Hastily finishing her dessert, Cynthia dabbed her mouth and hands with a handkerchief and called out to Drasna.
"Excuse me, Ms. Drasna, do you know that person?"
Being stopped, Drasna blinked, not quite sure what this young woman—who happened to be from the same hometown as her grandparents—was thinking.
Still, she answered Cynthia's question.
"We met once in passing. We exchanged contact info then. I was just going to say hello."
Drasna's tone naturally carried a languid ease that made her seem very approachable.
But Cynthia knew all too well how much strength lay hidden beneath that unhurried exterior.
She had only just learned that Drasna's grandparents once lived in Celestic Town in Sinnoh; it was possible they were even related.
That made Cynthia's manner even more respectful than usual. "You must have watched that livestream earlier too, Ms. Drasna. To be honest, I'm very interested in the Three Legendary Birds' historical background. I'd like to get in touch with him."
That reason was more than enough to convince Drasna. She recalled that before becoming Sinnoh League Champion, Cynthia's main profession—like her grandmother Professor Carolina—was archaeology.
But when the two of them reached the main banquet table where Lucas was sitting, someone beat them to him and had already struck up a conversation.
"I've long heard of your name, Mr. Lucas."
A white haired elderly man, still walking with the vigor of youth, came up to Lucas as he was busy devouring a chicken leg and greeted him.
The man's white shirt and suspenders did nothing to hide his sturdy build. His swelling muscles filled out his clothes; he was clearly someone who trained diligently.
"Ah—hello."
Lucas paused mid–bite, blinking at the pair of pectorals in front of him that looked like they could crush his head between them.
What a robust old man, he thought. That musculature looked like it could punch straight through a heavy bag.
Seeing Lucas respond, Drayden's lower face, completely hidden by his white beard, curved into a slightly stern smile. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Drayden from Unova, currently the Gym Leader of Opelucid Gym and the President of Opelucid Academy."
Then Drayden introduced the expectant girl at his side.
"This is Iris, from the Village of Dragons. She's currently studying at the Opelucid Academy."
Drayden and Iris?
Lucas was a little surprised. He had seen their names on the guest list, but for the master and apprentice to approach him on their own—was it just to make his acquaintance?
No, he suddenly remembered something. The BB League Elite Four, Drayton—wasn't he Drayden's grandson?
He recalled how, before leaving Blueberry Academy, he and Dragonite had handed Drayton a clean defeat when Drayton challenged them. Surely Drayden wasn't here to avenge his grandson?
Thankfully, that clearly wasn't Drayden's intent.
He was friendly to Lucas, and unless Lucas was imagining it, he thought he saw a hint of helplessness beneath Drayden's smile.
A thousand thoughts flickered by, but that didn't stop Lucas from greeting the future Unova Champion—who was probably around Nemona's age.
Propping a hand on his knee, he gave Iris a gentle smile. "Hello there, Iris."
Iris' small face flashed with flustered delight. Usually a lively tomboy, she now seemed a little timid.
Facing Lucas's kindness, Iris took a few deep breaths in her heart before stammering slightly, "H hello, big brother! I'm Iris. I saw you and Dragonite on TV—you were so cool!"
Her voice shifted quickly from awkward to excited.
Halfway through meeting Lucas's eyes, her gaze slid to Dragonite, who was ignoring the social niceties and eating like a bottomless pit.
"Drago~?"
Perhaps feeling the heat of her stare, Dragonite tilted its head and let out a puzzled cry.
Drayden gave Lucas an apologetic smile. "Sorry—this child really loves Dragon type Pokémon."
Lucas shook his head, unconcerned. "It's fine."
He already knew how much Iris loved Dragon types; most likely the one she admired was Dragonite even more than himself.
The instant Iris' eyes met Dragonite's, a strange power spread. She felt as if she drew close to Dragonite.
As if seeing something unbelievable, Iris' eyes widened and she murmured, "A storm…"
"A storm?"
Lucas and Drayden looked at her, puzzled.
Not far away, Cynthia and Drasna—who had just arrived—paused. They too heard Iris blurt out "storm" and showed pensive looks.
Cynthia, with her vast knowledge, touched her chin, searching her memory. Then she said, "That child… seems to be from the Village of Dragons."
Drasna nodded. "The attire matches."
Cynthia continued, recalling, "My grandmother once told me: some gifted people in the Village of Dragons can communicate with Dragon type Pokémon without obstruction, becoming closer to them in spirit—something like hearts as one, or telepathy."
