Chapter 36
When we are waiting for Drayden, Dawn decides to ask, "So Iris, how did you become a Champion in the first place?"
Iris says, "It's a long story."
(Flashback)
In the gym, Iris jumped in joy and said, "Yay! I did it! Hydreigon, thank you! I won because of you!"
She was having a battle with Drayden and he said, "Well done, Iris."
"What did you want to talk to me about, Grandpa?" Iris noticed him in deep thought.
"Ah yes... I was thinking about the past. I traveled all over the world looking for a successor. I even went to remote places such as the Village of Dragons. That's where I met you, Iris." Drayden said.
Yep! I was the strongest!" "Yes. I was surprised. You were one with your Pokémon and battling with so much joy. Just watching you made me smile. Your opponents felt disappointed by their defeat, but at the same time, they enjoyed the battle. It was completely natural for me to decide I wanted to make you my successor."
"I'm so glad I came to Unova! There are many different people and so many different Pokémon! And you know what... In the Village of Dragons, people take living alongside Pokémon for granted. I was surprised some people in Unova didn't think that way!" Iris said.
"I found your reactions to be a breath of fresh air. And as a condition to leave the Village of Dragons, you wanted to broaden your experiences and become the Champion... So as I promised, I've been training you as a Trainer and as a Gym Leader. An order directly from Alder came as I was training you."
Alder was smiling, though." Iris said.
"He lost to N and retained himself. He asked me to help him with his special training, but it was ghastly. He wanted to become an immense obstacle for you, the new Champion... For that alone, he pushed himself incredibly hard." Drayden said.
"Alder was really, really, strong! And even when I felt a bit weak, he encouraged us! He said that even when their backs are against the wall, my Pokémon have an intense look in their eyes. So, that's why I won, but I feel like I still have a lot to learn."
"Don't forget that feeling. And now, if I may change the subject... When you came to Opelucid City, I gave you those clothes, right? You're the Champion, now. It's all right to dress up a little."
Iris stared at the box of new clothes from Drayden. "Are these new clothes? OK. I'll change into them right now!"
After changing her clothes, she gasped, "Wooow! It's such a flowing dress!"
"What is important is your mental preparation as the Champion, Iris. When I was little, Poké Balls didn't exist yet. Sometimes Pokémon would run away from awful Trainers who didn't try to understand them."
"But you were fine, right? I can tell! Your Haxorus loves you very much! I've already decided! I know what kind of Champion I will be! There's a myth in Sinnoh that says the reason why Pokémon jump out is because they want to thank people. I'm sure that we and Pokémon have helped each other and enriched the world since ancient times. These memories have been engraved in each Pokémon's heart! So, I want Pokémon and people to get closer and closer! As the Champion, I want to tell that to everybody!"
"Good! If anyone can do it, you can."
"That sounds amazing. That sure is a wonderful belief." Luke says.
"Thanks. And I'm still planning to do this as the Champion." Iris says.
When Drayden is finally okay, he says, "I'll show you the way. Follow me."
After we arrive at Drayden's place, he says, "Let me tell you the story. It's a long story, but listen closely. It was two years ago when the two dragon Pokémon were awakened. The white dragon Pokémon, Reshiram, sought what is true, with the desire to usher in a new world of goodness. And the black dragon Pokémon, Zekrom, pursued what is ideal, with the desire to usher in a new world of hope. Reshiram and Zekrom were once a single Pokémon.
You may wonder why it split in two. The single dragon Pokémon had helped the twin heroes bring a new region into being. But the twin heroes-the younger brother who sought the ideals and the older brother who sought the truth-sundered the region in two as they fought to see which of them was right. In that desperate hour, the single dragon Pokémon split its body into a white Pokémon and a black Pokémon, even though ideals and truth don't need to be in opposition!"
We are surprised at his outburst, and we know that Drayden is right. "As the story goes, a third dragon Pokémon, Kyurem, also came into existence in that era."
"Kyurem..." We all mutter at the name.
"And there may be proof of this to be found in a treasure passed down in my family for generations: the DNA Splicers. Professor Juniper's research determined that the materials in the splicers date back to the same era as the materials used in building the Dragonspiral Tower."
"If that's the case, where are the DNA Splicers?" I ask.
"Oh, the DNA Splicers are stored very safely. I guard them because I don't know what kind of power might lie within them. But here's what's been bothering me… Could there be one more dragon Pokémon? Even if Kyurem really exists, we don't know what kind of Pokémon it is. For starters, the two Pokémon the ancient Pokémon split into are both overwhelmingly powerful. So if Kyurem exists, could it be just a husk-a shell that was left over?"
