Chapter 32

Near the end of summer, the looming question of who would be the first Champion was finally answered.

It was Blue.

There was some surprise and a bit of disappointment. Many had been rooting for Red, Kanto's hero. But even Blue's harshest critics had to admit he battled well. His clashes against each Elite Four member were of epic proportions. Everyone was on the edge of their seats watching the Golden Boy, the grandson of Professor Oak. The celebrations that followed were so grand, it was as if a war had been won. At press events, though Blue played it cool, it was clear he couldn't be prouder of himself.

But Blue's glory was short-lived. After just a month, he had to pass down the crown to his first challenger: Red.

Red stormed through the Elite Four as if they were amateur trainers. He was prepared for whatever they threw at him. Charizard alone was able to defeat one of them; no one had ever seen an Elite Four member lose so badly before.

And then Red faced Blue. It was the legendary battle that everyone had hoped for and more, the type of battle that would be immortalized in history. They were evenly matched until Red sent out Pikachu. The commentators expressed shock over seeing the electric mouse. They'd expected Red to evolve Pikachu before his league challenge, but a single Thunderbolt shut them up. Blue's remaining Pokemon, especially Blastoise, put up a good fight. In fact, they were likely the only ones who stood a chance. But in the end, nothing was more powerful than a Pokemon who had been blessed by a god.

The frenzy over Red saving Silph Co. had been bad. Compared to what happened after this fateful battle, it was nothing. No one could get enough of Red, the hero, the true Champion, the strongest trainer in all of history. Everywhere, he was followed by a mob of paparazzi and fans, none of whom had any concept of boundaries. It was to the point that Red stopped letting Pikachu perch on his shoulder, in order to protect the mouse and anyone who dared to grab him. Red was so blatantly uncomfortable at press events that his PR manager began to automatically speak for him. Some tabloids depicted Red's awkwardness as arrogance; he viewed himself too godly to interact with others. That was the only criticism Red really received.

Red's only possible solace, the one thing that could make all the stalking and harassment and unwanted publicity worth it, was the chance to battle highly skilled trainers. But even that was quickly proven to not exist for him. Few trainers made it past the Elite Four and if any did, Red squashed them like they were ants. Soon, the quiet determination Red wore while battling was replaced by boredom.

Like Blue, Red did not sit on the throne for very long. After three months, just before the new year, Red was gone.

No one knew where Red went. There hadn't been a letter, any clue. Not even Mrs. Woods had heard anything from her son. An investigation was done, but there wasn't any sign of the Champion. He'd vanished into thin air, truly becoming the legend he was always destined to be.

Not long after Red disappeared, Blue challenged the Elite Four again. He'd been spotted training religiously in the Sevii Islands, where the conflict between Kanto and Johto had begun, and the training paid off. His battles against each Elite Four member went even smoother than before. For the second time, Blue was Champion. But when the announcement was made, he didn't smile at all. He looked grim, as if the battle was just getting started.

And it was. The media never quite left him alone. They drooled over the fact that Blue was only Champion for a month before losing to his rival. Now that Blue was in the limelight again, any semblance of privacy was ripped away from him. Though still overall charming at press events, Blue seemed exhausted. And during battles, all of which he won effortlessly, he wore the same boredom as Red did. Without any worthy opponents, his second term was much longer than his first: six months and counting.

Leaf wiped some sweat off her forehead. She felt as if she was being cooked alive. It was a hot summer day and she was standing on Mount Ember, an inactive volcano. Like the volcano on Cinnabar Island, Mount Ember heated the nearby hot springs, making it a popular tourist destination. In fact, the Ember Spa was the main source of profit for One Island, the first in the Sevii Islands archipelago. But Leaf wasn't here for a spa day.

Nearly every day for the past year, Leaf had been training in the Sevii Islands. Mom wasn't too pleased when Leaf told her she was dropping out of school, but she didn't argue like she did a year ago. On some level, she'd expected Leaf to get sucked into the thrill of being a Pokemon trainer, to completely lose interest in anything unrelated to Pokemon. Right after her parents signed the forms, Leaf flew to Vermilion City and hopped on the Seagallop Ferry's next voyage to the archipelago.

She'd never set foot on any of the islands before. There were seven total, each named numerically. Even though they were grouped together, they were very different from each other. For example, One Island had a volcano while Four Island had an ice cave like the Seafoam Islands, where she'd met Articuno. Leaf liked the geographical diversity. It was good for training.

