Elf: Re-employment of retired champion of Padiya

Chapter 819 Wind Dog VS Heatran
Luo Mu ultimately managed to evade the question of where Arcanine came from.

However, according to Guana, Arcanine's Pokémon egg disappeared suddenly one day without any warning, rather than being lost due to some natural disaster or human error.

This led Luo Mu to a somewhat absurd idea.

—Could it be that I stole Arcanine's Pokémon egg?

Ultimately, this question cannot be answered definitively.

Led by Guana and Zhubei, Luo Mu arrived at the temporary settlement that the Pearl Team had built for the Island King.

They also saw the island king being cared for by the Pearl Team.

At first glance, the island king's size is even larger than its own Arcanine.

Arcanine is already considered a leader in size among its kind, but this Island King is probably even taller than Groudon in Professor Oak's Pokédex.

That's outrageous!

The only problem is that their combat effectiveness is a bit lacking.

Despite having the power of the stone tablet, it still couldn't defeat the Pokémon that was most likely Heatran, and even had its stone tablet stolen.

Looking at the Island King, its fur somewhat dull, lying on the mat prepared for it by the Pearl Team, its eyes half-closed, Luo Mu asked the Growlithe beside him:

"Aren't you going to acknowledge your father?"

Arcanine looked at Luo Mu with a strange expression, its intelligence surpassing that of a Siberian Husky and taking the lead.

Why should I acknowledge anyone as my father? Aren't you my father?

And there's Moltres, who's watching its owner "nonchalantly," its unrelated mother, Arcanine.

Strictly speaking, apart from a slight bloodline connection, it doesn't actually have much to do with the island king.

Although this might seem a bit cold-blooded, Arcanine felt that his relationship with the Island King was not like that of Dragonite and the Dragonite leader, and could not be generalized.

Arcanine stared intently at the Island King, whose aura had weakened, as if he were a hero past his prime, and then gazed at the volcano crater above which was billowing smoke.

But one thing is another.

Even if he doesn't intend to acknowledge this father, he still has an obligation to avenge him.

Seeing the changes in Arcanine's expression, Luo Mu patted its straight back and said helplessly, "Then let's wait outside. Moltres and I will heal its aftereffects and then head straight to the crater."

"Ouch!"

Arcanine nodded, wagged its big tail, and turned to leave.

at the same time.

As if sensing something, the island king, who was fast asleep with its eyes closed, slowly raised its fluffy head and glanced in the direction where Growlithe was no longer visible.

"Okay, that concludes the treatment."

After having the firebird retract the sacred fire that had been burning on the island king for half a day, Luo Mu dusted off non-existent dust from his body and spoke to Zhubei and Guana, who were waiting beside him.

The two people who had been waiting anxiously behind immediately stepped forward.

Guana slowly approached the motionless island king, meeting its slowly opening eyes, which no longer conveyed the weakness it had before.

At that moment, Guana knew that the island king was not only no longer in danger, but had also recovered to a better state than she had imagined.

"Hooo~"

The island dynasty Guana called out, as if to tell her that she no longer needed to worry about it.

At that moment, Guana threw herself onto it, tears of emotion streaming down her face.

Luo Mu did not disturb the tender moment between the two, but instead raised his eyebrows at Chao Zhubei.

"I told you I was right, it can be cured."

".really."

Zhu Bei was silent for a few seconds, then nodded gently, her gaze towards Luo Mu slightly complicated.

Yet another thing, Luo Mu presented to him—something entirely new that far exceeded his common sense.

The magical, colorful flames did not cause burning; instead, they brought healing—it was simply unheard of.

At their first meeting, the significance of Luo Mu's statement that he was the messenger of the Great Lord of the Divine Realm seemed to be increasing.

"Let's get ready to go up the mountain. We still need to finish the pacification work before dark."

Just as Zhubei was about to nod, Guana, who was being affectionate with the island king, suddenly spoke up.

"Please wait a moment."

Luo Mu and Zhu Bei turned to look at her.

Guana had stood up again at some point, her gentle and intellectual face filled with strength.

"Can we let it also stand by and watch this battle?"

