Author's Note:

Here it is, the second chapter of the story and the main introduction to two characters. Given the title, it should be obvious who. We got a glimpse of them last time, but this is their true introduction. I want to make a point off; I didn't like Iris in the BW anime, but I did like her return in Journey's. I'd say her return was the most successful part of that series. I intend to fix her story and character into something more than what we ended up with. I thought there were three major flaws with her in the BW series, 1) she called herself a dragon master, but she didn't exactly specialise in the type. 2) she was arrogant without anything to back up said attitude. 3) she didn't precisely contribute to the series. I plan on addressing these points in this book. I don't mind characters like Cilian or Brock branching out on typing because they never specified themselves as type specialists other than running a gym but when her goal is to become a Dragon master, she had a surprising lack of dragons. Also want to inform you all, the website has had some issues recently with sending out notifications. Not much else to say, just remember to vote in the poll and with that, let's begin.

Chapter two: Enter Iris & Axew

Iris swung in the trees with the thought of Reshiram present in her mind. The previous days battle fresh in her mind. Landing on a thick branch, she kneeled and over looked the route over. Axew's head popped out with a greeting cry and wide smile. Jumping down onto the grass, she started walking along.

"I'm glad you're feeling better." She smiled, scratching her behind the ear. "Sorry about the battle yesterday... I should've known you wasn't-"

"Ew Axew!"

"I'm just glad it didn't hinder your enthusiasm-" She sighed. "Still... it could've been worst. Could you imagine if we-"

"Axew!"

"Your right-" She shook her head. Noticing an elderly women sat on a bench, holding a newspaper in her hand. The front cover had the mug shot of a boy riding some sort of Zebstrika-like Pokémon on fire with the head, 'Has the hero of truth returned?'. "I hope so."

"Huh?" the women peaked over the top. "Oh, hello deary. How are you today?"

"I'm good, thank you-" She smiled. She couldn't help noticing a passing resemblance to the elder but that's likely because of their age. "And you?"

"I hope so too-" she offered a stronger smile. "In all my years, I never thought I'd a power like Orre build up again but Plasma... they're just as bad."

"They are?" she asked.

"Deciding what is right or wrong with some arbitrary rules, inflicting their morality onto everyone around them-" she replied, "we've seen what happens in the desert region when a section of the world is separated from Pokémon. If we separate the little wonders, then we'll all suffer."

Closing her eyes, she remembered stories of the cold war between the states and Orre. While a little out of her age, she still remembered the history taught about the cold war. She couldn't say she ever saw the similarities between the two but with how she put it, it did make sense.

"It's okay dear, every empire rises but they also fall-" She stood up. "Whether it's this hero or someone else, Plasma's fifthteen minutes will soon be up."

Bidding the women goodbye, she continued down the path for a little bit. Her thoughts on the group known as Plasma. She really can't be sure which side to fall on. They go against everything she's ever been taught about the relationship between people and Pokémon but what they say makes sense. She loves Axew and... but if their relationship is truly to the Pokémon's dismay than is she being selfish for wanting to keep it?

People provide shelter, food, and love for the creatures. In the wild for a lot of species its kill or be killed. Druddigon are known for being increasingly territorial and she's seen that first hand. While her relationship with Axew has her leaning towards one side. She couldn't deny the reasons for siding with Plasma.

"Grwwwwww!"

Her eyes widened at the clearly draconic cry, snapping her out of her thoughts. A streaming spew of flames shot high into the air, not too far from her current position. She could only imagine the dragon which made it. Maybe a Haxorus or Hydreigon. While she wants to meet that hero from Nuvema, the chance to see such a powerful dragon is too much to pass up. Her desire was too much to handle as she found herself walking in the direction.

"Ax Axew!"

"I know, right!" She smiled. "I can't wait to meet that dragon... and if they have a trainer then..."

"Ew Axew!"

"Yeah... I know." She sighed. "It's like the elder said. A broken friendship can be a comma or a full stop. We decide."

Closing her eyes, her mind fell to the device on her belt. She would do anything to fix the situation as a whole but exactly how is the difficult part.

