After defeating the Talonflame and its Fletchinder flock, Ashborn and Metagross pressed forward.
The Dowsing Machine displayed a valuable treasure ahead, likely linked to Fire-type Pokémon given the volcanic terrain.
Fire Stones or Fire Stone fragments were common treasures in such areas, but this one appeared special.
After half an hour of travel, Metagross came to a halt.
Below them lay a massive volcano, nearly one kilometer in diameter and 500 meters deep.
The treasure was located in the heart of this volcano, deep within the bubbling magma.
Ashborn knew retrieving it wouldn't be easy.
Equipping himself with heat-resistant boots, Ashborn descended to the volcano's edge. The surrounding temperature had soared above 70 degrees Celsius, making it unbearable for anyone without special gear.
Thanks to his Mega Pallet Town physique, Ashborn managed to withstand the oppressive heat, although it was still uncomfortable.
Metagross, though unbothered by the temperature, clearly didn't enjoy the environment.
As Ashborn peered into the seething magma below, he realized the treasure was submerged in it.
The size of the red dot on his Dowsing Machine suggested an immensely valuable treasure, but retrieving it presented a challenge.
None of his steel-type Pokémon, including Metagross, could survive prolonged exposure to magma.
Looking around, Ashborn spotted a dozen Magmars and a powerful, pseudo-Elite Magmortar lounging in the magma.
They were perfectly adapted to the environment, and an idea sparked in his mind.
He needed to lure them out.
"Steelix, Taunt!" Ashborn ordered.
Steelix followed the command, glaring at the fire-types in the magma.
Magmortar and the Magmars bristled at the provocation. Enraged, they leaped out of the magma, ready to confront Steelix.
Ashborn led Steelix to retreat, drawing the fire-types further from the magma.
With a deep-seated fury, the Magmortar and its crew chased them for kilometers, determined to catch and burn Steelix.
As they finally cornered Steelix, Ashborn sprang his trap.
"Metagross, block their escape! Dragonair, circle above!"
Ashborn had Magmortar and the Magmars surrounded.
The fire-type leader, however, was undeterred, confident that it could handle Ashborn's Pokémon with the help of its underlings.
Magmortar roared, signaling its Magmars to attack.
More than a dozen Flamethrowers erupted from the Magmars, joined by two powerful blasts from Magmortar.
Though Steelix was a pseudo-Elite, it was still unnerved by the barrage of fire.
"Steelix, Dig!" Ashborn commanded, and Steelix instantly burrowed underground to escape.
While Ashborn stood beside Steelix, the high temperature from the combined Flamethrowers singed his hair and burned his skin.
The heat was suffocating, but Ashborn's focus remained sharp.
Magmortar glared at Ashborn, but before it could act, Metagross struck with a powerful Zen Headbutt, ramming into Magmortar's stomach.
The impact was so strong that it left Magmortar momentarily dazed.
Recovering quickly, the fire-type launched a massive blast at Metagross, a flaming "Fire Blast" in the shape of a kanji.
With Ashborn behind him, Metagross couldn't dodge.
Instead, Metagross charged forward with a Meteor Mash, meeting the Fire Blast head-on.
As the two attacks collided, the explosion sent shockwaves across the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the Magmars, seeing the clash, focused their Flamethrowers on Metagross and Ashborn.
Their flames were much hotter than those of normal fire-type Pokémon due to their constant exposure to magma.
However, Dragonair swooped in, its Dragon Tail glowing with green energy, deflecting the majority of the flames.
The rest were blocked by Steelix, who resurfaced just in time.
"Steelix, Earthquake!" Ashborn ordered. But given their proximity to the volcano, the move might have triggered a disaster, so he opted for a safer choice.
"Steelix, Rock Throw! Dragonair, Dive!"
A barrage of rocks descended on the Magmars, stunning some and limiting the movement of others.
Dragonair followed up by diving in with precision, striking down the restricted Magmars with ease. Within seconds, the duo had decimated the fire-type horde.
Magmortar, realizing its underlings had been swiftly defeated, faced Metagross with renewed determination.
It had underestimated the silver Pokémon's strength, and now it was cornered.
___________
Adios