Chapter 2: Hierarchy
The sensation of being pounced on by Eevee was certainly not how I had envisioned being awakened. But amidst the orange flashes of light streaming in through my window, casting an eerie glow across the room, and the distant sounds of a scuffle echoing from outside, a surge of adrenaline coursed through me. I sprang to my feet and as I prepared to leave, I couldn't help but steal a quick glance at my Magikarp-shaped clock – its digital display indicating just a few minutes past midnight.
I hurriedly made my way down the hallway, intent on investigating, but Eevee, always one step ahead, dashed past me. I followed Eevee's urgent barks to the back door. The night air crackled with energy, and I heard a triumphant cry from the darkness.
Opening the door, I found Eevee barking fiercely at my dad's Graveler, who held another Pokémon in its stony arms. The newcomer squirmed, clearly in distress. My dad, his expression a mix of astonishment and curiosity, emerged from behind Graveler.
"Charlie, you will not believe what was in the backyard!" My dad's voice carried with excitement as he recounted the unexpected encounter. "I had just returned Fearow from flying me in from work when I noticed a Pokémon was asleep at the bottom of the back door stairs. As I got closer to take a look, it awakened and immediately growled and lunged at me. I released Graveler, and that's when I saw what Pokémon it was. Take a guess, Charlie, I bet you won't get it!"
His words spilled out in a rush, his excitement contagious. In that moment, the quiet night had transformed into something extraordinary. Just as he finished his story, Graveler opened its massive rocky hands, and out popped an angry dragon's head.
"Bagon!" I exclaimed, dashing down the steps toward the dragon Pokémon I had battled only hours before. Eevee barked at Graveler, sensing the tension in the air. I noticed a few spots in the yard still smoldering from the dragon's embers. "Graveler, release Bagon and help put out those embers."
In the midst of chaos, my Dad appeared utterly bewildered. "How… How did you know that it was a Bagon? Wait! Graveler, don't set that Bagon–"
Graveler, in its haste, had already released Bagon. The little dragon retaliated by spitting an ember at the rock type's face.
"Bagon! Stop that!" I exclaimed, my voice firm. Graveler seemed to regret its swift action as soon as it complied. Bagon, under Eevee's reproachful gaze, ceased its fiery retaliation.
"Graveler, be ready to catch him again! Charlie, what is going on here? Do you know this Bagon?" my Dad demanded, rushing over and pulling me back from the trio of Pokémon.
"Eevee and I encountered this Bagon earlier today on Mt. Silver. It seems he followed Jon and I home," I explained, watching my Dad's expression shift from curiosity to anger at the mention of Mt. Silver.
"You and Jon were on Mt. Silver!? How many times have I told you to never go near there? You may think you're a trainer just because you have Eevee, but you two could hardly handle a Rattata if it had just hatched yesterday. Mt. Silver is where champion-level trainers are only allowed to venture. The Pokémon there can kill you with a single glance," my dad's face flushed with anger. Eevee, Bagon, Graveler, and I watched in silence as he paced back and forth, his frustration palpable. He finally stopped and stared at a burnt patch of grass, taking a deep breath. I saw an opportunity to speak up.
"Dad, we didn't really go 'up' Mt. Silver. We just climbed a small hill near the base of the mountain," I said, my voice trailing off. He whipped around, his voice now laced with pure anger.
"Charlie, you could have died out there today! Both you and Jon could be dead. How would that look for a Pokémon Ranger Captain to have his son and his son's friend die on his route, let alone off-route on Mt. Silver of all places! If you're going to embark on a journey in a few months, you can't be doing reckless things like this. You or your Pokémon could get severely injured or worse, killed," his tone softened, reflecting his worry.
The disappointment in my dad's words was evident and I felt it hard. He was right; Jon and I had taken a big risk today going as far as we did. We had not only put ourselves but also our Pokémon in danger. Arceus had given us some luck today, but that wouldn't always be the case.
"You're right, Dad. That was a stupid mistake, and it could have gotten Eevee and I hurt, or Jon and Ralts. I promise we will stay in Jorata's district until we leave for our journey. There was enough excitement out there today," I replied quietly, looking over at Bagon, remembering the situation from earlier, down to just Eevee and I against Bagon, trying to survive, trying to win. That giddy feeling started swelling up inside me again as I thought of the battle. I caught myself grinning and noticed my dad saw it too.
