After leaving Violet City, Ash and his group continued their journey along the winding mountain roads.
The surrounding scenery gradually became barren. Exposed crimson rocks and sparse vegetation replaced the dense forests, while a faint sulfuric smell lingered in the air.
"The scenery here has changed so much," Misty remarked as she looked at the jagged rock formations around them.
"I heard geothermal activity is very active in this region. There are lots of hot springs and volcanic landscapes," Brock explained while flipping through a travel guide.
Meanwhile, Ash stared thoughtfully ahead. His Aura could vaguely sense a massive concentration of powerful, scorching life energy gathering somewhere in the distance.
Just then, a loud dragon-like roar echoed through the sky, accompanied by the powerful sound of beating wings.
Everyone looked up to see a sleek, sharp-eyed Charizard flying toward them. Riding on its back was a young woman dressed in a fitted flight suit with goggles resting over her eyes.
The Charizard's speed was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, it landed in the open area before them, kicking up clouds of dust.
"You do realize ordinary people aren't allowed to enter this place, right?"
"I know that already," Ash said as he pulled back Brock, who was about to rush forward and flirt. Stepping up to her, Ash continued, "This is a nature preserve, Charicific Valley, a sanctuary where Charizard live. To be honest, I came here specifically for this. You're Charizard Trainer Liza, right?"
"Oh? You actually know my name?" Liza asked curiously.
"I heard about you before coming here. By the way, I should be allowed inside, right? After all, I came here for him."
As he spoke, Ash took out Charizard's Poké Ball.
"You certainly seem full of spirit. The only question is whether your Charizard is as impressive as you are," Liza said with clear approval in her voice.
"I guarantee it'll leave you amazed." Ash smiled confidently. "But before that, I'll have to trouble you to give my companions a ride."
"That's simple enough. Charizard, come over here!"
The moment she finished speaking, a long pillar of flames descended from the sky. Just from the distance of that Flamethrower alone, it was obvious this Charizard was far stronger than Ash's original Charizard used to be.
Soon afterward, another Charizard landed before them with a large hanging basket attached behind it.
This Charizard was female. A pink bow adorned her head, and with her large eyes and long eyelashes, she would undoubtedly be considered very beautiful among her own kind.
As for the basket, it was likely what Liza normally used when leaving the valley to purchase supplies, though now it could also carry passengers.
Even though it was a female Charizard, it was obvious she had been exceptionally well trained by Liza.
"This is my Charizard, the adorable Charla."
"Alright, young lady and young man, hop into the basket!" Liza called out to Misty and Brock while seated atop her Charizard's back.
"Then let's get started too. Come on out, Charizard."
Ash threw Charizard's Poké Ball, and Charizard emerged powerfully before them.
Ash stepped forward and said, "Easy there, buddy. Today, I'm letting you fight to your heart's content."
"Your Charizard has an impressive presence," Liza commented. As a Charizard Trainer herself, she could tell at a glance just how much potential it possessed.
However, the moment the two Charizard took flight together, the difference between them became obvious almost immediately.
It was obvious that Ash's Charizard had the superior speed. Even without the basket attached behind her, Charla probably still would not have been able to catch up.
During the flight, Misty curiously asked, "Miss Liza, can all the Charizard here carry people?"
"Not at all. Only my Charla can carry passengers. The rest are wild Charizard, so they can't casually give people rides."
"Then does that mean Charizard like Ash's is really impressive?"
"At the very least, among all the Charizard Trainers I've met, he's the strongest," Liza said while watching Ash skillfully perform aerial tricks atop Charizard. Her evaluation of him was exceptionally high.
Very soon, under Liza's guidance, they arrived at the entrance to the valley.
The place had been built deep within the valley itself. On both sides of an especially wide river stood towering Charizard statues.
Here, Charizard were regarded as guardians of good fortune and universally recognized as auspicious Pokémon, much like Quagsire's status back in Cherrygrove City.
And the Charizard living here were all wild.
Within their group, only the truly powerful earned recognition and respect.
Their greatest characteristic was that they grew stronger without relying on human training, constantly improving through endless competition and battles among themselves.
That was why people described Charicific Valley like this:
"Charicific Valley is a Pokémon valley where Charizard who aim to become the strongest train themselves and spar with their companions."
Just as Ash's Charizard approached the valley entrance and was still some distance away from the stone gates, the two massive doors suddenly seemed to sense the powerful and pure aura of one of their own kind.
With a loud rumbling noise, the heavy stone gates slowly opened inward on their own!
The scene beyond instantly came into view.
The inside of the valley was even larger than it appeared from outside. Jagged rocks filled the landscape while rivers of lava wound throughout the terrain, radiating scorching heat. Resting atop the rocks and high cliffs were dozens of Charizard!
They varied in size, but every single one radiated powerful energy. Some were resting, some were sparring with each other, while others blasted flames into the sky.
This place was practically a paradise for Charizard.
However, both Ash and Charizard had their attention immediately locked onto a figure standing directly behind the stone gates atop the tallest rocky platform.
It was a wild Charizard.
Its body was unbelievably massive and muscular, standing an entire head taller than Ash's Charizard. Its physique overflowed with explosive strength.
Its deep orange skin was covered in scars left behind from countless battles, like medals of honor.
The flame burning on its thick tail blazed unusually fiercely, nearly reaching a white-orange color, displaying the terrifying energy contained within its body.
It stood there silently, gazing downward arrogantly with eyes filled with scrutiny and undisguised challenge as it stared directly at Ash's Charizard, the newcomer who had just entered its territory.
The overwhelming pressure felt almost tangible!
Ash's Charizard instantly tensed every muscle in its body, letting out a deep, cautious growl from its throat.
Ash could feel that intimidating aura as well. Taking a deep breath, he jumped down from Charizard's back and stood beside it, his eyes becoming incredibly sharp and serious.
"Looks like the first thing we're doing after arriving in the valley is fighting a tough battle," Ash quietly said to Charizard, though an excited grin curved across his lips. "What do you say, old buddy? Ready to face the challenge?"
Charizard's tail flame suddenly surged upward as scorching heat waves spread outward in every direction.
There was no way it would back down here!
The other Charizard throughout the valley also seemed to notice the commotion and turned their attention toward them one after another.
The air became filled with tension and anticipation.
A battle was about to erupt!
...
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