"That feels good!"
"Pika~"
Pikachu even leaned its head over, letting a few drops of cool water fall on its ears and forehead.
Savior water!
Unfortunately, this comfort wouldn't last long. Firespit Island was inherently a volcanic environment, and the deeper they ventured into the center, the higher the air temperature climbed.
After walking for about ten minutes, Ash felt the sweat he had just wiped off start to reappear.
Pikachu had also lost its initial excitement from landing on the island, flopped weakly on his shoulder.
Even Cynthia's Samurott, following beside them, didn't seem as comfortable as it did at the start.
The high temperature here wasn't just from the sun.
The heat emanating from the ground and surrounding volcanic rocks was the real discomforting factor.
Although Samurott could still move normally, staying in such an environment for long was clearly not beneficial.
Cynthia glanced at her partner.
"Can you hang in there?"
"Dai..."
Samurott lifted its head, responding weakly.
It could.
But from Samurott's appearance, it was clearly quite uncomfortable, so Cynthia didn't intend to make Samurott tough it out.
"Then take a break inside the Pokeball, come out when we need you later."
With a flash of red light, Samurott returned to the ancient Pokeball.
"Pika pi..."
Pikachu, lying on Ash's shoulder, watched this scene, for the first time showing a hint of envy in its eyes.
How nice, being able to go back into the Pokeball to escape the heat, but even if Pikachu were to overheat outside, it would never go into that Pokeball.
This pertains to the final dignity of Teacher Dapi!
"Just hang on a bit longer."
Ash patted Pikachu's head: "Wyrdeer and Ursaluna won't swim this far, and we can't just catch them into the Pokeball just to bring them over for this."
"Pika..."
He understood the reasoning, but reasoning doesn't cool you down!
"Besides, Firespit Island isn't very big; we've probably covered quite some distance. Hang in there a while longer, and we'll definitely find the guys who took Growlithe."
"Pika pi."
Pikachu rolled its eyes.
Stop with the pumped-up talk, any more and I'll really overheat!
Ash: "..."
What's going on?
Today's Teacher Dapi seems quite grumpy!
Cynthia walked beside them, listening as the human and Pokemon bickered, unable to suppress a smile.
Jokes aside.
The two of them never forgot their true purpose for coming here.
They continued searching along areas where they could traverse around the perimeter, checking several caves and natural rock walls where people might be hiding.
Yet, there was still no trace of Growlithe.
In the end, the remaining direction was quite clear.
The center of Firespit Island!
A place where the previous King had long resided!
Cynthia looked towards the deep area blocked by large volcanic rocks.
"It seems those who took Growlithe aren't afraid of the old rules set by the former King."
"It's likely they had planned on targeting the King's living area from the beginning."
Ash's expression turned serious. To hide a Growlithe around Firespit Island, there were quite a few places.
But to take it all the way to the deepest part, claiming it was just a random choice, would be too much of a coincidence.
"Let's go!"
The two of them wasted no more time and quickened their pace along the rocky path leading to the center.
By the time Ash and Cynthia reached the interior of Firespit Island, their clothes were drenched in sweat.
"Phew..."
Ash exhaled hot air: "If anyone mentions a volcano tour to me again, I'll be the first to not go."
"You're still talking, seems like you're in good shape."
Cynthia was also feeling the heat, her cheeks slightly flushed, her golden ponytail swaying with each step.
Just then.
Suddenly, an angry Pokemon cry came from ahead.
"Growwwl!!"
Ash and Cynthia simultaneously halted their steps.
Growlithe!
The two exchanged glances, the same expression in their eyes—Found it!
Ash immediately dashed towards the source of the sound with Pikachu, Cynthia closely following.
Rounding the last tall volcanic rock, the view ahead suddenly opened up.
It was a natural plain surrounded by lava and black rock walls, with crimson magma slowly flowing along the perimeter.
In the center, a Hisuian form Growlithe was crouched, its fur all bristled, growling with hostility towards what was ahead.
"Growwwl!"
Standing in front of Growlithe was a Gengar with a completely purple body.
Gengar grinned widely, its body surrounded by the unique eerie aura of Ghost-type, in stark contrast to the hot surroundings.
And behind Gengar stood three women.
One of them had her hands on her hips, still cursing at the unyielding Growlithe.
"You stubborn little thing!"
"We've brought you here for so long, and you still refuse to behave!"
Ash: "..."
Cynthia: "..."
Pikachu: "..."
Those three figures were both familiar and strange.
Because not long ago, these three figures had taken the Plate Fragment from the Solaceon Ruins in the Crimson Mirelands and then were severely punished by Cynthia and her Gengar in a one-against-six battle.
Charm, Coin, and Clover—the Miss Fortunes!
Ash's mouth twitched slowly.
After all the investigating, the culprits were familiar faces?
These three guys were just like Team Rocket, never going away!
"Why is it you guys again?!"
Ash's voice suddenly came from behind, causing the three members of the Miss Fortunes to freeze.
Once they turned around and recognized who it was, their expressions changed completely.
"Why is it you two again?! How did you even find your way here?!"
Ash's mouth twitched; shouldn't he be the one asking this question?
Just three days ago, these guys had stolen the Plate Fragment from the Solaceon Ruins in the Crimson Mirelands.
After Volo provided a clue, Ash and Cynthia hadn't taken long to find them.
Ultimately, Cynthia, with her Gengar, had wiped out all their Pokemon in a one-against-six battle.
Back then, they somewhat complied and returned the Plate Fragment after losing.
But the problem was that Growlithe had disappeared two days ago, and calculating the time, these three had barely taken a break before running off to the Cobalt Coastlands to take Growlithe.
You guys really never take a break!
"Pika pi..."
Pikachu also realized this point, lying on Ash's shoulder, completely speechless.
These three were becoming more and more like Jessie, James, and Meowth, just lingering around!
"What exactly do you want, stealing the Plate before, and now Pokemon?"
Ash pointed at Growlithe being blocked by Gengar, but Charm was not happy with that statement.
"What do you mean steal? We were helping him!"
Ash: "?"
Cynthia: "?"
"Growwwl?!"
Even the forcibly brought Growlithe was stunned, seemingly unable to comprehend when it had ever received such help.
"It's already the third day; we've been here in this ghostly place with you for two whole days, why haven't you evolved yet? Hurry up and become an Arcanine to inherit the throne!"
Charm's pent-up anger from two days was obvious, and Coin and Clover chimed in, pressing on.
From their perspective, since Firespit Island was where the previous King lived, bringing a Growlithe qualified to inherit the throne here should naturally allow it to evolve smoothly into an Arcanine.
As for after evolution...
"We're helping you evolve, making you the new King, so of course you'll have to battle with us. Then who in Hisui would dare challenge the Miss Fortunes!"
Clover was getting more and more excited, as if already envisioning their rule over Hisui with the new King of the Cobalt Coastlands in tow.
Hearing this, Ash and Cynthia finally understood why these three had specifically brought Growlithe to Firespit Island.
These three had thought processes that matched Team Rocket's trio—equally stupid!