I want to know where he is." Gonzap asked.
"Well," The female across the table leaned in forward towards Gonzap and his right hand man, Wakin. "That's going to be a longer conversation."
[Meanwhile]
"You guys sure you're going to be alright?" Anto asked as Summer, Ben, and White prepared themselves to split.
"We have to find Black, Anto. I'm really worried about him." White explained as she rode on the back of a Latios—who was summoned all the way from Oblivia by Ben. Besides Summer and the ranger who brought him here, everyone was moderately surprised to see another legendary Pokémon though by then they had a high level of tolerance against the unexpected.
"There's also the fact that we were sent here to find Keith and Jack: two missing rangers. Maybe Black might have an idea of where these two people are or if he's seen them." Ben explained as he helped White get a more stable position on Latios.
"Sorry we have to leave again, Anto." Summer, with Flow on her lap, were getting on top of her Staraptor.
"It's fine. Just be sure to find him soon. I'd feel bad that the guy who helped me get into the League in the first place couldn't even join."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure he'll get into the league in time." White smiled softly. "I also know that he's also been looking forward to battling you."
Anto blinked in surprise.
"Ever since he saw you battle in Nimbasa City during the Music Festival, he's been getting pumped about the idea of battling you in the league." White explained.
"I-I never knew that."
"You should worry about Benga though. He seems to have taken his grandpa being defeated pretty hard." White spoke out.
"For now, Jamie and Wes are doing what they can but… yeah. I suppose he needs a friend right now." Anto rubbed the back of his head. "I honestly miss his hyper active tendencies."
Ben nodded before he, Summer, and White started gaining altitude. "Well, good luck Anto! We'll be rooting for you!"
Anto gave him his thanks before they all flew off, just leaving him with Benga, Jamie, and Wes.
When the mute got back, he found out that Benga was missing and Wes and Jamie thought that he just walked to clear his head.
Anto had a feeling he knew where he was and quickly told Kryx to teleport him—alone—to the area he had in mind.
The training grounds where Anto and Benga trained before he battled Drayden. There was a hidden waterfall at the back area of the estate where Anto and Benga found out about the potential of the Tri Fusion move and had all of his Pokémon work out the basic concept of using it.
In front of the waterfall lake was Benga and Ferland, and his Volcorona, Rei just looking at the lake.
Anto recalled Kryx before walking up to the guy, making all three of them look over to see Anto raising a friendly wave.
"Yo."
"Hey." Benga responded dourly.
Anto sat nearby Benga. "I'm sorry about your grandpa. I met him once, you're a lot like him."
The light in Benga's eyes lit up again at the mention of his granddad. "Yeah, he's amazing! No matter how much I tired, I could never beat him…" The teen's smile died down again. "I guess, I wanted to be the one to beat him out of his title. Pretty selfish don't ya think? Unova is in danger and I'm disappointed I couldn't beat my old man fair and square."
"You still can," The fiery teen looked to his raven haired friend. "Your grandpa may have lost, but that's only because N had a freaking legendary Pokémon on his side. Hard to win against that, even if you are a champion, so even if your grampa isn't champion, I still think he's someone worth surpassing none the less."
Benga looked down on the water. "If Grampa just had his most trusted Pokémon, he could have won, legendary or no legendary."
Anto raised his brow.
"A few years back, Grandpa's Hydreigon passed away from old age. It was his first Pokémon and that's also why Drayden and my Grandpa get along so much, because they were both part of the dragon clan here in Unova that gave them their first Pokémon." Benga explained. "Grandpa didn't really think dragon Pokémon were the only ones worth honoring, so he sorta got detached from the Dragon Clan's teachings."
That explained why Benga was associated with the dragon clan in Unova. Alder was originally a part of them.
"Ever since he died, Grandpa has been playing more with me. I think… it was his way of mourning for his friend by spending time with those that were still alive. He never did any hardcore training after the death of his first partner."
Anto accepted that and the only sound left around them was just the waterfall nearby them.
"Don't let him fool you, despite his talent, Alder was one of the laziest people I had ever met."
The two quickly looked back to see Drayden walking towards them. The two young teens quickly stood up.
"Believe it or not, I see a bit of me and Alder in you and Anto." Drayden chuckled whimsically, making the two teens look at each other. "When we were young, Alder had a nasty habit of fooling around. My wife joked that I have all this white hair because of all the stress Alder put me through as kids upto today. Ugh, I recall the day he forced me into 'picking up chicks' when we had duties to attend to." The normally strong and stoic man seemed to tenderly recall his past.
