33 (XXXIII) Trial By Storm

Isaac stared down at the Gible and smiled as a notification appeared in front of him.

『Would you like to give Gible a nickname?』

『[Yes]/[No]』

Isaac named the Gible and a series of notifications appeared.

『DQ3: Completed! +1 Insight』

『Notice! Insight has reached the first threshold!』

『The First Gate has been unlocked within The Heart!』

『Commencing Spirit Reinforcement!』

Sparks of electricity crackled around Isaac as he fell to his knees clutching his chest. Gible landed on the ground next to him, staring at him curiously, as the lightning grew stronger around him.

Isaac's heart felt as if it had burst into flames. He scrunched his eyes shut wincing at the pain and screaming loudly as the burning sensation in his chest began to spread throughout his body. It coursed through his veins, searing points along his joints and important vessels within him.

The seven vessels within his body formed and continued to expand as the ten smaller receptacles were built throughout his body. Surrounding his heart was a blue flame that crackled and burned and fueled his spirit as it grew further.

The lightning began to subside, disappearing into the air as the pain stopped as he remained slumped over his knees. Hushed whispers and worry spread through the Family Heads as they watched the young man.

He opened his eyes as he stared at his body. Nothing had visibly changed, but he no longer felt the same. It was as if every cell in his body was vibrating and actively alive. He sat up and looked around at the members of the Dragon Tamer Clan.

Within their chests, he could sense blue flames of various sizes within their hearts. His eyes widened in shock and looked around at everyone his irises dilating as he frantically turned his head erratically. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his eyes and he tightly shut them and grabbed his face.

He couldn't understand what was going on and not one soul present could provide any insight into what was happening to him.

"My child, are you alright..?" The Elder said, slowly approaching and kneeling before he placed his hand on Isaac's shoulder. Isaac flinched as he blinked rapidly and looked at the leader of the Dragon Tamer Clan.

He sighed in relief and nodded, "I... think so..." He said in a hoarse voice. Isaac struggled as he tried to stand, unable to lift himself. The entire ordeal had sapped him of his stamina and fatigue had completely set in despite only being awake for a couple of hours.

"You should rest child, come, come." The Elder said as he slowly stood and waved his arm. Lance rushed forward and hooked Isaac's arm over his shoulders and helped him to his feet as they were led into the Dragon Shrine.

The Elder escorted Lance as he helped Isaac into one of the tiny rooms in the large building, carefully laying him down on the bed as Isaac's eyes grew too heavy to keep open and he immediately drifted off to sleep. Gible hopped onto the bed and snuggled against his shin and dozed off as the Elder waved his arms, kicking everyone out of the room.

***

A young woman briskly walked through a large complex that was nestled deep within the mountainous peaks of the Unknown Regions. Her knee-high black leather boots clicked loudly against the empty hallway echoing rapidly. The tails of her long jacket fluttered behind her rapid pace.

She had long extremely curly jet-black hair that was loosely tied into an afro-poof for a ponytail as her fierce gaze pierced through her light honeyed eyes focused on the door at the end of the hallway.

She closed the door behind her as she entered and looked around the dimly lit room before approaching the only source of light shining down from the ceiling. The chair and table illuminated as she took a seat, flipping her jacket back as she leaned against the table.

Her one-size-too-small crop top failed to cover the intricately detailed lacework of her bra that covered her ample bosom. Loosely slung around her waist was a Trainer Belt with six pokéballs connected and her jean shorts stopping just below her butt.

"Stop playing games!" She yelled, her slim face revealing her annoyance at the theatrics as she tapped her nails against the table impatiently.

The room light up revealing the hexagonal room with another doorway and four mirrors reflecting themselves upon each other. The other door opened as Cypher entered with a large smile.

"You're nothing if not predictable Carter." He said waiving his hands around, "It's all because of our line of work, ya know?"

"Quit your games Cypher, what does The Boss want?" She yelled slamming her fist against the table.

