A small figure crawled out, steam rolling gently from its body as it collapsed forward onto the cloth.
It was… solid.
Around 0.4 meters tall, the baby Pokémon didn't look "newborn" so much as freshly forged. Its body gleamed with a mirror-polished finish, the metal surface catching the light in shimmering ripples. It was shaped like a miniature version of its evolutionary line—bipedal, wide-shouldered, and already looking like it could take a direct hit from a Rhyhorn's Bulldoze without flinching.
Its head was fused to its thick neck, eyes glowing with that signature piercing yellow-green hue. Slits on its chest and tail vented heat in quiet hisses, revealing molten warmth within. Small triangular indents marked its arms, and it flexed them curiously, tilting its head as it tried to steady itself.
It gave a low metallic grrrnnnkk—half-grunt, half-chirp.
Michael couldn't speak. The whole world had dropped away, and all he could see was this tiny(no so tiny) miracle that had just clawed its way into life before his eyes.
Professor Chris quickly raised a hand, signaling the nearby technicians. Two of them wheeled in a cart bearing a chunk of darkened, slightly glistening metal—about the size of a shoebox. It shimmered with a dull luster, like iron infused with something molten.
"Is… is that for it?" Michael asked, eyeing the strange metal slab.
"Correct," Chris replied with a patient nod. "We've refined this process over the course of the previous four hatchings. The baby Duraludon expends an enormous amount of internal energy breaking free from its protein-metallic shell. We use pressure-softened tungsten to help replenish that. It's soft enough to chew in this early state, but designed to harden gradually so the baby can develop jaw strength as it eats."
Sersi made a face. "It eats metal?"
Rodnick whispered, "That's kind of awesome."
Chris chuckled. "Duraludon are unique. Their bodies are composed of a specialized, light-reflective alloy—light enough for quick movement but strong enough to withstand powerful strikes. They're more durable than they look, though overheating and rust are common concerns. That's why we carefully monitor their environment and feeding."
The baby Pokémon nosed the tungsten, gave a hesitant sniff, then took a bite with surprising efficiency. A crunch rang through the room as it tore off a chunk like it was biting into an apple.
"How long will it stay this weak?" Sersi asked, gently biting her thumb as she watched the little creature struggle to chew.
Jason, standing beside Chris, answered this time. "Roughly a week, Miss Sersi. Maybe a little more. This one's larger than the previous four—our scans suggest it may have inherited partial Totem traits from its lineage. That means faster growth, but it also comes with heavier nutritional demands and slight behavioral differences."
Michael stepped forward slowly, heart pounding.
"Can I visit him daily?" he asked. "I want to make sure he's okay. And maybe… bond with him?"
Chris smiled, nodding. "Absolutely, Mr. Michael. In fact, we encourage daily visits. Your family's dragon heart will accelerate its growth and bonding process. It's essentially a surrogate energy source—something only a few bloodlines can provide."
It was the special ability of Micheal's family. Every generation, without fail, members of Michael's family had been born with the Dragon Heart—a rare trait that allowed them to connect more deeply with Dragon-type Pokémon. His grandfather, his father, and even his older brother had all possessed it.
This energy, unlike ordinary aura, wasn't just a communication channel—it was nourishment. It generated a signature frequency of Dragon-type energy, eerily similar to the kind parent Pokémon provide to their young through physical proximity. This wasn't just emotional warmth or empathy, it was a metaphysical bond, a sustained energy field that strengthened the Pokémon's growth.
More importantly, it had long-term effects.
When used consistently, Dragon Heart energy could help Pokémon assimilate nutrients and external resources more efficiently. It accelerated growth, enhanced internal energy flow, and—over time—could even awaken dormant genetic traits. In some cases, it was the deciding factor in whether a Pokémon could ever evolve or access its full combat potential.
There were limits, of course. Dragon Heart infusion could not push a Pokémon from Indigo to Purple tier—those rare leaps required something far more extraordinary. But it could refine an Indigo-level potential, especially when started early, such as right after hatching.
In fact, among many top-tier trainers, the Champions, a good number of them—especially those who wielded advanced Aura abilities—possessed a parallel gift. While not always called the same thing, it was similar in function, aura abilities become uniquely attuned to specific Pokémon types, enabling higher performance through bioenergetic synchronization. This change occurs when the partner Pokémon reaches Champion stage and the trainer has near Advanced Aura ability.
Michael stared at the baby Duraludon—still chewing, head tilted, those fierce little eyes locked on him with quiet curiosity. It didn't look like a baby. It looked like a warrior in training.
"I'll bring anything he needs," Michael said firmly. "Just let me know."
Chris nodded again, looking pleased. "We'll keep you informed, Mr. Michael. He's yours to raise now."
The baby Pokémon let out another soft metal cry—a sound like clinking steel on stone—as if echoing that sentiment.
And somewhere deep in Michael's chest, he felt the connection snap into place like a puzzle piece finally locking in.
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So, how was the Duraludon intro arc, guys? 😄 I really hope it lived up to your expectations! If there's anything you think could be improved—pacing, flow, or even the emotional beats—please don't hesitate to drop a comment. I love hearing from you all.
Now, I know some of you might be wondering if the pacing's a bit slow. Personally, I feel like it's been steady so far. We're building relationships, capturing that childlike awe at seeing a new Pokémon hatch, and giving our characters room to breathe. Remember those early Pokémon episodes with Ash and the gang bonding with their partners? That's the kind of magic I want to channel here. ✨
That said, more battles are coming soon—so hang tight! I do plan to slowly ramp up the pace, especially as we head toward the college arc. But even then, there will be moments to slow down again and let characters develop. After all, just collecting Pokémon like checkboxes isn't what this story's about. It's the journey, the bonds, the growth—and of course, the chaos that comes with all that. 😄
Now, let's talk Power Stones!It's time to Mega Evolve this Rayquaza of a story and push it up the rankings. 💥If we hit 100 Power Stones by the end of the week, I'll drop a special bonus segment—a full 3000-word chapter (or divide it into multiple chapters, you know me). As a gift for your support and a boost for our journey!
Also, a huge thanks to everyone who's been following, reviewing, and commenting. But we still need more reviews! Your feedback means a lot—criticism, praise, suggestions—I read it all and use it to make the story even better.
Oh—and before I forget…The System is coming. Very soon.👀 Stay tuned.
Now, real talk :
What's your favorite Pokémon?
More importantly… should Micheal catch it? (≧∇≦)ﾉ
Got a cool idea? Toss in your fav Pokémon with a backstory, quirks, weird habits—heck, even give it a dramatic slow-mo entrance if you're feeling spicy. If it fits the vibe, I'll totally try to weave it into the story!
Enjoying the ride?
Hit that Add to Library button so you don't miss the next chapter!
Got theories, feedback, or just wanna geek out about Dragon-types and dratini eggs? Drop a comment—I read 'em all.