c3: A Family
Noibat and Zubat are both bat-like Pokémon, and Golbat is their more evolved kin. These species are commonly found in caves and share similar traits echolocation, flight, and the notorious move Supersonic, known for its irritating ability to confuse foes.
Noibat resembles a small, purple bat with membranous wings and large, radar-like ears. However, its physiology also hints at dragonic lineage, especially in its slightly reptilian snout and wide, expressive eyes. The ears on its head are disproportionately large—each made up of several ridged layers and dominate its appearance.
A prominent ring-shaped pattern between its eyes helps with directional hearing. Sensitive to high frequencies, Noibat belongs to a unique subgroup of sound wave emitting Pokémon. In the manga and Pokédex lore, it's noted for using ultrasonic waves not just for navigation but also to stun Bug-type prey.
Statistically, in the games, Noibat has the lowest base stat total among all Dragon-types, only 245, making it one of the weakest in raw power. Its evolved form, Noivern, though swift and striking in appearance, is often overlooked in competitive battling due to middling stats and frailty against Ice- and Fairy-types.
However, Xia Yu wasn't focused on such numerical measures.Despite these numbers, Xia Yu felt deep satisfaction with Noibat as his first Pokémon. After all, this world was nothing like the games, where players conveniently obtained a full Pokédex or were gifted shiny Rayquaza through events. In reality, even pseudo-legendary Pokémon like Salamence or Metagross were incredibly rare, let alone actual Legendaries.
Receiving a Dragon-type Pokémon as a starter—especially one capable of evolving into a flier with sound-based capabilities—was already a considerable fortune."Xia Yu, remember to take good care of your Pokémon egg," Xia Luo reminded him gently after they returned home. "This doesn't look like a Zubat egg.
I can't pinpoint what species it is exactly—time will tell once it hatches. I'm on vacation for a few days, so I'll have Volcarona assist with incubation."His tone was filled with unmistakable brotherly affection.
Volcarona, known in both the manga and games for its Flame Body ability, was particularly suited to accelerating egg incubation by maintaining optimal warmth. In Unova lore, Volcarona was revered as a sun-like guardian that hatched from eggs during times of disaster.
Entrusting such a powerful Pokémon for something as personal as egg hatching showed the depth of Xia Luo's care."Okay. Thanks, big brother," Xia Yu replied, picking up the Pokémon egg and gently placing it into the home incubator.
As he looked at the egg, with its soft lavender patterns stretching across the shell like runes, a smile spread across his face."Pokémon hatching in reality really isn't like in the games," he mused aloud. "There, you just walk around and let time pass. But in reality, you need to manage temperature and humidity precisely.
If possible, you also supplement with nutrient fluid to improve the Pokémon's constitution. Richer families even use attribute-specific nutrient formulas."Xia Yu stared at the egg incubator, his thoughts shifting. If he could get his hands on a mix of Dragon- and Flying-type nutrient fluids, it would vastly benefit the Pokémon growing inside—especially if it truly was a Noibat.Ordinary nutrient fluids cost around 150,000 credits per bottle.
One was usually enough to help a standard egg hatch smoothly. But attribute-specific fluids? That was a whole different class. Prices ranged from 750,000 to 1,500,000 credits, depending on the energy concentration and attribute compatibility. For Noibat's needs, Dragon-type nutrient fluid cost 1,500,000 and Flying-type 1,100,000. Averaging that was still a steep 1,200,000 credits.Xia Yu sucked in a breath.
That much money could easily buy a well-trained starter like Growlithe or Beldum from a reputable breeder. Spending it all on one nutrient solution? He couldn't justify it—not yet.Although Xia Yu's family was considered well-off—largely due to his father's reputation as Starlight City's Gym Leader—they hadn't yet reached the level of elite clans like the Tanba Family or the Wataru Clan. His grandfather had lived an ordinary life; it was only through Xia Yu's father's rise, seizing opportunity through Berry trade and eventually achieving Gym status, that the family began to accumulate real wealth."I'm broke," Xia Yu muttered, half laughing, half groaning. "Different life, same problem. Money runs the world."He began to brainstorm.
The most lucrative industries in this Pokémon world all revolved around Pokémon: Poké Ball crafting, Berry farming, and energy cube production. These weren't just jobs they were economic engines.His father had already invested in large tracts of forestland, cultivating specialized Berries like Sitrus and Leppa, and setting up workshops to synthesize energy cubes tailored to elemental types. Perhaps Xia Yu could find a role in that business or come up with something even more innovative.One way or another, he needed a plan.
The sound of the front door clicking open echoed through the hallway as Xia Yong and his wife stepped inside, the cool evening breeze following behind them.
