"Tyran!"
Seeing the white light enveloping Rhydon, Tyranitar opened its eyes wide.
It knew that radiance very well. From when Larvitar evolved into Pupitar, and then from Pupitar into Tyranitar, it had already experienced the light of evolution twice.
Little by little, it could be seen that Rhydon's silhouette was constantly changing within the white light.
Tyranitar's emotions also fluctuated along with the transformation: at first disbelief, then astonishment, and finally a faint sense of anticipation appeared in its eyes.
Could it be... that it really could still evolve?
Boom!
At that instant...
The white light enveloping Rhydon suddenly burst apart.
Next, a Pokémon with a robust body appeared before everyone, colored black and reddish-orange, similar in appearance to Rhydon, with powerful arms and cannons in the palms of its hands, radiating an imposing strength throughout its entire body.
That Pokémon was none other than Rhydon's evolution: Rhyperior!
"Congratulations, Rhyperior."
Seeing that Rhydon had successfully completed its evolution, Ethan smiled faintly.
"Rhyypperrior!"
Rhyperior roared excitedly a couple of times and nodded enthusiastically toward Ethan.
The other Pokémon also came over to offer their congratulations.
"Tyran!"
From a distance, Tyranitar, after hesitating for a moment, also stepped forward to congratulate it.
Rhyperior looked at Tyranitar, who was slightly shorter than itself, gave it a few pats on the shoulder, and showed a meaningful smile.
...
Half a month later, at the exit of the mobile Secret Kingdom.
"This time I'll be taking Vibrava and Charizard to the Dragon Clan Festival. You all stay here for a few more days, training behind closed doors and digesting everything you've accumulated."
"The professional Pokémon Hunter exam is about to begin; then it will be your turn to shine."
Ethan smiled and reassured the Pokémon, who looked eager to prove their worth.
"Also, this time Tyranitar won't be in the desert ruins. So you must help protect this place well. This Smooth Rock deposit is a true treasure—take good care of it!"
After hearing his words, Sandslash, Cacturne, Rhyperior, Shuckle, and Litwick all adopted serious expressions.
After giving them a few more instructions, Ethan mounted Charizard and left the mobile Secret Kingdom.
"Charizard, it seems you've made tremendous progress during this time."
Ethan patted Charizard's now more robust body and smiled.
During that period, he had designed a series of training plans for Charizard based on the special body structure of Gigalith.
Judging from Charizard's reaction, the results seemed good, although there was still a considerable distance to go before fully mastering the power of Gigalith's orange core.
"Charrzz!"
After receiving Ethan's praise, Charizard roared excitedly and unleashed a blazing jet of flames into the sky.
Soon after, thanks to Charizard's swift flight, Ethan returned to the headquarters of the Pokémon Researchers' Guild.
After checking on the situation of all the Pokémon, Ethan left the Sky Kingdom together with Gyarados and Kingdra.
On this trip to Dragon Valley, he brought with him Meltan, Vibrava, Charizard, Gyarados, Kingdra, and... Tyranitar!
...
Super-sized Secret Kingdom: Dragon Valley.
With the start of the Dragon Clan Festival, Dragon Valley became filled with life and bustle.
At that moment, Ethan, riding Charizard at full speed, had already arrived at the area of Mt. Dragon, where the entrance to Dragon Valley was located.
Ethan stopped at the top of the peak. The summit had been leveled, and a massive platform had been constructed there.
Upon that platform stood a gigantic Dragon Gate, and behind it lay the entrance to Dragon Valley.
"I've returned to this place..."
Ethan took a deep breath. The last time he had come, he needed the guidance of Marcus Foster; now, on the other hand, he already had the ability to enter Dragon Valley on his own.
Sensing the aura of Dragon Valley emanating from the gate, Charizard and Vibrava became visibly excited.
"Charizard, Vibrava, return to your Poké Balls first."
After recalling both Pokémon, Ethan approached the Dragon Gate and took a necklace from around his neck. In the pendant could be seen a seven-colored stone.
"Dragon Valley, I'm here."
After taking a deep breath, Ethan stepped toward the Dragon Gate.
When the multicolored pendant approached the gate, it immediately emitted a soft rainbow glow. At the same time, the Dragon Gate began to shine with seven-colored lights, forming a luminous entrance.
As Ethan entered the gate, his figure gradually faded until it completely disappeared from the real world.
"I'm back... Dragon Valley."
Upon opening his eyes, Ethan looked up and saw enormous Dragon-type Pokémon flying through the sky, smiling faintly.
"Ethan, you've arrived."
At that moment, a gentle voice echoed in his ears.
Looking in that direction, he saw the leader of Dragon Valley, Magnus Morland, and Kommo-o sitting in a resting position. Noticing Ethan's arrival, both opened their eyes.
"Greetings, Leader Morland."
Ethan hastened to bow respectfully.
"Good. In this way, the four young Dragon Messengers of the Daleron League are now complete."
Leader Morland stood up and spoke with a smile.
"Four young Dragon Messengers?"
Ethan was taken aback. One of them had to be Marcus.
But the Daleron League covered such a vast territory... and yet there were only four young Dragon Messengers.
That showed just how strict the conditions were for entering Dragon Valley.
If he had not discovered the evolution method of Kingdra, he likely would not have been able to enter either.
"That's right. The other three should be on the island right now, searching for the Pokémon they like the most."
"This Dragon Clan Festival is, in fact, the coming-of-age ceremony of the Pokémon. After reaching adulthood, these Pokémon leave their parents and begin an independent life."
"Most of them will seek out a new territory to live on their own, but a small portion will choose to become companions of a Dragon Messenger, thus gaining the opportunity to leave Dragon Valley."
"And the Battle of the Dragon Messengers, as part of the Dragon Clan Festival, is actually an opportunity for the Pokémon who wish to go out into the world to make their choice."
"They will observe the performance in the Battle of the Dragon Messengers, select the trainer they are interested in, and finally, the two will complete the Dragon Contract, becoming companions."
Leader Morland explained the meaning of the Dragon Clan Festival while looking up at the sky, watching the Pokémon flying freely, his expression filled with anticipation.
(End of chapter)