Rainbow Wing, Silver Wing.
Ash exchanged some points in the system shop for a storage box to keep the two feathers safe. These weren't mere souvenirs; they were essential quest items that would surely trigger a major plot event sooner or later!
After saying goodbye to Todd once more and leaving Snowtop Mountain, Ash and his group had to pass through a canyon to reach the next town.
"Ash, don't you think those big boulders up there look like they could fall at any moment?" Misty looked up at the rocky walls of the gorge, feeling a sense of dread. This canyon was a perfect spot for an ambush; if enemies were lured inside and rocks were dropped from above, even a large force could be wiped out.
It was a perilous place. Ash nodded and urged everyone to pick up the pace.
However, the canyon was prone to sudden, powerful gusts of wind. They hadn't gone far when a gale blew through, and as feared, the boulders above began to tumble down toward their heads.
"Meganium, Vine Whip!" Ash commanded immediately.
Meganium had been carrying Molly as it followed the group, and it was the first to react. Two thick vines lashed out, batting away the falling rocks above the group. It was a close call, but the defense was flawless. "Great job, Meganium!" Ash patted its neck. The grass type was delighted to have protected its trainer.
"Meganium is so amazing!" Molly hugged her Jigglypuff, looking completely carefree, as if she hadn't been worried about the danger at all.
"My, my, you guys are quite impressive!" Three fiery figures suddenly leaped out from behind a bend in the canyon.
Three Arcanine appeared before them, and on the back of one sat a beautiful young woman. She had rushed over with her Arcanine the moment the rocks started falling to provide rescue. Even if she had arrived a second earlier, the three Arcanine wouldn't have been able to save Meganium; they could only have carried the four humans to safety. Meganium would have had to save itself.
"Thank you!" Brock rushed forward. "O thou who ridest the brave and mighty Arcanine with such poise, have you come to rescue this humble soul?"
Brother, are you planning to offer your hand in marriage as thanks? Ash wondered. But he had underestimated Brock's absurdity; the man actually dropped to his hands and knees. "Come, this time, you can ride upon the brave and mighty me!"
Misty dragged him away while Ash turned his attention to the three Arcanine. He had longed for such a majestic Fire type for a long time, but fate had yet to grant him his own Arcanine or Growlithe. He recalled that Gary Oak seemed to have an Arcanine.
"Hello, and thank you for the offer of help! My name is Ash, and we're headed to Olivine City!" Ash had become the undisputed core of the team, and he was usually the one to make first contact with strangers.
The young woman snapped out of her daze caused by Brock's behavior. "My name is Ramona. If you're going to Olivine City, why don't you travel with me for a bit?"
"Are you going to Olivine City too, Ramona?" Misty asked after dealing with Brock.
"No, I'm just going the same way for a while. I have to deliver some items to the other side of the mountain." Ramona opened a pouch on one of her Arcanine's saddles. Inside was a collection of beautiful stones engraved with flame patterns.
"Oh, those are Fire Stones!"
Fire Stones, which could evolve Vulpix into Ninetales or Growlithe into Arcanine, were rare treasures for any Trainer.
"These are prizes for a competition winner!" Ramona explained. "Tomorrow, a Fire-type Pokémon Tournament is being held on the other side of the mountain."
Speaking of elemental tournaments, Ash had previously participated in a Grass-type tournament and won, and he still had a high-quality Leaf Stone synthesized by his system in his bag. Since he knew about this event, there was no way he was going to miss it!
"My job is to deliver various luggage between cities and villages with my Arcanine," Ramona introduced herself. Having Arcanine as partners made her a very efficient courier.
Using such powerful and majestic Pokémon as delivery couriers seems a bit like a waste, Ash mused. Then again, Mewtwo used a Dragonite as a mail carrier, didn't he?
"How about a lift? It'll shorten your journey quite a bit! If you want to enter the tournament, you should still have time to sign up today," Ramona offered, likely seeing the eagerness in Ash's eyes.
He was indeed eager. Lately, he had been saving up exchange points for a specific abilitya special power that could maximize a Pokémon's Bond value and allow them to unleash a super finishing move! It was incredibly expensive.
"That would be wonderful, thank you!" Ash thanked Ramona. "Come on, Molly, let's ride the Arcanine!"
He recalled Meganium to let it rest, picked a friendly-looking Arcanine, and hopped on while holding Molly.
"Arcanine is so cool! Just as cool as Daddy!" Molly actually compared the Arcanine to Entei; the two did share some similarities.
"Ash, your sense of balance is great. Have you ridden an Arcanine before?" Ramona was surprised by Ash's poise. He didn't look like a beginner at all.
Misty and Ramona shared another Arcanine. "Ash hasn't ridden an Arcanine, but he is a Charizard Knight. He can perform all sorts of high-difficulty maneuvers while flying on Charizard!"
"I see!"
The most miserable one was Brock, who had no one to ride with. He had to cling desperately to the fur of the last Arcanine, bouncing around on its back as he followed the others. By the time they reached the town on the other side of the mountain, he was completely exhausted.
The town's Fire-type Tournament was even smaller than the Grass-type one he had attended before. Most of the participants were unevolved Pokémon like Vulpix, Ponyta, Cyndaquil, and Growlithe. Ash easily swept the competition and won the championship using his Quilava.
However, Fire-type battles were inherently passionate, and the intensity was much higher than the Grass-type matches, making it quite a spectacle. Although the battles weren't particularly challenging for him, Quilava still evolved! The fiery-tempered Typhlosion now became Ash's primary Fire type alongside Charizard. This was Ash's third fully evolved starter.
The Fire Stones Ramona had been delivering ended up in Ash's hands as the winner's prize. He synthesized them as well, resulting in a single high-quality Fire Stone.
The greatest gain, however, was that Ash finally had enough exchange points for that special ability!
Power of Radiance!
Typhlosion: Level 23. Evolutions were coming one after another!
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