Chapter 33: The Former Elite Four
Chapter 33: The Former Elite Four
“Gastly?”
Although confused, Gastly obediently returned to Jing He’s side at his tone.
Seeing this, Sidney let out a small sigh of relief.
“Stay away from the rocks in the lava, especially the red ones,” Jing He warned. “Especially those with stripes.”
After a moment’s thought, he added, “If you accidentally get too close, don’t fly around there.”
“Gastly?”
Eh?
Gastly blinked a couple of times.
Red rocks with stripes?
Sounds dangerous!
In reality, the rock wasn’t particularly special, but upon closer inspection, one could see that much of the lava was seeping out from the cracks in the rock. Clearly, it played a role in containing the lava flow. If Gastly had accidentally dislodged it, the consequences could have been dire.
Judging from Sidney’s tense expression, the rock was likely placed there by him, though the reason remained a mystery.
Perhaps to reduce the lava flow and protect the Pokemon in the mountains and below?
Or maybe there was something in the lava that needed to be kept quiet?
“Roar—”
Sidney climbed out of the tunnel and hung upside down from the cave ceiling, waving his claws at Jing He and Daimu, signaling them to leave quickly and not cause any more trouble.
Jing He didn’t want to linger any longer. While he didn’t understand why Sidney wasn’t hostile, who could guarantee how long his "goodwill" would last? Jing He returned Camerupt to its Poke Ball. Clearly, this Camerupt wouldn’t be easy to tame. It would take a considerable amount of time and resources to heal it, so he decided to carry it temporarily for convenience.
Under Sidney’s watchful gaze, Jing He and Daimu, along with their Pokemon, slowly retreated.
However, before leaving the cave, Jing He hesitated for a moment and then took out three bottles of MooMoo Milk and some energy bars.
He thanked Sidney, who seemed surprised.
“Roar?”
Once the two left, Sidney slowly approached the items Jing He had left behind, sniffing them lightly. His eyes brightened.
He looked in the direction they had gone.
This person isn’t bad.
He picked up the items, crawled back into the cave, and gently patted the red-hot rock, exhaling softly.
It’s not just a rock. That kid has a pretty sharp sense.
“Huff—”
Exiting the Chimney Mountain fissure, Jing He and Daimu let out a long sigh of relief. The stifling heat dissipated, and their drenched clothes clung to their bodies. A cool breeze blew, bringing a slight chill.
“Gastly, Gastly—”
Gastly was also gasping for air, the heat inside Chimney Mountain having been a torture for it.
“Hmm, looks like the problem is solved.”
A steady voice came from the side.
Only then did Daimu and Jing He notice that Aisa was standing with an elderly man with gray hair, a robust build, and round glasses.
Noticing their gazes, Aisa winked at them.
“Mura of the Elite Four?” Daimu asked tentatively, recognizing the old man.
The old man’s face was stern as he replied, “I’m no longer part of the Elite Four. I’m now the Gym Leader of the Camphrier Gym.”
Jing He and Daimu exchanged a subtle glance.
“Gym Leader Mura.”
“Hmm,” Mura nodded in satisfaction, a small smile creeping onto his lips.
“Grandpa, you can’t control that smile, can you?” Aisa chimed in.
“Grandpa has told you countless times! Don’t run up Chimney Mountain so recklessly! It’s dangerous, especially on these small paths!”
Mura’s reprimand was immediate.
However, Aisa seemed used to it, standing there unperturbed, even digging her ear.
“Gastly?”
Gastly floated near Jing He’s head.
The Elite Four?
Doesn’t seem that impressive.
Jing He shot it a glance and turned back to see that Mura and Aisa had stopped their grandfather-granddaughter banter, thanks to Aisa’s muttering, “Dad used to bring me here all the time.”
Mura’s expression was complex, and his gaze fell on Jing He.
“You must be Teacher Jing He. Thank you for taking care of Aisa!”
With that, the former Elite Four and current Camphrier Gym Leader Mura bowed deeply at a perfect ninety degrees to Jing He.
