Bright skies for the city of Opelucid, Time's Diving Line! It is a city in central northern of Unova. It is where dragons roam and explore, and of course, home to one of Unova's strongest gym leaders, Drayden.
On the banks of the city was a stall where Logan and his Pokemon rested. They happily drank their dragon tea together, brimming with joy after his victory against a gym leader, but not quite Drayden.
The gym leader who was defeated approached Logan and pulled his shirt. She was only short and tan in complexion. Her pupils were brown and her hair was indigo.
"You were lucky, you know?" said the gym leader.
"Oh, Iris. What brings you here?"
"Nothing. Just exploring the city with my Pokemon. If you battled Drayden, you would've lost. Luckily he's busy running errands in the Village of Dragons."
"Hmm, maybe I'll challenge him next time. For now, me and my Pokemon will be practicing for the Pokemon League!"
"Er… So you're a challenger too?"
���You're planning to challenge Alder?"
"Yes. I'm not an official gym leader, so I'm permitted to partake. If there's any, I want to become a champion!"
Logan showed a shirk. "You lost to me, I can do it again."
"Humph! Just you wait. I'll get strong soon enough. We're rivals now, okay?"
"That's a deal, Iris!"
They shook hands. Iris went on with her routine, but that was not the end of Logan's conversation. At the other side of the street, at the red bricked road next to the river, Dawn waved her hand. She skipped along the road until she reached Logan with her bubble tea.
"Ay, I heard you challenged the gym? So, did Drayden give you a tough time?"
"No. I was unable to battle him. I battled Iris though. She's er… Quite strong."
"Iris? Never heard of that name. Oh well, how many gym badges are left before you're an official league challenger?"
"Oh, a few more left." Logan was pumping, determination soared.
"Cool!" Dawn sat beside Logan, gazing at his eyes. "If I may, I'd like to watch."
Logan gulped. "That'd be nice. I mean, there's still three weeks."
"Three weeks? You better train if I were you. Or do you? You're quite the trainer already."
"T-t-thanks! We can battle if you want."
"Battle? Nah, I need to rest my Pokemon more often."
"If I may ask, what are you doing here in the Unova region?"
Dawn paused and stared at the sprouting plant near the sidewalk.
"Hmm… Can I trust you?"
"Well, of course."
"Even to Luna?"
Logan was a statue.
"I can't let Luna know about this."
"W-w-why?"
"Yes, she might be good and all, to me and you perspectively, but still, a Team Rocket is a Team Rocket."
"But probably she'll keep it a secret too."
"Wow, you've got a ton of trust for that woman. You think of her more than a friend don't you. Pride and Prejudice, know that book?"
"Yes, read the first chapter."
"He went against his own better judgement, and because of this, was rejected by a woman he loved. You're a trainer, you kick off grunts, not fight for them. If you do, you're going to end up like him."
"Explain yourself, then! We worked alongside Luna."
"Okay, fine, I'll give you that, you win. Anyway, just keep your guard up, like what I do."
"Fine. I won't tell her."
"Right. So ye know Ghetsis right?"
"Yes."
"Ye know my mom right?"
"Yes—Oh! I see where this is going. You're not serious are you?"
"That's the truth. My intentions may be personal, but still, what he did to my family, I cannot forgive. It's worse than what Luna does, so I am quite merciful to her than Ghetsis."
"He really did that? I never knew. So—"
"Not here. There's a private garden known as the Entralink. I think that's its name. Maybe we can go there. It's also a good picnic place if you still want to eat."
"Nice! Count me in."
Dawn giggled. ���I'll tell you more there. You might be able to help out. Oh, and if we're lucky, we can spot a rare bunny Pokemon there!"
"Then, what are we waiting for?"
I'll be able to finish the whole volume before this gruesome year ends!