Paldea region, dali Town.
Returning to dali Town once again.
Though they’d only been away for a few days, Johan clearly felt that dali Town had beco even livelier.
The arrival of "Pokémon World Championships" contestants like Lance and Lorelei would inevitably attract many spectators and participants.
He didn’t know when it started, but dali Town was vaguely trending toward becoming the Paldea region’s major battle town for the "points stage."
It might be because Johan and Hassel—a Champion and a top Elite Four mber—had battled here.
This attracted many people, including so powerful or highly-ranked trainers, creating a ripple effect that made dali Town increasingly bustling.
Sure enough, besides dali Town’s largest arena, you could see young trainers battling everywhere on the streets.
So had Rotom drone referee livestreams, others were unofficial matches.
The entire town’s battle enthusiasm was almost higher than the Galar region’s.
The "Pokémon World Championships" organized by the Pokémon League had genuinely sparked battle enthusiasm among trainers throughout the Paldea region.
"Larry must be swamped," Johan said teasingly.
At the Pokémon Center, they sent their Pokémon to Nurse Joy for simple treatnt and recovery, while recharging their Tera Orbs.
"Larry isn’t busy at all," Nurse Joy said while operating the equipnt.
"Hm?"
"Larry took an assignnt and went out," Nurse Joy explained.
Johan’s expression beca strange.
He’d originally thought Larry was like Lucian—working overti for the League’s division system.
Now it seed... Larry was more like an ordinary "worker" from his past life, always finding ti to slack off when possible and seeking "ergency shelter" when encountering big trouble.
Wait.
Larry couldn’t have been "tricked" by Chairman Geeta into dealing with one of the remaining two "Treasures of Ruin," could he?
Hard to say which trouble was bigger.
"Speaking of which, what powerful trainers have co to dali Town recently?" Johan asked curiously.
From one perspective, Pokémon Centers were the "information bureaus" of the Pokémon world.
After all, most trainers couldn’t avoid Pokémon Centers, especially League-registered ones.
Besides needing Pokémon dical treatnt, the free food and lodging provided by Pokémon Centers was also necessary for many trainers.
Like Johan, Cynthia, and Caitlin—they’d checked into the Pokémon Center’s free accommodation imdiately upon arriving in dali Town.
However, Johan only needed one room, while Cynthia and Caitlin were still organizing things in their room.
"Mm..." Nurse Joy thought, then said: "Johto League Champion Lance, Kanto League Elite Four Lorelei and Bruno, Sinnoh League Elite Four Flint..."
Johan wasn’t surprised by these people.
Nurse Joy continued: "Plus Kalos League’s Byron..."
"Byron?" Johan was stunned.
Would Byron prioritize "points stage" enthusiasm over culinary arts, given his personality?
"I heard Byron ca to study—culinary arts, that is."
Johan understood.
Right, dali Town was a major "food city" in the Paldea region. If it was cooking-related, that made sense.
"There’s also Alexa from the Kalos League, recently conducting exclusive interviews at the arena."
"Quite a gathering of heroes," Johan sighed.
Adding himself, Cynthia, and Caitlin, dali Town now had three Champions and five Elite Four mbers!
With such strength, they could conquer two regional Leagues.
"Johan?"
At this mont, the Pokémon Center’s automatic doors opened, and a young man with red crew-cut hair, wearing a cape with stern features, walked in.
"Lance?"
Seeing the newcor, Johan looked slightly stunned.
It was Lance, whom Johan’s group had watched on livestream earlier, battling Lorelei and winning with his Tera Normal-type Dragonite!
"Hey." Lance smiled and approached. "When I first arrived in dali Town, I heard you’d left. How co you’re back?"
While speaking, Lance handed his Poké Balls and Tera Orb to Nurse Joy. "Please take care of these, Nurse Joy."
"It’s my job."
Taking the Poké Balls, Nurse Joy also ended her chat with Johan and called Indeedee to help restore Lance’s Pokémon.
Johan looked him up and down. "What? You don’t want to battle , do you?"
Sorry, but he was staying one night at most and leaving tomorrow.
Lance waved his hand with complete confidence: "No, my battle with you is destined for the Master Tournant’s final showdown!"
Johan’s mouth twitched.
He didn’t know whether Lance was confident in himself or in Johan.
With this "Pokémon World Championships" lineup of veteran and new-generation powerhouses, he really wasn’t sure what ranking he could achieve.
