He left without saying a single goodbye. He didn't have time. As soon as he got home, his new Poké Ball belt around his waist with the Heal Ball comfortably sitting there, Ash's mom had him packing and kept him home the following day. Not that anyone would fault Delia, his baby boy was leaving for half a year for a faraway region. She just wanted to spend every remaining second with him. However, none of them will understand how much that would affect the future of not only Ash but Gary as well until it was already too late.

The journey to Unova was peaceful, there were no external complications and while some pokemon were restless during the flight Ash and Ele's singing kept them calm for most of the time. The good thing was that they loved the Nature Preserve and felt at home being surrounded by more of their kind. Ash, on the other hand, was so excited at being in a whole new region and meeting so many rare pokemon. Or at least rare in Kanto, that is.

Nephele, on her part, did her job as protector and friend of her human perfectly. She was never too far, always on his head or shoulder- though she preferred the top of his head the most. Humming for her human whenever he was learning something new and singing with her human whenever a dragon was out of control. She was also healing rapidly; her cast would come out any day now. Her human was very excited… she not that much.

"Ash come closer," Drayden called out. They were both at the Dragon Master's house. It's been a month since the boy had come to his care and it was finally time for Swablu's cast to come off. "As you know we are taking Ele tomorrow to the Pokemon Center so she can her cast off. That's when her process of rehabilitation will start," he warned the boy, who looked at his pokemon with care and worry. "She had the other dragons to focus on and forget about her own issues but as I know you've noticed pokemon's traumas can be focused on a different matter which impends them of their normal growth. She was injured in a traumatic event, hurt by humans. It is a miracle that she opened up her heart so fast and so much, you should be proud." Ash beamed at his teacher and at his pokemon, who snuggled him back in return. "But she has been bounded to earth for more than a month now and with all the trauma it might take her some time to regain the courage to fly once more. You'll have to be patient but strict, it will be hard."

"I know sir, but I am ready," Ash replied, determinedly.

"Good," Drayden said, a small smile making way into his usually frowning face. "Then what about I analyze Ele with my Pokedex feature so I can help you plan a training regime for her?"

"You can? Thank you!" Ash exclaimed, excitedly.

"Just pass me her Poké Ball," the Dean asked, taking the ball and reading it with his Pokedex.

It said:

Pokemon: Swablu.

Gender: Female.

Ability:Natural Cure.

Type: Normal/Flying.

Move set: Peck, Astonish, Sing, and Fury Attack.

The pokemon knows the egg moves Steel Wing and Dragon Rush.

NOTE: This pokemon is shiny. Egg moves have yet to been unlocked.

"Not bad," Drayden praised, both Ash and Ele preening. They've known the man enough to know that getting praises from him is a big deal. "Her ability with your Heal Ball will be a deadly combination. Natural Cure is an ability that heals all status problems when it switches out, Heal Ball will only boost that and help her regain some of her strength if not all if you leave her enough time in. I recommend having her start learning Refresh, it's a move that cures paralysis, poison, and burns. With her ability, it will come easy for her to learn and you won't need to switch her so much. It will only make her deadlier and her health status rise to the maximum. I would normally tell you to start teaching her Safeguard and Take Down after Refresh, as she's already used to her Normal-type energy and they won't be as taxing as other moves. But I'd rather you leave that for later and teach her Perish Song first. I know it is a complicated move, but she has the vocal cords for it and quite the talent for singing. Not to mention it will be a deadly move to have in your roster."

"Then I should also teach her Disarming Voice, while she learns Perish Song before teaching her Safeguard and Take Down. Then I will follow with Mirror Move," Ash cut in.

"You've been looking up Swablu's move set, haven't you?" Drayden commented, amusedly.

"We've also been practicing…" Ash admitted. "She still hasn't gotten it down, which might be why it isn't in the Pokedex, but I am sure that she'll manage to use Disarming Voice by the end of the week!"

"Well as long as no one got hurt," Drayden sighed. "But don't do it again. Especially with Perish Song, that is a dangerous move."

"Got it!" Ash saluted.

"Now go to sleep, we have a long day tomorrow."

