Whoa—what was that move?!"
Even Raihan—who thought he knew Duraludon inside out—was stunned by its instinctive attack.
That blinding beam of lightning? Definitely not Thunder (which calls down from the sky). Yet it surpassed Thunder's power—ruling out common moves like Thunderbolt.
Only one possibility remained:
"Could this be Archaludon's signature move?!"
Raihan's delayed grin finally caught up to his racing thoughts.
"It needs charge-up time… but for sheer power? An absolute game-changer! Jackpot!"
Charge-up moves were often impractical—like Focus Punch, too slow for real battles.
But for Archaludon—already a steel fortress with Stamina boosting its Defense? Perfect.
Raihan was already over the moon. A new evolution and a new move?
"Actually," Aiden interjected, "besides Power Herb, other methods might shorten its charge time."
???
Another trick up his sleeve?
Raihan's excitement tempered into focused anticipation.
"Hmm… doesn't the Electric typing feel… synergistic?" Aiden gestured to Torkoal, still smoldering nearby.
Torkoal perked up instantly—already inhaling heat for another Eruption.
"Wait—no testing needed," Aiden sighed, halting it with a look.
"Just like Sunny Day enables Solar Beam, Rain might empower Electric moves too…"
"Like Archaludon's new move."
"Let's call it Electro Shot," he decided. "Fits its beam-like execution."
"Exactly!" Raihan nodded vigorously. Teacher Azure—reliable as ever!
Taking the hint, Raihan recalled Torkoal and sent out his hidden Rain ace:
Goodra.
"Goooodra?"
A purple, slug-like creature materialized—more mollusk than dragon.
"…"
Aiden instinctively stepped back.
Soft-bodied Pokémon? Not my thing. At least Goodra's size made it tolerable.
But…
This is his entire Rain team? Aiden struggled to keep a straight face.
No wonder he claims to suck at Rain. Goodra's his go-to Rain Team core?
Go Mega Evolve before sitting at the table!
"Goodra—Rain Dance!" Raihan commanded.
Clouds gathered. Rain pattered softly over Cabo Poco, punctuated by distant thunder.
"Perfect! Archaludon—use that move again!"
Raihan pumped his fist. "Electro Shot!"
A metallic chime echoed. Golden energy crackled around Archaludon—then exploded in a beam twice as violent as before, carving a deeper scar into the hillside.
"Aiden—you're a genius!" Raihan's grin was euphoric. "Rain accelerates its charge!"
Why is Archaludon this broken?!
- Elite Dragon typing.
- Steel-tough resistances.
- Stamina turning it into an impenetrable fortress.
- And Rain synergy for its off-type nuke?
His three-weather system's weakest link just became its MVP!
Raihan's eyes burned with gratitude. All thanks to Teacher Azure!
Losing to him yielded more intel than months of research!
From today, I'm his #1 hype man!
Leon, who? Never heard of him!
…
After seeing Raihan off, Aiden finally exhaled.
His "research" on Archaludon was superficial—just enough to showcase what he needed.
Deep analysis? Not his job. He was a Gym Leader, not a researcher—and he lacked time.
That's why he'd redirected Raihan to Naranja Academy in Mesagoza.
(Rose and Leon had left last night, but Raihan now had extended leave. Urgency was key.)
Aiden dialed Geeta.
"Aiden?" Geeta answered, surprised. He'd never called it first—except that cryptic "crime declaration" before Northward Town's chaos.
"President Geeta, I need your help with a… complication."
His earnest tone made Geeta tense.
"Complication? Did you have an argument with Raihan?"
She knew about their meeting—but "guidance" meant this?! A diplomatic incident!
"No—I accidentally evolved his Duraludon further."
Aiden's nonchalance belied the bombshell. "Since studying unknown Pokémon isn't my role, I sent Raihan to Naranja's lab. He's probably en route."
"???"
Accidentally evolved someone's Pokémon?!
Duraludon had no documented evolutions.
He's telling the truth!
Geeta reeled for a full 30 seconds.
"You… discovered a new Pokémon?!"
"Yep! Named it Archaludon. Please handle the rest, President Geeta~"
"W-wait!" she stammered. "Do you even grasp the magnitude of discovering an undocumented species?!"
"Shouldn't you be shouting, 'The next Paldea Pokémon Professor is me!'?!"
"…"
Aiden thought hard—then shook his head.
"Sounds like a hassle. I'll stick to running Sunshine Gym. Please assign experts to document Archaludon."
"…"
Geeta sighed. "Fine. The League will handle it."
Her "Sun of Paldea" composure was utterly shattered.
Discovering a new evolutionary form wasn't Nobel Prize-level… but with under 1,000 known species (excluding elusive legendaries), it was monumental.
Recent additions like Alola's regional forms came with existing records. But Aiden's call? Out of the blue.
And the specimen belonged to a Galar Trainer—Raihan could leave anytime!
"We'll reward you appropriately post-research," Geeta promised, then remembered:
"Oh—visit Medali soon. Larry mentioned it, right?"
"Understood."
Medali… Aiden mused post-call. Must be about Area Zero.
