Johto region, Blackthorn City.
Blackthorn City is where the Dragon Master Family resides, so most trainers from here are skilled in using Dragon-type pokémon. Rare Dragon-type pokémon are relatively common in this city.
The Blackthorn Gym is a grand and imposing ancient building. On either side of the main entrance are two sculptures of unknown dragon species. Its style is completely different from those flashy Gyms, exuding a strong ancient charm.
Whoosh!
A teal figure streaked across the sky, with two people riding on it.
In the Gym courtyard, the white-haired old man Kabu had been waiting for a long time.
He is the assistant and referee of the Blackthorn Gym, having served three generations of Blackthorn Gym Leaders. He is also very knowledgeable about the history of Blackthorn City.
"Miss, is he the person the Dragon Elder wants to see? Huh? You two?"
When he saw Adrian embracing Clair's waist, Kabu was first stunned, then tears welled up in his eyes, saying, "Miss, have you finally come to your senses? That's wonderful!"
Kabu had watched Clair and Lance grow up since they were young, so he clearly understood their relationship.
"Hmm?"
Adrian's ears perked up, already smelling the scent of a big rumor.
Clair's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and she quickly changed the subject, saying, "Kabu, has Wille arrived yet?"
Kabu's expression became serious, knowing he had said too much, so he quickly replied respectfully, "Young Master Wille hasn't arrived yet, but I just contacted him by phone. Young Master Wille said he would be here soon!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than another whooshing sound came from the distant sky.
A pokémon, primarily orange with short, stout hind limbs and relatively small forelimbs, large wings on its back for flight, two horn-like protrusions on the back of its head, and a long, thick tail with flames burning at the tip, was rapidly flying towards them.
"Charizard!"
Adrian's eyes lit up.
He saw an old Charizard again!
And on the back of the Charizard, there was a handsome young man also wearing a cape.
Adrian's heart stirred, knowing this must be the 'Young Master Wille' Kabu mentioned.
From his attire and the way he was addressed, it was clear he was a member of the Dragon Master Family.
Not long after, the Charizard landed steadily in the Gym courtyard, tall and strong.
"Sister Clair, sorry to keep you waiting!"
Wille jumped off Charizard's back, eagerly saying, "Are we going to see the Dragon Elder now? I can't wait to enter the Dragon Sanctuary!"
"I just arrived too!"
Clair waved her hand, then pulled Adrian in front of her and introduced him, "This is Wille, my clan brother. You can just call him Wille. This is Adrian from the Kanto region. He will accompany you to the Dragon Temple to meet the Dragon Elder this time, and then train together in the Dragon Sanctuary."
"What? He's also going to train in the Dragon Sanctuary?"
Wille stared at Adrian, displeased, "I applied to the family for three years before being allowed to train in the Dragon Sanctuary. What right does an outsider like him have?"
Wille's hostility towards Adrian was overflowing.
The Dragon Sanctuary is a sacred place for Dragon-type pokémon, containing pure Dragon-type energy that greatly benefits the growth and training of Dragon-type pokémon. Every Dragon-type trainer yearns to go there.
Although the Dragon Sanctuary is currently managed by the Dragon Master Family, it is not their private property.
Therefore, even members of the Dragon Master Family are not all able to enter it for training and to obtain pokémon.
As far as Wille knew, among his peers, Lance and Clair had both trained in the Dragon Sanctuary, and they had now become powerful trainers capable of standing on their own.
Especially Lance, he is the Champion of both the Kanto and Johto regions, and even more so, the pride of the Dragon Master Family.
Wille had always looked up to his clan brother Lance as his goal, aspiring to become a Dragon-type pokémon master, and entering the Dragon Sanctuary for training was a crucial step he was taking.
But now, he felt his sacred plan was defiled.
What class is this brat in front of me, to be worthy of training in the Dragon Sanctuary with me?
Clair's expression darkened upon hearing this.
Because Adrian was invited by her!
"Why are you shouting so loud? Disagree? If you disagree, go complain to the Dragon Elder!"
However, before Clair could react, Adrian had already retorted, sarcastically saying, "To tell you the truth, I was invited. Unlike some people who begged their grandparents for three years just to get this opportunity."
Wille instantly flared up, angrily saying, "You bastard, what did you say?"
Saying that, he was about to go and grab Adrian, but Clair pushed him away.
Besides being pokémon trainers specializing in Dragon-types, Lance and Clair are also extremely skilled in hand-to-hand combat.
As shown in the anime when Clair was chasing Team Rockets, her ability to continuously and rapidly jump through tree branches in the forest without being left behind by the hot air balloon, even if placed in Naruto, would at least be a Genin.
So, although Wille was male, he was completely defenseless in front of Clair and was directly pushed into a stumble.
"Wille, have you made enough noise?!"
Clair's face was grim as she coldly questioned, "Adrian is a friend I invited. If you have a problem with him, does that mean you have a problem with me?"
"Ah???"
Wille's body stiffened, and his anger instantly vanished without a trace.
Although Clair was his peer, she was the Gym Leader of Blackthorn City, and their positions in the family were worlds apart.
Of course, their strengths were also vastly different.
And his guiding teacher for this trip to the Dragon Sanctuary was none other than Clair.
If he offended Clair to death, his trip to the Dragon Sanctuary would probably be ruined.
Clair's face showed an apologetic expression: "This clan brother of mine is a bit unruly and sometimes speaks without thinking. I apologize on his behalf!"
Seeing Clair's gentle words to Adrian, and then comparing them to her rough and forceful push when she pushed him away just now, Wille felt a little uncomfortable.
Sister Clair, I'm your brother, aren't I?
"It's nothing!"
Adrian waved his hand indifferently, which made Wille grit his teeth even more.
Even though the boy in front of him was younger than himself, he acted like an adult, which annoyed Wille greatly.
But with Clair keeping him in check, he didn't dare to cause trouble and could only make up his mind.
When he had the chance, he would definitely have a pokémon 'spar' with Adrian and thoroughly crush him to vent his anger.
"Since everyone is here, let's enter the Dragon's Den to meet the Dragon Elder!"
The small interlude came to an end. Clair led everyone to a dark cave and released her Gyarados to ride on.
Inside the cave, a trickling stream flowed continuously, with the sound of rushing water.
"Come out, Gyarados!"
Adrian and Wille, seeing this, also released their respective Gyarados.
However, Adrian's Gyarados was too large. Compared to it, let alone Wille's Gyarados, even Clair's Gyarados seemed small and cute.
"Your Gyarados is so big?"
Clair's mouth was slightly open, a little surprised.
He had seen the video of Gyarados challenging the Celadon Gym and knew that Adrian's Gyarados was on the larger side, but the real-life sensation was clearly much stronger than in the video.
"What's the use of being big? pokémon battles mainly depend on moves and the trainer's command..."
Wille muttered sourly under his breath.
As a disciple of the Dragon Master Family, Wille's eyesight was also very sharp. He could tell that Adrian's Gyarados had probably just evolved not long ago.
So, if it came to a battle, he was confident he could easily defeat the opponent.
After all, Magikarp can only learn a few moves, and how many moves can a freshly evolved Gyarados know?
"Stop talking nonsense, let's go in now."
Clair shook her head and said loudly, "Follow me closely!"