Ponyville. Day.
"So you're really sure about going on this journey?" Twilight spoke. Right now, Spike had given out some important news to his friends concerning something that involves him.
"Yeah. I figured I go on my own little adventure to get better as a Dragon Trainer, ya know." Spike responded with Axew by his side. "After hearing some advice from Drayden, I decided that Unova would be the best place to go. Apparently, the people living there are the most well-versed when it comes to Dragons."
"Axew."
"Are you sure about this?" Rarity asked. "Heading out there on your lonesome and everything."
"Ah, I won't be alone. Axew and Salamaence are by my side, so it'll be fine. Besides, I'll be back before the invasion starts. Trust me."
"Axew!"
"We do...but it's just surprising." Twilight rubbed the back of her hair. "And worrying. But we trust you for sure. Just...you know...stay safe out there."
"Count on me!" Spike crossed his arms with confidence. "Plus, I got a map to Unova too. The first place I'm heading for is the Village of Dragons."
"Aw...I wanna go on my own Pokemon Journey out there too..." Pinkie Pie pouted along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"We're sure that you can do it, Spike." Fluttershy nodded.
"Even if we can't come along." Applejack shrugged.
"Good luck out there." Starlight gave a reassuring smile.
"Well then..." Rarity quickly surrounded Spike with his backpack and the essentials he needed in this journey. From Pokemon food, extra Poke Balls, gems for him to eat and more. "Best not forget anything. Make sure not to run into too much trouble, alright?"
"Uh...I'll try. Anyway. We'll be off now." Spike turned around with Axew. "Let's go Axew."
"Axew-Axew!"
"Mmmm...!" Twilight began shaking as she watched Spike and Axew head off. Seeing Spike going on his own was a bit impactful to Twilight. Her friend who has always been her assistant will be away for a while. Spike is the one friend she's been with the longest as she was with him the moment he hatched from the egg he came from. And seeing him go made Twilight realize that Spike was truly all grown up but it still pained her to witness it.
"It'll be alright, Twilight." Rarity reassured. "Trust him alright?"
"Right...I will."
Unova Region. Icirrus City. Near Twist Mountain. Day.
Icirrus City. Where the sky glitters with flowers of snow. The majority of Icirrus City's buildings are located on high ground, due to the surrounding area being in a wet climate and as such having large puddles containing wild Pokemon. Windmills can also be seen towards the south end of the city.
But right now, that's not where Spike and Axew were. Instead, they had arrived at Twist Mountain. Just north of Route 7 and its eastern terminus is in Icirrus City. This area was just between the two.
"Okay." Spike looked at the map. "Just up ahead, Icirrus City. And after that, Dragonspiral Tower. The Village of Dragons should be up north from there afterwards."
"Axew."
"It's a long way there, but we'll get there eventually with this shortcut. Let's go." And thus, they went on their way, walking through Twist Mountain. Many miners could be seen working here, gathering valuable ore that Spike wouldn't mind biting into. Dust clouds also formed here with Drilbur being the most common Pokemon within it.
Twist Mountain bears a resemblance to a mine and has a complex network of caves. So Spike and Axew would be walking through many wooden bridges and caves along the way. Among other things. But that's natural for any Pokemon Trainer heading out on a journey.
Spike and Axew went through their first cave, coming across its damp and dark interior. Here, many evolution objects could be found within the dust clouds. Fire gems, Electric gems, Oval stones, Thunder stones and more just lying about, perfect for the necessary Pokemon that evolve with them.
"Bol. Bol-Boldore." Boldore could also be seen living here, climbing up the walls of the caves. Their orange crystals were also glowing, lighting up the dark cave with some natural colour.
"Ooh..." Spike and Axew admired the dazzling glow of the orange crystals.
Axew..."
"Ant. Durant-Durant." Another group of Pokemon seen here was a colony of Durant that was moving about. Currently, they were trying to hide from their natural predator Heatmor.
Since summer is arriving for both worlds, Heatmor is more commonly seen here in Twist Mountain and the Durant aren't exactly fond of that time at all.
"Heatmor..." And while hiding, Heatmor could also be seen searching for its prey, moving its blazing tongue about as it also lit up the cave with it. Much like the Boldore here.
Spike and Axew were really getting some new sights on their first journey. Albeit small sights with slight glows. He kept his eyes on the map, aiming solely for the Village of Dragons. Afterwards, he would need to seek advice and practice from the people living there.