He carefully watched the passing scenery as his fire horse raced across the ground. Glancing down to his wrist, he spotted the time. Letting out a low sigh, he saw an abandoned camping spot with seating logs and an extinguished camp fire along the side. They had passed a few already so he figured they were commonplace rest-spots for travelling trainers. Leaning forward, he stroked the side of his fire types face.

"Alright girl, we'll going to set up camp here-" he whispered.

Slowing into a small trot, they came to a stop at the camps edge. Jumping off, his pure ground type joined him by Rapidash's side. Turning to the open grassy field, he pulled out the remaining for devices off his belt. In a flash of light, Charizard, Jolteon, Victreebel and Ariados joined the line up.

His started landed with a heavy thud and loud roar, scarring off the nearby birds from a tree and rodents from the surrounding shrubbery. While he launched a searing flamethrower into the sky. He inwardly smirked, while it could just be a way of showing off, they came to use it to scare off anyone who might cause them trouble. Whether wild Pokémon looking to steal food or arrogant trainers wishing to interrupt their training or steal the camping spot.

"Alright training time, I'm gonna be setting up camp then get lunch ready so whilst I'm doing that-" He glanced across the six Pokémon. "Charizard continue helping increase Rapidash's fire power. Just aim for the sky. Last thing we need is to set the field alight."

Receiving a nod from the two fire types, he watched them walk over into an open from the trees. With a loud roar, his starter launched a stream of flames up into the sky. Rapidash followed suit but lacking the loud voice. Her flamethrower was slimmer but what it lacked in intensity; she made up with precision.

"Maro?"

"Alright then." He drew his attention back to the group. "You can pair up with Jolteon. During the battle at the lab, I saw you could struggle with some speedy opponents or multiple targets. Jolteon needs to work on fighting with stuff other than electricity."

"Wak-Maro-" He stuck his tongue out.

"Oh, oh yeah. Oh, you never do!" He retorted as the ground type walked away.

His eeveelution bounced off, quickly passing him. Skidding around, he stood in an offensive stance. Picking up his club, he threw it straight towards the electric type. In the blink of an eye, the lightening Pokémon disappeared. A second later he crashed into his pure ground type.

Puffing his chest out, he knocked the electric type back. Turning on a heel, he took off as Jolteon shook himself from the rebound. Grabbing his bone again.

"And... that leaves you two-" He turned towards his two duel poison types. "Help each other out with some new moves. Ariados go for venoshock while you can work on poison jab. Remember that it's important to have both long range and close-quarters options in the heat of battle."

The two Pokémon nodded and started moving to another clear part of the ground. Closing his eyes, he let out a low sigh.

Shaking his head, he turned back around and set down his bag. Pulling out some rope and poles, he began sticking them into the ground. It didn't take more than a few minutes for him to finish setting out his tent and placing his sleeping bag inside. Turning back to the other previous fire place, he set out his cooking utensils ready for whenever dinner would be.

"Firewood-" he muttered under his breath.

Checking on his team briefly with a glance, he stood up and started heading over to the slightly wooded area. Heading into the inner part, he began picking up the sticks off the ground to burn later. His thoughts began to wonder once more during the moment of solitude.

Of course, he felt bad about lying to Ash with the being sent here. Even if not officially sent to sort out the Plasma situation, he couldn't deny that every fibre of his being wants to face them. Ash was always the more reckless between them, but these people are going against everything he knows to be true. If it were for Marowak, he likely never would've softened up and that allowed the healing process to start with his brother.

He won't deny that there are certainly bad people out there and those who'll take advantage of the creatures but not everyone is like that. Why should they be punished too. The punishment should follow the crime not before. Given how his father acted, he knows something about punishment before the crime.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to calm him down. Twitching his fingers, he let the feeling pass over. His mind cleared of the irritating thoughts.

"Maro?"

He turned to see his ground type and eeveelution peering over to a nearby bush. Narrowing his eyes, he pulled out his dex as the shrub seemed to be rustling around. Pointing the device into the bush, he scanned for some sort of hint at the less-than-subtle intruder:

Axew, The tusk Pokémon. These Pokémon nest in the ground and use their tusks to crush hard berries. Crushing berries is also how they test each other. They play with each other by knocking their large tusks together. Their tusks break sometimes, but they grow back so quickly that it isn't a concern

Studying the picture on his device, he peered over the top to see a part of the Pokémon poking out. His eyes narrowed when he saw something purple and presumably fluffy. Neither of which matched the image he saw but the device scans for familiar genetic structure so-

"Wak Marowak?"

