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DESCRIPTION -
Blackthorn City is a remote settlement in the very north-east of Johto. Crediting itself as a quiet mountain retreat, the Pokemon that have emerged from this auspicious city are anything but quiet. Dragon-type trainers come in droves from this city, with notable figures such as Lance of the Elite Four, Clair and Ryugi, the previous Gym Leaders, and Kai Benihara, the current Gym Leader, all specializing in this strong and majestic class of Pokemon. Thus it is no surprise that there is a cave commemorating these Pokemon nearby, as well as a rugged Ice Path that is the City's only entrance coming from Mahogany Town . . .

LOCATION -
Blackthorn is located in north-eastern Johto.

PEOPLE -
With such a dangerous type of Pokemon the focal point of most inhabitant's lives, it should come as no surprise that the people of Blackthorn are rugged and strong, often with an independent streak that serves them well in life. Despite all this, they can be quite welcoming so long as you act properly and honorably.

RESOURCES/EVENTS/PLACES OF INTEREST -
Poke Center and Mart: - As one comes to expect of a City with a Pokemon Gym, Blackthorn has the familiar Center/Mart combination situated near the entrance to the City.

Pokemon Gym: - Blackthorn City contains the final Gym most trainers will face in the Johto region. Blackthorn Gym is led by Kai Benihara, and he specializes in Dragon-type pokemon. If you're lucky enough to best him in battle, he'll award you with the Valour Badge(and TM82, Dragon Tail).

Ice Path: - The only way in to the City from Mahogany Town, this icy path is the only place in Johto where you can catch Pokemon like Jynx and Delibird - who also happen to be of the Ice type, a type super effective against Dragons . . .

Dragon's Den: - A cavern with an underground lake that contains a shrine to Dragon Pokémon, as well as the elders of the Dragon clan. The entrance is located behind the gym, across a small pond, while the main cavern seems to be located underneath the city itself. Many strong Trainers can be found within the cavern. The Master of the Dragon User Clan is located here.

MYTH/LORE -
Blackthorn does not have any real belief apart from in their Dragon-type Pokemon, which have been used by its denizens for generations.

It was a few days since Team Rocket attacked the Goldenrod Pokemon Contest, and Ryugi had been instrumental in putting a stop to their antics. While they had eventually gotten away, no trainers had lost their pokemon that day, and that was as good a victory as any. By now the publicity had died down, and the interviews had stopped, along with avoiding a certain red head...

The quiet calm was shattered by a loud roar from inside the Blackthorn City Pokemon Gym. But this wasn't the usual pokemon-based roar. No, this was the angry yell of a woman.



It was Clair, the former Blackthorn City Gym Leader, and Ryugi's fellow Dragon-Type Trainer. And she sounded none too pleased.

This is hardly behavior for a Gym Leader, running off on some weird quest, especially one who's just been given the position. I know Brock and Misty in Kanto like to go wandering, and Janine...ok, maybe ALL of them wander around at Saffron's Fighting Gym from time to time... but this is different! We've got a status quo to uphold here!

She was pacing around the Gym as Ryugi collected several items into his backpack and placed it on his back. However, another voice spoke up as well as Ryugi chuckled and continued about his business.

She's right you know, it IS rather unorthodox. However, I support you in your decision. A real trainer, Gym Leader or not, can never stop training and improving his skills. If that means a journey to find something amazing, then so be it.

Lance! You're not making this any easier you know.

What can I say Clair? I've done my fair share of wandering, and I'm the Champion. To tell him otherwise would be hypocritical.

Maybe so, but still. He has a duty to run the gym, and that Moonblade fellow just doesn't do as good a job. He's...strange. Anyway, what the heck are you planning on doing, Ryugi?

Ryugi stopped what he was doing as he tossed in a few Max Potions and Full Restores into his bag, along with some food and water and some camping supplies, and hefted the whole ting onto his back.

There are legends of powerful pokemon everywhere in this world. Even as far off as Hoenn and Sinnoh, there are tales of powerful pokemon. Dragons of all kinds fill this world of ours. But one, for me, is the most captivating and mysterious. And that is the Dragon Guardian of Air and Sky, Rayquaza. I've always been interested by it, and just recently, some news of strange disturbances in Hoenn, its natural region, have sprung up, and I believe that it has made its way here to Mount Silver.

Lance raised and eyebrow and leaned against the wall of the Gym, looking thoughtful for a moment.

Ryugi... That's certainly a grand quest for a trainer to prove his skills and love for his pokemon, but how can you be so sure?

I know this will sound crazy, but I had a dream. One night, while I slept, I had a dream that I was wandering through the mists of a great mountain. The moon was out and it cast a glow across the mist, and as I walked, I came to the top of the mountain. And there, standing calmly, with her back facing me was a woman of enchanting beauty and haunting grace.

Oh geeze... Clair, hush. Then what happened?

