Dragon's Den
Night had fallen. Lance and Clair were leading Jackson, Lyanne, and Leafeon into a cavern, which was located on the opposite shore of a lake the Blackthorn City Gym was right by.
"You should consider this a privilege." Clair told Jackson, giving him a glare, "Not many are allowed down here unless they choose to follow the path of being a Dragon Master."
"Clair, you should put your animosity aside." Lance argued, "I swear, you are a bad loser." Clair could only grimace at these words.
"You still haven't told us everything." Jackson spoke up, "You said that you can give Latias the ability to speak? And there was some sort of agreement between the people of Blackthorn City and Alto Mare?"
"That's correct." Lance answered, "A long time ago, when Alto Mare was protected by the first Latios and Latias of Alto Mare, several people from Blackthorn City traveled to the island in order to meet the duo. They were fascinated by the dragons, and wished to get to know them. However, many of them had their own self-interest reasons as to why they wanted to meet them, and sensing this, the two never appeared before them. However, only one of the travelers was able to meet them, or more specifically, Latios." He looked back at Jackson, adding, "That was our grandmother."
"Wow…" Lyanne muttered in amazement.
"So the Latios your grandmother met was… Latias's father?" Jackson asked, putting two and two together.
"That's correct." Lance answered, "Our grandmother did have curiosity of the legendary Pokémon, but was not obsessed. She merely wished to know them. To understand them. The presence of Latios humbled her, and she wished to only watch him and Latias, swearing never to tell her fellow travelers. He was concerned, but as he learned of her, Latios eventually warmed up to our grandmother. He even took the form of a human male, to understand her better. Before leaving, Latios and Latias gave her one of their feather downs, as a token of their friendship. After they left, the other villagers learned of what she had witnessed and the presents given to her, and were jealous of this, which grew into hatred. While our grandmother was protected by the rest of Blackthorn City, they instead asked a malicious trainer to capture them. And…" Lance stopped and looked to Lyanne. It took a moment, but she gasped, and covered her mouth.
"What?" Jackson asked her, taking a moment, before figuring something out, "You mean… the one who ended your parents were…?"
"He sacrificed himself to save Alto Mare." Lyanne explained to him, "To protect them from an evil trainer that was attacking them."
"Our grandmother grieved at the loss of her dear friends." Clair spoke up, having gone further down, and looked up at them, "But when she heard the next generation was still alive, she decided to create a way for them to communicate with people through the language of humans. She made a medicine that would allow them speak their own minds, with their honest hearts and feelings. And what's more, being able to talk, they would be less likely to be different from a human when they transform into one."
"But you're dragon tamers." Jackson stated, "You are able to communicate with dragons, no problem. Couldn't you communicate with Latios and Latias like any other Dragon-type?"
"True, but even our grandmother struggled initially." Lance explained, "Latios and Latias are unique dragons. What's more, there will come a time that they would be dealing with those who are not dragon tamers. They would only see the two as Legendary Pokémon, and thus, only see them for their power. With this, they could talk to those who couldn't understand them, and disguise themselves as normal humans who can talk. After all, they are not able to speak like humans in that form, right?"
"True…" Jackson agreed, looking to Lyanne, "I mean, I can understand her because of my translator, but others can't. I can see the benefit of learning to speak."
"And I would be able to speak to others without you translating for me." Lyanne further added, "I could even talk to Bianca over the phone."
Jackson smiled as he stated, "Then I guess were all in agreement."
"I can't help but be a little jealous." Leafeon sighed, "I wish I could talk as a human, too."
"Maybe someday." Jackson answered, looking at Lance and Clair, "For now, let's get to where we can help Lyanne find her voice!" Lance smirked as Clair nodded and smiled a bit.
(Insert 'STAND UP' by Twill (full version))
Music Intro
(Traveling through shining golden tunnel of energy, leading out into space with many world, all of which different colors, with the central world being the Pokémon world. The logo 'Jackson in Johto' appears on screen, before the camera passes through the arch of the 'n' from 'in, going into the world, through the clouds, where the glowing shadow of Ho-Oh can be seen, to the sea, where the shadow of Lugia is flying beneath the waters, before reaching the shoreline, getting blinded by the sun.)