His ground type motion with his club. Giving a shrug and a nod, he turned back in time to see the projectile strike the intruder. With a pain-filled yelp, the uninvited guest flew out of the bush revealing a human girl probably twelve or thirteen. Her hair seemed to be the purple substance they saw.

"Ax Axew."

A greyish-green dragon climbed out of the large plump hair, revealing the Pokémon his dex identified. "And just like that it makes sense."

Stepping forward he ended up tumbling back as the dragon swiped claws at his feet. Catching himself, he stared down to the Pokémon as a bone came out and hit his head. Despite running with all his might, he couldn't overpower Marowak's single hand as cries escaped the dragon's mouth.

"I'd almost feel sorry for you if you weren't so pathetic-" He rolled his eyes, dusting himself off.

"Maro Marowak!"

"Yeah, yeah. I guess we should help her." Stepped forward. "Hey, aeroplane mouth. Think this through. You can't get through Marowak, and I've got five others able to do just the same. How about instead of picking a fight you'll lose, you let me treat her injuries?"

The dragon stopped, panting heavily. Glancing back to his trainer, he noticed a glint in her eyes. Shaking her head, she turned back to look him in the eyes, letting out a low sigh she nodded, and her claws returned to normal. Walking over to the girl, he glanced back to the Pokémon.

"Back to training..." He instructed. "And Axew... you should join them. Keep your mind busy until she's back on her feet."

Seeing the Pokémon walk back over to the training grounds, he noticed the small dragon staring at him. Instead of joining the Pokémon like he suggested, she just stood and stared at him. Taking a seat beside her, he plopped his backpack off and gently moved her into a recovery position.

Revealing the point of impact, he inwardly sighed at the lack of blood. A gentle feel revealed no lump either. His ground type has got good judgement on the amount of strength to put into his blows. Letting her rest in the recovery position, he glanced back to the dragon.

"She'll be fine, give it a little time and she'll wake up-" He shrugged. "You know, my brother knocked himself out a few times growing up. Usually doing something stupid like trying to climb a tree for a Caterpie. Our mum would go running... like our dad's attention wasn't-"

He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Ew Axew!"

"Doesn't matter. It's in the past-" He stood up. "Let's talk about right now... Obviously your her Pokémon."

"Axe?"

"My guess... your her starter. First stage dragons aren't easy to come by unless you grow up in a draconic society-" he explained, "and the dex gave me the average weight and height for a healthy adult. Which is why I think you're so young. Also, the scratch against the bone. It's the only tactic you've got right?"

"Ew-" She looked down to her feet.

"Everyone starts somewhere." He reassured. "But her clothing is hand-made, common amongst village folk. Her shoes have tradition dragon marks in the bottom, changing the tracks she leaves. It's not too much to imagine her growing up in some sort of dragon worshipping village."

"Axe Axew-"

"So wanna tell me about her other Pokémon?" he asked. "The one you considered getting before letting me treat her. You realised even if you went for the hidden Pokéball, any of my team would react faster. Maybe Ariados' string shot or Jolteon's quick attack. But I saw that look in your eye-"

"Xew!"

"Fine then, we don't need to talk about it-" He held his hands up. "The offer for training is still on the table. First thing first, you need to work on expanding your move set. I'm sure the dex will give us some ideas and as you get more in your arsenal, your preferred style will reveal itself."

He started walking over to the training ground. Pulling his device out, he looked up the small dragon type and possible moves.

She blinked as the orange sky and green forest blurred. Letting out a soft ground, she sat up, closing her eyes as the world around her kept spinning. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she took a deep breath. The fresh air filled her lungs as she tried to remember what happened.

Axew ran head when they saw a flamethrower with another draconic roar over the tree tops. Catching up to her, they ended up in a bush where she could see several Pokémon, she's only ever heard about... granted her expose in the village come down to a few dragon lines and the forest inhabitants. She was mesmerised by the orange fire dragon with the stead from the image on the front of the newspaper the elderly women had.