"Alright, we've covered how ridiculous you were today," my dad said, his eyes narrowing with concern as he examined the young dragon in our backyard. The moonlight cast an eerie glow on his face, emphasizing the creases of worry that lined his brow. I launched into the story, recounting the day's events from the moment my dad had left in the morning, up until waking up just minutes ago. His expression shifted from concern to intense focus, his eyes never leaving my face as I described the encounter with Bagon and the mysterious Dragonite. In the quiet of the night, the only sounds were the hushed tones of our conversation and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. My dad's furrowed brow deepened as he processed the information, and I felt a mixture of anxiety and curiosity settling in the pit of my stomach. He looked at me when he noticed I had stopped with my story, his gaze searching mine for answers in the dim moonlight.
"Well, uh, Charlie… That is quite the story," my Dad said, his eyes reflecting a mix of amazement and concern. The moonlight bathed the backyard in a gentle glow, casting elongated shadows as my Dad began rummaging through his backpack. His weathered hands, calloused from years of working with Pokémon, moved with practiced efficiency.
"I had gotten to thinking about you and Eevee," he continued, his voice carrying a subtle blend of pride and worry. "I realized that you might find another member for your team in Jorata's surrounding area. I thought a few Poké Balls might be useful." He produced a handful of Poké Balls, their surfaces glinting softly in the moonlight, and set them gently on the grass. "Also, think that this will help in holding your team." He pulled out a brand-new trainer belt, its material sturdy and the buckle gleaming in the dim light, and placed it beside the Poké Balls.
I smiled appreciatively as I accepted the Poké Ball and the trainer belt from my Dad. The Poké Ball's felt smooth and pristine, lacking the scratched markings that came with years of use, much unlike my Dad's worn ones. My fingers traced the contours of the belt, its leather sturdy and promising, holding up to 10 slots for Poké Balls. However, I knew trainers could only officially carry a maximum of 6 unless they passed a rigorous exam administered by the Johto government, proving their competence to handle up to 10 Pokémon.
We both looked over at Bagon who had been quite quiet over the last few minutes. His eyes met mine, and I slowly walked over to him. "Bagon, did you follow Eevee and me all the way home because you want me to be your trainer?" I whispered to the little dragon. He gave me a nod, and a surge of excitement bubbled within me.
The idea of having a dragon Pokémon thrilled me. I recalled the legendary battles of Hoenn's Champion, Steven Stone, overcoming the mighty Salamence of the former Champion, Drake. Late-night Poketube sessions showcasing these epic encounters fueled my determination to excel. Salamence's relentless spirit, taking down three of Steven's Pokémon before succumbing to Metagross, became a testament to the power Dragon Pokemon's strength.
With a growl, Bagon snapped me out of my thoughts. I swiftly grabbed a Poké Ball from my belt and tossed it at Bagon. The red light illuminated the dark backyard as it engulfed the dragon. After a series of tense wobbles, the device clicked, confirming my success in capturing my second Pokémon. Excitement and pride welled up within me; my team was growing, and I was one step closer to my dreams as a Pokémon Trainer.
"Alright, now that this whole odd late-night event is over with..." my Dad said, his voice tinged with relief, thanking Graveler and returning him. The soft glow of the moonlight spilled through the open back door, casting a gentle illumination on the wooden floor. Eevee, casually trailing behind me, followed as we stepped inside.
"Go to Blackthorn? What for?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as we stood just inside the doorway, the night sounds of the Johto region drifting in on a gentle breeze.
"Well, if you're going to raise a Dragon-type Pokémon, the best place to get advice should be from the Blackthorn Gym Leader, Clair," my Dad explained, his tired eyes reflecting a hint of excitement for the journey ahead, as he carefully removed his worn-out boots.
"Alright, that makes sense. Wow, going to meet Leader Clair! I hope she's as cool as she looks on TV during her gym battles. Okay, well, I'm off to bed then. Good night, Dad. Thanks again for the Poké Balls and the belt!" I said, giving my dad a hug before heading down the hallway. Eevee followed me, both of us ready to rest up for the early morning ahead.
