"Aha!" Robert held up the Dark Stone with a mad grin. "It's real!"
"To think such an artifact that was thought to be no more than just some stone with strange markings was just sitting here in broad daylight for all to see," Lenora said, hand on hip. "Good thing Team Plasma didn't realize it either when they stole the skull."
After Alex and I's realization, we'd booked it back to Nacrene City taking the Shinkansen, the journey feeling long, as if the stone might not be there when we arrived. But lo and behold it was there, still sitting the glass case in Nacrene Museum.
I took the stone from Robert. It fit in the palm of my hand and felt warm to the touch. It felt... right. Almost like it was humming right into my soul.
I am so getting sick and tired of this, I thought with a wry smile. But as long as this is what it takes to convince N that the way he's going about all this is wrong, then so be it.
"So how do we get Zekrom out?"
We all looked at Alex. She shrugged. "Well?"
"That," Alden looked stumped. "Is a very good question."
"Do you feel a connection, Zeno?" Robert asked. "Maybe enough to like, I dunno, make contact with Zekrom?"
"Is that even possible?" Lenora exclaimed.
"Wouldn't be the first time," Alex said offhandedly.
Lenora gawked at her while I turned the stone over and cupped it with both hands. Closing my eyes, I attempted to feel for that vague sense of something. I tried doing the same thing I felt when bonding with Greninja, or Lucario.
After a long moment, I opened my eyes. "I can definitely feel something. But... it's like he's asleep. Or maybe... waiting."
"So the time is not yet right..." Alden mused. He snapped his fingers. "Alright, I know a place where you might be able to get more information about both Reshiram and Zekrom."
"Where?" Alex, Robert, and I asked in unison.
Alden frowned. "It won't be easy. You'll likely have to battle for the right to hear the story, and it won't be an easy fight. I tried once, many years ago, but failed. That was back before I was Champion, so don't worry, I was much weaker then," He assured us. "I haven't felt the need to go back since, but now is a good time as any for those particular secrets to be shared. Head for Opelucid City and find Drayden and Iris. Aside from the people of the Village of Dragons, they alone know the full story behind the Dragons of Truth and Ideals."
Opelucid City was like walking back into time. The houses and buildings were old and traditional, and the streets were made of cobblestone. I half expected to see carriages pulled by Zebstrikas or something, but while none were in sight, nor were there any cars to be seen. In fact there weren't many hints of technology whatsoever unless you looked carefully. Musicians played in the streets, playing an almost nostalgic melodic tune.
"There had been several plans to remodel Opelucid into a more modern city," Robert filled us in as we strolled down the street towards the address Alden had given us. Behind us was the Opelucid Gym, standing out against the rest of the city thanks to the two giant dragon heads, the one on the right white and the one on the left black. "But Drayden has been shooting those ideas down for literal decades. Nobody but corrupt businessmen want this city to become the next Black City."
"I like towns like this," I admitted. "You can tell it has modern amenities, but at the same time it has all the comfort only old towns can offer."
"I know what you mean," Alex blew into her hands, her breath misting in the air. "It's gorgeous."
"Well, hopefully the old man is home," Robert said, walking up the steps to the house they stopped in front of. He went to knock, only for the door to open to reveal a white haired man with a beard and possibly one of the more ferocious looking faces I've ever seen.
"Old man, huh?" He gruffed, staring Robert down. "Is that so?"
"Uh, hehe," Robert grinned sheepishly. "I, uh, meant as in wise in age...?"
The older man, Drayden I presumed, snorted in amusement. "It's good to see you again, young man. Come on in, Alden has told me to expect you all. As it happens, I've already been preparing for guests today, so there are already refreshments out."
We followed him down the main hall into a living room. There was already a table set with seven chairs set around it. Cookies and a pitcher of milk were set out while a dark skinned girl with a giant set of violet hair finished setting down a small pile of napkins. She grinned at the sight of us.
"Welcome welcome," she said, placing a hand on her chest. "I'm Iris, Gym Leader of Opelucid City."
