Kingdra's Den

Marin covered her face with her hands as Clair seemed to seal her fate with one final judgment, despite the blonde’s groveling for mercy. The Aqua Grunt waited for the jaws of the dragon tamer’s Gyarados to snap her up for a snack, reflecting on her very existence as it almost flashed before her eyes. I’ve lived a good life, she ruminated sadly from her bowed position. But there were so many fun missions to still go on, so many friends to still make, so much great Johto food to still ea-

"I suppose I could spare you the pain and give you a few pointers.”

Did she think this girl would be that person? Of course not. Not only did it just seem like she had no Dragons in her possession, but Clair couldn't exactly peg her as one to possibly have them at all.

Hearing him laugh was a good sign as it meant that being far away from home for so long hadn't done too much to change him. Her eyes observing him for only a few seconds before she was pulled into a hug, she could tell that he was doing well. Nothing had truly changed about her cousin save for maybe an inch on his hair but he could do to grow a little more hair. After all, it was a bit too short for Clair.

What meant to be a perfectly relaxing day quickly turned awry for the orange-haired female. She lost her hairband in the river today, she couldn’t catch anything within Lake of Rage’s vicinity, and at some point, the rampaging Gyrados decided to enjoy their day spent bullying Misty. While this wouldn’t normally have been an issue, she was already annoyed by people constantly pestering her for battles, for signatures as she is a world-known face due to her water shows, and for who knows what else. Some people can be such a pest.

All she wanted was a little relaxation, and she couldn’t even get that. No, instead she had to battle that Gyrados to vent out a little frustration - and had about ten more in its place. Of course, that would be just her luck. So after a quick decision on her part, she decided to take the best action: run for her life.

"— Hey! You better move it if you wanna live!"

Clair watched in awe as the girl barreled past her at a speed Clair thought impossible by a Lapras. Something had been shouted at the Dragon Tamer although the voice had come and gone too fast for her to truly make out what was said. 

Finding it in her heart to have the slightest bit of mercy, Clair released her own Gyrados into the waters and commanded him to roar at the group. It seemed to be enough to distract the other Gyrados as they turned to look in Clair's direction long enough for her to give one more command.

"Kingdra! Get a smokescreen on all of them!" As Kingdra shot the ink into the Gyrados' eyes, they began shaking their headsx vigorously trying to get the liquid out of their eyes. Few dove into the water and seemed to be retreating other other were persistent in trying to rid themselves of the temporary blindness. 

"Are you with those two who just ran off?"

He could barely make out who had said it due to the lack of light, so he just answered to the dark figure that stood beside their Pokemon. "No." Came his reply, shining the flashlight on them… Was that…? Johto’s Dragon-type Leader, Clair! Why was she here, though? Sinnoh was rather far from where the Leader’s Gym sat…

"Yep! That's me!" It was a sort of boastful pride that she took in having a famous name that even people so far from home knew who she was.  A name that would be remember in history books and wrote down in important records for years... That's what Clair strives for aside from being a powerful Dragon Tamer. "Sorry if Dragonite scared you, I thought you might've been another one of those guys."

Her hand moved to her hip as she leaned heavily onto her right leg with fixed her ponytail neatly between her shoulder blades. "I was just paying the Champion Cynthia a visit. I don't have a Garchomp of my own so getting to see her's is something I look forward to." 

Sure, that was the reason that brought her here but as to why she remained? "And well... The gym's gotten a bit dull lately. Not too many trainers have been able to beat me so I've seen quite a few dejected kids get sent away. As much as I love being a strong trainer, I never really like crushing their dreams because some don't even try again."

But a gym wasn't a place where her job was to make people's dreams come true- she knew that. For her to win it would mean that another would fail. Telling herself that she was saving them the disappointment at the Elite Four... Well that was how she coped with it.

"I’ve got a few other Pokemon for you to meet if you can get us somewhere a bit more open and less prone to…. Destruction." 

Penn had just the place in mind.

"Okay, follow me! I know a place that’s perfect."

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Her heart sunk to the pit of her stomach as she was brought before the sewer system of Castelia. It was painfully obvious that Dragonair was in now way going through the sewers. Instead she nudged the Pokeball at her hip and soon disappeared into the device and leaving the goggles behind. Clair retrieved them and handed them back to Penn. She followed the young boy with her cape pulled up far from the ground and took as few steps as possible with a wide stride.

"Unless there’s an emergency, please keep this a secret," Lance informed his personal secretary. When she looked a bit unsure, the man didn’t hesitate to turn on his charm. Flashing her a winning smile — that thankfully didn’t look as awkward as it felt — he repeated his request, albeit in a more casual and… personal tone. This time, she readily complied, her cheeks ablaze and her gaze skittish. After a quick thanks, he swiftly left his office and headed towards one of the open balconies. He made extra sure to avoid the more accessible routes which ensured that few people were aware of his presence.

