Hey guys, IcarusOfFlame here with my first official chapter of my first ever FanFiction. I'm really excited about this, because as the plot unfolds in my head I just can't help but wan't to share it with everyone I can. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter and please remember to review, it would be super helpful for me to know where you guys think I need to improve as a write. Constructive Criticism is welcomed, straight out flaming is not.
Chapter 1: The Last Dragon Master.
Present Day.
Michael awoke to the sound of voices outside his door. "Are you sure it's wise to let him leave, I mean what if he gets in to trouble?" one of the voices said, in a rather worried tone.
"Of course." said another voice, this one more calm and cool, than the other, "The boy is 16 today after all, it's about time for him get started with a new chapter in his life."
"I know but…" the worried voice came again, "What about how people will react, he has…"
"I know." the calm voice said, "But he has to face that someday and it's better sooner rather than later, and besides, you and I both know that we couldn't stop him from going, even if we wanted to."
"That's true, I guess." said the worried voice.
"Don't worry about it so much." the calm voice replied, "I trust him, I know that he'll do great things, and I know that I don't need to worry about him because he's perfectly capable of taking care of himself, I mean, it was our job to make sure of that, wasn't it?"
"You're right." said the worried voice, becoming less worried sounding, "I should know better, after all these years, he's that last person I should be worried about."
"Exactly." said the calm voice in reply.
With that Michael stopped listening and got out of his bed. He looked around the small room and sighed. "It's hard to believe I'm going to be leaving this place," he said to himself as he took in the details of his room. The small bed sat on an old yet sturdy wooden frame, the floor was made from polished, dark wood, tiles that were fit together in a haphazard way, if there was any sort of pattern to it, Michael certainly couldn't see it. Next to the bed was a nightstand with a small reading lamp. The room wasn't much to look at, but it was his home and it had been for his entire life, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little upset to be leaving it.
Michael went over to the small dresser that was located next to the bed and began to get dressed. He pulled on a simple black T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, as well as a pair of old red running shoes. Once he was dressed he took a quick look in mirror that was hanging on the door, his neck length stark white hair was a bit messed up with bed-head. His grey/blue eyes flashed with annoyance as he tried to fix his hair with using his hand, smiling once he finally got it to stay in place.
"Alright." Michael said as he walked back over the the dresser and picked up the black leather belt that was sitting on top of it, after skillfully weaving the belt through the belt loops of his jeans he walked over to the nightstand next to the bed and opened the drawer. Inside were his pokéballs, which Michael picked up, "Today's the day guys," Michael said to the pokéballs, "Today's the day we're finally going to experience the world." The pokéballs wiggled a little in Michael's hand and his smile widened, "You guys are excited to aren't you?"
Michael clipped the pokéballs to his belt walked over to door. He slowly reached for the doorknob, looking over his shoulder at his room one last time. Knowing that this might be the last time he ever saw it, he turned away and opened the door.
Outside the room, waiting for him, were two of his teachers. Ordin, who was a tall man with long flowing black hair looked at him and smiled. "Ah you're finally awake." said Ordin, who was the owner of the calm voice Michael had heard earlier.
"It's about time." said the other man, this one shorter than Michael was and a bit rounded in the gut, he was also, unmistakably, the one who had been so worried earlier.
"Sorry to keep you waiting Master Thomas," Michael said a bit sheepishly.
The short man, Thomas's, face broke into a smile, "Don't worry about it, I was only teasing."
"Oh." Michael replied, smiling at his two teachers.
"Well I bet you're excited to get underway, aren't you?" asked Ordin, coming over a putting a hand on Michael's shoulder. Both Ordin and Thomas were wearing the traditional attire of the Dragon Tamer Clan, light purple robes, with gold embroidery around the neck and cusps of the sleeves, on the back of the robe was the symbol of the Dragon Tamer Clan, a black dragon head with red eyes. The symbol of the Dragon Tamer Clan was the same design as that of the Blackthorn gym badge.