If he encountered so monsters in the first round, even falling in round one was possible.
"Then why are you looking for ?" Johan asked.
Lance’s smile faded as he said: "I heard you helped Hassel confirm himself and make a decision?"
Johan’s thoughts stirred.
He vaguely guessed sothing but still said: "I only battled him once. The decision was Hassel’s own."
Lance scratched his head. "But so people don’t think so."
"Who? Paldea’s Dragon Tar family?"
Lance nodded slightly.
Johan curled his lip. "What they think is their business. They can’t possibly co cause trouble for , right?"
Just so Dragon Tar family...
Oh right, what ti was the next flight again?
Lance chuckled. "Of course they can’t cause trouble for you. You’re Teacher Johan, Hoenn League’s Champion, representing the entire Hoenn League, and to so degree, even the entire League."
He continued:
"Hassel’s Dragon Tar family has so connection with our Blackthorn City’s Dragon Clan. They know you and I have a good relationship, so..."
After pausing: "So they want to ask if you’re interested in visiting their Dragon Tar family as a guest?"
"As a guest?"
Johan was stunned. "A trap?"
"What trap?" Lance looked confused.
"Nothing, nothing." Johan waved his hand. "Why would they suddenly want to invite to dinner?"
Celebrating that we "convinced" their designated next family head to beco a teacher?
"They said they want to chat with you," Lance shrugged.
Blackthorn City’s Dragon Clan, Hoenn’s Draconids, Sinnoh’s Celestic Town, Unova’s Village of Dragons, Paldea’s Dragon Tar family...
These were all famous, historically long-standing, and deeply-rooted families related to Dragon-type Pokémon in the Pokémon world.
Such families all had sowhat "reclusive" attributes with unfathomable foundations. No one knew whether these families might hide powerful trainers or dragon tars.
Even without that, with Dragon-type Pokémon’s long lifespans, those dragons that had lived hundreds or even thousands of years often had frighteningly powerful strength.
"I don’t know them, and we don’t have much to chat about," Johan said helplessly.
"That’s what I told them too."
Lance had sowhat figured out Johan’s personality.
"But they an, if possible, they’d still like to chat with you, or... seek your help."
"Help?" Johan was stunned.
A historically long-standing Dragon Tar family would seek his help?
But thinking about it, Lance’s Dragon Clan had also approached him before.
"What do you think?" Johan asked.
"Go," Lance said. "I’ll go with you."
Regardless, the Dragon Tar family couldn’t possibly cause trouble for Johan, right?
They weren’t stupid to that degree, right?
This was Teacher Johan!
If they really angered Teacher Johan, with his current strength, how many ancient families could withstand that?
Moreover, Teacher Johan was the legendary "Legendary Pokémon Man"!
Casually calling a few legendary Pokémon... forget ancient families—even the entire Paldea League might not withstand it.
The Dragon Tar family contacting Hassel to seek his return showed they weren’t completely isolated from the world like the Draconids, knowing nothing about outside news.
"I’m coming too."
At this mont, Cynthia and Caitlin, who had just finished organizing their room, also ca out. Cynthia said seriously.
Great—three Champions.
If sothing really happened, overthrowing a family would be simple.
"Alright then."
Johan nodded. "Let’s go freeload a al."
After resting one night at the Pokémon Center.
The next day, on the way to the Dragon Tar family, Johan felt sothing wasn’t quite right.
How had he gotten rid of the light bulb Caitlin, only to not reduce the number but add one more?
Besides Lance, there was also soone who ca with him—Clair.
As fellow Dragon Clan younger generation, Clair, as Blackthorn City’s Gym Leader, had also made quite a na in this "Pokémon World Championships."
Currently ranked 43rd in "Great Ball Tier," higher than so Elite Four rankings.
Actually, Clair’s strength improvent was rapid. Honestly, she could match so weaker Elite Four mbers.
However, the Kanto and Johto regions had intense competition for Elite Four and Champion positions.
Plus, with fellow Dragon Clan mber Lance already Champion, Clair was at a disadvantage competing for Elite Four.
Fortunately, Clair didn’t care much about Elite Four competition.
That was normal.
Girls grew up, and maybe they cared more about...
Clair looked at the hand-holding Johan and Cynthia, then glanced at her cousin beside her who seed oblivious and only knew how to act cool, getting increasingly annoyed.
"Speaking of which, Lance, after beating Lorelei, you’re ranked first in points now, right?" Johan suddenly asked.
