Johto Region, Blackthorn City.
Blackthorn City was where the Dragon Tamer clan resided, so trainers from this area were mostly skilled in using Dragon-type Pokémon.
Dragon-types that were rare elsewhere were relatively common in this city.
The Blackthorn Gym was a grand, ancient-style building. On either side of the entrance stood two sculptures of unknown dragon species.
Its style was completely different from those flashy gyms elsewhere, carrying a strong ancient elegance.
Whoosh!
A cyan figure came swooping from the horizon, with two people riding on its back.
In the gym courtyard, the white-haired old man Kabu had been waiting for quite some time.
He was the Blackthorn Gym's assistant and referee, having served three full generations of Blackthorn Gym trainers.
He was also extremely knowledgeable about Blackthorn City's history.
"Miss, is this the person the Elder summoned? Huh? You two...?"
When Kabu saw Caster with his arm around Clair's waist, he froze for a moment, then tears welled up in his eyes.
"Miss, have you finally come around? That's wonderful!"
Kabu had watched both Clair and Lance grow up since childhood, so he obviously knew something about their relationship.
"Hmm?"
Caster's ears perked up. He could already smell the juicy gossip.
Clair's expression shifted slightly. She quickly changed the subject. "Kabu, has Ayu arrived yet?"
Kabu's face turned serious, realizing he'd said too much. He quickly replied respectfully.
"Young Master Ayu hasn't arrived yet, but I just contacted him by phone. Young Master Ayu said he'll be here right away!"
As soon as he finished speaking, another whooshing sound came from the distant sky.
A Pokémon with a mainly orange body, short and sturdy hind legs and relatively small forelimbs, massive wings on its back for flying, two horn-like protrusions on the back of its head, and a long, thick tail with flames burning at the tip was flying rapidly toward them.
"Charizard!"
Caster's eyes lit up.
He was seeing a 'Zard again!
On Charizard's back rode another handsome young man, also wearing a cape.
Caster's heart stirred. He knew this must be the "Young Master Ayu" Kabu had mentioned.
From his clothing and how he was addressed, this should be a member of the Dragon Tamer clan.
Soon, Charizard landed steadily in the gym courtyard, its build tall and body robust.
"Sister Clair, sorry for the wait!"
Ayu jumped down from Charizard's back, speaking urgently. "Are we going to see the Elder now? I can barely wait to enter the Dragon's Den!"
"I just got here too!"
Clair waved her hand, then pulled Caster forward and introduced him:
"This is Ibuki Ayu, my cousin. Just call him Ayu. This is Caster from the Kanto region.
He'll be accompanying you to the Dragon Shrine to meet the Elder, then training together in the Dragon's Den."
"What? He's going to train in the Dragon's Den too?"
Ayu stared at Caster, dissatisfied.
"I applied to the clan for three years before I was allowed to train in the Dragon's Den.
He's an outsider, what makes him so special?"
Ayu's hostility toward Caster was overflowing.
The Dragon's Den was a sacred place for Dragon-type Pokémon, containing pure Dragon-type energy that greatly benefited the growth and training of Dragon-types.
Every Dragon-type trainer longed to go there.
Although the Dragon's Den was currently managed by the Dragon Tamer clan, it wasn't the clan's private property.
So even members of the Dragon Tamer clan couldn't all enter to train and obtain Pokémon.
From what Ayu knew, among his peers, Lance and Clair had both trained in the Dragon's Den, and they'd both become formidable trainers in their own right.
Especially Lance, he was the Champion of both Kanto and Johto, and the pride of the Dragon Tamer clan.
Ayu had always taken his cousin Lance as his goal, aspiring to become a Dragon-type Pokémon master.
Entering the Dragon's Den to train was a critical step forward for him.
But now, he felt like his sacred plan had been tainted.
What kind of nobody is this kid? How's he qualified to train in the Dragon's Den with me?
Clair's expression darkened.
Because Caster was her guest!
"Why are you yelling so loud? Not happy about it? If you're not happy, go file a complaint with the Dragon Elder!"
But before Clair could explode, Caster had already fired back with a sarcastic tone.
"Let me tell you the truth. I was invited here. Unlike certain people who begged and pleaded for three years before getting this chance."
Ayu's face instantly flushed red with anger. "You bastard, what did you just say?"
He even moved to grab Caster, but Clair pushed him away.
Besides being trainers specializing in Dragon-type Pokémon, Lance and Clair were also extremely skilled in hand-to-hand combat.
From what Clair demonstrated in the anime while pursuing Team Rocket—leaping rapidly between tree branches in the forest without being shaken off by the hot air balloon—her abilities would at least rank her as a Genin even in Naruto.
So although Ayu was male, he had no chance against Clair and was pushed back stumbling.
"Ayu, are you done making a scene!"
Clair's face was dark as she questioned coldly, "Caster is my invited guest. If you have a problem with him, does that mean you have a problem with me?"
"Huh???"
Ayu's body stiffened, and his anger vanished instantly.
Although Clair was the same generation as him, she was Blackthorn City's Gym Leader. Their positions in the clan were like heaven and earth.
Of course, their strength was also worlds apart.
And the instructor for his Dragon's Den training this time was none other than Clair.
If he completely offended Clair, his trip to the Dragon's Den would probably be ruined.
Clair's face showed an apologetic expression. "My cousin is a bit... lacking. He sometimes speaks without thinking. I apologize on his behalf!"
Watching Clair speak so gently and carefully to Caster, then comparing it to how roughly she'd just shoved him aside, Ayu felt uncomfortable.
Sister Clair, I'm your cousin, aren't I?
"No big deal!"
Caster waved his hand dismissively, which made Ayu grit his teeth even harder.
This kid was clearly younger than him, but he was acting all mature and grown-up. It really ticked Ayu off.
But with Clair keeping him in check, he didn't dare cause trouble. He could only make up his mind internally.
When the opportunity came, he'd definitely have a Pokémon "sparring match" with Caster and thoroughly crush him to satisfy his hatred.
"Since everyone's here, let's enter the Dragon's Den and meet the Elder!"
With the minor episode concluded, Clair led everyone to a dark cavern and released her Gyarados to ride on.
Inside the cavern, a trickle of water flowed continuously, the sound of waves rushing.
"Come out, Gyarados!"
Seeing this, both Caster and Ayu released their own Gyarados.
But Caster's Gyarados was far too large. Compared to it, forget about Ayu's Gyarados, even Clair's Gyarados looked small and cute.
"Your Gyarados is this big?"
Clair's mouth hung open slightly, somewhat surprised.
She'd seen the video of Gyarados challenging the Celadon Gym and knew Caster's Gyarados was on the large side, but the real-life impression was obviously much more intense than in the video.
"What's the point of being big? Pokémon battles mainly depend on moves and the trainer's commands..."
Ayu muttered sourly under his breath.
As a disciple of the Dragon Tamer clan, Ayu had a sharp eye. He could tell that Caster's Gyarados had probably only recently evolved.
So if they really battled, he was confident he could easily take it down.
After all, Magikarp could only master so many moves, and how many moves could a freshly evolved Gyarados know?
"Enough talk. Let's head in now."
Clair shook her head and called out loudly, "Stay close to me!"