As Eevee and I entered my bedroom, I hesitated about releasing Bagon. Today, he had attacked me, so the idea of letting him sleep next to me felt daunting. Trust was something that would have to develop over time, especially with a fierce dragon Pokémon like Bagon. While I lay in bed, Eevee snuggled up to me, thoughts raced through my mind on how I was going to train and build trust with Bagon. Honestly, the whole situation felt a bit overwhelming.
I couldn't help but chuckle softly at the absurdity of my thoughts about Leader Clair. Crushes on gym leaders were probably common among trainers my age, right? With a mix of excitement and nervousness, I closed my eyes, ready to embrace the adventures that awaited us in the morning, including the peculiar challenge of earning the trust of a dragon Pokémon.
I woke up early the next morning, thanks to Eevee's nudges, and instantly checked the trainer's belt to see if Bagon's Poké Ball was there, making sure it wasn't some crazy dream. To my relief, it was still sitting in the second slot behind Eevee's Poké Ball. I let out a sigh of relief and quickly got ready, securing the new trainer's belt around my waist before returning Eevee to his Poké Ball. As I walked into the kitchen for a quick breakfast of cereal, my dad called out, instructing me to meet him out back in 10 minutes.
Finishing my cereal in record time, I rushed out to the backyard, expecting to see Fearow waiting. To my surprise, my dad was standing there, accompanied by the Ranger Outpost's Abra provided by the league. He explained that the Abra was new and needed practice teleporting long distances. This method would save us hours of time compared to flying on Fearow.
"Alright, son, Abra is ready," my dad said, giving me a reassuring smile as we prepared for teleportation. The Abra focused its psychic energy, and in an instant, we were gone, whisked away to Blackthorn City.
Adjusting to the sudden change in scenery as we arrived on the teleportation platform in Blackthorn City, I couldn't help but smile at the power of Pokemon. Just with that teleportation and I was hooked; a psychic Pokemon was definitely going to be on the team. We had been miles away, and in an instant, we weren't. The possibilities with Pokemon were endless. Thanking the League's Abra that my Dad borrowed from the Ranger Station, he returned it to its pokeball.
Blackthorn City came to life around us, a haven for dragon enthusiasts. Dragon Pokemon, both majestic and fierce, filled the cityscape. Vibrava soared gracefully above, their powerful wings cutting through the air as they circled ancient towers. A Dragonair gracefully wound its way around a lamp post, its elegant form shimmering in the sunlight. Dratini playfully slithered beside their trainers, their eyes wide with curiosity. Even a Gible, with its mischievous nature, strolled the streets beside its trainer, its tiny fins outstretched.
As my dad and I made our way through the city, I couldn't help but marvel at the harmony between humans and their dragon companions. Every corner we turned revealed another dragon Pokemon, their presence a testament to the rich heritage of Blackthorn City.
Walking down the streets towards the Blackthorn City Gym, I was getting nervous as we passed through morning foot traffic. My right hand nervously went to my hip, checking to see if my belt still held Eevee and Bagon's pokeballs. Brushing my fingers across their smooth surfaces, I reached up and adjusted my hat as we came up upon Blackthorn's Gym.
The Blackthorn City Gym, an imposing structure, stood proudly before us. Its walls, weathered by time, bore ancient carvings depicting fierce dragon Pokémon and their trainers engaged in battle. The carvings whispered tales of pride, heritage, and the relentless pursuit of strength that had defined this hallowed ground for decades.
As my dad and I approached the entrance, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The gym's architecture, adorned with ornate designs, reflected the city's deep reverence for dragon Pokémon. The sun cast long shadows, accentuating the gym's regal presence.
Despite the absence of trainers and Pokémon on the outside, the air was thick with history and the echoes of battles past. The gym's silent façade resonated with the energy of countless duels and the aspirations of those who had come seeking the wisdom and power that this gym symbolized.
In the gym's lobby, we approached the front desk, where a gym trainer was accompanied by a dozing Goomy resting peacefully on the ground beside him. My dad assumed a professional demeanor and addressed the gym trainer, his voice carrying an air of authority, "Good morning, I am Captain Jason Thames of the Route 45 Ranger Patrol. May I speak with Leader Clair?"