"Weren't you the gym leader?" Robert asked Drayden.
"I am," he said, taking the seat at the head of the table. "And so is Iris. We share the position. Honestly, it's made my work much easier in the past year."
"Yep!" Iris grinned as she twirled. "Took me ages to get strong enough to actually beat him." She stopped, peering at the three of us. "Huh, thought so. You're the folks from the last Kalos League, right?"
"Uh, yeah," I answered. "We are."
She clapped her hands together. "Well, you must be quite familiar with Ash then! He and I travelled through Unova many years ago while I was on my journey to become a Dragon Master! How is he?"
"Doing well last I heard," I took one of the seats, Alex taking the one on my right while Robert sat on my left. "I recommended he head to Alola for a nice challenge. Based on what Hau told me, he's been challenged by him twice and hasn't won yet. Apparently he's been diving into the Island Trials with gusto to officially fight him in the Pokemon League Tournament."
"Geez, still a little kid it seems," Iris sighed in amusement. "He never changes."
The doorbell rang, a soft chime that reverberated throughout the house. "I'll get it," Iris said, moving out of the room and down the hall. "Welcome," we heard her say. "Please, come in." The door closed and Iris reappeared, two others in tow.
The first was an older teen with wild, unkempt dark blue hair, nearly violet in color, with horn rimmed glasses. He wore an aviation jacket with a deep purple scarf wrapped around his neck and carried a messenger bag. The second person's appearance starkly contrasted his, wearing a long, ragged cloak wrapped around their body, the edges frayed and burnt. They kept their hood up and the black scales decorating the neck of the cloak clacked together as they sat down.
"We welcome you both," Drayden bowed his head respectfully, followed by Iris. When the cloaked figure glanced in our direction, Drayden shook his head. "They will be joining us today. They also wish to hear the tale of the Dragons of Unova. It seems that the white Dragon of Truth has been awakened at last."
"Reshiram," I said, causing both gym leaders and the two new arrivals to whip around and stare at me. "It's not going to be a secret for long," I told them, holding back a sigh. "N will make more grand speeches, and you can bet that he will bring along Reshiram as proof that he is the Hero of Truth to convince people to join his cause.
"So this N," the aviation jacket guy leaned forward in interest. "Who is he exactly?" He blinked. "Oh, right, sorry, we should introduce ourselves." He straightened his posture slightly. "I am a recent graduate of Naranjuva Academy, located in Paldea. I'd, uh, rather not share my real name if that's alright with you all. You can just call me the Chronicler."
"The Chronicler?" Robert's interest seemed peaked.
"Yep," The Chronicler nodded. "Well, you can leave out the 'the'. I don't use it as a means to give myself a title just because, I just prefer it instead of just handing out my real name." He reached into his bag and pulled out a small book. "I like to chronicle fascinating events that take place around the world. I haven't been to many places mind you, but it's my dream." He nudged his cloaked friend. "I met her on my travels almost a year back, and for the past few months we've travelled together. There's history in the making around her, I can just feel it." His eyes gleamed behind his glasses. Clearly he was quite passionate about his chronicling.
After introducing ourselves to everyone present, I glanced at the cloaked woman. "And who are you?"
"This is-" Iris began, but the woman held up a hand, silencing her. She pushed back her hood, revealing medium length, raven hair tied in the back with a red orb. She was older than us, probably somewhere in her mid twenties. Dark red eyes met ours and I sensed an almost primal feel in her gaze.
"I am Zinnia," she spoke. "Last Lorekeeper of the Draconids. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She turned to Drayden. "Now then. I wish to hear this story of these Dragons of Unova."
Drayden bowed his head. "Of course, but there is a trial that must be passed first."
The corner of Zinnia's mouth twitched. "I expected as much. Knowledge such as this should not come easily." She regarded Alex, Robert, and I for a moment. "And what of them?"
Drayden considered us for a moment. "Their desire for seeking this knowledge stems from their need to know it for helping Unova. However, they must still prove their worth. At least, Zeno must, as he is the holder of the Dark Stone. So I think it's best if you both face the challenge at the same time." He folded his hands together. "By fighting one another."
