When we entered the Dragon's Den, barbed rocks cascaded along the cave's walls and ceilings.

It's like we're entering a Dragon's mouth, and the rocks are its fangs.

As I admired the cave, I noticed a deep body of water flowing through the cave.

"We'll need to swim across to get to the Dragon Holy Land," Clair said, pulling out a Pokéball, "Dragonair, I choose you!"

When Clair tossed the Pokéball, the Dragon Pokémon appeared in the water. Clair hopped off the rocks and landed on her Dragonair's back. I smiled before taking out a Pokéball.

"Zora, come on out!" I said, throwing the Pokéball.

At my command, Zora appeared in the water next to Clair's Dragonair. Zora turned to the Dragonair and let out a friendly cry, to which the Dragonair returned.

"This makes things easier." Clair said.

I nodded as I hopped onto Zora's back.

"Let's make things a lot easier," Eric said, throwing a Pokéball, "Samurott!"

At his command, the Formidable Pokémon appeared in the water. Eric smiled as he sat on his Pokémon's back.

"Hop on, guys!" I said, holding out my hand.

Kat smiled before taking my hand and sitting behind me with Angel in her lap. Nina and Rina got on Clair's Dragonair, and Elsu got on Samurott behind Eric.

"Follow me." Clair said.

When her Dragonair started moving, Zora and Samurott followed. I marveled at the cave's architecture as we floated down the tunnel. Then, the path split into three.

"Which way do we go?" Nina asked.

Clair grinned before turning to me.

"Which way is it, Eragona?" Clair asked.

"M-Me?" I asked, "How would I know?"

"Trust your instincts. You're aiming to be a Dragon-type trainer, no? Those striving to become one will find their way to the Dragon Holy Land."

I exhaled as I looked down each path.

Trust my instincts, huh?

Then, Zora cried out as the orb on her neck began to glow.

"What is it, girl?" I asked.

Zora cried out before looking down the middle tunnel. When I looked down the middle path, my heart began to swell.

"Let's keep heading straight." I said.

"Lead the way, Eragona." Clair said.

When I patted Zora's neck, Zora swam down the middle tunnel with the others in tow. As we went down the tunnel, the light became obscure.

"It's getting darker and darker," Rina commented, "I can't see a thing."

"Dragonair, can you give us some light?" Clair asked.

Her Dragonair cried out as the orb on its neck began to glow, illuminating part of the cave.

"Zora, can you lend us some light, too?" I asked.

Zora nodded as the orb on her neck shimmered, illuminating the other part of the cave. Then, we abruptly stopped when we arrived at another fork in the road.

"Now, which way do we go?" Elsu asked.

Clair glanced at me and smiled.

"Eragona?" Clair asked.

I examined each path before staring at the right tunnel. From a distance, I heard cascading water.

"It's that way." I said, pointing down the right tunnel.

Zora cried out before swimming down the tunnel with the others in tow. The rushing water I heard before became louder. Zora let out a cry before stopping.

"What is it?" Eric asked.

When I looked over my Pokémon, I saw a waterfall.

That's the rushing water that I heard.

"Hang on tight, Kat!" I said, "Let's go!" I said.

Zora happily cried out before darting down the waterfall. Kat gripped my shoulder as she whooped and cheered.

"This is awesome!" Kat exclaimed.

Zora, Angel, and Libby happily agreed as they cried out cheerfully. When we landed in the pool of water, there was a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Once we passed through the tunnel, my eyes widened. Rolling, lush valleys as far as the eye could see, flowers of every color and hue, and Pokémon of every type and region pranced about.

This is a Pokémon's paradise.

When we reached land, Kat and I dismounted Zora and admired the beautiful area. I turned around and watched as the others climbed off Dragonair and Samurott.

"Welcome to the Dragon Holy land, guys," Clair said, "When I was younger, I used to train here with my good friend and cousin, Lance."

A gasp escaped my lips as I looked up at Clair.

"You're cousins with Lance, the champion of Kanto and Johto?" I asked.

