Idk why I started this at 3 in the morning
Chapter 3: The Storm
Snowflakes slowly fell on her, and a group of playful kids surrounded her fluffy Drampa like a playground. Drasna laughed at the sight of her poor Druddigon on the side, who hated the cold, unlike the former. A cluster of kids built an assortment of snowmen on the scaly drake. Druddy sneezed a small puff of fire, eliciting a burst of adorable laughter from a toddler who attempted to capture the withering sparks.
"Is this ok, ma'am?" Behind her bench, she heard Evelyn, a younger woman with an orange uniform and a complimentary beret. She stood like a statue with her arms folded behind her back with the eyes of a hawk.
"Yes," Drasna responded. Looking toward the decorated town to match the festive mood. A small town up north of Dendemille Town with street vendors, locals, and tourists of all ages crowded the streets. Beautiful music and joyful laughter fill the atmosphere. Encroaching the scenery was a cold that deeply reminded her of home, Sinnoh.
"Ma'am," Evelyn asked curiously, her right arm unfolded and cupped her mouth. "Would you like anything?" She leaned forward, thoroughly scanning the vicinity of any danger.
"Um, let me think," Drasna pondered for a few seconds with a hand on her cheek that brought a comforting warmth. "I would like a nice hot choco. The weather is quite chilly for my liking."
"Is that all?" The ranger raised a brow. There was an emotion in her voice that she couldn't identify. However, something felt a little off.
"Mhmm," Drasna nodded her head with affirmation.
"You're not forgetting anything?" Evelyn replied teasingly.
"…No?" Drasna looks toward the poorly hidden smile of the ranger. Seemingly having enough of such teasing behavior. "Just cause I'm old doesn't mean I have dementia."
"So…" The ranger paused with a smirk. "No marshmallows."
Drasna instantly knew her mistake.
"I revoke my statement."
The ranger bit back a laugh, placed her fist on her chest, and bowed. Evelyn walked toward the town and waved at the buried Druddigon.
"Thank you, dear." Looking at the shrinking back of the ranger. She should've known that she had fallen into a trap of some kind. Recently, Evelyn has been a cheeky girl. Actually, upon further thought, the whole lot was becoming more mischievous.
"Is this what it feels to have grandchildren, Carolina?" Drasna whispered out of habit. Luckily, her friend was not here because that would've been a catalyst to brag about her golden egg of a grandchild. In their numerous letters and calls, there was always mention of the prodigy of Sinnoh, who uprooted the league in her path at a pace unseen in Sinnoh's history.
Not only Carolina but many notable trainers she faced in the past or foundations discussed their own prodigies. Blackthorn unleashed their two prodigies, most notably a redhead with the edge over his counterpart, earning the label of the Hydra of Indigo.
Many people discuss that this new generation was the Golden Age, and she would adamantly agree.
Drasna looked at the joyful kids who played or slept on Drampa's hair, which was soft enough to induce a trance of sleepiness. Closing her eyes to envision the storm in her mind. She originally came to Kalos to assist in strengthening their already fragile institution. However, the more she witnessed the current state, the more her disdain grew.
On average, Kalos held the weakest trainers among the great powers of the globe without including the two regions that await their acceptance into the union. Kalos embodied the concept of quality over quantity but to the extreme.
She loathes the overall system of Kalos; every aspect made the path of a trainer nearly impossible without sufficient backing. It was impossible to facilitate a system for the masses when the league and government were both in a chokehold by the great and minor families.
Laws were in place to increase the threshold for entry to maintain the growing power gap. Their sole purpose was to preserve their authority. For example, the ownership of Pokémon before the age of 16 was strictly forbidden and enforced. However, this rule was null and void when applied to the families.
Other aspects of society have made becoming a trainer even more difficult. Their tactics became more aggressive over time at an alarming rate.
Poke centers started to implement a subscription for some of their amenities. The prices of Pokémon products across the board have been skyrocketing due to conglomerates. Academies only allow entry for members of great households, people who could afford the hefty price tag, or sponsored individuals.