Then, whatever advice he gets next, he'll most likely end up in another destination in Unova. This region is the one most accustomed to Dragons after all.
But after looking at the map for a while, Spike wasn't really watching where he was going as Axew was behind him. But Axew could see something up ahead that should most definitely be avoided.
"Xew? Axew!"
"Hm? What is it Axe-" Spike looked away from the map, turning to face Axew as he ended up bumping into something due to his lack of directional focus. It was something that had a very rocky surface and exterior. "Ough! Oh..."
Spike held his head after bumping into what he thought was just an ordinary rock or a wall in this cave. Instead, he bumped into something much worse as some growling could be heard. The dragon's eyes widened with his pupil shrinking as he noticed that a long shadow was being cast over him as if something was waking up and rising.
Letting out a silent gulp, Spike then turned around to see what exactly he had bumped into. Soon, it was revealed to be none other than the Rock Snake Pokemon.
Onix.
"Onix!" The Rock-Ground-Type roared Spike and Axew, causing a wind pressure to him them both as they stood there, taking the roar in.
"Uh... my bad!" Spike laughed nervously before backing away from the Rock Snake Pokemon. "Guess I should really look where I'm going next time, huh?"
"ONIX!" But Onix is an easily irritated Pokemon. Not all of them but a very good number of them can become hostile if pushed in a certain way. The Rock Snake Pokemon roared once more before swinging its tail towards Spike and Axew.
"Oh! Oh!" Spike gasped as he and Axew made the right instinctive decision to avoid the tail by running away from it. They avoided Onix's tail swing as the walls had been hit instead.
"Nix!" Focusing on the two dragons, the Rock Snake Pokemon slithered towards Spike and Axew, ready to continue attacking them as it went for a Tackle next.
"Axew! U-Use Dragon Claw!"
"Xew!" Axew understood as he stepped in front of his Trainer. When Onix approached with a full-force charge, the Tusk Pokemon summoned green draconic energy around his arms.
"Onix!"
"Axew!" Axew them put his arms out in front, standing his ground as Onix smashed into the claws of Dragon Claw. Axew strained a bit due to his little size. But even with a small body, he was able to do well as he gripped Onix's face with Dragon Claw. "Xew!"
"Nix?"
"Axew!" Axew then used the strength of Dragon Claw to lift Onix off the ground despite the body and weight difference. Axew wasn't even transforming into Haxorus or using his Equestrian Form. He was just a Unovan Axew right now.
With brute strength, Axew smashed Onix onto the wall, rumbling the cave and those within it, almost reaching the outside, before tossing the Rock Snake Pokemon aside like a ragdoll.
"O-Onix!" Onix was rightfully terrified and intimidated by that sudden strength coming from a Pokemon so small. Due to that, the Rock Snake Pokemon knew not to pick a fight with Axew or Spike, so it immediately slithered away to go and rest somewhere else but here.
From how it was crying, it sounded like Onix was calling for another Pokemon for help. Like a child calling for its parent after something terrible had happened.
"Nice going, Axew."
"Axew."
"Alright..." Spike looked back at the map. "Let's keep going. If we move through every cave, we might find a way to Icirrus. Just east from here."
"Xew."
Deciding to speed things up a bit, Spike was going to try moving through all the possible caves in this mountain just so he can find the right one that leads to Icirrus. Getting lost in Twist Mountain is the last thing anyone would want. There were only 13 of them though but they were all so gigantic and expansive.
"We're gonna get some great leg exercise if we walk there. Or uh...should we use Salamence?" Spike asked Axew.
"Axew?"
"Ah, I'm sure it'll be fine. Besides, it's more fun if things aren't rushed, ya know?"
The baby dragon and the Axe Jaw Pokemon started going through each of the caves while also keeping his eyes on the map. All the while, sightseeing the inside of the caves.
Spike also decided to ask some of the miners here if they knew which cave led to Icirrus for an easier time. Surprisingly, even the miners themselves get a bit lost here. There's a reason this place is called Twist Mountain. But, one worker told him that the upper caves have a better chance of getting Spike and Axew to their destination.
But those upper caves tend to have extremely powerful Pokemon that have a knack for battling. Mainly Gurdurr and the one single Steelix that resides here. Just at the very top. But, if Spike and Axew can avoid those, then they'll be golden.
Empress Twilight's Universe. Her main castle ship. Afternoon.
