The morning sun rose high over the vast region of Johto. A cool wind blew, carrying with it the scent of wild flowers and grass. As the sun began to rise, a large, flying vessel would soar across the horizon.
"Hm...? Ah! Another Astra Vessel!" Brock was quick to spot another Astral Vessel outside the window, his voice loud enough that everyone inside could hear.
Another Astra Vessel, flying close behind, was following their ship.
Nessa would rush over to the window and peer outside, seeing the other ship. "Huh? Another one?! Near us?!"
"Huh. Wonder who they are..." Ash wondered out loud.
"Only those in our alliance would have Astra Vessels." Brock commented. "That and some of the higher ranking members of the Auravale Empire, too." He would add. He would go to a monitor, seeing an icon on the screen showing where the ship was. "It seems it's heading straight for us."
"I'll see what's going on, then." Ash would step away from the window and head towards the door, but he would feel something grab his shoulder. He turned around, only to see Nessa.
"Ash!" She exclaimed.
"What is it?"
"Don't tell me you're going alone. What if that's a trap by the Empire?!"
"Oh. I don't think it is. It feels fine. In fact...I felt it's Aura. And man...it's great." Ash grinned.
"Great?" They said in unison.
"Yeah...The way the Aura feels...it's like...It's so welcoming." Ash exclaimed. "I'll be alright! Don't worry, guys! Trust me on this!" The Star Champion assured the gang.
And so, the two vessels would land on the ground, in the wilderness, in an open field. As Ash stepped off, the door on the other ship would open and out came Dawn.
"Hey! Hello!" She could be heard from her Astra Vessel, waving towards him. "Is this the ship of the Star Champion?!" She would ask.
"I am! I'm Ash! It's nice to meet you!" Ash would say as he waved back. The vessel was just like his, except it had a few more amenities than his.
"So...you're Ash?" Dawn said. "I can't believe it...you really do exist!" Her blue eyes lit up as she stared at the male. "Yes! I found the Star Champion!" Giddy, she jumped for joy. She would rush up to him, leaping off her own ship. They all gawked at her sudden jump, but she seemed to levitate briefly in the air, free-falling with grace which allowed her to reach the other side. "I'm so glad to have met you!"
With such joy in her heart, she got up close with the Star Champion. She was ecstatic to meet someone who could be considered a hero among legends. "I came all the way from Jubilife City in Sinnoh just to find you!" She said as she stared into the eyes this legendary figure. She would then grab his hand and shake it. "Thank you for saving the world! You've saved countless lives! I can't even describe how happy I am to see you!"
"Ahahah...! Calm down!" Ash said, not minding it.
"I'm so sorry!" Dawn quickly backed away and bowed her head, embarrassed at her own actions. "I'm Dawn! Nice to meet you. And I'm a member of the alliance against the Auravale Empire."
"Ooh...yeah. Now I see the logo." Brock nodded as he spotted a certain symbol on Dawn's Astra Vessel that he didn't spot before. It was on the back of her ship, a circle with a star in the middle. This was the logo of the alliance against Auravale. Otherwise known as the Arceus Alliance.
"You came all this way to find Ash...?" Misty asked, walking up to the girl. "Is it to help him in his fight against the Auravale Empire? Is it for the sake of the entire alliance?"
"Of course it is." She responded. "But...it was also because Sovereign Cynthia sent me here."
"T-That Sovereign Cynthia?" Goh said, surprised.
"She's among one of the strongest Trainer's in the world. Strong enough that she's one of the three Pillars of the Arceus Alliance..." Nessa had heard of her before.
"Yes, I do. She wanted me to find the Star Champion, after all. I'm sure that, with Ash on our side, we'll have an easier time dealing with the Empire." She then paused and looked at everyone. "I'm guessing you guys have heard about the recently established Pokemon League. Right?" She would ask.
"Oh, naturally, as Pokemon Lords, we have." Misty shrugged. "Sovereign Cynthia's plan to have a whole bunch of people train to become strong enough to take down the Auravale Empire is pretty great. It won't just be Pokemon Lords like us seasoned trainers getting involved. Even regular folk are gonna be able to train to become amazing strong, just like us!"
"I still don't get the tournament part though..." Brock scratched his hair. "I mean, facing the Star Champion in battle at the end...?"
