Because every Pokémon's strength inside the Secret Realm had been pressed down to Gym Leader Level, Jacob could not tell the true power of this Shiny Gyarados. Still, judging by its size alone, he was sure its strength must be tremendous.
As for the Dragonair on the other side, Jacob felt fairly confident that this one was not especially strong. Normally, a Dragonair that had already reached Gym Leader Level would have evolved into a Dragonite. Since this Dragonair had not evolved yet, that was a clear sign its true power could not be too high.
"Dragon Pulse, Noivern!"
At Jacob's command, Noivern gathered Dragon-type energy within its body and released it as a shimmering dragon of light that shot across the sky straight toward the Dragonair.
"Thunderbolt, Dragapult!"
At the same time, Jacob ordered Dragapult to fire off a Thunderbolt. A bolt of crackling electricity tore through the air, struck the surface of the sea, and slammed into the Shiny Gyarados.
Both attacks landed cleanly.
Gyarados and Dragonair let out furious roars, thrashing in the water before bursting out of the sea and into the air to strike back.
...
Capital.
Capital University.
Julia had just stepped out of the classroom after class ended when Amira hooked an arm through hers and whispered, "Julia, have you seen the news?"
"No... what happened?" Julia asked quietly, though her eyes were actually following Nina, who was walking down the hallway. Nina really was lovely and full of charm. No wonder Jacob liked her so much.
"A Secret Realm has opened up at the Sun Kingdom Ruins in Ancient City, Frosthollow Province. People are calling it the Dragon Spiral Tower Secret Realm."
The news about a Secret Realm appearing at the Sun Kingdom Ruins had climbed to the top of the trending topics within half an hour, sparking discussion everywhere. As someone who was always online, Amira had spotted the story right away.
"A Secret Realm?" Julia paused. She had not really been paying attention earlier and had only caught those last two words.
"That's right. People say it might be the Secret Realm of the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom. It's already gone viral both at home and abroad, and everyone is talking about it," Amira said, a trace of envy in her eyes as she leaned closer to Julia. "Too bad it isn't somewhere near the Capital. If it were, maybe we'd actually get a chance to explore it ourselves. Ancient City is so far away, all the way in Frosthollow Province."
"Wait..." Julia froze for a moment at Amira's words. "Where did you say that Secret Realm was?"
"Ancient City, Frosthollow Province," Amira repeated. "Why, do you know the place?"
"No," Julia said, shaking her head, though her expression slowly grew troubled.
She remembered that when Jacob had called her the day before, he had told her he was heading to Ancient City in Frosthollow Province, and had even warned her to keep it secret and not tell anyone.
Jacob had gone to Ancient City yesterday, and today a Secret Realm had appeared in that very same city. The more Julia thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She tried to tell herself it was probably just a coincidence... wasn't it?
"Amira, let's head back to the dorm." Julia was already pulling out her phone to call Jacob as they walked.
"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later."
...
At the same time, on the first floor of the Dragon Spiral Tower, Colby stood facing a Bronzong and a Claydol. He sent out two Pokémon of his own.
"Go, Breloom, Emboar!"
...
Jacob, of course, had no way of seeing the fierce battle happening down on the first floor. At that very moment, his own battle on the second floor was drawing to a close.
Both Dragapult and Noivern had taken a clear lead. Dragapult's repeated Thunderbolts were proving devastatingly effective against the Water/Flying-type Gyarados, while Noivern was closing in on victory with a powerful Dragon-type Draco Meteor.
"Dragapult, finish it! Thunderbolt!"
"Noivern, Boomburst!"
...
"Boom!"
With that final explosion, both Gyarados and Dragonair lost their ability to battle and dropped toward the sea below. Acting quickly, Jacob threw out his Poké Balls and caught them both.
Once they were caught, Jacob hurried to the water's edge and released the two Pokémon from their Poké Balls right away. He also let out his Indeedee, pulled out an assortment of medicine, and worked quickly to treat their injuries, racing against the clock.
"Indeedee, use Heal Pulse!"
Every second counted for Jacob now, and he knew it.
...
Ten minutes later, Dragonair and Gyarados had both recovered enough strength to stir. As they came to, they eyed Jacob and the Pokémon beside him warily. Still, as they felt the gentle, soothing energy from Indeedee's Heal Pulse mending their wounds, some of the hostility in their eyes faded.
Jacob took a deep breath. His time was running out fast — someone could break through to the second floor of the Secret Realm at any moment.
His gaze moved between Gyarados and Dragonair before settling on the calmer Dragonair. After all, there was almost no chance of winning over the fierce Gyarados so soon, but the gentler Dragonair might just be willing to listen.
"Dragonair, starting today, I'd like you to be my partner," he said.
Hearing this, Dragonair coiled its long, graceful body and turned its wary eyes on Jacob, clearly unwilling.
Seeing this, Jacob sighed quietly to himself. It was only natural — most newly caught wild Pokémon were cautious of a new Trainer at first. Trust had to be earned slowly, over time, and time was exactly what Jacob did not have right now.
If Dragonair refused to listen to him, Jacob would have no choice but to leave the Secret Realm empty-handed, and once he left, there was no telling when, or if, he would ever be able to return to the Dragon Spiral Tower again. It seemed likely that the Pokémon Association would soon send a large force to guard the entrance. If he let this chance slip away, he had no idea when another would come.
Seeing the refusal still written on Dragonair's face, Jacob's expression turned serious and sincere. He looked straight at the Dragonair and tried once more. "Dragonair, I know we've only just met, but I really hope you'll trust me. I mean you no harm."
"I want us to become true partners. I want to show you the wide world out there, instead of leaving you to spend your whole life inside this Secret Realm."
"Dragonair..."
Jacob kept talking for a long while. Although Dragonair's guard seemed to ease just slightly, it still was not enough to win its trust.
Noticing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Jacob's face, and he shook his head with a small, helpless smile. This Dragonair was simply too careful — almost as if it had learned to recognize a scam the moment it heard one.
"Never mind, Dragonair. Talking won't convince you. Don't worry, though — I'll prove myself to you with my actions from now on."
For the moment, that was as far as things could go.
Jacob took a steady breath, a calm smile returning to his face as he accepted this small setback. He had given it his best effort, and there was nothing left to regret.