Eva Lindenberg had just finished her morning routine, making sure her son, Jake, was ready for their day. The young boy, still half-distracted, had been playing with his Charmander, the little fire Pokémon happily chasing around the boy's feet. After getting Jake ready for school, she drove to pick up her niece Monika from Frank's house. The seven-year-old girl was always a bundle of energy, chatting away about her school day or plans for the weekend.
Today Monika was asking many question about David's Houndemon Fluffy, but neither Jake nor Eva commented on her peaked interest. They probably did not even notice it. Anyway, Monika's aunt more or less confirmed the yesterday story about how Fluffy came to be a part of the family. After a brief ride, Eva dropped the two children off at their school.
Eva's Ribombee, Britney, was perched on her passenger seat, watching the surroundings and buzzing softly in the early morning air. The tiny Pokémon was a quiet companion, its presence a safety precaution Eva learned to appreciate. At least since the royal visit. She felt more comfortable knowing some protecting Pokémon was there—ready to spring into action should anything unexpected happen.
The commute from school to work was short but suprisingly peaceful. Eva cherished the few minutes of calm before the bustle of the lab. The sun was still low in the sky, casting a soft glow over the hills, and the occasional Pokémon would peek from the edge of the road—an Oddish darting between bushes, a Pidgey circling the air. It always reminded her of how diverse and thriving the ecosystem was around Iglaustadt.
As she drove through the familiar winding roads of the suburbs, the peaceful morning stretched ahead. Upon reaching the lab, Eva made her way inside, greeting her colleagues and setting up for the day's work. The lab, a modest building tucked on the outskirts of town, focused heavily on Bug-types and the latest research into their behavior and interaction with the local environment. Eva loved her part-time work there, but her mind occasionally wandered to the ranch, to the life and responsibilities waiting for her at home.
Britney the Ribombee hummed as Eva exchanged a few words with the lab staff. She could feel the quiet hum of the building—the soft click of computers, the gentle buzz of insect enclosures, the occasional shuffle of papers. As usual, she felt at ease in this familiar environment. But just as she was settling in, Dr. Varga, her boss, appeared at her office door with an unusual urgency in his step.
"Eva," he began, "I need your assistance with something. There's a visitor here... an interesting one. He's asking questions about the local Pokémon, specifically the ones you'd be most familiar with."
"Me?"
"Well, you live at the Ranch with all the Pokémon, don't you?" her boss grinned at her.
Eva immediately grew cautious. Her heart skipped a beat. It was possible that this was another Sleeper operation, a situation her family had grown all too familiar with in recent months. Her hand unconsciously reached for her Pokéball, ready to summon another Pokémon if needed.
"Could it be a Sleeper?" she asked quietly, her voice low. She has already told her colleagues about the incident at the Lindenberg Ranch and the laboratory has taken precaution and increased security.
Varga hesitated before responding. "I don't think so, but I want us to be careful. He's... different, probably from Kanto, given his accent. And I thought it would be best if we met him together. As I said you know more about the local Pokémon than anyone here, given where you live and your other work. The rest of us are expert only on bug-types."
Eva nodded, feeling the weight of the responsibility. With a deep breath, she stood, her focus narrowing. She motioned for Britney to fly alongside her as she followed her boss down the hallway toward the meeting room.
When they reached the door, she was struck by the sight of the man waiting for her. He was wearing a long lab coat and dark sunglasses and his hair were looking little strange. They didn't move naturally with him and always remained a little askew. But it wasn't just the unusual appearance that caught her attention; there was something familiar about him. Eva's instincts screamed at her, but she kept her composure.
"Ah, you must be Dr. Lindenberg," the man greeted her with a warm but slightly exaggerated tone, his voice smooth and self-assured.
Eva raised an eyebrow, her suspicion mounting. Her mind flashed back to an encounter weeks ago, one involving a man named Inkognito—his eccentric appearance and odd behavior ringing too many bells. Both her husband and her brother described the attacker to her in great many details. She was careful not to react, though, keeping her tone neutral.
"At least this fella looks to have all his limbs still intact," she thought.
"That I am. And you are...?" Eva asked, her curiosity piqued but cautious.
"Oh, where are my manners? My name is Dr. Ramirez Epsilon," the man replied with a smile, his words sounding rehearsed. "I'm a researcher of sorts, investigating the various artifacts left behind by Mew, and my journey led me to your beautiful region here in Bohemia. I'd heard rumors of a rich variety of Pokémon here, and well, it only made sense to learn more from the local experts."
