Chapter 627: Brother-kun Becomes a Dad
It had been three days since the Altaria clan joined the collective. During this brief period, Kazuya had purposefully refrained from making close contact with them.
After all, the Altaria clan had just narrowly escaped absolute extinction and arrived in an entirely unfamiliar environment; their nerves were bound to be exceptionally sensitive.
Kazuya understood his own reality perfectly: he was too powerful. Whether in terms of raw level superiority or sheer visual aura, his presence was overwhelming. If it weren't for the presence of the Dragon Stone radiating a calming, harmonizing effect within the territory, merely drawing a few paces closer would have likely sent the juvenile Swablu into fits of terrified weeping.
Thus, he intended to grant the Altaria clan a window of peaceful isolation first, allowing them to adapt to their new surroundings and neighbors. This wasn't a difficult assignment.
For one, the nightly singing ritual served as a magnificent therapeutic outlet, greatly soothing their high-strung emotions while steadily anchoring their sense of belonging to the Dragon Clan.
Furthermore, the Bastiodon line possessed remarkably stable dispositions and warm temperaments, making them natural experts at mending fractured minds. At the same time, the Cyclizar clan was a species that found immense joy in forging cross-tribal friendships. Were it not for the fact that the Goodra line spent the vast majority of their time stationed deep within the swamp, this multi-pronged approach from the core elements of the Dragon Clan would have entirely captivated the Altaria line in a matter of minutes.
As things stood now, the reality wasn't much different. The juvenile Swablu had already grown deeply fond of huddling alongside the young Shieldon. These robust, honest little dragons offered them an immense sense of security.
And from the mouths of those Shieldon, the Swablu learned of the numerous magnificent feats achieved by the Dragon Clan—especially the legendary tales surrounding their "Big Brother."
The more they listened, the more a profound first impression crystallized within their hearts. In the eyes of these young birds, Kazuya's image steadily shifted from a "perilous, terrifying dragon" into a "profoundly reassuring, stoic older brother whose heart burned with pure warmth."
As the current patriarch of this avian lineage, the leading Altaria deemed it imperative to initiate formal contact with the sovereign of this territory. This proactive step was vital to ensure they wouldn't inadvertently trigger the Alpha's displeasure through any behavioral missteps down the line.
"Al-ta."
"Hmm? Are you finding the living arrangements here comfortable?" Kazuya inquired, turning his head toward the Altaria who had taken the initiative to approach him.
Altaria wasn't a tall species, measuring only 3.3 meters. For a fully matured, final-stage Pokémon, this stature left her only slightly taller than a juvenile Cranidos and noticeably shorter than a adolescent Hakamo-o—a rather modest physical build within this collective.
Coupled with a Dragon/Flying typing that could hardly be called flawless, and a base stat total of a mere 490 with a relatively balanced distribution, the Altaria line simply didn't command a fierce competitive edge during this brutal Ancient Era. Among the vast, high-powered hierarchy of Dragon Egg Group Pokémon, they likely ranked among the very bottom tier.
Perhaps the Altaria clan should have never ventured into a cutthroat warzone like the Rocky Mountain range to begin with. Comfortable, resource-rich ecological sanctuaries like grasslands or dense forests were far more suited to their biological traits.
Of course, one also had to factor in that Altaria possessed a Mega Evolution form. Mega Altaria was an entirely different narrative.
As a species famously known as "Traitors to the Dragon Clan," their transformation from a Flying Dragon into a Fairy Dragon elevated their combat prowess far beyond a mere "qualitative leap." While the alteration of their elemental typing was monumental, the shifts in their combat viability were equally profound, underpinned by the devastating Pixilate ability and a flawlessly balanced, stat distribution.
If their clan held a Mega-evolved individual within their ranks, they would indeed have been fully qualified to command a permanent mountain peak within the Rocky Mountain range. After all, as a Fairy-type Pokémon, they wielded an absolute, crushing advantage when facing the Dragon-type powerhouses that dominated the Ancient Era. To put it bluntly, at identical level thresholds, pseudo-legendaries like Garchomp, Hydreigon, or Salamence would find themselves entirely hard-pressed when clashing against a Mega Altaria.
