Sabrina and Gladion finally arrived at the entrance to the vast cave system of Meteor Falls.
From the outside, it looked like nothing more than a beautiful waterfall hidden among the mountains. However, anyone who knew the truth understood that beneath those waterfalls lay one of the largest cave systems on the continent.
It stretched for countless kilometers beneath the mountains, splitting into hundreds of tunnels that twisted and crossed one another like an enormous underground maze.
Even experienced explorers rarely ventured deep inside. Those who did without a guide often disappeared forever. Some simply starved after losing their way. Others wandered into the territory of wild Dragon Pokémon that did not appreciate intruders.
The luckiest were merely chased out by angry Zubat colonies. The unlucky ones became meals for Salamence, Steelix, or the countless dangerous cave Pokémon that had made the underground their home.
Unlike most people, Gladion knew the exact route through the maze. His knowledge from another life had proven surprisingly useful once again. Every major tunnel, every hidden chamber, and even the approximate location of the Draconid settlement remained fresh in his memory.
Still, he had no intention of revealing that knowledge. Walking straight to the hidden village without guidance would only raise uncomfortable questions that he could not answer. Instead, he smiled faintly and chose a much simpler approach. Looking toward the large green Pokémon carrying them, he said, "Tropius, let them know we have arrived."
Tropius immediately understood. The Grass type spread its broad wings before lifting its head high. A deep, powerful roar echoed throughout the cave entrance, bouncing from one stone wall to another until it rolled deep into the mountain itself.
The sound continued for several long seconds before finally fading into silence. Sabrina looked at him before slowly shaking her head with an amused expression. "Do you always have to announce your arrival with someone roaring?" she asked while folding her arms. "Normal people usually knock on the door."
Gladion smiled innocently. "This is the dragon version of knocking." Sabrina gave him a flat look before replying, "One day you are going to visit someone's house and have Collosus scream at the front door instead of ringing the bell."
Gladion looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding seriously. "That... actually sounds much more impressive." Sabrina sighed. "I cannot believe I just gave you another terrible idea."
Barely a minute passed before movement appeared within the darkness. Several figures stepped out of one of the hidden tunnels, each wearing clothing that mixed modern travel gear with ancient tribal designs.
Leather cloaks rested over durable fabric, while carved dragon symbols decorated their belts and shoulder guards. Every one of them carried Poké Balls openly, and although none had drawn them, their hands remained close enough to react instantly if necessary.
Their cautious eyes carefully examined both Gladion and Sabrina. High above them, two enormous Salamence circled lazily near the cavern ceiling, their crimson eyes never leaving the visitors.
The dragons did not appear openly hostile, but there was no mistaking the warning behind their watchful gaze.
Gladion remained completely calm beneath those piercing stares. With a polite nod, he introduced himself. "I am Gladion Vortex. According to the agreement I reached with your chief, I have come to survey the mining area and choose the Bagon that was promised as part of our deal."
He deliberately referred to their leader only as the chief. In truth, he knew the woman served as the Lorekeeper of the Draconid people, but that knowledge was not something an outsider should possess.
Revealing it would only create suspicion. The tribesmen quietly exchanged glances before one of them nodded. Without another word, he raised two fingers to his lips and released a long whistle that echoed throughout the tunnels.
Several minutes later another figure emerged from deeper within the caves. Aster walked forward with her long robes decorated with ancient dragon patterns.
Unlike the guards, her expression carried a warm smile. She stopped before Gladion and bowed respectfully. "We welcome you to the land of our people, Gym Leader Gladion Vortex," she said with calm dignity.
Gladion returned the greeting with equal respect. Aster then asked, "What would you like to do first? We can begin by showing you the mining site, or if you prefer, we may first allow you to choose your Bagon."
Gladion answered without hesitation. "Bagon"
Aster smiled knowingly before turning toward the tunnels. "Then please follow me."
The journey through the underground maze lasted nearly half an hour. Sabrina soon realized that she would have become hopelessly lost after only a few turns.
Looking around, she quietly muttered, "I am beginning to understand why nobody accidentally finds this place."
Gladion chuckled. "If someone somehow reached the village by accident, I think the Salamence would politely escort them back outside." Sabrina glanced toward another enormous dragon resting on a rocky ledge overhead. "Politely?" she repeated.
Gladion shrugged. "Dragon standards of politeness are... slightly different from ours."