Yeah, stand up boys!
Come on, face forward
(Jackson stands up, with Quilava at his side, followed by Dewott, Weavile, and Ledian, all of which expressing their unique personalities to Jackson.)
The call enveloping you is your guide
Step towards tomorrow
(Dewott gets angry at Weavile for trying to act so cool, while Jackson rolls his eyes before he, Quilava and Ledian took off ahead, with Weavile following behind, ignoring Dewott, who panicked and ran to not be left behind.)
Yeah, stand up girls!
At the end of what's more than real
(Leafeon rises up with Lyanne as Jackson and the boys pass by. The two look to one another, before giggling at the sight of the boys, before looking to the sky.)
We'll grab a light that's been covered by thick clouds
(Camera goes up to see Gardevoir appear in a sparkling light, landing right next to the two girls, smiling pleasantly at the two before they raced after the boys.)
How we spend our days before isn't good enough
(Camera passes by still images of all the companions and gym leaders that he has met or will meet in the future, including Cypher at the end of the pictures, while Jackson, Lyanne, Leafeon, and the rest of his current team walked along the bottom of the screen.)
At full speed
We can blast through
Even the highest wall
(Team Rocket suddenly appears, with the four admins of Team Rocket standing together, with the images of their ace Pokémon at their side, and the satellite system right above them.)
Stand up for your dream!
(Jackson draws his sword, while Lyanne turns into her Latias form, and the rest of his team ready to fight together.)
Be enthusiastic at what you do, no matter what it is
(Jackson rushes forward as he slashes his blade against Team Rocket grunts, followed by a spin kick, sending them flying, while Leafeon leaps up and unleashes a forward somersault Leaf Blade, taking out their Pokémon.)
Push your way through to make an opening
(Weavile unleashes an Ice Punch as Dewott throws a Water Pulse at a different direction, followed by the pair unleashing simultaneous Night Slashes. Quilava leaps through their attack, going into a Flame Charge.)
No matter how far
The answer you're seeking is
Stand up for your dream!
(Ledian flies in, striking with a couple Ice Punch, before unleashing a Bug Buzz. Latias flies above him, unleashing a Mist Ball, sending it ahead. Gardevoir flew forward, using Psychic to catch the Mist Ball, spinning it around her before shooting it forward, adding a Moonblast alongside the attack, creating an explosion.)
Even if my feeling show weakness
Your voice that I hear close by
(In the burning Ecruteak City, a serious Jackson raced along the path with Leafeon and Quilava at his side, towards the two towers, where a deranged Ho-Oh and Lugia were at, unleashing Aeroblast and Sacred Fire onto the city.)
Gives me courage and strength
I can go the distance
(Jackson leaps high, landing on Latias's back as they flew off, with the rest of the team leaping with him before encased in a stream of their signature colors, before the screen turn white, with a crystal blue Pokéball with a gold and silver sword crossing behind it the only thing remaining.)
They reached the bottom of the stairs, before witnessing the expansive cave before them. Jackson, Lyanne, and Leafeon were in awe. There was luminous moss on the ceiling and walls, along with torches here and there, allowing light to fill the massive cave. There were paths along the edges of the cave, with a large lake in the center of it. On the opposite shore, there was a large building, ragged and worn from age, but still standing. And by the looks of it, it was occupied.
"Behold, the Dragon's Den." Clair told Jackson, "A place those wanting to master dragons come to train."
"Sounds like a place Ryouzanpaku would fit right into…" Jackson compared, looking about.
"We would have to cross the lake to reach the Dragon Shrine." Clair explained, pulling out a ball, and bringing out Kingdra into the water.
"Jackson, will you need some assistance?" Lance asked, bringing out a ball himself, tossing it into the air, and out came a Gyarados, who roared as he crashed into the water, before resurfacing.
"Jackson, I'm pretty sure I can carry you." Lyanne assured him, "I have gotten strong enough to do that."
"Well, you did carry me back in Ecruteak City." Jackson recalled, "But I'll need someone to carry Leafeon."
"I can do that." Lance assured him as Gyarados placed his tail on the shoreline, and Lance climbed onto it, placing a hand on his neck for support. Jackson nodded to Leafeon, and she jumped on behind him. Lyanne took on her Latias form, and Jackson hopped on, while Clair saddled herself onto Kingdra like a horse. Together, they went across the water, going to the shrine on the other side.
"You okay with my weight, Latias?" Jackson asked his ride.
"I'm perfectly fine." She answered, looking back at him, "No need to worry. I'm tougher than I look, thanks to those training sessions." Jackson couldn't help but feel proud at his achievements.
"You really have grown up, Jackson." Lance told him, "The way you care about your Pokémon and friends has really changed since you first challenged Clair."
Jackson thought back to that first battle, and compared it to the rematch. "It was like night and day." Jackson muttered, feeling embarrassed.
"You didn't even stand a chance against me." Clair huffed.
"Now that you reached this far, you should start thinking about the kind of trainer you want to perceive yourself as." Lance told Jackson.
"What do you mean by that?" Jackson asked.
"With the level of strength you have gained, and the bond you have with your Pokémon, what do you intend to do with that?" Lance asked.
Jackson thought about it for a moment, looking to Leafeon before looking at Latias, before answering, "Well, that's something I gotta figure out as I make my way to fighting you. My goal at the beginning was to learn to not just trust others, but trust myself again. I've made strides in that thanks to the adventure so far, and I feel like I've become a better person. But I'm still not ready to return home yet. So I gotta take the ultimate test, and that means reaching you."
Lance smirked at Jackson's answer, while Clair looked back at him. He had grown up since the last time they encountered one another. And after the lecture Lance gave her, she realized she had to also learn to overcome her difficulty to accept defeat.
They had to cross over some swirling whirlpools that surrounded the outer parts of the shrine, which acted as natural barriers to the structure. Jackson and Latias didn't have any problem flying over them, while Clair, Lance, and their Pokémon acted so use to it, going through with no problem. They reached the shoreline and climbed off their respective steeds. Latias reverted back to her human form, while Leafeon joined their side. Clair and Lance thanked their partners as they returned them to their balls. Jackson looked to the shrine, seeing the front entrance. It did give off a similar Japanese vibe as the shrines in the Earth world.
"Follow us." Lance told Jackson, and he and his companions followed behind the cousins, going up the steps that led into the Dragon Shrine.
Lance had only started opening up the double doors, when something flew out through the open crack of the door, catching everyone off guard. It landed on the ground behind them, looking about. It looked like a smaller version of a Dragonair.
"That's a fast Dratini." Clair noted.
"That's quite an entrance." Leafeon stated.
"Finally, I can get out and about!" Dratini cheered.
"Stop!" Someone parted the doors to the shrine from the inside, who had the appearance of a monk. He looked to see who was at the door, and said, "Oh, Master Lance. Lady Clair. Sorry for this. We had just recently started raising this Dratini. However, it has the move Extreme Speed, and is a bit ambitious to move about."
"An excitable one, isn't it?" Lance asked, looking to it.
"Never mind that!" The monk stated, "You have to catch her before she gets away!" Everyone looked to the Dratini, with Leafeon ready to pounce.
"No you don't!" It cried, unleashing Extreme Speed, dashing away from Leafeon before she could pounce onto it.
"It's getting away!" The monk exclaimed, placing his hands on his head.
"I got it." Jackson answered, activating his Air Shoes, before dashing after it, startling Clair and the monk, while everyone else were use to this.
Jackson sped up to pursue the Dratini, who looked behind and was startled. "How is a human able to catch up to this speed?!" She demanded, before trying to fly faster. However, Jackson quickly caught up, sped in front, and stopped the Dratini with his arms spread.
"Nice try. But I'm use to speeds WAY faster than you." Jackson stated.