Right now, Flurry Heart was currently heading for a certain room after having Giratina speak to her. After that, the young alicorn had come up with an idea regarding Giratina's words. An idea that might actually cause further problems for her.
Flurry Heart arrived at the laboratory where she could find one object. Travel Spheres. Her plan involved her going through to another world entirely. Especially with what she had seen with Giratina.
The laboratory of Empress Twilight's ship is as expansive as it gets. Many scientists were a part of this room, building, testing and coming up with technology that far surpasses any other version of Equestria which may still be stuck in the past. Magic has become less common here as the one being who holds the most magic out of anypony is Empress Twilight.
Not only ponies but other species could be seen in this lab, working as scientists themselves. From dragons, yaks, griffins and even a few changelings here and there. It was even modelled after Twilight's old library she used to have before Tirek blew it up. Everything in this lab was made for many purposes. Some involved the upcoming invasion and others were for this world's resources specifically.
The young alicorn was beyond nervous. In truth, despite her being a part of her auntie's alliance and Empire, Flurry felt as if all of this was a bit too much for her. Having her own parents being turned to stone because of their denial and disagreement with Empress Twilight's grandiose scope of plans, ruling the Crystal Empire now turned Kingdom with little guidance and even seeing and hearing of her auntie's actions across multiple universes, Flurry Heart had concluded.
She was afraid to disobey her auntie since she's the only family she has left and it could put her in deep water with the entire Empire, but at the end of the day, she was still young and learning. And being so young, Flurry Heart knew that an invasion isn't quite what she would enjoy in all honesty. Having an entire universe being forced under her auntie's own will didn't sight right with the young alicorn.
"Okay...So you want me to get help, right?" Flurry Heart spoke to the Ultra Ball that had Giratina in it. The Renegade Pokemon responded with a telepathic pulse that went through Flurry Heart. "I hear you. I'm really sorry that you got captured and taken away. Auntie and Ghetsis have-"
"Princess Flurry Heart." Just then, a scientist griffin spoke, catching Flurry Heart off guard and causing her to jump.
"Eep!" The young alicorn squealed. "Y-Yes?!"
"Do you need something from here?" The griffin asked.
"Oh, um, yes. One little thing. I'd like to borrow or I guess, own a Travel Sphere."
"A Travel Sphere? You've never had one of your own?"
"No...Auntie doesn't really trust me, or many with them. And they're new too and everything...but it would be nice to have one of my own. Only Auntie and Luster Dawn can travel between worlds."
"You will call her by her official title. Empress Twilight Sparkle and Empress Twilight or the Empress for short." The griffin narrowed her eyes.
"R-Right. Empress Twilight Sparkle." Flurry nodded.
"We have some new ones today that have just been made. Here." The griffin grabbed a Travel Sphere, bringing it over. "But...did the Empress properly ask you to come for one?"
"Hm?" Flurry Heart scrunched her face. She knew that despite her title and rank as a princess, everyone up here in this ship, most of them anyway, are somehow of greater importance than her. Even the scientists themselves. "Well...I'm heading off to find Luster Dawn. She hasn't been back yet ever since she went to search for the Galar Particles. Auntie, I mean, the Empress asked me to help find her."
"Hm." The griffin was still a bit suspicious about all of this. She looked into Flurry Heart's eyes, making the alicorn a bit more nervous about this as the plan might not go so swimmingly.
However, the longer the griffin stared, that's when Giratina decided to do something. From within the Ultra Ball, the Renegade Pokemon managed to send an Antimatter pulse that went straight for the scientist griffin.
"!" The scientist felt the Antimatter flow through her as she was paralyzed on the spot. For a split second, the griffin scientist was shown a million violent thoughts and actions that Giratina had caused long ago, which was the reason why it was banished to the Distortion World in the process. Horrible actions that are unheard of and indescribable. Many that can only be resisted by someone with equal thoughts or strong mental resistance.
Unable to comprehend all of those thoughts going through her head, the scientist griffin passed out on the spot while still standing. She didn't even fall over. Flurry Heart looked around, noticing that none of the other scientists had witnessed the pulse or the knockout.
"Um...I'll just take this." Flurry Heart took the Travel Sphere. "Thank you!" Afterwards, she had left the lab with a frozen scientist just standing there. Someone was going to notice this eventually.
Success so far. Obtaining a Travel Sphere was the major crux in this as Flurry Heart was going to use it to head somewhere. But she wasn't using it to find Luster Dawn.
