"So… where have you been?" the champion asked as they walked down the brick road. It was just Lance, Ash, and Pikachu. Looker and his team had left a few hours earlier, and Brock had dragged the girls away, claiming that they needed to stop up for the trip. Truth be told it wasn't the worst idea; Saffron City was three hours away even by car, and they planned on camping outside the city in order to minimize costs. Lance had immediately seized the opportunity to corner Ash, 'asking' him to walk with him.
"I can't exactly answer that one, can I?" Ash shot back. Lance raised his eyebrows in response. Ash just sighed. "We spent the last couple of years on an island near one of the major regions. That's all I can say at this time." Ash relented. "Hmm. I understand your need for secrecy, so I'll start things off. First of all, I want to apologize for what happened to your mother." Lance said. Ash stiffened, and Pikachu's hackles raised with sparks flitting about his fur. "Wh- what… what does that have to do with anything? I-it wasn't your fault." Ash stammered, staring at the ground in front of him. "No, but I feel that I am somehow responsible for her death, and for that you have my most sincere of apologies." Lance responded, bringing out a pokeball. He tossed it, brining out a Kommo-o. "Kommo-o, can you keep the crowd back for us, please? Don't use force, just stand in the way." he instructed. A crowd was indeed forming, as onlookers were beginning to notice the champion and his companion walking through the city. "Is that Lance?" one whispered. "You mean the Dragon Master? Champion of Kanto and Johto? No way!" "I heard he beat Diantha last year!" "No way!" "Yes way! He used that red Gyarados of his to sweep her team!" Lance smiled. He must not mind the attention. Ash thought bemusedly.
"So you plan on challenging Cynthia, then? You do realize that the world cup won't happen for a few months?" the dragon master asked. Ash shook his head. "No, not yet. I…" he paused, unsure what to say. "Tell me about that vision of yours." Lance said. Ash frowned. "Vision?" he asked hesitantly. "What do you mean?". Lance frowned in kind. "I spoke with a man by the name of Riley. He is an aura guardian. He claimed to have a vision with a being that mentioned you by name." Ash was stunned. "Riley? The aura guardian, from Sinnoh? That Riley?" he asked as they passed an icecream stand. Lance nodded. "The same. Do you know him?" he asked. "Yes. He helped us deal with Team Galactic on Iron Island, just off off Sinnoh." Lance tilted his head. "I was unaware that Team Galactic had attempted such a thing…" he said, trailing off. "Well, that aside, I would like to ask a favor of you." he said, turning to face Ash and Pikachu. "When you do make your way to Blackthorn, come see my grandfather in the Dragon's Den. He wants to meet you. Perhaps we can discuss your vision there, away from prying eyes and listening ears." Ash was puzzled. "Me? Why would your grandfather want to see me? No offense, but I've never met him before." he said. Lance nodded once again. "You see, most trainers struggle to command or even befriend dragons. But you, Ash, have managed to do so with eleven dragons. No easy feet, I assure you." Ash tilted his head, confused. Eleven dragons? But I only have six.
"Ah, I didn't explain, did I?" Lance said, noting Ash's confused look. "Hmm. Let's start with some history, then. There are two large dragon clans, the Blackthorns, from which my cousin and I come from, and the Draconids, found primarily in the Hoenn region. There are numerous smaller groups, but the Blackthorns and Draconids make up the vast majority of those with the blood." Ash thought for a moment, absorbing all the Dragon Master had said. Those with 'the blood'? What does that mean? He thought. "What does it mean to be of 'the blood' exactly?" he inquired. Lance nodded. "Those with the Blood of the Dragon are descendants of the five families that were blessed by the First Dragon." he paused at Ash's once more confused look. "The First Dragon was said to be a great and immensely powerful, and it lived alongside the royal family of the Unova region for centuries until the death of the 98th king. His twin sons jointly took the title 'King of Unova', and for a decade the nation prospered. One day the brothers had a falling out. They found they could not agree on what was more important, truth or ideals. In their fight, the Legendary Dragon split into three distinct beings. On that day Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem were born. Reshiram sided with the eldest of the twins, who argued for truth, while Zekrom sided with the younger of the two, who fought for his ideals. Kyurem, the empty cold husk of what was once the Great Dragon, fled into the icy mountains, never to be seen again for unknown centuries. Reshiram and Zekrom fought to a stand still, but in their battle they destroyed the kingdom. Arceus eventually intervened, putting both pokemon into a deep sleep." Lance said.
