Ride on Noivern.
Traversing through layers of fire, we arrived at the heart of the battle between Volcarona and the campfire.
It was clear, even the exhausted Volcarona wasn't significantly overwhelmed when fighting against several Pokémon from the campfire.
But the campfire was not panicked; her tactical thinking and objectives were clear.
The goal was to wear down.
No need to defeat Volcarona, just wear it down, continue wearing it down until Volcarona can no longer hold.
If Natsuhiko doesn't appear, or if Volcarona doesn't unleash an even stronger ability, the campfire's decision might indeed succeed.
But unfortunately.
At the proposal of Dragapult, Natsuhiko intervened in this battle!
"Dragapult, Dragon Dance."
Natsuhiko stood on Noivern's back, speaking calmly.
Then, the invisible Dragapult suddenly appeared, a towering four-meter-long figure swung its body, exhibiting a peculiar rhythm, its abilities swiftly enhanced.
On the other side.
Natsuhiko's appearance immediately caught the campfire's attention; she grew wary of the sudden arrival of Natsuhiko, although Noivern under his feet seemed not much of a threat in campfire's eyes.
But when Dragapult appeared, her expression instantly changed.
This Dragon-type Pokémon she had never seen was extremely strong!
Possibly, stronger than the Volcarona in front of her.
This was absolutely beyond what the campfire had anticipated.
Wasn't the king of the alliance already blocked outside?
Moreover, this person's mysterious demeanor doesn't resemble what a king should do; this Pokémon was even unheard of.
The alliance's hidden card mixed in with this group of young trainers?
Why hadn't it appeared before?
Faced with campfire full of doubts, Natsuhiko showed no hesitation.
After Dragapult finished Dragon Dance, he immediately commanded, "Electric Flash, Dragon Dive!"
"Baluya!"
Dragapult roared softly, its figure shooting out like lightning, swiftly covering quite a distance.
The surging purple Dragon-type energy madly coated the body, vaguely forming the figure of a dragon.
Following a gentle swing of its tail, it dove down from above, its fierce momentum directly changed the campfire's expression.
"Camerupt, Defend!"
The emerald energy shield appeared on the campfire's Camerupt, resolutely taking on the role of a meat shield amidst Dragapult's attack.
But.
How could a mere Camerupt block Dragapult?
With several of the main Pokémon entangled with Volcarona, the campfire facing the assault by such strong Pokémon as Volcarona and Dragapult could definitely not hold for long.
One is manageable, but two completely unsettled the balance.
Bang!!
The energy shield of Camerupt shattered with a sound, and it staggered backward, the impact from Dragapult's Dragon Dive, despite breaking the defense, was unavoidable.
"Meteor Shower."
Commanding Dragapult required no excessive skill or tactics, brute force was enough.
With such an enormous strength gap, Natsuhiko only needed to ensure his own safety, without much concern for Dragapult's.
With only Natsuhiko alone, he would worry if the campfire dispatched several Pokémon to stall Dragapult and directly target him.
But now, not only Dragapult was present, but also Volcarona, which had already provoked the campfire, preventing it from withdrawing Pokémon to deal with Natsuhiko, leaving the defense against Volcarona and Dragapult highly difficult.
Roar!!
Dragapult let out a breath charged with Dragon-type energy, aimed directly at the campfire's Charizard flying in the sky.
Though Charizard made a sharp turn and barely evaded the attack.
Yet Meteor Shower's attack was just beginning.
Encased in dense Dragon-type energy, fireballs like magma swiftly entered the clouds.
Boom!!!
Exploding and scattering, magma fireballs fell from the sky, launching a widespread attack.
Campfire gritted her teeth.
Ordered the Pokémon to use Defend to counter.
Although they managed to fend off this round, the next wouldn't be as easy.
Yet she did not give up because she could distinctly feel Volcarona was reaching its limit!
Hold on, keep holding, perhaps Volcarona would collapse.
At that point, even sacrificing a few Pokémon would be very worthwhile.
After giving Natsuhiko a predatory glare, she stopped using the wear-down tactic and began exchanging damage to accelerate Volcarona's exhaustion.