Eva's mind raced. The mention of Mew—an elusive Pokémon that many had tried to study over the years—caught her interest. She paused, taking a breath to calm herself. Mew's trail had been followed by many scientists, but Eva also recalled reading in one of the scientific journals about an expert with an obsession for the Pokémon's secrets. But for the life of her, she couldn't place the name.
"I see…" she said slowly, her curiosity now outweighing her wariness. "I've read about similar studies in a JPB.. ehm I mean Journal of Pokémon Behavior. But I'm afraid I don't recall the name of the researcher. But Mew, oh my gosh! It's a... very fascinating subject!"
Epsilon smiled again, his gaze sharp behind his dark glasses. "It's not often I get to meet someone so informed on the topic," he said. "I was hoping to gain more insight into the Pokémon here in your region. Perhaps, you could help me with that. My work would be much richer with the expertise of someone like you."
Eva studied him, still not fully convinced, but intrigued enough to listen further. She decided to play along for now, keeping a tight rein on her suspicion. As she motioned for him to sit, her mind stayed sharp, wondering just what this peculiar man's true intentions might be.
"So would you be interested in a discussion with me, Dr. Lindenberg?"
Eva nodded, intrigued but still guarded. "I'd be happy to assist. But first, let me know more about your research." As they spoke, she couldn't help but keep an eye on the stranger, trying to read between the lines of his words. Her Ribombee, Britney, remained near her side, keeping a watchful eye on the stranger as well.
For now, she would play along—after all, if there was something about Mew hidden in their kingdom, it was better to learn about it directly than let someone else get there first. But there was a growing feeling in her stomach that this conversation was just the beginning of something far more complicated.
Eva sat back, her posture relaxed but her mind alert as the man across from her began to speak in more detail. The name Mew hung in the air, its mystique now amplified by his enthusiasm. He leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped together as if weighing each word carefully before releasing it into the conversation.
"Mew is a fascinating creature," he said, his voice low and measured. "Most people think of Mew as a mythical Pokémon, something out of legend. But it's more than that—it's ancient. The earliest texts I've come across describe it as a kind of progenitor, a being with an uncanny connection to the entire Pokémon world. The texts mention its ability to move between spaces, to defy reality itself. Some even believe Mew's DNA is the key to understanding not just the origins of Pokémon, but the very fabric of life itself."
He paused for a moment, glancing around as if ensuring the words were landing with the weight he intended.
"There are ancient ruins scattered across the world, places where Mew is said to have left traces of its presence. I've followed the trail through forests in Kanto, caves in Hoenn, and even the lost temples of Orre. Each clue, each ancient relic, offers more about its past. And our past as a humans as well."
Eva listened intently, still unsure of where this conversation would lead, but fascinated by his depth of knowledge. He wasn't simply parroting information—he was speaking with the kind of conviction only true researchers possess.
"You mentioned DNA," she said cautiously, noting how his tone shifted when he brought up the topic. "You don't mean—"
"Yes," he interrupted gently, his eyes glinting with a strange gleam. "Cloning. There's a theory that's been circulating among some of the top researchers for decades: that Mew's DNA, when replicated and manipulated, could bring the creature back. We made it work with DNA of ancient beings like Aerodactyl or Tyrantrum."
"Dear Dr. Epsilon. I assume you are aware of the failed experiments in Galar?" Varga interrupted him, "many people still wonder how those abominations were... are able to live! Should something similar happen to Mew, some similar fusion with another creature, none could imagine the results!"
"Ah, I see you are very well informed. You mean those Pokémon like Dracovish, or Dracozolt?"
"Exactly! If such thing is possible, how dangerous would be cloning Mew? You could create half-a-Mew-half-a-something-else!" Varga challenged him, "and you don't have any certainty that such clone would even listen to humans!"
"But Dr. Varga, those "abominations" as you called them are living and breathing. Yes, they are odd, but the process was succesful," Epsilon defended his idea.
"Well, I have a little different picture in mind, when imagining "succesful process"! Varga snapped back.
"But still... in theory… the revival process should work with Mew. There shall be precausions about purity of the DNA samples, but there are means to do that. Imagine if we could clone Mew, it would bring us closer to understanding its potential. Its power. There wouldn't be just one Mew any more, but two Mews!"