"I sure am," Clair said, "We used to train here together all the time. Or rather, he was the one who trained me."

Besides Darius, I haven't met any other champion before, and from my understanding, Lance is a Dragon-type specialist. Meeting him is definitely at the top of my list now!

"Why not let your Pokémon roam free?" Clair suggested, "They'll love the exercise."

"That sounds like a fantastic idea!" Nina declared, tossing her Pokéballs, "Come on out, everybody!"

At her command, Nina's Pokémon appeared and took in the scenery.

"Go ahead and play, everyone!" Nina said.

Her Pokémon cheered before running off. The others and I smiled at one another before releasing our Pokémon. Our Pokémon admired the Dragon Holy Land before running off to play. Some rested by the water's edge, others were racing in the sky, and the others played with the wild Pokémon. I sighed as I sat near the Dragon Holy Land's entrance, watching as some of our Pokémon splashed around in the water.

"Liking it here so far?" asked a stray voice.

I turned to my side and saw Clair.

"I love it here!" I exclaimed as the gym leader sat down.

"I'm glad," she chuckled, "I never get tired of coming here."

The two of us marveled at the majesty of the Dragon Holy Land with smiles; a peaceful silence fell between us.

"Eragona, if you don't mind me asking: who was your first Dragon-type Pokémon?" Clair suddenly asked.

I turned to the gym leader and smiled.

"My first Dragon-type Pokémon was Jet," I began, "He was given to me by the King of Dragons, Tyrantrum,"

"The King of Dragons?" Clair questioned.

"Yes. In Ezonia, if you wish to have a Dragon-type of your own, you must visit Tyrantrum and battle it. If you are a worthy opponent, it will give you a baby Dragon-type Pokémon; however, that wasn't the case for me."

"How so?"

"When Libby and I battled him, we almost lost when we delivered the finishing blow, but Tyrantrum shrugged it off like it was nothing. He then allowed me to choose a baby Dragon-type Pokémon for myself, though normally, he's the one who chooses for you. I chose Gible, and now, he's a Garchomp."

I smiled as I looked up, watching Jet soar through the air.

"Jet and I've been through a lot together, both good and bad," I said, "But he was my first Dragon-type Pokémon, and I want to do everything in my power to unlock his true potential."

Clair chuckled and nodded.

"That's a wonderful drive to have, Eragona," Clair said.

"I have that same drive for all of my Pokémon," I said, "I have a special connection to my Pokémon, neither of them the same. I guess it's because of our history."

"It is. I've been with my Dragonair since it was an egg. I'll never forget the day it evolved. Never forget your first Pokémon's first-ever evolution."

Jet's first evolution from a Gible to a Gabite is something I'll never forget. Now that I think about it, whenever Jet evolved, it was when we were in a pinch. Wonder why that is?

My head shot up to a familiar cry. I looked ahead to see Libby sprint up to me with a Sandslash.

"I see you made a new friend, Libby." I said as the pair of Pokémon approached me.

When I looked closer at Libby, I noticed that she had a stone in her mouth. Taking the gem from Libby, I admired the yellow, green, and silver stone as it glimmered in the sun.

"That's a Shiny Stone," Clair said, "It can cause certain Pokémon to evolve."

My eyes widened.

Didn't Nina say she needed a Shiny Stone to evolve her Floette?

I smiled as I hopped to my feet. I looked around the area before spotting my redheaded friend playing with some Grass-type Pokémon. I smiled when I saw Floette dancing around her.

"Nina! Nina!" I called out as I sprinted over to her.

Nina spun around and smiled.

"What's up, Eragona?" Nina asked.

"Look at what Libby and Sandslash found!" I said, presenting the Shiny Stone.

Nina's eyes widened, as well as her smile.

"No way!" Nina cried, taking the stone, "This is incredible! Thank you, thank you!"

Libby and Snadslash smiled before letting out friendly cries.

"Time to evolve, Floette!" Nina said, showing the stone to the small Pokémon.