"How did that go?" Benga asked with curiosity.
"… You are never getting that story out of me." Drayden went back into his tough persona with double effort.
"Then I'll just ask Auntie Koiya." Benga quickly spoke out as Anto rolled his eyes.
"That was the day he met me and Alder's wife, Lenora." The three humans and two Pokémon looked over to see Koiya walking behind her husband.
"Wait, grandpa never told me the story of how he and grandma met." Benga raised his brow.
"That's because your grandfather's idea of courting women was—"
"We do not talk about that!" Drayden suddenly interrupted his wife with a hint of panic.
His wife put hands on her hips. "I'm sure my grand nephew deserves to know of how he came to be. After all, you actually agreed with him."
"I went through with it, yes! But I never agreed with it from the moment it left his mouth!" Drayden adamantly exclaimed. "He caught me off guard when he did it as well!"
"Tell me! Tell me!" Benga excitedly spoke out.
"Alder thought that playing heroes would help them get dates." Much to the gym leader's horror, his wife went on. "So he had his Hydreigon literally snatch me and Lenora off the ground and scale a high tower, where he and my husband would come and save us like heroes."
Both boys dropped their jaws while Drayden paled. (No one could tell if his mouth was open because of his face beard.)
"I was terrified out of my skull and screaming like a banshee." Koiya smiled sweetly as she recalled the traumatizing event.
She then went on explaining how the Hydreigon brought them to the highest tower and Alder 'attempted' to rescue them—before Drayden kicked his friend into the floor and demanded that Hydreigon let go of the two of them.
He apologized profusely, and even forced Alder into the ground—via pushing his head into the floor— to apologize to the both of them. However, Koiya was still so terrified and shocked, so Drayden had kindly went up to her to see if it was alright. At that time, Drayden was quite a well built and handsome man, so Koiya may have started falling for him at first sight. (Granted she was also recently in a scare of her life, so one could argue it was the suspended bridge effect where you 'fall in love' with the opposite gender you see first on a falling bridge.)
Overall, that was basically how Drayden and Koiya met, because Alder wanted to pick up chicks. (Alder and his wife Lenora's story is something else completely.)
Benga started laughing as did Anto after hearing the story. Ironic that Alder's unorthodox way of finding women scored them the love of their lives.
"Stop laughing!" Drayden barked.
No matter how threatening the gym leader was, the two kept laughing.
Koiya then came up to Benga. "It will be alright Benga. If there's anything else you inherited from your family, it's the ability to find lifelong friends from unlikely people. They're the ones who help him up."
Benga glanced over to Anto, who then rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Speaking of help," Drayden loudly stated. "I have been invited to host the League Tournament this year. My wife and I are heading there via limo to meet with Mr. Goodshow in the Unova league. You and your friends are coming with us there."
"We're going in a Limo!?" Benga asked excitedly.
"Do not bring out any of your Pokémon! It's owned by someone else!" Drayden scolded like a father would on an excited child.
Still Anto smiled; it looked like Benga would be alright. However, his own troubles were just beginning.
[Much later]
Here he was, the Unova Pokémon League, it was far more extravagant than he first thought. Not to mention there were a lot of trainers here with strong looking Pokémon all around.
Drayden stood by Anto and folded his arms. "There's less of them this year."
Anto sighed. Even when it was supposed to be easier with less participants, it still looked like he was going to be having a lot of trouble.
"Wow! Look at this place! There are many strong trainers here!" Benga cried out as he ran away from the limo like a bullet to stare and bother other trainers.
"Wow. Look at this place. There are many suckers I can pickpocket here." Wes spoke out in a somewhat serious but lazy tone as he walked briskly ahead.
Jamie came out and stood beside Anto before sighing.
"You should go and sign up. Show your badge case, and since you don't have a PokéDex, you'll have to fill out a form. Then I'll send someone to bring you four into your rooms," Drayden looked over to where Benga was already starting to bother some trainers and their Pokémon. (Wes was abusing that distraction for free stuff) "In case they don't get kicked out by security. I have someone to meet."
With that Drayden left the two young teens.
Said two teens watched as their other companions were causing distress to the other contestants. (Knowingly and Unknowingly.)
