Hard Enough Interlude - The Dragon Master

Interlude - The Dragon Master

Lance walked along the hallway of Honour, his eyes tracking across the various nas and images that had been etched into the black granite.

At the start of the hallway, the Blackthorns founder had pride of place with other notable mbers of the clan having earned their own section along the hall. As Lance walked he travelled forward in ti, from hundreds of years ago, featuring wilder tis to more modern achieving mbers of the clan.

When he reached the latest etched plaque he found himself once more reading the information of Claudia, the woman who defied Samuel Oak until she was cast down. She went on to join and lead the Rangers of Johto to keep much of the wilds safer. Next to her a blank space had been prepared.

Many whispered that this would be where his na went.

The first Indigo Champion of the Blackthorn Clan, so said. His na being etched here was all but guaranteed.

He would not have anything written until he retired from society and was in his final years of life. Elder Claudia barely left her ho these days. Clair often visited the older woman, sharing what had been occurring about the world and then relaying the womans blunt responses back to those interested.

Lance always found it amusing that he was still considered a wyrmling according to her. It was a terribly kind term for family while being annoyingly deaning.

She was the only one who used it, so Lance tolerated it.

Lance put his hand against the blank black granite. It was so highly polished it showed his reflection staring back. Would his Champion status be all that was written about him? Sotis it was possible to lose the right to a plaque, through poor managent or dishonourable conduct. So of which stood out in their conspicuous absence with blank matte sections of the hallways stood testimony to that.

Instead of being lauded and taught with specific visits from the school, people were quietly directed to books in the library where their failings could be quietly reflected upon.

Still hoping to grow old quickly? said a voice from behind him.

Lance didnt turn, instead rely waiting as the other man stepped up behind him. He bore a resemblance to Lance, but that was expected. Today his spikey hair was dyed blonde to highlight his sharp features. These days the man had a near permanent scowl as he surveyed the world.

Bruce, said Lance casually.

Bruce jutted his chin but Lance continued to hold his silence well aware of how his lack of reaction vexed Bruce.

Well? said the man.

Lance humd. rely wondering how I can add to it. I rather feel I have done so good that should be ntioned, but the trick is to continue to strive instead of settling. Lance replied, subtly jabbing at Bruces own position.

Years ago there had been a quiet battle between the two of them. There could be nothing but a fight. Both of them had announced that they desired to beco Champion to the Blackthorn clan. Both of them had announced their thods. Lance had decided to emulate and pay tribute to Claudia by working with the Rangers.

Bruce had pushed to beco the highest-ranked Ace trainer before making the leap to Elite and then Champion.

Theyd had years to develop their teams and their strategies. Lance through his Ranger work, Bruce through the Ace battles.

Then, before either of them could announce their intentions to the world at large, the Elders had allowed them to fight each other.

Lance had won handily, and thus gained the backing of the full support of the Clan for his bid. It was now seen as a wise move, but at the ti it had felt well it had divided the Clan and Lance had retreated into Ranger work from all of his Clan bar Clair, whod remained his supporter throughout it all.

And now Bruce was stuck, unable to claim the Blackthorn Gym with Clair having taken that over, and unable to challenge Lance without earning censor from the Clan. In his own mind he must think himself trapped, forever required to hold the first rank from the rest of the Indigo Ace trainers.

In truth, Lance begrudged him his freedom. If Bruce wanted he could depart for other regions while Lance would have to rely on others if new pokemon appeared.

Bruce growled. Ive been wondering for a while now if you havent slumped with your loss to Brock cousin!

Lance chuckled. Pride ca before the fall, thankful it cost nothing truly of substance. Lance turned and locked eyes with Bruce, his aura flaring out to dominate the lesser dragon that dared present itself. You will find I have only grown stronger of late.

Ah, there you two are! called a familiar voice. Lance broke his staring contest with Bruce, not caring that Bruce straightened smugly as if hed won a prize for enduring until he could be saved by Clair.

Clair, Bruce is worried that Brock will be nipping at his heels soon, Lance said casually.

Bruce spluttered. I said no such thing!

Clair rolled her eyes as she drew closer. Must you two pull the others pigtails?