Just then, the whole city is shaking as Cilan asks, "An earthquake?"
"But that sound..." Reisa says as we hear some booming sounds.
We all rush outside to find the Plasma Frigate in the sky. "It's the Plasma Frigate!" Iris says.
"What is it doing here?" Golly asks. "And it has a cannon as well!"
"Is it just me, or the temperature is now really low?" Hilbert asks.
Then the cannon shoots out several ice, and the Opelucid City is now frozen. Iris says, "Gah... why is it have to be ice!"
"The world of ice... Haxorus! Use Dragon Tail!" Drayden tries to break the ice, but it doesn't seem to be working.
"Not only did the ice stay unbroken, there's not even a scratch on it! What's going on?" Drayden gasps.
"I don't think that's going to work." Much to our surprise, Zinzolin appears once more. Alice gasps, "Not you again..."
"I remember you from N's Castle." Drayden says.
"It's bitter cold. I'm shivering. I'm suffering, but I'm alive! It's what the essence of life feels like! It's proof of my existence! But that's enough of philosophy. Here are the facts for your admiration: This ice was specially created by Team Plasma's technology. As long as we have our secret weapon, you'll never be able to melt or break this ice!"
"Then people must be in danger. We'll have to save them." Then Pauline decides to bring Drandon and Lucine away from us to save the other Opelucid Citizens, and Luke asks, "So why are you here?"
"Let me explain our purpose here. Drayden, hand over the DNA Splicers! Opelucid City is a city where the past and the future are entwined. Could there be a more perfect place for the splicers that connect the separated Pokémon?" Zinzolin asks.
"Do you think someone who knows what you did two years ago will just hand them over quietly?" Drayden asks.
"Humph. That's what I thought you'd say. At this point, I'd like to threaten you with another volley of ice, but we can't use it for a moment… Sigh. It won't be enjoyable in this cold, but I guess we'll just search for them."
Then they try to get away to search for the DNA Splicers, Drayden says, "Those foul villains! We're going to drive Team Plasma out of Opelucid City!"
We all separate to battle the Team Plasma grunts once more, Alice, Zoroark, Absol, and Pikachu are staying with me as we head to the gym, that's where Zinzolin is.
"Oh, for crying out loud… I didn't expect to have to fight hampered by cold like this. Well, no matter! The fact that I'm shivering means I'm truly alive!"
He uses Cryogonal and Weavile, while we use Klang and Pawniard to battle. And much to our delight, both Pokemon evolve after we manage to defeat him.
Klinklang: The Gear Pokemon: Steel Type. Evolve from Klang at LV:49. Its red core functions as an energy tank. It fires the charged energy through its spikes into an area.
Bisharp: The Sword Blade Pokemon: Dark and Steel Type. Evolve from Pawniard at LV:52. Bisharp pursues prey in the company of a large group of Pawniard. Then Bisharp finishes off the prey.
"You're a strong Trainer. You definitely are adept at handling Pokémon. I believe I'll take my leave, simply because I can't stand this cold. But…imagine this… A Unova region…completely…covered…in…ice. To achieve that splendor, we'll do whatever it takes to obtain the DNA Splicers." Zinzolin chuckles.
After he leaves, Drayden comes and says, "You're even better than I hoped. Thanks to you, we drove them off. I'm grateful to your Pokémon, also. After all that, the least I can do is heal them with this medicine. Wait here a moment. I'll be right back."
After we manage to gather the rest minus Drandon's family, we also learn that some of Eve and Golly's Pokemon are evolved into their final phases. And that's when Drayden comes outside of the gym and says, "Harrumph… That's a new record for making it there and back. Look. These are the DNA Splicers!"
As he shows us the item, Cilan says, "So this is what they were after!"
"We're really fortunate Team Plasma didn't get their hands on them." I say.
"I don't know what their goal is, but I'm sure they're planning something wicked." Drayden says.
But much to our surprise, Palmer shows up and grab the DNA Splicers. "Hey!" Hilbert yells.
"As we suspected... The hiding place was in the Gym. Well thought out. If Drayden isn't there, we can't get in. If he is there, he's the strongest guard we could possibly face. It also explains why the Pokémon Gym was remodeled. Whatever. The DNA Splicers are in our hands now."
"It's beyond my imagination to think you'd use one of the Seven Sages to find out where the splicers were!" Drayden gasps.
Palmer gives me an apologetic look before saying, "Now you know, then. We will accomplish our goals, no matter what the cost. We don't have the ability to captivate the hearts of others like Lord N does. Instead, we will bend people to our will with brute force. Two years was a surprisingly long wait."
