Just as Natsuhiko had suspected.
Volcarona!
An Insect-type and Fire Type Pokémon.
Legend has it that Volcarona was born from a blazing cocoon, and when the ground is darkened by volcanic ash, its flames replace the sun, thus being considered the incarnation of the sun.
In battle, Volcarona scatters fiery scale powder while soaring around, turning the surroundings into a sea of fire, causing ancient people to fearfully call it the sun's wrath.
The scale powder that Natsuhiko saw in the tunnel earlier came from the one in front of him.
For unknown reasons, the Volcarona had fallen into slumber, but after Natsuhiko took the Original Groudon Shell Fragments from below, it awakened.
Now, the Volcarona was still in a hazy state of just having awakened.
Yet, even the terrifying heat wave it unconsciously released left Yujira struggling to fend off, unable to use Instant Movement.
"Baluya—"
Sensing Volcarona's presence, even the previously invisible and detached Dragapult revealed itself, gazing solemnly at the awakening Volcarona.
Though there are many legends about Volcarona, in truth, they are not legendary Pokémon. Strictly speaking, there is not much difference between them and ordinary Pokémon.
The only difference.
Perhaps lies in their very long and extensive evolution process, even surpassing many Quasi-God Pokémon.
This results in Volcaronas being extremely rare.
Once they appear, they are inevitably strong.
Clearly, this Volcarona, which had stayed here for countless ages, was an outstanding individual even among its kind, exerting some pressure even on Dragapult.
With its azure eyes gradually clearing up, they swept over to where Natsuhiko was.
Dragapult's appearance undoubtedly made this Volcarona feel a significant amount of pressure and threat.
"Time to go."
Seeing Volcarona's awakening, there was no reason left to stay.
Threw out a Pokeball.
Summoned Turtonator.
While Turtonator could not hope to match this Volcarona, creating an opportunity for Yujira to counter the sweeping heat wave was not a big challenge.
Turtonator turned its back to Volcarona, and as Yujira let out a sigh of relief, it immediately enveloped them with its psychic power.
In the next moment, they, along with Natsuhiko and the Pokémon, found themselves in a place far from Volcarona's cavern.
After they left, Volcarona finally awoke from its hazy state!
...
...
Outside Flame Valley.
An unnamed craggy hill.
At a relatively far distance from Volcarona.
Uncertain about where Volcarona would go after waking up, Natsuhiko chose not to return to the previous underground space, but instead ventured to a farther place.
Summoned several Pokémon.
BOOM!!
With a ground-shaking roar, like a rising sun, a small sun slowly rose from a corner of the distant Flame Valley.
In the previously darkened Alternate Space, a second sun seemed to appear.
An orange halo illuminated the area as if it were daylight.
Many Wild Pokémon, either preparing to sleep or readying to hunt with nightfall, paused and looked at this small sun.
The light was abundant and warm, a scene many Pokémon had never witnessed in their lives.
Among them.
Was the Chimchar standing beside Natsuhiko.
Volcarona's appearance filled a gap in the hearts of many Pokémon who had never seen the sun in the Alternate Space.
"Chikoriii!" Togetic called out to Chimchar.
'Look! The sun!'
The sun...
Pokémon living in this Alternate Space had truly never seen the so-called sun.
It was a scene it had never imagined.
It gazed up into the sky, its round eyes reflecting the sun that Volcarona had become, with twinkling spots of light dazzling within its eyes, harmonizing with the "sun" in its gaze.
"Chikoriii—"
'A bit small though...'
Togetic's quiet whisper reached Chimchar's ears, and the inner feelings that Chimchar had managed to suppress were no longer contained.
To hear such a scene described as regrettable from Togetic's mouth?
Regrettable?
Chimchar wanted to explore; it wanted to see the outside world, see the true sun, taste one scoop of ice-cold, soft ice cream, and ride in a metal-wrapped, four-wheeled car.
It wanted…
To see!
It wanted even more…
To become as strong as this Volcarona.
To radiate a dazzling light and garner attention, to have the freedom to travel as it pleased…
"Grookey!"
Chimchar clung tightly onto Natsuhiko's pant leg, its small eyes filled with desire.
'Take me to see! I want to get stronger!'
Natsuhiko, who was watching Volcarona intensely, looked at Chimchar's eager expression, and the impatient look on its face, smiled.
"Alright!"
There was no hesitation, nor any superfluous explanation, just a simple agreement that contained unspoken meaning.
Took out a Pokeball and placed it in front of Chimchar.
Having witnessed Natsuhiko summon and retract Pokémon, Chimchar did not hesitate this time and pressed its hand on the Pokeball's center dot.
Afraid that hesitation might lead to a missed opportunity.
As the Pokeball opened, the red light enveloped Chimchar, taking it in.