Pokemon: The Legacy of Dragons

Humans had constructed a maglev railway through the gentle terrain around Mt. Moon, connecting Pewter City to Cerulean City. However, as a Pokémon Trainer, Logan wouldn't simply hop on a train to Cerulean. Every step of the journey was an opportunity to train both himself and his Pokémon—especially in places where danger loomed, where strength could grow fastest.

Now with some money in his pocket, Logan went on a shopping spree in Pewter City. He stuffed his futuristic tech-style utility pouch to the brim once again before setting off toward Mt. Moon. He had no intention of walking along the safe, manmade paths. The moment he reached the mountain's base, he began navigating like a thrill-seeking hiker, searching for secluded and treacherous trails far from human sight.

The foothills of Mt. Moon were dry and rocky, but nestled between the ridges, lush vegetation thrived. According to legend, Mt. Moon wasn't always known by that name. Long ago—no one could say exactly when—a massive meteorite struck the region. It was a colossal Moon Stone that shattered upon impact, scattering into countless fragments that formed the rich Moon Stone deposits hidden deep within the mountain. In this peculiar world, those deposits had even become renewable resources over time. Yet, due to the mountain range's vastness, the Moon Stones remained exceedingly rare.

Some scholars even proposed that the origins of Pokémon were extraterrestrial, pointing to the Moon Stone and the fact that certain Pokémon could only evolve using its power.

Besides the Moon Stones, Mt. Moon was famous for another treasure—Amber Fossils. Geological studies revealed that millions of years ago, the area had been submerged beneath a vast ocean. Over time, tectonic shifts had raised the land into mountainous terrain, preserving countless ancient Pokémon in fossil form. It was said that Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, had once relied on excavating fossils and Moon Stones to help support his family during hard times.

Both Moon Stones and fossils were extremely valuable in the market. Many dreamed of striking it rich and flocked here with pickaxes and wild hopes. But most of the treasure was buried deep within the mountain, guarded by fierce wild Pokémon. Every year, an untold number of fortune-seekers lost their lives along this perilous path to wealth.

"Gabite, you take the lead!"

As Logan ventured deeper into Mt. Moon, he released his Gabite, no longer keeping it in its Poké Ball. In cities, Gabite's towering form and menacing eyes could incite panic, but out here in the wilderness, having your Pokémon out and ready was the only safe choice.

Gabite exuded a sense of power and security. When it had been a Gible, it was strong, yes, but still somewhat adorable—its cuteness undercutting its might. That was no longer the case.

With a low growl, Gabite stepped forward. Its bladed fins gleamed with lethal sharpness, slicing through thick tree trunks and thorny underbrush with ease. No machete could match its efficiency. It was said that when Gabite evolved further into Mega Garchomp, its very sprint could whip up wind gusts strong enough to snap ancient trees in half. In terrain like this, a single dash could carve out a path through the densest jungle.

Thorns and brambles that might've shredded ordinary skin didn't leave the faintest scratch on Gabite's hardened scales. Compared to his earlier adventures in the Viridian Forest, Logan's survival efforts now felt far less grueling.

As they pressed deeper into the mountains, the wild Pokémon they encountered grew noticeably stronger. But Logan was experienced now—he was prepared. Among the leaves lurked Paras and Parasect, those frustrating fungal Pokémon whose spores clung to the air and vegetation. A single misstep could lead to paralysis, unconsciousness, or worse. Logan had suffered those effects more than once.

"Aren't Clefairy and Jigglypuff supposed to be common around here? Why haven't I seen a single one yet...? Am I not deep enough, or did I take the wrong path?"

Emerging from a particularly dense forest patch, the trail suddenly became easier. Logan stepped onto a mess of grass underfoot while towering rocky cliffs loomed on either side. He looked up—the peaks stretched impossibly high, many at near-vertical angles, some like sheer walls. Even expert climbers would be helpless here.

"Forget it. I'll just find a wide cave to crawl into. Fighting inside those tight spaces is risky—use the wrong move and you might trigger a collapse. That'd be a burial sentence."

He shook his head. In this very real world, moves like Earthquake or Fissure used carelessly inside an unknown cave could bring the whole ceiling crashing down. Logan had no intention of getting crushed under tons of rock like some mythical monkey trapped under a mountain.

[Logan, someone's coming.]

Mewtwo's psychic voice echoed sharply in Logan's mind, instantly putting him on alert. In a mountain range this vast, randomly running into someone was extremely unlikely. Whoever it was—be it a fellow trainer or a treasure hunter—it called for caution. If it was another trainer, perhaps they could trade advice or battle. But if it was a prospector, it was likely someone dangerous. Most of the people brave—or desperate—enough to dig for Moon Stones and fossils here were ready to kill for them.

Logan halted and surveyed his surroundings. Gabiteinstinctively stepped ahead, shielding him. Its savage eyes locked onto a direction—likely the same spot where Mewtwo had sensed the presence. It was the mouth of a cave. Logan had just been debating whether to explore it.

His ears twitched—enhanced by psychic senses. He could hear wings flapping. A lot of them.

From the sound, Logan immediately concluded: "...A swarm of Zubat. And judging by the size... there's probably a Golbat or two in there as well."

The flapping grew louder. Then came something else: the desperate sound of human footsteps echoing out of the cave. Logan signaled Gabite to be ready. Moments later, a staggering figure burst out of the cave mouth. His clothes were torn, like he'd been in a vicious battle. As he ran, he tripped over a rock and crashed to the ground. Behind him surged a black wave—an enormous swarm of Zubat spilling out like locusts.

Panicked, the man scrambled to get up. Spotting Logan and Gabite ahead, his face lit up with frantic hope. He extended a hand and cried out, "You there! Trainer! I'm a geologist sent by the League to survey Mt. Moon! I stumbled into a Zubat nest and now they're after me! Please—help!"

Logan frowned slightly. He didn't consider himself a hero, but he wasn't cold-blooded either. Sensing that the man wasn't a threat, he slowly raised his hand. "Gabite—"

But before he could give the command, Logan saw the man's face clearly.

His pupils shrank.

His expression shifted through several shades in an instant.

Then—without a second thought—he turned around and barked, "We're leaving!"

Gabite, crouched and ready to pounce, froze mid-motion. The man, lying on the ground, also froze in disbelief.

Gabite's reaction was quicker. Though confused by Logan's sudden retreat, it didn't hesitate. With a puzzled tilt of its head, it spun around and trotted off, loyally following Logan.

The disheveled man—Giovanni—lay on the ground, dumbfounded. This wasn't how the script was supposed to go! As a League-sanctioned researcher, Logan was supposed to be the typical hot-blooded young hero, rushing in with a heroic yell to save the day. How could he just turn and walk away so coldly!?

No sense of justice at all!

And damn it—these damn bats are actually sucking my blood!!

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