Drasna's relaxed expression turned slightly astonished. "You mean the child has that ability?"
Cynthia nodded. "She probably unconsciously triggered it when she met eyes with Lucas's Dragonite, and in that moment of spiritual closeness, she saw something."
"But… a storm? Now that's interesting."
In Cynthia's impression, storms were not ordinary things.
There were two banquet tables between them, so Lucas and Drayden didn't hear Cynthia and Drasna's conversation.
On Lucas's side, Drayden explained Iris' special ability in person. Lucas already knew, but he still listened attentively and pretended he didn't.
In this world, it's not only supernatural Pokémon—humans also have various special abilities:
Aura
The power to overcome
Psychic powers
Iris' ability applies specifically to Dragon types. Since she uttered "storm" upon triggering it, perhaps during that day and night battle Lucas hadn't witnessed, Lugia had bestowed even more changes upon Dragonite—changes Lucas had yet to discover.
Thanks to Iris' ability, Lucas learned this and felt excited. Could Dragonite one day learn Lugia's signature move—or even, like Lugia, control and stir up storms to some extent?
After properly getting acquainted with Drayden, Lucas learned why Drayden had brought Iris instead of his grandson Drayton.
When Drayden brought Iris from the Village of Dragons, he knew her talent on the trainer's path was extraordinary.
She had spent a year learning the basics at Opelucid Academy. Rather than bringing Drayton—who had already matured and only needed to temper himself—to the banquet, it was better to bring Iris so she could broaden her horizons and meet peers.
After all, Drayden had very high expectations for her.
Listening to Drayden, Lucas couldn't help but admire his eye.
What a find—he'd dug up the future Unova Champion.
At that moment, the future Champion Iris was hanging off sated Dragonite, looking blissful and giggling, having completely forgotten why she'd begged Grandpa Drayden to bring her to meet Lucas.
Unable to stand it, Drayden cleared his throat, pulling Iris back from Dragonite's charm.
To Iris, Drayden was like a strict grandfather. Though they'd been together a while, she was still a bit afraid of him—like a student afraid of a teacher.
Remembering her original purpose, Iris hopped nimbly down from Dragonite's back and, without beating around the bush, looked at Lucas with bright anticipation. "Big brother Lucas, please have a Pokémon battle with me!"
"…"
Thinking Drayden had only come to make introductions, Lucas paused mid sip, calmly set the empty glass on the server's tray, and looked at Iris.
"Do you have a Pokémon you can battle with right now?"
By his memory, Iris should be in the phase where her ace Axew couldn't even beat wild Pokémon.
How was she going to battle him?
However, Iris confidently pulled a Poké Ball from her hair. "Come out, Excadrill!"
A flash of red.
A deep brown bodied Pokémon with a white face, red cheek markings, and a pink tipped nose—like a mole—appeared before Lucas.
"Drill~!"
The moment it emerged, it raised its twin steel claws skyward and cried out with confidence.
Ground/Steel type—not exactly "Dragon"—this was Excadrill.
Lucas was puzzled. In the anime timeline, Excadrill should have been in a sulking funk after being one shot by Drayden's Pokémon. In the game timeline, Iris wouldn't even have captured an Excadrill yet.
It was a bit confusing.
Iris' Excadrill stared at Dragonite with fighting spirit, clacking its steel claws together with a ringing clang. If Iris hadn't spoken, it would already have charged to challenge Dragonite.
Perhaps realizing that sending out Excadrill at a Dragon trainer banquet was a bit off, Iris said sheepishly, "My Axew is still growing. The only one I can battle with is Excadrill."
Under her eager gaze, Lucas couldn't bring himself to refuse.
Even if Iris didn't challenge him, someone else would—like Clair, who was still receiving guests.
As a teacher, he might as well use the chance to give Iris some battle experience and build goodwill with the future Unova Champion. Maybe he could even poach her from Opelucid Academy to Naranja Academy.
"Alright, I accept your challenge."
"But don't worry—I have non Dragon Pokémon too. That way it won't be awkward."
Lucas smiled, took out a Poké Ball, and released the male Sandslash of his Sandslash couple.
Steel blades should meet steel claws.
As soon as Sandslash appeared, Excadrill locked onto it with blazing battle intent. The air between the two male Steel types became taut as a bowstring.
Iris pleaded, "Can't we battle Dragonite?"