"Dr. Epsilon. I am not sure about laws in other place, but here in Bohemia, such idea brings with it significant ethical concerns!" Varga interrupted him.
Eva's brow furrowed. The mention of cloning made her uneasy. What if the new Pokémon would be different from the original Mew as her boss had suggested? Would it still be called Mew? And what if the original would meet the clone? What would happen? How would it react? And would the clone really listen to the humans? Would they be able to somehow control it? There were many things that could go awry. She remembered from her studies in Unova, how legendary Kyurem was able to easily wipe out whole civilizations. And Mew was supposed to be much more powerful than the ice dragon. She shook her head, pushing the thoughts away for the moment.
"But of course, these are just theories. Very wild theories," Epsilon continued, as if reading her mind. "It's still a long way off. But the more I study Mew's interactions with the world—its patterns, its unexplained abilities—the more I believe it's possible to do it. And of course to control the result."
Eva was quiet, letting the gravity of his words sink in. It was a lot to digest, but there was no denying his genuine passion.
"Fascinating," Varga commented, "occasionaly there are rumors about Mew, I've read evidence by people who met it, seen research in some journals. But you mister, you're saying… you've actually seen hard evidence? Actual proof that Mew once visited our kingdom?"
Epsilon nodded. "Absolutely. I've tracked its movements across continents, from the jungles near Pallet Town in Kanto, where it was said to appear during storms, to the caves of the Sevii Islands, where it left traces of its psychic abilities on the rocks. There's a site in Unova where Mew's image is carved into an ancient stone, possibly marking a place where it made contact with humans long ago."
Epsilon took out his computer and looked at Dr. Varga.
"Can I hook it up?"
"Just a minute..."
Epsilon managed to connect his notebook and he soon was able to present a slideshow, where photos from all those location he had talked about were displayed.
Eva's mind raced. She couldn't help but feel a rising sense of admiration for the man. His knowledge was far beyond that of an average researcher, and there was an authenticity to his words that made her begin to believe in the possibility of his findings. She felt a stirring of excitement—this wasn't just another fake, another person trying to profit off the myths surrounding Mew. This was someone who truly believed in what he was pursuing.
Then, unexpectedly, Epsilon shifted the conversation.
"By the way, Dr. Lindenberg," he said casually, his smile still polite but tinged with curiosity. "Are you familiar with the name Carrie Smith?"
Eva blinked, caught off guard. "Carrie Smith?" she repeated, trying to recall if she had ever heard of anyone by that name. She shook her head. "I'm afraid not. Should I be?"
Epsilon's smile remained, but there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Carrie Smith was born Carrie Lindenberg, and she was a prominent field researcher who also studied Mew. She kept detailed journals—notes that were critical to my own research. It's one of the reasons I've come all the way out here. I was hoping to find more information about her work, perhaps from her family."
Eva was quiet for a moment, her mind processing what he had said. Carrie Smith? A Lindenberg? She had never heard of this woman.
"To be honest, I only married into the Lindenberg family," Eva replied carefully. "I'm afraid I'm not very familiar with all of their past members, especially those who came before us."
Epsilon's expression softened, and he nodded with understanding. "Ah, of course. No matter. But Carrie Smith's work has been instrumental in piecing together the puzzle of Mew. I've used parts of her journals as a vital source of information—she was one of the few researchers who truly understood the significance of Mew's presence. Her findings were groundbreaking as she was able to track Mew due to her extraordinary skills in communication with wild Pokémon."
Eva felt a flutter of interest. Again, the skill / talent / ability of advanced communication with Pokémon, most probably granted by Jirachi, which also manifested in her own son Jake. She remembered the vast library at the Ranch, the one that housed generations of research, journals, and historical documents. Perhaps there was something there related to this Carrie Lindenberg—or Carrie Smith.
"Perhaps…" Eva began, her voice thoughtful. "Perhaps there's a place where some notes or journals could be found. The Lindenberg family has a large library at the Ranch, filled with tons of books. It might hold some of the journals you're looking for."
Epsilon's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Now, that's very promising."
He stood, a palpable excitement building within him. "I would be most grateful if I could gain access to those texts."
As he started to walked around the room, his expression shifted, becoming more animated.