"Gah! No!" Dratini screamed, coming to a halt, before dashing to the water. Jackson predicted this, and unleashed the propulsion boosters to shoot himself at where she was heading towards, grabbing Dratini in midair, before crashing into the water.
Everyone gasped at the sight of Jackson going in, before seeing that Jackson had dropped one of his Pokéballs behind him, which tapped open, and out came Dewott. "What's goin' on?!" He demanded, before seeing the aftermath of the splash in the water.
"Jackson went into the water to stop-!" Leafeon started, before Dewott abruptly called out, "Yeah, yeah. I'll follow him!" He dove into the water after Jackson.
Underwater, Jackson couldn't use his hands, as they had a grip on Dratini's smooth body, finding grip by holding onto one of the wings on its head. He paddled with his feet, making sure to keep afloat, while holding his breath. He then felt his vest being tugged on. He looked back and saw Dewott arrived, grabbing him.
"I swear, you're one crazy trainer of mine!" he told him, before pulling him and who he held to the surface. The broke the water, and Jackson gasped for air. Everyone looked amazed as the three went to the shore.
"Here, let me help." Lyanne told Jackson, running to him.
"Take this little rascal." Jackson told her, handing the Dratini to her. She made sure to get a grip on the dragon, as Jackson and Dewott pulled themselves out of the water.
"You okay, Jackson?" Lance asked as everyone joined them.
"Oh, sure. I needed a bath." Jackson answered, grinning cheekily.
"Not funny." Leafeon huffed.
"You are quite hasty when it comes to your actions." Clair told him, while Lance laughed.
Moments later, Jackson had Quilava out, who heated up with flames as Jackson held his hands close to his partner, warming himself while drying out his clothes. His vest was in his hands, barely grazing the flames. The Dratini was handed back to the monk, who apologized frantically to everyone for the trouble. Even Dratini felt guilty after getting a lecture from Clair.
"You are dragon tamers! You should learn to bond with your partner, but you should also keep young ones like this under control if they go out of control!" She finished up on the two.
"I think they understand, Clair." Lance stopped her, "What matters is that no one got hurt. Just be sure to take this lesson to heart, okay?"
"Yes sir…" the monk and Dratini answered simultaneously.
"You were really reckless, Jackson." Leafeon huffed at him.
"No joke. What would you have done if you didn't have me there?" Dewott asked.
"Then it's a good thing I counted on you to get the situation and act on it." Jackson stated, smiling at Dewott, "Good work, Dewott."
Dewott looked at him for a second, before folding his arms and giving a smirk, stating, "Well, you helped me out a crap ton. Better return the favor. Besides, Weavile couldn't do something like that."
"Always comparing…" Leafeon sighed as Jackson, Lyanne, and Quilava laughed.
After a bit, Jackson called back Dewott and Quilava to their balls, before flapping out his vest and putting it back on, wincing from the heat of the metal zipper. "Right. Should we get going?" Jackson asked, looking to Lance and Clair, while the monk returned to the shrine.
"Sure, if you are okay?" Lance asked.
"Slightly damp, but nothing to make me sick." Jackson replied, and the group retried to go into the shrine. Lance opened the doors, and they entered in.
The interior of the dragon shrine was well-kept, with no modern day power used whatsoever. Instead, candles were lit for light in the place. There were a few trainers in the shrine, along with monks keeping the place and Pokémon in check.
They got attention as they entered in, mostly because of the cousins. They were, after all, famous trainers in the Johto region. Someone in the shadows of one of the supporting pillars watched them, a smirk coming across her face.
Jackson, Leafeon, and Lyanne followed behind as they were led to the back, where a carpet and a decorated, short-legged table with an assortment of things were at, and the eldest man in the building was kneeling at.
"Ah, hello, Master Lance." The elder greeted.
"Hello, sir." He replied, his tone showing his respect to the man, reaching the carpet, and kneeling down onto it. Clair and Jackson did the exact same thing without hesitation, the latter fully aware of this practice in respect from the dojo.
"I trust you have received the message I sent beforehand?" Lance asked.
