Look, I should be clear—I didn't want anything to do with the whole "war" spiel my grandfather liked going on about. As far as I was concerned, it wasn't a fight worth fighting. Even after having "lost" the war, we were left with an abundance of privileges, giving us a position of power no matter what angle you looked at it from. Be it in the political arena or trade, our presence was oppressive. We had almost all of the benefits of ruling, with almost none of the annoyances of actually having to manage it. I imagined the concessions were the only reason the bloodshed stopped at all; my clans' pride likely wouldn't have allowed anything less.
It really shouldn't have surprised anyone then, that now, decades later, that same pride decided that what we had wasn't enough. Not enough land, not enough resources and not enough autonomy.
There was something to be said about a dragon's greed in this situation.
It would never be enough.
Though, I wouldn't be surprised if there were several facets of the war that was kept hidden from the public view, so I shouldn't be too quick to judge.
Something was definitely off about the whole thing.
The changes were too few, and cost of implementing them way too high.
It wasn't even as if Samuel Oak roughed up the long-established way of ruling too much, only tweaking it in an objectively fair manner. Ancient type-attuned families were still spread around the two regions, giving opportunity for obtaining badges of honour; precious metal marks granting nigh endless opportunities and raising personal worth. The only notable difference was what one could do after obtaining eight badges throughout both regions. Instead of battling increasingly challenging Wataru elders for glories and riches, the newly named Indigo League now also changed to the global standard of having the vaunted Elite Four group managing regional politics, spearheaded by the strongest trainer originating from either Kanto or Jhoto: The Champion.
It was a position technically obtainable by anyone, a notion which spurred a surge of new trainers to try their luck at training Pokémon. The war no longer an issue, people of all ages ventured out, to varying degrees of success. A few rare cases prospered, going on to become big names in the scene, for others, reality quickly took its due. Insubstantial talent, lack of opportunities to obtain a proper Pokémon, missing knowledge, economic shortcomings, death. Many of the newly established laws were built upon the turmoil and chaos around those few opening years, in an attempt to cumber the more reckless citizens. The world was quickly reminded that the profession of training Pokémon wasn't one to be taken lightly. Oak remaining unshakeable as the Champion for twenty years also helped temper the more childish ambitions in most, the reality of the strength and sacrifice needed to reach such a zenith starting to sink in.
Unfortunately, none of this stopped my family from pressuring me, Clair and Lance to pursue the position. It was clearly their prioritized plan, being the one leading to the least amount of bloodshed, though I imagined they had a heap of other less pleasant ones should it fail. In my past life, I knew that Lance reached the position of Champion in the games, but unsurprisingly, when it came to real life, it was impossible to take that for granted. It wouldn't do for me to slack.
I would however cheer Lance and Clair on, I really didn't want to take on the mantle personally. The stress/reward scale was way too unbalanced.
If I were to be honest, taking over the Blackthorn Gym and living luxuriously off of the royalties that followed its position suited me far better. That plan of action of course had its own hurdles to overcome, but it was an exciting enough path, with lots of benefits and prestige. I also liked to think it would satisfy the strong sense of noblesse oblige instilled upon me throughout the years, honouring my family without having to necessarily become the Champion. I would have to prove my mettle of course—nepotism would only get me so far. After all, just as the Viridian Gym acted as the final gatekeeper in Kanto, Blackthorn Gym represented the final step in Jhoto. Only accepting trainers who have managed to gather seven badges, it was a gym held to a much higher standard than normal. It was common practice that any trainer serious about challenging the Elite Four and the Champion would earn their eight either in Blackthorn or Viridian. So, it really wouldn't do for me to become its leader through anything other than overwhelming ability and strength.
But those were worries for the future. It would be better to focus on the present, for now.
Especially now.
I had, after all, just a few minutes prior gotten a much more pressing and immediate concern, in the form of the hate filled Deino currently occupying the lone poke ball on my waist.
I hadn't the faintest idea on how to properly raise the thing, if I were to be honest. Which just wouldn't do, raising a dragon poorly was worse than not tending to it at all. It didn't take long for an unruly dragon to bite the hand that fed it, as it were. I knew I needed guidance, but I couldn't immediately recall anyone within the clan that had possession of an Hydreigon.
Having just left the Den of Dragons, I was on my way to meet up with Clair and Lance.
I figured I could voice my problem to Lance, he usually had something smart to say.
It took five minutes' march south to reach Blackthorn City, my hometown, and where I suspected Clair and Lance having run off to after their earlier departure. I was surprised to find the usually lively city quiet, nary a person out in the streets. The sun was at its peak, having just reached high enough to shine down through the mountainous cliffs which surrounded it.
