With the Typhlosion choosing to follow Aurore—
Her emotions were indescribable.
But more than joy—
She was curious.
"Why did you choose me?" she asked.
Typhlosion didn't hesitate.
"When you were willing to risk your life to stop those humans…"
"That's when I decided."
Simple.
Direct.
Pokémon didn't think in complicated ways.
Good was good.
Bad was bad.
Rather than wandering alone—
Following Aurore felt like the better path.
"…So I gambled my life for a powerful partner?" Aurore joked lightly.
"Not exactly."
Typhlosion glanced subtly at Ethan.
If it hadn't intervened—
Aurore wouldn't have died.
Her Pokémon wouldn't have been seriously injured either.
Because—
There had already been another presence in the cave.
A god-tier Pokémon.
Typhlosion had sensed it the moment it awakened.
But—
That Pokémon hadn't acted.
Neither side could determine if the other was friend or foe.
Only when Aurore was truly in danger—
Did that presence prepare to move.
But Typhlosion—
Acted first.
Now, seeing Ethan—
Feeling that same aura—
And noticing his closeness with Aurore—
Everything clicked.
"…Either way," Aurore smiled, raising her fist.
"It's an honor to have you as my partner."
Typhlosion bumped fists with her.
Then—
It turned to Ethan.
"I have something."
"That should suit you."
"…Me?" Ethan blinked.
Another reward?
Was this—
One of the system's opportunities?
And if it came from Typhlosion—
It had to be Red or Gold-tier.
"Come."
Typhlosion led them back into the cave.
The eggs were untouched.
Only black ash remained—
Where the poachers once stood.
Without hesitation—
Typhlosion jumped into the lava.
Moments later—
It emerged.
Holding something.
"Do you need this?"
Ethan looked—
And froze.
A Stone Plate.
Another one.
But this time—
It wasn't a fragment.
It was complete.
A small rectangular slab—
About the size of a palm.
"…You're giving this to me?" Ethan asked seriously.
He knew exactly what this was worth.
Even without the system—
This was a priceless treasure.
"It's useless to us," Typhlosion replied.
"Better to give it to someone who can use it."
Ethan took it.
[Ding! Detected: Golden Opportunity — Typhlosion's Plate]
[Processing multiplier…]
[Ding! ×100 Critical!]
[Upgraded to: Rainbow Opportunity — Typhlosion's Plate]
The moment he touched it—
Golden light burst forth.
Even in the lava-filled cave—
It shone brilliantly.
"…I made the right choice," Typhlosion murmured.
Ethan stared at the plate.
Dragon Plate — Complete
No rank.
No extra description.
But he understood.
And then—
His Poké Balls began to shake.
One by one—
Five Pokémon emerged:
TyrantrumGarchompHydreigonNoivernCharizard
All of them—
Stared at the Dragon Plate.
Then—
At Ethan.
"…You're seriously making me choose?"
Five pairs of eyes.
Full of expectation.
Ethan felt a headache coming on.
"…Alright."
"First come, first served."
"This time…"
"Tyrantrum gets it."
It was the fairest choice.
And—
This wouldn't be the last plate.
Ethan handed it over.
Tyrantrum opened its jaws—
And swallowed it whole.
Crunch.
Aurore: "..."
Typhlosion: "..."
Both of them froze.
"…It can eat that?" Aurore asked, stunned.
"It's fine," Ethan said casually.
Explaining it would be too much trouble.
And honestly—
They'd get used to it.
Moments later—
The golden light vanished.
And Tyrantrum's aura—
Exploded.
From Totem Early Stage—
To Mid—
To Late—
Then—
Totem Peak.
It stopped.
Just short—
Of the next level.
"Just one more step!"
"Come on, Tyrantrum!"
As if responding—
Tyrantrum roared.
Then—
Something changed.
Its body.
Its color.
From brown-green—
To deep blue-purple.
Ethan froze.
"…It turned shiny?"
He had seen countless evolutions.
But this—
This was the first time—
A Pokémon changed from normal—
To shiny.
Possibly—
The first case in the world.
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