"Indeed." He replied, looking to Lyanne, "You are the disguised Latias, I take it?" His voice went down to a level that no one else could hear in the shrine. Lyanne looked about, before nodding in response.
"Have you made the medicine for her?" Clair asked.
"Nearly so." He answered, looking to Jackson, "I have yet to put in the key ingredients to make it. However, before I proceed, I would like to make sure that her companion is safe to be with her."
Jackson looked puzzled as Lance stated, "I trust Jackson's judgement and respect for people and Pokémon around him."
"Maybe so, but I must see for myself." He stated, looking to Jackson, "While I trust your words, I wish to see for myself his judge of character. Therefore, I will ask you some questions, and mark my words, I will know if you are lying." Jackson nodded in understanding. He could see why he would be a bit hesitant to give the medicine to Lyanne. For all he knew, he could be using Lyanne for selfish reasoning.
"Firstly, what are Pokémon to you?" He asked.
Jackson didn't break his gaze from the elder, before answering, "They are my comrades and friends."
"What helps you win a battle?"
"Strategy and trust."
"What kind of trainers do you wish to battle?"
"Whoever is willing. I have no preference."
"What is most important for raising Pokémon?"
"Forming a bond with them."
The elder nodded to each answer Jackson gave, before he started, "For my final question…"
"I'll ask this one." Said a voice from behind, causing the group who entered in to spin around. The person was a woman, with long, silvery-blue hair and eyes, and a slim figure like a model. She wore a yellow cropped tank top with the neckline edged in black that reveals her flat midriff, with a pair of straps that went over her shoulders on each side, white capri pants with yellow beads, yellow high heels on her feet. Walking alongside her was an Umbreon, who looked specifically at Leafeon, who looked back at her.
"Karen?!" Lance gasped, surprised to see her.
"What are you doing here in the Dragon Shrine?!" Clair demanded.
"I'll answer that later." she waved them off, before looking at Jackson, giving him a serious look, "I've got to give this kid his last question, after all."
Jackson spun and rose to his feet, looking at her. He did seem hesitant about her, as she seemed to surprise the dragon tamers. However, he could also feel a level of strength from her that was almost on par with Lance. Whoever she was, she was powerful.
"Between weak Pokémon or strong Pokémon, which one do you prefer?" Karen asked Jackson.
He paused, before he answered, "Am I allowed to say both? I don't think there's a problem with either."
She paused for a moment, before smirking as she answered, "I like your style, kid. Jackson, right? I heard Lance speak about you before."
Jackson looked to Lance, asking, "Who is she? Someone you know?"
"She is, in fact." He answered, standing up and looking to her, "This is Karen, one of the Elite Four of the Indigo Plateau."
Jackson was surprised, looking to her. He had not met any of the Elite Four up till this point. He heard they are among the strongest of the region, only second to the Champion, who was Lance. No wonder he felt great strength from her.
"I was here to speak with Lance, informing him of some duties he needs to deal with as our Champion." she explained, "However, when I heard about the kid you were so interested in coming here, I had to check him out, myself. And I can tell that what he said was the truth."
She knelt down and petted Umbreon's head, stating, "I met this one trainer a while back who stated that all he cared about was strong Pokémon, and that was it. I had to teach him a lesson, of course." She licked her lips, thinking of that moment. It was in a way Jackson shuddered at, only because she enjoyed putting people like that down.
"Although he never seem to get the picture." She continued, "Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. That is only the selfish perception of people. Truly skilled trainers should try to win with the Pokémon they love best. For me, I love Dark-types. Their wild nature is exciting to me."
"A trainer who cared only for strong Pokémon…" Jackson muttered. Could it have been…? Well, it could be a coincidence. After all, he wasn't the only one who thought that way.
"You fight with Pokémon you love best, don't you?" Karen asked Jackson, standing up to look him in the eyes.
"They were the ones I formed a bond with." Jackson answered, "Whether we gained each other through battling to respect one another, or from the bond we formed over time before they wanted me as their trainer, I kept them alongside me, and we fought through many fights since, getting stronger together."