"Eh? Facing me?" Ash pointed at himself, not being fully informed of the Pokemon League.
"Precisely. It is to improve that very strength." Sabrina added. "Sovereign Cynthia believes that whoever battles you will grow immensely. She has the utmost faith that you can help make many a Pokemon Trainer and Lord strong enough to take down Auravale once and for all. That's why, in the Pokemon League, the winner of each tournament will face you, the Star Champion, in a match."
"Hm..." Ash scratched his chin, but would smile. "Oh well. I guess that makes sense. Plus, that just means I get to take on a bunch of trainers!"
Dawn would look at the group, before looking at the ship, then back at Ash, smiling. "Well then! I guess...this is where it all starts...Because right now, as per Sovereign Cynthia's request, I'm joining with you."
"Eh?! Joining with us?!" Brock bellowed, shocked along with the others. "I thought you were here to take us to Sovereign Cynthia?!"
"Nope. The Sovereign actually wanted me to join up with the Star Champion and his allies. She thinks it'd be a good idea if I was to travel with the Star Champion, too." She explained. "It's because I apparently have something special. That's what she said to me."
The others would all look at each other. They weren't too sure about what was going to happen. After all, this was the second time a new face joined them on their journey. They weren't entirely sure if she'd fit in, or what kind of person she would be.
But Ash didn't mind at all. "Hey. You wanna come on board with us? I don't see anything wrong with it, really."
"I don't see anything wrong either." Bea nodded, her arms crossed. Machop was standing beside her.
"Me too. I say the more the merrier. We could use all the help we could get." Nessa smiled, giving Dawn a thumbs up. She knew that if they were going to be taking down the Empire, they needed as much help as possible. And if the girl had something special, then it was definitely going to come in handy, right?
Sabrina, however, was a little bit reluctant, as usual. Mainly due to one factor. "Another competitor that could seduce the Star Champion..." She thought to herself.
"Well...it's up to you, Dawn. Do you wanna join our journey, or not? I'd love to have another member of the team." Ash smiled at the blue-haired girl. The other would all smile at the female.
Dawn would look around, and think to herself for a brief moment, but then, she gave her response. "Well, Sovereign Cynthia asked me to, so yes I'm coming aboard! It'd be great to join the Star Champion, and the rest of you!"
"Awesome!" Goh exclaimed, a bright grin on his face. The rest of the group were all pleased, happy that another had joined their ranks. It was going to be a fun ride.
Elsewhere...
Blackthorn City. A mysterious mountain city cut into a rock face, it was another one of the Johto's territories, under control of the Auravale Empire, though the Empire was lenient with its rule here, due to a certain figure. Blackthorn's streets and buildings are made of obsidian, giving the city an ominous, dark atmosphere. At night, it's illuminated by the stars, as the moon shines brightly above, creating a mystical ambiance. But one area was especially bright, a mansion on top of a hill. Inside was a grand ballroom where a party was being held.
And in this grand ballroom, with a crystal chandelier and a marble floor, were many men and women dancing to a band's song, a piano being the most prevalent. But during all of this dancing, a certain figure was alone, elsewhere in this city.
She was a in a spot known as the Dragon's Den. A cavern with an underground lake that contains a shrine to Dragon Pokémon, located behind the mansion, across a small pond, while the main cavern seems to be located underneath the city itself.
The woman sitting there was one in tune with Dragons.
Clair.
Clair was the Dragon Gym Leader of Johto's Dragon Tamer clan, a clan that specializes in the breeding and training of dragons. They have been training their own Pokemon for generations. Clair had long blue eyes and blue hair that was styled as a ponytail. She wore a blue vest over a gray and black long-sleeved leotard with matching boots, along with black socks and matching shorts.
Her Pokemon were with her. They were Kingdra, Dragonite and Druddigon. These were her main partners. They all surrounded the female as she sat alone, staring at her own reflection in the water, the only light source coming from some torches on the wall. Clair would stare at the lake in silence, her face expressionless.
"..." Clair remained quiet for a long moment, simply staring at her reflection. "I can feel it. I know you three are a bit restless right now..." Clair put her hand on Druddigon's back, gently stroking its scales as it grunted. "But don't worry, I promise we'll go out soon enough."
"Drud!" Her Pokemon was a bit antsy. It wanted to battle already. But mainly because it sensed something grandiose.
