Johto Region – Blackthorn City – Blackthorn Clan.
This was one of the most prestigious and well-known families in Indigo, famous for their command over dragon-type Pokémon.
With a long and storied history, the Blackthorn Clan, which occupied the Dragon's Den, had never declined in power. In fact, they had always held the position of Blackthorn City Gym Leader. But...
That was all.
In recent years, although it wasn't explicitly stated, it was clear that no prodigies had emerged from the clan to lead them to greater heights. This worried both the clan head and the elders.
However, one person was different.
At night, under a sky filled with stars and a crescent moon casting a soft light over the land, a delicate white-haired boy sat in a soft chair in the clan's luxurious rear garden, quietly murmuring as he put down a book on Pokémon.
"There's still no mention of Lance… but that should happen soon."
His name was Lucas Blackthorn. He was a transmigrator who had come to this world eight years ago.
But something was off. The timeline of this world was different from the one he remembered.
Currently, the Kanto Elite Four only had Agatha as a familiar name. The others were completely unfamiliar.
Especially that Dragon Master—Lance Blackthorn —he had yet to stand atop the Indigo League!
"If Lorelei is already around, then there's no reason Lance shouldn't exist… but he's definitely not listed in the Blackthorn Clan records…"
"Which means... he was likely born in Viridian Forest and will challenge the League in the next few years."
Lucas's clear red eyes gleamed with thought. He was a direct descendant of the Blackthorn Clan, but he couldn't find any record of the familiar name "Lance" in their family tree.
Yes—the very same Lance from the anime, the red-haired Dragon Master who ruled Indigo!
If he wasn't born in the clan, then it was likely Lance was born in Viridian Forest!
"Still ten more years, huh? Damn it, why is this so different from the TV timeline?"
Though he grumbled, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips—one that didn't match his young appearance.
What did it mean to be born in Viridian Forest?
Every decade or so, a special child would be born in Viridian Forest and blessed by its power.
This mysterious force allowed humans to communicate with Pokémon, heal their wounds, and even earn the favor of wild Pokémon.
The Power of Viridian!
Yes, that's what it was. Lance was the most recent child blessed with that power.
Before him, it was Giovanni—also favored by the forest.
This came from the Pokémon Adventures manga storyline. The third chosen one would be Yellow, one of the original quartet Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow, though she should still be a young child now.
"If this really is the Adventures timeline... this is going to be fun."
Lucas flexed his fingers, a glimmer dancing in his red eyes.
Compared to the kid-friendly TV show, the manga was far more brutal and real. And in it, Lance...
He was nothing like the mature, justice-driven Dragon Master from the games or anime.
"Anyway, I should focus on raising my Pokémon. I've got to get stronger and live up to this second chance."
Putting the book aside, Lucas lay back in his chair and looked up at the beautiful night sky, smiling.
He cherished this rare second life and had never wasted a single day.
As a direct heir of the Blackthorn Clan and exceptionally intelligent from a young age, he was valued highly by his family.
Most of the elders in the clan saw him as the future hope of the Blackthorn bloodline.
They even agreed to give him a powerful and gifted dragon-type Pokémon, despite his young age!
"It's about time to rest. Tomorrow I'll draft a training plan for the little guy… wait, what?"
Just as he stood up to return to his room...
"Hoo~!"
A high-pitched cry echoed in his ears, followed by a blast of fierce wind.
"???"
Lucas froze. Before he could react, a giant claw suddenly seized him, and the sudden motion left his young mind spinning.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
When he came to, his red eyes glanced around. All he saw was endless night sky, and his face went stiff.
He was being carried away by a massive bird Pokémon…
But more importantly—
The feathers shimmered with a rainbow glow, and the heat radiating from its body was unmistakable.
The Pokémon carrying him was none other than one of the fire-type sovereigns of Kanto legend:
Ho-Oh!
What the hell did I do to deserve being kidnapped by Ho-Oh!?
"This doesn't make any sense..."
Gripped tightly in Ho-Oh's claws, Lucas helplessly looked down at the nighttime scenery.
He had hoped to talk with the Legendary Pokémon, but after two attempts to greet it, Ho-Oh completely ignored him.
