"Zora, use Dragon Pulse!" I exclaimed.

When Zora's orb in her neck glowed, she fired a multicolor shock wave at the Martial Arts Pokémon.

"Aura Sphere!" Calista said.

The Mienshao cried out before releasing a blast of aura power at Zora's attack, resulting in an explosion.

"Swords Dance!" Calista exclaimed.

The Mienshao cried out before a barrage of swords swirled around it. Then, its body glinted red.

Swords Dance sharply raises the user's attack. Not good...

"Zora, use Aqua Tail!" I said.

Zora nodded before launching herself toward the opposing Pokémon, the orbs on its tail glittering blue.

"Counter with High Jump Kick!" Calista cried.

The Martial Arts Pokémon jumped up high and started coming down knee first. When the two attacks collided, a small explosion occurred.

"I'm growing tired of this," Calista said, "Mienshao, finish this with Dual Chop!"

Dual Chop!?

The opposing Pokémon sprinted over to Zora with glowing green paws.

"Dodge it, Zora! Quick!" I exclaimed.

Before Zora could react, the Mienshao attacked her with brutal swings. Zora let out a strained cry before collapsing to the ground.

"Zora, no!" I cried.

I didn't know a Fighting-type could learn a Dragon-type move...

I growled as I retracted my fallen partner. My Pokémon and the others cried out, all trying to break out of the capsules.

"Oh, quit your whining," Calista deadpanned, "What's a bratty little trainer gonna do?"

As I clenched my fists, I felt my heart swelling again. I looked down and saw my pocket glowing again. I turned to Jet and watched as he rammed his horns into the capsule glass, but it didn't break. Then, he suddenly stopped and turned to me.

Jet, please, if you can hear me. Use Dragon Rush, full strength!

Jet growled as his horns started glowing. The glow from his horns cloaked him with a purplish flame. With a mighty roar, Jet began to ram into the capsule repeatedly. Then, the capsule glass shattered.

"What in the world?!" Calista exclaimed.

Did Jet really hear me?

Jet growled as he glanced at Calista and her Mienshao.

"Dual Chop!" Calista cried.

Before the Mienshao could make a move, Jet grabbed the opposing Pokémon and threw it into Charcoal's capsule, causing it to crack.

I've never seen Jet this strong before; it's almost frightening...

Charcoal didn't waste any time breaking out of the capsule. Charcoal walked up to Ajax's prison and extended his claws. My Charizard then used Metal Claw on the capsule's lock and short-circuited it. The capsule door swung open, and Ajax hopped out with a mighty cry. Calista growled as she retracted her fallen Pokémon.

"Release the other Pokémon, Calista." I said.

Calista glared at me before hitting a button on the control panel in front of the capsules. Then, the capsule doors swung open, and the other Pokémon hopped out. Calista stared at me before smiling. She straightened her posture and adjusted her suit.

"You're truly impeccable, my dear girl," Calista said, "The bond you share with your Garchomp is strong, and it runs deep."

She glanced at my pocket before locking eyes with me.

"I'll let you off easy for now," Calista said, "You should be grateful that you got the chance to battle me. Now you know what you're truly up against,"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"You'll understand when you're older."

My stance changed as she walked up the stairs to the metal scaffold.

"The exit is on the next floor of this hidden facility," Calista said, "The stairs are to your right when you walk out of this lab."

I relaxed my body as she paced along the metal platform.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.

"My, you are a nosey one, aren't you?" she questioned, "I'm only trying to help. Isn't that a redeeming quality? Helping friends with stuff?"

"We are not friends, and what you do to Pokémon is unredeemable."

After I retracted my Pokémon, I walked out of the lab with the other Pokémon in tow. Following Calista's instructions, I turned down the right corridor and saw the stairs.

Time to get out of here.

As I ascended the staircase, I heard voices growing louder. When I reached the top, I saw the other trainers. Their Pokémon let out joy-filled cries as they sprinted over to their trainers. The four trainers looked our way and embraced their Pokémon when they were within reach.

"Oh, Absol! I'm so glad you're okay!" Armond exclaimed.

"It's good to have you two back!" Hannah said, embracing her Lopunny and Blaziken.

"Thank you, Eragona!" Luis said.

"Thank you so much!" Kai exclaimed.

I smiled as I watched the four trainers and their Pokémon.

"Calista said that this is a hidden facility," I commented, "But where is it that it's hidden?"

"After doing some recon, we found out we're under Mahogany Town," Hannah said, "We found an exit; we were just waiting on you."

"Well, let's get out of here and make it back to Eggseter Town."

After retracting their Pokémon, the others nodded as they led me to the exit. Once out of the hidden facility, we found ourselves at the edge of a small town resembling Ecruteak City's traditional style.

"Come on, let's get going." I said.

The others nodded as we walked away from the town.

This is not how I expected this day to go at all.

Once we arrived at Eggseter Town, I saw my friends in the distance.

"Hey! Guys!" I called out, sprinting over to them.

When they turned around, they smiled and ran over to me. With a smile, I threw my hands over my friends and embraced them, the others returning the gesture. Snubbull and Angel happily cried out as they pranced around us.

"Thank goodness you're okay!" Nina said.

"We were so worried!" Rina exclaimed, pulling away, "We tried contacting you, but you wouldn't answer."

"And we couldn't track your phone either." Elsu stated.

"We were underground," Luis said, "That's why there was no cell reception."

"You're the other race contestants that got taken," Amora said, "Are you guys okay?"

"We're fine, thanks to Eragona," Hannah said, "She freed our Pokémon and us."

"Yeah, she does that a lot." Kat said.

I glanced at my friends but didn't see Micheal.

"Hey, where's Micheal?" I asked.

"Over here!" said a familiar voice.

