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After Skyla escorted Hikaru to Opelucid City, she said her farewells. The two had a short chat about cultivating Glimmer Vegetables. Without Calyrex's power, they could only produce Silver Star quality at best—Gold Star and Glimmer Vegetables were impossible.
"Don't worry about that," Hikaru reassured her. "Professor Fennel is developing a new C-device. Once Swanna helps with the transport, we can put the Glimmer Vegetables into the Dream World and then pull them out again using the C-device. We've got a complete harvesting and shipping system already in place!"
Skyla rubbed her temples. She still couldn't quite understand, but since Hikaru said it would work, it probably would.
For now, the most important thing was to cultivate this batch of Gold Star vegetables!
Hikaru also gave Skyla a big-headed doll, reminding her: "Even though Calyrex looks kind of goofy, you can't just slap it on a logo without care. Make it look good, okay? I'm counting on you."
Skyla hugged the doll happily. "Got it! Leave it to me!"
As the plane departed, Hikaru turned around and stepped into this ancient yet modern city.
Opelucid City, the city where past and future entwine.
On maps, in real life, and in the anime, Opelucid was always half-old, half-new. In the games, it even had two versions, representing two different worlds.
"The east side of Opelucid is the Black version, full of futurism and technology, its buildings glowing with neon-blue lights, all made of unknown advanced materials."
"The west side of Opelucid is the White version, steeped in ancient tradition and nature. Streets lined with greenery and shrubs, ancient stone slabs overgrown with moss, and everywhere white marble-like classical buildings. Many archaeologists come from here every year."
Hikaru studied the marble statues along the streets.
They were exquisitely crafted, with an indescribable classical charm, almost like gazing at Greek sculptures.
[Item: Opelucid's Marble Statue – Design: Druddigon.]
[Description: A classical dragon sculpture in Opelucid, crafted by ancient artisans of extraordinary skill. Just gazing at it shakes the soul.]
[Effect: Classical atmosphere +50%, Artistic value +100%, Dragon insight +20%.]
But the street statues weren't the most impressive—the greatest was the enormous dragon statue inside Opelucid Gym.
Since he was in the western side of the city, Hikaru even spotted a woman playing the erhu by the roadside.
[Listened to legendary music: "Opelucid City (White) · Ancient Hope."]
[Description: This melody carries the hope of people from the past, revived in the modern day.]
[Special Item Unlock: "Classical Erhu," which can play this music.]
"The strongest Dragon Master in Unova lives here, and Drayden even teaches special Dragon-type moves."
"Roooaaar!"
Inside its Poké Ball, Walking Wake's voice rumbled.
Speaking of Dragon moves—during that fight with the spirit dragon, the meteor-summoning move was amazing! That had to be a Dragon-type move too, right?
"That's right. That ultimate Dragon move was Draco Meteor. Want to learn it?"
Normally, Dragon-type Pokémon couldn't learn Draco Meteor by leveling up. Its TM wouldn't exist until Generation IX.
In this time, the only way to learn it was through tutoring.
Each region had Dragon tutors, veteran Dragon Masters, who would only teach it if the Pokémon's bond was strong enough. In the real world, those restrictions didn't exist.
Ash's Gible learned Draco Meteor from the elder Dragon Mistress in Sinnoh, though his Gible's meteors… had issues.
Walking Wake's interest was high. The Spirit Dragon had learned it from the many souls it absorbed, and as a visitor from space, it was normal for it to know rare tricks.
So, as the ultimate Dragon move, who else but it should learn it?
Yes! Off we go to learn Draco Meteor!
Walking Wake was already drooling for the move. The moment it heard a Dragon tutor lived here, it couldn't hold back.
"Useful billboard!"
Hikaru read a notice in Opelucid:
[Mayor Drayden teaches the strongest Dragon-type move to trainers he recognizes! For details, visit Mayor Drayden's home.]
"Groooaaah!"
A Poké Ball popped open and Haxorus charged out, looking left and right excitedly before roaring!