Karen smirked at Jackson, walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder. "I really do like you, kid. I hope you come and face me, soon. I want to be entertained by someone like you."
She and Umbreon turned and walked away, the former saying, "I'll wait outside for you, Lance. I need to have you come back to the plateau." She exited the building, leaving everyone talking and murmuring about.
"She never showed me THAT kind of respect." Clair stated.
"She's pretty stunning." Lyanne muttered.
"And that Umbreon. She's really powerful." Leafeon muttered, "So that's an Elite Four member's Pokémon."
Lance looked to Jackson, stating, "Regardless, the fact that she acknowledged you is no easy feet. She has an eye for trainers, and shows no mercy to those who disregard her standards. I would say she is probably the strongest of the Elite Four. Do you think you are up to the task of proving the kind of trainer you are to her?"
Thinking on that question, Jackson thought to what Lance spoke of as they crossed the lake. What kind of trainer did he perceive himself to be? What did he plan to become with the level of strength he had? He paused for a second, before looking to Lance, answering, "I guess I'll only have one way to find out. And that's to reach her." Lance nodded, approving his answer.
Just then, the elder cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention back to him. At this point, he had already pulled out a cloth with grounded medicinal herbs, plus two wings that were on either side, one red, one blue. They had a faint glow to them.
"Are those…?" Jackson started.
"No doubt. Those are feathers from a Latios and Latias." Lyanne answered, "I'd know them anywhere."
"So Jackson passed the test?" Clair asked. Jackson and Lance reverted to kneeling down once more.
"Indeed. You shown you are the ideal trainer. A kind and considerate trainer, worthy to be a trusted companion to Latias. You have the right to earn the secret medicine." He took the two feathers of the Eon Pokémon, and ground them up with hands far more capable than someone expected for his age. He then placed the grounded feathers into the rest of the ingredients, mixed them together, then added water. He then picked up the edges of the cloth, bundled up the medicine, and started forming a ball out of it. After a minute of continuous rolling, he finally placed it down, and revealed the medicine in a more pill-like form.
"This is the medicine." The elder told them, sliding the pill over to them.
"And it should work?" Lance asked, as Jackson took the pill, examining it. It had a mixture of colors that didn't make it tantalizing to eat.
"Your grandmother was skilled in medicinal practice." The elder assured them, "This includes the treatment of Pokémon, especially Dragon-types. She was rather special in her own way. I can guarantee it isn't poisonous."
Jackson was no expert in the medicinal practice for Pokémon, but held the pill in the cloth to Lyanne, who took it and sniffed it. "It definitely doesn't have a pleasant smell." She muttered, "But… I can detect a small whiff of the feathers."
"You can tell through that concoction?" Jackson asked.
"Yes." She replied, "It's faint but… I am reminded of a smell I barely remember. The smell of my parents." Jackson felt sympathy for her. She did lose her parents at such a young age.
Lyanne paused, took a deep breath, then placed the cloth to her mouth, swallowing the pill. She paused, her eyes closed, feeling the pill go down. For a moment, nothing happened. Then suddenly, her eyes bulged, and she started to cough profusely, falling over and clutching her neck.
"Lyanne!" Jackson exclaimed, he and Leafeon rushing over to her. Clair and Lance stood up, frightened. The elder was concerned, while everyone in the building watched in shock and horror.
She continued to cough, gasping for air in-between coughs. Jackson was scared for her. "Please, calm yourself!" He told her, "Don't take deep breaths! Stay with me!" He made sure she was upright, holding her back in place, as she continued to cough hard. She was struggling a lot.
Jackson glared at the elder, but knew that it was hardly the time for harsh words. All he knew was that if anything happened to her, he was gonna pay for it. The elder did look like he wasn't sure what he could do, but that didn't mean he wasn't at fault.
After a while, Lyanne's coughing started to calm down, and her breathing started to become more steady. She was frightened out of her mind from what felt like a near suffocation. Her neck swelled inside, but was started to heal up. Jackson could see that she was recovering, and gave a sigh of relief.