"Oh, your awake-"

She weakly opened her eyes to see a boy stirring some sort of liquid food in a metal pan which was suspended over a camp fire. Slouching as she rested back on the spot, she felt her head. A weird texture she didn't recognise ran under her fingers. Pulling it slightly, she found a bandage wrapped around.

"Wh-what happened?" she groaned.

"You was spying and my Marowak took it upon himself to sort it out-" the boy explained, "his bone ended up knocking you out."

"You knocked me out?!" She raised her voice.

"We didn't know who or what you were-" He rolled his eyes. "But we still treated you. We've could just leave and-"

"Where's Axew?" She shot up but almost instantly stumbled back down.

"She's fine, doing some training with my team-" the boy gestured over to the Pokémon. Looking over she saw her starter with claws extended as she ran around with a taller-brown Pokémon with a skull for a head. A bone in the hand keeping her dragon away.

Each time she swiped with her claws; a shimmer of dragon type energy appeared but faded in the wind. While her opponent danced around.

"After treating your injury, we decided the best way to make time pass was with training-" he explained, "it took some doing to get her to leave your side. But I guess that is starters for you."

"How did you-"

"Know she was your starter?" he asked. "Educated guess. What you should be asking is what training I got her to do."

"Okay, what sort of training has she been doing?" she asked.

"I'm glad you asked-" He smirked. "-I saw she already has scratch down, so it was best to work on her claws. I thought a dragon without a dragon move was just... well, it didn't make much sense, so I got my Charizard to show how to manipulate dragon energy. Then got her sparring with Marowak-"

"The one who knocked me out?" she grumbled.

"You were spying-" He shrugged. "But for whatever reason she was happy to try and cut him. So, she's been working on the move dragon claw. It takes the same technique as scratch but implements dragon energy. Your welcome, by the way."

"You knocked me out!" She raised her voice.

"Because you was spying on us-" he dismissed. "For all we knew, you was a part of team Plasma."

"Team Plasma-"

Her eyes widened as the previous day's events played out in front of her. Blinking, a tingling numbness travelled down through her entire body. She quickly looked back to take in the boy's image. His face overlapped with the newspaper page from this morning.

"Y-your that kid-" She gasped. "The one from the news. Your team Plasma's new hero!"

"Get off am I!" He jumped up. "I would never be a part of them!"

"B-but the newspaper-"

"You think those people actually print the truth?" he asked. "Wake up, this is Unova. They print what sells. Right now, they're pro Plasma."

"So why are you here?" she asked.

"Honestly... to escape-" He washed a hand down his face. He stepped forward and squatted down in front of her. "I've... got a brother. Twin brother. But our dad... long story short, he's a dick. Put a wedge between us. For a long time, I really hated my brother."

"And now?" she asked.

"I love him... but I still hate him-" He stood back up. "It's complicated. When we're together, I'd do anything for him but... he's still the big hero, league finalist. Protagonist of his own adventure. I know it's not his fault, but I just needed to get away. Make something which is my own."

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked.

"It feels good to vent." He shrugged, turning back to the pot. "Anyway, dinners ready. It's my mother's stew recipe. Want some?"

She watched as he poured out some cans of Pokémon food into bowls and placed them down on the floor. Putting his fingers into his mouth, he let out a high-pitched whistle. Turning back, he used a napkin to clear his hands before pouring two bowls of soup.

A large rumble drew her attention. Looking over she noticed a large group of Pokémon charging over. A small yellow-spikey canine arrived first, with the fiery stead showing up next. Some sort of Galvantula-like insect and an Amoonguss-like Pokémon showed up together-

"Oof." She looked down to see Axew having jumped into her lap. "I'm happy to see you too. Here-"

She pulled a fresh apple out of her pocket. The small dragon grabbed it and began quickly demolishing it, quicker than she ever saw the little dragon eat. A moment later she found a bowl held in front of her face. With a quick thanks, she accepted the item. Watching quietly as he took a seat next to his little brown skull-head Pokémon and the large fiery dragon. Unable to tear her eyes away from the impressive species, she picked up the spoon and took a mouthful.

"Oh wow-" She quickly swallowed the stew. "This is really good."

"Thanks-" He uttered. "It's not drowned in grease or salt, so I didn't know if you'd like it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked.

"Just I've been in Unova for two days now and everything I've eaten that I haven't made myself had one of two or both of those secret ingredients." He shrugged. "It's really more of dig at Unova then you."

