Pokemon - A real story

Chapter 32: Another Beginning (Edited)

Blackthorn City, Johto,

It was a beautiful morning in a beautiful city. The sheer size of the city would not do justice to what was shown in anime and games. There were lots of well-constructed buildings lining up to start their business.

This was a commercial market in the city. It was one of the most crowded cities in all of Johto. At the east of the market region lies the residential area of the city and towards the north lies a castle.

Castle may not be an appropriate word for it. It was a mixture of a castle and a cave. There were three towers covering the castle and on top of each castle was a beautiful life-like carved statue of a dragon with wings.

In the middle of the castle was a huge lake and before it was a massive gate with a design of a red-colored dragon. It was an impressive sight to behold, at least to the first-timers.

The inside of the castle was very luxurious with training rooms, a kitchen, bedrooms, a dining hall, a meeting room, and finally a throne room.

The throne chair was very unique with a metal carved design of, of course, dragons. An old man was sitting on the throne with his back straight. He had white hair with medium size beard, muscular arms, and a fitting body. This old man was the lord of Blackthorn City named Dragon.

Blackthorn City had a huge history with dragon-type Pokemon. It also had a dragon-type Pokemon gym and one of the toughest gyms to beat. So being the lord of the city, he holds an important position in the Kanto region.

The room had dim lights but that does not mean that it was lonely. Across Dragon, were 2 youths standing. One was a beautiful girl in her prime with blue hair, tall height, and an impressive body figure. Next to the girl was a young boy around 15 years old, with red spiky hair. The name of the boy was Lance.

"Ohh!! Today was a feast. It was a beautiful party and all of them showed up. Reminds me of my time when I was young.", said Dragon laughing and coughing with a proud look on his face.

"Once again, I want to formally congratulate you Clair for being the 7th gym leader of Blackthorn Gym. You have earned my respect and everyone too. Take a day off or two."

"Thank you, father. I would hold our reputation as one of the best gyms in the Johto region. But I have to leave now, I am a bit tired.", said Clair.

"Well, we may be the first here but we are still behind the Cerulean gym in the Kanto region (Misty's gym when his father was the gym leader) Damn, when is that old man going to retire? Alright, take a good rest, you have earned it. And Lance please remain for the time. I have something to discuss with you.", replied Dragon.

Clair excused herself with a polite nod and left. She gave a glance to her younger brother once and slowly walked from the room.

"Lance, you might be thinking why I have asked you here tonight?", asked Dragon.

"That has crossed my mind father. Is it about my training? I have done well and the instructor and sister have also approved of it.", said Lance with a proud look on his face.

But the look on the old man's face was other than proud. It was serious and grim.

"Lance it is time for you to start your journey!!."

"But father, there are still 3 months till I am 15 years old. Why do I have to start soon? There are lots of things I need to do before I leave."

"I know son. Our culture states that we start our journey at the age of 15 instead of 13. It was cause dragons need more time to grow than normal species and we, the family of dragon masters think the same about ourselves.

But your time has come cause among your generation, you are the guy with the most talent and potential. You have the quality to become Champion one day maybe even Pokemon Master. You don't want your future rivals to give you an edge do you?", said Dragon.

Lance comes from a family of dragon masters. Currently, his father, Dragon is the appointed dragon master. There can only be one dragon master and normally, those with more experience and power are chosen.

Dragon served as the 6th gym leader of Blackthorn city for more than 2 decades and when he handed his position to his daughter 2 days ago, he became the dragon master. Lance always had huge respect for his father. The way he acts, his personality, and the way he treats his Pokemon always inspired him.

So even though he wanted to celebrate his birthday before the journey, he knew his time had come. Lance was the pride of his family, being a talented guy and he had a knack for training and bonding with his Pokemon.

So the family always had high hopes for him. Deep down he knew his father was right. So after thinking and deciding for a whole minute, he came to his decision.

"What you have said sounds right father. I will start my journey after a couple of days. And I don't think I would have a rival that could match my talent at least in the Johto region. But I hear a girl name Cynthia is a prodigy and she is from the Sinnoh region."

"Never underestimate anyone!!. You have not seen the world, there are many hidden dragons. This is the reason, I wanted you to start the journey sooner. You have to be tough. Now go back and prepare for your journey. And once again Never underestimate!!"

But this time his father's voice carried an aura, and aura of killing intent!!!

Lance was shocked!. It was rare to see his father angry. His father's mastery over dragon-type Pokemon was great. His father believed that dragons were the most intelligent creatures of all and they think when they act.

His father, being a dragon maniac had copied this trait into his own nature. But since his father was so serious about it, he accepted the wise words of his father.

###

After 3 days,

It was early in the morning and Lance was going to start his journey today. He had all the things that he needed, money, potions, Pokeballs, sleeping bags, a tent, and food for the Pokemons and him.

"Are you all ready, you didn't miss anything right?", asked Clair.

"I am okay. I have checked it 3 times already. Alright father, uncle, Dragonite, I guess I would meet you after I am strong enough.", said Lance waving his hand and getting ready to ride Clair's Dragonite. Clair was giving him a ride up to the forest to start the journey.

"Remember Lance, Dragons are masters of elements, they are Arcane. History tells us that the dragons are magic incarnate itself. Remember your training Lance, follow your dragon instinct, and soar to the sky but never forget that this is your home and you are always welcome in it.", said Dragon.

You might have expected Lance to be emotional or tear up a bit but he was not doing any of those things. His head was revolving around the new exciting adventure that was before him. Finally, after saying goodbyes Lance started his journey. The journey to becoming the best Dragon-type trainer.

"You don't think that you are a bit over your head? It was only around 3 months. Why didn't you want him to wait for that time?" asked Lance's uncle.

"You know my reason, Sam. Oak seems to be thinking of accepting a disciple again and I don't want any other to become Pokemon master of this generation. Lance has a talent for it so he must start his journey."

"I don't know why you are so scared about him. The guy is already old now. He may be the Pokemon Master and the most powerful trainer in existence now, but he is wearing off. Give it a few more years and his reign will end."

"You don't understand Sam. Oak only had 2 disciples till now. Both of them were Champions at one point in their time. You might be thinking that Red and Blue were just outstanding trainers and Oak was lucky.

But you are wrong. You have never seen his power in his glory days, Sam. That still haunts me in my dream, the way he destroyed a whole region with just his Charizard and Dragonite. A human just should not be able to hold such power. Oak is something else.

So, Lance should start his journey now. He has to face the evils of this world.", said Dragon.

And this was how, one of the Legends, the greatest dragon master began his journey