Chapter 136: Return to the Dragon’s Homeland, A Conversation with Grandmother Dragon

"Double battle?"

"That’s right, a double battle."

"If it’s a battle, then of course I accept." Ash agreed immediately upon hearing the word "battle."

"That’s perfect. We are the world’s number one double-battle trainers."

"Exactly! How about it? Let’s battle together."

Cheng Cheng couldn't help but feel a headache watching these two children. They couldn't possibly be old enough to be trainers yet, and while he didn't know where they obtained their Pokémon, there was no way they were the "world’s number one."

Suddenly, Cheng Cheng realized he didn't want to waste any more time with them.

"Alakazam, I’ll leave it to you."

"Alakazam!"

Alakazam crossed its two spoons and used Hypnosis on the pair and their Pokémon. Moments later, they collapsed to the ground.

"Cheng Cheng, why did you do that? Weren't we going to have a battle?"

"It wasn't necessary. I defeated them by myself. If they can't even dodge Alakazam’s Hypnosis, they aren't worth the effort of a real battle. Let’s hurry; otherwise, we won't make it to the League Conference."

"Fine, then." Ash thought for a moment and agreed with Cheng Cheng.

The group bypassed the twins and continued toward the Village of Dragons. The road was filled with such tiresome people.

"Wow, look everyone! Once we cross this hill, we’ll be at the Village of Dragons." Iris looked into the distance, filled with excitement.

"Are we almost there?"

"Yes, Ash. We’re just about to reach the Village of Dragons."

"Let’s hurry!" With that, Muzi sprinted toward the village.

"Honestly, she’s just like a child."

"Muzi, I recall you being much the same when you returned last time, just like Iris."

"No, I wasn't! Don't go around saying things like that!"

"Hmph." Muzi left Cheng Cheng behind and headed toward the village.

Cheng Cheng shook his head and followed behind her. It wasn't long before they arrived at the Village of Dragons; for Cheng Cheng, this was his second visit.

"Look, we’ve arrived at the Village of Dragons."

"Wow, so this is the Village of Dragons? It looks amazing!"

"It really is. You can smell the scent of Dragons everywhere."

It was true; a village filled with Dragon-type Pokémon was truly something to behold.

"Iris!"

Just then, a girl ran over from a small nearby slope.

"It’s Shannon! Shannon, it’s been a long time."

"Iris, long time no see. Are you back from your journey?"

"Yes."

"By the way, these are the friends I’ve been traveling with."

Shannon then noticed Cheng Cheng and the others.

"Hello, my name is Shannon. Please take care of me."

"Hello."

"By the way, Iris, you must have encountered so many Pokémon on your journey. Tell me all about it, won't you?"

"Of course I will."

At that moment, a sound came from the nearby bushes, and two Zweilous emerged. They approached Shannon, who patted them on the head.

"These two were left here for me to raise. They were born on the same day."

"Wow, that’s wonderful. They’re both doing great; you’ve taken such good care of them. It looks like you’ve been working really hard, Shannon."

"It’s nothing, really."

"Anyway, I need to go see Grandma first, but I’ll come visit your place later."

"That sounds great. You absolutely have to tell me all about your travels then!"

After saying goodbye to Shannon, the group went to see Grandma.

"Grandma, I’m back."

"Is that you, Iris? You’re back."

"And these two must be your companions, Ash and Cilan, right?"

"Yes, Grandma."

"Elder, we’ve come to see you." Cheng Cheng and Muzi stepped forward to greet the elder.

"Muzi, Cheng Cheng, you’ve come as well."

"So, have you obtained the Legend Badge?"

"Muzi, you already challenged the Opelucid Gym?" Iris was surprised; she hadn't expected Muzi to have challenged it.

"Yes, but I failed the challenge."

"Iris, are you planning to challenge the Opelucid Gym?"

"Of course. I want to challenge Mr. Drayden. I want him to acknowledge me."

"That’s great. You have to give it your all."

"I will, I'll do my best."

"Axew!" Suddenly, Axew jumped into the elder's arms.

"Oh, Axew. You’ve grown quite a lot." The elder examined Axew and found that it had been well-raised and had shown significant growth.

"Iris, it seems you’ve been taking very good care of Axew."

"It’s nothing..." Iris scratched her head, feeling embarrassed.

"By the way, Iris, do you have any other Dragon-type companions? Why don't you bring them out so I can have a look?"

"Sure, Grandma. But let’s go outside to do that."

"Very well." Everyone went outside.

