(XXXI) The Elder

"That medallion looks extremely similar. Do you mind if I show it to my Great Grandfather? He might know something about it." Lance said resting his arms against the warm stones as he relaxed in the water.

"Sure!" Isaac said, holding it out to Lance. As he reached to grab it, Isaac pulled it away turning his wrist, "I'll be getting it back... Right?"

"Of course! We aren't thieves!" Lance said in a huff as he reached forward, snatched it out of Isaac's hand, and placed it on the floor outside the hot springs.

Isaac rolled his eyes and leaned back, relaxing in the heat of the water.

The next couple of days passed by in a flash. Lance had borrowed some Horsea, Dratini, Bagon, Gible, Axew, Deino, Goomy, Noibat, and Jangmo-o from the Dragon Holy Lands and used them to help Isaac train his team against a variety of attacks.

He had been unable to complete a few Daily Quests during this time, as in the last 10 days, he had failed to complete catching any Pokémon and forfeited those rewards but his stats had made another jump.

『Name: Isaac Firenze』

『Age: 19』

『Profession: Cobalt Trainer』

『PokéDex: 4』

『Perception: 23』

『Intelligence: 24』

『Strength: 19』

『Speed: 17』

『Stamina: 22』

『Insight: 24』

As if the system had understood the grueling experiences he would be experiencing, nearly every daily quest increased his Strength, Speed, or Stamina, though he rarely was able to increase his Perception, his Intelligence and Insight had been stuck at 24 for a few days.

When he awoke on Wednesday, he excitedly saw his Daily Quests but was immediately disheartened.

『Daily Quests: 5/5』

『DQ1: Plank for 60 minutes [0/60] - Reward: +1 Stamina』

『DQ2: Complete 300 push-ups [0/300] - Reward: +1 Strength』

『DQ3: Catch 1 Pokémon [0/1] - Reward +1 Insight』

『DQ4: Beat 10 Pokémon [0/10] - Reward: +1 Perception』

『DQ5: Run 16 KM [0/16] - Reward: +1 Speed』

"It finally happened but of course, it's to catch a Pokémon... Great! I wonder if I can ask Lance to go to the Dragon's Den and see if I can't catch something..." Isaac said to himself.

His body had drastically changed in the last week. His body had gained noticeable mass and filled out his frame. He couldn't help but admire his athletic body as he got dressed and exited the small simple oriental-styled room, sliding the door closed behind him.

He had started descending the stairs when a loud voice stopped him near the top of the stairs.

"Isaac!" Lance shouted as he waved his hand, flagging him over, "We're not going down there today! My Great Grandpa wants to meet you and talk about the coin. We're going to the Dragon's Den today!"

"Oh! Perfect timing! I wanted to ask if I could catch a Pokémon. I really want to add a strong Dragon to my team!" Isaac smiled.

"No, you won't be able to catch anything in the Dragon's Den, Isaac..." Lance shook his head and slammed his hand against the wall blocking Isaac's path.

"We earn our partner's respect in that cave. We don't capture them. They are free beings just as much as we are. I know you care for your Pokémon but please keep this in mind." Lance said as he jabbed his index finger against Isaac's chest.

"Okay! Okay! Heart of the Cards! I'm sorry!" Isaac said putting his hands up as Lance poked his palm a couple of times before both boys burst into a fit of laughter.

"You're so stupid, what does that even mean?" Lance laughed and shook his head as they began walking down the hallway.

"Don't worry about catching anything though, if it's anything like my first trip into the Dragon Holy Lands, you'll most likely find a partner." Lance said as the two exited the dormitory near the Gym and crossed the bridge to the entrance of the Dragon's Den.

"From here, stay close by, and don't stray away from me." Lance warned him as he went toward the wall of the cave and reached behind a boulder grabbing an unlit torch and lighting it on the brazier and handed it to Isaac before repeating the process for his own torch.

The cave was cold as air rushed through the tunnel. Barely into the passage, the sunlight had completely disappeared and vision was reduced to the radius of the torches.

Just outside their sight, the sound of Pokémon scurrying around them was constantly heard, Lance turned his head, "You're an outsider so they're interested in you but because you're with me, they're staying out of the way. You might not have even made it this far before you were gobbled up"

He began laughing loudly and grabbed his stomach with one hand as Isaac stared at him dumfounded at the terrible joke, "Not cool bro..." Isaac said, shaking his head.

"Pssshhhhaaaa! Lighten up, I've been around all of these Dragon Pokémon since I was at least six! You're fine!" Lance laughed as they reached a large body of water obstructing their path, "We're going to need to ride our way the rest of the way."

He threw his pokéball as Gyarados appeared in the water and thrashed about happily splashing water everywhere before approaching the water's edge. He turned around and shouted, "Dragonair!! I know you're there! Come on out!!"

From below the surface of the water, Dragonair's stylized wing-like ears emerged followed by the rest of her long, blue serpentine body appearing close to Gyarados.

"I'll ride Gyarados, you take Dragonair." Lance said jumping on the back of the large serpent-like dragon as Isaac hopped onto Dragonair's soft back.

They traversed through the waterways before a small orb of light appeared before them. As they approached the light began to grow brighter and larger before they emerged from the other edge of the Dragon's Den as they passed into a massive cavern with a small hole at the top that flooded the entire area with bright light.

Countless Dragon Pokémon flew around through the air and around the surrounding waters. They approached a nearby wooden dock and disembarked as Lance returned Gyarados to his pokéball and waved goodbye to Dragonair.

They approached a large eastern-styled manor and Lance led him through the large double doors. Large wooden pillars went parallel down the center of the massive entrance hall. The metal bands were forged in the likeness of Dragonair as they wrapped around the pillars.

Ornate braziers lined the large carpet where a large stone shrine of Dragonite sat. An elderly bald man sat cross-legged in a loose-fitting yukata as he stroked his long white beard.

Lance confidently strode through the entrance and up the stairs as he approached the Dragon Clan Elder and knelt in front of him. Isaac followed his lead, doing the same.

"Rise, children..." The Dragon Tamer Clan Elder said as he continued to stroke his beard, his bush eyebrows nearly hiding his eyes.

"Good morning Elder, I have brought Isaac Firenze as requested." Lance said as he stood up and smiled at his great-grandfather.

"Thank you, you may leave us now." The Elder said, waving his hand and dismissing his great-grandson.

"Thank you!" Lance said as he bowed once more and spun around in frustration storming out of the massive hall.

"I am honored to meet you, esteemed Elder!" Isaac said and stood staring into the Elder's eyes.

"Oh-ho? Is that so? I am curious about this medallion, could you tell me about it?" The Elder said producing it from beneath his clothing and revealing a matching one that was fastened to a necklace he wore.

"Actually, sir... I was hoping you could do the same thing for me! I haven't the faintest idea about what this is or why I have it. If you have any explanation for what it is and how I have it, that would be great!" Isaac countered as he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

"I see..." The Elder muttered as he stared at the coin despondently while stroking his beard, "How did you get it, boy?"

"I didn't take it from anyone if that's what you're asking, it's just been there, I didn't ask for it, I don't know what it does, I just have it and I don't know why I have it!" Isaac shook his head.

"Come child, you must answer some questions before I say a thing! Come, I must test your convictions and see if you have the spirit!" The Elder said as he flipped the medallion through the air toward Isaac who caught it in both hands.

It had a loose golden chain attached to the Draconic Visage as Isaac looked up to the Elder who had reached into Dragonite's mouth and revealed a set of secret stairs below his seat.

"Put that on and come, boy!" The Elder said as he turned around, waving his hand to Isaac.

———

Daily Chapter 2 of 2!

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