"Sounds good to me," I said, glancing at Zinnia.
She tilted her head. "Alright then."
"Perfect," Drayden stood. "Then follow me to the Gym."
"The rules are as follows," Iris said as she playfully swung her legs from atop a dragon statue's head hanging over the arena. "Three Pokemon each! No substitutions, no mega evolving, no Z-moves, no terastalizing, etc. This isn't a battle to decide who gets to hear the legend, this is just a way to test both of you at the same time." She winked at us. "So give us a good show and battle to your hearts content!"
I enlarged a pokeball. "Ready when you are."
A small smile graced Zinnia's features. "This is something I have become more familiar with over these past years. And I will say, it's been a joy to experience." She unclasped the front of her cloak, letting it fall around her like a cape. She wore shorts held up with a red rope and a black shirt with two red crescent moon symbols featured on the chest. Her posture lowered and her smile turned into a feral grin. "So let's go all out!" With a wild grab, she yanked a pokeball out from within her cloak and launched it out towards the battlefield, releasing a massive Tyrantrum, who's roar shook the entire gym.
"Bisharp, time to battle!" I shouted as the Dark/Steel type flashed onto the battlefield before the Rock/Dragon Pokemon.
Bisharp let out a metallic shout as his blades sharpened and began to glow. He ran forwards as Tyrantrum bounded forwards, his huge jaws glowing as he lunged downwards. Bisharp attempted to slide beneath him, but Tyrantrum bit down on him before he could and yanked the Pokemon up and into the air before clamping down his jaws on him again in a bone crushing bite.
A horrible screeching sound like nails on a chalkboard reverberated from Bisharp and into Tyrantrum, shaking the Dragon type's body until he let go, unsteady on his feet. Taking advantage of this, my Pokemon leaped at his opponent's large head, spinning around as he slashed his blades against his maw, streams of dark wind blasting his head up. Bisharp landed back on the ground and his head turned silver as he launched himself for Tyrantrum, but the giant Pokemon turned sharply, his glowing tail slamming making contact with Bisharp's Iron Head with a metal clang. Bisharp went flying, crashing along the ground before flipping back onto his feet and dashing for his opponent.
With a roar, Tyrantrum lifted a leg and slammed his foot on the ground, the battlefield breaking up as a massive earthquake tore through it. Bisharp cried out as his dash was broken and he was knocked into the air where Tyrantrum bit down on him again. When Bisharp tried doing the same thing as before, blue light began to leak from Tyrantrum's maw. With a massive beam of draconic energy Bisharp was flung from the jaws of his opponent, trailing smoke as he arced over the battlefield before coming back down outside it.
Upon returning him, it was now Greninja's turn. With a nod to him, he took off running. Per the rules we couldn't use his Kage-Shinobi form, but that didn't matter. We would still be able to win.
With a yell, Greninja blasted out of the charging Tyrantrum's wave on a wave of water before bringing it back around and battering the Pokemon's back. Greninja leaped overhead, crashing down two shurikens atop the Despot Pokemon's head. With a roar Tyrantrum shook him off, his tail swinging up, but Greninja twisted his body, just barely avoiding it as he slapped his webbed palms together, two more shurikens forming. He landed as he threw them and they crashed into Tyrantrum's side, unsteadying the giant.
With a bellowing roar of anger, Tyrantrum began stomping the battlefield, shaking it terribly. Greninja leaped into the air as the Dragon type began to charge another Dragon Pulse. With a croak, Greninja shot out his tongue and flung it around Tyrantrum's maw, slamming it shut. His eyes widened as an explosion blasted the inside of his mouth. Greninja withdrew his tongue, slightly burnt as he threw back his head while still in the air, the air freezing around him. He let loose a beam of frozen energy and it slammed into Tyrantrum's chest, freezing his entire body solid in a matter of seconds. Greninja landed on one foot in his ninja pose, and a few seconds later the ice cracked around Tyrantrum and the behemoth collapsed.