The gym trainer nodded promptly, replying, "I'll go find Leader Clair right away," before hurrying off to locate her. His oblivious Goomy continued its nap, blissfully unaware of its trainer's abrupt departure.
I couldn't help but tease my dad, a chuckle escaping my lips, "Wow, Dad, did you have to go all official on him?"
My dad explained in a hushed tone as we waited in the lobby, "If I don't assert my position as Captain Thames, he wouldn't even bother informing Clair about our presence. She rarely spares time for anyone, especially strangers like us. Besides, I have monthly reports to discuss with her about Route 45. Going in officially ensures she takes us seriously."
The gym trainer returned, his footsteps echoing through the hushed corridors as he led us to Clair's training room. We followed him, my anticipation growing with every step, until we entered a compact training area. The room buzzed with energy as Clair, the Gym Leader, stood at the center, directing a mock battle between a majestic Kingdra and a sleek Dragonair. Her voice was commanding, echoing off the walls as she shouted, "Dragon Pulse!" Both Pokémon responded, releasing a surge of draconic power that collided in an explosive display, sending shockwaves rippling through the room.
The force of their clash was awe-inspiring, making the very air crackle with energy.
As the smoke gradually cleared, revealing the remnants of the powerful collision, Clair began walking toward us, her presence exuding confidence and authority. The gym trainer discreetly exited the arena, leaving my dad and I alone in the presence of the Gym Leader. I felt a mixture of nervousness and fascination. Clair, her gaze sharp and unwavering, was flanked by her two dragon companions, their imposing forms creating an intimidating aura. I swallowed hard, acutely aware of the weight of the moment as she approached, her eyes assessing us with a mix of curiosity and evaluation.
"Good morning, Captain Thames," Clair said, her voice tinged with impatience. "Trouble on Route 45 this morning? Is it that Golem again? I can send some of my gym trainers out to teach it a lesson." As she spoke, she absentmindedly stroked her Dragonair, her eyes fixed on my dad.
"Good morning, Leader Clair," my dad replied respectfully, his tone unwavering. "No trouble on Route 45 today, all is well. I am actually here with my son Charlie, who has quite the story that I think you should hear." Dad patted me on the shoulder, urging me to speak up. "Go ahead, Charlie, show her."
I took a deep breath, my fingers trembling slightly as I thumbed the release on Bagon's Pokéball. With a burst of light, my dragon appeared, roaring proudly to announce his presence. I couldn't help but smirk with pride as I looked at my newest addition.
Clair's eyes narrowed in curiosity as she observed Bagon. "Please do explain," she said, her tone a mix of intrigue and skepticism. She knelt down and examined Bagon closely, her sharp gaze studying every detail of the young Dragon Pokémon. I began recounting Jon and my adventure to Mt. Silver, the excitement and danger of our encounter in the cave vividly playing in my mind.
I described how we stumbled upon the cave, the unexpected wrestling match between Bagon and Axew, and the surprising appearance of Dragonite. As I delved into the part of our encounter involving Dragonite, Clair interrupted me, her expression growing more intense, a mix of fascination and suspicion.
"I know what happened. That Dragonite is a caretaker for our flight of dragons here in Blackthorn. The Bagon and Axew you mentioned were living in that cave. When dragons hatch, they are raised by their mothers for only a few short months. Their strength is tested, those who show promise remain, getting placed at different heights among Mt. Silver and the surrounding hills. The higher up a dragon's den is, the stronger that dragon is. The highest cave is reserved for the lead, which is currently occupied by my cousin Lance's starter Dragonite. As we descend down the mountain, the dragons grow weaker, indicating their place in the hierarchy. Young dragons undergo testing, and if they are deemed weak by their peers, they are cast out to the lowest cave. There, no elder dragon accompanies them for protection; they must fend for themselves. This process shapes the hierarchy among the dragons," the gym leader explained. She looked back down at Bagon, who appeared visibly upset by the revelation.
"That seems a bit harsh," I replied, my voice laced with empathy.
Clair looked back at me, her eyes holding a firm resolve. "Power is everything to a dragon. The weak mean nothing to them," she said, her words echoing the harsh reality of dragon hierarchy. She turned away momentarily, frustration evident in her posture, before refocusing her attention on me. "Now tell me what happened next."
