Blackthorn City was a small city nestled in the northeastern corner of the Johto Region.
Surrounded by mountains on all sides, Blackthorn City had neither particularly developed commerce nor urban infrastructure.
In Lance's own words: "My hometown has mountains in front, mountains to the left, mountains to the right, and mountains behind...
"It's a fucking hole!"
Of course, its unique geography had not left it forgotten. As the saying went, a pool need not be deep to be sacred, so long as a dragon lived there.
The Dragon Clan's Dragon's Den was right here. A massive four-story villa stood before its entrance-that was the Blackthorn Gym!
It was precisely because of the Dragon's Den that Blackthorn City produced more Dragon-type Pokémon Trainers than any other city in Johto.
Although its limelight would gradually be stolen by Unova's Dragon Village later on, that did not stop Blackthorn City from remaining an ideal cherished by Dragon-type Trainers.
In those days when Dragon types were scarce, only the Dragon's Den consistently bred the Dratini line, giving Dragon-type Trainers their sole option.
Through the efforts of the two big names from Dragon Village, Drayden and Drasna, Goomy and Druddigon would be brought into the Dragon's Den in the future.
Together with the Horsea and Bagon Clair bred, those additions would finally allow the Dragon's Den to preserve its historical standing.
Of course, the Dragon's Den had its own advantage: its long-established Dragonite population. Apart from those on Kanto's Dragonite Island, the Dratini here were the finest available.
Putting down the history book in his hands, Young Master Mao rolled his eyes. What a "weighty" historical introduction.
In a lavish guest room, Young Master Mao lay under a velvet quilt with a cooling patch on his forehead, nearly shedding bitter tears... and snot.
"I've let