Interlude - The Dragon Master

Interlude - The Dragon Master

Lance walked along the hallway of Honour, his eyes tracking across the various names 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 members of the clan having earned their own section along the hall. As Lance walked he travelled forward in time, from hundreds of years ago, featuring wilder times to more modern achieving members 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 name went.

The first Indigo Champion of the Blackthorn Clan, some said. His name 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 home 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 demeaning. The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

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? Sometimes it was possible to lose the right to a plaque, through poor management or dishonourable conduct. Some 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 merely 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 hummed. Merely wondering how I can add to it. I rather feel I have done some good that should be mentioned, 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 become Champion to the Blackthorn clan. Both of them had announced their methods. Lance had decided to emulate and pay tribute to Claudia by working with the Rangers.

Bruce had pushed to become 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 time 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 came before the fall, thankful it cost me 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?

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

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

They would, as they had previously thought her merely 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 me out so well! snapped Clair.

Lance merely chuckled only to stop before the sliding paper door to the meeting 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 claimed 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 merely hummed his approval, his eyes running over all before him. This meeting 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 seemed his days were destined to be locked in meetings.

Still, that didnt mean 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-men traction and acceptance. The public and the people in power knew his idea worked.

He had the momentum now and he planned to initiate some more changes.

It was therefore important that he reflect on the successes and blemishes of his clan. He wanted to be a name 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-men 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 comments 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 extremely 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 hummed. Orre is mentioned but the routes are never clear on this. There is quite a lot of contradictory information which our analysts in the League believe to mean that Team Rocket has a lot of infrastructure in Orre. Finding it is another matter. Lance drummed his fingers on the ground.

What other regions are out there that we need to be aware of, I have access to some 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 time 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 welcome whatever you can teach me, he said.

Even if that meant he had to endure meetings and lectures from many older people.