"Let's just go." Anto spoke out before leaving with Jamie.
As the two walked, Anto realized something. "I just realized; this is the first time you and I are alone together."
"Huh? Well umm yeah?" Jamie asked with confusion. Anto didn't even have his Pokémon out, so why was he saying this? Though a very, very small part of her mind was panicking at the thought of a boy and girl being alone together.
"I-I don't know if I should be asking this, but who was your brother? If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine, but I just wondered who he was since I recall you didn't say…" Anto stopped talking as he realized he was getting awkward.
Jamie relaxed a little if that was what Anto was asking. She was surprised he didn't ask why she had hidden her gender from the beginning or even how her parents died. Did Anto really respect her privacy that much?
A small smile of comfort spread across her face. "My brother was a lot like you," Anto looked at her. "He was an amazing trainer and was one of the best battlers I've ever seen. I've always wanted to be like him."
A part of him wanted to ask why she didn't go on a journey herself, but feeling that was also a personal reason, he asked this instead. "Why do I remind you of him? I'm not that strong of a trainer."
"Well I think you are strong, but that's not what made him my favorite battle to watch. He always made his bade his battles fun. When I first saw you battle with your Pokémon, you and your Pokémon looked like they were enjoying themselves, and when you seemed to be losing, you held on with a smile on your face. I… admired that part of you where no matter what you also seemed to bring the best out of anyone you battle." Jamie smiled brightly at the thought of it.
"Y-You really think I can do that?" Anto blushed at how nice her smile was.
"You already have." A blush also appeared on Jamie's face as she admitted that.
The two broke eye contact and looked towards the walls in the hall they were walking down. Huh, getting to that registration center was a lot harder than they thought it would be.
"Anto? Anto!"
They both turned to see a very stylish and pretty girl head towards the boy.
"T-Tiana?" Anto cried out before the amethyst eyed girl stood in front of him with an excited smile…
Before hugging him in an instant.
Jamie stared at the girl as she let go of Anto and hopped a small distance away.
"You made it to the league!? Congratulations!" She spoke out happily.
"T-Thank you? But what are you doing here?" Anto asked with startled confusion.
Tiana tilted her head cutely. "My sister and her boyfriend are participants in this League. I'm tagging along to support them. But I'll also cheer for you as well."
"Really? Y-you don't need to."
"But I want to!" She said. "Consider it a thank you for that time back in Aspertia City."
"Erhm!"
Anto suddenly felt a dark presence come over him as he looked over to Jamie, who had a smile that almost seemed forced. "Anto, who is this?"
"O-Oh right! Jamie, this is Tiana. I met her back at Virbank City Tiana, this is Jamie. She's been a travel companion with me for a while."
Huh? Why was Tiana's smile different? It looked less natural for some reason.
"Wow, I didn't know Anto was traveling with such a pretty girl." Tiana spoke out as she held out her hand towards Jamie for her to shake.
Jamie took Taina's hand and shook it. "Thank you, I think you're pretty too. I didn't know Anto knew about you and didn't tell us."
Said mute had this distinct feeling there was something hidden along the lines he was supposed to be reading.
"Anto!"
The amnesiac almost toppled over before he noticed Bianca tackling him into a huge bear hug.
"I knew you would make it into the league! You always were an amazing trainer!" Bianca smiled before opening her eyes and seeing Jamie and Tiana.
Wait, did Bianca's grip around his neck just get tighter or was that just him? (Please let that just be him…)
"Oh hello. Who are you two?" Why did Bianca have the same type of smile as the other two girls? And what was this feeling of dread and danger the black haired boy had never felt before that kept on rising!?
"Uhh Bianca? This is Jamie and Tiana." Anto didn't know if they were really listening to him, or if he should even be speaking right now.
"Wow I didn't know you knew such pretty girls Anto," Why was she saying the same thing as the other two girls? "And you didn't even tell me about them."
There was something going on here, but something told him that it was best not to realize what was going on here.
"Thank you for the compliment, but you're really cute yourself Bianca. I love your skirt and cap, it goes so well with your hair!" Tiana spoke out.
"Well I love your earrings! Where did you get those?" Bianca spoke out as she let go of Anto and started talking with the girls about jewelry and make up.
But why was everyone around them slowly moving away from them?
"Hey Anto! You'd never guess—see you later in our room!"
The mute quickly turned to see Wes and Benga catching up to him before suddenly turning on their heels and walking faster in the opposite direction.