She yearned for change because this system was a forgotten pastime in Sinnoh and other regions. However, she was a minority in the league that stood no chance against the council, the elite four nor the champion, who were the leaders or puppets of their respective families. In truth, the same could be said about the rotting government that reeks of corruption.
All she could do was hope. Hope for the future generation, especially those of the main line amongst the families, to break the cycle. The golden generation of Kalos consisted of individuals from those families except one girl… Diantha was truly a rare case.
The Union of Regions attempted to intervene until the prospect of Kalos halting their trades of mega stones, scarce resources, and technology. Any form of retaliation was silenced as if it never happened.
Drasna's hands turned to fists.
"Ma'am, I'm back!" Evelyn arrived with two cups of hot choco with a smell that enchanted her nose. Her hands loosen in turn and snap out of her thoughts.
"Thank you, dear." Drasna glanced at the blonde girl, who was blowing on her cup. She smiled at the thought of how far Evelyn had come.
Evelyn and many rangers were originally sponsored trainers by her or gym leaders within her sphere of influence. The youngster displayed a promising performance at the Lumiose Conference to be prompt with a position to join the Rangers.
"What are you smiling about?" Evelyn tilted her head. "You're scaring me…"
Thud—
Drasna could barely contain her laughter as a stray snowball slammed into Evelyn's face. The snowball fell painfully slowly from her cheek to her cup. Distraught struck the young woman as a snowball floated in her cup alongside a fleet of marshmallows.
"Nooooo, my choco!" Evelyn's eyes bulged out and turned toward a crowd of kids having a snowball fight on Druddy.
"Sorry, Aunty!" A young boy bowed.
"Huh!? A-aunty! …I'm only in my early 20s, you punk!" The ranger rose from her seat and started her chase.
First to be caught is a rotting Exeggcute!" The kids scattered like a bunch of Rattatas from the area.
Druddigon rose from his snowy prison, and piles of snow tumbled down from the figure. The hulking drake scanned the vicinity of any kids with crossed arms as he shivered from the chill.
"Sorry, Druddy, come here my poor baby," Drasna placed her cup on the bench and spread her arms out for a hug. A scaly head filled the void without a moment's notice. She looked toward a Drampa rolling in the snow. "Drampa, would you be a dear and heat up your brother."
Druddy stumbled backward from her and spread his arms out. Drampa eagerly complied with her command and sent a scorching flamethrower. A stream of fire erupted outward and simply vanished as burly arms tore the fiery veil. Whiffs of steam emerged around a rejuvenated dragon, flexing his muscles like a superhero.
Drasna clapped her hands at such displays from the goofy dragon and cracked a laugh. "Fufufu." She looked toward her warm choco and took a sip to usher a rich chocolate flavor.
"Ma'am!"
Drasna looked up to see Evelyn escorting a group of kids to their congregation of parents. In the distance, the law enforcement started their evacuation protocol.
"I've been notified that the FOB is sending a squad to our location due to our unprofound scenario."
"Unprofound... you say?"
"In the report, an unexpected Galarian storm is forming on our front doorstep, and by Galar's standards, the storm is in the category two range on our part. In the east, the northern region of the Frost Fiend Range is completely consumed."
"Hmmm." This really is an unprofound situation. These storms have never appeared in Kalos nor past the western wall of mountains.
Cr-Crackle—!
Drampa's tendril-like hair bristled in hostility and howled into the darkening sky. The once dim pink eyes glared with a vibrant glow, mirroring the ominous color shift amidst the horizon. Walls of Aurora with an eerie magenta rose above and spread outward as far as you can see.
A black rift tore the peaceful sky, conjuring a whirlpool of pink and purple energy of alien origin. A singular orb of hot pink descended from the inky pool with a chassis of bolts of electricity. Brackish clouds shadowed the entire valley while enduring the crusade of lightning that sliced its existence.