It is also then Dia and Gina also appear, with the three of them starting to run away. Drayden says, "If they've been stolen from us, we'll just have to take them back!"
Then we try to chase after the Shadow Triad, Golly says, "Are they seriously trying to help our evil father doing something like that?"
"I trust the Shadow Triad having a good reason. Since Minami, Lillie, and I can't return, they are the only ones who can give us intel about them." I say.
We try to search for them, and we find Gina in front of the gate to Route 11. "Heh heh... You don't really think you can take the DNA Splicers back, do you?"
"We will and you won't stop us." I say as we battle her three Pokemon, an Absol along with two Pawniard. After she's defeated, which she actually holds back a lot, she says, "Aww. How unlucky. I don't happen to be the one holding the DNA Splicers. I was just buying time for the others to escape. Cheerio, bye-bye, whatever."
After she leaves, Drayden comes and he gasps, "Oh no! Ah! No!"
"We're sorry..." Iris frowns.
"No, no, it's not your fault. You were impressive! It's me who's let everybody down." Drayden says.
Just then, the Rotom Phone is ringing, and I get a call from Hugh and Cheren at the same time. "A strange ship was flying toward Opelucid City, right?!" Hugh asks.
"I saw it too! I'm en route!" Cheren adds.
"That's good. That was Team Plasma's Frigate, so when are you coming, Cheren?" I ask.
"I'll be arriving just a moment." Cheren says.
"OK, I'll leave things to you! If you run into any trouble, call me!" After the call ends, Drayden frowns, "Augh! If there were only two of me! Then I could protect the town and chase after them, too!
Cheren arrives, and he is surprised to find Hilbert and Hilda with us. "Glad to see all of you safe as well."
"Hello, Cheren. You have certainly grown. I hear you filled in for Lenora by becoming the Gym Leader in Aspertia City." Drayden says.
"Thanks. We should save catching up for later. I have a good idea of where Team Plasma is hiding. The place with the lowest temperature in the Unova region right now is an area close to Humilau City. Drayden, please protect Opelucid City. Hugh and I will find Team Plasma!"
"Very well. I'll do my part-and thanks. The chase I'll leave to you! But…don't do anything reckless."
"And we could use your help, if you're willing. You're skilled Trainers who can go toe-to-toe with Team Plasma. That's my definition of useful. Drayden, we're off!"
After he leaves, Drayden says, "Humilau City, huh… Is there anything to the north of Undella Town? Ash and you guys, protect Pokémon from Team Plasma! All people should think for themselves about the nature of the relationship between people and Pokémon. It's not something Team Plasma gets to decide for everyone!"
We nod as we all head back to Undella Town so we can go to Humilau City.
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, you can see that Opelucid City is under attack by Team Plasma. I hope you like this chapter.
Ash and Alice's Pokemon:
Charizard x2, Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Pikachu x2, Lapras, Meganium, Espeon, Steelix (Crystal), Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Milotic, Absol, Infernape, Lucario, Abomasnow, Magnezone, Victini, Serperior, Emboar, Samurott, Watchog, Stoutland, Liepard, Simisage, Simisear, Simipour, Musharna, Unfezant, Zebstrika, Gigalith, Swoobat, Excadrill, Audino, Conkeldurr, Seismitoad, Leavanny, Scolipede, Whimsicott, Lilligant, Basculin x2, Krookodile, Darmanitan, Maractus, Crustle, Scrafty, Sigilyph, Cofagrigus, Carracosta, Archeops, Garbodor, Zoroark, Cinccino, Gothitelle, Reuniclus, Swanna, Sawsbuck, Emolga, Escavalier, Amoonguss, Jellicent, Galvantula, Ferrothorn, Klinklang, Eelektross, Beheeyem, Chandelure, Haxorus, Beartic, Accelgor, Bisharp, Larvesta, Cobalion, Virizion, Tornadus, Thundurus, Zekrom, Landorus, Meloetta
Golly's Pokemon:
Gastly, Liepard, Scolipede, Krookodile, Scrafty, Cofagrigus, Garbodor, Zoroark, Amoonguss, Jellicent, Chandelure, Bisharp
Eve's Pokemon:
Houndoom, Mightyena, Liepard, Krookodile, Scrafty, Zoroark, Bisharp
Iris' Pokemon:
Lapras, Aggron, Excadrill, Archeops, Emolga, Axew, Druddigon, Hydreigon
Cilan's Pokemon:
Pansage, Maractus, Dwebble, Ferrothorn, Stunfisk