"The Star Champion..." Clair uttered as it was the Star Champion they were sensing, even from such a massive distance.
Just then, someone had entered the Dragon's Den, meeting up with Clair. She looked up to see the an old man standing there. His name was Pryce.
"Clair, I've heard that the Star Champion is coming to Johto, but I can't say I'm all that surprised. I was expecting him sooner or later." The old man stated, leaning against his cane. "Tell me. Do you think he's really the one you've been waiting for?"
"He should be. He's also the one you've been waiting for as well." Clair stood up. "You've already long since retired as a High Commanding Officer, but now that moment you've been expecting is coming. Aren't you going to get involved?"
"Hm. I retired from my role since I was getting too old to change the Auravale Empire from within or even know who the Emperor is. I doubt I have much to offer now that I've passed my role to Morty." The old man closed his eyes, sighing as his wrinkles seemed more apparent. "The Empire is getting worse by the day. I've been keeping up with the news, you know. All that's been going on in Kanto and now recently, the defeat of Baevel in Kurodaka."
"...Yes, and I don't want that here in Johto. I want our people to be happy. I've done all I've can to keep Blackthorn away from most of the Empire's affairs, even if we still work for them. That is why I was hoping that the Star Champion would show up here eventually. And that's what I was waiting for, so that we could make our move." She explained.
"Morty has the same feelings as us, as does Karen, Jasmine and Chuck."
"Mm." Clair nodded.
"Well. If the Star Champion really is here...I'll help out in any way I can." He said, looking at her. "But...you must promise that you will do your best to fight against the Empire."
"I'll make sure that I will do my part in this battle." She promised, nodding at the old man.
"I'll leave you alone with your thoughts now." Pryce stated as he turned away from her. "Ah. But now that the Star Champion's in Johto, as we speak, all of Johto is on high alert. And you can only imagine that Falkner and Will will be making moves soon."
Meanwhile, back to our main group, they were now flying through the skies, heading towards Goldenrod City. Ash was on his bed in the captain's quarters with Pikachu, reading an interesting book that was already in this book.
"So this is the Arceus Alliance?" Ash spoke, holding up his book for his yellow companion.
"Pika!" Pikachu responded, looking up from a plate of berries on the floor to see what his partner was holding.
"Yeah. This is the same symbol as on Dawn's Astra Vessel." He said, looking down at the image of the logo in the book. It showed the symbol in detail, an elegant drawing depicting a circle with a star in the center, surrounded by various smaller stars, all in the shape of a circle.
"Star Champion?" A knock could be heard on the door along with a voice. It was Dawn.
"Yeah? Come in." Ash called back.
"Thanks!" She'd walk right in. "Ooh. This place is way bigger than mine." She commented. "So um, if I'm not bothering you right now, do you think we could get started?"
"Get started on what?"
"Well, Sovereign Cynthia wanted to bring out this inner potential I apparently have. So I figured training with you could bring it out."
"Oh! Sure!" He nodded. "We can get started right away! No problem!"
"Great! I-" Just before she could say anything else, a hand was placed on her shoulder, halting her. It was Sabrina's hand. "...Eh?"
"If you want to train, do it with me." Sabrina said with narrowed eyes.
"Um. But...I want to train with the Star Champion. That's the point." She blinked. She was a little bit confused by the Psychic Pokemon Lord's presence.
"Indeed. However, I won't allow you to gain an advantage over me. I have already been beaten out by Nessa, so I won't let it happen a second time." Sabrina referred to mating with the Star Champion.
"Come with me. We'll train together at once." Sabrina started dragging her away.
"Wait! Aw, no fair!" Dawn groaned and cried out as she was being dragged away. Ash watched with a confused face while Pikachu watched the scene unfold.
As for the Astra Vessel, not too long from now, it would be arriving at Goldenrod City, which was in the distance, but it was certainly visible at the moment. However, the knowledge of the Astra Vessel belonging to the Star Champion was well known by now in Johto after Baevel's defeat. And now there were two Astra Vessel's in the air, one belonging to Dawn.
And speaking of the air, someone had obviously spotted them. There was another ship in the skies, one holding someone who managed to see the Astra Vessel via special goggles. It was a man who was considered a master of the skies.
