Feng Che looked up to see a massive Salamence. On its back, a figure wearing a fox mask waved at him.
"So it's you, Shiori. I was just about to look for you."
Feng Che released his Aerodactyl, which beat its wings to rise and fly level with Shiori.
"An Aerodactyl... a truly rare Pokémon," Shiori noted, her eyes sharpening as she observed the creature. "And it seems this one exhibits a state of atavism, a true return to its ancestral roots."
She saw through Aerodactyl's secret in a single glance. "The Meteorite Caverns are actually home to several ancient Aerodactyl, which is why I know a bit more about them than most," she explained, removing her mask with a smile. "You're here for the Shrine of the Wind, aren't you? Follow me. I'm heading back to the clan now. These caverns are a labyrinth; if you don't stay close, you'll be lost in minutes."
The Meteorite Caverns
Located in the northwestern corner of Hoenn, the caverns spanned a vast area characterized by classic karst topography. The interior was a complex web of tunnels and chambers, housing the legendary Dragon's Den of Hoenn.
"This is the largest gathering place for Dragon-types in the region," Shiori introduced with pride. "Any stranger who wanders in would normally be driven out by powerful dragons. Only we, the Draconids—the true Dragon Clan—possess the power to coexist with them in peace."
As they spoke, a flock of Noibat fluttered past, led by two massive Noivern.
Noibat, resembling purple fruit bats, possess sensitive ears larger than their heads that can emit ultrasonic waves of 200,000 hertz—enough to incapacitate prey. Their evolution, Noivern, is a formidable predator. With a mane of white fluff and enormous black-and-purple wings tipped with red claws, they can fire ultrasonic pulses strong enough to shatter boulders.
Feng Che pulled several high-quality berries from his storage ring. The Noivern hesitated for a moment before eagerly surrounding him to beg for the treats.
"Strange," Shiori murmured. "Noivern are notoriously cautious. They rarely accept food from outsiders."
"This little one is hurt," Feng Che said, pointing to a bleeding gash on a Noivern's wing, likely a trophy from a territorial dispute. With a thought, he activated his Viridian Power. A soft green light emanated from his hands, covering the wound. In seconds, the wing was completely healed.
"So you have the Viridian Power," Shiori realized. "No wonder they trust you so readily."
Shiori led him deeper into the tunnels. "The caverns are barren of fruit, so we have to import them. Fortunately, the underground rivers are teeming with fish, allowing our people to settle here. This is our ancestral home and our final fortress. Within these walls, we have many Elite-tier dragons—and even a Champion-tier Salamence standing guard. Capturing this place is no easy feat."
Feng Che nodded. So that's why the other Hoenn factions never pushed too hard. They feared the Champion-level guardian.
They entered a cavern filled with dozens of Druddigon. These dragons, with their jagged, crimson-faced bodies and rock-hard skin, were either sparring or snoring loudly. In the center lay a massive, Shiny Druddigon with emerald-green scales. It opened one eye, saw Shiori, and went back to sleep.
"That Druddigon belongs to my grandmother, the previous High Priestess. It's one of our primary defensive lines."
"The next stretch is by water," Shiori said, landing her Salamence and releasing an Elite-tier Gyarados that was twice the usual size.
Feng Che released his own Shiny Gyarados. The red sea dragon lowered its head so Feng Che could step onto its brow.
"Stay close," Shiori warned as they surged into the rushing dark river. "We keep Sharpedo and Carvanha in these waters to deter intruders."
As they moved, several Sharpedo used Aqua Jet to leap from the water, their maws wide.
"Go, Zeraora! Plasma Fists!"
The Mythical Pokémon emerged and threw a lightning-fast punch. Golden arcs of electricity surged through the water, and the sound of breaking teeth echoed. The Sharpedo tumbled back into the river, bellies up, and vanished into the current.
"I was just about to tell you to dodge," Shiori sighed with a wry smile. "But your reaction speed is incredible. Poor Sharpedo."
The Draconid Village
After passing through a valley of gale-force winds where wild Salamence nested, they arrived at a quiet village built entirely of stone. Like the rest of the caverns, it was barren and grey.
"The legendary Draconids living in such a wasteland... it's beyond my imagination," Feng Che admitted.