Of course—it remembered. This was its hometown!
Following faint memories, Haxorus searched for its trainer's house. It ran far, finally stopping at an old stone home.
But its trainer wasn't there. Instead, a white-haired boy sat by the fountain, sighing.
"Huh, Haxorus? Are you looking for this family?"
"They're not here anymore. As for why—hey, why are you suddenly getting so close?!"
Haxorus shoved its head into the boy's face, startling him. It sniffed his scent, confused at first, then memories clicked back together.
It remembered now! This was the child of that great white-bearded Dragon trainer!
Its trainer had met him before!
"Why are you acting like you know me? Do I know you? Haha, stop licking me—it tickles!"
The white-haired boy was pushed over, helpless against Haxorus's affectionate display. But he sensed the dragon's incredible strength.
This Haxorus was far more developed than average—its aura proved its great power.
By contrast, his own Pokémon were…
"Ugh…"
The boy thought of his own dismal battle record and sighed gloomily.
"If you were my Pokémon, maybe I could become the 'successor.' But no… being defeated is easier anyway."
Hikaru walked up, surprised at the sight of the withdrawn boy. That toothpaste-shaped hairstyle—
Wait, wasn't this Drayden's grandson, Ryoku?
A typical cram-school elementary trainer!
"The Blueberry Academy's Four Heavenly Kings had three members already… but meeting Ryoku here in Opelucid makes sense. This is where Unova's top academy is, after all."
Drayden's grandson wouldn't go study anywhere else. Blueberry Academy was still only being planned, not yet built.
"You—huh? You're this Haxorus's trainer?"
Ryoku stood up quickly, confused by Hikaru's words.
"I'm not. This Haxorus belonged to that household."
Hikaru glanced at the shut door. "Do you know where they went?"
Ryoku frowned. How did a stranger have their Pokémon? Was he a breeder, or maybe renting Pokémon?
When he heard about Team Plasma, he just scratched his head.
"Eh? Never heard of that. Maybe because I don't watch the news."
"As for this family—they left years ago. The trainer went traveling to master dragon training. Looks like he lost his dream, though."
Hikaru nodded slightly.
In Black & White, Opelucid really was the last city Plasma targeted. Their early activity was in Unova's southwest and west, then they spread to the southeast towns like Nacrene and Striaton.
Their propaganda advanced northward step by step, leaving places like Icirrus, Opelucid, Lacunosa, and Village Bridge untouched at first.
"Well, one day he'll return," Ryoku smiled. "Dragon trainers always come back home."
He explained:
Most Dragon trainers held deep ties to their hometowns.
Across regions, Dragon heritage was often passed through families, mentors, or villages like the Dragon's Den. No matter how far they traveled, Dragon trainers never fully severed their roots.
"When he realizes his mistakes, he'll come back. Of course, some don't return—but those usually make big names for themselves elsewhere."
"…I'm not saying home is some kind of losers' shelter, haha. And there are wild Dragon trainers too—people who love Dragons and train them uniquely without lineage or hometown ties."
At that, Hikaru thought of Hoenn's Elite Four member Drake. Definitely a "wild" Dragon trainer.
He counted himself in that category too.
And in Black 2/White 2, there was even that little girl near Pinwheel Forest with three Dragon pseudo-legendary babies, inspired by Drayden. Clearly not normal either.
After Ryoku's words, Haxorus stared silently at the closed door, lost in sadness.
"Seems it's hurt… but thank you for bringing it back."
Ryoku then turned serious. "If you don't mind, how about letting me take care of it?"
"You?" Hikaru exchanged looks with Haxorus. "What do you think?"
"What do I think…?" Ryoku blinked, then realized Hikaru was talking to Haxorus. And the dragon roared back! It was judging him!
He could feel it—Haxorus really was evaluating him.
"Yes… it sees the same gloom in you that it once had. But it also thinks you're okay. Still, it wants to test your ability. That's right—ever since evolving, it's become much more positive."