I walked through the mostly vacant streets, after some time entering the training area situated on the outskirts of the city, one which I knew all three of us frequented. Clair wasn't stupid enough to release the Pokémon freely in the city, and the places she knew it appropriate were few, so the search didn't end up being hard at all.
Why was I already smelling blood? Tense, I turned around in confusion, failing to notice the origin of the strong stench.
Then, as if change was happening in the moment, I was able to suddenly accurately sense where the smell came from.
It led me to the training hall.
...
I didn't question the changes, not now.
I hurried inside.
I wasn't sure exactly what I was expecting upon arrival, but it wasn't the sight of my hunched over, somewhat bloody sister sitting despondently on the ground, with a stoic Lance standing sentinel a few meters apart from her. They were still wearing the same traditional robes from the ceremony, no doubt haven taken no detours before arriving here. Lance smiled broadly as he spotted me entering the grounds.
I watched the scene warily.
Seeing as I made no move to join them just yet, Lance took stride, leaving Clair who had made no move nor noise since my arrival, keeping still even as Lance made to join me.
If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say the first meeting Clair and her new Pokémon didn't live up to her expectations.
"It isn't her blood," Lance commented
"It's not?"
"No," said Lance, shaking his head. "The Horsea proved to be a feisty one, and didn't need much time to charge your sister, though, it should be noted that her carefree demeanour didn't help the situation much either."
I snorted at that, not surprised in the slightest.
She was still a child, for better or worse.
"Her Pokémon still draws breath, I hope?" I asked, only slight uncertainty leaking into my voice. Having your first Pokémon put down right in front of you would be traumatic for anyone, and not something I would wish on anyone, much less my own sister.
Lance's brow raised.
"Yes, I had Dragonair on standby, she knows how to appropriately use force. Though hurt, I would be surprised if it needed any medical assistance to get back on its feet."
I nodded in lieu of an answer to that. It was good news.
"And of my sister? What do you think?" I couldn't help but ask, worry evident in my voice.
Lance shrugged. "A rocky start, for sure, but nothing unsalvageable. As you know, few dragon tamers start with a smooth relationship."
Indeed. I would argue that no one did, but it was hard to do so when the living contradiction of it stood right before me.
Lance Wataru.
Not once had I seen any of his Pokémon act up, or heard any stories of discontent within his team. Even outside it, dragons of varying size still gave him a wide berth and lenience unheard off for someone not their own trainer.
It was just …unnatural.
I didn't know how else to describe it, or what to credit it towards.
He had a presence, for sure, that could in essence be likened to Javelin Wataru, yet still different. It was confusing to say the least.
In spite of this, I didn't ostracize him any for it. It was hard to dislike the twelve-year old at the worst of days, having a gravitas and personality even my twice-lived mindset easily bonded with. He was mature beyond his years, that was for sure. If it was a result of his circumstances, or innate qualities, I couldn't tell. A combination of both, most likely.
Unconsciously, I voiced the latter part of my thought process. "How is it you are so old yet so young, Lance?"
Lance grinned, "Ha. Comments such as those are why I oft wonder the same about you, cousin."
I didn't really have much to say to that.
None of my family or clansmen had taken my oddity as anything negative, but they had noticed it right away, from a very early age. I suppose it was unavoidable, as I would have to be a damn good actor to fool even half the people surrounding me, skills I would readily admit I lacked.
Still, it didn't end up leading to anything bad.
Genius. Mature. Gifted.
Such nonsensical titles ended being thrown around with my name attached. Titles I felt cheaply given, compared to people I used to grant such titles in my last life. Ignoring Pokémon related knowledge and skills, all I had done in this world is relearn old skills, which was hardly anything to be proud over.
Luckily, they didn't think more of it beyond that. Producing geniuses apparently wasn't anything too rare in the Wataru family. Hell, I need only look over at my cousin Lance to see another.
Our family had reason to be proud for a multitude of reasons, our mastery over dragons only one of them. This fact was once again made apparent.
Lance peered at me once again from the side, his face scrunched up, showing indecipherable emotion. "… And how did it go on your end, Blair?"
I resisted the urge to frown, and could do nothing to suppress the phantom pain that ran through my left hand. I didn't bother answering, instead lifting it up for him to see. It revealed the still bloody appendage, several bite marks marring it, deep holes strewn throughout.
Lance grimaced at the sight, "Still, a success?"
I nodded, "Yes."
His smile grew, "Congratulations, Blair."
I couldn't help but crack a smile then too, I was happy, "Thank you."
