"It has begun... the Dragon Clan Festival."
At that moment, Ethan arrived at Dragon Island riding his Charizard.
At the same time, he released all of his Pokémon: Tyranitar, Vibrava, Gyarados, and Kingdra.
Feeling the terrifying draconic pressure continuously emanating from the sky, Tyranitar, Charizard, and Vibrava remained calm, while Kingdra and Gyarados showed a hint of unease.
"Relax. This Dragon Clan Festival is also an opportunity for you to strengthen your power. Enjoy it."
Ethan approached Gyarados and Kingdra to calm them, while observing his surroundings. From time to time, he could see other dragon messengers riding Dragon-type Pokémon.
Most of these messengers traveled atop Dragon-type pseudo-legendaries, surrounded by numerous Dragon-type Pokémon, with a natural expression of pride on their faces.
When they saw the Charizard Ethan was riding, an expression of disdain inevitably appeared in their eyes.
Then their gazes passed over Charizard. Although their pupils contracted slightly upon seeing Tyranitar, when they looked at Vibrava, Gyarados, and Kingdra, the mockery in their eyes was impossible to hide.
"Did someone really come to the Dragon Clan Festival with those Pokémon?"
"Other than that Tyranitar, the rest are far too weak."
A dragon messenger from the Tavaria League couldn't help but sneer when he saw Ethan's lineup.
"He must be a Researcher. Did you see that Kingdra?"
"That Kingdra is a new Dragon-type Pokémon species discovered by the Daleron League."
"That man must be the Researcher who discovered Kingdra."
Another dragon messenger from the Tavaria League looked at Kingdra in Ethan's team with interest in his eyes.
"So he's just a lucky guy. Forget it—an opponent that weak has no chance against me."
The dragon messenger who had spoken earlier shook his head and swept his gaze across the area again. Only when he saw Lucien Foster, riding a Dragonite with Salamence and Garchomp at his side, did he show genuine interest.
"Ethan, that trainer riding a Hydreigon seems to be looking down on you."
Naira, who was also flying alongside Ethan on a Charizard, commented softly with a smile.
"Hmm? That westerner?"
"No need to pay him any attention. The facts will speak for themselves."
Ethan smiled faintly as he also observed the other dragon messengers.
The Dragon Clan Festival was held once a year, and likewise, the Battle of the Dragon Messengers was held once per festival.
This time, it was their generation's turn to participate: all of them were young dragon messengers around twenty years old.
In battles between people of the same age, Ethan had full confidence that he would be inferior to no one.
"This time, a total of thirty-two messengers from around the world are participating in the Battle of the Dragon Messengers. But those who manage to enter Dragon Valley undoubtedly have the backing of veteran messengers."
Naira's expression grew somewhat serious. This Battle of the Dragon Messengers would undoubtedly be a fierce contest of dragons and tigers; every opponent was extremely powerful.
"Oh, right, you don't count. You're a first-generation dragon messenger who entered Dragon Valley thanks to your identity as a Researcher."
After saying that, Naira realized something and quickly corrected herself. To be honest, she greatly admired Ethan for having entered Dragon Valley relying solely on his own strength.
"You just need to show your best. The Battle of the Dragon Messengers is precisely a stage to shine. As long as you manage to resonate with those Pokémon, that will be enough."
Ethan smiled and swept his gaze across the group of dragons, searching for the figure that interested him.
Very soon, among the group of Kommo-o, he saw that black silhouette and smiled faintly.
During this time, he had already grown quite close to the dark Hakamo-o. If it intended to leave Dragon Valley to travel the outside world, Ethan had high hopes.
"You're right. My target is an Arcanine with draconic lineage. I suppose no one will compete with me for that."
Naira also smiled, appearing very relaxed.
As they chatted, the Dragon Clan Festival officially began.
With the gigantic Dragonite entering a state of meditation, it could be seen that all the Dragon-type energy of Dragon Valley was being gathered on Dragon Island.
Roar, roar, roar!
Draconic roars began to resound across the sky above the island, signaling that the festival had reached its climax.
The Charizard beneath Ethan roared excitedly and began to greedily absorb the dense Dragon-type energy in the environment.
Boom, boom, boom!
Suddenly, dazzling flashes of white light began to appear around Dragon Island.
After absorbing an enormous amount of Dragon-type energy, many Pokémon that were already on the verge of evolution began to evolve. The lights of evolution connected with one another, and life was elevated in that process.
"Are they evolving?"
Ethan's gaze swept across the entire area.
He discovered that even pseudo-legendary Pokémon like Dragonair, Shelgon, and Gabite were beginning their final evolution.
However, within the group of Hakamo-o, only a few managed to evolve. Naturally, the dark Hakamo-o also did not complete its evolution.
"It seems that the so-called 'training trial' is blocking Hakamo-o's evolution. But if these Hakamo-o manage to complete their training, their strength will be greater than that of other Pokémon!"
A look of understanding appeared on Ethan's face, and then he turned his gaze toward his own Pokémon, especially Vibrava.
It could be seen that Vibrava's entire body was trembling, as if it were enduring something with great effort.
"Come on, Vibrava."
Ethan took a deep breath and encouraged himself silently.
In truth, at its current level, Vibrava could have evolved long ago.
The reason it hadn't was the same as Hakamo-o's: it still had training left to complete.
That training was none other than the mastery of its vibration ability.
Vibrava's vibration ability was based entirely on its nature as a vibration Pokémon, an innate special ability.
However, upon evolving into Flygon, its classification would change from Vibration Pokémon to Mystic Pokémon.
Ethan was unsure whether Vibrava would lose its vibration ability after evolving, and so he had delayed its evolution into Flygon.
Previously, he had no clear clue as to how to preserve that ability, but after Vibrava mastered the move Earthquake, he began to glimpse a possible solution.
Once the vibration issue was resolved, Vibrava would be able to evolve smoothly into Flygon.
After this storm of energy lasted for a full hour, the dense Dragon-type energy slowly dissipated, marking the end of the Dragon Clan Festival.
However, the end of the festival meant the beginning of another event.
What followed next was the Battle of the Dragon Messengers!
(End of chapter)