One thing had to be said—these two Charmanders could really sleep. Even by the time the final bell rang for dismissal, they still hadn't woken up.
When Auron and Jace finally stepped out of the office, Tim Wynn and Serena Elm were already waiting at the door.
"Holy crap! Shiny Charmanders—two of them! Ahhh, I regret everything!"
The moment Tim saw the little dragons nestled in their arms, he pounded his chest in dramatic despair.
It had only been a single recess, but already not just Class Two, even students from Classes Three and Four had heard the news: two shiny Charmanders had hatched in Class One.
Tim, naturally, had rushed straight here to stand guard by the office, hoping to catch a glimpse of the glittering hatchlings.
"Why, oh why didn't I take a Pokémon egg when I had the chance? What was I thinking, asking for a Dragon Fang instead?"
Jace clapped him on the shoulder with a grin.
"Relax. Don't regret it. Even if you'd asked me then, I wouldn't have given it to you anyway. Rest easy, buddy."
Tim gave him a long, mournful look.
"How can you say that with a straight face? You've already got shinies and you still feel the need to rub salt in my wounds? That's just cruel."
"Ha! It's nothing. I'll treat everyone to dinner this weekend."
"Fine! Then I swear I won't stop eating until it hurts—you better be ready, or I won't be Tim Wynn!"
Tim puffed himself up, issuing his challenge.
"No problem," Jace said slyly, "since I'll be paying with the money you gave me for that Dragon Fang. Won't hurt me one bit."
Critical hit! Tim's challenge failed instantly.
"You—you jerk! That's too much!"
The four of them walked out of school together, laughter trailing behind them.
Since the homeroom teacher had given Auron and Jace small blankets to cover the babies, only a single golden tuft of a head poked out. That meant no nosy onlookers could sneak a peek at the shiny Charmanders.
At most, their classmates boasted to students from other classes:
"See those two carrying blankets? Inside are shiny Charmanders—golden, glowing, gorgeous!"
At the school gate, everyone parted ways as usual. Auron turned and made for the family breeding house.
He paused outside the door, gazing at the bustling shop filled with customers. In his mind's eye, he could already see his mother's delighted, money-loving smile.
The image made him chuckle as he stepped inside. His mom's obsession with Dracocoins was in a league of its own.
A huge poster by the entrance advertised:
"Fresh batch of premium Evolution Stones in stock! Now 10% off! Special bundle deals available—limited time only!"
All those piles of Fire Stones, Water Stones, and more that Auron had hauled out of the Pokémon Secret Realm last time—he'd left them with his mom to liquidate.
He squeezed through the crowd without bothering the busy clerks and slipped into the back.
In the rear courtyard, two Milotics basked in the fading sunlight, while Feebas splashed merrily in the pond.
Farther off, an Eevee and a Pikachu tumbled together in the grass.
On a clearing at the forest's edge, Gengar dutifully oversaw training, guiding Golbat through relentless drills. Snorlax Jr. and Hakamo-o were hard at work building their bodies.
Not far away, Espeon and Umbreon were twined together as always, their eyes flicking now and then toward the young Eevee romping with Pikachu and its peers.
Auron walked in quietly, watching without disturbing their efforts.
He waited patiently, standing by until his Charmander stirred faintly, just as training wound down for the day.
"Golbat, Snorlax—come see what I've brought you!"
Golbat, being faster, darted to his side first.
Its eyes widened, glittering with excitement at the sight of the new sibling.
Moments later Snorlax Jr. waddled over. The instant he spotted the sleeping Charmander in Auron's arms, he let out a startled cry.
"Bika~!"
The voice roused the baby dragon, who blinked open his eyes.
"Ni~!"
Smiling, Auron introduced them gently.
"Charmander, this is your big sister, and that one is your big brother."
Smack!
Golbat slapped his hand lightly with a wing, glaring in disapproval.
Auron gave a helpless laugh and corrected himself.
"Alright, alright. This one's your brother too."
No one knew why, but Golbat—a female—insisted on being called "brother."
What Auron failed to notice was the way Snorlax Jr. looked at Golbat, his eyes full of quiet indulgence. It was as if he were the elder sibling, humoring a younger sister.
"Alright, my two brothers," Auron continued with a grin, "I've brought you a new family member. From now on, he's your little brother."
Golbat flapped in agitation, desperate to hug the baby but hampered by her lack of arms.
Snorlax Jr., sensing her wish, reached out to take Charmander from Auron, then lifted him high so Golbat could enfold him with her wings.
The little dragon wasn't afraid in the slightest. Nestled between wing and paw, he cooed contentedly, squinting in comfort.
"Ni Ni"
Drawn by the commotion, Hakamo-o, Espeon, and Umbreon came over.
Gengar, of course, moved even faster—at the instant training ended, he had already slipped into Auron's shadow.
Hakamo-o eyed the tiny hatchling with curiosity, holding up his clawed fist beside Charmander for comparison.
The little one squirmed excitedly, reaching to climb onto the offered fist.
Flustered, Hakamo-o cupped his claws carefully, cradling the baby. His eyes narrowed in delight at the sound of the Charmander's soft cries.
Espeon, annoyed at being blocked from view, swatted Hakamo-o, urging him to lower his hands.
Hakamo-o crouched down obediently, though he still refused to let go of his precious bundle.
Watching this scene, Auron teased,
"Hakamo-o, you like him that much? How about I find you a mate, and you can raise one of your own?"
Hakamo-o flushed, tail rising to block his face, though his arms still clutched Charmander protectively.
Just then, Auron's Aura picked up on Gengar slinking through Hakamo-o's shadow.
A bad feeling jolted him.
"Gengar, don't scare him!"
"Jie!"
Too late. Gengar popped out.
👻: ('')
🔥: Σ(°△°|||)
"Ni…!"
The baby froze in fright, flailing desperately toward Auron.
He scooped him up at once, soothing him with soft pats.
"There, there. Don't be scared. That was just Uncle Gengar's prank. You're safe."
Hakamo-o, however, wasn't appeased. Having just discovered the joy of fatherhood, he couldn't forgive Gengar for frightening his "son." With a roar, he lunged at the grinning ghost.
Beside him, Espeon and Umbreon barked their own fierce protests.
"Hit him! Teach him a lesson!" (Pokémon speech)
But Gengar was no fool. The moment Hakamo-o pounced, he vanished, slipping away.
While the dragon scoured the clearing, Auron sensed Gengar reentering his shadow.
This time, the ghost emerged slowly, sheepish—and holding a tiny flower.
He offered it to the sulking Charmander.
🔥: (★^O^★)
Distracted by the novelty, the baby dragon brightened immediately, taking the flower in his claws and giggling.
The tension eased. Auron sighed in relief. So did the rest of the Pokémon. As long as the baby wasn't scared anymore, it was fine.
Gengar, too, wiped imaginary sweat from his brow, grateful his mischief hadn't gone too far.
(End of Chapter)