"Gee thanks-" She rolled her eyes. A silence over took as she found her eyes drawn back to the orange-winged dragon.

"You know, Axew really should have more than just an apple." He suggested.

"What's wrong with an apple?" she asked.

"Nothing's wrong per say but Pokémon have different dietary needs to people," he explained, "its why they have their own specific food just for them. You can give them treats from time to time but if you want them to grow into healthy specimens then you need take proper care."

"Oh yeah, and what about Pokémon in the wild?" she asked.

"That's just one reason it's rare to find a fully evolved Pokémon in the wild, they don't get the required nutrients or other factors which trainers can provide for them." He shrugged. "There's always going to be exceptions but it's the reason most packs only have one evolved Pokémon to protect the group."

"So, you really know your stuff?" she asked, as he took out a can of Pokémon food.

"I've picked up a thing or two you could say-" He placed it down. "This is the basic blend which'll help any species without a specific indulgence. If I were to guess, he'd need a lot of protein given how dragons usually are, but you can figure that out in the next town."

"I'm guessing you've got some experience with dragons?" she asked.

"Not really-" he returned to his meal. "What would give you that idea?"

"You-your dragon is-" she stuttered, weakly pointing to the fiery-tailed beast.

"Charizard?" He asked, a smug look flickering on the orange Pokémon's face as his held raised up. "He's not a dragon."

The Pokémon's face faltered, grumbling something with a light snort of flames. Turning away from his face.

"And his growing up I focused on his calcium intake mostly-" he explained, "his bones require strength to fight whilst in full flight mode."

The conversation turned quiet as they finished off their meal. After finishing up, he set the team back to training. She could only watch in interest as they returned to the high skill displays. While Axew fell asleep in her arms, she noticed him cleaning up the stuff from the camp.

Using the opportunity to distance herself, she reached to the belt. Making sure they were in a secluded section of the forest; she pulled out a Pokéball and piled up a selection of apples. It was an awkward few minutes but once finished she recalled him and made her way back to the campsite. Leaving only his tent before taking a seat on the edge of the training ground and pulling out a book. She found herself compelled to move closer as the sun set above.

"You know, I would've thought the hero of legend would've been training with his Pokémon-" she muttered. "Not reading some book."

"One, I'm not a hero. I'm a high-functioning sociopath." He noted. "Two. Knowledge is power. Never underestimate what you can learn from some book."

"How can you say you're not a hero?" she asked. "You arrived in Reshiram's flame. Everyone saw you-"

"You actually believe in that stuff?" he asked, quirking his eyebrow up. "Your such a little kid."

"B-but-"

"Even if those heroes did exist, do you really think they're hero?" He paused. "Never mind. You're from the states. Of course, the world revolves around you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked.

"Unova, along with the other fifty-odd states are known as the land of the free-" he replied, "but all I've seen is a land of fear and oppression. Giving the citizens weapons isn't freedom, it allows them to oppress from within. Your so scared of an external threat that you can't see the biggest one is from within-"

"Plasma?" she asked.

Nodding with a solemn expression, he turned to the sky before standing up and putting the book away into his backpack. Heading into the training ground, he examined each member of his team before recalling them into their Pokéballs. Leaving just his skull-head Pokémon out as they retired into the tent.

Climbing up into a nearby tree, she relaxed on the thick branch. The full silver moon lit up the sky above with stars twinkling around them.

Closing her eyes, she replied the legends of the heroes and dragons from her childhood. Her heart raced as she always thought of the day, she'd get to meet the legends of her world. Is it really childish of her to believe in new hero's being brought into the world and helping solve the problems Unova currently faces.

As her eyes grew heavy, she thought about the boy she ended up meeting as well. He was certainly a character and clearly knew what he was talking about, she could only think of Drayden's Pokémon being of a similar level. Although he also gave of some more unsettling vibes. Even ignoring the fact, he had one of his team attack unprovoked, he referred to himself as a high functioning sociopath. How could he have been picked by Reshiram and deny the idea that those heroes are coming to return? Seeing the glimpse of a hero arriving was enlightening but now she's met him...