"I see it." His name was Falkner. The Elegant Master of Flying Pokemon. A man who was rather tall with a pair of goggles over his eyes. He was wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt, brown gloves and brown shoes, as well as a red scarf.
Falkner was a strong member of the Johto region's forces, but he was also an Officer in the Auravale Empire. The Flying Officer to be exact. Not just that, but he was also in command of Johto's Aerial military forces. "So the Star Champion has arrived..." He'd mutter.
His Astra Vessel was very large and could fit a whole fleet of soldiers inside. But it was just him and his men. And as for the forces he led, they were known as the Zephyr Squad.
"We've received confirmation from Officer Jasmine that they're coming towards Goldenrod City, Officer Falkner." A man would say to the officer.
"I know." The Flying Officer muttered. He was currently on his Astra Vessel's deck. He had the goggles on because he had to observe the Star Champion from a distance.
"It's time to prepare our attack."
"Yes, Officer." The voice on the screen confirmed.
"..." Falkner would take a step forward, and his goggle-wearing men would line up behind him. "Let us prepare for our attack."
Currently on the Star Champion's ship, Nessa was looking at her recently caught Pokemon. The Umbreon from Kurodaka. She sat on her back, gazing at the Moon Pokemon, trying to bond with it. "Alright...I haven't caught a Pokemon in so long. To be honest, I'm not much of a Pokemon Trainer at all...but if it's to help the Star Champion, I'll gladly try my best. And I think you can do it. I know it. Because we've already bonded."
Nessa would pet the Umbreon's head, who leaned in and nuzzled against her hand.
"So. I was wondering." Nessa started to ask. "How do you feel about me?"
The Pokemon would look at her and let out a low hum. She wasn't entirely sure if this was good or bad.
"Well...if you don't want to talk, that's fine too..." She said, sighing. "I guess I can't force you to tell me what you think..."
The Pokemon would look at the girl with a look that said 'don't worry, you're fine.'
"Aw...thank you. I'm glad that you don't think I'm some weirdo who's forcing her feelings on you."
"..." The Pokemon looked back, staring at her. It then seemed to smile and purr, rubbing its body against Nessa's legs. "Erm." Nessa would giggle at the contact.
"Well. I'm not exactly sure how much I should talk. Maybe we should get some sleep..." Nessa would stretch out her body a little bit.
But just then, Umbreon was on high alert, turning its head. Its eyes got fully serious as it sensed something in the air.
"Hm? Umbreon?"
Umbreon would then turn to Nessa, its body tense.
"What's the matter?"
It pointed upwards and made a motion that indicated that they weren't alone. That's when it clicked for Nessa. She looked up. "Oh no. That can only mean that..."
She and her Pokemon rushed to the window and peeked out, seeing a huge flying ship, but it looked more like an aircraft. In fact, the ship's size dwarfed theirs and Dawn's.
"A...Astra Vessel?! That big?" Her mouth would open wide.
"Huh?" Ash looked out the window and noticed a giant airship up ahead. "Woah, man! That thing's huge! It's way bigger than ours!" But it wasn't just that one Astra Vessel that was surprising. It was what surrounded it all.
Coming into view from the clouds were multiple ships that looked like planes. They were smaller and sleeker, each of them having their own set of cannons mounted on their wings and the nose.
This was the Zephyr Squad.
Led by Falkner, all eyes were on the Star Champion's team, ready to strike them down and bring an end to their journey once and for all before it can really go anywhere else. Falkner crossed his arms when looking at the fleet, deciding not to be peaceful or anything. Knowing how powerful the Star Champion was, to Falkner, he had to be defeated at once.
And with his squad present in the skies, they wasted no time. From each of the ships, Poke Balls were thrown high into the air. And by doing so, out of the Poke Balls came Flying-Type Pokemon, mostly being Fearow, Pidgeotto, Zubat, Golbat, Noctowl and Scyther. All were eager to engage their targets with a single command.
Falkner, still crossing his arms, would finally raise his voice.
"ATTACK!"
The fleet of Pokemon would fly straight towards Ash's and Dawn's ships, ready to absolutely overwhelm them with numbers. Nessa and the others gasped at the sheer number of Flying-Types approaching them, and it wasn't long before Ash would notice it too. These numbers were amazingly massive. There were at least hundreds of Flying Pokemon heading their way and blocking out the Sun.
Falkner was not about to hold anything back.