Facing Torkoal's blazing Eruption under Sunny Day, Duraludon—even as a Steel/Dragon type not particularly weak to Fire—instinctively braced itself, enduring its teammate's assault.
But soon, it realized something strange:
The searing heat it expected never came. Instead, its body was undergoing a profound metamorphosis.
Did the metal coating slow heat transfer?
Cautiously, Duraludon squinted open one eye—
Just as the evolutionary glow vanished. Its Trainer's stunned face came into view.
Wait…
Did my perspective just get taller? Or did you guys shrink?
Curious, it glanced down at its body—
—and froze in shock.
???
Its once-simple steel shell now bore a layer of dense blue alloy, fully armored underbelly and forming a mask-like guard over its face.
Its stubby arms had elongated into thick, flexible limbs, crackling with static electricity as they absorbed energy from the ground and air.
"Luca…"
Lucario—Aiden's assistant in this experiment—eyed the evolved giant warily.
The physical changes were striking, but more alarming was its surge in power. Its aura now felt ominously potent.
If it Gigantamaxes now… even my strongest punch might not fell it.
Finally—a worthy opponent to fight without restraints!
"This… it really evolved!"
Raihan snapped out of his daze, beaming as he rushed forward and rapped Duraludon's arm.
"The Metal Alloy hardened its shell—durability must've skyrocketed!"
"And its build looks more agile… could Speed have increased too?"
"No, no—probably just more flexible."
"But if Speed didn't improve… why evolve this way?"
Lost in awe, Raihan failed to notice Aiden's silent observation.
"Judging by its form," Aiden mused, "it likely shifts shapes based on moves—like Donphan curling into a wheel for Rollout."
"For example… doesn't it resemble an arch?"
"An arch?" Raihan blinked, then scrutinized the Pokémon.
If it crouches low, hands grounded… yep—literally a living bridge!
"But why this form?"
Donphan's wheel shape logically amplified Rollout's power. What purpose did this serve?
Raihan had no clue.
As a Gym Leader, not a researcher, he could gauge stats—but not the why.
Pokémon evolution defied logic. Who could predict such forms?
If only a local Pokémon Professor were here…
Then he remembered: Paldea's Professors Sada and Turo had been missing for over a year.
No help there.
He shot Aiden a sympathetic glance.
Heard his parents vanished in that incident too… Good thing I didn't blab.
Wait—could Aiden know the answer?!
"Well… testing reveals truth," Aiden declared, snapping his fingers. "Archaludon—lower your stance! Show your true form!"
A metallic chime answered.
Though not his Pokémon, Aiden read its compliance in its posture.
"Arch…aludon?" Raihan echoed, bewildered—
—as the Pokémon planted its hands into the earth, becoming a living steel arch.
"Ah! Now I see!" Raihan grinned. "'Archaludon'—perfect name! And as the discoverer, you get naming rights. I'll call it that too!"
He wouldn't dream of claiming credit after Aiden's efforts.
This discovery will shake the Pokémon world!
With under 1,000 known species (even counting myths), each new Pokémon unlocked research breakthroughs.
And Aiden—how did he know Duraludon could evolve?
Is he not just a Trainer… but a researcher too?
Unaware of Raihan's awe, Aiden focused on the Arch Form.
"Lowered center of gravity maximizes defense—similar to that Turtonator Ogerpon fought."
"But Archaludon's weight seems manageable… though flipping it won't expose weak points. Traditional tactics would fail."
"More importantly—its static absorption intensified!"
Golden sparks crackled where its limbs met the ground, energy surging into its core.
Its signature move should be learnable immediately post-evolution…
But first—confirm its Ability.
"Lucario—Bullet Punch on Archaludon!"
Lucario struck instantly—a weak Steel-type jab.
Archaludon barely flinched.
Then—orange light shimmered over its body.
Defense boost!
"Just as I thought," Aiden nodded. "It gained Stamina as an ability—like Mudsdale, boosting Defense when hit."
"Huh?" Raihan stared, lost.
Discovering a new Pokémon usually took weeks of testing. Yet Aiden deduced its evolution and Ability in minutes.
Like he knew the answers already…
But that was impossible—else he'd have published it!
Raihan gave up questioning.
The deeper Aiden understands it, the better for me!
Leon never mentioned this wish-granting monster! No Trainer could refuse befriending him!
Lucky bastard!
As Raihan mentally cursed Leon's secrecy, Aiden advanced his research.
"Stamina's brilliant! Lucario's punches barely phased it."
He'd used Bullet Punch to stack Defense boosts, then tested reactions to multi-type moves—confirming unchanged typing.
(He knew the answer but played along for Raihan's sake.)
Though Raihan seemed utterly absorbed in his own world…
My worry was unnecessary.
Stats were too technical to guess aloud—he'd stick to the final test.
"Archaludon's been absorbing static since evolving…"
"Might it have unlocked Electric-type moves?"
Raihan perked up. "But pre-evolution, it already knew Thunder Wave and Thunder. No stronger Electric moves exist!"
Aiden smiled.
Thunder was the pinnacle of common Electric moves.
Beyond it lay inaccurate moves like Zap Cannon… or signature moves.
And Archaludon's signature move is exactly that.
Wait—could Sylveon learn Electro Shot too?
A wild idea struck Aiden.
Since mimicking Ursaluna's Blood Moon in Northward Town, Sylveon hadn't learned a new move.
This was the perfect Sketch opportunity—and a great coverage move!
Why miss it?
Sylveon lacked Electric organs… but Sketching non-Electric moves was already absurd.
At this point, might as well go all-in!
If Sylveon ever Sketches Rayquaza's Dragon Ascent… I won't even blink!
"Sylveon?"
Sylveon wandered out, confused by Lucario's summons.
A cool Pokémon? Maybe I'll learn its move!
But seeing the bridge-shaped… thing… her ears drooped.
The Trainer's requests keep getting weirder…
Do I need to mimic a bridge too?!
She'd try—for her Trainer!
When Aiden looked down, Sylveon was rigidly imitating Archaludon—limbs straight, head dipped like a plank.
What is she doing?
Normally, he'd respect her… performance art.
But priorities first.
"Sylveon—if ready, sketch Archaludon's next move."
He handed her paper and pencil.
"Sylveon?!"
Sylveon jolted upright, realizing her mistake.
With an indignant squeak, she snatched the tools with her ribbons and plopped down—resigned to her task.
Aiden chuckled.
"Now—let's unlock Archaludon's potential!"
"OOOH! Finally!" Raihan cheered.
If it mastered Electric moves, Rain teams became viable—solving his "weak in rain" dilemma!
New evolution + new team options? Jackpot!
He finally understood why Champions like Steven, Cynthia, and Leon all adored Aiden.
This is why!
"Archaludon—release all that stored static in one blast!"
The Pokémon answered with a resonant metallic cry.
Energy crackled across its bridge-shaped body, static surging from limbs to its spine—
—a blinding golden beam erupted, vaporizing a distant hillside.
Thunder roared simultaneously—ozone stinging the air.
"SYLVEON?!"
Sylveon gaped.
Too fast!
How do I sketch a move that's just… a flash?!
I only saw lightning!
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