Both Lance and Bruce huffed and muttered under their breaths. We havent had hair long enough for pigtails for years! Stop bringing that up!

Clair smiled, her teeth flashing in the dark cavern. So, youre worried about Brock Bruce?

Bruce huffed. I never said that!

Lance raised an eyebrow. So you wont be asking for evolution restrictions to be lifted for so of your pokemon? To gain another Dragonite perhaps? Or a Kingdra?

Bruce clenched his fists and inhaled before slowly exhaling. Stop putting words into my mouth.

Clair and Lance both waited and Bruce eventually twitched in annoyance. Alright yes! I did want to petition the Elders for my pokemon rosters expansion! Brock is advancing up the ranks and he will no doubt be after , I need access to stronger, more specialised pokemon to counter him!

Lance grunted. I will support this Cousin.

Bruce narrowed his gaze. Are you sure you want that? I might raise another challenge when my team is adjusted. I will be looking for Kingdra, Trapinch and a Bagon.

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Lance chuckled. You think I am worried about being challenged? No, if anything I welco it cousin. By all ans challenge . If you desire I will even set aside ti for us to trade pointers. Lance turned his back to Bruce inspecting the hallway of honour once more. You will be given the Trapinch and the Kingdra, the Bagon will take too long, Id turn your attentions elsewhere.

Bruce continued to frown, unsure of himself but obviously annoyed by the dismissal from his cousin. Eventually, he bowed shallowly. My thanks cousin, he said before stalking further in.

Clair watched him go with a sigh. You two love to needle each other.

Bruce started it, said Lance plainly, ignoring Clairs huff of amusent. He turned back to her. Is sothing the matter?

Clair chewed her lip. Your recent seizure of the Viridian Gym. Were the training manuals for Ground types there? I too would like to ask for a Trapinch to join my team but I also want to look into the optimal conditions and training thods for a ground-dragon typed pokemon.

Lance sighed. I sotis wish you were the one in the top Ace ranking you know?

Please, I only know about it because Ive worked so long as Gym Leader. Lance gestured and Clair joined him at his side as they moved towards the eting hall where the Elders had assembled. Will the League cause any issues with you having that information? Clair asked.

Lance shook his head. The League has a copy and much of the information and hidden insights are also being spread around to the universities and professors. There is not going to be an outcry regarding this as so many people will benefit.

How positively libertarian of you, Claire said drolly.

It makes Indigo stronger for those that know where to look, Lance comnted.

Like Brock, Clair pointed out giving Lance a mont to pause. You know he keeps up to date on a lot of the recent research. Heck, hes caused so of the discussions at the university level! I hear there are people already fighting over getting seats when he eventually does a presentation at Celadon!

Brock is not my enemy, Lance said. Ive co to realise that.

It doesnt look that way to a lot of people, replied Clair.

Lance raised an eyebrow. Are you one of those people?

No. Clair continued to walk.

When they reached the walkway spanning over the dragon grotto where the Clans Dratini liked to frolic she sighed. I sowhat understand that you have a good read of Brock. Others though, they see him rising up the ranks of the Ace leaderboard and they worry. Hes beaten you once Clair was quick to raise her hands to show she wasnt voicing her own thoughts, rely paraphrasing others. and there is always going to be temptation for him to do it again. It doesnt help that he will be well-positioned to beat Lorelei. Youd be reliant on Bruno.

Lance continued to walk for a mont in reflective silence, pausing only to acknowledge the Gyarados and Dragonairs about the cave. A few were twisted around statues of their own forms or lying in the few spots of artificial heat lamps that were set up specifically for the pokemons enjoynt. You wouldnt find a Dragonite here, not unless the eting that was taking place was of the utmost secrecy.

Todays eting did not require such asures. It was not for the public, that went without saying, but no extra asures would be needed. Lance wondered where his starter was right now. Perhaps he was flying with a trio of his friends? Or lounging near the Lake for Rage? Hed found so amusing pictures on the poknet of the family that lived near the lake catching sight of his roster of dragonites.

Soon enough his Salamance would no doubt join the Dragonite on their adventures.

Eventually, Lance spoke up, Uncle has so little faith sotis that it hurts, he said referencing Clairs father and the likely instigator of this conversation.