The moniker "Traitor to the Dragon Clan" wasn't a derogatory title; it was practically a grand declaration of a specialized anti-dragon armaments package.
However... Mega Evolution was hardly an achievement that could be secured with casual ease. Even Kazuya, standing at the lower tier of the Elite Four level, still relied on his profound spiritual bond with Shirona just to manifest a brief, transient evolutionary state. For the Altaria clan, boasting a single Mega-evolved individual would already be considered a grand miracle.
But a singular champion wasn't enough to drag an entire clan of eighty through the unforgiving competition of the Rocky Mountains. Being ruthlessly driven out was a logical consequence of reality.
"Al-ta, Al-ta." The Altaria gently swayed her cotton-like wings, closely resembling a peacock wreathed in soft marshmallows.
She sincerely conveyed the thoughts of her heart: this grassland was remarkably comfortable, and living here stripped away the constant, agonizing dread of sudden ambushes. Her clan loved this place, and they deeply desired to remain a part of the Dragon Clan moving forward.
These are honest words. Kazuya nodded gently. His Aura Power allowed him to flawlessly discern the absolute sincerity behind a Pokémon's expressions.
The grassland itself was a natural paradise perfectly aligned with the Altaria line's survival traits, and having a gargantuan entity like the Dragon Clan escort and shield them amplified that comfort. Give it less than a month, and even if Kazuya tried to drive the Altaria clan away, they would likely refuse to depart.
"Which Pokémon species drove you out of your mountain? I'm quite curious about the political landscape over in the Rocky Mountains; tell me about it." This was a puzzle Kazuya had intended to unlock for some time. It was only because the Altaria clan had been thoroughly high-strung previously that he had gracefully refrained from prying.
"Al-ta." The Altaria nodded. Beating her wings softly, she began to reconstruct the details of that fateful conflict.
The Altaria clan had resided in the southeastern sector of the Rocky Mountains, occupying a soaring, majestic peak. Because its summit pierced close to the heavens, it was deeply favored by the flock. Furthermore, its proximity to the northern snowfields lent a relatively chilly climate to the territory.
The vast majority of Dragon-type Pokémon inherently detested drawing near freezing environments, whereas the Altaria clan possessed exceptionally soft, warm plumage and could huddle together to share body heat, leaving them largely untroubled by the cold. Consequently, their survival environment had remained comfortably secure for a long time.
However, a mere few days prior to their flight, a clan of Magnezone arrived, having lost their own sovereign territory due to an unprovoked, chaotic territorial displacement next door. They locked their mechanical eyes onto the Altaria clan's peak—likely drawn by the intensely powerful magnetic fields pulsing through the mountain.
The previous Altaria patriarch was simply no match for the Alpha Magnezone, and the remaining flock couldn't withstand the devastating elemental mismatch, leaving them with no choice but to gather the survivors and flee in a wretched, frantic escape.
Kazuya merely nodded in understanding upon hearing this. Magnezone's defensive typing was legendary—boasting a 2x resistance to both Dragon and Fairy-type moves, while holding a staggering 4x resistance against Flying-type attacks. Whether facing a Mega Altaria or an ordinary specimen, the flock stood virtually zero mathematical chance of securing a victory.
"Do you still harbor any intentions of returning?" Kazuya inquired gently.
"Al-ta." The Altaria shook her head decisively.
Having discovered a literal Eden of perfect Feng Shui like this grassland, why would they ever desire to return to a barren rock peak where the sheer lack of moisture made life an grueling chore? They were fundamentally a peaceful, non-aggressive species, preferring to remain entirely detached from the bloody squabbles of the local warlords unless forced into passive retaliation.
"Then settle your hearts and make this place your permanent home."
Another week slipped past, and the Altaria clan had completely integrated into the core fabric of the Dragon Clan. As their mutual rapport deepened, Kazuya extracted an abundance of invaluable geographic intel regarding the Rocky Mountain range from the avian lineage.
From their accounts, Kazuya learned that within the Garchomp, Salamence, and Aerodactyl clans of the Rocky Mountains, there existed individual specimens that commanded vastly superior strength and displayed far more feral, menacing physiological traits. They were sparse in number, but they undeniably walked the earth.
Without a doubt, those were individuals who had successfully unlocked the secrets of Mega Evolution. Since these were all Dragon Egg Group Pokémon, it was highly probable that they possessed the knowledge of where Dragon-type natural energy originated.
