"Let's go. I'll take you to Dragon Valley."
Lucien Foster let out a quiet sigh as he recalled his Dragonite into its Poké Ball. He could tell that Ethan's Slowking had controlled its power well—Dragonite's injuries weren't serious.
"Then I'll owe you for this."
Ethan gently patted his tired Slowking, then returned it to its Poké Ball as well.
Next, he watched as Lucien released his Salamence, mounting it before soaring into the skies.
Ethan quickly released the Pidgeot he had borrowed from the Pokémon Researchers' Guild, climbed on, and followed close behind.
Lucien seemed to have the intention of turning it into a bit of a race, so he urged his Salamence to fly at full speed.
However, this time he miscalculated—the Pidgeot trained by the Pokémon Researchers' Guild was incredibly fast. No matter how much Salamence accelerated, the Pidgeot effortlessly kept pace, even seeming to have energy to spare.
Thus, a dragon and a bird streaked across the skies like bolts of lightning, flying toward the direction of Dragon Valley, one of the super-mystery Secret Kingdoms.
...
Inside Dragon Valley.
Guided by Lucien, they flew all the way to the Mt. Dragon breeding zone, where the entrance to Dragon Valley lay at the top of a mountain.
"So this is the entrance to Dragon Valley?"
Ethan stood at the summit—the mountain had been cleaved flat, forming a massive platform. At its center stood a portal to the Secret Kingdom, and beyond it, the entrance to the valley itself.
"Put away your Pokémon and stay close to me."
Lucien spoke while removing a necklace from his collar—one with a pendant made of multicolored stone.
"Stay near me," he repeated before stepping toward the portal.
As the pendant neared the arch, it began to emit a seven-colored glow. At the same time, the portal released an iridescent light that formed into a shimmering doorway.
As they crossed through, their bodies vanished, disappearing from the real world.
...
"So this is Dragon Valley?"
Ethan looked up. In the distance, the silhouettes of several dragon-type Pokémon could be seen flying among the clouds.
"Welcome to Dragon Valley. I am one of the five Masters of the Valley. My name is Magnus Morland—but you may call me Master Morland."
Master Morland stood beside Darius Foster, both of them watching Ethan with a smile.
"It's an honor to meet you, Master Morland."
Ethan replied respectfully.
"Excellent. If you don't mind, could you show us your Kingdra?"
At Master Morland's request, Ethan took out Kingdra's Poké Ball and released it.
"So this is Kingdra?"
"Indeed. It's emanating an extraordinarily pure dragon-type energy."
Darius stepped closer, clearly impressed by the power radiating from the Pokémon.
...
"Well then, Ethan, let's begin the transaction."
"The evolution method for Kingdra will be exchanged for the right to enter Dragon Valley. From now on, the evolution data will belong to the Valley. Other than its registration with the Pokémon Researchers' Guild, any unauthorized disclosure will be punished under Dragon Valley law."
"Additionally," Master Morland continued seriously, "we will evaluate the value of your manuscript to grant you contribution points, which you can later exchange for resources within the Valley."
Ethan nodded without hesitation. Selling a patent was a one-time business deal—while keeping it secret might bring greater long-term profit, gaining access to Dragon Valley and earning contribution points was more than worth it.
Dragon Valley did not have a "resource warehouse" per se. The so-called resources were everything within the valley itself—treasures, rare materials, and even Pokémon, including pseudo-legendaries.
Of course, capturing a Pokémon there wasn't as simple as spending points: only if a Pokémon willingly accepted a trainer could those points be used to formalize the bond.
"Good. Come with me."
Master Morland, satisfied, nodded and led the group deeper into the valley.
"So this is the inside of Dragon Valley?"
"It's enormous! And there are so many Pokémon!"
The valley was surrounded by mountains. From their position, they could barely see the distant peaks, cloaked in dense forests. It was an immense place—worthy of its reputation as a super-mystery Secret Kingdom.
The group released their flying Pokémon and continued their journey toward the heart of the valley.
"Is that... one of the Pidgeot from the Sky Secret Kingdom?"
Darius recognized it at a glance.
"Yes," Ethan nodded.
"No wonder..." Darius replied.
Lucien, watching from the side, was a bit surprised. So Ethan belonged to the Sky Secret Kingdom—a place as famous as Dragon Valley itself. Losing to him didn't seem so hard to accept after all.
...
As they flew, they passed by Charizards, Altarias, and Flygons soaring through the air.
There were even many Dragonite and Salamence—the mighty pseudo-legendaries.
"So many dragon-type Pokémon..."
"Maybe I'll find one that recognizes me."
"If that happens... that'd be incredible."
Ethan's eyes shone with anticipation as he watched the Pokémon flying overhead.
If Lucien had gained the acknowledgment of three pseudo-legendary dragon-types in the valley, why couldn't he achieve the same?
As they drew closer to the center of Dragon Valley, Pidgeot began to slow down, its gaze growing more and more tense.
"DRAAAGGG!"
A thunderous roar echoed, and a massive shadow appeared in the distance, advancing step by step as the ground trembled beneath it.
"Is that... a Dragonite?"
When the figure fully emerged, Ethan was stunned.
It was a giant Dragonite, as large as a hill!
"That is the Lord of Dragon Valley—the Great Dragonite," explained Master Morland solemnly, while Darius's expression also grew serious.
"The Great Dragonite..." Ethan murmured.
He remembered seeing one like it in the animated series. Could there be a connection?
"Ethan, release your Kingdra."
Hearing Master Morland's instruction, Ethan did so without hesitation.
The Great Dragonite lowered its head to look at Kingdra, clearly sensing the pure draconic aura radiating from it.
After a few seconds, the colossal dragon nodded respectfully before turning away, lumbering deeper into the valley.
(End of chapter)