I continued, explaining how Dragonite communicated with Eevee, Ralts, and the two young dragons. When I reached the part where Dragonite enveloped both me and my friend in glowing green energy, Clair let out an exasperated sigh.
"Oh, I knew she would do something like this!" Clair exclaimed, her frustration evident as she stepped away and began pacing the room. "You mentioned the Dragonite did this with your friend and the Axew as well?" she questioned, seeking confirmation.
"Yes, Leader Clair," I responded, my voice steady despite the increasing complexity of the situation.
She stood there, her gaze steady as she turned towards my Dad and I. "What happened to you and your friend is a tradition here for those a part of the Drakon Clan. Dragon Pokemon in the flight hatch their young and choose a suitable trainer for the young dragon if they wish to become a trainer Pokemon. When they find a trainer suitable to train their young, they perform a ceremony where using dragon energy, they create a bond between trainer and dragon. This means that your friend is connected to Axew, as are you and Bagon," Clair explained, her tone laced with annoyance. She settled down gracefully on Dragonair, letting out a sigh of exasperation. "The problem is, this ritual is reserved for trainers in the Drakon Clan, not for two random kids down at the bottom of Mt. Silver. You cannot undo the bond, and we cannot take the dragons away from you either," she concluded, her frustration evident in her words.
I stood my ground, my fists clenched at the mere thought of them taking Bagon away. "Bagon chose to come with me, and he's a part of my family now. You will not be taking him away. Nor Axew from Jon if he followed him home," I said, my voice edged with anger.
"Charlie, calm down," Dad intervened, his palms outstretched in a gesture of peace. "She just said they can't take Bagon away from you because of the bond, anyway." He tried to soothe the tension that had suddenly filled the room.
"He's right, we can't take Bagon or Axew back. How many people know about you having Bagon and Axew?" Clair's gaze was intense, her eyes searching for clues in my expression.
"Just you and my Dad. Possibly Jon's parents if Axew followed him home like Bagon did for me," I said, my mind racing with thoughts about Jon. I wondered if the same thing had happened to Jon as it did to me. Did Axew follow him home, or was he alone, lost in the darkness of Mt. Silver? The uncertainty gnawed at the edges of my mind as I continued the conversation with Clair.
Clair's eyes glinted with a challenging glimmer as she continued, her voice laced with confidence and a hint of mockery. "Well, let us keep it that way. This situation seems like quite a task, but if the members of my Drakon Clan remain unaware, it might all blow over smoothly. You shouldn't have much trouble handling Bagon and Axew. They were placed so far down Mt. Silver that they must be incredibly weak, manageable even for a novice trainer like yourself. Unless, of course, you doubt your ability to handle Bagon? If the prospect of raising a dragon intimidates you, I could find a way to take him off your hands," she said, her words carrying a subtle threat. "Dragons left in the lowest caves rarely survive, let alone thrive," she added, her smirk never wavering.
My anger boiled within me at her callous words. "How can you judge Bagon's strength without giving him a chance? Just because some older dragons thought a newly hatched dragon was weak and decided to cast him aside doesn't mean he lacks potential! He was only a few months old, just beginning his life! How is that fair?" I yelled, my voice cracking in that infuriatingly adolescent way that seemed to betray me at the worst moments.
The injustice of a society founded on power, one that discarded the young and untested without providing them a fair opportunity, stirred a deep-seated anger within me. I knew dragon Pokémon were powerful and challenging to train, but the idea of abandoning the weak without any protection or training was beyond upsetting. Bagon had displayed his mettle in battle against Eevee, enduring Tackle after Tackle with unyielding determination. He deserved a chance, just like anyone else.
Clair snorted dismissively. "Look, kid, as I said, power is everything to dragons. Either you have it, or you don't. And they didn't think your Bagon here and your friend's Axew had enough to make the cut in their flight. Removing the weak isn't just a dragon Pokémon thing. Scyther, Luxray, Pyroar—they all do the same thing. Pokémon respect power, plain and simple," she replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Then we'll get stronger and come back to prove to you and this 'Flight' just how powerful Bagon can become," I declared, Bagon letting out a fierce roar in agreement.