Guana gently stroked the island king's rough fur, her gaze meeting Luo Mu's, a hint of pleading in her voice.

“We will watch from afar, and it also wants to know how far its lost offspring has grown.”

During the brief pause between Luo Mu and Zhu Bei, Gua Na, who had been tender with the Island King, composed herself and shared the news that Arcanine had returned with the Island King.

Guana understands why Arcanine doesn't acknowledge the Island King, and she also understands Arcanine's choice.

So, based on the tacit understanding she had developed with the island king over a long period of time, she exchanged opinions with it and made a decision.

Even if they don't acknowledge each other.

But at least, she and the Island King wanted to see for themselves how much Arcanine had grown.

Luo Mu had no reason to refuse the plea of ​​the man and the dog.

Time flies.

After traversing the mountain path inhabited by many Fire-type Pokémon, we climbed all the way to the highest point of Fubuki Island.

Both sides were mostly burned, and flags resembling the image of an island king came into view.

Zhu Bei wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead and stared ahead with a serious expression.

"This is the royal field that Miss Guana is in charge of."

"We call it the Lava Battlefield."

Luo Mu nodded slightly, his gaze passing over the two flags that must have been damaged in the previous accident, and taking in the area.

Even though he was mentally prepared, the scene before him still made him feel a little uneasy.

Compared to the lava battlefield in the game, the real-life lava battlefield is much more visually impactful.

Beside the crater, which is very close by, a scar across the earth, as if it had been forcibly torn apart, stretches across the view.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of sulfur, almost suffocating. The scorching heat distorted the view, and even breathing carried a smell of rust and fire.

The "ground" in front of us is not solid soil, but large swathes of volcanic rock that has cooled and turned dark red, with a surface covered with honeycomb-like holes.

These rocks are rugged and sharp-edged, requiring extra caution to walk on them. Between these cooled rock layers, dazzling golden-red fissures crisscross like the earth's veins, with slowly flowing magma radiating a chilling heat that makes the air above scorch and tremble.

In the center of the lava battlefield, the terrain is relatively open.

But the area was covered with charred craters and traces of solidified lava flows, which were likely remnants of a previous fierce battle.

Further away, closer to the inner wall of the crater, one can even see some magma pools still bubbling, the scorching bubbles bursting and sending up tiny sparks.

"No wonder this environment is inhabited by all Fire-type Pokémon," Luo Mu commented in a low voice.

The air here seems to be filled with a lot of fire-type energy, making it an excellent boost for fire-type Pokémon in battle.

But this isn't so great for Pokémon of other types.

If a Water-type Pokémon comes here, the type advantage effect probably won't be very effective.

Luo Mu glanced at the Growlithe beside him.

At this moment, Arcanine stood tall and proud, its gray-black fur blending perfectly with the scorching environment.

It took a deep breath of the scorching air, and instead of feeling any discomfort, it appeared energetic and full of fighting spirit.

Just as Moltres said, whether it's Moltres itself or Arcanine, which it personally trained and which evolved in the magma, it's a perfect example.

Arriving at Blowing Fire Island feels like coming home.

Just as Luo Mu was surveying the environment of the lava battlefield.

Guana and the Island King, who were following slightly behind, stayed on a relatively stable high ground at the edge of the battlefield, gazing into the distance.

The Island King's gaze was complex, reflecting both the gravity of the battlefield where he had suffered defeat and a hint of anticipation for his "offspring," Arcanine.

But more than anything, there is worry.

Even if it wasn't fully conscious at the time, it was still an enemy it had personally faced.

The feeling that fire-attribute moves had almost no effect on the opponent remained in his body.

Furthermore, since the opponent has taken away my power and has rested for so long, I wonder how difficult they will be to deal with.

Luo Mu was unaware of the island king's worries.

Instead, she instructed Zhubei, who was clearly unable to withstand the temperature of the lava battlefield, "Why don't you go to the back and watch the battle?"

"Okay, then it's up to you."

Zhu Bei nodded gently. Not yet eighteen, she didn't know the tricks of a working professional and decisively left the environment that made her uncomfortable.

"Okay, it's almost time."

With the help of Victini, Luo Mu, who was still able to withstand this extreme environment, murmured and turned his gaze to the largest lava pool in the distance.

