The Perfect World

Prologue: For Old Times' Sake

*Nathan's POV*

My heart races with anticipation at the sight before me. Voltflare and I had sequentially conquered all of the gyms of Johto, and, now, we stand at our final obstacle.

The final door of the Pokemon League... The last challenge... Behind this door is Lance, the Dragon Master!

"Are you ready, Voltflare?" I ask the Equilibrium Pokemon, smiling. He returns my gaze and nods.

I stoop down and pull a small piece of red and yellow fabric from my bag. Voltflare looks at the object curiously.

"Wha- what's that?" he asks. His eyes glow, and his left ear twitches; I know that he won't let me tie my Focus Sash to his leg without me telling him what it is.

"Just a little something that I think will help us in our battle. Consider it a gift from me." I gently stroke his head, trying to soothe him about the article before he asks any more questions.

Luckily, he doesn't seem to be opposed to the idea of wearing a gift from me, and he smiles when I wrap it around his leg. I am careful not to tie the Sash too tight- I want it to be secure in the heat of battle, but, at the same time, I don't want his leg to lose circulation.

"Let's give Lance a battle he'll never forget!" Voltflare shouts once I'm done securing the strip of cloth, and we slowly walk towards the next room. His demeanor drastically changes, however, when we are only a few steps away.

"It feels... Colder in there," my Pokemon tells me, and he shivers for a few seconds.

"Don't worry, Voltflare. We can do this! There's no need to be afraid!" I try to encourage him, but he lowers his head further.

"No, that's not it..." he mumbles, looking down at the ground.

"I'm just thinking of home... Markus... I can still feel him out there, somewhere..." He pauses for a few seconds looks at me with a new determination.

"That's why I have to fight as hard as I can for him! Come on, Nathan. Let's win this- for him- for everyone!"

That's my Voltflare! I can't help thinking, and a smile works its way across my face. Both of us wear the same resolute expression, and I take that as my signal to push open the door in front of us and step through.

As soon as we enter the new room, the sounds of our footsteps echo through the acoustics of the room, and Lance holds out a Pokeball towards the wall, away from us, for a second before lowering it again and smiling. The dragon statues shake with anticipation, as if they, themselves, are ready to spectate the inevitable skirmish between Lance and myself.

"Ah, you again!" Lance finally says, turning to the two of us.

"I was wondering when you would appear again! You see, back when we fought Team Rocket together, I just knew that, one day, you would appear here, in this very room, ready to challenge me for the title of Pokemon Champion."

"Lance, are you ready to battle?!" I call out. Voltflare looks at the man with eagerness in his eyes.

"I was born ready! Let us fight, Savior of Johto!" he smirks. I turn to my Pokemon one last time.

"Are you ready?" I ask him.

"Did you even need to ask? Come on, let's go!" he shouts, and Lance laughs.

"I admire your Pokemon's enthusiasm," he smirks,

"But let's see if it can stand up to the might of my Dragon-type brethren and I!"