"What happened?"
Ashen Vale asked curiously, puzzled at how one phone call had made Dax Jonas's expression shift so drastically.
Dax clutched his head in frustration and squatted down.
"The Secret Realm… it lit up…"
Ashen rolled his eyes. "Then go. Isn't that your job?"
"But, but I just got to Vantora! I haven't even had a chance to rest yet! My pants are still wet, too!"
Dax lifted one leg to prove his point.
Ashen immediately understood. The problem wasn't fatigue—it was that Dax, a dignified Champion, didn't want to appear before the public with wet pant legs, which would hardly look befitting of his status.
With a glare, Ashen pulled out his phone, called one of the shop attendants, and had them buy a new pair of pants.
Meanwhile, Auron Vale could barely contain his excitement. The Secret Realm was finally going to open.
He quickly pulled out his phone and called Jace Rowan. "Hey, Jace—the Secret Realm lit up! Did you manage to borrow Polteageist and Noivern? Get ready to move. Let's meet at the outskirts of the Secret Realm!"
Before Jace could even respond, Auron hung up.
On Jace's side, the news set his blood rushing.
"Dad! Quick, lend me the Pokémon! I've got to go!"
Sure enough, Jace was with his father.
His dad sighed helplessly and placed two Ultra Balls on the table.
"Here. Take them."
Jace snatched them up happily and dashed for the door.
"Thanks, Dad!"
His father smiled faintly.
"You little brat. Thanking me like I'm a stranger."
Back at the breeding house, Ashen handed the freshly bought pants to Dax with obvious distaste.
"Put them on and get moving. Once the Secret Realm starts glowing, it can open at any moment. If it does and you're not there, the League will tear you apart."
"Relax."
Dax grabbed the pants and was about to change right there. Ashen immediately kicked him.
"Change in the bushes! What are you, some kind of pervert?"
"O-okay!"
A short while later, Dax emerged from the undergrowth in the new pants.
"Well? How do I look?"
"Fine, fine. Now hurry up."
Ashen, long accustomed to his friend's occasional irresponsibility, urged him on impatiently.
"Alright! Auron, want to come with me? I'll give you a ride."
"Sure. Thanks, Uncle."
Auron smiled obediently. Who would turn down a free ride?
Dax pulled out a Poké Ball and tossed it into the air.
"Come out, Corviknight!"
A magnificent Corviknight materialized in the clearing, its steel feathers gleaming under the light.
Pokémon: Corviknight
Gender: Male
Type: Flying, Steel
Ability: Mirror Armor (reflects any stat-lowering effect from moves or abilities back to the user)
Potential: Purple
Base Moves: Steel Wing, Leer, Iron Defense, Swagger, Metal Claw, Hone Claws, Peck, Fury Attack, Taunt, Swagger, Brave Bird, Body Slam, Flash Cannon, Heavy Slam, Nasty Plot, Hurricane, Work Up, Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, Pursuit, Air Slash…
Egg Moves: Defog, Tailwind, Roost
Dax swung himself onto Corviknight's back and patted the spot behind him, gesturing for Auron to climb up.
But Auron looked a little embarrassed.
"Uh, Uncle Dax… my Golbat and Munchlax are still over there. Let me call them first."
He summoned Gengar from his shadow and said, "Gengar, go call them for me, thanks!"
Gengar flashed a mischievous "OK" sign with his stubby fingers, then slipped into the trees' shadows and vanished toward the clearing.
"Oh, right. Here's Lucario's Poké Ball. Take it with you. Lucario will enter the Secret Realm alongside you to keep you safe."
Auron felt a swell of gratitude.
"Thanks, Dad."
He took the Poké Ball, held it up, and said softly, "Lucario, I'm counting on you."
"Cha!"
Lucario placed his hand on the Poké Ball's button and willingly recalled himself.
By the time Auron had put the ball away, Golbat and Munchlax had arrived. Golbat drifted lazily above Munchlax's head, while Munchlax huffed and puffed, trotting with determination toward his Trainer.
Seeing them, Dax chuckled and teased Ashen:
"Not bad. You've done well raising these two. You helped Auron with the training, didn't you?"
Ashen straightened with pride. "Not at all. Auron trained them himself. Though, I'll admit, Kommo-o and the others taught them a few moves."
Dax's expression grew more serious as he studied Auron.
So close to awakening Aura… his Pokémon training skills weren't bad either. The real question was his command ability. If that proved solid, then recommending him to the League would be worth it. Maybe then they'd stop pestering me so much.
He smirked at the thought and shot Auron a sly glance.
Feeling Dax's eyes on him, Auron quickly recalled Golbat and Munchlax, then tilted his head curiously.
"What is it?"
Dax shook himself back to focus. "Nothing. Hop on."
Auron climbed onto Corviknight's back, waved goodbye to his father, and then, at Dax's signal—
"Take off!"
—Corviknight spread its massive wings, and they soared into the sky.
High above the ground, Auron clung to Corviknight's back.
Since Dax wasn't in a rush, the bird's pace was steady, not hurried. That gave Dax plenty of time to chat.
"Auron, which one was your first Pokémon—Golbat or Munchlax?"
"Golbat."
"You picked it yourself?"
"Yeah."
"Hah! Just as I thought."
Dax laughed, while Auron blinked in confusion.
"What's so funny about that?"
"Nothing. Just tradition in your family, that's all. As far as I know, your grandfather caught his Electivire on his own. Your father chose his Kommo-o by himself. And now you, too. I even asked your dad before if he wanted me to prepare a starter for you. He said no. But after I kept pressing, he finally agreed to prepare one."
Auron frowned, trying to recall. "Dad prepared one for me? He never said anything…"
"Umbreon's kid."
Dax grinned at Auron's puzzled look and reminded him.
"Ohhh."
The memory clicked. He recalled the day his parents had brought home an Eevee that knew Baby-Doll Eyes. Only now did he realize—it had been meant for him. But back then, he had declined, thinking Zubat was enough.
Dax could tell Auron understood and went on:
"Your grandfather never gave your dad a starter either. But when your father got into Skyspire, he was rewarded with a Lucario Egg. I've seen your Pokémon. You've raised them well. Now, let's see how you perform on the entrance exams. From what I've heard, your grandfather's already prepared something for you, too."
Excitement lit up Auron's eyes. "Another Lucario?"
Dax smirked and teased, "Why don't you go ask your grandfather's Lucario in Skyspire if it can lay another one?"
Auron scratched his head awkwardly, embarrassed. But then a thought struck him, and he asked eagerly:
"Then maybe we should find a mate for Dad's Lucario? I really like Lucario."
Dax's expression grew odd. He lowered his voice.
"Actually, my Bisharp would be a good match. But you saw how they were earlier—meeting only to fight. You think you could play matchmaker for those two?"
The words had barely left his mouth when the Poké Ball on his belt began rattling violently.
He quickly patted it down. "Okay, okay! I won't say another word! My bad!"
Though Dax had spoken softly, Bisharp had still heard—and was not amused.
Meanwhile, Auron glanced at Lucario's Poké Ball. Odd. There wasn't any reaction from him at all.
(End of Chapter)