🎆 Happy New Year! 🎆
Thank you all for the amazing support throughout this year. 💙To celebrate the arrival of the new year, here is a special New Year code:
🎁 Code:NewYear: F3B16
📅 Code validity:
Start: December 30, 2025 at 11:55 p.m.
End: January 2, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy it and let's start this new year strong. 🚀✨Here's to an amazing 2026! 🎉
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Mid-July.
"Ethan, I heard that the starter Pokémon for this edition are all Pokémon with infinite potential, you've got to give it your all!" said Alex Baxter as he saw him off in the huge plaza of the Sky Secret Kingdom.
"Relax, do you still doubt my strength?" replied Ethan Black, pounding his chest with confidence and making a gesture that there was no problem. Then he looked at him with some doubt and asked: "But you, are you really not going to participate in the competition for the starter slots?"
"I'll pass." Alex Baxter shook his head and smiled. "This year, ever since the data about those starter hatchlings was released, countless prodigy trainers are eager to test themselves. Besides, I already have my own path clear. Even though the starters are tempting, to me they're no longer that important. And with my current level, it's impossible to enter the top sixteen."
Ethan Black nodded at his words and smiled: "Then focus completely on being a researcher. My next training plans are still waiting for your research results."
"Don't worry, you focus on being a trainer, I'll focus on being a researcher," Alex Baxter replied with a smile. The two had already become the best collaborative partners, supporting each other and progressing together.
"Alright, then we're off."
Ethan Black smiled slightly, took six Poké Balls, and recalled the six Pokémon already waiting in formation on the field. After securing them on his belt, he pulled out another Poké Ball and threw it into the air.
Immediately, a majestic Pidgeot appeared, flapping its wings before landing steadily in front of him.
This Pidgeot was not his, but a loan from the Pokémon Researchers' Guild. The purpose was to allow him to travel quickly back and forth between the competition grounds and the guild.
Since Ethan Black was about to leave the Sky Secret Kingdom to go to the capital to participate in the starter competition, his research into Absol's Justified ability had to be put on hold.
The great president Beckett had emphasized that as soon as the tournament ended, he had to immediately return with Absol to the Sky Secret Kingdom. Pidgeot was there precisely to shorten that time and guarantee his safety.
"I'll be counting on you, Pidgeot," said Ethan Black, stroking its soft feathers before mounting.
During this time, aside from training his Pokémon, Ethan Black hadn't been idle.
While preparing training plans for his team, he had also learned many wilderness survival techniques from the instructors at the headquarters of the Pokémon Researchers' Guild. His horsemanship had reached level eight, which allowed him to ride many common Pokémon, including Pidgeot.
"Pidgeooo!"
Upon hearing him, Pidgeot cried out to the sky and lowered its body so Ethan Black could climb on.
With a powerful flap of its wings, its figure soared and sped toward the exit of the Sky Secret Kingdom.
After half a day of flying at full speed, Pidgeot crossed several cities en route to the capital.
On the way, Ethan Black passed several trainers also traveling mounted on flying Pokémon, all with the same goal: the competition for the starter slots.
As night fell, Ethan Black finally arrived at the capital. Before entering the urban area, he recalled Pidgeot to its Poké Ball and decided to enter on foot.
Soon after, a gigantic stadium shaped like a bird's nest appeared before his eyes: the Phoenix Pokémon Stadium, venue of the competition.
"Phoenix, huh?" murmured Ethan Black, recalling some rumors. "They say the League owns a legendary bird, Moltres... could it be true?"
"Moltres... a legendary Pokémon. I wonder how strong it really is."
Sighing with a touch of emotion, he quickly made his way toward the stadium entrance.
The tournament would begin the next day, but that very day he needed to complete the final registration to secure his participation. The great president Beckett had calculated down to the last minute to give him time to research Absol, and if it weren't for Pidgeot, he might have risked being late.
Upon arriving at the stadium, staff from the Pokémon Researchers' Guild immediately came out to greet him, taking care of the entire procedure. Ethan Black could clearly feel what it meant to enjoy privileged treatment.
...
The next day, before dawn, Ethan Black was already awake.
After washing up, he released his seven Pokémon and prepared their favorite meals.
"Guys, this time it's not like the competitions before," said Ethan Black, looking at them with an expectant smile. "Today we'll step onto the League's grandest stage, in front of all its people. We're going to show our true strength. Are you ready?"
"Sha!"
"Cac!"
"Zzzt!"
"Yadon!"
"Abbssss!"
They responded excitedly, raising their voices and showing their enthusiasm.
"Then... let's go!"
With a deep breath, Ethan Black recalled them to their Poké Balls, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and headed toward the Phoenix Pokémon Stadium.
The place was already packed: a crowd of participants and spectators filled the stands, creating a fiery atmosphere.
The competition for the starter slots was an official League event, also known as the Strongest Rookie Trainer Tournament.
Although among the participants some were already nineteen years old, the League maintained an unwritten rule: just like in school, the stage of "rookie trainer" officially ended only upon graduation.
That date fell in mid-July, right after the end of the competition for the starter slots.
That's why this tournament was also considered the stage where it would be decided who was the strongest rookie of the generation.
(End of chapter)