"Oh I am definitely heating up!" Zinnia's feral grin remained as she cackled. "I think it's time to thoroughly annihilate you! Salamence!"
The Dragon Pokemon landed in the arena, wings folded at his side. He raised his gaze, a hardened look in his eyes. And it wasn't just that. This Salamence had an aura to him. He was older, but that meant he was likely much stronger than that of a normal Salamence.
As Greninja ran for him, Salamence's wings unfolded and he shot forwards at unexpected speeds. Greninja just barely leaped over him, but Salamence did a barrel roll, slamming his tail into Greninja's side and wrapping it around him. Greninja's eyes widened as suddenly Salamence picked up speed, dragging Greninja's body along the floor before shooting up vertically at a 90 degree angle. Stopping suddenly, Salamence whipped Greninja into the air above him as he fired an orb of pulsing draconic energy that slammed into Greninja's chest and carried him straight to the ceiling where it exploded. Flaming blue orbs rained down onto the arena, Greninja falling with them as he landed amongst more explosions.
Greninja pulled his battered form up, ice coating his fists. He ran for Salamence, who blasted towards him, bathed in a blue aura. Greninja leaped, twisting in the air to land a solid punch on his opponent's back, but suddenly Salamence's wings swung up and crushed Greninja in-between them.
Stunned, Greninja groaned in pain while Salamence quickly bathed himself in draconic energy again and skyrocketed straight up, slamming Greninja into the ceiling with a deafening crack. When Salamence hovered back down, Greninja slipped from his back and fell to the floor in a heap.
My earlier assessment had been right. This Salamence was something else. While we didn't need to win here, I had a burning desire to beat her. "Arcaneis!" I yelled, tossing out my last Pokemon. "Let's do this!"
With a low growl, Arcaneis took off in a blur of speed, slamming into Salamence from the front, back, sides, before body slamming him from behind, knocking the Dragon type onto the ground. Arcaneis lunged forwards, teeth brimming with electricity, but Salamence spun around on his back, forming a blue twister that flung Arcaneis back while Salamence took the air. He crashed into my Pokemon in an explosion of draconic power, but Arcaneis dug his teeth into one of his wings, crunching down with enough force to blast out electricity from his maw before tossing him across the battlefield and blazing after him in a wheel of fire.
With his right wing damaged, Salamence slammed both front feet on the ground, tearing up the ground and Arcaneis ended up shooting into the air where he spun out of his wheel and spun back into it, changing directory down towards Salamence. With a roar, Salamence flapped both wings, an extreme hurricane blasting into existence around him, catching Arcaneis and carrying him towards the ceiling.
Suddenly streaks of fire coursed through the winds, instantly bathing the arena in an orange glow as heat radiated from it. Then streaks of blue could be seen from near the top as Arcaneis spun down the spiral, blasting out of the hurricane and landing on the ground, wreaths of blue fire hanging off of him.
Salamence narrowed his eyes as storm clouds began gathering around Arcaneis, electricity arcing around him. With a mighty howl, Arcaneis blasted towards Salamence and upon contact triggered an explosion of fire and lightning. Then Arcaneis emerged from the smoke, crashing onto the ground as Salamence leaped after him, the barrier that had formed around him fading as he slammed his pink glowing head down into Arcaneis' middle.
Lunging up, Arcaneis took ahold of Salamence's already damaged wing, biting down hard as Salamence did the same, crunching down into the Fire/Electric type's side. The two tussled, blasts of fire and draconic energy being blasted out in random bursts before finally Salamence managed to pin Arcaneis beneath him, blasting him full in the face with a Dragon Pulse.
When Arcaneis head went limp, Salamence lumbered off towards Zinnia, who wrapped her Pokemon's head in her arms in gratitude. Upon returning Arcaneis, I murmured, "Another defeat. Huh. Guess we really do have a long ways to go still."
"Great battle!" Iris called out, popping out from the statue's mouth. She patted at her frizzed hair. "That was some heated battle!"