"When they were still the Great Dragon, the trio blessed a small number of families that actively worshiped them alongside the Deity of Creation, Arceus. The first king of Unova was chosen from among these five families, and the other four served as councilors, confidants, and generals for generations up until the Doom." he continued. "So this dragon was originally composed of the Unova Trio?" Ash asked. Lance nodded. "And more. It is said that the energy released by their separation rose high into the air and settled over the whole of the region. The wind carried most of this energy far overseas and up into the heavens themselves, whereupon Rayquaza was born. Soon after, the Titan Regigigas came upon what remained of the energy, molding Regidrago from what resided."
Ash nodded. "Okay. But what does this have to do with me and my pokemon?" he asked. "Well, both the Draconids and us Blackthorns have four distinct groups in which pokemon are placed, true dragons, pseudo dragons, false dragons, and non dragons." Lance explained. "The first group is composed of pokemon that are dragon type pokemon. The second is composed of pokemon that belong to the dragon egg group, and/ or may learn at least four dragon type moves. Gyarados, Charizard, and Aerodactyl all belong to this group. The third group, false dragons, is the smallest. Pokemon such as Huntail and Seviper belong to this group. They have draconic tendencies and looks, but they are incapable of using dragon type moves. The last group is made of all the other pokemon." he said. "You, Ash, have five pseudo dragons and six true dragons under your command. Most trainers not of the blood can only command one or two dragons, and almost never more than that. For you to have eleven is absolutely unheard of. Thisis why my grandfather, the Clan Elder, wishes to meet you."
Ash thought about everything that Lance had told him. "I can't make any promises at this moment, but it shouldn't be a problem. Now if you'll excuse me, I really must be going. I don't want to keep my friends waiting for me." he said, jogging ahead before he heard Lance call out. "Hold on just a second. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are retaking the gym challenges, yes?" Ash nodded. "So I can expect your challenge soon, then?" Lance inquired, grinning. Ash grinned in return. "That's right. I'm coming for you first, Lance."
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Two hours later, Ash, Brock, Misty, and Serena were making camp in the woods. They were out of the way, in a small clearing that couldn't be seen from the road. Misty and Serena were setting up tents. Brock and Sudowoodo were preparing dinner, and Ash was off training with his pokemon within the forest.
"Good, Zoey! Use any cover you can find! Greninja, use the treetops as well as the water! We'll need to find a way to sneak up on Sabrina's pokemon." Ash shouted, watching as Greninja leapt through the trees, chasing Zoey as she wound through the undergrowth. An ever shifting mound of dirt shot towards him, the only indication of what was about to happen. Ash stepped to the side just in time, and Krookodile shot out of the ground at high speed. "Almost got me there, pal!" Ash exclaimed, laughing. Krookodile got up, wrapping Ash in a hug and laughing along with him. "Alright, alright." Ash said, extricating himself from Krookodile's arms. "Pair up with Incineroar. Use your speed to outmaneuver him. Incineroar, try to get some good hits in." he instructed, turning to the last two pokemon he wanted to work with tonight. "Crawdaunt!" he said, calling out to the dark type that was playing in a nearby stream. "Craw?" he responded. "You and Scrafty work together to diver this stream. I want you to get it to flow over these rocks." Ash instructed, moving seven large stones into a winding path that carved around numerous trees. "Crawdaunt, you use Crabhammer. Scrafty; dark pulse." The two pokemon cried their affirmations, setting about their work. "Gengar, I want you to work with Drakloak." he said, turning to the two ghost types hovering beneath the treetops nearby. Show her how to move quickly from place to place, and how to get the jump on her opponents."
Back at the camp, Serena and Misty were sitting around the fire telling stories about how they met Ash. "I was fishing when he ran into me, literally ran into me. He and Pikachu were being chased by a flock of spearow, and he stole my bike in order to get away." Misty said, poking at the fire with a stick. Serena laughed. "That's so like him!" Misty smile despite herself. "What about you, Brock? How did you and Ash meet?" Serena asked. Brock looked up from the pot he had been stirring, smiling. "The Pewter City gym was the first gym Ash ever challenged. I was the gym leader back then as well, and after everything was over with I asked to go with him." he said simply. Serena tilted her head. "Why?" she asked. "I wanted to learn how to take care of pokemon, not just battle with them. It had been my dream since I was nine to become a pokemon doctor." he responded. "So why are you still the Gym Leader, then?" Serena asked. Brock's smile wavered for a second, then it came back full force. "I learned how to do both thanks to Ash. After he disappeared I took it upon myself to teach those around me how to do both, and I felt that the best thing to do would be to remain as the gym leader in Pewter City." he responded. "Alright you guys, food's ready."
