After Aoki spotted the Quilava, he mustered all his strength and used Telepathy to command his three Pokémon to engage in battle.
The wild Pokémon in the cave were swiftly cleared out.
The speed was indeed impressive, but Aoki felt slightly fatigued.
After all, he was only an intermediate-level psychic now and couldn't sustain Telepathy for extended periods.
However, it was worth the effort to track down the Quilava that had just flashed by.
Returning to the place where he had once battled members of Team Magma, Aoki couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia.
Back then, facing a Pokémon from Team Magma that had just reached the quasi-Champion level, Aoki and Steven had to exert tremendous effort to defeat it.
It was also thanks to that victory that Steven's Metagross was able to evolve.
Now, returning here, Aoki had already become a genuine quasi-Champion-level Trainer, and not just an average one—he had even begun dabbling in techniques reserved for true Champion-level battles.
The wild Pokémon in this area were now suitable opponents for his second-tier team.
Carefully examining the footprints on the ground, Aoki noted the chaotic trails left by numerous wild Pokémon.
However, one of Aoki's greatest skills in his past life had been tracking and counter-tracking, so identifying Pokémon footprints came naturally to him. Combined with the analytical capabilities of his system, he quickly isolated the fresh tracks left by the Quilava among the mess.
Since the prints were newly formed and hadn't yet been obscured by other Pokémon, they were relatively easy to follow.
The trail led deeper into the cave, aligning perfectly with Aoki's objective. Without hesitation, he pressed onward.
Aron, Larvitar, and Combusken formed his core battle squad.
However, contrary to Aoki's expectations, the cave—once teeming with Slugma—now housed only a handful of wild Pokémon, and even those were Magby rather than Slugma.
The difficulty had dropped significantly.
Aoki frowned. Had someone else already been through here? Yet, the number of Pokémon in the first half of the cave matched his intel, and their behavior showed no signs of disturbance.
Pushing aside his doubts, he ventured further inside.
The moment he stepped into the second half of the cavern, the temperature spiked dramatically. Scorching air blasted against his skin, his shoes damp with sweat, and beads of perspiration dotted his forehead.
Within moments, Aoki's throat felt parched.
Rather than pressing forward, he retreated to adjust his gear.
Fortunately, before heading to Mount Chimney, Aoki had prepared specialized equipment—similar to the heat-resistant suits used by Team Magma, but far more advanced.
The thermal insulation was superior, and the ventilation system kept him cool despite the oppressive heat.
Once properly outfitted, Aoki resumed his exploration with his three Pokémon in tow.
Here, Larvitar remained largely unaffected—its thick hide and reinforced armor, strengthened by a steady diet of minerals, made it highly resilient.
Meanwhile, Combusken seemed to have found its paradise. Aoki could've sworn the tiny flame atop its head burned brighter than usual.
From the moment it was summoned, Combusken radiated excitement. The cave's intense Fire-type energy amplified its natural recovery and stamina, making this the perfect battleground for it.
Aron, however, struggled. Its metallic body absorbed the heat, raising its core temperature. Though this didn't impair its combat ability, the sweltering environment dulled its reflexes slightly.
Still, Aoki had no intention of recalling it.
Yes, Aron was uncomfortable here, and withdrawing it wouldn't hinder Aoki much.
But overcoming adversity was part of growth.
If you flee from every challenge, what happens when you face an opponent that thrives in these conditions?
Hiss—
Aoki pulled out a water bottle and let Aron take a sip. The liquid sizzled upon contact with its steel-plated jaws, steam curling upward.
Yet Aron drank eagerly—hydration was crucial in this heat.
Suppressing the discomfort from the scalding metal, Aoki patted Aron's head with an encouraging smile.
"Aron, endurance is key! You can't let type disadvantages hold you back."
"Ar-Ar!" Aron shook its head vigorously, waving its stubby arms to insist it was fine.
"Tar!" Larvitar trotted over, mimicking Aoki by placing a claw on Aron's back in solidarity.
But unlike Aoki, Larvitar's palms were highly sensitive.
"TAR!" It yelped, recoiling as its scales reddened from the heat.
"Huff… Huff…" Larvitar blew on its claws, pouting.
Aoki burst out laughing at the sight.
"Ar-Ar!" Aron chuckled too, while Combusken rolled on the ground, clutching its belly in amusement.
Larvitar was not only the heaviest Pokémon on Aoki's team but also the most mischievous—yet it got along with everyone, earning it an elder-brother-like status among the group.
Scratching its head sheepishly, Larvitar muttered to itself.
Lost my cool… lost my cool…
The lighthearted moment passed as Aoki and his team pressed forward. The Magby in the cave made no aggressive moves, so long as they avoided the occasional globs of lava that dripped from their bodies.
Strangely, no other Pokémon seemed to inhabit this section—just Magby.
Upon reaching the cavern's end, Aoki emerged into a vast, molten lake, its surface bubbling violently.
The surrounding rocks glowed crimson, and with each bursting bubble, a wave of scorching air surged upward toward the volcanic crater above.
Did we just reach the heart of Mount Chimney? Aoki wondered.
But before he could ponder further, a shadow erupted from the magma—streaking toward him with alarming speed.
"Hah!" Combusken reacted instantly, leaping in front of Aoki and bracing for impact.