Clair's Kingdra emitted a trilling, snorting sound, which I interpreted as a form of laughter, and her Dragonair looked at Bagon, giving it a nod. The encounter with Dragonite yesterday had been unexpected, especially considering the reputation of dragon Pokémon for being fierce and territorial.
"Why was that Dragonite in the area yesterday?" I asked, the memory resurfacing. "You mentioned that weak dragons are left to survive alone, right?"
Clair's voice softened as she continued, her eyes reflecting the depth of her understanding of the situation. "That Dragonite... She's a handful. As a caretaker in the flight, she is responsible for the hatchlings that get put on the lowest points of Mt. Silver. The Dragonite is the one who took Bagon and Axew to their cave, and while the rules dictate that she was to leave them to survive on their own, Dragonite has a big heart. She tends to help the real young ones a few months after she takes them there until they get a little stronger to possibly survive. I think she ended up seeing you and Jon as an avenue to get Bagon and Axew away from Mt. Silver and providing them a chance to survive. I believe she spoke with your Eevee and Jon's Ralts to ensure the dragon hatchlings would be in good hands," she explained, her gaze thoughtful as she turned and returned her Kingdra and Dragonair. Turning to me, she spoke again, her eyes holding a mix of compassion and firm resolve.
Clair's gaze bore into mine, her eyes firm with conviction. "You and Jon have been given an opportunity to train dragon Pokemon. Keep your story to finding them randomly in the forest outside of Jorata. No need for this to get out around here," she said, her tone a subtle warning. Her words hung in the air, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
"Leader Clair, can you give him any advice on training a dragon?" my Dad asked. "He is just about to go on a journey and he could use any advice at all."
She paused for a moment and looked at Bagon and then to me. "As I said before, dragons respect power. If you don't have enough, Bagon won't respect you. If your future teammates or your Eevee, for example, fall behind, your Bagon will let them know. Whether you want it or not, Bagon will constantly push and fight to be the top spot on your team, and he will always be wanting to train. He's been exiled and so has Axew, they will be more than motivated to train." She paused again. Her words hung in the air, sinking deep into my mind. Bagon was going to constantly challenge his teammates? The responsibility of training a dragon was becoming clearer, and it was both exhilarating and daunting.
"If you someday manage to evolve Bagon into a Salamence, come and challenge the Blackthorn City Gym. I would be shocked to see you achieve that kind of power with a dragon deemed lowest on the hierarchy," she said, her tone laced with amusement. "Well my time with you comes to an end, Charlie I assume you are starting your journey at the beginning of the league year this fall? If so, good luck, and like I said, challenge me with Salamence if you can. Goodbye, Captain Thames," she added as she turned and exited the training room.
"That was indeed a lot to process," I mused, trying to wrap my head around the newfound knowledge. "So Jon and I are bonded to the weakest dragons in the Blackthorn City flight, and we have to keep it a secret?"
"Seems like it," my dad replied, his tone a mix of understanding and amusement. Meanwhile, Bagon, clearly affected by the discussion about his perceived weakness, let out a resounding roar, shooting a massive ember into the air. His pride had taken a hit, and my heart went out to him. "Bagon, I promise you, we'll come back here someday and prove Clair and the rest of the flight wrong about you! I have no doubt you'll become stronger than anyone ever imagined. Eevee and I will be right there with you, every step of the way," I reassured him, leaning down to rub his sturdy, helmet-shaped skull.
Bagon let out another resounding roar, expressing his approval and determination. I grinned back at him, feeling a surge of confidence. I patted him on the head affectionately before returning him to his Pokeball, the red beam enveloping him snugly. With Bagon safely stored, I turned to my dad, finding him standing there, his eyes shining with pride.
"You handled that with Bagon well. Clair was quite blunt with the situation as she usually is. I am sure you will make Bagon a very strong Pokemon," he said, giving me a reassuring hug. "Now let's head over to the Pokemart. We need to grab you a few things."
"Thanks, Dad. I am excited to prove Leader Clair wrong. Now, what's this about getting me a few things at the Pokemart?"
Charlie
Eevee- Male
Bagon- Male