Clair sighed and nodded.

Lance humd. I am rather repeating myself. Brocks goal is not to beco Champion, neither is Sabrinas for that matter. Id welco them both as mbers of my Elite Four but both have their reasons to not desire it.

Sabrina Clair said. Shes soone the Elders are clucking about more.

They would, as they had previously thought her rely strong, but not at an Elite level. Suddenly the decision to push Agatha out of the Elite Four is looking very short-sighted. I will have to advocate for Karen with her Dark type specialty.

Clair gained a pinched expression. She hasnt made herself very popular with her demolition of most of the other Gyms in Johto.

Your own match was rather spirited if I recall, Lance said teasingly.

I would have had her if her Gengar hadnt faked out so well! snapped Clair.

Lance rely chuckled only to stop before the sliding paper door to the eting hall. He inhaled and drew himself up. Next to him Clair stepped back slightly and adjusted his cape. He shot her a smile and a nod before sliding the door open and marching in to claim his customary position on one side of the hall at the front, facing the Elders of the clan as the lead representative of the next generation.

Bruce was to his left as Clair claid her seat to his right. Lance raised his gaze towards the Head Elder who sat across from him.

One of the matrons cackled. Oh, it looks like the young ones blood are up!

Bruce, Lance and Clair all scoffed and threw their heads in annoyance, a trained response that caused smiles to break out from the Elders.

The head elder rely humd his approval, his eyes running over all before him. This eting was called to order with regard to the clans path forward in light of the recent revelation of Team Rocket.

That had everyone sitting up straight and being serious. Lance sighed. It didnt matter these days if he was acting in his capacity as Leader of the next generation of Blackthorns, or as the Champion. It seed his days were destined to be locked in etings.

Still, that didnt an he wasnt advancing his objectives.

The Indigo-wide police force had gained a huge, and importantly, an early victory for them had done much to gain the G-n traction and acceptance. The public and the people in power knew his idea worked.

He had the montum now and he planned to initiate so more changes.

It was therefore important that he reflect on the successes and blemishes of his clan. He wanted to be a na locked in stone when he finally laid down his burden. His deeds would be an inspiration, not a cautionary tale.

Let us begin he said bringing everyone's attention to himself. He had much to do and the drive to do it.

When the general summation of events was laid out Lance moved on to the first issue. Foire is agreeing to allow the G-n access by setting them up as part of their ranger force. The island nations are also starting to agree making this a huge win for Indigo. I expect Steven will hold out until he gains more advantages for himself though.

This earned a round of derisive snorts.

Lance nodded and glanced around. When no one had any comnts he moved to the second topic. The expeditionary forces are combing through the routes that Team Rocket revealed and a lot of them seem to be extrely high risk with migration paths crossing over. We can use them but it will cost many, many lives.

This earned a round of murmurs. Which regions did they have access to beyond Sinnoh? asked one of the elders.

Lance humd. Orre is ntioned but the routes are never clear on this. There is quite a lot of contradictory information which our analysts in the League believe to an that Team Rocket has a lot of infrastructure in Orre. Finding it is another matter. Lance drumd his fingers on the ground.

What other regions are out there that we need to be aware of, I have access to so League information but it is redacted. Lance swept his gaze to one elder in particular. I need to know more of what is out there, he said.

Elder Librarian, prompted the Head Elder. What do we know of the regions that have been lost to us?

The Elder Librarian bowed and when he rose his voice croaked forth. There are a great many regions that have been lost to us through the power of the Legendary pokemon, such is their power." The man bowed again, and around the room others copied him.

He straightened once again and smacked his lips, preparing for a long lecture no doubt. "The main regions that you will need to be aware of are Unova, Kalos, Sinnoh, and Fellum. Unova more than any other region you must learn of, they were the great conquerors and where many historians, those that still have access to pre-war texts, believe were the great instigators.

Lance sat, and not for the first ti felt glad that he was part of a greater structure. The League, as great as it was, didnt have the history of the Blackthorn clan. With both, he hoped to do great things.

I welco whatever you can teach , he said.

Even if that ant he had to endure etings and lectures from many older people.