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At the edge of the centre of an endless desert, the War Champions were hanging out in their base as usual. Everyone was just getting on with their day. War Steven was polishing rocks in his room with Warllace, War Geeta was finishing up with some cleaning, War Alder was obnoxiously flexing in his room to no one in particular, War Leon was experimenting with some substances in his room, and War Diantha was brooding on the sofa. Across the room from War Diantha, War Cynthia was chilling in her ice cream truck, sighing as she aimlessly scrolled through her Rotom Phone. All the usual stuff.
"We should get some plants," War Diantha suddenly said. "That might make this place nicer to look at."
"Huh?" said War Cynthia, looking up from the phone screen. "Are you a farmer now? But ice cream doesn't grow on plants, does it?"
"No, I mean, like, decoration," clarified War Diantha. "A bit more stuff to look at couldn't hurt."
"True, I love looking at stuff," agreed War Cynthia, looking off into the distance.
"Did you say you want to get plants?" said War Geeta as she walked into the room. "That sounds like more trouble than it's worth. Wouldn't we have to water them?"
"Oh, that can be a new job for Warllace!" War Cynthia suggested.
"Well, no, we could have...dead plants," said War Diantha. "Uh, that's what I had in mind in the first place, actually. They'd be edgy and cool."
"Still feels like a bit of a waste of space to me," said War Geeta as she took a seat in an armchair. "It would probably just end up being more useless miscellanea to shove in the shed outside."
"Wait, there's a shed outside?" War Cynthia questioned.
"Yeah, I built one for that purpose," War Geeta clarified. "We need somewhere to put the random stuff we get from our adventures."
"Ah, so that's why the base feels so empty now," said War Diantha.
"Oh come on, don't tell me you enjoyed having those big machines from that hotel lying around," War Geeta went on. "They just got in the way!"
"Yeah, and they looked cool doing it," said War Diantha.
"GUYS!" The three of them turned to see War Lance rushing frantically into the room. "Shut up about that inconsequential stuff! I've just realised something!"
"What?" asked War Diantha flatly.
"Lance Week!" he exclaimed joyfully. "Lance Week is upon us!"
"Ugh," War Diantha groaned.
"Whoa, it finally came?" said War Cynthia. "Good for you!"
"There's an event, isn't there?" War Lance asked. "Somewhere to celebrate?"
"Uh, I think I'll sit this one out," said War Geeta. "I'm not sure I want us to be responsible for destroying another venue..."
"Who said anything about destroying?" said War Lance. "Look, I'm not even asking you guys to come with me, I just want to know where to go myself!"
"Why?" asked War Diantha, sounding almost disappointed in him. "Lance Week is about celebrating Champion Lance. That's not you anymore, you're a Warmonger. Is it that hard to understand?"
"Yeah, I didn't need you to tell me that," War Lance retorted. "Anyway, being the leader of our team doesn't mean you can decide what I do with my free time!"
"Aw, can't we let him have this?" pleaded War Cynthia, turning back to her phone and searching something up online. "He's never usually this excited about anything."
"Ugh, fine," said War Diantha, rolling her eyes. "But you're not dragging me into it."
"Didn't plan to," War Lance agreed.
"Here, I think I found something!" War Cynthia leaned out of the truck and held out her phone for the others to see, with some sort of promo for an event on it. "It came up when I looked up Lance Week. Is that what you're looking for?"
"That'll do," said War Lance, looking at the phone screen and skimming the ad for the event. "Let's see...universal coordinates 19-99-W4-TA!" he read out.
"Break a leg," said War Diantha, opening a portal.
Deep in the hinterlands of the Johto region, hidden away in Blackthorn City, at the heart of the cavern of Dragon's Den, the preparations in the Dragon Shrine were complete. Torches lit the interior of the small shrine, revealing small statues of dragons placed around a large portrait depicting the Indigo League Champion, Lance.
"Good afternoon, everyone," said Clair, addressing the eight other Trainers that had gathered within the shrine. They sat together in a circle of chairs in front of the portrait. "Thank you all for taking time out of your busy lives to come here today. And thanks to my master, too, for allowing us to conduct this service."
"I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say the pleasure is all mine," responded Drayden politely. "Do go on."
"Thank you," said Clair. "As you all know, we are gathered here today in celebration of a famous and well-respected Pokémon Trainer, Elite Four member, Champion, and dragon master, a reputation that he has rightfully earned. The only person who I, the world's best Dragon-type master, truly lost a battle to. My cousin, Lance." She gestured up at the portrait of him behind her before continuing. "I have brought together you, some of the many aspiring dragon masters who follow in his footsteps, to share in our admiration and celebration of this great man and his equally impressive legacy, one whose positive impact on all of our lives is never to be forgotten. I'm sure that whether or not you have met him in person, you each have your own experiences to thank him for."
"Indeed," agreed Drake. "He is a shining inspiration to all of us. I'm sure even those who do not choose to train Dragon-type Pokémon find something to admire in him. He understands what many do not about the true nature of the relationship between people and Pokémon, that what a Trainer needs is a true and virtuous heart, and he certainly has one himself. It shines through in the way his Pokémon battle, and the way that they act as his partners. He deserves every credit for his achievements as a Pokémon Trainer."