Realizing it was pointless, he gave up.
Though Ho-Oh was flying fast, Lucas didn't feel any discomfort—perhaps a sign the Legendary was protecting him.
"Where is Ho-Oh taking me?"
Time passed quickly. He soon noticed that Ho-Oh had slowed down and was descending.
Frowning, Lucas looked down. He didn't recognize the location, but he could tell it wasn't far from Blackthorn City.
After all, Ho-Oh had only been flying for less than half an hour.
That meant they were still in the Johto region.
"There are… other kids down there? They were kidnapped too."
From this height, he could make out the figures of several children on the ground—probably around seven or eight years old.
Some were crying quietly, others looked around in a daze.
Ho-Oh slowly landed, released Lucas, then flapped its wings and flew off—without even glancing at the children below.
"What the heck is this? Why would Ho-Oh kidnap kids? It's supposed to be a kind-hearted Pokémon…"
Scanning the boys and girls around him—his fellow "prisoners"—Lucas couldn't figure it out, but he had a rough idea.
In the Pokémon world, Legendary Pokémon were without a doubt the beings at the top of the power pyramid—what people in his past life called "mythical beasts."
Even in this world, these Legendary Pokémon—whose lifeforms were nearly at the peak of existence—were revered as gods.
Their personalities varied, of course. Some were extremely hard to deal with, like Yveltal or Kyurem.
But most of them either slumbered in remote places or simply ignored humanity.
Some were even friendly toward humans.
Among Kanto's famous legends were Mew, Ho-Oh, and Lugia.
Though Ho-Oh had once been deeply disappointed in humans centuries ago—so much so that it abandoned the Bell Tower in Ecruteak City—it still held hope for humanity.
The roaming Legendary Beasts that Ho-Oh created and sent out into the world were proof of this.
Their goal was to find children with pure hearts to become the next Rainbow Hero.
Ho-Oh might hate evil-hearted people, but it would never harm the innocent—much less kidnap them.
Which made this situation extremely puzzling for Lucas.
"Luu~"
Just then, a deep cry echoed in the night.
Lucas looked up, and his red eyes rippled with emotion.
Descending from the skies was another massive Pokémon—this one elegant and white, its beauty breathtaking even under the dark sky.
It was the one called by devout humans: Lugia, the Guardian of the Seas!
Lugia descended and gently used psychic power to place another child on the ground…
Wait… Lugia's a kidnapper too!?
Lucas's eyelid twitched.
Now he was starting to piece things together.
To these other children—so young and mentally unprepared—being suddenly kidnapped like this must be terrifying.
Especially since the one behind it all was a masked man wearing an expressionless, ice-sculpted mask who radiated an oppressive chill.
Yes—someone who could command two of Indigo's most powerful Legendaries to abduct children was finally revealing himself.
"It really is that old monster…"
Lucas sighed.
He might have been confused when Ho-Oh took him, but the moment Lugia showed up, he was sure.
Ho-Oh and Lugia were apex Legendaries. Their strength was terrifying.
To subdue both and force them to kidnap innocent children?
Only one person fit the bill.
The terrifying boss of the Pokémon Adventures manga—Masked Man, Pryce!
In the original storyline, he captured both Lugia and Ho-Oh and used them to find gifted children for his master plan.
Among the kidnapped children were Green, Silver, Karen, and Will!
"But this incident would also become his greatest mistake… something he never expected."
Lucas's eyes flickered with thought as he stared at Pryce, cloaked in gray robes.
Capturing Lugia and Ho-Oh was his peak achievement, but in the end, both Legendaries betrayed him.
Why?
In Lucas's mind, both Ho-Oh and Lugia were kindhearted Legendary's.
Forcing them to abduct innocent children and ruin families—such acts must have caused deep resentment.
They may have acknowledged Pryce's strength, but his twisted personality clearly failed to meet their expectations.
So eventually, the two chose to betray him.
In the Pokémon world, the relationship between human and Pokémon isn't one-sided.
Pokémon choose their partners too.
And especially for Legendaries—with intelligence equal to humans—it's even more true.
Even if subdued through force, if they find the trainer unworthy, they will leave.
(End of Chapter)