Tia goes to the Dragon's Den and takes a special test.
It was quiet as the small boat slid through the waves of the lake and into the cave of the Dragon’s Den. The lantern hanging from the pole at the front of the boat lit up the night, casting shadows on the water. A thick mist swirled.
Tia sat in the middle of the boat as another person paddled. She could see the outline of the Dragon Shrine at the far end of the cavern.
When Tia agreed to stay up until midnight to do a special task as a favor to Aidan’s family, a part of her thought it was something frivolous, to appease the older ones of the Dragon clan, perhaps.
“It’s an old tradition,” Amelie had said, “Whenever we bring a guest to visit – someone we like or want to be a part of the family – we take them to the Dragon Shrine. The Chief Elder of our clan gives them a special trial, and if they pass, they become a part of the clan.”
“Many people in the clan – the older ones, especially – don’t take well to outsiders,” Aidan’s father said, “It’s difficult for the tourists, as well as the Trainers who come by to challenge the Gym, since they feel like they aren’t welcome.”
“If a guest becomes a part of the clan,” Amelie added, “they are welcome to come and go as they please and visit whenever they like! Not that anyone couldn’t already do that, of course, but at least they’d feel more welcome.”
Now, sitting in a boat in the middle of a misty lake in the middle of the night, with torches lighting the way to the Dragon Shrine, and the faint shadows of people walking near the shrine, Tia felt a sense of urgency and importance, as well as the crushing intensity. Whatever this trial was, it was not something to be taken lightly.
The boat landed gently against the ground in front of the shrine, and Tia and the others disembarked.
Tia entered the shrine and was surprised by the crowd of people standing inside, whispering and murmuring. She recognized Aidan and his family, a few of the townspeople she had seen around, and even the Gym Leader, Clair. They all surrounded a short, elderly man dressed in robes.
Tia walked up to him, and the crowd suddenly quieted.
“Welcome,” the old man said, “Good to see you here. You’re a guest of the Gray family, yes?”
Tia nodded.
“I must test you. Not to worry, you are to answer only a few questions. Are you ready?”
Tia looked around at the crowd silently gathered around, then back to the Chief Elder. “Yes.”
The Chief Elder cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and asked the first question. “What are Pokemon to you?”
Tia thought for a few moments. Naito came to mind, along with Aura, Summer, and the other Pokemon she had met on her journey. She answered, “Pokemon are friends and partners to me. Without them, I would end up nowhere.”
“What helps you to win battles?”
Tia thought back to the countless Wild Pokemon battles she fought to complete her research. “Strategy,” she answered, “along with careful Pokemon raising.”
“What kind of Trainer do you wish to battle?”
Tia had only fought a relative handful of Trainer battles, but she remembered the exhilarating feeling she got from them, regardless of who she battled. “Anyone. It doesn’t matter if they’re strong or weak.”
“What is most important for raising Pokemon?”
To this, Tia answered immediately. “Knowledge, to know what’s best for your Pokemon.” She paused for a moment, thinking. “And love, to consider your Pokemon’s feelings.
“Strong Pokemon. Weak Pokemon. Which is more important?”
Again, she thought of the Pokemon she had met on her journey. Their strengths and their weaknesses, and everything that made them unique. “Both. Or neither. With Pokemon, strength shouldn’t matter.”
The Chief Elder was silent for a few moments. Tia stared at him anxiously.
“Hmm…” he finally said. “I see. You care very deeply for Pokemon. That is very commendable. That conviction is what is important! Never lose it. It will see you through wherever you go.”
Tia blinked. “So… does that mean I passed?”
The Chief Elder nodded. “You did well.”
Tia let out a breath and smiled, relieved.
“With this, we accept you as a part of our clan.”
The crowd surrounding her broke out in applause and gave congratulations. As she shook hands and traded hugs with a few people, Tia felt the crushing intensity in the air finally fade away, to be replaced with a calmer, more friendly atmosphere.
Aidan’s grandfather suddenly appeared next to her, glaring his steel-blue glare. Then his expression softened just a little bit, and he held out his hand.
“Well done,” he said, “I see now what Aidan sees in you, if only a little bit.”
“Thank you,” Tia said somberly, shaking his hand.
Aidan pushed his way through the crowd, and when he finally reached Tia, he grabbed her and twirled her in the air. Laughing, she landed in his arms, and he gave her a long kiss. Several young people whistled and cheered.
“I’m glad you passed,” Aidan whispered into Tia’s ear. “Grandfather wouldn’t have approved of us if you hadn’t.”
“I figured that,” Tia whispered back.