No- that wasn't allowed. What if Lance came by while she was asleep and she wouldn't be able to get to him before everyone else? So peeling her eyelids open she looked up at the sky of scattered white clouds with a heavy sigh. Clair talked herself through the possible explanations for as to why he would be late. Perhaps something held him up like a final challenger or some sort of disagreement with another person.

Just as Clair was getting truly bored, a light orange blotch slowly faded into view and as it grew closer, she could see what it really was. That was Lance's Dragonite! Springing to her feet Clair watched as he hovered over Blackthorn before steering towards the forest not far to the West.

Clair scooped Dragonair into her arms and slid off the roof of her house before making a run for the city's exit. Her Pokemon slid itself as a scarf of some sort around Clair's neck with their heads against one another's. While there were a few who seemed about ready to stop her, Clair made sure she steered clear of them and made a beeline straight for the route outside of town.

"Ms. Clair...? C'mon, you can just call me Clair! I wouldn't mind teaching you how to tame Dragons." Dragonair pushed her head up against Penn's hand as he stroked her temple. Damn, that free-loader was just soaking up all of this attention. The thrill of being with the Dragonair had faded over the years so meeting new people who were willing to pet her was the greatest thing to the elegant Pokemon.

Twirling her chain of Pokeballs around her fingers Clair turned towards the rest of the city to be overwhelmed by such tall buildings. This was nothing like Blackthorn City back home. Even the Elite Four wasn't nearly as big as Castelia. She wondered how the community could possibly be strong at all if there was such a long distance between boundaries.

"I've got a few other Pokemon for you to meet if you can get us somewhere a bit more open and less prone to.... Destruction." The last word sustained in her voice for a few moments as if she was trying to understand what she meant. Yet she knew exactly what she was alluding to...  Wherever her Pokemon went they left a- rather literal- blazing trail.

Marin’s spirits sagged as the mammoth Pokemon remained steadfast in front of the rocky exit, blowing her damp, blond locks back with a heated snarl. Piplup tried to burrow deep into his trainer’s arms in response, and the grunt immediately turned to see her accuser’s toned figure jumping ridiculous distances across the rocks to reach the water’s edge. Up close, Marin felt terrified awe course through her as she tried to hold the woman’s glare, noting that she was a lot taller up close.

"Tell me why you’re here- why you’re really here and maybe I’ll reconsider my options in dealing with you.”

"Dealing with m-me…?" Marin squeaked in fright as the dragon tamer harshly issued her command from a craggy rock. The Aqua Grunt knew that telling more lies would only get her in deeper trouble…perhaps it was best to tell this woman the truth? Marin could already feel Clair’s intense gaze boring into her, ready to cut down any detected fib.

An eyebrow raised in curiosity- now this was interesting. Even the most dedicated dragon tamers didn't dare come to the Dragon's Den. She was either quite serious about dragon tamer of a disrespectful fool. Regardless, Clair couldn't shake the feeling that this was all some sham to get herself out of trouble. Times like these she had to wonder what someone else in her position would do.

Dragonair was almost sort of fun to play with. The way it pressed its nose against his face almost tickled. It pressed itself against Penn’s goggles, moving them further and further up his head. Pretty soon, they would slip off and land on the Dragonair’s own face. Admittedly, it was nice playing with an active Pokemon, for once.

"Well, training a dragon is different from taming one..." Clair began as she gave a hushed laughed. Being so close to Noivern's head, she didn't want to disturb him with loud noises right by his sensitive ears.

"Gyarados! Use Roar underwater, now!" 

Marin winced as the woman on the rock yelled out a booming command, confirming that the grunt had completely blown her own cover by falling into the lake. As the serpent’s call reverberated under the water, Marin quickly grabbed hold of her petrified Piplup and stared in awe as sizable waves suddenly crashed across the Den. However, her natural affinity for the water allowed Marin to keep herself from sinking under the surf as her deceptively strong legs propelled her towards the shore.

Pulling herself up on a rocky ledge with a groan, the soaking Marin rubbed water out of her eyes and gasped as the towering figure of Gyarados entered her vision. Taking one terrified look at the scaly, fearsome serpent, Piplup tried to dive back into the roiling waters, but Marin grabbed him by the flipper before he could do so, her own shoulders shaking with fear. With this huge dragon blocking the entrance, it was clear that the intruders were not going to leave until the woman said so. 

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It was good enough of a story for the average person who couldn't care less about the sanctity of the Dragon's Den. However, Clair wasn't believing the story for a second and she was even slightly offended by it. Did this young woman think she was some idiot? There was no way she would be taking such an insult from this trespasser.