Anto had some choice words for them as he saw them leave. However, they will not be put down here.
"So Anto," The boy slowly turned towards the three girls all with the same smile towards him. "I can't wait to crus—battle you in the league. See you later!" Bianca spoke out before running away.
"Wait, what was she about to say?" Anto pointed in the direction where Bianca left.
"You know Anto, my sister has been dying to see you since last time. I hope you can meet her again." Tiana giggled.
"T-Tiana? But didn't she try to kill me with that scary Absol of hers!?"
"She was just joking. I'm sure. Bye~!" Tiana waved before making a quick leave after answering Anto a little too quickly.
"What just happened?" Anto asked before he felt a stinging slap sound at his spine. He looked back at Jamie in surprise.
"Oh sorry, I thought I saw something and I tried to swat it off. I'll be going head and finding my room. See you later Anto." Despite her smile, Anto was sure he felt some anger coming from Jamie.
As she walked away, Anto's rubbed his back while wondering in his mind what the heck happened. What the heck!? Why was she angry!? What did he do!? What was with those girls!?
Around him, all the people there were giving him such disappointed (and somewhat dark) looks.
Anto sighed.
This was going to be a long tournament.
[Later On]
After filling out his form, Anto looked around the area. To his surprise, he saw someone he didn't expect to see there.
"Hey! Sebastian!"
The older chestnut haired teen looked around in shock at the voice before he turned back and saw the young boy waving at him.
"Well if it isn't Anto. You actually made it to the Unova League?" He spoke out before ruffling the young boy's hair.
"Nice to see you too, Lucario." The telepathic mute addressed the steel type next to him.
"Mr. Anto. I am looking forward in having my rematch with Sir Takezo." The Aura Pokémon stated.
"Wait this is the guy, Lucario has been talking about?" Anto glanced over to see a female Dragonite. "He's just a kid! Are you losing your touch or something Lucario?"
"Why do you always underestimate others?" A male Lapras asked who was staying nearby the edge of a pool.
"Ahh right. Anto, meet the rest of my team. You've seen Lucario, but over there is Charizard, my strongest; Dragonite over there is a bit stiff but she means well; Lapras here is the youngest; that fat Raichu over there eating food is prankster so be careful around her. Then we have Leafeon here."
"Howdy!" The grass type smiled.
"Anyway, we've got some training to do, but look out for me in the tournament. I've got a little something now that I didn't have before back in Nimbasa City. See ya later Anto." The older teen waved goodbye as he and his team left.
Anto was surprised at how versatile Sebastian's party was and he was just one of many contestants.
The young teen inhaled deeply before realizing what must be done.
[Elsewhere]
"And so the league is starting. All eyes will be watching over that area as the fate of Unova is decided there."
"Fools. They all gather in one area, while the true beginning comes from the ruins of a once ancient tower. They know not what we do."
"It is in their flawed nature, a nature that was imperfect since the moment of all our births and until our ends. However, now we can finally be rid of that imperfection. And it all begins with the rebirth of both Dragons…"
[Back with Anto]
"So… are you guys ready?" Anto asked as he stood away from both Wes and Benga in an open field.
Wes and Benga nodded before placing their own custom made Battle AR and summoning, Ferland, Benga's Garchomp and Wes' Hydreigon to the battlefield.
"This is going to be fun!" Benga fist pumped.
"I always wanted to see how one of these worked." Wes spoke out as he armed the device ready.
Anto did the same with his own Battle AR (After much repairs) and quickly brought out Sentinel.
Soon the league will begin, and with it, some of the hardest fights he's had yet.
There was a lot riding on this, but this was what he's been waiting for since several months ago.
All three trainers pressed a button.
-SYNERGY BURST ACTIVATED-
These were the days before the tournament that changed the world forever.
{Author Notes}
First off, I already know about how Alder's original/canon starter Pokémon was a Volcorona via Pokémon sources. However, I decided to change that a bit to better fit Drayden and Alder's friendship since I recall that Iris in the Manga called both Drayden and Alder 'Gramps'.
Sorry for the short chapter. But I'm traveling to another state (and currently in New Jersey right now) than where I usually am so traveling and sightseeing has my schedule booked. But I can still try and do what needs to be done.
Thankfully, this was another small interlude before The battles come in. I can't wait to show you guys what's in store.
See ya soon.