How long has Volcarona been asleep?
Anyway, ever since nearly losing its life from overexerting itself in Groudon's Alternate Space and then falling into hibernation, there hasn't been any sign of activity.
Ever since it came into Natsuhiko's possession, it's almost turned into a dedicated incubator for Pokemon Eggs.
Natsuhiko asked Dragapult when Volcarona might awaken, but Dragapult didn't know either.
But today.
In the volcano of Severe Mountain, in front of Heatran, Volcarona's cocoon finally showed signs of change.
Although Natsuhiko wasn't sure whether this change was good or bad for Volcarona.
Heatran's gaze also fell on this slowly rising milky cocoon, and there was a hint of confusion in its eyes.
For a Pokemon like Heatran, although it's a Divine Beast, it's actually similar to Latios or Zapdos—it's not the only one of its kind.
Natsuhiko wasn't sure whether such Pokémon actually held a Divine Position, because truth be told, they were quite similar to those that couldn't fly.
This one, in front of him, was likely not a genuine Divine Beast.
Or rather.
Because it was forcefully awakened using non-standard methods, there's a significant loss of power.
Otherwise, neither Magmortar nor Snorlax could withstand its attacks.
"Ka-mo~~"
Snorlax exhaled heavily after enduring Heatran's attacks.
Luckily, this time it didn't get beaten as badly as last time.
Ka—
The crisp sound echoed inside the lava cave.
On Volcarona's cocoon, the red light became increasingly apparent, as if tiny flames were about to escape from within.
But when cracks appeared on the cocoon, these specks of firelight flowed down through the crevices.
They landed on the ground, transforming into clusters of small flames.
It's Volcarona's Scale Powder!
"Woo~~"
An ethereal sound emitted from the cocoon.
A scarlet wing slowly emerged.
Dragapult watched Volcarona with a complicated expression, taking out the revitalized "fossil" Pokemon Egg from Natsuhiko's backpack.
This Pokemon Egg might be struggling either due to congenital deficiencies or because it was troubled by natural disasters later on, so even when revived, it remained weak and lifeless.
Not to mention whether it could hatch.
First and foremost, whether it could remain active at all was a concern.
Ka—
The sound of the silk breaking became even clearer.
With crystalline threads slowly falling, Volcarona once again appeared in Natsuhiko's sight.
It gently shook its bent wings, stretched out its curled body.
With each movement, its Scale Powder scattered continuously, as if never-ending.
Volcarona slowly turned around.
Looking at Natsuhiko, it gazed at the incubator beside him, eyes softening.
Lightly flapping its wings, it approached Natsuhiko.
"Volcarona..."
"Choom~~"
Volcarona approached Natsuhiko, and its plush Scale Powder, upon touching him, did not ignite.
This was Volcarona's recognition.
Just like.
A Trainer recognized by Rapidash wouldn't get scorched either.
And with Volcarona's appearance, Heatran across didn't attack from start to finish; it merely watched Volcarona silently.
The trace of fury brought about by forced awakening and those special agents had long vanished from its eyes.
"Roar—"
Heatran called out to Volcarona.
"Choom~~"
Volcarona responded in kind.
Natsuhiko wondered why the two Pokemon didn't attack each other after meeting, why they appeared so amicable.
He didn't know what they communicated.
Could it be because they both should have been living in the volcano?
Or perhaps, they maintained some kind of Momentum unknown to Natsuhiko?
He glanced at Dragapult.
Its complex expression made Natsuhiko think it knew something.
But before Natsuhiko could ask.
He saw Heatran's eyes also turning complex.
Just like Dragapult.
"Roar!"
Nodding heavily.
Volcarona glowed with joy.
Gently vibrating its wings, threads flew out from its body, wrapping around the incubator by Natsuhiko's side, carefully extracting the Pokemon Egg from within.
The Egg's aura was incredibly weak, akin to a candle flickering in the wind, it could go out at any moment.
Handed over to Heatran.
After seeing the state of the Pokemon Egg, Heatran understood Volcarona's intent.
It lifted its two forelegs slowly, then stomped down hard.
Ka!
A massive crack fractured beneath its feet, and magma surged through the fissure.
Along with it came intensely concentrated Fire Energy.
