"Graveler, can we consider that I've already passed this test?"
After overcoming his initial surprise, Ethan looked at the Graveler, who was getting up with difficulty.
Graveler glanced at Shuckle —who was still eager to fight— shrank its neck, and rolled down the hill to leave.
"Shuckle, you were incredible."
Ethan descended from the air again and patted Shuckle's head.
Then he looked at the Pokémon's shell, remembering the previous scene. A suspicion was beginning to take shape.
"Indeed... you consumed all the energy crystals stored inside your shell in one go and compressed all that power into a single attack. That's why it was so strong."
After checking the crystals inside Shuckle's shell, Ethan showed an expression that said, "I knew it."
Realizing that its trainer had discovered its little secret, Shuckle shrank its neck nervously, as if afraid of being scolded.
"How would I scold you? All I can say... is that you did spectacularly."
Ethan smiled broadly. The surprises Shuckle gave him were simply too good.
It had already been able to produce energy crystals... and now it even knew how to temporarily "burst" its power! It really was a Pokémon that saved him a lot of trouble.
"It seems my Shuckle's intelligence is surprisingly high. And if it's very smart, that also means its mental power is strong... maybe it'll be easier for it to learn Psychic-type moves?"
Ethan pondered. If Shuckle managed to learn the moves Power Split, Guard Split, or Power Trick... then it would truly take off.
"Shuck!"
After receiving praise, Shuckle relaxed completely and let out some cheerful sounds. Its tiny eyes spun rapidly, who knows what it was plotting.
Ethan placed it back on his shoulder and continued climbing toward the crater.
Further ahead, several Rock-type and Fire-type Pokémon came out to block their path, but they were defeated by the team's Pokémon.
"Ugh... so hot..."
The closer to the crater, the higher the temperature. Ethan stuck out his tongue and began panting lightly.
"Maybe I should catch an Ice-type Pokémon. Hugging one in summer must be amazing..."
While daydreaming, he reached the middle area of the volcano. There was a wide platform where many Charizard, Charmeleon, and Charmander were lying down, basking in the sun.
The Charizard that had been watching him from the air descended, nodded at him, and indicated that he had passed the trials.
Ethan let out a small sigh of relief and, going around the group of Charizard, continued ascending with Vibrava's help until he finally reached the edge of the crater.
"Chaarmeell!"
Charmeleon looked at the boiling lava, then looked down at the other Charizard soaring through the sky. Its eyes sparkled with excitement as it thought: This baby... is about to take off!
"Charmeleon, are you ready?"
Ethan took a deep breath and looked at the lava beneath his feet.
"Chaarmeell!"
Charmeleon nodded strongly, and a visible heat began to radiate from its body.
"Then let's begin."
"Put these energy crystals in your mouth."
Ethan immediately began preparing for the evolution.
"Chaarmeell!"
Charmeleon's body began turning red. At that moment, it activated its thermal control ability to the maximum, raising its temperature so much that its skin seemed to emit a reddish glow.
BOOM!
Suddenly, flames burst around Charmeleon, completely enveloping its figure.
"Good... now its body temperature already exceeds that of the lava. Just like a Magmar can swim on it, Charmeleon can do it too."
Ethan took a deep breath as he watched the Pokémon begin walking toward the scorching lava.
"It's time..."
"Come out, Magmar!"
Just when Charmeleon was ready, Ethan threw another Poké Ball. A Magmar appeared in a flash of light.
"Grrrrr!"
Magmar let out a satisfied growl and, turning around, dove headfirst into the lava lake, swimming comfortably.
"Magmar, I'm leaving Charmeleon's safety to you."
Immediately, Magmar poked its head out of the lava, gestured that there was no problem, and submerged again.
This Magmar wasn't his: he had borrowed it from the Pokémon Researchers Guild to act as a lifeguard and protect Charmeleon.
"Chaarmeell!"
Charmeleon took a deep breath and, under Ethan's tense gaze, jumped directly into the lava, slowly sinking.
"He should be fine..."
Ethan watched the crater anxiously.
In the air, several Charizard noticed the strange situation and descended suspiciously: why had their companion jumped into the lava?
Normally, trainers only let their Charmeleon stay near the crater to absorb fiery energy; it was the first time they had seen someone throw one directly inside.
Although Fire-type Pokémon were resistant to lava, staying in it too long was still dangerous — except for species like Magmar or Slugma, which could ignore it completely.
As time passed and neither Charmeleon nor Magmar resurfaced, Ethan began to grow uneasy.
The Charizard's expressions also changed: even they couldn't stay submerged that long... much less a Charmeleon.
"Could that Charmeleon have drowned in the lava?"
One of the Charizard looked at Ethan with an unfriendly expression.
BOOOOM!
At that moment, a column of lava shot toward the sky, releasing such a powerful energy that it resembled a volcanic eruption.
All the Pokémon in the sanctuary raised their heads, staring in shock at the torrent of fire.
And at the same time, all the Charizard shot toward the crater at high speed, sensing that something... was about to happen.
(End of chapter)