Then, Giratina spoke to Flurry Heart again via telepathy. Another pulse went through as Flurry Heart listened in on the words the Renegade Pokemon said.
"You want me to take you...there?" Flurry was a bit surprised by what Giratina had just said. "But, don't you want to head back to your own world?"
Giratina responded once more, this time with an audible cry that made the Ultra Ball shake.
"That world has a good mix of Pokemon and Equestria Magic...They'll help us? Um...T-That's maybe not a good idea. I mean, auntie's gonna invade that world soon and..."
Giratina reassured Flurry Heart.
"Okay. I'll go there. Auntie's not going to like this one bit."
Twist Mountain, afternoon.
Through the upper caves, Spike and Axew have been walking for minutes now. Almost a full hour even. It was hard to tell if any actual progress was being made. The two of them were starting to get tired with their legs aching. And at this rate, they may never find the right spot to reach Icirrus City.
Worn out, the two of them sat down on the corner of one of the upper caves, deciding to rest a bit. Although, Spike promised that he wouldn't take too long on this journey. But that promise might not be holding up so good.
"What's up with this mountain?" Spike sighed, resting his head on the walls with his partner.
"Axew..."
"Okay. You know what? How about we just fly there?" Spike held out Salamence's Poke Ball. "Maybe rushing it isn't such a bad idea after all."
"Xew..."
"Hm." But, before he could send Salamence out, the baby dragon looked over at one of the gems here that were nearby. Specifically, a Fire Gem. Curious, he picked the gem up. "Wonder what this stuff actually tastes like."
Spike eats gems and these Pokemon Gems count as well. So, to his curiosity, the baby dragon was wondering what would happen if decided to snack on a gem holding Infinity Energy that powers up Fire-Type attacks.
With all that curiosity and a bit of nervousness in his body, Spike bit the Fire Gem, eating it for the first time. Upon the first bite, Spike noticed that this gem was bot surprisingly tasty but obviously spicy.
"Mmm!" Spike's eyes lit up with a red glow. "S-Spicy!"
"Axew?" After that spicy snack that Spike had, Axew felt some rumbling through the caves all of a sudden. Rumbling that was not natural. Almost as if something hard was moving the cave system.
"Hm?" Spike looked up, feeling the rumbling himself as small rocks fell from above. He took another bite of the Fire Gem before noticing that the rumbling was getting closer. And the odd noise causing it as well. "What is that?"
"Xew? Axew!" Then, Axew noticed a familiar face heading this way by slithering from the side of this cave, prompting him and Spike to stand up.
"Huh?!"
When they looked to the corner, they saw that Onix had returned. It hadn't forgotten about what happened earlier today at the previous cave.
"Oh. It's just Onix."
"Xew."
"Onix! Nix! Onix!" Before, Onix slithered away in fear of Axew because of how strong he was. While slithering away, Onix was crying out for another Pokemon for help. But it was unclear which Pokemon it was calling for.
But, it would soon become a clarity. Spike and Axew froze as they saw a large shadow showing up from the corner, one larger than Onix and enough to cover the Rock Snake Pokemon. And this was the Pokemon that Onix called for. Its superior evolution.
Steelix.
"Steelix!" With an even greater roar than Onix that shook the entirety of Twist Mountain, Spike and Axew looked right at the face of the Iron Snake Pokemon with poker faces. They weren't exactly intimidated by Steelix. Mostly because they were a bit tired to be scared.
"Oh..." Spike's ears were ringing a bit as she shook his head. "Ah, it's fine. Having a quick battle to freshen before heading back out is a great idea. Do you think so, Axew?"
"Xew! Axew!"
"Steel...!" The Ground-Steel-Type growled at Spike and Axew.
"We'll just make this quick. Axew! Transform!"
"Axew!" Axew nodded as he closed his eyes, focusing all that Fusion magic from within his body. He switched from his Unovan Axew form to his Equestrian Axew Form via a quick flash of golden light. But it wasn't over yet. "Xew!" The Tusk Pokemon then raised his arms as the golden light around him came back, growing in size while lighting up the whole cave.
"Ax! Ax! Ax! Axorus!" Out of the light, bursting with energy, Equestrian Haxorus was here. In all of its azure and golden glory. "Haxorus!"
"Steelix!" Steelix went on the offensive by using Iron Head. A jagged shiny pattern appeared on Steelix's forehead with a silver aura as it charged towards Haxorus.
"Haxorus, use Close Combat!"