"And tell me, Dr. Lindenberg, about the Ranch! Sadly, I've heard little about it, as I am a stranger to Bohemia. But from the little, I assumed that the place sounds like a paradise for Pokémon. I'm particularly interested in the diversity of habitats you... they've managed to create there."
Eva smiled, glad to speak about her family's legacy. "It's true. My in-laws and their ancestors have worked hard to create environments that support Pokémon of all types. My father-in-law, in particular, spent years bringing in species from all over, making sure they have the right habitat to thrive. From the deep forests to the specialized caves, there's a place for nearly every kind of Pokémon."
Epsilon was visibly enthralled. "Fascinating! I wonder... Could a fellow researcher could see such a place?"
"I don't see why not, Dr. Epsilon."
"Then I can't wait to see it for myself. The idea of creating these bespoken habitats… it's brilliant. Truly. And I would love to learn more about how the Lindenbergs have been able to maintain such a diverse enviroments for so long. I have a hypothesis that it is connected to the Pokémon. But it's only a hypothesis."
Eva chuckled, warmed by his enthusiasm. "I think you'll find it quite inspiring," she said, glad to have the conversation turn to something more familiar and less concerning. As they talked about the Ranch and its history, she felt a sense of ease returning. Perhaps this man—Dr. Ramirez Epsilon, or whatever his real name was—was more than just a curious visitor. Perhaps he truly had something valuable to contribute.
The conversation about the Ranch flowed naturally, and Eva found herself enjoying the company of this man who seemed so genuinely fascinated by her family's legacy. Ramirez asked more about the ecosystems, the different habitats the Lindenbergs had created for various Pokémon, and even some of the specific species that had been brought in over the years. She could see how eager he was to learn more.
"I'm particularly interested in the ecological aspects," Epsilon said with palpable excitement. "The balance you've managed to achieve, with so many different environments… it must take a lot of effort to maintain. Not to mention the Pokémon that inhabit each space. It's relatively easy to house grass or water types. It's a little harder to care for steel or psychic types. You've got all those?"
"Yes, and others, even more difficult to breed. For example ghost, fire, or poison types." Eva nodded.
"Huh, tell me more about fire types—how did you manage to adapt a suitable place for such dangerous species?"
Eva smiled, enjoying the chance to discuss her family's work. "It wasn't easy, but my in-laws had always had a talent for making the impossible possible. There is a place we called simply The Fire Cave. It was originally just a hollow cave system, but over the years, it was transformed into a safe haven for Pokémon like Fuecoco, Cyndaquil or many others. Their presence brought about the presence of magma pools. And it attracted more fire Pokémon. And the circle goes on and on. They thrive in that hot, magma-rich environment. And the enviroment is maintained by their presence in the cave. Some of the other Pokémon needed similar custom-built habitats, like the cave systems for the Ice-types. It was made in the very same way, with the only exception."
"Let me guess. The Lindenbergs brought ice Pokémon in the cave and the enviroment turned into ice."
"Exactly."
Epsilon nodded, clearly impressed. "Incredible. I've never encountered such careful planning. The Ranch sounds like a marvel of Pokémon conservation. I would love to observe it firsthand."
Eva's heart warmed at the praise, and she nodded in agreement. "That could be..." she said, glad to offer him a chance to experience the Ranch in person. She was beginning to feel a little more at ease with him. He wasn't just some stranger looking for information; he genuinely seemed to admire the work that had been done there.
"... easily arranged I hope." Dr. Varga finished her sentenced, his tone friendly but professional. "I was thinking, if it's all right with you, Eva, perhaps we could move the conversation to your place, I mean to the Ranch itself? I imagine it would be much more comfortable for all of us to continue the discussion in person. What do you think, Dr. Epsilon?"
Eva looked at Ramirez, who seemed to be thrilled, and then back at Varga. She felt a bit of a thrill at the prospect of showing him the Ranch in person, where he could see the environments firsthand. "That sounds like a good idea. I'll just make a quick call to my mother-in-law to confirm it's fine, and then we can head over."
Eva stepped out of the room to make the call. Anna answered quickly, and Eva explained the situation. After a brief conversation, Anna gave her approval, and Eva relayed the message to Epsilon and Varga.
"It's all set. Let's go," Eva said, smiling as she led the way out of the lab.
