Ash and Cynthia, being the closest, could not retreat in time, and Pikachu was swept away by the incoming shockwave!
Ash quickly adjusted his body in mid-air, using his right hand to hold the ground and flip over to reduce the force. Just as the soles of his shoes touched the rocky ground again, he caught a glimpse of Cynthia losing her balance and flying in the other direction.
"Sis!"
Ash suddenly exerted force with both feet, darting across the ground.
Before Cynthia could fall onto the scorching black rock, Ash caught up from the side, wrapped an arm around her waist, and forcibly pivoted to brace the ground with both feet.
The soles of his shoes screeched loudly against the rocky surface as the two slid back several meters before finally stopping.
Pikachu flipped its body in mid-air, landing on a protruding rock, leaped off it, and returned to Ash's shoulder.
"Pika Pika!"
"I'm alright."
After confirming Cynthia had regained her stance, Ash released his grip and glanced at his right palm which had just pressed against the ground.
His entire hand was visibly red from the high temperature but it was only slightly red.
The sanctified flesh of a New Palletian is not a joke.
Cynthia immediately grabbed his hand to take a look.
"Are you really okay?"
"Truly fine, just a little burn."
Ash flexed his fingers, confirming there was no impairment, then instantly refocused his gaze on the spot struck by the thunder.
On the other side, Palina instinctively hugged the recently rescued Growlithe to shield it from the explosive impact.
Iscan stood in front of them, enduring most of the shockwave, and only halted after the three were pushed a certain distance.
The thick clothing on Iscan had several burnt holes from the scorching rocky ground, with his face showing signs of pain.
Fortunately, no one was truly injured, and Growlithe in Palina's arms was only scared.
As for the Miss Fortunes trio, they had retreated to a safer distance earlier, but the recent impact left them pale, speechless.
Soon, everyone's eyes were drawn back to where the thunder had struck.
Through thick dust and smoke, a figure exuding greater pressure than before slowly emerged.
Although it was the same Arcanine, its body with intertwining grey and dark red patterns was now completely enveloped in a dazzling golden glow.
Some areas of its body bore black streaks, similar to those seen when Kleavor and Lilligant went on a rampage before.
Ash and Cynthia's expressions changed simultaneously.
Though they had previously managed several rampaging kings, they had never witnessed firsthand how the anomalous Golden Power permeated a king's body.
At least one thing was now certain.
Arcanine had just evolved and begun to inherit the king's power when the Space-Time Rift appeared in the sky, followed promptly by a precise Golden Thunderbolt striking him.
Ash: "..."
Does this thunder come with its own GPS?
"How can this be..."
Palina blankly watched the figure wrapped in golden light; the joy of Arcanine's recent evolution had vanished in an instant.
"Arcanine..."
Having previously witnessed other kings' rampages, Palina needed no explanation to understand the situation.
The former king of Cobalt Coastlands had died, and she once considered that the region might avoid the rampages afflicting other areas without a new king.
Who would have thought that as soon as a New King appeared, the Golden Thunderbolt would follow directly?
The rampage might arrive late, but it will never be absent, right?
"Roar—!!"
Arcanine suddenly raised its head and let out a deafening roar!
The massive sound wave, mingled with golden energy, erupted in all directions, shaking small stones on the ground and causing nearby lava to churn violently!
The Miss Fortunes trio, who had previously imagined having Arcanine perform tasks as a king, could no longer find amusement.
Charm, Coin, and Clover exchanged glances and instantly understood the same thought.
Run!
Initially, they planned to force Growlithe to evolve, then devise a way to control Arcanine as the king to loot for them.
Looking at this Golden King, whose single roar can make the entire volcanic center tremble, they suddenly realized how reckless that plan was.
Coin swallowed hard.
"Um... I just remembered some urgent business, I'm leaving!"
"Me too!"
"I'll go with you!"
The trio rapidly recalled their Pokemon, which had lost the ability to fight, and dashed outside, moving at a speed unlike the aggressive stance they held earlier.
Neither Ash nor Cynthia intervened.
Now, the rampaging Arcanine was the priority, and the trio staying would only be more trouble. If Arcanine attacked them, they might need to rescue them instead.
Ash quickly scanned the area, his gaze settling on the other Growlithe in Palina's arms.
"Miss Palina, Mr. Iscan, please take Growlithe and leave here!"
Palina instinctively wanted to ask what they would do, but Arcanine, who had been standing still, suddenly charged!
Boom!!
With the landing of its four paws, the black rock beneath cracked open, Arcanine's massive body transformed into a golden blur, rushing straight toward Ash and the others nearby!