Eventually the tunnels opened into an enormous cavern unlike anything Sabrina had ever seen. The ceiling stretched so high that it almost disappeared into darkness.
Dozens of Salamence rested upon huge stone ledges carved naturally into the walls. Others flew gracefully through the open chamber while younger Shelgon and Bagon played below.
It resembled an enormous dragon sanctuary hidden beneath the mountain itself. Gladion could immediately feel dozens of powerful eyes examining him. Every dragon seemed determined to judge whether this strange human deserved to stand among them.
Aster slowed her pace before quietly reminding him, "There is one thing you should remember. You are not simply choosing a Bagon today." She smiled gently while watching the young dragons. "The Bagon must also choose you. If it refuses, then our traditions forbid us from forcing it."
Gladion nodded in understanding. His gaze wandered from one young dragon to another. Some eagerly hid behind their parents whenever he approached.
Others boldly marched toward him. One especially tiny Bagon proudly puffed out its chest and attempted to roar at him, only for the sound to resemble an angry squeak instead.
Gladion could not help smiling. 'They really are children,'he thought. 'Dragon children... but still children.'
Then one particular Bagon immediately caught his attention.
Standing near the far side of the cavern was a young dragon almost twice the size of every other Bagon present. It stood proudly beside two enormous Salamence, yet even they seemed unusually protective of it.
The Bagon's muscles were noticeably thicker than those of the others. Gladion carefully estimated its height before quietly realizing it already reached well above half his own.
His eyes narrowed slightly. 'An Alpha,' he thought. The memories of another Alpha Salamence flashed through his mind, reminding him of Hunter J's terrifying dragon from years ago. 'If this one reaches its final evolution... it will become an absolute monster. A monster comparable to Collosus.' The thought only made him want it even more.
He slowly walked toward the Alpha Bagon while ignoring the heavy stares from its Salamence parents. Stopping a respectful distance away, he smiled calmly. "Would you be willing to join my team?" he asked sincerely.
"I cannot promise an easy life. You will fight powerful opponents, travel across the world, and probably end up in more dangerous situations than any sensible dragon should. But I can promise that I will never abandon you, and I will help you become as strong as your potential allows."
The Alpha Bagon stared at him for several long seconds.
Then it snorted loudly.
A thick glob of saliva landed squarely across Gladion's jacket. The entire cavern became strangely quiet.
Sabrina immediately looked away, her shoulders shaking suspiciously. One of the younger Draconids bit his lip so hard that his face turned bright red trying not to laugh.
Even several Salamence lowered their heads slightly, as though pretending they had witnessed nothing at all.
Gladion slowly looked down at the spit covering his clothes before calmly wiping it away with a handkerchief. "Well," he said with perfect seriousness, "that could have gone better."
Sabrina finally lost the battle against her laughter. "I have never," she managed between laughs, "seen someone rejected like that."
Gladion let out a slow breath. Then something changed. He stopped smiling.
Without saying another word, he released his psychic aura completely. It was not an attack. It was not intimidation. It was simply his presence.
For the first time since his childhood, Gladion no longer restrained the full weight of his psychic power.
Invisible pressure quietly spread throughout the enormous cavern. The air itself seemed to become heavier. The crystals embedded in the cave walls began vibrating softly. Every Bagon immediately froze where they stood. The playful noises filling the cavern disappeared completely.
The Alpha Bagon's confident expression vanished. Its instincts reacted long before its mind could.
Without even realizing why, it slowly lowered its head. One knee touched the ground.
Then the other.
Around the cavern, several younger Salamence unconsciously lowered their heads as well. Even some of the older dragons remained perfectly still, their ancient instincts recognizing something impossible to describe.
This was not merely strength. It was the overwhelming presence of something that stood naturally above them in the ancient order dragons instinctively understood.
Aster stared in complete disbelief.
Her heartbeat quickened as she looked from the kneeling Alpha Bagon to the calm young man standing before it.
'What... is this human?' she wondered. 'Even our Salamence are acknowledging him. This should not be possible.' Every story passed down through generations of Draconid Lorekeepers raced through her mind, yet none explained what she was witnessing.
Inside her Poké Ball, Latias quietly smiled to herself.
'A dragon will always recognize another dragon,' she thought warmly. 'Age does not matter. Talent does not matter. Even the proudest dragon instinctively understands when it stands before a being whose presence reaches far beyond its own.'
'Oh, little brother... you still do not fully understand what you are becoming. But your destiny... it has finally begun approaching you.'
-----Author Notes------
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