"Yeah." Lance smiled and nodded.
In the original ani, when the eighth generation introduced "strongest Champion" Leon, Lance lost to Leon in the Eight Masters tournant.
Though many complained about Lance’s obvious "holding back," it was undeniable that after full growth, Leon’s win rate against Lance would be relatively higher.
But now... if Leon faced Lance, Lance’s win rate would be higher.
After all, whether compared to Lance or Johan, Leon was sowhat younger.
"However, the ’points stage’ doesn’t really matter much for the later ’Master Tournant,’" Lance said nonchalantly.
Johan couldn’t help but internally complain.
If it doesn’t matter much, why are you constantly pushing for first place?
What should soone at the bottom like say?
"Where is Hassel’s Dragon Tar family?" Johan changed the subject.
Such families more or less had historically long-standing ancestral lands for better Pokémon training and breeding.
"Casseroya Lake," Clair said before Lance could speak.
Though both Lance and Clair were Dragon Clan mbers, and Lance had even beco Johto League Champion, the current Dragon Clan leaders were actually Clair and the elders.
Lance obviously wasn’t soone willing to manage the family. As Blackthorn City’s Gym Leader, Clair might be the Dragon Clan’s future helmsman.
The Dragon Clan had also put their eggs in two baskets.
"Casseroya Lake?" Johan was bewildered.
"Not many people know," Lance said. "It’s indeed hidden on a mysterious small island within Casseroya Lake."
These dragon-taming families never seed to separate from lakes, water, or waterfalls.
"Then we can’t ride Cyclizar there..." Johan clicked his tongue.
"Cyclizar?"
Outside town, Lance looked at Johan puzzledly and threw out a Poké Ball.
"Draa~~"
Dragonite appeared before them.
Lance mounted Dragonite’s back, then extended his hand toward Clair.
Clair rolled her eyes.
Sotis she really couldn’t tell if her cousin "understood" or "didn’t understand."
Johan sighed and also summoned his Dragonite.
"Draa~~(ˊˋ)"
Compared to Lance’s Dragonite, Johan’s was more than a size larger around the waist.
He stopped Cynthia from summoning Garchomp. At her puzzled look, Johan whispered:
"I’m scared..."
Cynthia laughed helplessly.
But still withdrew her hand from her Poké Ball.
Casseroya Lake—the largest freshwater lake in the Paldea region, covering even one-fifth of the entire region.
Various islands were scattered throughout, with nurous Water-type Pokémon living in the lake, occasionally even Dragon-types.
Many explorers actually entered Casseroya Lake.
So for rare Dragon-type Pokémon, others for those untouched islands.
On such islands, either no Pokémon lived, or if they did, most wouldn’t be weak.
More importantly, such hard-to-reach islands had good resources. With luck, you might find rare, precious materials or items.
Two Dragonite, one large and one small, flew over Casseroya Lake.
With Cynthia sitting behind Johan, slling the fragrance from his breath, Johan suddenly felt... flying slower was indeed better.
His little Cynthia was not only fragrant but also soft...
Cynthia’s face was flushed red.
anwhile, on the other Dragonite, the scene was different.
Lance sat in front while Clair sat behind with an exasperated expression, gripping Lance’s cape.
"Hold tight, don’t fall. When you were little..."
Before finishing, Clair viciously pinched Lance’s waist, grinding her teeth.
"Hiss—"
Lance sharply inhaled.
Johan shook his head watching this.
Clearly, last ti going to Blackthorn City and the "Dragon’s Den," riding Gyarados together had made Johan feel like he was watching a couple.
Now it seed... as Lance himself said, he was purely worried about Clair falling.
After flying a while longer, they’d nearly crossed from Casseroya Lake’s easternmost to westernmost edge.
"We’re here," Lance indicated to Johan.
"So fast?"
Johan felt ti passed too quickly—he’d said they should fly slower.
Following Lance’s gaze, Hassel’s ho—no, the Dragon Tar family—was at the foot of the highest mountain on Casseroya Lake’s western edge.
Not hidden at all.
That made sense.
Though the Dragon Tar family had long history, it didn’t an they were completely isolated from the world like the Draconids.
Reportedly, the Dragon Tar family had close cooperation with the Paldea League.
Sowhat similar to Lance’s Dragon Clan with the Johto League, though not as close.
The two Dragonite descended.