The Single Bloom Pokémon twirled before placing its mitten-like hands on the stone. Then, Floette and the Shiny Stone started to glow. I smiled as I watched Floette grow larger. When the light dimmed, the Shiny Stone disappeared. In Floette's place was a gorgeous Florges. The Garden Pokémon smiled before letting out an elegant cry.

"You're beautiful, Florges!" Nina cried.

When Florges let out a cry, a storm of petals whipped up around it.

"What was that?" Nina questioned.

"That was Petal Dance!" I exclaimed.

That's a really powerful Grass-type move!

"Wow! Gorgeous and powerful!" Nina cried, "Fairy-types have it all!"

I chuckled as I watched Nina and her other Pokémon admire Florges. I crouched in front of Libby and the Sandslash and patted their heads.

"That was really sweet of you two." I said.

Libby and Sandslash mewled happy cries before sprinting away. I smiled as I watched the Pokémon play.

This truly is a Pokémon paradise. What could ruin this moment?

Then, a strong gust of wind picked up. I looked up as a dark shadow cast over the valley.

"What's going on?" Clair asked, running up to us.

I squinted when I saw what was causing the shadow. It was a black helicopter with a blue X on the side.

You have to be kidding me!

"Where did that helicopter come from?" Nina asked.

"From Team Xenon, of course!" I exclaimed over the helicopter's blades.

"Who's Team Xenon?" Clair asked.

I grunted as I shielded myself from the powerful winds.

"They're an evil organization from the Ezonia region whose goal is to liberate every Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution!" I exclaimed, "We've gotta get these Pokémon to safety!"

"No! If they want to take Pokémon, they will have to fight for them!" Clair declared.

I smiled as I agreed with the gym leader. I growled when I saw Team Xenon's helicopter land in the middle of the valley. All of the surrounding Pokémon cried out as they scurried away.

"Eragona! Nina! Clair!" cried a stray voice.

I turned to see the others running over to us with their Pokémon.

"What's going on?" Rina asked.

"Team Xenon," Nina said, "They're probably here for the Pokémon."

"We're not about to let that happen!" Elsu declared, "Right, guys!"

His Pokémon smiled and boldly cried out. I smiled before I whistled my Pokémon over.

"We have to drive them out of the Dragon Holy Land," Clair said, "I can't let this place in ruin again..."

"Again?" I parroted.

Clair shook her head before glancing at me.

"It's nothing," she said, "Let's take these guys down!"

A wave of concern crashed over me as I stared at the gym leader.

What does she mean by again?

The helicopter doors slid open, and a battalion of Team Xenon grunts came out.

"Huh, how cute," said a female grunt, "The brats are cowering behind Blackthorn City's gym leader."

The other grunts around her chuckled. At once, the grunts released their Pokémon, and a phalanx of Pokémon appeared. The wild Pokémon that once roamed the open field hid behind us.

We have to protect the Dragon Holy Land for the Pokémon!

"Shadow Ball!" said a group of grunts.

The Pokémon on the front lines, Dark and Ghost-types, released multiple shadowy blobs at us.

"Dragon Pulse!" Kat, Clair, Elsu, and I said.

Our Pokémon growled before firing multicolored shock waves at the Shadow Ball attacks. The Dragon-type moves canceled the incoming attacks and hit the other Pokémon, sending them back to the Team Xenon grunts.

"Wave 2, attack!" a male grunt said.

Then, Water-type and Ice-type stepped up and used Ice Beam.

"Flamethrower!" Kat, Clair, and I said.

"Ember!" Rina exclaimed.

Our Pokémon gaped their mouths and spewed ribbons of fire at the incoming Ice-type attacks.

We'll have to get up close if we want to drive them away.

"Libby, hop on!" I said, extending my arm.

Libby nodded and hopped on my arm, inching onto my shoulder. I then jumped onto Jet's back.

"Eragona, what are you doing?" Clair asked.

"Driving them away," I said, "Wanna join me?"

Clair nodded with a smile as she hopped onto her Dragonite's back.

"Let's go, you two!" I said.

The two Dragon-type Pokémon roared before taking to the skies.

"Ice Beam!" a female grunt cried.