The journey to the Ranch was uneventful, the drive passing by the familiar roads and landscapes of the area. Eva glanced over at Epsilon every so often, her mind still churning with thoughts about his research and the mysterious Carrie Smith. Her heart was light, though, as she thought of the Ranch's sprawling grounds waiting to be explored by their guest.
As they pulled up to the Ranch's gates, Eva noticed Epsilon's demeanor shift slightly, his hair appearing a bit more askew as he stepped out of the car.
"Does he wear a wig??" she raised an eyebrow, but her attention was quickly diverted. She had only just noticed the small lapse in his disguise when she was caught off guard by the sight of her husband, David, approaching.
David's face was a little flushed, his brows furrowed in a look Eva instantly recognized as frustration. She excused herself from the car and made her way over to him, her concern piqued.
"David," she said curiously, placing a hand on his arm. "Oh, what's going on? You look... not yourself."
David exhaled sharply, glancing around as if weighing whether he should say more. "I had a match today," he explained, his voice tight. "The challenger never showed. He came down with the flu. It's just… disappointing."
Eva frowned, but before she could respond, she noticed Epsilon moving toward them, his eyes bright with curiosity.
"Ah, you must be the famous David Lindenberg," the foreigner said with a grin, his voice smooth and measured. He extended a hand, the smile never faltering. "I'm Ramirez Epsilon. I've met your wonderful wife today and sir, it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope I'm not intruding, but I couldn't help but overhear… If you don't mind, I'd love to step in for the sick challenger. I'm not a bad trainer myself, at least I hope so."
David blinked, momentarily taken aback by the offer. His first instinct was to decline—it was an unusual request, and he didn't know this man at all. However, he couldn't ignore the obvious spark of enthusiasm in Epsilon's expression, nor the confident air about him.
Eva, who had been silently observing the exchange, gave her husband a slight, encouraging nudge. She wanted to hear more about Epsilon's research, and a match might be a good opportunity to observe his skills firsthand.
David hesitated, clearly torn. But after a moment, he sighed, his expression softening. "Alright," he said, finally extending his hand to Epsilon. "Let's see what you've got."
Epsilon's eyes lit up, and he shook David's hand enthusiastically. "Haha, don't worry. I won't disappoint you!" He glanced back at Eva, his voice still full of eagerness. "It is always interesting to test one's skills against a Frontier Brain."
As soon as David agreed to the match, Epsilon's face lit up with delight, his entire demeanor exuding enthusiasm. But instead of immediately preparing for battle, he tilted his head and asked,
"By the way, your lovely wife has been telling me about a place, called The Fire Cave. Do you think it would be possible to hold a battle in such an environment, Mr. Lindenberg?"
David raised an eyebrow, considering the request. "Well, that's quite unusual, as there's no regular battlefield in that cave. But what the hell? This isn't a regular match," he laughed.
Then, as if catching himself, he became more serious. "Or, sorry. If you want, we can log the match in and make it official. Altough, I would recommned we skip the preliminary battle. But it's your call, Mr. Epsilon."
Ramirez grinned. "No need for official match. I'm too old to start collecting badges or symbols."
David smirked. "Well, at least we don't have to chase anyone down to do a referee."
As they finalized the plan, Dr. Varga checked his phone and sighed. "I would love to witness this battle, but duty calls. I have to return to the lab." He gave Eva a polite nod. "Eva, please let me know if anything from this visit proves fruitful for our research."
With that, Varga excused himself, leaving only the Lindenberg husband and wife with the mysterious guest.
Though Epsilon carried himself in a sympathetic and open manner, both David and Eva remained cautious. Just to be certain, they each called out additional Pokémon before heading toward the cave. David released his Scolipede and Mandibuzz, while Eva—who already had Ribombee out—summoned her Swanna.
Ramirez noticed the added security and raised an eyebrow. "Quite the escort," he mused.
David shrugged. "Security thing," he said simply.
Eva nodded. "We've had our fair share of unexpected visitors before."
Epsilon chuckled. "Ah, of course. A wise precaution."
The trio moved quickly through the Ranch, walking along well-worn paths that wound through the vast expanse of land. The autumn sun bathed the fields in golden light, making the Pokémon in the area all the more striking as they passed.
They saw a group of Miltank grazing peacefully under the watchful eyes of a Lycanroc, its thick mane bristling in the breeze. As they continued, a flock of Pidove took off from a fence post, startled by the sudden approach of David's Mandibuzz, whose presence was enough to send weaker Pokémon scattering.