Drasna looked at the sky with intrigue and kindled a sense of excitement to vanquish her earlier thoughts. She smiled at the sight of her Druddigon slamming his fist against his palm and snorting a timid fire.
BOOOooooom—!
A colossal walking glacier rose from the opening of the valley; each footstep caused the ground to shake. Trampling trees that were merely strands of grass to the titan of its scale. The gaping mouth unleashed a mild blizzard enveloping the town in frost.
Drasna held her fur hood against the frigid winds and walked without hesitation. Her dragons followed suit and plowed the snow with their sheer size.
"Evelyn, would you like to watch?"
"Of course, whenever I get the chance!" Evelyn lit up in excitement.
The panicking crowd halted at the sight of their elite four's advances. Rather than terror, they were excited to watch a free display of the upper echelons of Kalos. Officers yelled in confusion at the complete standstill of the masses, only to realize once they spotted the women.
＊＊＊
Evelyn watched as her benefactor walked toward the outskirts.
"Is the lady going to be, ok?" A tiny hand grabbed her pants. She looked down to see the same kid who threw the snowball. Rather than a mischievous smile, a worried expression took its place.
"Yes," Evelyn reassured the kid. "She is the exception to our standards." To be honest, she was more worried for the rampaging Avalugg instead of her elder.
The shrinking figure vanished as a red silhouette of a creature unfolding its massive wingspan and whip-like tail. Snow clouds erupted as the flier swung its wing and grabbed Druddigon by the shoulders before blurring into the sky.
Drasna mounted her fluffy Drampa with cloud-like wings and swung outward to commence their flight to the lumbering Avalugg.
＊＊＊
Drasna saw the Avalugg lift its head as it vacuumed streams of snow into a sphere of coldness surrounded by its jaws. The disadvantage of weather moves is investing a lengthy time to charge it up. Sadly, the poor iceberg doesn't know about Drampa's ability.
"Drampa, would you be a dear?" She scratched the soft locs before they levitated upward.
The sphere shriveled and consequently erupted in an explosion of snow and frost that baptized the giant in white fluff. Golden eyes glared at us, but we kept our flight path the same.
Drasna looked into the air to see a scorching star burst through the barricade of clouds and descend directly above the target.
＊＊＊
Noivern raced through the air, beating her wings to reach the heavens as she carved a passageway amidst the brackish sea of clouds. Flickering with every usage of agility to enhance her speed and continued to soar upward as maroon streaks surrounded her. She pushed the clouds with her boomburst before flaring her wings and leveling them to glide through the currents.
Her large ears emit a wavelength that sinks past the veil to uncover the area below. Closing her eyes to mold the silhouette of the scenery with each returning wavelength.
Large quadruped.
Click—
Smooth texture.
Click—
Jagged edges.
Click—
Target acquired.
Noivern loosened her talons from Druddigon's rough shoulders and glanced below her belly to see her brethren's descent. She saw molten cracks wove throughout Druddigon's scale from his technique of heatwave and superpower to prevent his biggest weakness, the cold.
Noivern enveloped Druddigon in a psychic membrane and pushed to set in motion his speedy descent into the depths.
Noivern twisted, folded her wings, and dove to follow suit. Plunging toward the silhouette hidden in endless clouds. She raced through the storm with trails of electricity blurred past her. With every passing moment, she gained more speed and momentum with her descent.
Spinning through the air the clouds started to bank sharply to form the catalyst for a hurricane. Her mouth swelled in flames and gushed out to spiral into streams of fire to follow the rotation. Manifesting a fiery tunnel that encompassed her vision.
Just below the hidden hurricane of flames, two golden fists of fire pierce the stormy veil, revealing a molten Druddigon fully extending his arms with wings tucked in.
The air bursts around the dragon with a sound rivaling the loudest thunderstorms. One of his master's favorite techniques for him was the Lance of Dragonspiral.