"Lyanne, are you okay?!" Leafeon asked, worried.
"Yeah. Do you need something to drink?" Jackson asked.
Lyanne didn't answer immediately. However, as she touched the lower part of her neck, she could feel something. Something changed within that area. Almost like something added. It flowed from within all the way to her brain. Knowledge that connected with the change. She looked to Jackson, calming herself, before opening her mouth.
"I think…" she started, and Jackson's eyes widened. Her lips were moving as she answered, "I think I'll be okay."
Jackson, Lance, and Clair were in amazement. She was talking like a normal human being.
"It worked!" Lance gasped.
"She really spoke!" Clair stated.
"You're speaking like a human!" Jackson praised.
Lyanne touched the same part again, before looked at Jackson, beaming in joy. "I can talk now, Jackson. I can talk to everyone now!"
As everyone seemed perplexed on the outside, Jackson got Lyanne to her feet, both looking happy. Clair and Lance came to their side, with Clair asking, "Our grandmother's medicine was successful. I can hear the voice of Latias."
Lyanne looked to Clair, before smiling and said, "Yes. And I can speak with you, Clair, Lance." The two dragon tamers looked pleased at hearing their names spoken by her.
"And you can still speak with me, right?" Leafeon asked her.
"Yep. I sure can, Leafeon." She replied.
"But… can you do it in your Pokémon form?" Lance asked her.
Lyanne paused, before answering, "No. I am pretty sure it's only for this form, only."
"But even so…" Jackson started, looking to her, "I guess I don't have to be your translator to others. You are able to speak your own mind to others. I'm happy for you." Lyanne smiled and nodded in response.
The elder stood up, and wandered past the group, relieved to see the medicine worked. He then looked to everyone as he called out, "There is no need to speak about what you have witnessed. I merely gave this child her voice back. Nothing more to be said." While everyone was confused or curious, they decided not to pry any further, given that it was the elder who said so. This was probably for the best. After all, who is to say that someone would learn that Lyanne is Latias, and would be obsessed into claiming her?
Moments later, the team exited the Dragon's Den, with Karen in tow. The moon shined brightly in the sky above, its rays shining down onto the group. They made it across the lake, and made landfall near the Blackthorn Gym.
"Now this is a perfect evening." Karen stated, looking back at Lance, "Time for you to get going, Champion. You still have some stuff to take care of."
"Right." Lance answered, looking to Jackson, "Looks like it's time for me to go." Jackson nodded in understanding.
He looked to Clair, stating, "Remember what I told you before."
"I know, I know." She sighed, "I'll ease up a bit on challengers. But I won't give up on becoming the strongest Dragon Master!" Lance smirked at his cousin, knowing she was gonna reach that point, someday.
"I look forward to see how far you'll get." Karen told Jackson, "I want you to reach me so I can show you how tough and wild my Dark-type Pokémon are."
"I look forward to it." Jackson answered, before looking to Lance, "And Lance, I swear I'll reach you. I want to have that match that we promised on. Maybe then, I'll understand what kind of trainer I want to be."
"I look forward to see what answer you will have." he replied, raising a hand to him. Jackson took it, and they shook. With that, he called out Dragonite, while Karen summoned out a Houndoom, leaping onto its back, and they took off into the night, Houndoom howling to the moon as it did. Umbreon was right with them, the rings on its body glowing in the moonlight.
"I'd better go and rest up my Pokémon." Clair sighed, feeling exhausted from the entire day. She looked to Jackson and Lyanne, stating, "You'd better get some rest, too. I'd hate to see the trainer who beat me too exhausted to defeat my cousin."
"Right." Jackson answered, before looking to Lyanne, "Let's go to the Pokémon Center, and get some sleep."
"Agreed." She answered, "We'll have more time to talk tomorrow." Jackson chuckled, knowing what she meant. Together with Leafeon, they raced their way to the Pokémon Center, with new gifts given to them, new thoughts to think about, and a new step in their adventure.