A boulder burst into pieces when a purple shock wave slammed into it. Dragonair panted, his body slick with sweat. All morning, the dragon had been destroying boulders, learning to hit as hard as his teammates did. Once they cleared an area, Dragonair would fly Leaf higher up the volcano and repeat. It was a rigorous exercise, but it was working. In the beginning, Dragon Rage barely left a dent in the boulders. Now, it could wreck them in one go. Dragonair's flying had improved significantly as well. Though he wasn't fully comfortable carrying Leaf yet, he could travel from island to island on his own without difficulty.

Leaf straddled Dragonair, clutching his neck. Dragonair's fins extended and they were in the air. Leaf looked around. She could make out Golduck in the ocean, riding a large wave. He was practicing a new move called Surf. In the distance, Fearow was practicing her dives, shooting down from the sky like a bolt of lightning, stopping right above the water.

She'd truly seen so much growth in her team. There'd even been an evolution. Haunter was now Gengar. The transformation had surprised Leaf. The ghost now had stubby arms and legs, and a tail. It was so round and fat that it couldn't float anymore. But it still had the same mischievous grin and eyes, which were now scarlet. Its Pokedex entry made Leaf chuckle: Gengar, the Shadow Pokemon. Under a full moon, this Pokémon likes to mimic the shadows of people and laugh at their fright. Gengar was training with Venusaur and Ninetales on Kindle Road, the path that connected Mount Ember to the town.

Dragonair landed and Leaf hopped off him. There was a lumpy gray boulder up ahead. It was either actually a boulder or Geodude's evolution, Graveler. Leaf would never forget the first time Dragonair unknowingly attacked a resting Graveler. The second of confusion where they wondered if they heard a groan, if the boulder was moving on its own. Then they saw the boulder had a face, feet, and four arms, and it was howling. It wasn't actually too challenging for Dragonair to defeat the enraged rock Pokemon, but in the moment, all Leaf thought was, oh shit.

Since then, Leaf was generally careful about boulder-smashing. But there were days where, for some reason, Leaf didn't care if her Pokemon disturbed a Graveler, or any wild Pokemon. Today was one of those days.

Dragonair launched a Dragon Rage, leaving a giant hole in the boulder.

"No Graveler yet," Leaf said. "We're lucky today. Or unlucky, depending on how you look at it."

Dragonair didn't respond. Instead, he faced a nearby boulder and fired another Dragon Rage. Immediately, there was a roar and the boulder whirled around, revealing an angry face. The Graveler picked up a nearby rock and threw it hard at Dragonair. In one smooth motion, Dragonair spun to dodge it, purple energy rippling from his horn, and fired a Dragon Rage. The Graveler slammed against the mountain wall and fell face forward.

"I spoke too soon," Leaf said with a smile. Dragonair flicked his tail and they began to walk around, searching for new boulders to destroy.

Though everyone on her team had shown tremendous growth, Leaf would always believe that Dragonair had come the farthest. A year ago, he was a small, timid Pokemon who ran from conflict. Now, he didn't flinch at all when attacked. Leaf couldn't be prouder of him.

Technically, less than a year ago. Today was the one-year anniversary of Leaf starting her journey. When she woke up this morning, Leaf laid in her bed for over an hour, just staring at the ceiling. She almost couldn't finish her breakfast. The TV was playing highlights from Blue's most recent challenge. As expected, Blue won without breaking a sweat. It then cut to a segment about Red, where he was, if he was still even alive. Some dark rumors had been circulating. All of them were baseless, but they still made Leaf's stomach clench.

So much had changed the past year that Leaf couldn't believe it had only been a year. It was just a year ago that Leaf received her first Pokemon, Bulbasaur, the tiny plant dinosaur. Now, he was Venusaur, who could uproot the largest trees, and she had a full team of powerful Pokemon. It was just a year ago that Pallet Town and Viridian City were the only places Leaf had ever set foot in. Now, she'd seen the whole region and was living on some islands miles away from home. It was just a year ago that Red was her best friend. Now, she knew just as much about him as a stranger did.

When there weren't any more boulders, Dragonair slithered over to Leaf's side. She got on top of him and he flew up. As they passed dangerously steep slopes and ledges too small to stand on, Leaf realized they probably wouldn't be able to land for some time.

Leaf looked up. Mount Ember's summit was in sight. It was far, but it was in sight. From what she knew, no one had ever reached the top before. One Island did have some hikers, but Mount Ember was even taller than Mount Moon. Pressure was building up in her ears. Leaf swallowed to pop them.

"How are you feeling?" Leaf asked Dragonair. "Can you make it?"

Dragonair grunted and continued to fly upwards. For the first time today, Leaf felt a surge of energy. She stared back at the summit, narrowing her eyes so that it was the only thing in view.