Lightly stroking the top of her starters head, her mind flickered to the other member of their little group. She's been well above her head since leaving the village and really need help. Closing her eyes, the slumber of sleep ended up pulling her in.

The next morning, Drake woke up and stretched in his sleeping back. The sun peaked through the slight crack in his tent. Turning to the backpack, he pulled out his Pokegear to see the time of quarter to six. He's no stranger to waking up early and prefers it.

Moving slightly, he sat up to see Marowak flat on his back. His stomach raising and lowering in a rhythmic pattern.

Smiling at the sight, he stood up and quickly changed out of his nightwear. Quietly, he began taking the tent down from the inside and packing everything else up. As he took the fresh outside air, he looked around and noticed the girl from yesterday sleeping in one of the tree branches above. Not paying her any mind, he began laying out the bowls for his teams breakfast and pouring the individual Pokémon foods inside them.

Taking each device off his belt, he released his team. The commotion of which provided an alarm for his pure ground type. Knowing the drill, the six of them moved and began digging into their own food. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a breakfast bar and began to eat it as well.

It didn't take them long to finish and he quietly recalled all but two members of his team. Helping Marowak onto Rapidash's back, he climbed behind and the three of them took off back down the road to Accumula town. Feeling the wind through his hair, he let a small smile rest upon his face. While far from her fastest speed, it was certainly their quickest method of travel. He knew she was just stretching her legs and after an hour or so, she'll really push it.

His mind cast out over the surrounds as his mind turned towards his first capture in the region. Currently he lacks Pokémon which have the steel; fairy; rock; dark and ghost types. While certain Pokémon have moves of these types, it's not the same. He'd argue steel is the most useful out of those missing-

Rapidash jolted up with a loud cry. Grabbing hold of the reigns, he grunted as his body covered Marowak from falling off.

"Whoa!" He gasped as she settled back down. "What is it girl?"

Hearing the disgruntled cries from his fire type, he slipped off her back and walked around the front. Using the reigns to hold her down, he gently pattered her snout until she returned to a more tranquil state. Turning around, he was surprised to see the same girl from behind, sitting up whilst rubbing her head.

"What is it with you and trying to knock me out?" she grumbled.

"How did you get ahead of us?" he asked.

"Nice to see you too-" she mumbled, standing up. She tossed an apple at him as she climbed onto her feet. "Well, I went to get us some breakfast but by the time I got back, you were already setting off. Luckily tree-travel is quicker than you'd expect."

"I already ate-" He tossed the apple back, which her Axew caught, biting into it. "And you thought the best way to stop us was swing in front of a running Rapidash at speed? I'm starting to think Marowak caused more damage then I initially thought yesterday."

"Well, you didn't need to just run off!" She yelled.

"We were wasting day light-" he shrugged. "What does it matter to you anyway?"

"You didn't run off yesterday-"

"We already set up camp-" he replied, "and... Marowak wouldn't let me leave after we... ya know, knocked you out."

"Wak-" his ground type muttered.

"But you were happy to leave this morning without so much as a goodbye?" she asked.

"Yeah." He blinked. "I'm not your brother or anything."

"No, your actual brother is who knows where in the world-" she hissed. "You just love abandoning people."

"Guess my dad did give me something-" he shrugged. "But I don't see what this has to do with you."

"I was thinking we could travel together-" she humped, crossing her arms, and turning to the side. "You don't know Unova all that well so I could show you around and-"

"Lead me into getting run over?" He cut her off. "No thanks."

"What?!" she gasped. "Why not-"

"I already had one hyper-active girl ruin my adventure in Johto," he explained, "and I don't want the same happening here."

"Maro Marowak. Wak-Maro."

"Huh?" he turned to the ground type. "What're you on about?"

"Marowak-" He smirked.

"I don't need friends-" he shook his head. "I've got... you... and Rapidash... and the others-"

"Wak-Marowak."

"What difference would a human friend make?" he asked.

"Maro."

"Th-that's different!" He felt his cheeks heat up. "Just because it helped you... sociopath, remember."

"Maro-Marowak."

"Fine then-" he sighed, turning back to Iris. "Guess you've got your wish."

"Huh?" she blinked.

"Marowak made it clear he wants you to stick around so guess we'll be travelling together-" he gestured down to the ground type. "Hope you can keep up."