BOOOOOOOOOMM—!
Avalugg slowly rose its head to see the new opponent, only to be instantly sent to the ground. An explosion of snow erupted outward, and the shockwave bore fruit to a tsunami of debris.
Druddigon stood before the collapsed head of the giant that revealed a massive crater on its cranium. A leg the size of an iceberg rose with waterfalls of snow cascading down. Druddigon's vision was entirely a ceiling of ice, and Avalugg slammed its foot down.
Despite the size difference, the dragon was undeterred.
The muscular frame bulged and brightened to a blinding degree, shifting his legs to widen his stance. Druddigon spread his arms to welcome the fight.
Upon contact, Druddigon caught the hulking ice, and his legs buckled down from the weight. The ground beneath him cracked to form a web of deep cracks that littered the area. Lifting the ice mass, the dragon propelled the leg back to the sky.
He jumped upward and pierced the hull of ice with an iron head. Amidst the interior, Druddigon started to burrow inside Avalugg's leg while the victim screeched in pain. The rivers of heat decorated the scaly surface and pulsed in a blaring heat.
The icicle chamber glowed in an orange hue, and cracks forcibly opened until the leg exploded in a concoction of fire. Avalugg roars as it collapses to the ground, smashing into the forest. Threads of steam rose from the imposing figure that roared in triumph.
Without mercy, Avaluff got struck by a hyper beam that tore its last frontal appendage from Drampa. From above, a hellish hurricane barged through the fortifications of the storm and fell to smite the beast. Drampa and Druddigon contributed to the pillar of fire with their own heatwave, which expanded the fiery domain.
Whooosh—!
A fur cloak flowed along the torrent of wind, and heat replaced the once chilly air. Drasna immersed herself in the view of the slowly diminishing hurricane with a downpour of beautiful sparks. With the arrival of her Pokémon, she walked to the soot ridden land with plumes of steam. She spotted the fainted Avalugg that shrunk to its normal size, unhooking a pokeball to capture the wild mon.
The ground rumbled, and her Pokémon prepared to brawl again when cracks deepened around them. A Steelix burst out from the ground with its metal jaw slamming onto the ground. The large mouth opened to reveal a squad of rangers disembarking to release their teams.
"Miss Drasna?!" They urgently saluted with their Pokémon bowing in her presence.
She chuckled and waved at them. "Don't let this old lady disturb you lot. On your way now."
"You heard the Miss! Let's show those Grits that these Dynamaxes are light work!" A ranger spoke and led the others to the mountain ahead.
Her gaze moved to the sky to see a v-formation of Talonflames blazing through the night sky, followed by Fearows carrying large containers escorted by Skarmorys.
Drasna turned around to see the town deploying league standard shields with either psychic specialists who prioritized barrier awakenings or the rumored machines.
'Huh?'
The eerie sky receded as if running away from something, and the Moon emerged once more. Her gray eyes opened wide in shock from the view alone. The most vibrant cerulean Aurora she had ever seen replaced the sky.
Snow from the mountains rose to the sky as colossal tendrils. They tangled with one another into a spherical superstructure of entirely white, which unfolded into a bird that shadowed the entire valley in its sheer scale.
The entity had a mind-boggling wingspan that rivals the Skyarrow Bridge from Unova. A crest of three diamonds and a pair of jewel eyes glowed the same vivid color as the Aurora.
'Articuno?'
Cavities form along the exposed rocky surface of the bare mountains. They turned into entrances for the underground world of the Ice Caverns. Ushering a grand pilgrimage of Crygonals, Frosmouths, and many others to assemble an immense fleet of fliers.
They gleamed in joy, singing in reverence to the presence of their legendary that bathed under its own glory. The choir of ice types trembled in exhilaration as their call for Articuno reached its blissful climax. Euphoric cries roared on a scale that devoured the world in their echoes.
Drasna assumed that everyone else had the same reaction of staring in utter disbelief at the spectacle.