They were getting closer and closer. Dragonair was moving slower and slower, his breathing growing more and more labored. A part of Leaf was aware that Dragonair running out of stamina would mean certain death for them. The only place they could land, other than the summit, was where they took off from. And to her, they were too high up to turn back now. Logically, Leaf knew she was being reckless, but she didn't feel that way. For reasons she couldn't explain, it was imperative that they reach the top of Mount Ember.

Dragonair was borderline whimpering now, but his eyes were blazing. He, too, was determined to make it.

"Come on, Dragonair," Leaf murmured. "You can do this."

Dragonair pushed forward. They were close now, so close. Leaf gritted her teeth, hoping that would prevent her from gripping Dragonair too hard.

Dragonair practically threw himself onto the summit. The impact knocked Leaf off and she collapsed beside the dragon. As Dragonair caught his breath, Leaf rolled onto her back, staring up at the clouds.

They did it. They reached the top of Mount Ember. Really, it was Dragonair who did it, but Leaf was breathless. Her body felt light.

She didn't know how long they lay there, but eventually, Dragonair lifted his head up and sighed. Leaf rolled onto her side so that she was facing the dragon. "I knew you could do it."

Dragonair's eyes shone. Leaf stroked his neck a few times before finally standing.

From here, One Island looked like a freckle on the ocean. She could see Two Island in the distance: a smaller, darker freckle. When she turned, she saw they were on the edge of Mount Ember's crater, a dark gaping mouth. There was no magma, but Leaf could feel Mount Ember's heat prickling her skin. It was very windy up here, too. Leaf clutched her hat to keep it from flying away. Her hair kept whipping her face. With the rush from reaching the summit wearing off, Leaf decided it was time to fly back down.

That was when she noticed the ruby.

It might not have been an actual ruby, but it looked like one. It was a sparkling octagonal stone the color of blood. Leaf didn't know how big it was exactly, but it must've been big enough if she could see it from her vantage point, because it was nestled in the very center of the crater.

Leaf stifled a sigh. If there was anything that hadn't changed this past year, it was her curiosity. She glanced at Dragonair, who already knew what to do. She straddled him and he glided towards the ruby.

Unsurprisingly, it was hotter inside the crater than outside. Leaf felt as if she was in a sauna. Wiping sweat off her brow, Leaf got off Dragonair and approached the ruby. As she expected, it was too big for her to lift up. She could vaguely see her reflection on its smooth surface. She didn't know why, but she couldn't look away. Like a moth to a flame, Leaf reached out to touch the ruby.

Something rammed into Leaf's side, sending her flying away from the ruby, and all of sudden, she couldn't see anything but fire.

Leaf landed on her side, the wind knocked out of her. As she gasped for air, she turned to see what had hit her and her eyes widened.

It had been Dragonair. He was standing where she once was, firing purple shock waves from his horn. His target was circling above, dodging all the Dragon Rages. It was a large golden bird. The long, flowing crest on its head, its billowing tail, and the edges of its wings were made of pure fire. With a screech, the bird flapped its wings, shedding embers. Fire blasted out of its beak towards Dragonair, who barely avoided the attack. The heat was so intense that Leaf's skin burned.

Dragonair had pushed her out of harm's way for now, but with the bird flying everywhere, Leaf was still in danger of getting hit by a Flamethrower. She should move further away, but she couldn't. She was glued to where she was, shocked by the scene in front of her.

Moltres. The Fire Bird. The third of the legendary bird trio.

And Dragonair was battling it.

Purple and yellow energy swirled in the crater. Dragonair launched the Rage Twister at Moltres, who flew out of range, beating its wings aggressively. The gusts of wind it created were a fiery orange. Dragonair let out a cry as he was pummeled by them. Quickly, Moltres stopped beating its wings and spat out a powerful stream of fire. Leaf opened her mouth, but instead of hearing her own scream, she heard Dragonair's, a silvery moan that was partially muffled by the sound of the Flamethrower. When Moltres was finished, Dragonair crumpled to the ground, his body covered with burns.

Leaf's hand hovered over Dragonair's PokeBall. Returning Dragonair was probably not the smartest move. She was painfully aware that none of her other Pokemon were within reach. But she couldn't bear to see the dragon take any more damage. He was strong, but he wasn't on the same level as a god.

She didn't end up returning Dragonair. Before she could detach his PokeBall from her belt, Moltres landed right in front of her and her mind went blank.

Now that Moltres was so close, Leaf could see just how large it really was. It was much taller than any man Leaf had ever seen before. The fire on its body burned so bright that it hurt to look at it. Leaf's eyes accidentally met Moltres' piercing ones and she immediately dropped her head, realizing then that she was shaking uncontrollably.

