"What's the matter, Dragapult?" Natsuhiko asked as he looked at the Dragapult standing in front of him, intently watching the Pokemon Egg.
"Baluya—"
Dragapult shook its head, unable to articulate the reason.
Natsuhiko vaguely guessed the reason behind its actions, but he didn't stop what he was doing.
Extracting Dragon Energy from the Dragon Scale is undeniably troublesome, but if achieved, the benefits for the Pokemon Egg are self-evident.
Dragon Scale is something naturally shed from powerful Dragon-type Pokémon, formed under very specific conditions.
The conditions are stringent.
First, the dragon Pokémon must have a sufficiently high concentration of dragon-type lineage, or else the Nirvana won't appear.
Some Pokémon with "dragon" in their name rarely produce Nirvana.
Secondly, the Pokémon must be strong enough, or shedding even one Nirvana could cause irreparable damage.
Even strong Dragon-type Pokémon pay a great price to shed a Nirvana.
Thus, trainers usually don't ask their Pokémon to do this.
Therefore, Dragon Scales mostly belong to wild Dragon-type Pokémon, prepared for juvenile dragons to awaken their latent dragon heritage.
Because of this function, the Dragon-type Pokémon Kingdra evolves from Seadra after using Dragon Scale.
Dragon Scale awakens the latent dragon heritage within Seadra.
Natsuhiko had been contemplating how to maximize the use of this Dragon Scale.
After a long time of planning, he was finally ready to act.
"Baluya?"
'What are you doing?'
Dragapult curiously watched Natsuhiko, unable to resist asking.
"I'm transferring the energy and bloodline within to this Pokemon Egg," Natsuhiko casually explained while pulling out a sharp dagger to see if he could first break open the tough surface of the scale.
"Baluya!"
'Let me do it!'
Understanding Natsuhiko's intentions, Dragapult quickly "grabbed" the Dragon Scale and stuffed it into its mouth.
Crunch, crunch—
With its chewing, the tough exterior of the Dragon Scale, which posed the biggest problem for Natsuhiko, became "crispy" in Dragapult's mouth.
"You!"
Natsuhiko's expression froze.
The next scene softened his gaze.
Dragapult, after shattering the Dragon Scale, didn't swallow but instead spat out the powdery crystal scale and a drop of dark purple liquid into its hand, handing it to Natsuhiko in front of him.
The powder of the Dragon Scale and the essential "Dragon Blood" were separated by it in this way.
Truly straightforward.
Natsuhiko smiled wryly, accepting these items from Dragapult's hand.
He didn't mind it being contaminated with Dragapult's saliva.
"Dragon's Saliva," such a healing agent, reminded him.
Under Dragapult's watchful gaze, he took the Pokemon Egg out of the incubator, evenly spreading the scale powder on the Egg.
The Egg transformed into a dazzling display.
He combined "Dragon Blood" with the various materials he'd prepared ahead of time, crafting a new nutrient, injecting it into the incubator.
This was Dragon-type Pokémon's Nirvana blood, the purest thing containing the densest Dragon Energy, so he had to exploit its full potential.
Lastly, he placed the Pokemon Egg back into the incubator.
All that was left was for the Egg to slowly absorb it.
Using Dragon Scale to nurture a Pokemon Egg, perhaps not many in the Pokemon Realm would do this.
Just two words stand out:
Extravagant.
Once Natsuhiko closed the incubator lid, everything was complete.
With Dragapult's help, the most troublesome and difficult step was skipped, saving quite a bit of time.
After watching it, Dragapult slowly lifted its head and gently called out.
"Ba-Baluya..."
'Can you leave it with me?'
"Hmm?" Natsuhiko was taken aback.
Seeing Dragapult's slightly yearning look, Natsuhiko realized.
Dragapult's instinct is to care for and love dragon-type hatchlings.
It was supposed to care for at least two Dreepy.
But over a long, solitary journey, it never truly displayed the instinct of a Dragapult.
Now, seeing Natsuhiko's Dragon-type Pokemon Egg, it couldn't hold back.
Natsuhiko saw something on it called "maternal radiance."
He thought for a moment and brought the incubator in front of it.
"Then you must protect it well."
Dragapult took the incubator and nodded emphatically, hugging it tightly to its chest.
It surely will!
Even if it has to sacrifice its own life for it.
Natsuhiko slightly nodded.
If this Pokemon Egg can stay with such powerful and pure-blooded Quasi-Dragon Type Pokémon, it would gain many benefits from even the intangible influences.
It's like…
finding a nanny?
Natsuhiko couldn't help but chuckle, patting Dragapult's tail.
...
...
The next day.
After a night's rest.
Natsuhiko took his Pokémon along with Dragapult to the cliffs where Braviary and Mandibuzz reside.
In that direction, there is something calling Dragapult, whether it's its kind or something else, worth checking out.
Most areas of this forest have been explored by Natsuhiko.
Even if not checking now, after clearing Yanmega and Archeops' territories, he would still want to see it.
Moreover.
Having stayed here for nearly twenty days, Natsuhiko wants to know when he can return.
Whether he needs to stay a certain time or find his own way to leave?
In any case, this forest surely has no way or passage for him to return.
Though its resources are bountiful, staying longer could yield more benefits, but he's human, a social creature.
Here, the resources are plenty, but he needs the right methods and means to maximize their use.
He lacks knowledge, a lot of knowledge.
As his strength grows, Natsuhiko increasingly feels his knowledge reserves are insufficient.
Mutual learning and growing are part of humanity's survival abilities.
With these scattered thoughts, shortly after, the towering steep rock cliffs appeared not far from them.
Despite the distance, many flying majestic Pokémon can still be seen.
And as they approach, many eyes have already noticed their presence.
Screech—
The loud cry echoed through the clouds.
It's a warning for Natsuhiko and his companions.
If they ignore this warning and proceed, they must prepare to face the Penguins' wrath.
But this warning is useless to Natsuhiko and his team.
They keep advancing steadily.
Seeing their indifference to the warning, Braviary and Mandibuzz felt their dominance in this region threatened.
Screech—
In repeated loud cries, more figures circled above them.
Once enough gathered, it looked like a large cloud covered the sky.
But before they descended, another figure zipped from the other side of the cliff.
Its target headed toward Natsuhiko's direction.
Squinting, he observed this unusually-looking Braviary approaching.
His expression revealed slight surprise.
"Hisui..."
——————
Eighth update! Requesting monthly votes!