The scorching aura nearly filled the grotto in an instant.
Volcarona carefully placed the Pokemon Egg at the crack's edge.
In this moment.
Even Natsuhiko could see what Volcarona and Heatran were trying to do.
Were they trying to completely revive this Pokemon Egg?
However...
How to rescue?
The next second.
He knew how to rescue.
"Buzz—"
"Roar—"
The Fire Energy from Volcarona, Heatran, and the Volcano itself poured into the Pokémon Egg.
For a moment.
The heat wave rolled.
Witnessing this scene.
Natsuhiko finally understood why Dragapult's expression and Heatran's expression were so complex.
Volcarona.
Was intending to exchange itself for the Pokémon Egg!
'It actually can no longer recover.' Dragapult's voice echoed in Natsuhiko's mind.
No longer recover?
In the past.
Volcarona was already failing.
The loss of Life Energy and the depletion of its own courage led it to lose the motivation to live.
Although, with Natsuhiko's help, it ultimately left its life behind, transforming into a cocoon.
But was what it lost really so easily replenished?
The thing sustaining Volcarona was this Pokémon Egg.
Today.
It sensed Heatran's strength and knew this was the only opportunity.
Otherwise, it could not preserve this Pokémon Egg by itself.
This was already its last obsession.
"Then Heatran..." Natsuhiko murmured.
'Not all Pokémon are without emotional fluctuations, right?
It sensed Volcarona's will, just like back in the Alternate Space, when I sensed Volcarona's will and wanted to save it.
Did you not also try your utmost to preserve it because you sensed its will and determination....
This is a world of flesh and blood.'
Dragapult spoke.
Putting Natsuhiko into silence.
Indeed.
This is a world of flesh and blood.
Just like Lance is willing to sacrifice himself to create opportunities for him, despite the grumbling, his heart was touched.
People to people are like this.
Pokémon to Pokémon are also like this.
Sometimes, do we really need so many reasons?
Who said there must be a reward to give?
This is relative.
'It's over.'
Natsuhiko's heart trembled as he looked towards Volcarona.
Though from the outside, Volcarona still looked the same, its aura had already become very weak.
But on its face, there was not the slightest sadness or regret.
There was only relief and satisfaction.
"Buzz..." Volcarona softly called.
"Barria!" Dragapult responded.
Suddenly opened its mouth, a scorching Dragon Type breath towards above, piercing the rock wall resulted in a passage under Dragapult's effort.
"Buzz~~"
Volcarona nodded while smiling towards Dragapult.
Shakily fluttering its wings gently, following the passage Dragapult made, flying out.
"Let's help it." Natsuhiko said, flipping onto Dragapult's back.
'No, this last stretch, it wants to walk by itself.'
But Dragapult understood Volcarona's intention more than Natsuhiko.
After all, it was almost equivalent to the Overlord's existence back in Groudon's Alternate Space.
This last stretch, why would it need support?
However, Dragapult still carried Natsuhiko, flying to the top of Severe Mountain.
Dazzling white light, amidst the thick volcanic ash burst forth.
Covering Severe Mountain nearby countless years of volcanic ash, suddenly dissipated.
Stars of scale powder sprinkled.
The Pokémon at the foot of Severe Mountain, at this moment, paused their actions, and those Pokémon originally frenzied due to the potion, gradually regained clarity amidst the falling scale powder.
They.
Worshiped the "Sun," appreciated the "Sun."
At this moment.
In Severe Mountain.
There was only one sun.
And that was Volcarona!
"Buzz~~"
The light gradually faded.
Carrying Natsuhiko's Dragapult at the volcano's mouth, softly spoke to him.
'It said... thank you for letting it see the outside world one last time, for letting it feel the volcano's temperature again, for letting it once more... become the sun in the hearts of Pokémon.'
Natsuhiko was not sad, he felt Volcarona's choice, it was joyful.
Just murmuring back a sentence.
"And thank you for letting me realize the different temperatures of this world..."
————
Thanks to the Alliance Leader who remembered that thoughts master, thanks to the previous sheep master's great reward~~ almost lying down, being pulled up for work.....
Although ate a bit, but also eleven updates now! Begging for monthly votes!