Pokémon BW: Rise of Clarity (book 3 of the HBoD series)

Chapter 39: A Tale of Dragons

"Aha!" Robert held up the Dark Stone with a mad grin. "It's real!"

"To think such an artifact that was thought to be no more than just some stone with strange markings was just sitting here in broad daylight for all to see," Lenora said, hand on hip. "Good thing Team Plasma didn't realize it either when they stole the skull."

After Alex and I's realization, we'd booked it back to Nacrene City taking the Shinkansen, the journey feeling long, as if the stone might not be there when we arrived. But lo and behold it was there, still sitting the glass case in Nacrene Museum.

I took the stone from Robert. It fit in the palm of my hand and felt warm to the touch. It felt... right. Almost like it was humming right into my soul.

I am so getting sick and tired of this, I thought with a wry smile. But as long as this is what it takes to convince N that the way he's going about all this is wrong, then so be it.

"So how do we get Zekrom out?"

We all looked at Alex. She shrugged. "Well?"

"That," Alden looked stumped. "Is a very good question."

"Do you feel a connection, Zeno?" Robert asked. "Maybe enough to like, I dunno, make contact with Zekrom?"

"Is that even possible?" Lenora exclaimed.

"Wouldn't be the first time," Alex said offhandedly. 

Lenora gawked at her while I turned the stone over and cupped it with both hands. Closing my eyes, I attempted to feel for that vague sense of something. I tried doing the same thing I felt when bonding with Greninja, or Lucario.

After a long moment, I opened my eyes. "I can definitely feel something. But... it's like he's asleep. Or maybe... waiting."

"So the time is not yet right..." Alden mused. He snapped his fingers. "Alright, I know a place where you might be able to get more information about both Reshiram and Zekrom."

"Where?" Alex, Robert, and I asked in unison.

Alden frowned. "It won't be easy. You'll likely have to battle for the right to hear the story, and it won't be an easy fight. I tried once, many years ago, but failed. That was back before I was Champion, so don't worry, I was much weaker then," He assured us. "I haven't felt the need to go back since, but now is a good time as any for those particular secrets to be shared. Head for Opelucid City and find Drayden and Iris. Aside from the people of the Village of Dragons, they alone know the full story behind the Dragons of Truth and Ideals."

...

Opelucid City was like walking back into time. The houses and buildings were old and traditional, and the streets were made of cobblestone. I half expected to see carriages pulled by Zebstrikas or something, but while none were in sight, nor were there any cars to be seen. In fact there weren't many hints of technology whatsoever unless you looked carefully. Musicians played in the streets, playing an almost nostalgic melodic tune.

"There had been several plans to remodel Opelucid into a more modern city," Robert filled us in as we strolled down the street towards the address Alden had given us. Behind us was the Opelucid Gym, standing out against the rest of the city thanks to the two giant dragon heads, the one on the right white and the one on the left black. "But Drayden has been shooting those ideas down for literal decades. Nobody but corrupt businessmen want this city to become the next Black City."

"I like towns like this," I admitted. "You can tell it has modern amenities, but at the same time it has all the comfort only old towns can offer."

"I know what you mean," Alex blew into her hands, her breath misting in the air. "It's gorgeous."