Xia Yong, now fifty-three, had a few streaks of silver at his temples, though his posture remained upright and muscular a testament to years of outdoor fieldwork as a Gym Leader. Walking beside him was Lin Xuemei, Xia Yu's mother in this life.
She wore her nurse's white coat draped casually over her shoulders. Lin Xuemei was not only the vice-director of Starlight City's largest Pokémon Medical Center, but also one of its most skilled Nurse-class professionals. Her career in Pokémon medicine had earned her both renown and the respect of the League's regional medical corps.
As they entered the house, Lin Xuemei's eyes immediately landed on Xia Yu, who was kneeling beside the incubation unit. Her professional instincts activated as she narrowed her gaze, instantly spotting the egg nestled within deep violet in hue, laced with distinct black arcs and fractal-like markings.
"Where did that Pokémon egg come from?" she asked sharply, already unzipping her bag to pull out a scanner.
"I brought it back from the wild today," Xia Yu replied calmly, brushing his fingers along the glass of the incubator. "It's my starter Pokémon."
"Yours?" Xia Yong echoed, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his voice. He had attempted several times to help Xia Yu choose a proper starter an Eevee from the League registry, or a family-bred Growlithe—but Xia Yu had refused each time.
He had never expected his son to suddenly return home with a wild Pokémon egg. "Old Lin, come have a look. See if you can identify what kind of egg this is."
In her youth, Lin Xuemei had been celebrated for more than her elegant beauty.
She held a doctorate in Pokémon Genetics from the Indigo Academy and came from a renowned academic family. Her younger brother was a certified Pokémon Researcher working under Professor Rowan in Sinnoh, and both her parents had held senior research posts under Dr. Fuji's mentorship. In the circles of academia, they were referred to as a "Pokémon PhD lineage."
Xia Yong often joked—half seriously—that marrying Lin Xuemei was the greatest accomplishment of his life. Their marriage had drawn widespread attention back in the day; a hot-blooded Gym challenger marrying a research prodigy.
And to this day, his affection for her remained obvious in his every gesture.
"Xia Yu?" Lin Xuemei turned toward her son, her expression curious. "You really changed your mind? I remember you saying you weren't interested in becoming a Pokémon Trainer."
Though clearly surprised, she didn't probe further. Instead, she encouraged him gently. "There's still a full year until the Trainer Qualification Exam. If you really want to pursue this path, it's not too late. Let's see what kind of egg you've found."
She approached the incubator, activated the scanner, and examined the shell up close. The egg was round and well-formed, its purple coloration dark and vivid, crossed with rich black lines rare pigmentation that she recognized immediately.
The shell gleamed faintly under the fluorescent lights, a sign of healthy energy buildup within. The pattern wasn't chaotic but structured, with concentric ridges aligned to latent elemental flow. Judging by outward signs—thickness of the shell, density of markings, energy scan level—this was clearly not a common egg.
"Where exactly did you find this?" Lin Xuemei asked again, her fingers adjusting the scanner dial as new data popped onto the screen.
"In a cave on Thousand-Link Mountain," Xia Luo called from the sofa, one arm draped over his forehead. "We encountered a Crobat guarding it. That thing was fast—clearly had years of experience. This egg must be one of its offspring, but it doesn't match a standard Zubat egg."
"No, definitely not Zubat," Lin Xuemei said with a knowing smile as she turned off the scanner. "This is a Noibat egg. You boys are lucky this is a rare Dragon-type Pokémon, and more importantly, one with dual Flying affinity. Even in League-regulated breeding centers, this species is hard to acquire."
She adjusted her glasses and continued, "Noibat's evolved form, Noivern, is quite formidable.
It excels in echo-based combat and high-speed maneuvers. Particularly in the manga, a trained Noivern has been seen overwhelming opponents by using Boomburst and Air Slash to disrupt terrain. At night or in cave systems, where it blends into the shadows, Noivern becomes especially dangerous. Its ultrasonic perception gives it a real-time 3D map of the battlefield—enough to rival even a seasoned Hydreigon."
"Noivern's temperament, however, is famously difficult.
It's bold, aggressive, and territorial. In the manga, one nearly injured its own Trainer during a sound-based rampage. But," she added, smiling gently, "its mood can be softened with ripe fruit. Especially Sitrus and Jaboca berries. It's said that when fed its favorites, it becomes oddly affectionate. But don't be fooled—it remains a fierce, proud Pokémon."
"Old Xia," she turned to her husband with a serious expression, "bring out that bottle of nutrient fluid we've been saving. This is our son's first Pokémon. Let's give it the best start we can."