Truth be told, I felt some sense of euphoria over the matter, but reminding myself of the ticking time-bomb on my waist, I knew I couldn't remain complacent, "Then, Lance, do you know of anyone that would be able and willing to guide me moving forward?"
Lance seemed to consider the question for a few moments, hesitation - an emotion foreign on his face, briefly showing.
Curious.
Squashing whatever indecision plagued him, he spoke, "Yes, actually. There exist a few people in the clan who commands a Zweilous. Would you like the names?"
I didn't mean to overreach but…
"Don't we have anyone that has tamed a Hydreigon?"
Lance scoffed, "What a bad joke, cousin, taming a Hydreigon? Even I wouldn't attempt it."
"Then, there's none?" I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. We were THE dragon clan after all, if someone experienced in the evolution line didn't exist here, I found it hard to imagine there to be one at all, never mind readily available. There existed other dragon clans of course, but none of the renown and power we possessed. Subservient rubble. Such was the way my grandfather usually spoke of them. While probably heavily influenced by a not insignificant superiority complex, it didn't fill me with much confidence.
Lance raised an eyebrow. His eyes slitted, in obvious mirth, as he was in on a joke I was still unaware of. A slow smile crept across his face.
"You misunderstand me, you asked for able and willing. Of those, there are none. And rather than tamed, we have family that has coexisted with one. Describing the relationship as anything else would do both partners a great disservice."
"Coexisted? Past tense?"
Lance's smile dimmed, "Yes, the dragon fell in the twilight years of the war two decades ago, but the trainer remains. Well, most of him."
Ominous.
I gave him a long, considering look. He looked tired. He remained silent, and I could tell he was struggling with something.
It could wait.
For him, it would have to.
I glanced back towards the training grounds, once again observing the unmoving form of Clair. Complicated contradicting feelings swelled inside me at the sight.
"Be kind to Clair, Lance."
He got out his funk, turning a questioning stare my way. I held it.
"Of course, I wi-"
"No, really," I cut him off, "be kind. She will need it."
He nodded mutely.
It didn't feel good having to give orders to family, but in this case, it was for their own good. The notion of 'tough love' hadn't been taught as much as it had been ironed into their very being. Though a spirited girl Clair was, she would need some pillars of support in times such as these, and I feared I alone wouldn't be enough. I hoped to make Lance my ally in this sense. He cared for her well enough, deeply even, but him along with the rest of the clan seemed unable to entertain even minor instances of vulnerability. It was dysfunctional to the extreme, but not a problem I could fix, so all I could do was help those important to me when it mattered.
"Osk Wataru." Lance suddenly said.
"Huh?" was my eloquent reply.
"The man you're seeking," Lance continued, "The younger brother of our grandfather, and a previous trainer of a Hydreigon. The same one which was responsible for some our current Deino hatchlings, yours included."
"And you hesitate to bring him up because?" I asked, keeping my voice even.
"For your safety," he started, "Try to understand, he was a man that spent his entire life on the front lines, ordered around as an attack dog to where the elders at the time saw it fit. It shaped him in ways we can't understand, not truly."
He paused, considering his next few words.
"The result of it all has left him… unhinged, for the lack of a better word. Madness and time. Never was there a more terrible pair."
"…But?" I started, mind racing.
"But, to this day he remains in my opinion unquestionably the greatest master of the Deino line. Without contest." Lance revealed, "Were I you I would not settle for anything less, which is why I choose to share this with you, despite my knowledge of his character."
"Okay…" I said, hesitating. Just what kind of person was Osk Wataru, for Lance to be this cautious?
"He lives in a shabby wooden hut, on the south side of the lake right outside of Blackthorn. I would suggest meeting him after midnight," he said with a chuckle. "It is the lesser evil."
I didn't know what to make of that.
Regardless, I was of the opinion that faster was better in this case, even with only a few hours left until midnight. As while it was true that time was slowed inside a poke ball, it never stopped. This being the case, I'd really rather not give the irate Pokémon more reasons to dislike me than necessary.
"I'll leave for him now, I think." I say, gaze unconsciously drifting towards Clair once more.
"I will take care of her," I heard Lance say.
And meeting his eyes, I knew he truly meant it.
And with that confirmed, I made to meet with my estranged grand uncle. A slight trepidation plaguing my otherwise stable steps.
It couldn't be that bad, right?
"Oh? Did you just talk? Or was it the voices again? Hello?!"
It was worse.
"Why aren't you saluting me? You should be saluting me! Salute me!"
Ah.
"You fool! You just justified a pre-emptive retaliatory strike!"
Ouch, damnit.
Had these two chapters stockpiled, so don't expect this quick of an update schedule regularly.
That said, thank you for reading. Follows, favourites and reviews greatly appreciated.