He knows Pokémon better than me.

Just as Kyogre was gliding through the air, the volcano erupted for the third time!

This time, it wasn't just magma and firestones that spewed out, but also several huge lava rock spikes that suddenly extended upwards and accurately struck Kyogre's abdomen.

The lava rock spikes exploded with a roar, causing Kyogre to lose his balance in mid-air and fall awkwardly into the nearby sea.

"Uh, is it the Sword of the Cliff?"

Ash's lips twitched. Sure enough, what was below wasn't Heatran at all, but Groudon.

They've even used their signature moves!
Although the specific shape is not visible, the continuously gushing lava gradually outlines the figure of a lava behemoth, with a magnificent and awe-inspiring presence.

There were even huge lava firestones that spewed towards Ash.

"Pickup!"

Pikachu immediately used Ash's shoulder as a springboard to leap out, its Iron Tail slashing vertically and splitting the incoming Firestone in two.

"Let's go to where Kyogre fell into the water first."

Ash patted the Empoleon beneath him, and the Empoleon, understanding, immediately dashed to the other side of the island.

Ash was constantly at risk of being hit by spewing volcanic rocks, but with Pikachu's protection, he felt no fear and moved around among the rocks.

As for the thick smoke that filled the surrounding area.
"Emperor Cha~!"

When the Emperor surfs, he raises one wing, and in an instant, the surrounding dust and fog dissipate.

"Do you still have the special defogging trick?"

Xiao Zhi was overjoyed; it was a perfect tool goose!

Before long, Emperor Nabo swam to the vicinity of Georka, who was floating belly up on the surface of the sea, with a clear scar on his snow-white belly.

As a leader Pokémon, Empoleon's size is in no way inferior to the latter.

However, the ancient god-like pressure emanating from Kyogre caused all the Water-type Pokémon to feel the suppression from their bloodline.

Even the proud Emperor Naboo dared not raise his head arrogantly in his presence.

Poof!

Soon, Kyogre straightened up and angrily looked towards the volcano, staring intently at the monstrous phantom made of lava on the mountaintop.

But if they were to launch another attack, Georkadon would remain in place.

Can't beat it.

I'm far behind in both age and ability, and I'm still experiencing severe abdominal pain.
If it weren't for its super durability at the level of an ancient god, it would have fainted by now.

Understanding this infuriated Kyoka even more!
Pfft!

So it turned its head and spat something at Xiaozhi as if spitting, expressing its dissatisfaction.

"what?"

Ash instinctively reached out and caught it, discovering it was a two-inch-long, dark red, hard scale.

It was scalding hot, as if it had just been pulled out of a fire, and Xiao Zhi quickly lifted his clothes to grab it.

"It's so hot. What is this?"

He subconsciously turned his head to look in the direction of the volcano, then looked down at the object in his hand.

These aren't the scales of ordinary Pokémon; they're more like...

Groudon?

At that moment, a telepathic message from Kyogre entered Ash's mind, filled with resentment:
"Hmph, do you really think I have no temper?!"

Although he was no match for Groudon, his self-sacrificing charge successfully touched Groudon's body, and he took the opportunity to bite off a piece of its scale.

Of course, the next second Kyogre was engulfed by lava and swept out of the crater.
"Little Zhi Monkey, I'm going to go into hibernation now. I'll let him off the hook for now!"

"Awaken me again in three hundred years, and then I'll settle things with that guy!" With a telepathic connection, Kyogre leaped out of the sea without hesitation and pounced towards Ash.

Of course, during the process, its body shrinks rapidly, turning into a miniature fish.

Wow!

Finally, along with the flowing water, it merged into his silver feather pendant and disappeared without a trace.

After uttering those harsh words, Kyogre ran away!
Xiao Zhi couldn't help but chuckle. This guy's entire body was probably only able to withstand the impact of the cliff-breaking sword on his mouth.

I had communicated with the latter before when I was in Alola, and finally he changed his self-reference from "Little Skinny Monkey" to "Little Smart Monkey".

However, it seems there's no difference.

"It looks like Groudon won't be coming out."

Ash looked towards Fubuki Island; the volcanic eruption seemed likely to continue for a while longer.

However, apart from Groudon's lava phantom, his actual body did not appear at the top.

It's estimated that even Groudon wouldn't have much interest in chasing down a baby Kyogre.
"Then let's swim further afield, Emperor Nabo."

Emperor Nabo understood and turned to swim further away.

However, before leaving, he didn't forget to take a detour and violently knock the needlefish that had just surfaced out of the water away.

Once you're far away from Fire Island, you don't have to worry about being hit by firestones, and the smoke and mist from the gunpowder have thinned out considerably.

"Groudon's scales. What a great item!"

Ash sat on the back of Empoleon, playing with the dark red scales he had just acquired.

Although it's not as hot now, you can still clearly feel the continuous warmth when you hold it in your hand, like...
Body of Flames!

Ash suddenly stood up. His purpose in coming to Fire Island was to find a Pokémon with a flame body, but instead of finding his target, he inexplicably triggered a volcanic eruption.

But what if this Groudon Scale Armor has the same effect?
Without hesitation, he held the Pokémon egg tightly with his other hand and smoothly attached the scales to it.

The slightly curved scales fit perfectly into the curvature of the eggshell.

They even seemed to be stuck together, and the scales wouldn't fall off even if he let go.

The entire Pokémon egg began to be enveloped in a light red glow, and it began to shake more violently. Ash quickly and carefully placed it on Empoleon's back.

Click!

The sound of the eggshell cracking rang out, and a small, gray-blue hand pierced through the shell, revealing itself.

Then the entire Pokémon egg burst into a dazzling light, gradually forming the outline of a baby Pokémon.

"It has hatched successfully!"

Ash was overjoyed; his precious dragon could finally be released!

As the light faded, a small, gray-blue dragon appeared in front of Ash.

It was sitting on the ground, its eyes looking fierce yet cute, its head covered with a grayish-white hard shell.

Upon closer inspection, Ash noticed that the Pokémon in front of him was somewhat different from the one he remembered—

Originally, it had only short arms and hadn't grown claws yet, but this baby dragon already has tiny three-fingered claws.

Its back is also covered with two tufts of thin red feathers.

The most noticeable feature was the addition of hard, dark red and light yellow scales on its chest.
Ash subconsciously reached out and poked the scales on his chest, which were quite warm.

It seems that Groudon's scales have merged with Beastmaster's?

"Beat!!"

Although the baby dragon had just been born, it let out a low, raspy growl and grabbed Ash's fingers, nibbling on them. (End of Chapter)