Kazuya pondered this deeply, resolving to launch a thorough expedition into the Rocky Mountains once his personal level climbed a bit higher.
In the blink of an eye, half a year passed.
The Altaria clan had completely recovered their vitality, even beginning to make preparations to bring forth a new generation of life. They represented the smallest demographic within the broader structure of the Dragon Clan, numbering only thirty members in total. Furthermore, their individual strength displayed a massive generational gap.
The juvenile Swablu all possessed levels below Lv. 30, making up twenty of the total count. Conversely, the remaining ten fully evolved Altaria all commanded levels above Lv. 60, with their leading matriarch sitting firmly at Lv. 65. This stark division was likely a direct result of the rescue strategy enacted during their flight from the Rocky Mountains; the previous patriarch had deliberately ordered the core martial elite of the flock to shield and escort the youngest generation out of the warzone.
Regardless of the history, the Dragon Clan now officially possessed a stable, reliable aerial unit. The ten mature Altaria had already begun participating in the collective's daily territory patrols. However, because their numbers were still sparse, their route was strictly confined to the core heartland of the clan and the perimeters of the agricultural farmlands and pastures.
Perhaps in a few years, the scale of this aerial force would multiply, though this demographic growth was a progression that required a vast ocean of patience; it couldn't be rushed.
Aside from these developments, a monumental milestone occurred for the three original core siblings—the female Charizard had officially laid her clutch!
And she brought forth three eggs in a single nest!
The moment Kazuya beheld those eggs, he was nearly struck dumb with utter shock. After all, during the modern League Era, a Pokémon pair would only ever produce a single egg per clutch, and every single parent would treat that solitary offspring as a priceless, irreplaceable treasure.
How different things were in the Ancient Era. With their colossal physical builds and peerless constitutions, a female could bring forth two or three eggs simultaneously, each one measuring larger than an ostrich egg.
Naturally, the shock was instantly eclipsed by a wave of ecstatic, frantic joy.
Brother-kun was unique; he shared an absolute bond of blood with Kazuya. Surveying the vast canvas of his six lifetimes, the number of living creatures who shared a blood kinship with Kazuya was limited to a mere three: Mother Wolf, brother-kun, and his dragon dad. And regarding the final individual, Kazuya didn't particularly hold him close to his heart; their rapport wasn't that deep.
Therefore, the hatchlings brought forth by brother-kun were profoundly special to him. Kazuya was right on the verge of welcoming three biological nephews into his life. How could this reality fail to fill his heart with pure bliss?
It wasn't just Kazuya; even Floette was swept up in a frenzy of absolute delight. She completely abandoned her duties at the agricultural farm, dumping the entire management onto Venusaur and the Ludicolo clan.
Instead, she devoted her entire existence to crafting the perfect nursery beds for her nephews—intricately weaving small, cozy floral nests out of loops of black flowers and sturdy green vines. Floette found herself thoroughly, beautifully swamped with tasks day in and day out. One second she would be diligently braiding a new bassinet, and the very next second she would frantically dash over to inspect the condition of the three eggs, moving back and forth in an endless, tireless loop.
Watching her made Kazuya feel exhausted by proxy, yet Floette herself remained brimming with boundless, radiant energy.
Of course, the individual who underwent the most profound psychological shift was undoubtedly the newly minted father, brother-kun. He wore a stark, fiercely solemn expression on his face every single day, appearing deeply locked in profound, mysterious contemplation—though in all likelihood, he was merely trying to project an aura of absolute maturity.
Beholding his younger brother's stoic posture, Kazuya couldn't help but let out a soft, sentimental sigh.
"Without realizing it, a full ten years have already slipped past..." Kazuya murmured, staring at his brother's family of five as a wave of deep emotion washed over his heart.
Time truly flew by with terrifying speed. To him, it felt as though it were only a brief second ago that he was guiding his tiny younger brother through the wild grass with absolute caution, and the image of brother-kun gripping his tail tightly while submissively following behind his footsteps remained flawlessly vivid in his mind.
Yet, in a flash, the little dragon had grown into such a magnificent powerhouse, and had successfully established a beautiful family of his own.
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