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Ash woke to the sounds of bird pokemon. Sunlight streamed through the flap of the tent. He sat up, supporting himself with his left arm while he wiped the sleep from his eyes. He rose and got dressed, checking his phone to see what time it was. 6 AM, huh? Better get to it. He grabbed the luxury ball from next to his pillow and exited his tent to find that everyone was still asleep. Snorlax, Torterra, Venusaur, and Gigalith were sleeping next to each other, while Staraptor, Talonflame, Hawlucha, Unfezant, Swellow, and Noctowl were sleeping perched upon the other four. Most of the rest of Ash's pokemon were somewhere nearby, but there were many that Ash did not see nearby, such as Gengar, Zoey, Greninja, Garchomp, Infernape, and Lucario. Now where could they be? he thought idly. Shrugging, he called out to Noivern, who was perched in a tall tree nearby, in a whisper shout "Noivern!" Noivern's eyes opened instantly, looking around for a second before settling on Ash. He spread his wings and opened his mouth, but Ash shushed him before he could make a sound. Ash gestured at the ground by his feet, and Noivern spread his wings once more before gliding quietly to the ground. "Can you find the others? I need to speak with Zoey, Incineroar, and Greninja. Can you find them for me?" Ash grinned as Noivern flew off into the woods. He knew just how they were going to trick Sabrina.
Not an hour later Ash and his friends, as well as Greninja and Pikachu, were walking into Saffron City. Brock insisted on going to the market before issuing Ash's challenge, something Ash was not too happy about. Of course the girls wanted to shop for clothes, which Ash was quick to shoot down. But of course Brock intervened. "Ash, why don't you go get registered? A busy gym like Saffron's will probably have a waiting list a mile long." Misty nodded emphatically. "Yeah, if you want to battle Sabrina today that would probably be the best move. We'll meet up with you in an hour or two." Misty said, dragging Brock in the direction of the clothes store. "Hold on, why do I have to come with you?!" Brock asked as he was dragged away by Misty. The tomboy gritted her teeth, saying "Because we need someone to carry what we buy and Ash won't be here!" Serena giggled, before turning to Ash. "We'll join you when we're done!" Ash raised an eyebrow in response. "Oh? You're going as well?" Serena nodded, turning to follow the others into the store.
Ash shook his head, gesturing with his right hand in the direction of the gym. "C'mon you two. Let's get over to the gym." The three of them strolled down the yellow brick sidewalk, watching cars pass through the hustle and bustle of the city. "Are you ready for the gym battle?" Ash asked Greninja. Greninja nodded deeply. "Ninja!" Ash grinned. "Good. Sabrina is very strong Gym Leader, and she uses psychic pokemon. As a dark type you shouldn't have too much trouble dealing with them, but psychic pokemon can be tricky to deal with."
"Too true, Ash." rang a voice. Ash and his pokemon turned right to find a woman about Ash's age standing on the other side of the street. She had shoulder length, lustrous black hair, and she wore a spaghetti strap violet crop top with white pants and red flats. A heavy cuff encircled each wrist. Before Ash had a chance to say anything a car passed, momentarily blocking his view of her. But once the car had passed, Sabrina had vanished. "Bigah?" Pikachu shouted, startled. Then Ash felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned around, surprised, only to come face to face with a giggling Sabrina. "Hey Ash. What's it been, ten years now?" Ash blushed, thinking vaguely that Sabrina had grown into a gorgeous young woman. "Hey, Sabrina! How have you been?" he asked, chuckling uneasily. "Hmm. Better now." Sabrina replied, shocking Ash. "What?" Ash choked out, startled. Sabrina giggled. "Oh, it's nothing. So what are you doing in Saffron, oh mighty champion? I heard you returned, but I didn't expect to see you here." She replied, turning and beginning to walk in the direction of the gym. After a moment's hesitation Ash followed alongside Greninja, who bore an amused expression on his face. "Not a single word!" Ash said quietly, pointing his index finger at his pokemon, who responded by chuckling. "Well, actually…" he began hesitantly. Sabrina waved her hand. "Oh, don't worry about it. You're here to challenge me again, aren't you?" she said cheekily. "Uhh, yes, actually. How did you know? Was it Lance?" Sabrina laughed, sweet and clear. "No, I haven't heard from Lance in a while. I had a vision about a month ago. You returned and challenged me to a battle, and then I saw you and six pokemon heading to the summit of a great mountain, while a bright mark, almost like a gash in the very sky, circled steadily above. When I heard that you had returned to Kanto I figured it wouldn't be very long before you came to challenge me. So" Sabrina said, turing around to face Ash as they arrived at the Saffron City Gym. "Care for a battle?"
