Severe Mountain.
Located in the northern part of the Sinnoh Region.
Although it's situated in the north like Snow Peak City, Snow Peak Mountain, and the Divine Hall of Snow Peak where Natsuhiko has been, the surroundings of Severe Mountain are quite different from those places.
The temperature around Severe Mountain is very high.
It's no exaggeration to say that Severe Mountain, located in the north, is the hottest place in the entire Sinnoh Region.
Because Severe Mountain is a volcano, and an active one at that, continuously emitting high temperatures year-round, causing the surrounding area to show no signs of being covered in ice or snow.
Moreover.
Like Chimney Mountain in the Hoenn Region, Severe Mountain constantly spews volcanic ash, covering many areas around it with ash.
But this also has its benefits.
Volcanic ash is rich in various nutrient elements, which, after integrating into the soil and being absorbed by the vegetation, leads to lush growth.
Additionally, due to being an active volcano, there's minimal human activity around, leaving the natural environment largely undisturbed, making it luxurious living conditions for wild Pokémon.
Therefore, the wild Pokémon around Severe Mountain are all quite powerful.
It's considered a high-difficulty training ground for Trainers in the Sinnoh Region.
Besides.
The land where Severe Mountain resides isn't actually connected to the main part of the Sinnoh Continent, separated by a sea trench.
On this smaller piece of land, not only is there Severe Mountain, but also a place designated by the Alliance called the Survival Area.
It's specifically for some Trainers to train themselves and their Pokémon.
Many strong Trainers conduct intensive training here.
To the south of the Survival Area is the Battle Area built by the Alliance.
The Battle Area hosts various competitions, and many Trainers come here to battle and assess their own levels or prepare for some major competitions.
The Battle Area is the only place on this small piece of land where Alliance facilities are present.
For Pokémon treatment and purchasing essentials, you have to do it in the Battle Area.
So this relatively small piece of land is called the "Battle Special Zone."
Of course, at the southernmost part of the Battle Special Zone, there is a place called the Scenic Area.
Inside are stored images, relics, and other items from famous figures in Sinnoh history.
Natsuhiko and Lance made their final adjustments in the Battle Area before entering the Severe Mountain area.
Although eventually, Natsuhiko felt this issue might really have little to do with Tom Rokicki, there was no choice as Lance had already dragged him onto this "pirate ship," and in the end, he came along anyway.
It was just.
A normal adventure, to train and improve the Pokémon's strength.
However.
One must admit, this person truly knows how to choose a place to flee.
Severe Mountain is sparsely populated, making it tough to find someone inside there.
Additionally, wild Pokémon are all not weak.
Which further increases the difficulty.
If given enough time to recuperate and improve his condition, he might slip away elsewhere.
But actually, there's no need to rush.
According to Lance, the state of the other party should be quite bad, and due to identity issues, he doesn't dare go to the Poke Center for treatment, buying only some potions before hastily rushing into Severe Mountain.
Natsuhiko and Lance made a brief adjustment before also embarking on the path to enter Severe Mountain.
That's right.
By walking.
Trying to find a person in the mountain forest surrounded by such dense volcanic ash around Severe Mountain.
They might not find him before getting buried by the volcanic ash instead.
So they could only enter from the ground.
Fortunately, the intel Lance acquired can guide them in some directions.
The two of them left the Battle Area, lightly equipped.
Facing the sparse volcanic ash, they walked into the area affected by the ash.
"I'm telling you, Natsuhiko..." Lance looked at Natsuhiko walking in front, furrowing his brows.
"Hmm?"
"I've felt a bit puzzled since earlier, not sure if it's just an illusion, but I sense a faint Dragon Energy fluctuation around you. Although not strong, I noticed it." Lance said hesitantly.
His "Dragon Power" officially awakened during the last competition, making him extremely sensitive to Dragon Energy.
So he sensed something unusual around Natsuhiko.
However, due to Dragonite being present at the time, Lance assumed it was just an illusion.
