"Achoo—!"
Chen Shi rubbed his nose and muttered,
"Who's talking about me?"
Of course—
He had no idea that right after he left the forest, Phoebe had entered it.
The two had perfectly missed each other.
And worse—
Because Chen Shi had looted so many Pokémon tribes—
All that pent-up anger had ended up being taken out on Phoebe.
Though honestly—
Knowing Chen Shi, even if he found out about her situation…
He'd probably laugh at her first—
And only then feel bad for her.
…
At that moment—
Jirachi suddenly pointed ahead.
"Chen Shi, look! There are so many giant pillars over there!"
Chen Shi paused and turned to look.
On the barren land in the distance—
Massive stone pillars shot into the sky.
Wide at the base, sharp at the top—
Magnificent and imposing.
"…Isn't that Precipice Blades from Groudon?"
"It looks exactly like the photos Steven showed me…"
Chen Shi murmured as he stroked his chin.
[Yeah. That's definitely Precipice Blades.]
Mew nodded in agreement.
It had seen Groudon fight many times in the past—
Naturally, it recognized the move.
"Let's go check it out."
Chen Shi immediately changed direction.
Forget the volcano—
He wanted to see this.
"Meta~"
Metagross responded and flew toward the towering pillars.
…
"Chen Shi, they're so tall~"
Jirachi stared in awe at the hundred-meter-high stone spikes.
"Vee~"
Victini nodded along, equally amazed.
Neither of the little ones had seen anything like this before.
Up close—
The scale was overwhelming.
Chen Shi fell silent for a moment before sighing.
"I can't even imagine how powerful Groudon really is…"
"If you got hit by something like this…"
He shook his head.
In the anime—
Precipice Blades wasn't even a one-shot move.
If one strike missed—
Another followed.
And another—
Until it hit.
He still remembered—
When Alain's Charizard faced Groudon.
One strike—
And it was done.
Mew snorted.
[What's so hard to imagine? Kyogre's been hit by that move countless times and it's still fine.]
Chen Shi's face darkened.
He chose not to respond.
Kyogre was Kyogre.
He was… not Kyogre.
At least he had that much self-awareness.
…
As they got closer—
Chen Shi noticed something interesting.
Many of the stone pillars were hollowed out.
Inside—
Various Pokémon had made their homes.
The one in front of him housed numerous Geodude, Graveler, and Golem.
Other pillars—
Were occupied by Ground-type Pokémon like Sandshrew, Dugtrio, Onix—
And even Aggron.
Each tribe claimed its own pillar.
Peacefully coexisting.
[The Ground-type energy here is extremely dense. That's why they settled here.]
Mew's voice echoed in his mind.
Chen Shi nodded.
That made sense.
These pillars were formed by Groudon itself—
Of course the Ground-type energy would be overwhelming.
Perfect for growth.
That's why even Pokémon like Onix chose to live here.
…
Seeing nothing particularly unusual—
Chen Shi was about to leave.
But suddenly—
He heard something.
Waves.
Crashing faintly against rock.
"…The ocean?"
"Is it nearby?"
After thinking for a moment—
He decided to check.
"Metagross, let's head that way."
"I think I hear the sea."
"Meta~"
Metagross turned and flew in that direction.
…
After a while—
The ocean came into view.
Waves surged like rolling mountains—
Crashing violently against jagged rocks.
The sound thundered through the air.
Just as Chen Shi was about to speak—
Jirachi suddenly pointed.
"Chen Shi… I think there's someone over there!"
Chen Shi froze.
Then quickly looked.
On the shoreline—
A young girl in a purple dress lay sprawled on the ground.
Her body soaked through.
"Metagross, bring her here!"
"Meta!"
Using its psychic power—
Metagross lifted her gently and placed her farther from the water.
Chen Shi jumped down and approached.
Then he saw clearly—
It was none other than Caitlin.
The Psychic prodigy.
Her face was pale—
Completely devoid of color.
Her arms, legs—even her neck—
Were covered in wounds.
After being soaked in seawater for so long—
The wounds had turned white and lifeless.
A chilling sight.
Chen Shi reached out and checked her pulse.
A freezing sensation traveled up his fingers.
"…How long has she been in the water?"
"Her body temperature has dropped this much…"
Without hesitation—
He released Charizard.
"Charizard, her temperature is dangerously low."
"I need you to hold her for warmth."
Charizard blinked.
Then pointed at itself—
Clearly in disbelief.
It thought it was being summoned for battle.
Not—
To act as a human heater.
Chen Shi coughed awkwardly.
"There's no choice."
"If we don't act fast, she'll die."
As a Fire-type Pokémon—
Charizard's body was naturally warm year-round.
Starting a fire would take too long.
This was faster.
And more effective.
Charizard looked deeply unwilling—
But still obeyed.
It carefully lifted Caitlin into its arms.
…
Chen Shi quickly set up a tent nearby.
Then—
He released the rest of his Pokémon.
Took out emergency supplies.
Cleaned and treated her wounds.
Wrapped them properly.
After that—
He had Florges use Life Dew twice.
Gradually—
Color began returning to Caitlin's pale face.
She was finally—
Stabilizing.
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