It took all of Leaf's strength to speak. "P-Please let us go. We'll leave. Now."

Moltres screeched and Leaf flinched as if it had hit her. In doing so, Leaf's peripheral vision caught something shiny: the ruby.

"We didn't know the ruby was yours," Leaf said fervently. "I swear. We'll never go near it again."

Moltres spread its wings and cried again. The flames on its body flared. Leaf squeezed her eyes shut and tried to mentally prepare herself for the worst.

Leaf would never know if Moltres had been about to kill her. A sharp caw made her look up. She gasped.

Moltres had backed away from her, desperately trying to shake off Dragonair, who had wrapped himself around it. Dragonair's face tightened whenever Moltres' flame crest touched him, but he clung onto the Fire Bird as if it was his life's purpose.

Moltres soared high into the air, spinning rapidly. The sun was over them now, so Leaf couldn't clearly see what was happening. A long, thin shape began to fall from the sky. Moltres had succeeded in shedding Dragonair. And now, Dragonair was plummeting with no sign of flying soon.

Leaf scrambled to her feet. "Dragonair! Wake up!"

At first, Leaf thought it was a trick of the light, the sun's rays glinting on her dragon. Dragonair's body glowed white. The light widened, gradually taking more noticeable form. When it disappeared, Leaf heard a roar.

Leaf recognized the Pokemon that charged at and began violently thrashing Moltres, purple and yellow shock waves bursting at each blow. She'd seen it on TV, commanded by Lance, the strongest Elite Four member.

Dragonite. The most powerful non-legendary Pokemon.

Dragonite let out another deafening roar as he continued to lash at Moltres, who shrieked in pain. Moltres tried firing Flamethrowers, but Dragonite avoided them all. With a final cry, Moltres dashed away from Dragonite and was soon out of sight.

Leaf let out a breath she'd been holding as Dragonite descended. He looked exactly like Lance's Dragonite. Light orange with a cream-colored underbelly. He stood on two strong legs. His arms were smaller but equipped with claws equally sharp as the ones on his feet. He had a long tail and a pair of thin antennae on his head, with a small horn between them.

Despite being a dragon, there was something slightly comical about his appearance. His wings, which had a teal underside, were small for his body. His rounded snout and large gray eyes made him appear more kind than threatening.

At least, that was how Dragonite was typically supposed to look. Even though energy was no longer rippling off his body, even though he was much calmer than he was moments ago, his gaze was distant. Leaf felt goosebumps on her arms.

"Dragon––"

Dragonite whirled around and punched the crater wall. He turned again and fired purple shock waves from his mouth. When a piece of the wall exploded, Leaf winced.

"Dragonite! Stop!"

Dragonite didn't listen. He was firing Dragon Rages into the air now, as if Moltres was still around. He punched the wall again. Wind whipped up around the crater.

"Drag––" Leaf stopped. Dragonite's movements, she noticed, were clumsy. He wobbled whenever he turned. And his eyes…not only were they glazed, they rolled around aimlessly.

"You're confused!" Leaf blurted out. "Snap out of it! Moltres is gone!"

Dragonite faced Leaf. He heard her, but Leaf realized with a sinking feeling that he didn't understand her. He stepped towards her, fist raised.

Tears pricked Leaf's eyes. "It's me, Dragonite! Can't you see? I'm your trainer, your friend!"

Dragonite began to pull his arm back. Without any hesitation, Leaf tackled into the dragon, wrapping her arms tightly around him. He groaned and toppled over.

Leaf looked up from Dragonite's stomach. He was staring up at the sky. He blinked before tilting his head to look at her. There was a brightness in his eyes. Leaf nearly cried in relief.

When they rose, Leaf faced Dragonite, taking him in. After a moment of silence, she said, "You're a proper dragon now." She beamed. "You beat Moltres. Moltres. Do you know how incredible that is?"

Dragonite rumbled. He didn't seem to remember that he nearly attacked Leaf. That was good. He would beat himself up over it otherwise. Leaf pulled out the Pokedex.

Dragonite. An extremely rare Pokemon that is capable of circling the globe in less than twenty hours. It is said to lead lost ships to safety.

A strange feeling tugged at Leaf. She glanced back at Dragonite. This was the last evolution she would see in her team. Her team was now fully evolved.

"Let's go, Dragonite," Leaf said. "We have a league to challenge."

A year has passed! This chapter was tough to write, hence the slower update, since I was trying to capture what happened during the time skip. Dragonair has also evolved...while battling Moltres. It got a little dark but it's realistic. And now, Leaf is finally ready to take on the Pokemon League.

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any feedback!