"I am very excited" said Michael.
"That good to hear," Ordin replied, "However, The Master wishes to speak with you before you leave."
"The Old Man?" Michael asked quizzically.
Ordin nodded and said, "The Master said that he had something he wanted to give you before you left." With that, Ordin turned and started to walk down the hall.
"I see," said Michael, moving to follow behind Ordin, with Thomas close behind him.
"Oh, and Michael…" Ordin said, looking over his shoulder at Michael, "Happy Birthday."
"Thank you Master Ordin," Michael replied, bowing his head to his teacher.
"You don't have to be so formal anymore," Thomas cut it, "We're not your teachers anymore after today." Michael laughed after Thomas said that. "What's so funny?" the short man inquired.
"Nothing it's just that…" Michael stopped laughing and looked serious, "You guys are always going to be my teachers, you've taught me so much, and I'm sure that I still have a lot to learn from both of you."
Both of the teachers smiled at the praise, but neither one of them said what they knew they were both thinking. That Michael has surpassed them long ago, that he was a natural at pokémon battling and that the bonds that he shared with his pokémon were some of the strongest that they had ever seen. They also knew that Michael was still getting stronger, that as young as he was, there was no telling how far he and his pokémon would go in the future.
After walking down several hallways the group came to a stop in front of pair of double doors. "Well…" said Thomas. tapping Michael on the back affectionately, "The Master is waiting for you inside, and it's best not to keep him waiting."
Michael took one last look at his teachers and said "Thank you guys for everything." Michael held out his hand to shake, but instead the two teachers pulled him into a tight group hug. Without saying anything else Michael turned and walked through the doors.
"He's grown a lot from the frightened boy he was when he first came here." Ordin said, "Don't you agree." Ordin turned to look at Thomas when he failed to answer right away.
Thomas had tears starting to well up in his eyes, "He's going to be fine," Thomas said, in a somewhat shaky voice. "That's right!" Thomas's voice got much stronger as he said this, "He's going to take this world by storm, it won't be too long before everyone knows the name Michael Drake." Ordin just nodded and smiled, he wasn't one for huge outbursts, but he felt the same way.
The room was dark, lit by only only a few candles held by beautifully carved silver sconces on the walls. Sitting on the far side of the room, and a large purple mat raised on a daïs was the Master. The old man had white hair that was growing thin in old age. The Master also wore the traditional robe of the Dragon Tamer Clan, but he also had a red sash that went over his right shoulder. The man was short, but despite this he still gave off that sense of leadership, of pride, of everything that the Dragon Tamer Clan stands for.
The Master was flanked by two people, on his right was a man with blazing red hair, he wore a long hooded cape that was black on the outside and a dark red on the inside, a dark blue shirt and pants, and a pair of black boots. on the Master's left side was a woman, she had long, light blue hair, and she too wore a cape, hers was nearly identical to the one the man was wearing except that the inside was a deep violet, instead of red. She was also wore a blue, rather tight fitting, one piece outfit, blue high-heeled boots, and blue gloves.
The Master was talking to the man when Michael walked in and let the large door close behind him. At the sound of the door closing everyone stopped talking and looked up at Michael. Michael just stared back at them, but didn't say a thing.
"Well don't just stand there," the red-haired man said with a large smile on his face, "Come in." Michael smiled and walked across the room to stand in front of the Master.
"It's been a long time Lance." Michael said to the man.
"Too long," Lance replied as he and Michael high-fived each other. Lance was like a big brother to Michael, they had spent a lot of time together when Michael was little. Up until that day 11 years ago, Lance was a Dragon Master, and one of the Elite 4 of the Kanto and Johto regions, he was even champion for a little while. Now, while still technically a Dragon Master, he only used dragon-like pokémon, and Michael has no idea what he did for work. A few years ago Lance took a job somewhere and since then he had hardly ever been around.