Oh, how right he was. It was a long day indeed. For the first time, Ele had a tantrum not wanting to go to the Pokemon Center, she only relented when Ash promised that he would not make her fly for at least two weeks. Which didn't really put them behind on their training schedule, as she needed one week off the cast for her wing to get used before even attempting to fly and she still had to learn all the singing moves. So, for the next two weeks, they decided to train her vocal cords. As Ash had expected Ele learned Disarming Voice by the end of the week, but she went and exceeded everyone's expectations by mastering the move Sing too. She had also learned Refresh and had made leaps of progress with Perish Song. However, when the two weeks were up, and it was time for her to start practicing her flying… she became as stubborn as a Tauros.

"Come on Ele, let's try a few flaps. Let's do it together! What do you say?" Ash encouraged, moving his arms up and down as a flying pokemon about to take flight. "Let's train together!"

"Swa-swablu!" Nephele chippered, not looking that convinced.

"Ah," Ash sighed, dropping on the floor cross-legged. "Ele please tell me what's the problem, so I can help you. Our thing is training together. Like we did with Disarming Voice, Sing and are doing with Perish Song. But I can't sing with you this time, I could run by your side as you fly but first, we need to make you fly!" The boy huffed frustratedly.

"Swablu…" Ele sighed, sad that she was disappointing her human.

"Oh, no, Ele. Don't be sad. I am sorry." Ash said, gathering her in his arms. "It's my fault for not being able to figure out a way to help you. The blame falls on me as a trainer. Remember it is never the pokemon's fault but the trainer's fault."

"Swa-blu!" Nephele protested.

"Are you saying that it's both of our faults?" Ash asked, receiving an energetic response. "Got it, then we just need to get better together!"

"Swablu!" Ele exclaimed, eyes suddenly shining with determination.

"It seems that you are finally ready." Ash stood up excitedly, all fired up as well. "Let's do this!" Just as they were about to start a Salamence appeared, landing right before the pair. They were growling at the little Swablu and flapping their wings. "I… I think they want to teach you how to fly!"

Salamence grumbled in approval and continued their grunting and gesturing. Together they managed to have her up in the air constantly in a week, flying as if she had never left the sky. Salamence became a constant training partner for Ash and Ele, in a month they had finally learned Perish Song and Safeguard; and mastered Peck and Astonish. In two months, she had learned Take Down and Mirror Move; mastering Fury Attack. In three months, Ele had mastered Perish Song, Safeguard, and Take Down. In the sixth month of Ash's stay, they were training hard to master Mirror Move while trying to unlock her Egg move, Steel Wing.

They had been so focused on their training and helping the pokemon move on from their trauma, that they did not notice that their time together with their new friends and new life was coming to an end… until it was already too late.

"Lance and his cousin Claire will be coming to transport the rescued pokemon back to their natural habitat. They'll have the help of Drake, the Lieder of the Hoenn Elite Four. He is also a Dragon Master." Drayden informed Ash, one night over dinner. "By now they trust us and know that transportation will not mean pain and misery. But just in case we would like you there, as you are still the dragons' favorite."

"Ok," Ashe replied, stunned by the revelation.

He had totally forgotten about time. His six months in Unova were finally coming to an end… and he didn't know if he wanted them to end. There was so much he could learn here. Ele was going to be a Dragon/Flying dual-type pokemon and Drayden was a Dragon Master! Who better to teach him how to take care and raise her? Not to mention his Academy is prepared to teach students who have ADHD, unlike in Pallet Town where teachers didn't even care about him. As much as he loves Professor Oak, Ash wasn't sure the professor knows how to handle him sometimes. But what was sadder, was the fact that all the friends he had made during these months will leave… even Salamence who had become like an older brother to Ele.

Talking about Ele she was inconsolable, she could not stop crying. Her big brother, the one who had helped her fly once more, the one who was teaching her Steel Wing, was leaving. But she was also happy for him. He was going back home. He had told her about how he was stolen away from his mate and kids, he deserves to go back and be happy with his family. Like she was with her human. But there is no way she is letting him go without showing him what she could do.

"Swa-lu-lu," Nephele pulled on Ash's shirt.