At one point, Ramirez paused mid-step and pointed toward a nearby tree, where a Leavanny was carefully weaving a silken garment for a small group of Sewaddle. "Fascinating," he murmured. "Leavanny's silk-weaving instincts are remarkably advanced. Did you know that their silk contains trace elements that boost the durability of Bug-type wings? Some texts suggest this was how early civilizations crafted lightweight armor for their warriors."
David and Eva exchanged a glance, both impressed despite themselves. That wasn't common knowledge, even among Pokémon researchers.
A little further along the path, a Herdier trotted out from the tall grass, stopping briefly to observe them before continuing on its way.
"They have an excellent sense of smell," Ramirez noted. "Did you know they can recognize over a hundred individual scents, even among Pokémon of the same species? If properly trained, they're some of the best tracking Pokémon in existence."
David smirked. "Yeah, we know. Some of our workers use Stoutland for that exact reason."
Epsilon gave an approving nod. "Excellent choice. You know what you're doing."
As they drew closer to the Fire Cave, the shift in environment was unmistakable. The air grew warmer, the scent of sulfur and heated stone becoming more pronounced. The dry grass gave way to patches of dark, volcanic soil, and soon, Fire-type Pokémon began appearing more frequently.
A Growlithe and Houndour were engaged in playful sparring, their fangs flashing as they pounced at one another. A group of Slugma oozed lazily across a sunbaked rock, their molten bodies shimmering in the light. A Monferno watched them from a distance, its flickering flames casting eerie shadows against the cave entrance.
Epsilon's excitement was growing with every step. His usual composed expression was giving way to genuine awe. His eyes darted from Pokémon to Pokémon, taking in every detail. "Amazing," he murmured. "The density of Fire-types here… It's like a natural sanctuary. The perfect conditions for them to thrive. This is beyond what I imagined."
David and Eva exchanged another glance. Whatever doubts they still had about the man, his enthusiasm wasn't faked. He was genuinely enthralled.
Finally, they reached the mouth of the Fire Cave, where waves of heat shimmered in the air. The entrance yawned before them, its dark, rocky corridors beckoning them inside.
"Well," David said, rolling his shoulders. "Here we are. Hope you can handle the heat, Mr. Epsilon."
Ramirez grinned. "Oh, I think I'll manage just fine."
As they stepped into the Fire Cave, the temperature rose noticeably. The walls shimmered with residual heat, the ground beneath their feet radiating warmth from deep underground. David led the way confidently, gesturing for them to follow.
"There's a large chamber not far from the entrance," he explained. "It's where I had a match against one of the royal guards not long ago. He used a Heatran—tough Pokémon, but I managed to hold my own."
Epsilon let out an impressed whistle. "A Heatran? Now that is something. That Pokémon is very rare and from what I've heard it's notoriously difficult to train. I imagine the battle was intense."
"You could say that," David chuckled, "I was lucky to be able to challenge such a magnificent creature!"
As they reached the chamber, the air grew even heavier with heat, and the walls took on a faint reddish glow from the magma that pulsed beneath the surface. The cavern was vast, a natural arena shaped by years of Pokémon activity. Jagged rock formations lined the edges, and the center was a relatively flat battlefield, its blackened floor marked with scorch marks from past battles.
But what was most striking was the sheer number of Fire-type Pokémon lounging around the chamber. Some barely acknowledged the newcomers, while others lifted their heads curiously.
A Magby sat on a large rock, its arms folded over its chest as smoke curled lazily from the tips of its arms. Nearby, a Torkoal exhaled a slow plume of thick smoke, its eyes half-closed in a state of deep relaxation.
On the far side of the room, a Coalossal was resting against the cavern wall, its massive body radiating waves of heat. Tiny embers flickered within the cracks of its coal-covered back. A Fennekin lay belly-up near a bubbling lava pool, its limbs sprawled out as it soaked in the warmth.
A Salandit with scales glistening in the firelight was perched on an elevated rock, watching everything with a piercing gaze, while a Rapidash with a dark, soot-covered mane pawed at the ground nearby.
Epsilon's eyes widened in sheer wonder. He turned in place, taking in the scene like a child stepping into a dream. "This is extraordinary," he murmured. "A natural Fire-type paradise…"