"It's nice to see you again Michael!" came a voice from behind him. Michael turned around to see that it had come from the blue haired woman.
"Oh!" Michael said a bit surprised, "Hello Miss Claire." Claire was the Blackthorn City Gym Leader, since the gym used to be a dragon type gym she still battled using only dragon-like pokémon, this meant that the gym didn't have one overall set type. If the the Blackthorn gym badge was tough to earn before, it might be more so now because the challengers can't just rely on the gyms type weakness.
The Master cleared his throat to regain the group's attention, soon there were three pairs of eyes focused on him. "Thank you for coming Michael, now let's get down to business, shall we?" the Master asked the group. The three of them nodded and he continued, "As I'm sure you know, today is the day that you'll be leaving us." Only Michael nodded this time, knowing that the question was directed towards him. "Have you given any thought to what you want to do or where you want to go?" the Master asked raising an eyebrow.
Michael thought for a moment and then said, "All I know is that I want to grow closer with my pokémon and to work together with them to become the best trainer I can be."
"That is a noble goal," the Master replied with a sparkle in his eye. 'I'd expect no less from you,' the Master thought to himself. Michael nodded and then the Master continued, "If that's the case then might I suggest that you enroll at pokéTech Academy."
"What!" Michael blurted after pokéTech Academy was mentioned. pokéTech Academy is a school for pokémon trainer, although it's very High-Class institution, the tuition fee is about that of a small fortune, and so only those from wealthy families usually attended the school. "But Master," Michael continued, "The cost is…"
"Don't worry about the cost," the Master said, cutting Michael off, "It is possible to attend the academy with a full scholarship."
"Full scholarship?" Michael asked confused, "How?"
The Master began to explain the details to Michael, "It seems that a scholarship may be awarded to those who receive a letter of recommendation from both a recognized official of the pokémon League and a staff member at the academy."
"Really!?" Michael said, his eyes lighting up in excitement, "That's awesome."
"Indeed," replied the Master, "And as a Gym Leader recognized by the League…"
"I have agreed to write you my letter of recommendation," Claire interrupted, shooting a smile at Michael.
"You have?" Michael asked Claire, "Thank you so much!...but..."
The Master frowned "What's wrong Michael, don't you want to go?"
"I do." Michael replied, "It's just that I don't know any staff members at the school."
"Actually…" said Lance in a cheerful tone, "As the instructor of pokéTech Academy's Advanced Battling and pokémon Training courses, I too have agreed to write you my letter of recommendation" Lance then shot a warm smile at Michael.
It took Michael a bit to process what Lance had just said, but once he did a huge grin spread across his face. "Lance you work at…" Michael began to say.
"pokéTech Academy, Yes. I do." Lance finished for him.
"So that's where you've been all this time?" Michael asked. Lance nodded. "That's awesome!" Michael stated.
"Quite," said the Master in a tone the said it was time to calm down a bit. "If you're ready, you'll leave for the academy with Lance in a short while."
"I'm more than ready!" Michael exclaimed, he put his hand to the pokéballs on his belt, "I'm pumped, and I can tell that they are too." Michael got that look in his eye, that same sparkle that he got when he was excited as a kid.
"You've grown up so much." said the Master, his eyes softening, "Sometimes time it's hard to remember that you're the same kid who used play in the fountain with the pokémon."
"Master…" Michael replied, blushing from the compliment, "Thank you for all the great years I've spent here."
"I could thank you as well," the Master said kindly, "Oh that's right it's your birthday isn't it."
"It is Master, but you don't…" Michael began, but the Master held up a hand to stop him.
"Nonsense," The Master replied and reached behind him for something, "This is for you," he said as he pulled forth a package wrapped in brown paper and handed it to Michael.
Michael took the package and began to open it, when the last of the paper was torn away Michael gasped, "Master this is…" In Michael's hands was a black cape, similar to the ones Lance and Claire were wearing, only instead of violet or red on the inside there was a bright white, and emblazoned on the back and outlined in the same bright white was the symbol or the Dragon Tamer Clan.