"It seems they've also noticed our arrival."

The moment Luo Mu finished speaking, it was as if to confirm his judgment—

Boom! ! !

In the distance, the largest lava pool was like a giant boiling cauldron, suddenly boiling and exploding!

Giant waves of scorching lava shot into the sky and then poured down like blood rain, making the already crimson ground even more dazzling.

A figure burst through the surging lava, descending upon the center of the lava battlefield with an overwhelming pressure.

Just as Luo Mu had predicted, it was Heatran, the legendary Pokémon known as Fire Steel, from the volcano!

But unlike the usual reddish-brown body of the Sealord.

The creature before me was completely filled with golden light and burning with orange-red flames.

It bears some resemblance to the Sundora that Luo Mu remembers running rampant on Mount Tianguan in the special episode of the Journey animation.

"Roar--!!!"

Upon reaching the ground, Sidson let out a deafening roar.

The sound waves, accompanied by hot air, swept across the entire lava battlefield, even causing Guana and the Island King, who were watching from afar, to feel a jolt of fear.

Heatran's eyes, which seemed to burn with golden flames, were fixed on Luo Mu and the Growlithe beside him.

The power of the fireball stone slab made its aura incredibly terrifying, and the air crackled and popped under the high temperature.

As it took a step forward, its heavy foot landed on the ground with a sudden, sizzling sound.

Its golden, flame-like foot, like a red-hot branding iron, left a clear footprint on the hard volcanic rock, with wisps of white smoke rising from the edges and faint traces of flowing lava inside!
This temperature is considered excessive, even for most heat-resistant Fire-type Pokémon.

The power boost from combining the Fireball Stone with a legendary Pokémon is truly not to be underestimated.

Heatran approached him and Arcanine with heavy, oppressive steps, each step leaving a trail of lava footprints behind him.

Luo Mu narrowed his eyes, just about to send Arcanine to fight.

But then, Shami, who was curled up in his arms, suddenly spoke up.

"That...that big guy seems to be in some kind of pain."

"what?"

Luo Mu was slightly taken aback and subconsciously looked at Xie Mi in his arms.

Shaymin also revealed its small eyes, its gaze falling on the approaching Sidora, its telepathic tone quite certain.

"Mimi could sense that it was crying for help."

"Mimi doesn't know why either, but Mimi just knows."

"SOS!"

Luo Mu looked at Sidoraen thoughtfully, but he couldn't let Sidoraen get any closer.

Whether what Shamy said is true or not, we'll find out in battle.

Whether Sidran retains some consciousness or is deliberately trying to seize the island king's power, there will be time to find out after the pacification is completed.

At this moment, Heatran was no longer satisfied with just getting close to Luo Mu and Arcanine. He suddenly opened his jaw, and a dazzling orange-red light burst out from deep in his throat!
A devastating heatwave instantly condensed, as if the surrounding air had been sucked dry, emitting an unbearable buzzing sound!

"Roar--!"

With a deafening roar, a terrifying pillar of fire, several times thicker than a normal "jet flame" and almost incandescent in color, shot out like a volcanic eruption!
Wherever the pillar of fire passed, the air was distorted by the extreme heat, and even the rocks on the ground below melted instantly, carving out a fiery lava trench that rushed straight toward Arcanine and Shepherd with overwhelming force.

The power of this attack made Zhu Bei, who was watching the battle with Guana, twitch her eyelids.

"Flash Charge!" Luo Mu gave the command without changing his expression.

"Ouch——!"

With a long howl, Arcanine burst into blue and white flames, and like a comet going against the current, it fearlessly crashed into the pillar of fire!
boom--!
Two raging flames collided violently, their golden-red and blazing-white colors intertwining and exploding, creating a surging shockwave.

With the Fireball Stone Tablet empowering him, Heatran's "Flame Jet" is indeed incredibly powerful.

The incandescent pillar of fire, bearing down the blue-white comet, forcefully pushed it back several meters, and the flying sparks landed on the Growlithe, making a sizzling sound.

With its four paws gripping the ground tightly, Windhound surprisingly gained the upper hand in the first encounter!
(End of this chapter)