Name: Shelgon · Overlord Leader (Dragon's Blessing)
Type: Dragon
Gender: Male
Energy Level: 32 (Superior)
Potential: Red
Height: 4.6 m (species average: 1.1 m) ·
Weight: 2,400 kg (species average: 110.5 kg)
(For reference: the official Pokédex lists Shelgon at just over 110 kg. For a quadrupedal Pokémon at that height, encased from head to tail in heavy shell plating — and explicitly noted in its own Pokédex entry as moving slowly due to the weight — that figure has always been hard to take at face value.)
Ability: Rock Head
Held Item: None
Moves: Hydro Pump, Spark, Glare, Bite, Rage, Dragon Breath, Flamethrower, Headbutt, Focus Energy, Crunch, Dragon Claw, Scary Face, Zen Headbutt...
Inherited Moves: Outrage, Dragon Dance, Dragon Rush, Twister, Dragon Pulse, Fire Fang
Talent Analysis: Energy Talent: Excellent · Physical Talent: Legendary · Mental Talent: Normal+
Details:
The current Pokémon's physical strength is approximately twelve times or more that of its peers. It is recommended to continue developing this advantage fully. The current Pokémon's mental power is approximately 1.2 times that of its peers. Gradual improvement is recommended. A special energy has been detected within the current Pokémon. It is currently in a state of fusion.
After evolving into Shelgon, the size that had already been far beyond normal as a Bagon did not shrink — it grew larger still.
Shelgon now stood taller than the roof of a single-story building. David had to tilt his head back just to look him in the face.
The two-level increase in stage was the smaller part of the story. What the Dragon's Blessing had done to his bloodline was what truly mattered — his potential had climbed all the way to Red.
But for all that had changed outwardly, Shelgon's personality had not shifted in the slightest. He lumbered over to David with the same easygoing, unhurried manner he had always had, gently pressed his enormous armored head against his Trainer, and then lowered himself slightly — tilting his body just enough for David to climb onto his back without trouble.
Up on the high platform, the ancient Dragonite watched the scene unfold and gave a slow, fond shake of his head. The clumsiness was familiar to him.
It made sense. This Shelgon was one of the old Dragonite's direct descendants — born to a Dragonite mother and a Salamence father.
"It looks like the two of them are getting along just fine," Gavin said warmly from beside David, watching with a quiet smile.
"With the Dragon's Blessing behind him, when Shelgon eventually evolves into Salamence, he'll have a real chance at going beyond what his kind normally reaches — perhaps even touching the Legendary Realm."
"Roar~ (It is not that simple. That still depends on his own path.)"
"Fair enough. Children find their own way. All we old ones need to do is be there when they need us."
"Roar~ (Speak for yourself — don't lump me in with the old ones.)"
The Dragonite cast a mildly indignant look in Gavin's direction. At his level, even setting aside any comparison to the true Guardian Deity, he was confident he had at least five hundred more years ahead of him. By that count, he was barely past a hundred — practically still in his prime.
But the thought passed, and something quieter settled over his expression.
It had been a while since his Trainer passed on. And the boy he had watched grow up from childhood was now standing before him with white hair.
For a Pokémon who had lived alongside a Trainer as a true companion, that was the hardest thing to carry.
"Dragonite, don't let it weigh on you." Gavin's voice was easy, though his eyes were kind. "That's just the nature of humans. Maybe next time it'll be Gavin Jr. coming to visit — and who knows, he might end up partnering with one of your grandchildren."
Gavin had always carried that lightness about him, even when the subject touched something tender.
It was worth noting that human lifespans in the Pokémon world had grown considerably longer over the generations. With advances in Pokémon-assisted medicine and technology, reaching one's eighties or nineties was ordinary for most people. Those with special abilities often crossed a hundred without much difficulty. David's own great-grandfather had lived to over a hundred and twenty.
As for Lloyd Moore— the Dragon Emperor, founder of the Moore family's legacy, the man who had earned Rayquaza's recognition and been called the greatest Dragon Tamer in history — he had lived for nearly two hundred years.
And still, measured against the several-hundred-year lifespans of Dragon-type Pokémon, even that fell short.
By the time the conversation had wound down, the last of the evolutions still in progress across the plaza had finished.
Among David's four companions, only Miles's Gible had evolved alongside Shelgon — emerging as a Gabite. Emma's Swablu was still a good distance from evolving into Altaria, having only just passed Level 20. Luke's Duraludon and Willow's Feebas had neither evolved either. Evolving Feebas into Milotic required a Prism Scale during trading, or else the slow process of raising its Beauty through Poffin-making. Duraludon's evolution into Archaludon called for a specific item that had simply not turned up yet.
Even so, David could feel from the life energy each of them gave off that the Dragon's Blessing had made a genuine difference. The improvement in all of them was clear, even without a stage change.
"Okay — your Shelgon is a bit much, don't you think?"
Miles stared up at the evolved Shelgon and swallowed.
He glanced at his own Gabite, who barely reached his shoulder, then looked back at the Shelgon David was perched on — a Shelgon that looked less like a Pokémon and more like a fortification wall. He opened his mouth, then closed it.
"How is anyone supposed to battle that?"
Emma and the others nodded vigorously alongside him.
And if Shelgon already looked like this now, what would he become as a Salamence? Larger than some light aircraft, probably.
David had no particularly useful response to offer. He put on a polite, noncommittal smile and left it there.
The Dragon Festival ceremony came to a close.
The ancient Guardian Deity, visibly drained from the effort, turned without ceremony and made his way back into the Dragon Tomb. The enormous Dragonite found a flat stretch of ground, dropped onto his side, and was asleep almost at once. His voice drifted out low and drowsy from somewhere in the depths.
"Why did the ceremony take so much out of me this time... nearly three times the usual... this old dragon is exhausted... I'll sleep for a few years... just a few years..."
The Bright Stone David always kept on him flickered quietly — a few brief, unnoticed pulses of light, as if offering silent approval.
Had David looked closely at that moment, he might have noticed the crack running across the stone's surface had grown slightly smaller than before.
After the festival, David brought his companions back to the resting area and set up a barbecue himself to treat everyone.
There was not much choice in the matter. With Shelgon now part of the team, ordinary prepared food was simply not going to cut it. Shelgon worked through three whole roasted sheep, half a roasted pig, and a quantity of beef David preferred not to calculate. The only reason feeding a Pokémon like this was manageable at all was the existence of Energy Cubes.
Once everyone had eaten their fill, the group agreed to meet again at the start of next semester and parted ways — each of them had their own plans for the rest of the holiday.
David stayed a little longer. He spent two quiet days in the ancient city with his grandparents before finally setting off again on his own journey.