Tyrantrum was already a rare Pokémon.
Now—
It had become shiny.
Its value?
Skyrocketed instantly.
But the color change—
Wasn't the most shocking part.
What truly stunned everyone—
Was its strength.
Level 91.
God-tier, First Stage.
A single complete Dragon Plate—
Had pushed it across an entire boundary.
Even Ethan hadn't expected this.
The leap was simply—
Too massive.
"Boss! Look!"
"I feel like I can beat ANY Pokémon right now!"
Tyrantrum bounced excitedly around Ethan.
Even as a god-tier Pokémon—
It was still just a kid.
Its mentality hadn't caught up to its strength.
Just like Metagross—
It still called Ethan "Boss."
Ethan chuckled.
"Alright, alright."
"If you're so strong…"
"Why don't you try fighting that one?"
He pointed—
At Typhlosion.
Tyrantrum turned.
God-tier… Second Stage.
"…Yeah, no."
"I think I can beat everything except that one."
Its tone immediately softened.
Ethan and Aurore burst out laughing.
"Alright, that's enough. Back to your Poké Balls."
Another god-tier added.
This trip to the Great Ridge Mountains—
Had exceeded all expectations.
And yet—
There were still seven opportunities left.
"Let's go," Ethan said.
"Time to check out the other places."
After that battle—
More trainers would definitely be heading here.
And right now—
Ethan had zero interest in crowds.
Especially after experiencing Wang Cong.
Aurore recalled Typhlosion into its Poké Ball.
They prepared to leave—
Then—
A familiar voice rang out.
"IDOL!! So you WERE here!"
"Why didn't you wake me up?!"
Ethan: "..."
Oh no.
"Run."
"Don't look back."
"Pretend we didn't hear anything."
They instantly mounted their Pokémon—
And bolted.
Behind them—
Wang Cong hurriedly released his Pokémon to chase.
But speed—
Wasn't on his side.
The distance only grew.
Within minutes—
Ethan was gone from sight.
"I WILL FIND YOU AGAIN!!!"
Far away—
Ethan suddenly sneezed.
"…You okay?" Aurore asked.
"I'm fine."
"…Feels more like someone's targeting me."
After shaking off Wang Cong—
They returned to traveling on foot.
With seven opportunities remaining—
Flying risked missing something important.
Meanwhile—
News spread rapidly.
Two powerful Pokémon—
Appearing in the Great Ridge Mountains.
Even in the Divine Eagle Alliance—
Someone had taken notice.
Owen.
"One Totem Peak…"
"And another even stronger?"
"And Ethan just happens to be there…"
A cold smile appeared.
"…Perfect."
Since Ethan left—
Owen had been planning.
Direct confrontation?
Impossible.
Too many strong Pokémon.
So—
He chose another path.
"Send people to the East Radiance Alliance."
Soon—
A group departed.
Target:
Ethan.
Back in the East Radiance Alliance—
Excitement was everywhere.
To most trainers—
Totem Peak was already legendary.
Now—
There were TWO.
Even rumors of something stronger.
Naturally—
People flooded in.
Their goal:
Capture a Totem Peak Pokémon.
Even if—
Most of them couldn't win.
Because in this world—
Strength wasn't the only way to capture Pokémon.
Bond.
Connection.
Trust.
Even a slim chance—
Was enough.
Because success meant:
FamePowerPossibly becoming a Champion-level trainer
"These past two days…"
"There are WAY more people here," Aurore said.
Ethan nodded.
"Normal."
"Totem Peak Pokémon attract everyone."
"Anyone would come take a look."
Aurore smirked.
"If they knew the strongest one…"
"Is already with me…"
"And I'm not even from this alliance…"
"Would they chase me down?"
Ethan laughed.
"If it were someone else? Maybe."
"But you?"
"They probably wouldn't."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because you got taken by me."
He grinned.
"One Typhlosion leaves…"
"But they gain a genius trainer."
"Net gain."
Aurore blinked—
Then laughed awkwardly.
Because—
It was true.
Without Ethan—
She wouldn't even be here.
Let alone—
Own a god-tier Pokémon.
As they walked—
Talking casually—
Suddenly—
Rustling.
A loud disturbance in the forest.
They turned—
A flock of Pidgey burst out—
Flying straight toward them.
Ethan's expression changed.
"Something's wrong."
He grabbed Aurore—
And pulled her behind a tree.
The air—
Shifted.
Something—
Was coming.
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