Jing He hurriedly stepped forward to support Mula, saying, "Director Mula, you're too kind. I'm just a teacher, doing what any teacher should do."
Mula sighed, "Teacher Jing He, you don't know. Yasha, since she was young—"
He then began to recount some of Yasha's childhood "adventures," like how she accidentally burned her hair with a Magby or got her bottom scorched when she sat on a Charmander's back.
"Grandpa!"
Yasha couldn't bear to listen anymore. Her face flushed, and she ran down the mountain.
"Yasha, slow down! Grandpa is talking!"
Though Mula seemed stern, he genuinely cared for Yasha and quickly chased after her.
"Kya!"
They are so much alike.
More than just alike, Jing He and Daidou also headed down the mountain.
The Scorching Spring Gym.
Mula, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, Jing He, Daidou, Duyan, and Yasha were all gathered in a meeting room at the Gym.
After a brief recounting of events:
"You encountered a Heatran?" Mula sounded surprised but also seemed to expect it.
"What's a Heatran?" Yasha interjected.
"So, Director Mula, you know this Heatran?" Jing He asked, raising an eyebrow.
In fact, he had his suspicions. Heatran hadn't shown any hostility towards him and Daidou, and even seemed to have a hint of friendliness, suggesting that someone had likely made contact with it before. Someone who might have a good relationship with Heatran.
Given this, the only person in the entire Scorching Spring Town with the necessary qualifications seemed to be Mula, the former Elite Four.
"So, what is a Heatran?" Yasha asked again, her voice a few decibels higher, feeling ignored.
"I've met it a few times; it's the guardian of Chimney Mountain," Mula said, taking a sip of tea and seeming reluctant to elaborate.
"That explains it."
Jing He nodded and sipped his tea, not intending to press the matter further.
"Hey, can someone explain what a Heatran is?"
Yasha, frustrated, tugged at her hair, looking at the two calmly drinking tea.
Daidou couldn't help but smile and explained, "I heard from Teacher Jing He. It's a legendary Pokemon, the Iron Fire Heatran, a volcanic Pokemon."
Iron Fire?
Yasha's eyes lit up.
Meanwhile, Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny had completed their preliminary examination and treatment of the weakened Camerupt.
"Excuse me, I need to take this child back to the Pokemon Center."
Nurse Joy, dressed in her nurse's uniform, looked gentle and frail but had a warm, friendly smile. A Happiny followed closely by her side.
"We'll also investigate the cause of Camerupt's rampage further. Thank you for your help. A thank-you letter will be sent to your academy in a few days."
Officer Jenny, on the other hand, was much more serious.
As Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny were about to leave, Jing He hesitated for a moment and said, "Officer Jenny, I have a feeling that perhaps the Camerupt's rampage could be linked to the large Geodude found outside Violet City."
"Hmm?" Officer Jenny looked at Jing He with surprise, "Teacher Jing He, do you know something else?"
Jing He shook his head.
"No, just a personal theory. I hope it doesn't affect your judgment."
Officer Jenny gave him a long look and nodded, "Alright, we'll try to exchange information with the Violet City Police Department."
Night.
In a double room on the third floor of the Scorching Spring Pokemon Center.
"Here." Jing He tossed a purple sphere to Gastly.
It was a Toxic Orb.
"Kya!"
Gastly's eyes lit up the moment it saw the orb.
It caught it with its mouth and began licking it eagerly.
It could sense that this Toxic Orb would significantly enhance its Poison-type abilities!
However, as it continued to lick, Gastly suddenly froze.
"Kya?!"
Wait, how did he get it out?
Hearing Gastly's question, Jing He remained unperturbed, "Oh, the orb? Nurse Joy used a machine to extract it."
Gastly stared at him intensely but couldn't detect any hint of dishonesty on Jing He's face or in his eyes.
Really?
But then, Jing He took off the white isolation gloves he was wearing and tossed them into the trash bin.
Gastly was stunned.
The next second.
"Kya!!"
I don't want this tongue anymore!
(End of Chapter)
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