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"Charmeleon, use Flamethrower!"
Facing the Crystal Onix's Rock Throw, Mateo's Charmeleon swiftly dodged and unleashed a powerful stream of flames from its mouth.
Flamethrower struck the Crystal Onix head-on, and to Mateo's astonishment, the Pokémon let out a pained roar!
"Huh?!"
While the attack didn't seem to deal double damage, it clearly had a significant impact far more than Cloyster's earlier Water Gun.
"Why is this happening?" Mateo scratched his head in confusion.
This Crystal Onix, despite its ability to use Rock-type moves and its immunity to Water-type attacks, seemed to have lost its usual resistance to Fire-type moves.
What's more, as the flames dissipated, the Onix's crystalline body began to glow a fiery red, likely from the intense heat.
"Could it truly be the embodiment of the Glass God, as the stories say? Is that why fire affects it like this?" Mateo muttered to himself, marvelling at the sight.
Just as he was lost in thought, the Crystal Onix launched a counterattack, charging forward with a tremendous Headbutt.
"Charmeleon, dodge and use Fire Spin!" Mateo commanded, pointing urgently.
Though Mateo wasn't an experienced trainer, his Charmeleon reacted on instinct, leaping out of harm's way just in time. With a sharp inhale, it created a swirling vortex of flames, which rapidly grew into a fiery tornado that engulfed the Crystal Onix.
"Rooooar!"
The Crystal Onix roared in pain as the flames raged around it. Yet, as the Fire Spin dissipated, it remained standing, glowing even brighter than before.
Its radiant red hue, reflected by the surrounding sunlight, made it appear like a magnificent, fiery jewel.
Seeing this breathtaking sight, Mateo froze, his entire body trembling. He stared at the Crystal Onix, and in that moment, it was as if something clicked in his mind.
The area fell silent. Even Kai and Sabrina stood quietly, sensing the importance of this moment.
After a long pause, Mateo finally spoke, his voice filled with joy and clarity. "I get it now… This is it! This is the inspiration I've been searching for!"
He turned to Kai and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Kai. I can't express how much this means to me."
Kai waved dismissively. "You don't need to thank me. Honestly, I didn't do much. Besides, you already helped me by crafting the Never-Melt Ice accessory, so we're even."
But Mateo shook his head firmly. "No, this is different. The inspiration I've gained today is priceless it will guide me for the rest of my life. Compared to that, the accessory I made for you is insignificant."
Surprised by Mateo's sincerity, Kai nodded and accepted his gratitude.
Mateo then extended his hand, smiling. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my workshop. I can't wait to start creating!"
Kai shook his hand firmly. "Go for it! I hope you become a master artisan someday."
"And I hope you become an even greater Pokémon Trainer!" Mateo replied with a grin before hurrying off, his steps brimming with energy and purpose.
As Mateo disappeared into the distance, Sabrina turned to Kai.
"So, are we leaving now?"
Kai nodded. "Yep. Let's get moving to our next destination!"
Sabrina went back to her room to pack, and when she returned to the courtyard, she took one last look at their rooms.
The past few days had been simple but fulfilling. Every moment felt meaningful and happy. No matter where their travels took them next, Sabrina knew these memories would always hold a special place in her heart.
---
High in the sky, a Charizard flew swiftly, carrying Kai and Sabrina on its back. Beneath them, the vast ocean stretched endlessly, reflecting the sunlight and creating a small shadow that followed their path.
Having spent several extra days on Sunburst Island, Kai was eager to make up for lost time. Following the map's navigation, they flew straight toward their next destination: Navel Island.
After hours of flight, they finally spotted land just as the sun began to set.
As they approached, they saw a massive volcano rising from the centre of the island, surrounded by lush, green forests. The volcano dominated the landscape, taking up nearly three-quarters of the island's area.
"This entire island was probably formed by a volcanic eruption," Sabrina remarked with a faint smile. "Is it an active volcano? I wonder if it's at risk of erupting. It looks pretty dangerous."
Kai smirked, catching the underlying reference to the infamous Cinnabar Island eruption. He feigned ignorance and chose not to engage.
"No way I'm earning the title of 'Volcano Slayer.'"
As Charizard descended, the volcano seemed to grow even larger. They landed on a beach and made their way into the island's only village.
Unlike the bustling towns on other islands, this settlement was quiet and sparsely populated. The homes were scattered, consisting of quaint, single-story houses with small gardens.
As they walked through the village, they occasionally spotted elderly residents tending to their vegetable patches. The entire place exuded a serene, almost otherworldly charm.
"This feels way too remote," Sabrina said sceptically. "Are you sure this is the right place? It doesn't look like it would have an official Orange League Gym."
Kai nodded confidently. "This is definitely the place. Some Gym Leaders prefer to set up their Gyms in isolated areas like this to avoid the distractions of city life."
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