"Xorus!" Haxorus also charged towards Steelix as both Pokemon went straight for each other. Haxorus released a swing from his arms, clashing with Steelix's hardened head. As if it wasn't hardened enough. The ground beneath them trembled along with the cave from their clash.
"Steel!
"Hax!"
Then, the two Pokemon started going back and forth with Haxorus' fists clashing with Steelix's forehead constantly without any guarding. Haxorus swung his tail, smacking Steelix in the face, but the Iron Snake Pokemon quickly replied by smashing its head onto Haxorus's face in retaliation.
Afterwards, Haxorus grabbed Steelix's face like he did with Onix. But, Steelix seemed to be heavier than its pre-evolution buddy. Onix was only 210.0 kg while Steelix was a whopping 400.0 kg.
"H-Haxo...!" And Haxorus could most certainly feel that weight difference as he was straining a bit. Knowing this, Steelix smirked as it decided to catch Haxorus off guard.
"Steelix!" By using Stone Edge while Haxorus held its head, the Iron Snake Pokemon summoned pointed light blue rock pillars to appear from beneath as they struck Haxorus's stomach and chest.
"Xorus! Haxorus flinched as he was knocked back by the numerous pillars, falling on his back.
"Steel!" Steelix then followed up by generating Flash Cannon in its mouth. The Ground-Steel-Type began gathering all its light energy, forming a silver beam with metal properties within it, ready to fire it at Haxorus who was on the ground.
"Haxorus, quick! Shut his mouth!
"Hax!" Haxorus narrowed his eyes before getting back up. This time, he wasn't going for a traditional attack. When getting up, the Axe Jaw Pokemon put his hands on Steelix's mouth.
"Steel?!
"Haxo!" Before Steelix could fire Flash Cannon, Haxorus shut its mouth, closing it and causing Steelix's teeth to tremble from that. But even worse, when its mouth was shut, the energy that Stelix had gathered blew up inside of the Iron Snake Pokemon's mouth, causing the silver and metal energy to explode and cover its face.
"Steel! Steelix certainly felt that one as it almost fell on its back as well.
"Now, Haxorus! Close Combat!"
"Haaaax...!" With Steelix flustered and befuddled by the explosion to the face inside of its own mouth, this gave Haxorus all the time in the world to land every last bit of Close Combat. "Haxo! Xo! Xo! Xo! The Axe Jaw Pokemon started giving out a flurry of punches to Steelix's face without stopping. Each hit more relentless than the last as Steelix was getting pummeled.
"S-Steelix...!
"Xo! Xo! Xo! Haxo...!" Haxorus then held Steelix on the head with one hand before using the other one to uppercut the Iron Snake Pokemon's chin, shattering most of its teeth as Steelix was sent flying through the cave. A large hole in the ceiling cave could be seen, letting the sun rays beam through.
"Onix?!" Onix gasped, seeing its friend being sent through the cave like a rocket. It was at this moment that Onix and even Steelix picked a fight with the wrong Trainer and Pokemon as the Iron Snake Pokemon came back down, hitting the ground hard.
"Steelix..."
"There. That's that."
"Haxo."
"O-Onix?!"
"Listen Onix. I didn't mean to bump into you earlier. Honest mistake on my part. But attacking Haxorus and I isn't doing us any favour."
"Nix."
"Steel." Steelix got back up with its eyes spinning around. It then turned to Haxorus and Spike, seeing how formidable they were.
"Sorry if we went overboard there. Haxorus and I get a bit excited when battling, ya know?" Spike shrugged.
"Lix." Steelix sighed as it accepted its defeat and acknowledge the strength of Spike and Axew. Right now, it just wanted to rest and not be bothered. So, it slithered away with Onix following.
And that was the end of that. Haxorus returned to his Unovan Form before shrinking back to an Axew. There was nothing else to do here now.
"Phew...Okay." Spike took out Salamence's Poke Ball. Let's head to Icirrus this way. We've got a lot to do pal. Oh! We should keep a log on what we've done and send it to Twilight and the others! How does that sound?"
"Axew!"
Onwards to Icirrus City. There was a lot to cover but little to do on this dragon adventure. Spike is aiming to be the best Dragon Trainer he can become and hoping that he can return before the invasion begins.
He's determined to do so as his major stop was the Village of Dragons. This was just the start of his little dragon quest. While there haven't been any dragons involved yet, when there are, Spike will have the biggest adventure of his life yet as the journey continues.
Chapter 427 End.