Before long, a majestic Arcanine appeared before Feng Che.
"An Arcanine. So that commanding roar just now came from you," Feng Che said, looking at the formidable Pokémon with a smile.
The Arcanine was stunning. Its face and head were covered in shaggy, flax-colored fur that billowed in the heat-shimmer of the volcano. Its black-and-orange tiger stripes and the tufts of fur around its paws gave it an air of ancient dignity. Known as the "Legendary" Pokémon in some texts, its internal fire allowed it to run across flames as if it were flying.
[Arcanine: A human? What is a human doing this deep in the volcano?][Arcanine: Is he lost? Poor thing.]
Like Growlithe, Arcanine possessed a strong sense of justice. They were known to guide lost travelers on mountains.
[Arcanine: A fire-type treasure is appearing. I told Blaine to seal the mountain. Why did he let a human in? If a fight breaks out among the fire-types, this human might get caught in the crossfire.]
So the lockdown is because a treasure is surfacing, Feng Che thought. Blaine definitely knew about this.
[Arcanine: Should I escort him out? But if I leave now, I might lose my chance at the treasure...] Arcanine hesitated for a moment, then bolted toward the deeper tunnels. [Arcanine: Forget it. You can't save someone determined to die. I've got things to do!]
"Corvisquire, follow that Arcanine. Let's see where he's heading," Feng Che commanded.
When Feng Che arrived at the hidden valley indicated by Corvisquire, he found several high-level Fire-types already gathered around a bubbling lava pool.
There was a Flareon, a Houndoom, and a Ninetales. They were all staring at a one-meter-tall Fire Lotus blooming in the center of the magma. The petals swayed in the heat, and droplets of liquid fire rolled off the leaves like pearls.
A Fire Lotus! Feng Che's heart raced. The perfect ingredient for a Fire-potential advancement elixir. My luck is truly turning.
He scanned the competitors.
Flareon: Level 43 (Yellow) Ninetales: Level 46 (Green) Arcanine: Level 45 (Yellow) Houndoom: Level 49 (Yellow)
The Ninetales stood out with its high potential and elegant, shimmering cream-colored fur. Its nine tails swayed, each supposedly harboring a different mystical power. Its red eyes flashed with blue light—a sign of awakened psychic abilities.
The Houndoom was the highest level, looking calm as it waited for the lotus seeds to ripen. Its curved horns and bone-like ridges gave it a sinister, cool aesthetic. Its flames were mixed with toxins; a burn from a Houndoom was said to hurt forever.
The Ninetales and Houndoom are the real threats here, Feng Che noted. I can't take them head-on, but I don't need the seeds. I just need the flower's stamen.
"Litten, lead the way. Sense the strongest energy source," Feng Che whispered.
Litten yawned and pointed its paw directly at the blooming lotus.
[Litten: Trainer doesn't realize it, but the lotus only grows where the fire energy is densest. If there's a Fire Crystal in this volcano, it's right under that flower.]
Perfect. I'll wait for the fight to end, then send Litten into the lava to check the roots.
As the lotus fully bloomed, a sweet, elegant fragrance wafted through the cavern. The petals revealed ruby-like seeds. Litten's mouth began to water.
[Litten: It smells so good... I want to take a bite. I... I can't stop my legs...]
"Wait, something's wrong," Feng Che muttered. He noticed the other Pokémon. Arcanine was walking toward the lava with its tongue hanging out, looking dazed. Flareon was swaying like a marionette. Houndoom's eyes were blank and mechanical. Only the Ninetales was struggling, its psychic power fighting back the influence.
"Pheromone Scent!" Feng Che realized. This was the signature move of a Salazzle. It could control any Pokémon regardless of gender.
This lotus is a trap.
Feng Che quickly pulled a vial of Wind-Heron Elixir from his ring and held it under Litten's nose. The cooling scent snapped the kitten out of its trance.
[Ninetales: Human... can you help us?] A telepathic voice rang in Feng Che's head. [Ninetales: I am the Ninetales. Help us break this trance.]
"What's in it for me?" Feng Che asked. "That's Salazzle pheromones. You guys must have really ticked her off for her to set a trap like this."
[Ninetales: A powerful Salazzle moved in recently. The four of us teamed up and drove her out. She's getting her revenge. If we walk into that magma, we'll be cooked alive and she'll eat us. Save us.]
"My price is five treasures from your collections," Feng Che bartered shamelessly.
[Ninetales: Five?! I've lived for a thousand years and I don't even have five treasures! I'd rather be a Salazzle snack than your slave. Three. Take it or leave it.]
"Three it is," Feng Che agreed. He shattered the elixir vial and had Corvisquire use Whirlwind to disperse the medicine.
The scent of the Wind-Heron Elixir neutralized the pheromones. Arcanine yelped as it felt the heat on its paw, quickly jumping back from the lava. Flareon and Houndoom shook their heads, their eyes clearing.
[Houndoom: A trap... I knew it bloomed too early.]
The lotus seeds were "force-ripened" by the Salazzle's toxins; they were useless as nutrients now.
Suddenly, the lava began to churn with bubbles. Dozens of Salandit began to crawl out of the magma, led by a hissing, vengeful Salazzle.
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