But now that Dragonite has been put away, the feeling remains.
Thus, he voiced his doubt.
Lance always speaks directly to Natsuhiko.
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko was taken aback.
If Lance hadn't mentioned it, he would have forgotten Lance already awakened "Dragon Power."
He lowered his gaze and pursed his lips.
Seeing Natsuhiko's troubled expression, Lance suddenly laughed and said:
"It's okay, I'm just curious. Everyone has their own secrets. If you can't tell me, you don't have to."
Lance offered Natsuhiko a way out.
"Actually, it's not some shameful secret."
Natsuhiko slowly raised his head, feeling quite comforted by Lance's consideration.
But, as he said.
It's not a shameful secret.
After confirming there was no one around, he gently raised his hand, revealing a blue and white Pokémon.
"Oss?"
Latios looked at Natsuhiko in confusion.
Wasn't Natsuhiko's rule to stay invisible when outsiders were present?
Seeing Latios, Lance's eyes narrowed.
Though as a Dragon Tamer, and the leading face of the young generation of the Dragon Taming Race, he, too, was momentarily stunned, unable to control the look of surprise.
"Latios?!"
"Oss Oss~~" Latios called out to Lance twice.
It has a favorable impression of Lance, his "Dragon Power" feels very comfortable to it.
"I see." Lance realized.
He understood why Natsuhiko always wanted Latios to stay hidden.
He also knew about the issue of a Joy who tamed Latias being attacked.
The principle of being innocent and accused due to possessing can apply here, with similar sayings and proverbs around.
Then Lance's expression turned complex, speaking slowly, "Indeed... Natsuhiko, you could've chosen not to tell me."
He sensed Natsuhiko's trust in him.
This trust made him happy and also stressed.
"Someone's bound to know eventually." Natsuhiko gently stroked Latios' neck, turning to Lance with a light chuckle, "Will you tell anyone?"
For someone as upright as Lance, Natsuhiko trusted him very much.
Latios couldn't possibly remain hidden forever, it would inevitably have to emerge.
Can it really stay hidden until reaching Elite Trainer Level?
But there's Champion beyond that, and beyond Champion again.
How long could it stay hidden?
Seize the time to make himself grow, and let Latios grow, this was the best option.
This trip to Severe Mountain might be a good opportunity for Latios to train, so it was better not to hide.
Besides.
The Joy who had an incident did so because at that time she wasn't strong enough and did not realize just how attractive Latias was, which led to the ambush.
Now that her ability increased, she's still not very strong, perhaps about Gym Leader level, similar to Natsuhiko.
But no one dares to besiege her now.
She has the Joy Race behind her; Natsuhiko has Agatha and the entire Sinnoh Alliance.
Even personally, he has an Elite Candidate level Pokémon as a trump card.
In the worst case, Dragapult, who watched Latios grow up, wouldn't ignore it.
When informed to a few best friends, they too wouldn't reveal it.
So it's quite safe.
Naturally.
Things like Dragapult ought to stay hidden.
And given Dragapult's strength, it cannot be sensed by Lance either.
"Of course not!" Lance's eyes showed firm resolve.
Natsuhiko trusts him, and he wants to live up to that trust.
Between people, there should be more sincerity and less prejudice.
Just mention fewer things about his Dragon-type Pokémon count.
He ruffled his hair.
"Originally, I planned to tell you later, but since it's like this, I'll show you the new Pokémon I captured."
With that, Lance threw a Pokeball.
Soon, an adorable blue Pokémon appeared in Natsuhiko's view.
"Bagon?"
Seeing the Pokémon, Natsuhiko was utterly shocked.
Lance raised an eyebrow, intentionally stressing:
"Dragon-type Pokémon."
Natsuhiko silently nodded.
Indeed.
It is a Dragon-type Pokémon.
But Salamence is also a Flying-type Pokémon.
————
I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year first!
Then—Let's get started! I'll code, publish, and see how much I can write and explode in a day! Seeking a baseline monthly ticket!