Turning around, he stroked his fire types nose before moving around her side. With a quick lift, he helped the skull-head Pokémon onto the back of his fire-horse. Preparing to climb on behind, he found the new addition to their group walking up to them.

"How doesn't the flames burn you?" she asked.

"Rapidash, as a species, control the temperature of their flames," he explained, "as long as she trusts us, she won't burn us."

She slowly reached out to stroke her, but she quickly withdrew her hand- "Yar! I thought you said it wouldn't burn?!"

"I said it wouldn't if Rapidash has your trust." He corrected. "She trusts me and Marowak. Not you, so you got burnt. We didn't."

"Maro-wak."

"Seriously?" he asked.

"Wak-" He nodded.

"Fine-" he rolled his eyes as the ground type slid off his fiery stead. "You wanna stretch your legs anyway?"

Nodding her head, she didn't waste time in taking off across the grassy route. She only became blur of yellow-fire before turning and running back. A smile flickered upon his lips as he remembered the day they met. It might be his imagination, but he'd say she's the Pokémon he's closest with other than Marowak.

"You're just going to let her run off?" Iris asked.

"Rapidash needs to stretch her legs." He shrugged, setting off down the path. Unsurprisingly, his ground type remained by his left, but Iris walked on his right side. "Not only is it good training but it's in their nature. Why else do you think I've been riding her since we left Nuvema?"

"Quick travel?" she shrugged.

"Yeah, but it also means I didn't get to encounter any possible Pokémon for my team-" he shook his head. "It's all about give and take."

"What is?" she asked.

"Journeying-" he sighed. "You can come to a fork in the road and both sides have the potential for adventure or to meet a new friend."

"So how do you pick the correct way to go?" she asked as the fire horse came running back.

"I look at a map." He rolled his eyes. Bolting behind them, she took a wide breath before shooting back off into the distance.

"What're those bells?" she asked. "The ones around Rapidash's neck."

"It's called a sooth-bell," he explained, "the chimes are meant to help sooth those who hear them. Helping with building bonds with the Pokémon."

"Where you get it?" she asked.

"My brother-" he pinched the bridge of his nose. Flickering his eyes downward, he saw a smirk spread over his ground types face. "Your real proud of yourself, aren't you? I can see it in your eyes. Your enjoying this."

"Maro-" he shrugged with a none-chalant tone.

"It's really amazing how you communicate with your Marowak-" she muttered. "It's like your talking. I've only seen the elder achieve something like that."

"You should check out my little brother-" he silently chuckled to himself. "Thinking about it, I think you two would really get on."

"Really?" she asked.

"I mean, your both such little kids-"

"Hey!" She cut him off. "You're not that much older than me."

"Yet I've got three and a half regions under my belt... and you've got two Pokémon," he replied, "one of which you really don't want me to notice."

"Wh-what are you-"

"I really don't care whether you show me or not..." He cut her stuttering off. "But you're a bad liar so don't try and deny it. Oh, and take it from someone who use to struggle with such things. Whatever issues you've got with the Pokémon won't be solved by keeping them in their Pokéball."

"You sound like Team Plasma."

"Don't ever compare me to them!" He yelled.

"Okay-" she held her hands up. "Guess that's a bit of a touchy subject."

Closing his eyes, he just let his feet continue to move forward. The image of his brother front of his mind. They're his exact opposite and while he never shared their philosophy on Pokémon, the thought of them being on the same side by comparison of being opposite him was too much to bear. Letting out a low breath, he felt himself relax once more. Opening his eyes, he found the pure ground type looking up with sympathy filling his orbs.

"Alright Iris-" He turned towards. "Tell me what you know about them."

"Them?" she asked.

"Plasma." He clarified. "If we're going to be travelling together, I can at least get some information out of it."

She seemed surprised for a moment before entering into her own experience with them. The organisation really focused on the major cities surrounding the centre-ring of the region. She could be sure how long they've been going for but from a young age she heard of the rights organisation, although it was only in recent years that they became more vocal. Whatever their endgame is, she wouldn't be surprised to see it coming up already.

He sat in the long car and glanced out of the window. The green outside world passed by as he took in the outside world. While he's been outside of the castle on a number of occasions, never to a place like this. It was always one of the Plasma settlements where he got to meet the Pokémon saved by his followers.