The League likely planned a "clean-up operation." Perfect—he'd wanted to scout Area Zero anyway.
Intel gathering before the final battle.
He'd go tomorrow.
…
Nightfall.
Under moonlight, Aiden faced Sylveon on the lawn.
"Ready, Sylveon?"
"Sylveon!"
Time for rare one-on-one training.
Unlike Lucario (a relentless training machine), Sylveon preferred napping or watching TV—essentially a millennial slacker like Miraidon.
But Aiden had cracked its motivation code: interest-driven learning.
Before it sat a sketch: a chibi steel bridge glowing gold, lightning shooting from its peak off the page.
Electro Shot—the moment she'd witnessed today.
But unlike Blood Moon (which resonated with it lunar affinity), this move baffled her.
"Syl…"
I'm Sylveon—not Jolteon! How can I generate electricity?!
She shot Aiden a skeptical look.
In Pokémon world, effort can't overcome physics!
…Right?
Then she recalled:
- Sketching already let it copy impossible moves.
- Lucario brute-forced any Fighting move through sheer grit.
Am I the problem?!
"Sylveon," Aiden said gently, "instead of copying the move, understand how Archaludon does it."
"It lacks electric organs. Its move stores ambient static via its body—then releases it."
"So… just generate static!"
"…Theoretically."
"Veee?"
Suspicious. He sounded confident—until that hesitant "theoretically"!
But she'd try.
"Sylveon…"
Sylveon waved it ribbons, pondering. How to make static?
Meanwhile, Aiden pulled up Jolteon's Pokédex entry:
"Jolteon absorbs negative ions via breath, stores charge in needle-like fur…"
"So… breathe deeply!"
Sylveon obeyed—inhaling sharply.
Head's clearer… but no electricity?
This is impossible!
As she prepared to whine for a break—
Aiden reached to pet her.
ZZZT!
His hand jerked back—static shock!
Sylveon saw sparks crackle from it fur.
"Syyl…?"
Wait—the Trainer's right?!
She tentatively rubbed it ribbons against it coat.
Bz-bzz-z!
Electricity sparked!
"Yes! Like that!" Aiden cheered. "Rub faster! Release the charge at max buildup!"
"Sylveeee…"
Golden currents enveloped her. Fur stood on end, tips weaving an invisible energy net.
Thump—thump, THUMP!
Her "King Engine" activated—heart pounding from the current's pressure.
"Now—RELEASE!"
Sylveon halted it rubbing.
The stored electricity lashed out—
—but not toward the safe zone.
"WAIT—WRONG DIRECTION!"
Eyes squeezed shut (terrified of the zap), she'd lost aim. The beam shot straight at Sunshine Gym's entrance—
—where Miraidon napped with Duraludon.
Aiden's blood ran cold—
—until Miraidon blinked awake, saw the lightning…
…and gulped it down.
GULP.
"Gaaao?"
Aiden and Sylveon exhaled in relief.
Forgot Miraidon's a Level 1 Legendary who treats lightning as snacks!
"Sylveon…" Sylveon trembled. So dangerous!
She'd learned Electro Shot—but couldn't control it!
And it fur? Exploded into a static halo. Only a bath could fix this.
If practice means daily showers…
Ban this move!
"Gaaao?" Miraidon mumbled, utterly unfazed.
As long as it didn't disrupt its naps, it didn't care. She curled back up, using Shelgon as a pillow.
This kid's still young.
Too hard as a pillow—even my steel head aches.
But perfect as a body pillow…
And its "dragon aura" feels… familiar.
Although it was still very young and showed no signs of great power, it somehow felt a bit like that guy who appeared before.
No wonder that guy took a liking to it.
Miraidon's mind drifted on the night breeze.
That dragon—guardian and terror of Area Zero—patrolled the skies, hunting Paradox Pokémon trying to escape.
Miraidon avoided it after witnessing its meteor-smashing combat style.
Unreal power.
- Summoned meteor strikes.
- Possessed indestructible scales.
- Its plummeting dives alone made Ancient Pokémon flee in terror.
Back then, many Paradox Pokémon chose battling it over angering that black shadow—earning Miraidon its "permanent lab snack" status.
Later, it'd seen it three more times:
1. When its Trainer "rescued" it—a meteor marked its presence.
2. When it gifted Duraludon a "special present" via it Trainer.
3. When Bagon evolved into Shelgon—riding the dragon like a mount!
(A first for the "Guardian Dragon" feared by all Paradox Pokémon!)
Miraidon had lost count since.
But as long as that dragon ruled Area Zero, its peaceful slacker life was secure!
Another peaceful day.
She nuzzled the sleeping Duraludon.
Compared to that dragon, this one was harmless.
Yet… its stored "dragon aura" should've triggered evolution long ago.
The timing's not right.
As a Paradox Pokémon from the future (born perfect, no evolution needed), Miraidon didn't get "evolution."
But it knew this:
Whatever that dragon approves… becomes a monster.
Investing in Shelgon = investing in the future.
As sleep took it, Miraidon smiled.
Of course…
It had no idea where tomorrow's sun would lead it.
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