"Come on out, Dragonite!" Iris brought out her Dragonite.

"A Dragonite, I see. It looks excellent. It’s well-rounded and possesses very powerful strength."

Suddenly, Dragonite spotted a Haxorus resting nearby. Haxorus noticed Dragonite as well, and the two immediately began to clash.

"Wait, Dragonite, don't fight!"

The elder moved with surprising speed, stepping between the two Pokémon and dodging a punch thrown by Dragonite. Dragonite tried to dodge as well, but accidentally lost its balance and fell to the ground.

"There, there, settle down, be quiet."

Quickly, the elder calmed Haxorus down, then turned her attention to Dragonite.

"There, there, it’s alright. Don't fight, be a good child. You possess such immense power; you must have gone through a lot of pain, haven't you? Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Before long, the elder had soothed both Pokémon.

"Wow, that’s amazing, Grandma! You got Dragonite to calm down so quickly."

"It’s settled. I’ve asked Dragonite to look after you, so there won't be any more problems now."

"Yes, thank you, Grandma. Return, Dragonite." Iris recalled her Pokémon.

Cheng Cheng was also surprised by the elder's prowess. He checked her data.

Character: Elder (Dragon Elder)
Age: 72
Combat Power: 2230
Special Ability: Dragon Heart

Evaluation: It seems the Elder is truly formidable. With this level of combat power combined with her special Dragon-type affinity, she can definitely be considered a Dragon Master.

"Alright, Iris, take your friends and show them around."

"Yes. Ash, let’s go to Shannon’s ranch together!"

"Sure!" Iris left with Ash and Cilan, while Cheng Cheng and Muzi stayed behind.

"Cheng Cheng, is there something you two need?"

"Elder, there is something I would like to ask you."

"Very well, come inside with me." Cheng Cheng and Muzi followed the elder back into the house.

"You want to ask about the Giant Chasm, don't you?"

"Yes. I believe you are also aware of the situation at the Giant Chasm, Elder."

"Indeed. Drayden told me about what happened there. When that thing appeared, I could sense an incredibly evil energy as well."

"Elder, the events at the Giant Chasm have not only occurred in Unova; they have happened in Kanto and Hoenn as well. I believe they might occur in Sinnoh, too."

"Hmm. This thing is very mysterious, and I cannot be certain what it is. However, based on the messages passed to me by Pokémon, they are indeed very dangerous."

"Elder, I feel that the arrival of this thing will trigger great chaos in the Pokémon world. This time, it won't be limited to one region—it may affect the entire world."

"Your concerns are valid. But you need not worry too much. After all, if something happens, the League is there to manage it, along with the Champions and the Elite Four. They will resolve the problem."

"Never mind. It hasn't happened yet, so I shouldn't think about it so much."

"Exactly. Look on the bright side; everything is unknown. Perhaps what you fear won't come to pass."

"Elder, I have one more thing I would like to ask you."

"Go ahead."

"I want to know about Reshiram and Zekrom."

"I know some of the stories about Reshiram and Zekrom. I can tell you."

"No, I don't mean the stories we usually tell. I want to know about the times before the stories of Reshiram and Zekrom that have been passed down. In other words, I want to know how the Unova region truly came to be."

"Are you suggesting there is an older story?" Muzi was puzzled but excited; she also wanted to learn more about the legends of Zekrom and Reshiram.

The elder stared at Cheng Cheng, and he felt as though she could see right through him.

"I don't know much, but I do have some related records here. I will let you see them."

"Thank you."

The elder stood up and went into the inner room. Shortly after, she returned with a book that looked extremely old.

The back of the book featured images of Reshiram and Zekrom, while the front depicted Kyurem, known as the strongest Ground/Dragon-type Pokémon. It seemed these events were indeed linked to Kyurem. Cheng Cheng opened the book and began to read.

"Can you understand these characters?" The elder asked with a smile.

Cheng Cheng gave an awkward laugh. These characters were not the ones used today, and they were different from the ones found in the ruins. But fortunately, Cheng Cheng had a system to translate them.

Using his system, Cheng Cheng began to read. The elder was surprised to see him studying it so earnestly. An hour later, Cheng Cheng finished the content and had learned quite a lot.

"Alright, thank you, Elder. I have learned a great deal." Cheng Cheng handed the book back.

"I'm glad it was helpful. Well, the time has come, so I won't keep you any longer."

"Yes, thank you, Elder. We will come to visit you again."

"Very well."

Cheng Cheng and Muzi left the elder's house.