"Sorry!" I called to her.
She waved me off. "Don't worry about it, Ash did worse to my hair before." She hopped down to the ground as Drayden strolled into the arena followed by Alex, Robert, and Chronicler. He nodded in affirmation. "Indeed, this was a great spectacle to witness.
Chronicler strode up to Zinnia, patting her on the back. "Great job out there. You've really gotten the hang of this Pokemon battling."
Zinnia returned Salamence, tucking the pokeball back into her cloak. "We Draconids are masters of dragons. However," she nodded to me. "You fight with the ferocity of dragons. I'm glad we battled." She turned to Drayden. "Now then, onto business."
Once we were back at Drayden's house all sitting around the table, Drayden began. "Before this land became to be called Unova, it was home to tribes in constant conflict with outside tribes trying to take their territory. One day, twin brothers set off from their tribe in the hopes to bring an end to the conflict. After witnessing a meteor crash into the northern part of the region-" A quiet gasp from Zinnia and Chronicler's brows furrowed. "They discovered a mighty Dragon Pokemon in what we call the Giant Chasm, a place created by said meteor. To them, it was like a sign from the gods, and with this Dragon, they brought an end to the fights and created the Unova region."
"For a while, all was well. The tribes of Unova were thriving and the brothers led the region for many glorious years," Iris picked up the story from there. "That is until their beliefs came to conflict with one another. The older brother, who wanted to rule with truth alone, argued endlessly with his younger brother, who sought to rule with ideals. Soon, arguing turned into fighting, and the Dragon split in response. The one that sided with the older brother was Reshiram, and Zekrom sided with the younger brother."
"They waged war against one another, the entire region of Unova choosing sides," Drayden continued. "Until practically everything had been razed to the ground. Realizing what they had done in their selfish desire to prove who was right, both brothers agreed to cease their fight and seal away the Dragons, for their power was too powerful for man to wield. It was said the truth lay atop the highest tower while ideals would be rest in the slumbering sands."
"There is more to the story though," Iris spoke up after a few moments of silence. "Some legends that not even the elders of my village can ascertain if they are true or not, speak of a third dragon that split from the original Dragon. While Reshiram stood for truth, and Zekrom ideals, this third dragon stood for nothing. It was merely the leftover husk. The legends aren't clear as to what happened to this dragon, but since it isn't featured in the primary legend of the two heroes, it can be assumed that once it split it was either killed or hidden away. Or perhaps it never existed at all."
"What we do know is this," Drayden spoke again. "If all three dragons were to reunite, it's quite possible they may be able to come together to form what we call the Original Dragon. A powerful beast that represents not just both truth and ideals, but absolute clarity."
"But that's neither here nor there," Iris shook her head. "What's useful for you three to know is what the legends say about the two dragons reawakening. Two new heroes were foretold to rise long into the future, one who sought to bring his truth to the world while the other fought to preserve his ideals. But only when the two would face each other in a final battle to determine which of their desires are stronger will the Dragon of Ideals rise to confront the Dragon of Truth."
"So basically," I glanced down at the Dark Stone sitting on the table in front of me. "Until the time is right, Zekrom won't awaken?"
"Correct," Iris confirmed.
"There's something I wish to know," Zinnia spoke up. "About the meteor that made the Giant Chasm."
Drayden nodded. "With the size of the chasm, it couldn't have been very big. At least, we believe it broke down as it fell through the atmosphere, if the abundance of comet shards located in and around the chasm is any indication. But what created the chasm would have had to been small. And we believe it was something akin to that," Drayden pointed at the Dark Stone. "A stone that held the Original Dragon within. Or perhaps it was something that contained a mysterious draconic power that transformed a Dragon Pokemon that happened to live in the area where the meteor crashed. We cannot know for certain. What we do know is that there are no traces of any lingering energy left in the chasm from the meteor. The Dragon is all that came from it."
