"However, I've thought of a way."
Sabrina had a sudden flash of inspiration and released her Mr. Mime. It looked somewhat human, with large palms and suction cups on its fingers, resembling a whimsical clown. Mr. Mime can create walls out of thin air to defend against enemies.
"Mr. Mime, surround this entire area!"
Upon Sabrina's command, Mr. Mime used its psychic powers to move within the Flame Tunnel.
"I see. You're having Mr. Mime build a transparent castle around us. Using double-layered transparent walls will almost completely isolate the sound," Feng Che realized. This was the principle of soundproof glass: sound waves hit the glass and are mostly reflected, while the space between the panes further blocks transmission.
"Exactly. I didn't expect you to see through the trick so quickly. My goal isn't to fight him, but to prevent him from noticing us entering Moltres's chamber," Sabrina explained.
"Now that we're here, I feel I can use Teleport to reach the cavern where Moltres resides." Sabrina closed her eyes, testing her psychic energy; the previous obstruction was gone. "We must hurry. The commotion from capturing Moltres will be significant. If that Fire-type Elite notices us, we'll be trapped between two fires."
Sabrina then teleported herself and Feng Che directly into Moltres's location.
The Flame Tunnel Chamber.
"Wait, I feel something isn't right."
Enche, the Fire-type Elite, suddenly opened his eyes and looked around. "Torkoal, Magcargo, do you sense anything unusual?" His Pokémon both shook their heads. "Is that so? There's nothing abnormal around us, but I have a lingering sense of unease." Enche muttered and closed his eyes again. "No matter. Once this mission is over, I can return to the Kanto League headquarters to continue my training."
Enche was a "Substitute Elite." This meant he had the strength of an Elite Four member, but there were currently no vacancies in the League's roster. Unless a member retired or transferred, he remained a hidden trump card.
Moltres's Cavern.
Feng Che looked in awe at the cavern, which was filled with Flame Crystals. These crystals formed when Moltres absorbed ambient heat and released concentrated Fire-type energy. The cavern, located inside a volcanic crater, was dreamlike, illuminated by the shimmering crystals.
The temperature was extreme, with lava flowing across the floor. If Sabrina and Feng Che weren't psychics using their powers to isolate the heat and toxic fumes, the nearly 2000°C temperature would have turned them to ash instantly.
"Moltres's home is quite luxurious, but where is it?" Sabrina scanned the area.
"If I'm not mistaken, that ball of fire floating in the air... is Moltres."
Feng Che knew from his knowledge of the world that Moltres often disguised itself as a floating orb of flame. As if disturbed by his voice, the flames unfurled, letting out a cry like a phoenix.
Pokémon: Moltres Potential: Legendary (Blue) Level: 73 Status: Angry Evaluation: A Pokémon of pure Fire-type energy. It stores heat in its nest. Evolving a Pokémon here grants a chance to grasp the "Flame of Life."
"Moltres is constructed from Fire energy; its feathers are literally living flames," Sabrina explained as she threw two Poké Balls, releasing two Alakazam.
"Yo, isn't this Feng Che? Long time no see," the Old Alakazam said, floating cross-legged and greeting him.
"You two know each other?" Sabrina asked, surprised.
"Indeed. Reaching the peak of Quasi-Elite was thanks to the potions provided by young friend Feng Che. Unfortunately, due to my potential, I haven't officially broken through to the Elite level," the Old Alakazam said with regret.
"CHEE!"
Moltres stared angrily at the two humans and the Pokémon catching up in its nest. Feeling ignored, it let out a sharp cry and spat a pillar of fire toward the volcanic rock, melting it instantly.
"Its Fire moves are incredibly powerful. Truly a Legendary beast. Old Alakazam, I need your help. Team up with my Alakazam to intercept Moltres! Feng Che, make sure we aren't disturbed. I need to focus entirely on boosting their psychic power."
Sabrina floated in the air, a pale blue light radiating from her. Massive amounts of psychic energy poured from her body into the two Alakazam, who suddenly erupted with immense pressure.
Outside the Chamber.
"What's happening? Why is there such a sudden, massive pressure? What is Master Enche doing?" the League personnel guarding the tunnel asked nervously.
"Is Moltres okay? With such a commotion, why isn't Master Enche reacting?" They looked over to see Enche sitting perfectly still, appearing calm and steady as a mountain.
"Given Master Enche's demeanor, everything must be under his control." "Right. If there were an emergency, he would have moved by now." "Agreed. If he doesn't move, we don't move."
In reality, Enche sensed nothing because Sabrina's Mr. Mime had blocked all external interference. Only a structural collapse of the tunnel would wake him.
Inside, Moltres unfurled its wings, lighting up the cavern. Countless sparks fell like brilliant fireworks, but when they hit the rock, they erupted in blinding white light and toxic smoke. The volcano began to churn, and large bubbles of lava burst, releasing a heavy scent of sulfur.
The temperature in the tunnel spiked.
"What is going on? Why is Moltres so angry?" "I don't know! Master Enche is right there. Usually, he would pacify it." "Wait... do you feel the heat? I can barely breathe!" "Retreat! Get out of here!"
The League guards panicked as the conditions worsened.
"Shouldn't we tell Master Enche to leave?" one asked weakly. "Idiot! He's a Fire Elite. No matter how hot it gets, he has a way to escape."
Outside, fire rained down like meteors, setting the ground ablaze. The guards fled in terror.
Moltres's Nest.
Moltres opened its beak and unleashed a massive Fire Blast. Sabrina used her psychic power to manifested a giant hand that crushed the blast mid-air.
"Alakazam, Old Alakazam, use Future Sight together!" Sabrina commanded telepathically.
A massive mass of blue energy vanished into thin air. Then, the two Alakazam used Light Screen to block Moltres's Flamethrower.
While everyone was distracted, Feng Che threw a Poké Ball. Litten crept out quietly into the shadows.