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"This will be an official battle between the gym leader Sabrina and the challenger Ash!" cried the announcer/ judge, raising both arms in the air on either side. "The challenger will have full use of six team members, while the gym leader will use three! Mega evolution is permitted, as well as the use of one z move! Challenger, please choose your pokemon!"
Ash grinned. Unnecessary, but not unappreciated. No matter what she throws at us, we'll still come out on top! He thought confidently. "Incineroar! Let's rumble!" he shouted, summoning the fire type. Incineroar popped out of the luxury ball with gusto, roaring his challenge for all to hear as the flames around his waist flared to life. Off in the stands, Brock, who had arrived not ten minutes earlier with the girls in tow, smirked in realization. "So that's what he intends." he said. Misty and Serena turned to each other in confusion. "What do you mean, Brock?" Misty asked. "Incineroar is a dark type, which is great against psychic type pokemon. But many psychic type pokemon have access to fairy type moves, which deal super effective damage to dark types." Serena frowned. "So then why would Ash use Incineroar? Why not use Decidueye, or any of his other ghost types?" Brock turned to look Serena right in the eyes. "Because Incineroar is also a fire type. Generally, fairy type moves aren't very effective against fire types, so a fairy move will only deal neutral damage to Incineroar. Without a same type attack bonus, or STAB, Sabrina's pokemon will have a hard time dealing with Incineroar." he explained. "STAB?" Misty asked. Brock nodded. "Gary explained it to me once. He said that when a pokemon uses a move that matches their type, that move gets a boost in power." Brock said, returning his attention to the match.
"Very well then. Mr. Mime, you're up." Sabrina said, summoning the psychic and fairy type. "A Mr. Mime, huh? Go figure. Alright, Incineroar! Let's burn him to a crisp!" Ash shouted. "Start things off with fire fang!" he commanded. Incineroar leapt forward, clearing the distance between himself and his opponent in two bounds, jaws ablaze with flames. "Use double team." Sabrina calmly said. Mr Mime shimmered, and dozens of copies surrounded Incineroar, who froze in place, turning rapidly. "Double slap." Sabrina said. Each and every copy charged Incineroar, slapping him around from every direction. "Find it with flamethrower." Ash shouted. Incineroar braced himself, opening his mouth wide and shooting off a blast of flames, sweeping the area around him. When the flames died down, the copies were all gone, and Mr Mime was left running in circles, frantically trying to put the flames that danced on his head out. Incineroar and Ash both grinned. "Shadow claw." Ash intoned calmly. Incineroar rushed after Mr. Mime, slashing at the psychic type with inky dark claws. "Reflect!" Sabrina shouted. Mr. Mime stopped, and, just in time, raised his hands. An opaque barrier sprung into existence in front of it's outstretched hands. Incineroar slammed his claws into the surface, but they slid off with a clang. We need to get a hit in. Ash thought. Incineroar is strong, but I'm not sure we can keep pace with that Mr. Mime. "Brick break!" he commanded. Incineroar grinned, and Mr. Mime and Sabrina's eyes both widened. The fire type slammed the side of it's right paw into the screen, which shattered. Still on fire, Mr. Mime panicked. "Iron head!" Ash said, clenching his right fist. Incineroar reared it's head back, which glowed with a dull gray, before slamming his head into his opponent's violently. Mr. Mime slumped lifelessly, and a red light signaled it's withdrawal before the announcer even opened his mouth. "Mr. Mime is unable to battle. Incineroar is the victor!" he cried out, raising an arm in Ash's general direction. "Yes! Way to go, buddy!" Ash cried, tackling Incineroar in a hug. The pokemon hugged him back, grinning proudly.