As I neared, she turned to face me, the whites of her eyes black, with yellow iris's. At first, I was frightened, but as I continued to look upon her, I felt calmed the longer she looked at me. She smiled softly, and without saying a word, stepped towards me and held out her hand.

In it was a glowing orb of some sort. She offered it to me and I took it. Once I did, I felt a warmth, like a soothing breeze, wash over me as I watched her smile and begin to glow brightly. The light was blinding, but as I looked away and the light dimmed, I turned back to see the form of Rayquaza shimmering and flying into the clouds.

After that I woke up, and I knew that I had to go to Mount Silver and find Rayquaza. It...she, has come to me for some reason I don't understand. I don't know much in my life, but this I know and feel to have been a genuine experience. For whatever reason, Rayquaza has chosen me for something, and I must prove that I am worthy of that trust.

Well Ryugi, I've seen the power of many powerful pokemon in my day, and I know that they can easily choose people to bond with. That said, now I'm sure that you need to go on this journey of yours. Clair and I and your friend can take care of things here until you return.

Thank you Lance. Well, I guess I'm off, then. Take care of everything.

Ryugi smiled and walked out of the gym as Clair and Lance waved their goodbyes. As he left, flying off on Eclipse, Clair turned to Lance and spoke to him.

Do you really think a legendary pokemon has decided to bond with him for something? That's a little far-fetched don't you think?

Maybe, but that dream was no joke. He believes in his heart that he has something he must do, and he's not going to let anything stand in his way. If he follows his heart to Mount Silver, he might even meet him. My only regret is that I wouldn't be there myself to witness such a thing if it came to pass.

And with that, Ryugi's Quest for Rayquaza began...

Ryugi watched as the young trainer approached him. He didn't believe in a bunch of fancy tests and followers to soften up his opponents for him before they came to battle. If they were truly worthy of the Adamant Badge they would earn it while fighting at their full power, or fail at the same level. Fair was fair.

Ryugi stood and adjusted his bandanna as the young man grew closer, a woman with strange black eyes and green hair stood next to him, a jade pendant shimmering in the light. It almost seemed to glow, but since when did jewelry do that? Once the young man had reached Ryugi, Ryugi spoke.

So, you wish to challenge me, hmm? I must warn you, no challenge is ever taken lightly. I will battle anyone that challenges me to the best of my ability. So, if you believe that you are strong enough to take me on, follow me out back and we shall begin...

As he finished, Ryugi glanced at the woman beside him, then Kai, and the both of them then headed out a set of doors at the rear of the gym. After walking for some time, Ryugi and the woman stopped and the battlefield faced them.

It was a huge, wide open area with massive chunks of rock and boulders offering some sort of cover, with a small lake of sorts as well. The area was also scarred with blackened streaks of charred plant life and scorched earth. It was clear that this was a battlefield where power rained down from all across its features...

The rules are simple. We shall battle until one of us is victorious. Use of healing items is prohibited. Only your skills here will gain you ground. And unlike most Leaders, my rules for combat are different. While most trainers have six pokemon, you shall only be allowed to choose four to battle my team. Stacked numbers are not a true test of skill and ability. If you can prove your skills by defeating me, the Adamant Badge will be yours. So then... Do you accept?

Ryugi's red eyes locked onto the young man, steeled, determined, unbending, as he awaited his answer.

Ryugi grinned.

Very well. As the challenger, you shall have the honor of beginning this round. I'm ready when you are.

It was time, the challenge was accepted. It was up to Kai now to make the first move.

Ryugi smirked. This was going to be interesting alright... He grabbed a pokeball from his waist before hurling it out towards the battlefield. It was time to get underway! As the ball opened with a flash, Ryugi cried out.



In a flash, Kisaki appeared, Ryugi's female Kingdra. It would be water type against water type. Things seemed fair enough...

As soon as Feraligatr began to dance, Ryugi shot into action. He certainly wasn't going to stand around and let that water type finish its move if he had the chance. After all, fighting certainly wasn't exactly turn based in real life, was it?

Kisaki! Use your Hidden Power to strike him down!

Kisiaki's body glowed before several luminous spheres shot towards the dancing water pokemon and took up positions all around him. He wouldn't be able to dodge that while he was dancing... And then, they struck, as ELECTRICITY surged through Feraligatr's body aiming to do super effective damage to the water type...

Kisaki's Hidden Power was Electric in nature, a perfect counter to other water types.

Earthquake was a mighty move indeed. Many of Ryugi's pokemon knew the move as well because of its power. However, it only worked if you were on the ground...

Kisaki! Use Bounce to avoid his attack and use another Hidden Power!

The Kingdra used its tail and bounced into the sky, avoiding the seismic waves of Feraligatr's earthquake before interrupting the move and unleashing another airborne Hidden Power on the water type, the spheres forming up around him in all directions before moving in for another shocking super effective blow...