"Ele? What's wrong?" Her trainer asked, finally relenting and following her out.

"Swablu!" The Shiny Pokemon exclaimed, before taking flight and doing pirouettes in the air- her wings taking a silvery shine for a few seconds before disappearing.

"Oh! You want to show Salamence that you completed your training before he leaves," Ash said. "Ok, then. Let's work hard!" He exclaimed alongside his pokemon. "First of all let's do what Drayden-sensei told us, try to focus on your Steel-type energy. I know it's hard, as it's not your type of energy but once you find it, all you need to do is let it flow through your wings." When that did not help, Ash commented: "Ele, let's try something else. Sit in front of me and close your eyes, let's try to meditate and do this step by step. First, find your Steel-type energy and focus on it. Have you found it?"

"Swablu!"

"Good! Then, you let it flow to your body. Don't force it!" He warned rapidly, figuring out what was the issue Ele was having. "From what Drayden-sensei told me, type energy is like a river, one you can't force. You simply need to let it flow." As he had his eyes closed, meditating with Ele he could not see but he felt the change. "The final step is to focus the energy on your wings."

"Swablu!" Nephele exclaimed, wings straightening in two firm silver shinning weapons.

"Excellent!" Ash opened his eyes in excitement and jumped on his feet, the wings lost their shine after a little while. "Let's try to build up the momentum and strength behind the attack with some acrobatics in the sky before attacking, what do you say?"

"Swablu!"

They spent the rest of the night training Steel Wing, by the end they fell asleep exhausted and if it hadn't been for Drayden they might have missed the departure of the Dragon Type Pokemon. Rushing through all the helpers of the Nature Preserve, dragons, Lance, Claire, Drake, and Drayden; Ash and Ele only had one thing in their minds: Salamence.

"Mence?" The Dragon Pokemon grumbled confused but happy to see the little ones, one last time before returning home.

"Let's do this Ele! Steel Wing!" Ash commanded, throwing a training disk into the air.

Nephele took flight, making some pirouettes to build up power before striking the disk with her shining silver wings; breaking it into two. Before returning safely back to her trainer's head.

"Salamence," the dragon said surprised, just yesterday she was struggling with the move and now she was capable of using it easily. But he could also see how exhausted and dirty they were, they must have spent the whole night training for him. "Sala-salamence," Salamence smiled the best he could for the little ones, touched by their gesture.

He enveloped both of them with his wings, grumbling one last goodbye before getting on the plane. Swablu chose that moment to let out a soprano cry, as tears pour down her eyes and light enveloped her. The humans and dragons, alike, could only stare at the little pokemon in shock as she evolved into a beautiful Altaria. Salamence being the only one not surprise and sporting a proud expression as the plane's ramp pulled up.

"Wow! Ele!" Ash sighed, hugging the pokemon by her now long neck as they both shared tears for their departed friend Salamence. "You're an Altaria now! I am so proud!"

"Al-Altaria!" Nephele cried happily.

"What about checking out what changed?" Drayden asked, a proud smile on his face- as he extended his Pokedex to the boy.

Ash took it and analyzed Ele through the Heal Ball once more. It said:

Pokemon: Altaria.

Gender: Female.

Ability: Natural Cure.

Type: Dragon/Flying.

Move set: Peck, Astonish, Sing, Fury Attack, Disarming Voice, Refresh, Perish Song, Safeguard, Take Down, Mirror Move, and Dragon Breath.

The pokemon knows the egg moves Steel Wing and Dragon Breath.

NOTE: This pokemon is shiny. Egg move Steel Wing has been unlocked. Egg move Dragon Rush has yet to be unlocked.

"She learned Dragon Breath through evolving," Ash commented, a happy smile on his face. "Your first Dragon-type move Ele!"

"Altaria!"

"Well, now that we are finished here. Let's go to the Pokemon Center to see if Ele's evolution went alright after all the training you guys went through last night. Then I'll help you pack for your trip back to Kanto." Drayden said.

"About that… please sensei allow me to stay here and learn to be a Dragon Master!" Ash asked, bowing to a shocked Drayden.