The Water and Ice-type Pokémon aimed to the skies and fired icy-cold blasts at us. Dragonite and Jet dodged the attacks effortlessly.

"Double Flamethrower!" Clair and I exclaimed.

Jet and Dragonite obeyed and roared a ribbon of fire at the Pokémon below. The Ice-type Pokémon, with some Steel and Grass-types, were knocked out. The remaining Pokémon were left charred and burned.

That could work in our favor.

"Dragon Pulse, Jet!" I cried, "Libby, use Swift!"

"Dragon Breath!" Clair exclaimed.

Our Pokémon growled before firing their attacks at the opposing Pokémon.

"Protect!" a male grunt cried.

A Crobat, Breloom, and Sableye stepped up and conjured up a transparent barrier, deflecting our attacks. Dragonite and Jet landed near our protected opposers and growled at them.

Of course, they'd have Pokémon knowing Protect.

"What now?" Clair asked.

As I hummed, I turned around to see my friends and Pokémon run up to us.

"Cheap move, Team Xenon!" Kat said.

"Gotta do whatever it takes to win," said a female grunt, "Quickly, use Shadow Ball and Energy Ball!"

When the Protect came down, the three Pokémon fired their attacks.

"Metal Claw and Aqua Tail!" I cried.

Charcoal and Zora leaped in front of us and sliced the attacks.

"Now, Dragon Pulse!" I cried.

My Pokémon growled before firing multicolor shock waves at the three Pokémon, knocking them out.

"That's enough." said a stray voice.

The grunts and their Pokémon stopped before stepping to the side. Then, a familiar face stepped out of the helicopter.

"Commander Barren." I growled.

"So, we meet again, you pest," he said, "It's been a while."

"You know him?" Clair asked.

"We have some history together." Kat sighed.

The green-haired commander grinned as he stared at the Pokémon before him.

"I just received orders from the boss," Barren said, "Forget the other Pokémon. That Garchomp is one of our top priorities from now on."

My heart sank at what the commander said.

What does Calista want with my Jet?

Jet hunched over and growled at the staring Team Xenon grunts. I slid off my Pokémon's back and stepped in front of him.

"You're not laying a finger on my Garchomp," I growled, "Not again..."

"Cool your jets, kid," Barren said, "We don't need your Garchomp... yet..."

What does he mean by that?

"Retreat, everyone." Barren said.

The grunts retracted their Pokémon and filed into the helicopter. Barren glanced back at me and grinned like a Sableye.

"In due time, kid, we'll meet again, and nothing will stop us from getting that Garchomp of yours," Barren said, "Sayonara, brats."

When the commander stepped into the helicopter, the blades began to move, and a strong gust of wind kicked up. Then, the copter left the ground and took to the skies, disappearing into the clouds.

"Eragona?" Kat asked.

I ignored my friend as I placed a hand on my Garchomp's jawline.

"No one is taking you away from me; do you understand me?" I asked firmly.

Jet groaned and nodded firmly. Libby cried out as she nuzzled her cheek against mine and Jet's jaw.

"Eragona? Are you okay?" Clair asked.

I whipped my head around to see the concerned eyes of my friends and Pokémon.

"I'll be okay," I said, "Got a lot to think about now..."

"I know that look in your eye, Eragona," Kat said, "You don't have to go through this alone."

"We're here to face Team Xenon with you," Eric said, placing a hand on my shoulder, "They're not gonna get Jet, not on our watch."

"We'll be there to back you up." Rina said.

"Every step of the way!" Nina said.

"You can count on us!" Elsu exclaimed.

My Pokémon came up to me and happily cried out. I smiled as I glanced at them.

"Thanks, everyone!" I said.

My Pokémon walked up to Jet and let out friendly cries, to which Jet returned. Charcoal roared before taking to the skies, with Jet happily following. As I watched my Pokémon soar through the air, my smile dropped like a rock in a pond.

Something happened in that lab when they took Jet and the others that day of the Extreme Pokémon Race. They did something to him, and I intend to find out what they did. Whatever it takes!