"The Pokémon that flies the highest will be able to obtain the title of Sky Messenger."
Riding on Charizard, Ethan looked at the introduction on the invitation in his hand.
Upon hearing the words "highest," Charizard could not help turning its head.
But, after an instant, it shook its head again.
In this Sky Festival, each Trainer could only register a single Pokémon.
And the Pokémon Ethan would send out, without any doubt, would be Vibrava.
Although Vibrava was not a Flying-type, if one spoke of flight ability, not even Flying-type Charizard could compare to it.
After all, the main focus of Charizard's training had always been on the Fire type; its Flying-type abilities had not been developed in depth.
Unless it directly megaevolved and relied on Mega Charizard Y's brute strength to try, but that would lose the meaning.
This was an opportunity meant for its companion, and Charizard naturally had no intention of fighting over it by using Mega Evolution.
Charizard's flight speed was very high, and before long, the Dragon Gate appeared before them.
Beyond that gate was Dragon Valley, from which constant draconic roars came.
"Ethan, you finally arrived."
Upon entering Dragon Valley, Ethan unexpectedly saw Marcus Foster.
At that moment, Marcus was also looking at him.
Naturally, he knew that Ethan had defeated Elite Connor Wolfe of the Federal League.
At the time, he had also received a great shock, and afterward he could not help feeling powerless.
Elite level... for a Trainer like him, who had only just entered the Quasi-Elite level, that was still too far away.
"Marcus, what are you doing here?"
Ethan was confused. He had the impression that Marcus had been waiting for him on purpose.
"Could it be that you already knew where the Sky Festival is being held?"
"We're also going to participate, so we specifically waited for you here."
Marcus shrugged. Most Dragon-type Pokémon could fly, and in the Sky Festival, besides birds, dragons also participated.
"Viiibbrraa!"
While the two were chatting, a series of cries sounded in the distance.
Looking over, they could see a green figure approaching in flight.
"Vibrava, long time no see."
Ethan showed a smile and stretched out his hand.
Vibrava also happily rushed toward him and landed on his hand.
The atmosphere immediately became warm and touching.
"Come on, let's go to Skydrake City."
Seeing that Ethan had already picked up Vibrava, Marcus spoke.
Ethan nodded, recalled Charizard, and prepared to ride on Vibrava toward the Sky Festival.
"Vibrava, have you completely absorbed the Dragon Pearl already?"
Ethan spoke to Vibrava, who was carrying him from behind.
Vibrava immediately nodded, and a faint green light began to emanate from its body.
A slight draconic pressure spread, showing its mastery over Dragon-type energy.
"Good work. Now we'll go try our luck at this Sky Festival."
Ethan let out a laugh and ordered Vibrava to accelerate even more toward the distant sky.
...
Skydrake City was located on the highest summit of the Daleron League.
Seen from afar, one could tell that the top of that mountain had been completely cut off and flattened.
And it was precisely on that leveled summit that Skydrake City had been built.
"Although this isn't the first time I've come here, every time I see it, I still feel just as impressed."
Marcus flew beside him on Salamence, speaking with emotion.
"Yes, it really is quite spectacular."
Ethan nodded, and then the two of them flew toward Skydrake City.
Since the Sky Festival was about to begin, numerous flying Pokémon could be seen gathering there.
"Long time no see, Leader Andrea."
Upon arriving at Skydrake City, Ethan saw Leader Andrea and went over to greet her.
"Yes, it has been a long time."
Andrea also replied politely, while a flash of astonishment appeared in her eyes.
Naturally, she knew very well everything Ethan had experienced during this time, and she could not help marveling inwardly.
After greeting each other, Ethan and Marcus entered the city, where an assistant led them to a plaza.
In the center of the plaza stood a statue of a dragon rising into the air.
That dragon bore some resemblance to the dragons of ancient China; on its shoulders and beneath its body, it had side fins resembling rudders, and at the tip of its tail it also had similar fins. It had two legs with three-clawed wrists, and its body was surrounded by mysterious ring-shaped patterns.
"Rayquaza!"
Seeing that statue, Ethan narrowed his eyes.
Rayquaza could also be called the Sky Dragon, and this Sky Festival was probably related to it.
"I see. Perhaps that is also one of the reasons why Dragon Valley participates in the Sky Festival."
"Rayquaza is one of the most powerful dragons in existence; finding it would have extraordinary meaning for Dragon Valley."
Ethan immediately formed that conjecture, and at the same time, he could not help feeling excited.
What kind of ceremony, in reality, would the Sky Festival be?
...
Time passed very quickly.
When the Sky Festival began, the plaza was already packed with people.
The chief of the Sky Clan stood before the statue of Rayquaza and began reciting the ceremonial prayer.
"Oh great sky above, I ask you that you grant us wings. Grant us your power to conquer even the strongest of stormy winds."
The chief of the Sky Clan knelt, crossed his hands in front of his chest, and murmured a few words in a low voice, then suddenly opened his arms toward the sky, stood up, and proclaimed loudly: "And please guide us to your great blue world and let us share its infinite power and majesty!"
Ethan was very familiar with that prayer. Back then, Leader Andrea had already performed a very similar one before the start of a battle.
And as the prayer progressed, the statue of Rayquaza began to emit light, and a dimensional passage slowly appeared in the middle of the plaza.
That Secret Kingdom was precisely the place where the Sky Festival was held, the legendary place where the Sky Dragon, Rayquaza, might perhaps dwell.
"Let's enter."
Once the prayer ended, the members of the Sky Clan began guiding everyone into the Secret Kingdom.
On the other side of the Secret Kingdom was an altar, upon which countless murals of birds and dragons were engraved.
All those birds and dragons maintained flying postures, surrounding Rayquaza at the center, thus recreating the ancient Sky Festival.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Altar of the Sky."
"The Sky Festival, held once a year, takes place here."
"When the wind begins to blow, let your Pokémon take advantage of the rising currents to climb upward and compete to reach the highest point in the sky."
The chief of the Sky Clan clasped his hands in front of his chest and spoke to the Trainers who had already stepped onto the Altar of the Sky.
Seeing this, the Trainers released their Pokémon one after another, rubbing their hands in anticipation as they waited for the moment when the wind would rise.
(End of chapter)