"Ah... Well, you see, Giovanni wasn't the one who called you... I did." He said as he sat on the corner of the table and leaned toward Carter and took his glasses off and began cleaning them with his coat.

"I don't have time for your games!" She said angrily and stood up, kicking the chair back as he turned to leave.

"You might not want to open that door just yet!" Cypher yelled as she reached for the doorknob, "Not if you care what happens to Jasmine!"

He smirked as he returned his glasses to his face while Carter spun around, snarling, and stormed toward him, "You had better not touch her!"

Cypher reached into his coat and pulled out a table and spun it around as live feed played of a small girl with a close resemblance to Carter sleeping in a bed in a room.

"Lay a finger on me and your sister will never see the light of day again!" Cypher growled, glaring into her eyes.

"What... Do... You want?!" Carter seethed in anger, digging her fingers into her palms.

"Giovanni has grown to be a burden and is failing to lead Team Rocket. It's time he was replaced." Cypher said with a smile, running his fingers through his short slicked back hair.

"With who? You!? Don't make me laugh! There's a reason Madame Boss didn't name you as her successor. Give it up!" Carter scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Madame Boss lost her edge in the end and lost sight of the goal. When the time comes, support me as the next Boss of Team Rocket or you can tell your sister goodbye at her funeral." Cypher said and snapped his lab coat before exiting the room.

"You disgusting piece of shit!" Carter yelled as she picked up the chair and threw it against the door that Cypher had exited from. She fell to her knees and unleashed an earsplitting scream that could have rivaled a banshee.

Carter was a young girl when she was taken in by Team Rocket under Madame Boss. By the age of thirteen, she had become a full-fledged Grunt and started rising through the ranks.

By sixteen, she had become an admin and became close with the leadership of every team. She learned the dirty secret of the teams being at odds against each other was simply a façade fabricated by the higher-ups to conceal their joint cooperation.

When Madame Boss was asked to step down shortly after by the Villainous Union, she honestly was surprised Giovanni had taken her place and not Cypher but that was none of her business and she cared little either way.

Her role kept her far away from headquarters nearly year-round and any visits were kept short and sweet. She couldn't be discovered by the Pokémon Association of her affiliation with the Villainous Union and now she had just become a pawn in a despicable man's plot.

She screamed again releasing all her frustration before she stood, panting heavily before she stormed out of the facility.

'If he wants to play it that way, fine! Let's play then!' Carter thought as she threw a pokéball onto the landing and hopped onto the back of a Talonflame and soared into the skies.

***

Isaac blinked his eyes rapidly as he sat up and looked around the room. He smiled down at Gible still asleep next to his feet as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I wonder how long I was out..." He muttered.

"Let's see what we're working with here Atlas!" Isaac softly said as he examined Gible's information.

『Name: Atlas』

『Species: Gible ♂』

『Type: Dragon/Ground』

『Ability: Sand Veil』

『Nature: Jolly』

『Item: None』

『Potential: Gold』

『Gene: <Holy Draconic>』

『Level: 9』

『HP: Purple』

『ATK: Red』

『DEF: Purple』

『SpA: Blue』

『SpD: Blue』

『SPD: Red』

『Normal Moves: Sand Tomb [U], Tackle [U], Sand Attack [U]

Innate Moves: Twister [U], ExtremeSpeed [U]

Hidden Moves: Dragon Dance [U]』

『<Holy Draconic Gene>』

『Atlas is a descendant of a member of the Holy Order of Dragons. As he grows stronger, his latent power will begin to blossom.』

Isaac grinned from ear to ear, ignoring the additional notifications as he put lifted his visor up. He laughed happily as he picked up the sleeping Gible and held him high into the air, "You're the best, Atlas!!"

———

This is yesterday's second chapter, I was so busy with my fiancé, I couldn't finish writing this, I'm super sorry! I'll be posting two more chapters today!

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