Hikaru stroked Haxorus. "As a Dragon Pokémon, your life is long. One day, your trainer will return. With that in mind, there's no need for regret."
"You… you're speaking with Haxorus?! This power…" Ryoku was stunned.
"It's just like Iris!"
"You understand the hearts of Dragons… you must be a wild Dragon trainer too!"
Iris?
Another familiar name. In the anime, she was Ash's companion. In the games, she briefly led the Opelucid Gym, and in Black 2/White 2, she became the new Champion!
Whichever version, Iris was brought from the Village of Dragons to Opelucid by Drayden after he saw her potential, making them like family despite no blood relation.
Drayden already had a true heir though—Ryoku.
Ryoku drew a deep breath, his eyes full of awe.
"To meet an outside Dragon trainer… I'm lucky!"
"I've met others who could speak with Dragons…" he trailed off, then said:
"This Haxorus is strong. If it really belonged to that trainer, there's no way he'd release it. That means you must have raised it too. Even if only for a short time, that shows how incredible your skill is!"
"…Could you teach me? About raising Dragons?"
"Teach you?" Hikaru tilted his head. "Judging from your gloomy look, did something happen?"
Ryoku slumped, shadows darkening his face.
"It's because of a girl… basically my cousin. Same age as me. She's also someone who can hear Dragons' hearts. Her strength is way above mine. Even after just a short time training with Grandpa, she crushed me completely."
"No matter how many times we battled, I always lost. Her Dragon talent is terrifying… a nightmare."
Hikaru chuckled. "So you lost your confidence after losing too much?"
Ryoku smiled bitterly. "Yeah. Grandpa favors her, ignores me… can't blame him. She's too strong."
"But I still want to beat her once. Even though I can't. Even my raising methods are worse than hers."
"I get it," Hikaru nodded. "Always being overshadowed by your cousin hurts. But outside of battles, I bet she treats you well?"
"…Eh? How'd you know?"
"Because if she bullied you all the time, your expression would look much darker."
Ryoku thought—true!
So in the end, Ryoku wasn't Opelucid's successor, nor Unova Champion. He was Iris's punching bag, no wonder he later transferred to Blueberry Academy. His lazy personality probably came from those beatings.
But Iris was still kind in daily life. Compared to siblings like Tatsuyu and Ukuri from Kitakami, she was a good sister figure.
Because he could never beat Iris, Ryoku became a "just enjoy life" type. Maybe that very mindset helped him break his limits later and become Blueberry Academy's Champion.
After all, even Ash's strength crumbled when his mentality collapsed. Mindset is everything in battle.
Being forced to chase Iris drove Ryoku forward—until she became Champion. Then, his chase ended.
"Ryoku, your grandfather is Mayor Drayden, right?"
The boy froze. "I-I don't think I ever said that!"
"Haxorus recognized you. White-bearded strong man? That's Drayden."
"Actually, I need Drayden's help. I have a Dragon Pokémon, and I want him to teach me Draco Meteor."
Hikaru explained. "But as for improving your skills… I can only guide a little. I'm no full-time trainer."
Ryoku shook his head. "Some breeders are stronger than trainers. Not being one doesn't mean you can't guide. Sometimes trainers understand battles but not raising."
He looked at Haxorus. "I'll give it everything. Let's battle."
"Groooaah!" Haxorus tilted its head, then nodded.
Alright—battle it was, white-bearded grandpa's grandson!
Ryoku's eyes lit up. "But if you want Grandpa to teach you, you'll have to beat Opelucid Gym first. He won't pass on Draco Meteor otherwise."
"Consider me the first gate of the Gym! I'm the weakest, after all."
In family order, no doubt—he was the younger brother type!
Ryoku pulled out a Poké Ball. His gloom vanished, replaced by determination. In this moment, the boy wasn't lazy—
"My Pokémon is… Dragonair!"
And from a distant street corner, a tall, broad-shouldered old man watched silently.
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