"I had this made for you the day you first came to us," the Master said smiling warmly, "And I think it is finally the right time for you to wear it, capes like those are sacred in the Dragon Tamer Clan, for the only ones to wear them are the Dragon Masters"
"Thank you Master," Michael said as he swung the cape around behind and fastened the clasp around his neck. The cape fell around Michael's shoulders and hung down to about the top of his bottom of his ankles. Wearing the cape gave Michael a feeling of confidence, he felt like he could do anything, like he had the entire Dragon Tamer Clan behind him.
The Master stood up and walked over to Michael, "Kneel down." the Master said, and Michael did so without hesitating. The Master place his right hand on the crown of Michael's head and spoké, "I name you, Michael Drake, Son of Benjamin and Julia Drake, a Dragon Master of the Dragon Tamer Clan. The duties of a Dragon Master are as follows, to protect everyone, people and pokémon alike, to always do what is right, and above all, to have confidence in themselves and to help others do the same. A Dragon Master must be a leader and set an example to those around them, so that other will want to follow in their footsteps. Do you, Michael Drake, accept the responsibility of that comes with being a Dragon Master?"
"I do." Michael said in a confident tone.
"Then rise," the Master continued, "And take your place among legends."
Michael slowly stood up and looked at the three people around him. Lance put a hand on his shoulder and said "Congratulations Michael, you've earned it."
"I can't think of anyone more fitting to where the mantle of a Dragon Master." Claire added.
"I agree," said Lance.
The Master looked Michael in the eyes and said, "The responsibility of Dragon Master is now yours alone to bear, you understand this, yes?" Michael nodded and the Master continued, "Others may be Dragon Masters, but only in title, you are the last True Dragon Master, it has always been your destiny, it has always been your burden to bear, ever since that day."
"I understand Master," Michael said, "I won't let you down."
The Master smiled, "I know you won't. You are the hope we have for the future, you are the hope of the entire clan, no, the entire world. 16 years ago today, you were born and 11 years ago today, all dragon type pokémon were taken from us except for the ones that were with you." The Master stopped and thought for a moment and then continued, "I don't know what significance this day has in the grand scheme of things, but what I do know is that you're right in the center of it, and if anyone can figure it out and bring the dragon pokémon back to this world, it's you."
"Thank you for your kind words Master," Michael said calmly, "I promise that I'll find the answer, I won't let your and everyone else's hope go to waste. I'll find out why the dragon types were taken, and then I'll bring them back, I swear it."
After saying their goodbyes, Lance and Michael left the temple through the front entrance. The temple itself was built inside a cave, the cave was called the Dragon's Den, and as they walked the short way through the cave, towards the bright daylight that was visible ahead of them, Michael asked, "Lance, how exactly are we going to get the Academy?"
"Once we're out of this cave," Lance replied, "We'll head to the Blackthorn Train Station, from there we'll take the next train to Goldenrod City where a helicopter is waiting for us."
"A helicopter!?" Michael asked excitedly, he'd always wanted to ride in a helicopter, and was glad that he was finally going to get the chance too.
"That's right." said Lance with a smile.
With those words Michael picked up his speed and started running towards the exit of the cave, his black Dragon Master cape billowing out behind him as he went. Looking back over his shoulder Michael called, "Come on Lance, you're too slow."
Lance just smiled, "Dragon Master or not he's still an energetic teenager, he's going to do great at the academy."
Well, what did you guys think? I need reviews, I would really like to know what you guys think of my writing, so please let me know, and also let me know what you think of the plot so far. Does it seem interesting? Would you be interested in reading more? Is there another way to describe Claire's outfit other than just "one-piece outfit?" I mean seriously, I don't mean to sound like Silver here, but come on. Anyway, I'm getting off topic...Thanks for reading.