"So what's life like out there?" Aida asked as they walked.
Behind him, Hydreigon glided quietly, still gripping the unconscious Fire-Tree in its claws.
Chen Shi and Steven Stone were equally curious about the Meteor People's life.
"You worship a Dragon God, right?" Chen Shi asked casually.
Aida blinked, surprised.
"How did you know that?"
"It's fairly obvious," Chen Shi replied. "Your markings, traditions, the way you talk about your ancestors."
Aida gave a small, wry smile.
"Yes… our tribe worships the Dragon God."
Steven Stone leaned in, intrigued.
"So this Dragon God… is it still around? And is it actually a Pokémon?"
Aida chose his words carefully.
"Strictly speaking… yes. The Dragon God is a Pokémon."
He continued with reverence.
"Our legends say the Dragon God dwells in the stratosphere. A thousand years ago, it descended and aided our ancestor in stopping a great calamity."
Steven Stone's expression tightened.
A disaster requiring a Legendary dragon to intervene… the scale was unimaginable.
Aida continued,
"If you want to hear the full story, you should ask Grandmother. It's passed down orally—our written record is fragmented."
Chen Shi nodded.
"Makes sense. A thousand years is long enough for truth to erode."
They walked through a narrow gorge—until the world opened.
A hidden valley unfurled before them like an untouched paradise.
Below lay a small plateau dotted with simple homes, smoke rising from cooking fires.
Above them—
Dragons.
Dragonite, Salamence, Hydreigon, Garchomp, Altaria, Flygon—all soaring in the blue sky.
Younger species—Gible, Axew, Bagon—darted among the cliffs in playful flights.
Steven Stone's voice cracked.
"This… this is unreal. Even the Zubokki clan doesn't have this many dragons."
Chen Shi exhaled slowly.
"It really is like an oasis hidden from the world."
Aida released his Altaria and Flygon.
"You'll need flying partners to land safely. Come."
Chen Shi mounted Altaria.
Steven Stone mounted Flygon.
Aida took the lead on Hydreigon.
They glided into the village as dozens of curious eyes peeked out from windows and cliffs.
Children stared wide-eyed at the strangers.
Villagers halted chores as Aida announced the return of the stolen hatchlings.
A young woman stepped forward—calm, steady, her presence naturally dignified.
"Aida," she said, "Grandmother asks that you bring the guests to her. She wishes to speak with them."
Aida nodded.
"Thank you, Hygiana."
Chen Shi took in her appearance—bronzed skin, simple cloak, focused eyes.
Someone who grew up with dragons… and responsibility.
They followed Aida deeper in.
The village was a fascinating blend of ancient and modern:
hand-carved tools beside modern devices, every home accompanied by dragon Pokémon.
At the edge of a cliff stood a small wooden cottage—plain, solitary, dignified.
Aida knocked.
"Enter," came a frail yet resolute voice.
Inside sat an elderly woman, thin as drifting smoke, her presence commanding from her small wooden chair.
"Sit," she said, waving a trembling hand. "No need for manners with an old woman."
They sat.
She poured tea slowly, deliberately.
"The village thanks you for returning the hatchlings," she said.
Steven Stone shook his head.
"We only did what was right."
Her eyes glimmered knowingly.
"That's not why I summoned you."
Chen Shi straightened slightly.
He'd expected this—repaying dragon hatchlings came with cultural obligations.
At last she spoke:
"Do you know the catastrophe from a thousand years ago?"
Silence fell like a weight.
Chen Shi and Steven Stone exchanged glances.
"A thousand years ago…?"
The old woman took a long sip of tea.
"Back then, the skies raged. Fire and ocean clashed. The earth tore."
"The Dragon God descended… and sealed the calamity away."
Hygiana stepped forward, tone steady.
"But the seal weakens."
"Strange stones have begun appearing. Energies are stirring beneath Meteor Falls. Our seers warn that if the seal breaks, this valley could be annihilated."
Aida clenched his fists.
"So you want help locating these stones… or stabilizing the seal?"
The old woman looked at Chen Shi—and her gaze deepened.
"Both," she said quietly.
"The world shifts. New energies awaken. You two… arrived at the right time."
Chen Shi felt something click inside him.
Meteorite fragments.
Odd stones.
Fairy energy returning.
Mega Evolution rising.
Ancient calamities resurfacing.
Patterns were converging.
He leaned forward.
"Tell me everything—where the stones appear, and what signs your seers have seen."
Outside the cottage, villagers gathered. Dragons circled overhead, listening.
The air felt charged—
as if the entire valley held its breath.
Far above, in the highest currents of the sky…
a faint, watching presence stirred.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL