Our heroes are continuing on with their journey towards Texstar City for Davis' sixth gym battle. Along the way, they're about to encounter some rare opportunities.

"Hold on a minute." Imperialdramon said as he just stopped walking.

"Something wrong?" Davis asked.

"I hear something." Imperialdramon said. "It sounds like some sort of motor or engine." They all listened and could soon hear what Imperialdramon was talking about. It sounded like some sort of vehicle was coming their way, and it sounded like it was getting closer. Suddenly, they all saw someone riding and ATV jump right over their heads. They surely weren't expecting that.

"What the heck is going on?" Tetsu questioned. The rider of the ATV looked down and was a little surprised to see them. The ATV crashed down with the driver pulling over. "Hey! How about a warning?! You nearly gave me a heart attack with that stunt."

"It's been a long time." The rider said. None of them knew who it was until he removed his helmet.

"Shade!" Davis said as he was glad to see his friend again.

"Long time no see, Davis." Shade said.

Pokemon

It's a battle, win or lose

It's the friends you make

It's the road you choose

We've got the right stuff

So make your mind up

And find the courage inside of you.

If you're strong, you'll survive

And you'll keep your dream alive

Let the battle begin

Pokemon

Be the best you can be and find your destiny

It's the master plan

The power's in your hand

Pokemon

(Davis' voice) Shine like a Light

"It's great to see you again, Shade." Davis said. "That was quite an entrance you made."

"With this old thing? It's nothing." Shade said.

"How come he gets all the cool gadgets?" Imperialdramon complained.

"So, what are you doing out here?" Cletus asked.

"I'm on my way to meet someone important." Shade said. "I was fortunate enough to be asked by someone to take part in a research trip."

"Really? I thought you were out battling and challenging gyms just like me?" Davis questioned.

"I am. I've actually managed to get a total of five badges, but this was an opportunity that I just couldn't pass." Shade said. "You all want to come along and see who it is? I'm meeting her at the base of the upcoming mountain." This sounded like it could be a lot of fun, and it's a good chance to get reacquainted with Shade.

...

The Mountain

All of them went with Shade to see who this person was that Shade was excited to see. When they got to the base of the mountain, they could see some sort of research camp was placed there.

"Here we are." Shade said. "It looks like we made it just in time. They haven't travelled up the mountain just yet. There she is." All of them looked to see who it was and saw that it was none other than Professor Maple herself.

"Okay! Everything's set! Let's get ready to move soon!" Professor Maple called.

"Professor Maple!" Shade called and got her attention. "Here I am! Sorry if I'm a little late! I spotted a couple friends of mine and thought it was okay to bring them along since we were close by."

"Oh! Professor Maple! It was you Shade was talking about." Davis said with Shade a little surprised.

"Davis. It's great to see you and the others are doing okay." Professor Maple said.

"Hold on. You already met her?" Shade said.

"Yeah. I met her when I first came to Centros." Davis said. That had Shade a little disappointed because he thought it be a big surprise.

"I hope it's okay that I brought them." Shade said.

"Of course." Professor Maple said.

"So, what are you doing out here? What is all this?" Tetsu asked.

"We're getting ready to explore the mountain and study the pokemon inside." Professor Maple. "In truth, there's a special pokemon I'm hoping to see in there and try to gain valuable data to help in my research."

"There is? What pokemon?" Cletus asked as they all seemed rather interested in this.

"It's called a Duraludon, and I hear that this one is a slightly different color than a normal Duraludon." Professor Maple said.

"Duraludon?" Davis questioned as he pulled out his pokedex and learned more about it.

"Duraludon, the Alloy Pokemon. A dragon and steel type. Despite its body being made out of metal, this pokemon is quite agile. It lives in caves to avoid rain for it can rust real easily."

"Wow. A dragon-type that's also a steel-type." Davis said as he thought that was rather impressive. "So, there's one inside that's a different color than most Duraludon?"

"Although it is slight, the Duraludon I'm looking for is a different shade in color." Professor Maple said. "Pokemon that are a different color are called shiny pokemon, and they are quite rare. I'm running research to determine what it is that causes that. That's why I asked Shade for some help here. I heard of his scientific mind, developed a special set of glasses with a computer in them. I'm hoping his technology will be most helpful."

"I'm glad to help anyway I can." Shade said.

"Can we come too? Pretty please." Davis said as he really wants to go. "I want to see this Duraludon."

"You know he wants this. He said pretty please." Imperialdramon said. Professor Maple thought it over for a moment.

"Okay. I suppose I could use a few extra set of hands." Professor Maple said as all of them were glad they could help out. With Davis and the others coming along for the ride, Professor Maple grabbed everything needed. She had cameras, computers, and some gear for cave exploring. "My research team will study the pokemon outside the mountain. The rest of us are heading inside the mountain. My fellow researchers will let us know if they spot that Duraludon."

"This is rather exciting." Tetsu said.

"Just make sure you guys don't slow us down or get in the way." Shade said.

"Hey. What's that suppose to mean?" Davis said as he found that offensive.

"Let's try to get along boys. Follow me." Professor Maple said as she lead the way up a trail with the others following. This little adventure was rather exciting. They're doing a little exploring with the chance to see a rare pokemon. Professor Maple lead the way up a trail they could all take. Along the way, they spotted other pokemon found on mountains.

"Make sure you guys get the pokemon with the cameras." Shade said as he used his special glasses. "Even if we don't find that Duraludon, Professor Maple can still gain some valuable data."

"No worries. I'm getting all of it." Cletus said as he had a camera filming.

"You're really getting into this, Shade. Aren't you?" Tetsu said.

"I guess I am." Shade admitted. "I always admired Professor Maple's work, so I'm glad I am able to help her out."

"Hold on a second." Professor Maple said as she stopped just before a cave. "That's where we're going in, and take a look at this." She looked down at the ground and saw some tracks of a pokemon. They looked rather large ones at that.

"Footprints, and look how big they are!" Imperialdramon said as they almost couldn't believe the size.

"Those are Duraludon tracks, and they look rather fresh." Professor Maple said with all of them getting a little excited. "I don't know if it's the one we're looking for, but it looks like we're heading in the right direction. Let's stay together from this point." All of them agreed and moved deeper into the cave. Following the tracks into the cave, they are sure to find the Duraludon they are looking for.

"So, what are we going to do when we find Duraludon?" Cletus asked.

"I just need footage of it and try to gain data from it." Professor Maple said. "Although, we must be cautious. There's no telling what's in this cave or what it will do when it sees us."

"Hold it. We've got a problem." Davis said as they all had to stop. The tracks just seem to disappear. "Where did the tracks go? A pokemon that made tracks like that couldn't have just disappeared."

"Some other pokemon must have just came through them." Professor Maple said. "This is where we have to be careful. We don't know where to go and it's easy to get lost down here."

"Well, where do we go now?" Davis said as he had a look around. He stood right over a ledge, but he looked down and saw something moving into a tunnel. "Shade! Come here! I see something."

"What is it?" Shade said.

"Look down there. I saw something in that tunnel." Davis said.

"Where?" Shade said as he tried looking.

"Down there." Davis said as he tried pointing down.

"I don't see anything." Shade said.

"It's right there." Davis said as he pushed him down to try and show him.

"Don't push!" Shade said. The two of them were wrestling around until they took it a little far and they both ended up going down the ledge.

"Davis! Shade!" Cletus called as they all hurried down to them and saw them landed down at the bottom. "Are you guys okay?!"

"I think so." Davis said.

"Smooth move, dorkis." Shade complained.

"Should we go down?" Imperialdramon asked.

"That doesn't really look safe. Give me a moment." Professor Maple said as she pulled out her computer and got to work on it, pulling out a topographic map of the area. "You boys go through the tunnel in front of you. It should lead to a way outside! We'll go back outside and meet you out there!"

"Got it! Come on, Davis, and don't trip up again." Shade complained as they both headed for the tunnel.

"Hey. That's the same tunnel I saw something walk through. It could be what we're looking for." Davis said.

"Well, let's go find out." Shade said as the two of them made their way through the tunnel. "Wait a minute. Is this tunnel getting lighter?"

"We must be getting close to an exit." Davis said. The two of them kept on going until they found themselves in a cavern with sunlight shining through an opening in the ceiling.

"So much for that idea." Shade said. "There must be a way out somewhere."

"Hold on. Something's coming." Davis said. Both of them looked ahead and could see something big and large walking towards them.

"Duralu..." Standing before them was none other and a Duraludon itself.

"It's a Duraludon!" Davis said as they were both surprised that they found one. "Is it the same one we're looking for?"

"Hang on." Shade said as he ran a quick analysis on it. "It sure is. It's hard to tell, but this Duraludon is more of a blue shade while a regular Duraludon is more of a silver. I can't believe we really found it."

"You better believe we found it!" Davis said. They were amazed that they were able to find it. Seeing a rare pokemon like this was a sight to behold.

"Hey... Davis, I got an idea." Shade said. "Professor Maple wants to study a pokemon that's a different color than normal. Well, wouldn't it be much better if she had the actual pokemon? Why don't we try to catch Duraludon and give it to Professor Maple?"

"Sounds like a great idea." Davis said as this could be a great opportunity.

"Sorry about this Duraludon, but we would like you to come with us. You would be a great help in our research." Shade said. "Gallade, let's go!"

"Gallade!"

"Mawile, I choose you!" Davis called.

"Mawile!"

"Let's catch us a shiny Duraludon. Mawile, Brutal Swing!" Davis said.

"Gallade, Close Combat!" Shade called. Both of their pokemon charged right at Duraludon and tried attacking, but Duraludon formed a barrier around itself and blocked both attacks. When that happened, its claws coated in metal and smashed against both of them with both of them being pushed back. "It's smart. It blocked both attacks with Protect and then attacked with Metal Claw."

"That's not stopping us! Fairy Wind!" Davis said. Mawile twirled its jaws around and unleashed the attack. It blasted Duraludon, but Duraludon endured the attack. Duraludon pushed through and was going to try and use Metal Claw again. "Watch out, Mawile!" He called with Mawile avoiding Duraludon's attack.

"Gallade, Night Slash!" Shade called. Gallade attacked and slashed against Duraludon repeatedly.

"Go, Gallade!" Davis cheered until he realized something. "Hold on a minute. I just realized you're not battling with your computer like you did when we first battled."

"That's because I left it back at the camp." Shade said. "I didn't think I would need it for something like this. Besides, you did show me that data isn't everything in battle." He claimed with pride and Davis glad to hear Shade say that. That means they can focus on the battle.

"Brutal Swing!" Davis called. Mawile jumped in and smashed its jaws against Duraludon right in the head. "Now use Iron Head!"

"Night Slash again!" Shade ordered. Both pokemon used their attacks and smashed right against Duraludon, but it endured both attacks. Duraludon didn't stop as it summoned a bunch of rocks to use Rock Slide. The rocks came falling at them, but they both moved out of the way. "I know it can catch it, but I need it to have it's guard dropped after using Protect."

"No worries. I can handle that part. Brutal Swing again, Mawile!" Davis called. Mawile jumped right at Duraludon and tried using the attack, but Duraludon used Protect and blocked the attack. "Now's your chance!"

"Close Combat!" Shade called. Gallade charged in and and repeatedly attacked Duraludon with Duraludon having nothing to protect it. "Now use Psycho Cut right there!" Gallade timed the attack perfectly. He used Psycho Cut and the attack blasted Duraludon right against the cave wall. "Go, pokeball!" Shade through the pokeball and Duraludon went right inside. They thought they had it, but Duraludon ended up freeing itself. "Darn! Almost had it, but it's tougher than I thought. When that happened, it aimed with its head and was charging something right at them.

"What's it doing?" Davis questioned.

"Not good! Take cover!" Shade said. All of them moved away from Duraludon as Duraludon fired a powerful and shimmering beam that tore through the area and caused some damage. The attacked missed, but it did throw them for a loop for a minute.

"What attack was that?" Davis questioned when everything settled.

"Steel Beam. It's considered the most powerful steel-type attack." Shade said.

"Seriously?! That's some power." Davis said.

"Duraludon, I..." Shade turned to face Duraludon again, but it was already gone. "No... It managed to getaway. We almost had it."

"Well, that's just how it goes sometimes." Davis said. They had a great opportunity and failed to cease it. Since there isn't much more they can do, they just had to focus on getting out of there now.

...

The Camp

Davis and Shade managed to find a way out of the cave and was able to regroup with the others. When they did, they went back to the camp and told them all about what they saw. It was a good thing that Shade had his special glasses because they were able to see all the data he captured.

"I can't believe you two were able to find the Duraludon!" Tetsu said.

"I can't believe I missed it." Imperialdramon complained.

"Sorry. We tried catching it, but it managed to escape." Shade said.

"It's fine, really." Professor Maple said. "This data alone will be quite helpful in my research. I'm starting to see the compatibility between a dragon-type and a steel-type. Both really do make a powerful pokemon."

"Anything else you see?" Cletus asked. "What about what makes this Duraludon a different color?"

"At the moment, I don't see any abnormalities." Professor Maple said. "It must have something to with the pokemon's genetics, the DNA itself. That's what I theorize at least. Shade, thank you. I knew you would be able to be a great help." She said with Shade feeling flattered that someone he has great respect for was complimenting him like that. "Davis, I want to thank you and your friends too."

"Glad to help. Seeing pokemon like this is always so fun." Davis said as they all really enjoyed their experience.

There are many mysteries in the world of pokemon. It's not going to be easy to unlock all of them, but that's what researchers are for. Perhaps the time will come when we will get all the answers we're looking for, but until that happens, our heroes are going to continue enjoying the journey.

To Be Continued...