As it turned out, the Heart of Earthflame was already the most precious treasure Typhlosion possessed.
As for other common Items like the Fire Stone, Heat Rock, or Charcoal, after searching through them for a while, Sato didn't find a second thing worth taking.
"I only took one, you can keep the rest," he "explained" casually to the Typhlosion that looked so wronged it was about to cry.
In response, Typhlosion gave him a look that practically screamed, "Are you stupid, or do you think I am?" Causing Sato to frown slightly…
"…Voir?" Gardevoir stepped forward, her blood-red eyes quietly locking onto Typhlosion.
Immediately, Typhlosion flattened to the ground, covering its eyes with both paws.
"Typhlo…" 'I'm stupid…'
---◓---
With the Heart of Earthflame in hand -something that would massively boost Houndoom's power- Sato was in an excellent mood.
They didn't continue exploring the complex cave network, so they emerged quickly.
Gardevoir also mentioned that after the somewhat intense battle with Typhlosion, her blocking seemed to loosen a little more.
No need to say it, keep going!
With grand determination, Sato waved his hand and led Gardevoir and the others deeper into the forest!
The rocky hill clearly marked the edge of Typhlosion's territory. Once Sato crossed it, the previously summery climate rapidly turned frigid.
They had barely gone 200 meters before the surroundings had already transformed into a snowy ice field, leaving Sato a bit stunned.
'Was this another feature of the Apex Mimicry Zone…?'
Regardless, Sato immediately became extremely cautious. No doubt, an Ice-type Elite Four level Pokémon lived here too.
After walking several hundred more meters, the temperature had dropped below freezing. Sato had even put on a thick, insulated windbreaker.
Then, Sato recalled both Honchkrow and Gardevoir, sending out the more cold-resistant Zoroark and Sharpedo.
Zoroark had somehow found two sticks, lit them with Flamethrower, and cheerfully handed one to Sato.
"Uh… thanks!"
Sato took the burning stick, feeling a slight bit of warmth amidst the howling wind and snow. But then, Zoroark stood tall, held the "torch" up front, and positioned itself in front of Sato to block most of the biting wind.
"Sha~"
Sharpedo silently watched this from the side, feeling jealous and wondering if it was becoming redundant. It casually turned away, pretending not to care. And then… it spotted a light blue Ninetales!
"SHARRR!"
Sharpedo roared loudly, snapping Sato and Zoroark out of their emotionally charged master-servant moment…
They were here to fight- cough… to grow stronger, not to bond emotionally!
But when Sato and Zoroark turned to look, they saw only a vast field of snow.
"Sha!"
Sharpedo had already turned its head, tracking the Ninetales' path, locking onto it with razor-sharp focus.
Sato and Zoroark quickly followed Sharpedo's line of sight and soon spotted the Ninetales circling silently around them.
'Alolan Ninetales!'
The temperature was falling. The snowstorm was intensifying. Sato could now fully confirm that this Alolan Ninetales definitely had the Snow Warning Ability that controlled the weather!
"Zoroark, Night Daze. Sharpedo, Rock Tomb to block the snowstorm."
"Zoro!" "Sha!"
The two Pokémon moved immediately. Zoroark plunged both claws into the snowy ground, launching into the standard Night Daze opening stance.
Sharpedo formed massive boulders around itself and Sato, drastically reducing the constant damage from the storm.
In the next instant, Night Daze erupted violently, blasting through the thick ice layers that had accumulated over the years!
The ice melted away, revealing the green grass underneath.
But to the Alolan Ninetales, that vibrant green grass was an eyesore.
It had worked so hard, so diligently to decorate its entire territory in pure white, and now they just destroyed it like that!? 'DESTROYED IT JUST LIKE THAT!?'
"NIIIIIN!"
The Alolan Ninetales let out an angry cry. Its initial desire to merely toy with Sato and his team had now completely changed.
The next moment, Zoroark launched itself forward without hesitation, charging directly at the Alolan Ninetales, unfazed by its level.
Soon, Zoroark and Alolan Ninetales clashed head-on, both instinctively starting with close-quarters combat.
Night Slash vs. Iron Tail!
Aerial Ace vs. Aqua Tail!
Alolan Ninetales didn't know many melee moves, but when multiplied by its nine tails, their power became overwhelming!
Zoroark, however, was no slouch; its close-combat techniques were smooth and relentless, far more agile compared to Ninetales' brute-force strikes.
If all nine tails still couldn't land a hit on Zoroark, then this close-quarters battle was nothing but a joke.
Swish~ Swish~
When Night Slash left another gash on Ninetales, its ice-blue eyes filled with shock it could no longer conceal.
It had reached the Elite Four level, yet it was being overpowered in melee by a mere Ace level¹[1] Zoroark.
Though proud, Alolan Ninetales had to admit the truth. And without any warning, it abruptly changed tactics.
"Taaales…!"
Blizzard!
Unlike the earlier snow summoned by Snow Warning, this was a fully-powered Blizzard. It instantly blasted Zoroark away!
As the Blizzard swept over him, Zoroark felt like even his soul was freezing. At that moment, the gap between Elite Four and Ace was made painfully clear.
Before the Alolan Ninetales… it was Zoroark's turn to be the little caterpie… YEAH RIGHT!
Zoroark might not be able to beat Ninetales alone, but it had a Trainer.
And its Trainer… had cheats!
'[Dark Energy: Energy Amplification]'
A surge of thick black energy burst wildly from Sato's body, flooding into the Key Stone on his chest. Using the Key Stone as a medium, the dark energy roared again, then poured straight into Zoroark.
High Ace…
Peak Ace…
Crack!
Low Elite Four…
Mid Elite Four!
Just before reaching High Elite Four level, the boost from Dark Energy finally ended.
Even so, the Alolan Ninetales' eyes went wide… comically wide (⊙o⊙)!
"ZOOOOO~ROOOOO!"
The next moment, the now jet-black Zoroark let out a sky-shaking roar, then drove both claws into the ground again.
E4 Night Daze…
Activate!
A semi-spherical black energy wave spread rapidly outward from Zoroark. Everything in its path -snow or grass- was obliterated.
The Blizzard was forcibly pushed back. Alolan Ninetales, still stunned, failed to react in time and was swept up in the Night Daze!
Sato was pulled back by Sharpedo to avoid being caught in Zoroark's eruption.
Watching Zoroark's explosive power… Sato could only laugh through his exasperation.
•
•
¹.I'm tired of using 'level' all the time, but I've checked how 'Ace xx Pokémon' translates in over 4 languages and if I don't include 'level', the whole segment falls apart… sigh…
[1] I’m tired of using 'level' all the time, but I’ve checked how 'Ace xx Pokémon' translates in over seven languages and if I don’t include 'level', the whole segment falls apart… sigh…