Zinnia sat back in her chair looking conflicted. I saw her gaze dart to the Dark Stone, longing in her eyes, before she shook her head. "Then this was all for nothing." She stood, cloak swishing around her as she left the room. Chronicler just sat there, jolting when we heard the front door close.
"Sorry about her," he apologized profusely to everyone, scrambling for his messenger bag. "She's just- Well, I was the one who- Ah, I'm really sorry!" He bowed his head and hurried out. "Zinnia, wait!"
"Well then," Iris huffed, hands on her hips.
"Do not hold her actions against her," Drayden said softly. "She is the last of her kind, so to speak. Not only is she the last Draconid, but she is also their last Lorekeeper. She has a lot riding on her shoulders. I could not imagine the sort of responsibility she feels she must bear. Not only that, but she was one of the few who bore witness to the tragedy that was the Great Weather Disaster of Hoenn a few years back." He sighed sadly. "I am only thankful she has allowed that young man to accompany her. If she had not, it would have been a very lonely road she would be travelling upon."
"Zinnia!" Chronicler gasped, finally having caught up to her at the edge of town. "I'm sorry!"
She glanced at him quizzically. "Sorry? For what?"
"For dragging you out here all the way from Hoenn," he panted, leaning against a light pole to catch his breath. "For some stupid legend that doesn't even concern you."
Zinnia gave him a small smile, tugging her cloak around her and clasping it. "You thought it may have a way to solve my current problem. I cannot fault you for that. If only..." she closed her eyes. "No, it wouldn't have done any good. While the Dark Stone could potentially serve my needs, taking it would likely only cause a great disturbance here. I cannot be the cause of another catastrophe."
Chronicler fell silent for a long moment before finally saying, "Our."
"Huh?"
"Our needs," he said, straightening. "I agreed to join you on this mission of yours. And I intend to stick with you until the very end. So this isn't just your problem, it's also mine."
Zinnia stared at him for a long minute. Chronicler was worried he messed up until Zinnia broke into laughter. "Alright, fine!" She hit him on the shoulder enthusiastically, the boy wincing every time. She hit hard. "It's our problem then." She cracked her neck before heading off out the east exit of town.
"Where are we going?" Chronicler hurried to match her pace.
"To the Giant Chasm," she said. "I believe Drayden and Iris told the truth, and nothing remains, but I could never forgive myself if I didn't check for myself. And if there truly is nothing to gain from there, then we shall move on. We don't have long left. Just less than two years..." She trailed off.
"Oh Aster, how I miss you dearly."
"Drayden really did a number on you, huh?" Robert commented as we waited in the Pokemon Center for our Pokemon to heal. 'Our' as in Alex's and mine.
"What do you mean?" Alex groaned as she slumped over the sofa. "Iris was a beast in her own right. Augh!"
"Hey, we won," I told her, patting her knee. "And the Unova League is due to start in a few days, so there's that to look forward-"
A loud gasp cut me off. Murmurs rose around the lobby and Alex lifted her head, confused. I stood, making my way over to where a crowd of people had gathered to watch the television above the counter where Nurse Joy was station. She too was staring up at the screen in horror.
"We are getting reports of bomb threats across the city," the news anchor reported, an expression of disbelief on his face. "A terrorist group calling themselves Clarity have reportedly blocked off all entrances to the city. All communication inside has been cut off and it seems these terrorists have completely overtaken the city. As we speak, the International Police are organizing a response team to this developing threat and-"
"What do we do?" Alex looked to me.
"They're going to need all hands on deck," Robert reminded me.
"I know," I took a breath. Clarity was finally making their move. It wasn't our problem, the International Police could hopefully handle the situation. But, the situation, despite how bad it looked, was the best opportunity to finally take down Clarity.
"The IP are going to have their hands full keeping the people of Castelia safe," I said to my friends quietly. "And Clarity is essentially putting all their eggs in one basket now. But if the IP manage to turn the situation in their favor, Clarity is going to find someway to escape and stay alive. That's where we come in. While they and the IP clash heads, we'll sneak right on in and take out their leaders." My eyes narrowed. "Once and for all."