"Ancient texts say this was once fertile land," Shiori explained. "But soil erosion and a great upheaval turned it into a desert. Besides, we are warriors, not farmers. We never learned to till the earth."
"Every Draconid is given a dragon egg at birth to build a bond. Even our eight-year-olds are Elite-tier trainers. Protected by the long-lived dragons our ancestors left behind, we've managed to hold our ground in Hoenn."
The Trial of the Wind
"Shiori! You're back!" Zinnia ran to meet them at the village entrance, followed by a group of children and their partner Noibat and Bagon. She stopped when she saw Feng Che. "Who is this?"
"This is Feng Che, my savior," Shiori said with a playful wink. "He needs to use the Shrine of the Wind. I'm making an exception for him."
They walked to the northeast corner of the village, where a Gym-level Garchomp stood guard before an ancient stone structure.
"The Wind Shrine has different rules than the Earth Shrine," Shiori explained. "You must defeat the guardian. Dragons respect strength; they believe allowing the weak to evolve here is a desecration."
"Why a Garchomp in Hoenn?" Feng Che asked.
"It was a gift from the Dragon Clan of Sinnoh for my birthday—a symbol of friendship between our tribes. Now, bring out the Pokémon you wish to evolve. If you win, the shrine opens. If not, I must ask you to leave."
"Fair enough. Go, Corvisquire!"
The blue bird took to the sky. "Garchomp, please test him," Shiori commanded.
The Garchomp lunged, its claws manifesting white arcs of energy—Slash. Corvisquire beat its wings, creating two localized wind gusts to pivot mid-air, dodging the strike with surgical precision.
"He's fast," Shiori whispered. "Garchomp was only at fifty percent power, but most Flying-types can't react like that."
Garchomp grew serious. A golden aura—Dragon Dance—shimmered around it. It blurred, appearing instantly before Corvisquire with a shimmering Dragon Claw. Corvisquire spun into a localized hurricane, creating a centrifugal shield that deflected the claws with a shower of sparks.
"Corvisquire, use Brave Bird!"
The bird dived from the clouds, utilizing Quick Attack to add momentum to its impact. Garchomp was slammed into the earth, creating a massive crater.
The dragon surged back out, its scales standing on end. "It's using Outrage!" Shiori warned.
"Keep going, Corvisquire! You can handle this!" Feng Che shouted.
The Garchomp unleashed a massive Dragon Pulse, but Corvisquire manifested dozens of Double Team afterimages. The pulse struck a phantom, causing a mushroom cloud to erupt in the distance. The village trembled.
Garchomp roared, locking onto the real Corvisquire and initiating a Dragon Rush.
"Don't flinch! Brave Bird!"
Corvisquire closed its eyes and drew in all its energy. The Rayquaza Scale tucked in its feathers began to glow with a mysterious cyan light. A ghostly image of the Sky Lord seemed to flicker over the bird. The two Pokémon collided with a world-shaking blast.
When the dust settled, Garchomp coughed up a cloud of smoke and collapsed.
"He did it! Someone actually beat that monster!" the villagers whispered in awe.
"Shiori, may we proceed?" Feng Che asked.
"Of course. But remember, the shrine is for Pokémon only. Only Corvisquire may enter."
Feng Che handed Corvisquire a specialized Potential Advancement Potion he had brewed. "This is for you. I'll be waiting right here."
Corvisquire swallowed the potion and flew into the shrine. Instantly, a surge of cyan wind erupted from the entrance.
While they waited, Shiori spoke of her fears about moving the clan. "This cave is safe, but barren. Outside, we are vulnerable."
"Look at Opelucid City in Unova," Feng Che advised. "They integrated their city with the Dragon's Den. You can do the same. Keep your loyal elders here as a final line of defense, but show your strength to the world. Don't hide your Elite dragons; show them your teeth, and the corporations won't dare touch you."
"I'll think on that," Shiori said. "By the way, you wanted some Meteoritic Iron?"
"Yes."
"Take what you need from the warehouse. Consider it a gift."
Inside the shrine, Corvisquire flew into a chaotic storm of currents. A massive phantom of Rayquaza appeared before it...