"Thank you for sharing your perspective," Clair replied. "Would anyone else like to comment?"
"Oh, goodness, where to even begin?" Drasna spoke up. "Well, you said it wonderfully, Drake. Lance's tale is a truly inspiring one. Of course, as a member of the Kalos Elite Four, I've been lucky enough to have risen to a similar standing as him, but it's really thanks to stories my grandparents raised me on that I decided to become a Dragon-type Trainer. To think that something so simple can get you so far! I understand that Lance's grandfather played a similar role in inspiring him. I can say he certainly did a splendid job in living up to that lofty legacy."
"Certainly," agreed Hassel. "I can tell you from experience that having to live up to your family's expectations can be quite daunting. But Lance not only faced the struggles head on, he came out of it a dazzling Trainer in his own right, whose personal merits far exceed merely his ancestry. As a teacher at the academy in Mesagoza, I strive to impart similar values to my own students. Lance's story is just such an inspiring tale of...of..." He took a second to regain his composure. "Oh, do excuse me. It's enough to bring a tear to this old man's eye..."
"To call Lance an inspiration is an understatement," Drayden stated. "At my age, it delights me to see people like him setting an example. He is precisely the sort of Trainer who assures me that the world has a bright future ahead. He refuses to succumb to a challenge and guides others to work through difficulties together. The energy that flows in his heart is strong, powered by truth and ideals. I dare say he would make for a fine mayor."
"Yeah," Raihan chimed in. "You know, I actually had a pretty bad experience myself a while back. I was just selling some lemonade at an event when I suddenly fell through some kind of portal to who knows where. It was rough, but I tried to remember how Lance would've handled it. He's tougher than the most furious sandstorm, that one. He wouldn't have just given up, not in a million years. He and his Pokémon would've stopped at nothing to set things right. It was with that determination that I was able to make it home."
"Yeah, Lance is awesome!" Iris added. "He's such a cool guy! And from the way he acts around his Pokémon, I think he really does know the hearts of dragons! Since we're both Champions and all, I'd love to have a serious battle with him. But he's so tough, there's no telling if I'd win!"
"That Lance is what you might call a star," said Ryuki. "I think he gets it. He knows who he is and what he's gotta do, right down to his bones. He's the kinda passionate guy who pours his whole spirit into everything he'll do, who'll just keep on rockin' no matter what happens, and I dig it. Actually, I've been thinking about dedicating a song to him. I'll have to make sure it's fire if I wanna do him justice!"
"So, uh..." Drayton had been half listening the whole time. "This Lance guy isn't dead, right?"
"What?!" exclaimed Clair. "Of course not!"
"Drayton!" Drayden said sternly. "Think before you speak!"
"Whoa, sorry," said Drayton, his tone unchanged. "It's just, the way some of you were talking made it sound like a funeral or something..."
"Culture shock, huh?" said Ryuki.
Clair took a deep breath and remembered to stay calm before speaking. "It's not a funeral," she explained. "We're simply here to share some kind words about this fantastic Trainer."
"Right, got it," said Drayton. "Well, he sounds like a real great person, I guess. I'm sure he'd appreciate all those kind words of yours."
"Thank you, everyone," said Clair. "Now, next, I'd like to—"
A sudden loud sound of crashing and breaking interrupted her. Everyone turned around in alarm to see the Lance portrait had been ruined, a huge hole torn in the centre where Lance's face had been. In its place, they saw War Lance's head poking through, with a portal behind him.
"Ow," he said, grabbing the sides of the portrait with his claws to steady himself. He looked around at the nine stunned Dragon-type Trainers before him. "Um...is this the Lance Week event?"
Silence ensued.
"...Huh?" Iris broke the silence after a moment.
"Dear me, are you alright?" asked Drasna.
"Careful where you're going, man!" advised Ryuki.
"Way to make an entrance," commented Drayton.
"When did you get in here?!" questioned Hassel.
"Uh, what's that portal doing there?" asked Raihan with alarm.
"Is that...Lance?!" exclaimed a surprised Drake.
"But his eyes..." Drayden pointed out.
"Well, you guys don't sound that pleased to see me," War Lance gathered. "Was this a bad time?"
"Lance?" said Clair. "What's gotten into you?!"
"Oh, I'm not really Lance," War Lance explained. "At least not the one you're thinking of."
"Then what are you doing here?!" Clair yelled. "I don't remember inviting you!"
"Alright, fine, I'll leave," said War Lance with some slight irritation. "Sorry for the trouble. It's just, I wanted to say..."
Everyone was shocked to see him spread his draconic wings.
"...Happy Lance Week!"
He pulled himself out of the portrait and flapped his wings, flying back through the portal.
War Lance landed awkwardly on the base's floor in a sitting position. He quickly retracted his wings.
"Huh, back already?" said War Diantha. "Should I close the portal?"
He nodded, and she obliged.
"So?" said War Cynthia as War Lance rose to his feet. "How was it?"
"Uh, yeah, never mind," said War Lance. "Turns out it wasn't a good idea after all."