"Very impressive, Ash." Sabrina called across the arena, smiling blindingly. "A man who can back up their claims to strength is quite attractive, you know." she said, winking. Ash felt heat infuse his face. "Uhh, thanks, I guess." he said lamely, staring at the ground between his feet. Off in the stands, both Misty and Serena were flushed in anger, steam erupting from their ears. "A-anyway, Incineroar, why don't you take a break?" Ash said, anxious to continue (and finish) the battle. He held out the luxury ball. Incineroar nodded, tapping the button in the center of the ball and vanishing within. "Well, let's finish this, then." Sabrina said. "Medicham, lend a hand." she called, throwing a quick ball into the air. Out popped the fighting and psychic type, taking up an at ready stance. Medicham, huh? Alright then. "Decidueye, it's your turn." he said, throwing the luxury ball. Decidueye appeared in the air, flying silently on outstretched wings before landing quietly in front of Ash. "Be on guard. They are sure to have a trick up their sleeves." Decidueye nodded, never taking it's eyes off the fighting type. "Medicham, hit it with ice punch!" Medicham darted forward, striking out with fists covered in ice. "Let it get in close, then dodge with phantom force." Ash said. Decidueye held it's ground as Medicham closed the distance swiftly, vanishing into it's own shadows just as Medicham's fist closed in on his face. Medicham froze in place, crouching warely and glancing around the arena. "Foresight, Medicham." Sabrina called. Medicham nodded to it's trainer, sitting cross legged on the ground in meditation. Seconds later Decidueye materialized just behind Medicham, striking out at his opponent with an outstretched wing. "Now!" Sabrina shouted. In one motion, Medicham twisted, grabbing the outstretched wing in one hand and striking at the ghost type with the other. Decidueye twisted in place, narrowly dodging the blow. "Get out of there, Decidueye! Use shadow sneak!" Ash shouted frantically. "Oh no you don't! Medicham, use attract!" Sabrina shouted almost immediately after, winking once again at Ash. Attract!? Ash thought, eyes wide. Decidueye heeded his trainer's advice, shadows twisting around the grass type, but Medicham refused to give up that easily. Just as the shadows were about to consume Decidueye, Medicham used it's free hand to blow a kiss directly into Decidueye's face. Pink hearts flew from around Decidueye just as it vanished into the inky darkness, it's form blurring before vanishing altogether. For a moment there was silence, and then Decidueye popped into existence a few feet in front of Ash. It stumbled, staring at Medicham opposite it. "Decidueye, can you continue?" Ash asked hesitantly, but the pokemon didn't show any sign of answering, instead swaying in place while staring at Medicham, who merely sat next to her trainer, both looking rather smug.
Ash shook his head. "Return for now, Decidueye." he said, recalling the ghost type. He glared at Sabrina across the way, who returned his glare with a flirtatious, playful look. She even went as far as sticking her tung out at him! Okay, that's IT! Ash thought, furious. "Charizard, let's finish this!" he shout, summoning once of his first, and most trusted, partners. Charizard made a grand entrance, firing off a great bout of flames. At Ash. Sabrina giggled, while Brock struggled to hold back both Serena and Misty. Ash cleaned himself off quickly before pointing at Medicham. "Hit her, not me!" he insisted. Charizard grinned, roaring his challenge for all to hear, before turning toward the opposing fighting type. He spread his wings and roared again, this time much more ferociously. "Use Hurricane!" Ash shouted. "Medicham, thunder punch." Sabrina instructed. Medicham dashed forward, electricity crackling in the air around her fists. But before she made it five feet, Charizard took to the air, flapping his wings hard and sending gale force winds at the fighting type. Medicham stumbled back with an arm raised in front of her face, unable to withstand the force of the blows. "Keep it up, Charizard!" Ash encouraged. Growling fiercely, Charizard redoubled it's efforts, flapping it's wings harder. Within seconds Medicham was sent flying, and it quickly slammed into the wall next to Sabrina with a loud BAM! Medicham fell to the ground as if peeled from the surface. A Medicham shaped indention was left in her place.
"Medicham is unable to battle, so the winner is Charizard!" Cried the judge. "All right!" Ash cheered, pumping his fists in the air. Charizard roared, flying at Ash and sweeping him up in a hug. "Way to go, pal!" Ash cried, but he separated from Charizard at the sound of clapping. He looked around, his gaze settling on a clapping Sabrina. "Well, I have to say you're much improved, Ash!" she announced, winking at the young man. "And in more ways than one!" Ash grinned. He was getting fired up. "We're just getting started!" Sabrina shot an alluring look his way. "Maybe so. But I think this is where it ends. And if I win, you are going to buy me dinner tonight." Sabrina said, winking. "Lend a hand, Alakazam!" She shouted, throwing her pokeball to the ground out in front of her. Her Alakazam appeared floating before her. "And with that, let's begin our comeback. Alakazam, mega evolve!"