#blessedtamer

Moros & Clair / @doomedgod & @blessedtamer

Giovanni & Clair / @stealexploitprofit & @blessedtamer​

@blessedtamer

“Your journey as Champion may have been completed, but your journey as a Dragon Master has only just begun.”

Iris lingered where Drayden had left her, amidst the dirt and rubble of a battlefield well-abused. She supposed, to some extent, she was glad that none of the gym’s trainers had been there to see her fight; in no way was she ashamed of how she battled, or her reputation with the region now that she held the title of Champion. The only thing she was glad to put behind her now was her attitude during battle. It was, after all, what ultimately brought her to lose against her mentor.

It’s easy to let it go to your head a little bit.

Ever since she took Alder’s place, Iris had found a new sense of pride. She’d certainly earned her chance to bask in the spotlight, to be praised and rewarded for all of her incredibly hard work. Iris could still remember how she felt when Drayden first congratulated her victory, and used that to help fuel her passion. All she’s ever wanted, really, was to make him proud of her.

The way she’d acted in battle with him, however, was honestly a little shameful. So built up on the idea that she could win any battle, outsmart any strategy - even ones her mentor had taught to her. She put a lot of faith in her team, but that wasn’t enough alone to account for Drayden’s knowledge of dragons, knowledge of their playing field, and experience. Iris’ dragons didn’t stand a chance. Her esteem came crashing down along with her team.

Drayden hadn’t said very much to her before leaving, allowing her to contemplating her overwhelming loss. She felt she let Drayden down, and let her Pokemon down too. But, if there was one thing Iris was an absolute professional at, it was picking herself back up - not letting the toughest of situations get the best of her. Finding a lesson in every encounter, and remaining eager to learn something new.

Iris picked herself up, dusted a little bit of dirt off of her clothes, and retreated to the Gym’s exit.

Memories swirled in her thoughts, bringing her back to her first days in Unova; wide eyed, clutching her Axew, eager to learn. Iris had undoubtedly learned a lot since Drayden first took her under his wing, but she’d learned only moments ago that there was still so much that he’d kept from her. With half of her team exhausted, Iris singled out her Salamence and took to the skies. The pair flew from Opelucid City to where she liked to think everything started for her; the first place she experienced what it felt like to truly strengthen the bond between her and her dragons - to Dragonspiral Tower.

The ancient, crumbling pillar remained home to some of the dragons of Unova, though these days it seemed to attract trainers of all sorts as well. Iris and Drayden would be found training their dragons here, on the days when his lessons were more about educating her, and less about putting her in her place. 

@blessedtamer

Moros held on to the handle with a white-knuckled grip, staring directly out the window at the intense blackness speeding by. 

Fastest way through the city or no, Moros wholeheartedly regretted his decision to ride the train through Castelia. He hadn’t anticipated how many people would be on at the same time, or how close to them he’d have to be. He’d only wanted to get from the desert back to Icirrus as quickly as possible while giving his Pokémon a break. Somber had already flown him all the way there; trying to get him to fly back on the same day would be asking for trouble. And without the combined powers of his brothers, it wasn’t like he could just teleport there either.

So, Moros was stuck trying his best not to overreact to the crowds around him. He’d had his hair tied back earlier, but while it did make him look more ‘normal’ it also made him feel even more exposed. It was down now, looking rumpled from the way he’d hastily pulled out the hair tie and smoothed it down without being able to see it more clearly than in the windows’ reflection. It helped a little, not having to see all the people surrounding him in the crowded subway car.

As the train pulled away from the previous stop the crowd shifted around, adjusting to the presence of new passengers. Someone knocked into his shoulder as they passed by, and Moros flinched away from the contact.

Moros didn’t get mail. He didn’t have bills, he didn’t have a magazine or a newspaper subscription, and most importantly he didn’t have friends. So when a Pidgeot descended in front of him carrying two bulky packages, he wasn’t sure what to expect.

He brought the two inside and unwrapped the smaller one first, opening the box to find a very soft Goodra plush, adorned with a blue ribbon. The note inside said, “To the future of dragons. Clair.” It was cute, he supposed, but the message hardly made sense and he didn’t know any Clair.

He looked down at his Absol, who was staring curiously up at the toy. Glancing at it, Moros shrugged and tossed it to the canine Pokémon, who caught it in midair and began to shake it back and forth in play.

I know you’ve been considering this for a long time, and I think that this is the right choice for you.  With how much stuff is going on all the time in your life, I think it’s wise for you to step back and refocus your efforts on all the things happening!  Thank you so much for playing Clair for all the time that you did.  Your Clair has been an iconic staple of our group for so long, and we’re grateful to have had her with us.  We know that this won’t be goodbye forever!  Not with someone as determined as you and your muse.  Good luck in all of your real life ventures, and we’ll see our dragon taming girl back some day!

Desperate times called for desperate measures.  Holly, garland, and tinsel in hand, DJ Mary nodded solemnly.  There was only one thing to be done.  She stole a glance at Meowzie—Meowzie, who wore the most darling red bow around her neck, meowed, and hopped up on her chair, where she proceeded to curl up and fall asleep.  Yes, it seemed everyone felt that holiday spirit.

She checked her Pokétch.  Time to get going.  Pushing up the sleeves of her sweater, and securing her glasses on her nose, Mary set to work decorating her office, studio, Ben’s office, and the foyer of the Tower in record time.  Red and greens and blues and whites and lights and sparkles and snow and stars and so, so much more!  Nobody had ever seen such a festive wonderland.

I wonder if I went a little overboard, she thought, heading back to her office.  She giggled, knowing Ben at least would find it hilarious.  No, there was no such thing as celebrating too much.

DRAGON TAMER DRAZE, CLAIR, and BRENDAN—Congratulations!  Your names were the first to be drawn in the raffle.  You may now pick one (1) shiny Pokemon as your very own, so long as it is a Ice-, Rock-, or Steel-type. There is no need to wait for the other winners to make their pick; everyone can choose whichever type they desire, regardless of what other types were chosen.