Just as Chen Shi was about to jump onto Salamence's back, a pair of hands suddenly reached out from behind and grabbed him tight.
He looked back to find Pheobe gazing at him through tear-filled eyes.
Her once-bright eyes were now misty, their rims red, with tears welling up as though they might spill at any moment.
"Brother Chen Shi, please, could you take me with you?"
Her eyes were full of pleading and longing. Chen Shi could never handle a look like that, and with time running short, he didn't want to waste any more of it.
"Then hurry up and get on. We can't waste time."
"Okay, okay!" Pheobe nodded hurriedly and climbed onto Salamence's back after Chen Shi.
"Dragon Sis, that way! Full speed, hurry!"
"Roar!"
Salamence knew how urgent the situation was too. With a beat of her blood-red wings, she shot forward like a crimson meteor.
"Shit, I didn't think this through." Chen Shi clung desperately to Salamence's neck, unable to open his eyes against the fierce rush of wind.
Pheobe held tightly to Chen Shi's clothes as well, afraid she would be blown off.
Now that Salamence had broken through to champion level, her speed at full throttle was far greater than before.
Salamence noticed their predicament and immediately controlled her energy, forming a wall of air in front of them to block the wind.
Only then did Chen Shi feel much better, and he settled onto Salamence's back.
He couldn't help worrying about Pheobe's grandparents. Anyone who possessed a champion-level Pokémon and dared to attack Mt. Pyre so openly was likely either Team Magma's leader, Maxie, or Team Aqua's leader, Archie.
They were probably after the two orbs in her grandparents' possession!
Chen Shi sighed softly. Neither of those two would be easy