The most noticeable change was that a pair of wings began to slowly extend from its back, growing larger and larger.
Bagon, in its earliest stage, has always longed to fly with an overwhelming, almost desperate desire.
That yearning for flight is deeply etched into their souls—an obsession that consumes them far beyond what ordinary people can imagine.
Every day, they bash their heads against the ground or rocks, trying to ease the torment of being unable to soar.
That is precisely why Salamence's personality is often so irascible. The psychological torture of their childhood turns them into Pokémon that seem mentally unwell—unable to bear frustration and prone to violent outbursts.
That is the true origin of their name.
However, a Salamence that manages to control that pure, primal rage within is one that has achieved true maturity.
Cain's Bagon, due to the hardships it endured in its youth, never injured itself like others of its kind. On the contrary, it was extremely disciplined and capable of self-control.
Discipline, after all, is always a path toward strength.
That's why Cain didn't fear that, upon evolving, his Salamence would be unable to master the fury within its heart.
The white light of evolution gradually faded, revealing before him a blue dragon with its eyes closed.
Salamence is a quadrupedal Dragon-type Pokémon, with two majestic crimson wings and a long tail.
Its body was a deep blue, while its neck, limbs, and the inner part of its tail were blood-red. The lower jaw and abdomen were protected by three plates resembling Shelgon's shell.
Above its eyes were two red ridges, and on each side of its head, three small triangular wings that seemed to function like the stabilizers of an airplane.
"GROAAAR!!!"
Upon opening its eyes and seeing its own wings, Salamence roared with pure joy.
"Groaarr!"
"Groaarr!"
"Groaarr!"
That roar became an echo throughout the colony, each Salamence responding with a thunderous chorus.
It was their way of celebrating the new companion who had finally reached the sky they had all dreamed of.
Only a Salamence truly understands that eternal longing to fly—so the entire tribe rejoiced with pride.
Cain smiled and walked toward him.
Salamence lowered its head, rubbing affectionately against him, showing the deep trust and bond it shared with its trainer.
Especially because, in his youth—when he wasn't yet ready to survive on his own—Cain had taken him from Meteor Falls, feeding him Pokéblocks and caring for him. That memory remained deeply engraved in his heart.
More than his desire to fly, it was the image of Cain and his kindness that had shaped him most.
"You've finally evolved," Cain said with a warm smile.
"Groaarr!" Salamence replied softly, enjoying the warmth of Cain's hand, relaxed and content.
Then its neck tensed slightly, nudging Cain toward its back.
Cain immediately understood. "Alright then! Let's experience your first flight together!"
He leapt up and landed on the broad back of the dragon.
Boom!
Once Cain was securely seated, Salamence struck the ground with its tail and spread its enormous red wings.
Dust swirled everywhere. Though it wobbled a little at takeoff, the instinct for flight engraved in its blood quickly helped it stabilize.
Taking a deep breath, it beat its wings powerfully, launching itself into the sky at a terrifying speed.
Had Cain not held on tightly, he would have been thrown off into the air.
"This is... a hundred kilometers per hour in a tenth of a second...?" he thought, half complaining, half exhilarated.
Salamence's speed was truly astonishing.
He had never seen Drake's Salamence fly at full power, but now, feeling it firsthand on his own mount, it was like riding a roller coaster.
Pokémon: Salamence (Light Black)
Gender: Male
Level: 52
Types: Dragon + Flying
Ability: Intimidate
Held Item: Dragon Scale, Fragment of Sky Plate
Egg Moves: Hydro Pump, Dragon Dance, Fire Fang, Dragon Rush
Basic Moves: Rage, Ember, Leer, Bite, Dragon Breath, Headbutt, Focus Energy, Crunch, Dragon Claw, Protect, Fly, Dragon Tail, Thunder Fang, Zen Headbutt, Scary Face, Flamethrower
Learned Moves: Dragon Pulse, Snore, Outrage, Aqua Tail, Hyper Voice
TM Moves: None
Once Salamence had finally released its long-repressed desire for the skies, Cain took the opportunity to analyze its data.
Its quality had already reached Light Black!
It was right at the threshold of that rank—just one step away from becoming a true Black-quality Pokémon.
It was exactly as Drake had said: the secret training technique for Salamence's evolutionary line was indeed astonishingly effective.
Cain knew very well what his system and his own quality-enhancing potions could achieve—after all, he had crafted them himself. With them, the highest realistic result was Deep Purple quality, perhaps brushing against Black. But never such a clean breakthrough into the Black tier.
Without a doubt, this method of bloodline development was extraordinary.
Cain now planned to open a new research project in his system focused on Pokémon lineage development. If it could be generalized and combined with his potions, many Pokémon could undergo successive metamorphoses.
Though he still lacked the resources and knowledge to advance that idea, perhaps his master Matsuda Takashi—or even his grandmother, whom he trusted more—could help him.
With Salamence's evolution complete, Cain prepared to depart. Now that he knew the place well, he could return anytime.
Then, a peculiar stone appeared in his hand—the Salamencite, Salamence's Mega Stone!
"Groaarr!"
The moment Salamence felt it, he reacted instantly. The attraction toward the stone was so strong it seemed irresistible.
Cain understood immediately and didn't make him wait. He placed the Mega Stone before him, while holding a Key Stone in his other hand.
"Salamence, you just evolved, but let's try something more... I want to see if you can do it."
"Groaarr!!" the dragon replied, nodding eagerly.
He had seen Cain's other Pokémon undergo Mega Evolution before, and now he was eager to experience it himself.
"Salamence! Mega Evolve!"
(End of chapter)