Chapter IX: Extraterrestrial Meteorite

After all, in the world of Pokémon, possibilities are endless.

Indeed, the closer they got to the central area, the higher the temperature became.

Possessing fire resistance, Shiny Cubone was already struggling to hold on, and smoke began to billow from its entire body.

Visible flames began to burn on its body, looking rather ominous.

Cubone, Cubone.

"Are you really okay?"

Ito Hei asked Liu Xin with some concern, and he could only sigh. "It says itself that it doesn't want to go into a Poké Ball, what can I do?"

"Let it endure here for a bit; who knows, maybe something will come of it."

Golduck.

Golduck's cry made everyone look over, finally seeing the real source of the heat.

They had expected magma or some miraculous object, but they didn't expect it to turn out to be a small stone.

A stone even smaller than Liu Xin's fist.

Just this?

Just this?

Could a stone like this emit this kind of terrifying heatwave?

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, who would believe it?

The team leader said in a low voice, "This is no ordinary stone, but an Extraterrestrial Meteorite."

Extraterrestrial Meteorite?

"Actually, quite a few novel phenomena have appeared all over the world recently. Mutations, new births, fusions—all kinds of bizarre phenomena have popped up."

"They all seem to be related to this kind of meteorite before our eyes, though the meteorites themselves also have attributes. For instance, the one right here should be a Fire-Type Meteorite."

The cause had been investigated.

The so-called special zone existed precisely because of this Fire-Type Meteorite.

The team leader smiled and said, "You don't need to feel discouraged either. Training Fire-Type Pokémon here comes with huge benefits."

"Don't fail to appreciate your good fortune."

"Cultivate properly."

In this place, because of the meteorite's presence, some of the ordinary stones around it had also absorbed a good deal of fire energy, turning into Fire Stones, and Fire Stones were not hard to acquire in this place.

Liu Xin casually collected a few pieces. In no time at all, Mutant Phanpy would be able to use these.

Meanwhile, Mutant Phanpy was absorbing the alien fire energy in this place, running around chasing after bursting flames and making quite a fuss.

This was completely different from its previous lifeless state, and its experience points actually started to slowly increase.

There was hope.

Next came the need to conduct battle training here to better boost experience.

"Hei, let's duel."

"Only through battles between Pokémon can one grow stronger. Let's keep it clean."

Ito Hei nodded and said, "Alright, I also have a feeling that my Ponyta is ready to evolve."

It wasn't just Liu Xin and Ito Hei sparring; quite a few others began to spar as well.

They trained with each other, and the effects were extremely noticeable.

As for one anomaly among them, that was Shiny Cubone.

It sat around the Extraterrestrial Meteorite, motionless, using its body to absorb these flames.

It held its breath and concentrated, and its whole body, which had been smoking earlier, gradually began to adapt, taking its fire resistance to the next level.

Perhaps Shiny Cubone wouldn't undergo too many changes in the end, but it would definitely be able to resist all fires.

Yuta said with great annoyance, "No wonder it could resist Houndoom's Inferno; turns out its fire resistance is that good."

"This was my miscalculation, but unfortunately I only have one Houndoom, so this place has no real meaning for me."

The team leader called out, "Trainers, please pay close attention and do not go near the Extraterrestrial Meteorite under any circumstances."

"Trainers who want to go back can set off with me. The temperature will be lower tonight, though staying here isn't completely out of the question."

"I wish you all a pleasant training session."

The people leaving gradually faded into the distance.

As for Mutant Phanpy, it grew more and more excited the more it fought here, and its experience points kept increasing.

Ponyta was also constantly improving, only a single step away from evolution.

As for Shiny Cubone, it was still cultivating.

Shiny Cubone kept absorbing the heatwave radiated by the Extraterrestrial Meteorite. Not only did its fire resistance improve, but even its appearance began to gradually change.

There was no telling if a mutation was about to occur.

Liu Xin still felt a great deal of anticipation inwardly. If Shiny Cubone mutated, it might gain an extra Fire type.

Then Shiny Cubone wouldn't need to fear Grass-Type Pokémon.

Rapidash!

Following a long howl, Ponyta underwent a transformation and finally completed its evolution, transforming into Rapidash.

Yet right after this cry faded, the Extraterrestrial Meteorite before them slowly began to change, and an unprecedented wave of intense heat rushed straight at them!

Liu Xin seemed to hear a series of explosions echoing from within it, and even the ground shook several times.

"What is going on here?"

"Did an earthquake happen? Why is the ground starting to spew fire like crazy?"

The trainers present all began to panic a little.

Yet as a special energy zone, how could it possibly go unnoticed?

A relatively powerful leader roared, "Don't panic, retreat in an orderly fashion."

"After all, we don't know much about Extraterrestrial Meteorites. We have no idea what is happening, so stop approaching or lingering here."

The trainers began to retreat, while the trembling of the ground grew increasingly violent.

Liu Xin, however, did not move. Ito Hei mounted Rapidash and shouted loudly, "Liu Xin, what are you doing?"

"If you don't leave now, are you waiting for the ground here to split completely open?"

Liu Xin said with a heavy expression, "Shiny Cubone is still cultivating. I cannot interrupt it. For it and for me, this is an opportunity!"

"You hurry and follow the main group away; I'm going to wait until the very last moment."

"Don't worry, I absolutely will not get into trouble!"

Surrounding flames directly shot forth, giving Rapidash quite a scare.

What was originally a holy land for Fire-Type Pokémon training had now turned directly into a terrifying inferno.

Seas of fire were everywhere, and the splitting of the ground grew frighteningly worse.

The leader roared, "That trainer, get away from here quickly!"

"This is no longer a training zone; there is danger at any moment."

Liu Xin ignored him, deciding to stay with Shiny Cubone until the very last moment, refusing to back down no matter what.

Shiny Cubone had indeed reached a critical moment, its entire body wrapped in flames, and faint golden-yellow flames even appeared around its bones.

The flames directly enveloped the entire area, repelling the leader outward.

He cursed, "Dammit all, what on earth happened to make it turn out like this!?"

"Why!?"

"Since you so earnestly ask, we shall answer with great mercy."

"To prevent the world from being ruined, to protect the peace of the world, denouncing evils of truth and love, charming and lovely villains: Ichiro Daichi, Miyami Sandagawa. We are Team Rocket, blasting through the galaxy. White holes, a white tomorrow awaits us."

The leader looked at Team Rocket plunging into the sea of fire, his expression turning unsightly as he said, "I didn't expect you guys to be behind this."

"Damn Team Rocket! No, the fire is too fierce, it's impossible to get in."

As for Daichi and Sandagawa, they wore super fire-resistant suits. While they couldn't move about completely freely inside, they at least wouldn't be scorched.

Soon, their gazes fell upon the Extraterrestrial Meteorite, and they said excitedly, "Just as the superiors said, detonating a bomb on it can cause chaos throughout the entire region."

"When the time comes, if we place this Extraterrestrial Meteorite in the center of the forest, it will create a massive sea of fire, trapping a bunch of Pokémon with no way out. Catching them will be as easy as picking them up by the handful, won't it?"