A soft bark drew his attention. Zorua hopped between the two seats to the side of him. Her tail playfully shaking back and forth.

Smiling towards the dark type, he felt his heart thump against his chest. A warm fuzzy feeling spread over his body as his eyes closed. A memory of playing in a jungle-forest with the local Darmanitan filled his head. He couldn't remember much before that point but that was when he first met father. A poacher had attacked them, but the Plasma group managed to send them off. He never saw the fire type after that point, but it was for the best.

He ended up being adopted by the kind man, where he learnt of his legacy. Apart of the Galarian royal family, he left for the states due to not being close in line for the throne. During his time in Unova and the other states, he saw the truth about how people and Pokémon interact. People use, abuse, and discard the mystical creatures like second class citizens. The only ways they can truly fulfil their role in life is by splitting them from this world.

"Master N." He turned to the far side of the limo. Sage Rood sat opposite with his usual dulled expression. "Perhaps it'll be useful to familiarise yourself with the boy from the docks. To avoid showing a heavy hand in Accumula, we're going to just have you greet him instead of the full team."

"What about father?" he asked.

"He'll be conducting the speech," he explained, "there's no need to worry, my boy. We'll have members nearby. You'll be completely safe."

Pressing a button on the ceiling, a small television screen lowered. He quickly noticed a replay of the news report of the Nuvema docks incident. He couldn't help but take note of a small brown Pokémon carrying a bone with a skull for a head.

"Who's the Pokémon with him?" he asked. "I don't recognize the species."

"Our researchers have identified it as Marowak which leads us to believe he originates from one of the regions in the old Wakako continent-" he explained whilst closing his eyes. "Unfortunately, we can't be more precise. It's like either Kanto, Johto or Sinnoh since their not native in the island of Hoenn."

"If he has a Pokémon partner then-"

"You shouldn't jump to conclusions, master N!" Sage Rood instructed. "Just like with young Zorua, it's entirely possible he's partnered up with Pokémon to show the first-hand effects of humanity on Pokémon. We're certain you're the true hero who'll be chosen by Reshiram."

"But the boy's already encountered the legendary dragon." He retorted. A soft weight landed in his lap, and he turned to see Zorua rolling around in a playful manner. Despite resisting the urge, his hand slowly stroked the rich black fur of the small Pokémon. "I-I'm sorry sage-"

"It's quiet alright to feel nervous." He offered a smile. "Like I said, my boy. We're certain you're the true hero. Which means this boy shall join our forces in the fight or he's a fraud. The truth shall be revealed with enough time but as an unknown element, this is untreaded waters for most of us."

"So, your nervous as well?" he asked.

"I'd be lying if I said no." He closed his eyes. "While our fight continues, more Pokémon get hurt. Forced into fights for humans entertainment. Now we have a potential hero who'll either be on our side or against us. The unknown is the scariest thing one can experience."

"What's the plan after the meeting?" he asked.

"That very much depends on the outcome," Rood replied, "ideally, we'll be able to whisk him off for a strategy meeting on the fighting this war if he is on our side, but we need to be prepared regardless. If he isn't an ally, we can rely on then we'll let him go but plan on some covert surveillance."

"Just because he's not with us doesn't mean-"

"I'm afraid in war, your either an ally or enemy." He cut N off. "There is no middle ground in our fight."

Closing his eyes, he let the sage's words sink in. While it was horrible to think of things in such black and white ways, he couldn't deny seeing the evidence first hand. You have poacher who hunt Pokémon for specific needs, whether to sell as some sort of trophy or some other purposes. Most people make entertainment out of forcing the creatures to fight. As if turning the whole thing into a competition makes the very act somehow acceptable.

The trainers competing in the league force the Pokémon into those little prisons by beating them into submission with other Pokémon and should they fail to live up to expectations? They're abused, beaten, or abandoned far from their actual home.

With the poor creatures... becoming so use to the poor treatment, they don't fight back despite the obvious advantages given to them. It's truly sad to see.

Thanks for reading... Please Favourite, Follow and Review. Also, feel free to ask any questions through PM, I will answer them all, although don't expect too big of spoilers. Don't forget to vote in the polls. I really appreciate the support. Thank you and see ya next time...