Lucas couldn't help patting her head. "Too soon. Your Excadrill is very confident right now—that's good. But if you challenge an opponent beyond your ability too early, bad things can happen."
To protect his mate, the male Alolan Sandslash had naturally pushed his strength further. While still not on the level of the late bloomer Tyranitar in Mt. Silver or the precocious Duraludon in the wild, it was just right for Iris now.
The venue's battlefield was at the back of the manor grounds, near the wilds.
Many trainers were already battling there, sending out either pure Dragon types or those loosely related to dragons, like Charmander or Gyarados.
Lucas was already a hero for saving the Orange Archipelago—a champion level trainer with a booming reputation. Even if he wasn't sending out a Dragon Pokémon, several trainers stopped their matches to watch.
Champion level trainers were rare; they wanted to see how strong his Pokémon were.
Nervous, Iris stood opposite Lucas, taking deep breaths to steady her pounding heart.
Just as Drayden was about to step in as referee, an unexpected voice rang out.
"If you don't mind, I can be the guest referee."
They turned, and Drayden's eyes widened slightly. He murmured, "The Sinnoh Champion…"
Lucas too was surprised that Cynthia appeared to referee. This was his first time seeing the wildly popular champion in person.
No wonder so many players called her their wife—Cynthia paired power with beauty. A shame her Garchomp's Mega was poisoned…
Drasna, at Cynthia's side, noticed Lucas's glance and smiled, waving.
"The Sinnoh Champion Cynthia, and even Elite Four Drasna…"
The onlookers were stunned.
Add in Unova's strongest Gym Leader, Opelucid's Drayden, plus Paldea's champion class trainer Lucas—and this small battlefield now hosted four of their idols!
"Then I'll leave it to you, Champion Cynthia," Drayden said, happy to focus fully on observing Iris and spotting any flaws.
Cynthia took her place with a smile. If she wasn't battling, her face was always gentle.
She looked at Lucas and Sandslash, then Iris and Excadrill, and announced formally, "This will be a one on one single battle. The victor is decided when the opponent's Pokémon can no longer battle. Iris moves first."
"Any objections?"
"No!"
"None."
They spoke in unison, but Lucas gave Cynthia a quick, curious look.
Was it his imagination, or did Cynthia seem to be enjoying refereeing?
Her voice even sounded… cheerful.
Iris shouted excitedly, "Excadrill, Metal Claw!"
"Drill~!"
Excadrill's steel claws gleamed silver, growing even sharper as it lunged to smash down on Sandslash.
"Block it. Hail."
Only as Excadrill was about to close did Lucas's calm voice land.
Sandslash had lived on the snow capped mountains of the Terrarium's polar zone; even a prodigy like Drayton would have trouble dealing with it there.
Even if Iris's Excadrill was leagues stronger than a typical rookie's starter, Sandslash crossed its arms, set its hardest hooked claws to receive the blow, and stopped the heavy, razor sharp strike.
"Sha sha~!"
Sandslash howled skyward. Ice type energy surged around it, billowing as white mist that rolled up into the heavens.
In an instant—
Snow clouds blanketed the sky. Fine ice pellets fell, and the howling cold wind lashed Excadrill's body as it failed to break Sandslash's defense, making it frown.
This stuff was draining its stamina!
The spectators shivered. Though it was midsummer, they felt cold.
Referee Cynthia raised an eyebrow. "A weather strat, hm?"
Drasna rubbed her cheek, troubled. "Mm… using Hail at a Dragon Clan party—Mr. Lucas's really not shy."
Arms folded, Drayden focused on Iris. "Iris—what will you do in a hailstorm?"
Iris was about to answer, but the next move came from Sandslash.
In the blink of an eye, Sandslash—locked in a clash with Excadrill—vanished.
Next moment—
Behind the baffled Excadrill, Sandslash reappeared in a blur so fast it left afterimages.
A Karate Chop it had already charged smashed into Excadrill's undefended back.
"Drill~!"
Excadrill yelped in pain, stumbled forward, and stared back, shocked, at Sandslash—unable to comprehend how it got behind it.
Iris was just as lost. With her current knowledge, she couldn't understand how the sluggish Sandslash had suddenly dodged and countered.
Lucas smiled and explained, "My Sandslash is an Alolan form—Ice/Steel. Its Ability, Slush Rush, is simple."
"Just doubles its Speed in Hail."