I turned around to see Micheal with Libby in his arms. Libby cried out as she leaped out of the young man's arms. I dropped to my knees and opened my arms, only to be tackled by my Eevee.

"Oh, Libby! I missed you so much!" I exclaimed.

Libby happily cried out as she nuzzled her cheek against mine.

"She's been worried sick about you." Kat said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I smiled at the brunette as I embraced my partner tightly.

"What even happened?" Eric said, "All I remember was seeing a rock slide on the monitor before everything went dark."

"Team Xenon happened," I said as I stood up, "They took me, my Pokémon, and the others here because we were using Pokémon that could mega evolve during the race,"

"Taking Pokémon is one thing, but kidnapping?" Amora questioned, utterly shocked and confused.

"And that's not all. Calista was there."

My friends' eyes widened.

"Calista?" Rina questioned, "What did she do?"

"We battled, and Zora and I lost against her Mienshao," I said, "But I also found out why she was here and wanted me."

"Why?" Amora asked.

I exhaled before reaching into my pocket and pulling out the small box.

"A jewelry box?" Micheal scoffed.

I shook my head before opening the box, revealing the Key Stone. Everyone's eyes widened.

"A Key Stone?" Amora questioned in shock.

"You mean to tell me that Team Xenon kidnapped you because you've been harboring a Key Stone this entire time?" Kat asked.

"I was just as shocked as you guys," I said, "I've had this ever since Team Xenon came during Yelena's fashion expo, and I didn't even know."

An awkward silence fell between us.

"This is... insane," Rina said, "To think you've had a Key Stone with you."

"But look at the bright side! If you find a Mega Stone that corresponds to one of your Pokémon Era, you'll be able to use Mega Evolution; the right way!" Nina exclaimed.

She has a point.

I hummed to myself as I admired the glittering stone.

"What is it, Era?" Elsu asked.

"It's just... I keep going back to what happened with Jet back at Team Xenon's facility," I said.

"What happened to Jet?" Amora asked.

"Well, when he tried to break out of this capsule, the Key Stone started glowing. He had stopped and looked at me like he was waiting for an order. In my mind, I told him to use Dragon Rush, and he did and broke out. He then beat Calista's Mienshao like it was nothing."

The others stared blankly at me.

"Calista then said that the bond Jet and I share is strong and runs deep. Then, she let us go, saying I should be grateful that I got the chance to battle her and saying I know what I'm truly up against." I said.

"Yeah, that's not weird or anything." Micheal said.

I closed the small box and placed it in my backpack.

"Well, they canceled the race due to everything that happened," Amora said, "Nice of Team Xenon to suck all the fun out of everything."

"Where to now?" Eric said.

"Well, since Eragona here wants to be a Dragon-type trainer, I suggest you go to Blackthorn City," Kai said, "That city is bustling with Dragon-type trainers and specialists. They even have this place called the Dragon's Den,"

"The Dragon's Den?" I parroted.

"Yep! I don't know much about the place, but if you go there and present yourself as the granddaughter of a Dragon-type master, I'm certain they'll give you some tips."

Now that sounds like my kind of place!

"That sounds awesome!" I exclaimed, "Let's go there!"

"I'm in!" Kat and Elsu said.

The others, as well as our Pokémon, happily agreed.

"If you head northeast of here, pass through Mahogany Town, and through the Ice Path, you'll be in Blackthorn City." Kai said.

"Thanks, Kai." I said.

"Thank you for rescuing our Pokémon and us." Hannah commented.

I chuckled with a fond smile.

"Well, I'm heading out," Micheal suddenly said, tossing a Pokéball, "Arcanine!"

At his command, the Legendary Pokémon appeared. Micheal hopped on the dog-like Pokémon's back and smiled back at us.

"I have some things to deal with. It was nice seeing you, kids, again," he said, "Let's hope our paths cross soon!"

Arcanine barked before running through Eggseter Valley.

"What are you guys gonna do?" Kat asked, glancing between Amora and the other trainers.

"I'm gonna head to the Whirl Islands to do some sightseeing," Amora said.

"Mind if we join you?" Luis asked.

"Not at all! The more, the merrier!"

Amora glanced at us and smiled.

"As Micheal said, it was nice seeing you guys again," Amora said, "Let's meet up again sometime!"

"Deal!" the others and I said.

After waving goodbye to Amora and the others, my friends and I resumed our journey through Johto.

"Well, today was certainly eventful," Eric suddenly said, "Especially for you, Eragona. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, "I just want to get back on track with my goal to become a powerful Dragon-type trainer!"

"That's what I like to hear!" Kat said.

"Last one to Blackthorn City is a rotten Exeggcute!" Nina said, sprinting ahead of us.

"Hey! No fair, Nina!" Elsu cried out, racing after her.

I couldn't help but laugh as I raced after my friends.

While I couldn't fully participate in the Extreme Pokémon Race, this race, between my friends, is a thousand times better!

As I raced my friends, I couldn't get Calista's voice out of my head.

"You'll understand when you're older."

What did she even mean by that?

====. * ･ ｡ﾟ☆ ◓ ☆｡ﾟ･* .====

"Look, right there!" said a male grunt.

The grunt replayed the footage on a screen and paused it.

"You were right, ma'am," said the male grunt, "As you can see here, when the Key Stone glowed, the Garchomp received a mega boost of power. That's how it broke out of its containment unit."

"It's like it was reacting to it but without its Mega Stone." commented a female grunt.

Calista straightened her posture as she watched what happened after her battle with Eragona.

"Magnificent," she said with a grin, "That Garchomp may be more special than we thought."

Calista looked over at the broken capsule and smiled.

"Ready my jet to Ezonia," Calista said, "I have much research to do..."