After the awkward mont, they found a less crowded corner.
Cain summoned his Tropius.
With a strange look, Steven watched as Cain climbed onto Tropius’s back.
Although he found it odd, Steven didn’t hesitate to take out a Pokéball and summon his Skarmory, then leapt onto its back.
Before they could be surrounded, they flew away on their Pokémon.
Instinctively, Cain scanned Steven’s Skarmory’s data.
Pokémon: Skarmory (Dark Blue)
Gender: Male
Level: 43
Type: Steel Flying
Ability: Keen Eye
Held Item: tal Coat
Egg Moves: Drill Peck, Stealth Rock, Endure, Whirlwind
Basic Moves: Leer, Peck, Sand Attack, tal Claw, Air Cutter, Fury Attack, Feint, Swift, Spikes, Agility, Steel Wing, Slash, tal Sound
Learned Moves: Snore, Sky Attack, Tailwind, Iron Defense, Stealth Rock, Icy Wind
TM Moves: Protect, Substitute, Hidden Power (Water), Toxic, Roost, Aerial Ace, Swords Dance, X-Scissor, Sleep Talk
Skarmory’s quality had reached dark blue.
This surprised Cain, though it was sothing he had expected.
Skarmory, as one of Steven’s main battle Pokémon, remained among his strongest even after Steven beca the Champion of Hoenn.
The first ti Cain saw it, its quality was only blue, but now it had reached dark blue.
This level of quality was fitting for soone of Steven’s status.
It was likely that Steven had a special thod for enhancing the aptitude of Steel-type Pokémon. While Cain was curious, he understood these matters often involved family secrets, so he couldn’t ask.
Besides, he couldn’t explain how he was able to see Skarmory’s aptitude.
So, Cain remained silent, flying behind Steven, occasionally casting curious and admiring glances.
The two flew far from Verdanturf Town as if fleeing.
Midway through the flight, Steven removed his hat, letting out a long sigh.
"Finally, I don’t have to wear this hat anymore. It’s so uncomfortable," Steven said as he had Skarmory slow down to fly alongside Cain.
Earlier, Steven’s Skarmory had been flying at nearly the sa speed as Cain’s Tropius, but now Skarmory had to slow down to avoid leaving Tropius behind.
After all, Skarmory had previously been at level 38, but now it had reached level 43, becoming an advanced-level Pokémon.
This was how Steven managed to level up his Pokémon so quickly, explaining why he would soon beco the Hoenn region’s Champion.
Cain felt a bit jealous.
However, what he envied the most was the Swords Dance move Skarmory possessed.
The day before, Cain had searched all the black market move shops but couldn’t find a TM for Swords Dance.
It was clear that it was a very rare move.
Yet, Skarmory had already learned it from the first ti Cain saw it.
The powerful and wealthy truly were terrifying.
While Cain observed Skarmory, Steven was also eyeing Tropius.
From the beginning, he had been curious.
The last ti he saw Tropius, its strength seed to be at a similar level to now. After all this ti, it appeared Tropius hadn’t improved much.
However, it looked a bit chubbier—perhaps because it had been well-fed?
If you don’t understand sothing, ask.
"Cain, it seems like your Tropius’s strength... hasn’t improved much, right?" Steven asked.
Had Cain been focusing more on his ho responsibilities, neglecting his Pokémon’s training?
Cain glanced at him sideways and said disdainfully, "It doesn’t seem like it hasn’t improved; it hasn’t improved at all. Plus, it’s been eating well lately but hasn’t exercised enough, so it’s gained a little weight."
Saying this, Cain gently patted Tropius’s neck.
For so reason, Tropius felt a chill run down its spine.
And this under a blazing sun, with its Chlorophyll ability active.
Tropius quickly flapped its wings to accelerate its flight, aware it would need to curb its appetite next ti.
Hearing Cain, Steven burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Yeah, it’s true; it has put on a bit of weight. I just didn’t want to say it."
"Tropius doesn’t enjoy battling much. When I captured it, we agreed it would only serve as a flying mount. When it becos stronger, it’ll decide whether to stay or leave, though I’ll still provide for its food at Leafy Town regardless."
That was what Cain had promised.
Though he didn’t ntion that he initially captured Tropius by overpowering it with brute force.
Steven, hearing this, understood better.
Not all Pokémon enjoy battling.
Once, when Cain accompanied him to his family’s mines, they noticed that within the group of Aron, several preferred spending their days eating and sleeping, living extrely comfortable lives.
If not for Aggron’s supervision, half the Aron might have succumbed to laziness.
The belligerent Aron Cain had captured was already a unique case within its group.
After understanding Tropius’s situation, Steven didn’t dwell on it further and had Skarmory slow its pace.
At the sa ti, Steven began considering whether he should have a flying Pokémon exclusively as a mount.
Skarmory was good and fast, but its armor made traveling very uncomfortable. The flight wasn’t exactly pleasant.
Additionally, being a Steel-type, Skarmory’s tallic armor absorbed heat under the sun, becoming increasingly hot.
Skarmory didn’t feel it as much, but Steven felt it clearly.
Tropius, on the other hand, thanks to its Chlorophyll ability, absorbed the sun’s heat before it could cause discomfort.
And its back was much cooler—a clear advantage of having a Grass-type Pokémon.
Steven was truly envious.
Watching Cain sitting comfortably atop Tropius, Steven felt sweat running down his forehead.
Luckily, the speed of flight helped keep the heat at bay.
Moreover, Verdanturf Town wasn’t too far from Mt. Chimney, so they would arrive soon.
Of course, they weren’t going to climb from the base. They ordered their Pokémon to fly directly to the midpoint of Mt. Chimney, around the middle zone.
The passersby who saw Cain and Steven mounted on their Pokémon weren’t surprised.
Although not common, strong trainers occasionally did the sa.
They descended into a forested area on Mt. Chimney’s slope.
The place had a pleasant environnt, with no signs of volcanic ash, and green trees contrasting with the opposite side of the mountain, where everything was shrouded in gray.
However, on the slope, the temperature was already noticeably higher than at the base of the mountain.
As they climbed, the heat would intensify.
Such was the power of a volcano.
Without much conversation, the two began their trek to the summit.
From that point, they would have to deal with wild Pokémon that appeared unexpectedly.
And also people with ill intentions, who could appear at any mont—a risk both had to remain alert to.
Fortunately, Steven wasn’t a novice; he had considerable experience in the wild, so Cain didn’t need to warn him about anything.
(End of Chapter)
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