The Dragon Tar family seed prepared, with several people waiting on the entrance platform. Leading them was an elderly man who appeared to be in his sixties with graying hair, slightly hunched.
"Why did the old master co personally?" Seeing the elder, both Lance and Clair looked surprised.
Old master?
This couldn’t be the current Dragon Tar family patriarch—Elite Four Hassel’s father?
"Lance, Clair." The old master, supported by a girl who looked about twenty, wore classical but simple robes and smiled as he approached.
"These must be Teacher Johan and Miss Cynthia?" The old master looked at Johan and the others.
"Hello, sir," Johan and Cynthia politely greeted.
Regardless, elders ca first.
"So sorry to have Lance bring you both here..."
The old master had a kind smile and seed easy to talk to, not showing the bad attitude toward Johan—the one who "led" his son down the "wrong path"—that Johan had expected.
Several minutes later, Johan’s group sat with the old master in the courtyard of the ancient residence, with tea quickly served.
This Dragon Tar family house was sowhat like Master Mustard’s dojo on the Isle of Armor.
However, instead of students or fighters moving about, there were young trainers with various Dragon-type Pokémon.
Johan and Lance’s Dragonite walked into the courtyard flanking them, curiously looking around while being watched by passing youngsters and their Dragon-type Pokémon.
With gazes of curiosity, surprise, envy, and battle enthusiasm.
anwhile, the old master chatted with Johan’s group while walking, ntioning so topics about Hassel’s childhood.
When young, Hassel was indeed quite mischievous—or rather, rebellious.
Born into a Dragon Tar family with the patriarch as his father, he nevertheless loved music and rock.
After arguing with the old master, he ran away from ho.
Once he left, he never returned.
Ultimately, the Dragon Tar family elders believed that with Hassel’s current strength, he’d be an excellent next patriarch candidate.
But for the old master, he probably just wanted to see his son who’d run away decades ago.
Cynthia gave Johan a aningful look.
Asking if he should...
But Johan gestured to wait.
He couldn’t just run and persuade Hassel to visit based solely on the old master’s words, right?
With Hassel’s current character, if things were truly that simple, he’d probably have returned to visit his elderly father long ago.
In any case... even officials couldn’t judge family matters.
The issues between Hassel and the Dragon Tar family were for them to decide.
He’d only battled Hassel once. The one who found and confird his true feelings was Hassel himself.
Even without Johan, Hassel would eventually confirm his heart.
"Regardless, I must thank Teacher Johan. I’m proud that Hassel can stick to his beliefs," the old master said with a slightly hoarse but sincere voice.
Johan waved his hand and smiled:
"Actually, sir, seeing Hassel doesn’t necessarily require him coming back, right? With technology so advanced and Pokémon so capable..."
Hearing this, the old master was stunned—stunned for quite a while.
As patriarch, rigid or even inflexible clan rules wouldn’t allow the patriarch to see a clan mber who’d been away for decades in an almost "apologetic" manner.
But as a father...
The old master sighed and bowed to Johan.
"This old man was narrow-minded."
This gesture greatly improved Johan’s impression of the old master and the Dragon Tar family.
"I wonder why you’ve invited us here, sir?" Johan finally brought the topic back.
The old master also reacted, showing so embarrassnt on his aged face.
"Speaking of which..."
Thinking about it, the old master felt it was better to have Johan’s group see for themselves.
"Please follow ."
After tea and chat ca business.
Following the old master, they passed through the Dragon Tar family residence to a back mountain behind the courtyard, where a cave appeared before them.
Johan couldn’t help glancing at Lance.
Do all you Dragon-type people like squatting in caves?
"Roar—!!!"
Just approaching the cave, they heard roaring from inside, carrying inexplicable anger and agitation.
Johan and Lance’s Dragonite both changed expressions.
They sensed a threat.
Entering the cave, they found another world inside—a waterfall within the mountain.
In the river below the waterfall, a bipedal Pokémon with two tails, flowing purple mane, and blue gem ornant on its forehead—never seen yet sohow familiar—appeared in everyone’s sight.
Seeing this Pokémon, everyone was stunned.
Lance even unconsciously voiced his confusion: "Sui, Suicune?"
"Seems... a bit different," Cynthia said with a frown.
Unlike their confusion, Johan’s face showed more surprise than anything.
Suicune?
Well, strictly speaking, it counted.
Just a "counterfeit" one.
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Powerstones?
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