Natsuhiko and Dragapult naturally noticed the peculiar condition of Volcarona.
No other way, they could only expedite their offensive.
However, though campfire's strength wasn't very high, her understanding of tactics was adequate, obstinately dragging on, even at the cost of Pokémon, left Dragapult at a temporary tactical disadvantage.
After all, even hanged men need a breath of air, it takes time to defeat Pokémon.
Campfire was intent on racing against time, betting on whether she or Volcarona would give in first.
However.
What she didn't realize was.
This Volcarona was not the fish on her chopping block.
Even if.
It was already somewhat exhausted at this moment.
"Ding ding ding——"
The crisp sound accompanied the fluttering of Volcarona's wings, as pieces of glittering scale powder fell from its wings, colliding with each other to make a sound as pleasant as glass clinking.
Boom!!!
Blazing flames rapidly spread across its body, until golden-red flames enveloped it completely.
"Fire Dance!"
Natsuhiko saw Volcarona's movements and couldn't help but say the name of this Technique.
Throughout the entire Pokemon Realm, only Volcarona could learn and use this Technique, almost like a signature move—Fire Dance!
Every time it was used, there was a considerable chance to boost its Special Attack ability.
Volcarona had definitely used "Fire Dance" a few times, but its exhaustion prevented it from displaying the true form that "Fire Dance" should have.
But now.
Feeling the intent of the campfire, Volcarona seemed to realize its opponent's thoughts and mustered all the energy within to perform this true "Fire Dance"!
Like a creature leaping in the flames, the fire surrounding it flickered and danced under Volcarona's dance as if inspired, responding to their master.
And seeing Volcarona's "Fire Dance" this time, the campfire finally trembled with emotion.
Dragapult couldn't help but stop its actions, watching Volcarona dance in the flames, emitting its final light and heat, as a surge of sadness welled up.
Volcarona... disregarding its own condition, depleting... its life force.
Though Dragapult could not support Volcarona's decision, it showed understanding.
In this vast world without a single companion, with endless solitude filling its heart, was there still a need for it to remain and continue to bring light and heat?
This Fire Dance was its...
Final Dance!
Whoosh—
As Volcarona's six wings gently trembled, the flames enveloping its body and the surrounding scorching flames all surged toward the campfire overwhelmingly.
A sea of fire.
The campfire's face turned pale, facing Volcarona's last strike, she finally realized the difference in strength between herself and Volcarona.
But now, Natsuhiko and Dragapult's attention was no longer on her.
The Volcarona that ended its ultimate Fire Dance fell slowly from the sky like a kite with a broken string.
From the moment Volcarona unleashed light and heat at all costs, even plunging into extreme exhaustion to stop, Natsuhiko had already realized that Volcarona might be seeking death.
Perhaps, before it fell asleep and cocooned, it had already considered ending this lonely life.
Yet it didn't expect not to fall into an eternal slumber.
The energy supplied by Original Groudon Shell Fragments kept it alive till now, eventually being awakened by Natsuhiko.
After waking up, it held onto its final hope, calling for companions.
However, the result often shatters the heart even more.
Thus, it chose to bloom its final light and heat, perform its most splendid dance, defeat a rival of equal strength, and end its life.
Bang!
Riding Noivern, Natsuhiko reacted the fastest and rushed to Volcarona as the Fire Dance concluded.
During its fall, he used psychic abilities to catch it in advance.
Dragapult also appeared beside Natsuhiko at the first instance.
Its eyes were full of sorrow, seeing its own reflection in Volcarona.
Perhaps, without Natsuhiko's encouragement and support, it might have made the same choice as Volcarona—hundreds, even thousands of years of solitude, too long... too long...
"Baluya..."
'It... is leaving.'
Natsuhiko signaled Noivern to land them on the ground, listening to Dragapult's words, and without hesitation, shouted at it.
"Not gonna die!"
Dragapult stared blankly as Natsuhiko shouted at it, continuously taking out a large number of healing items and tools from his backpack.
His eyes, a little blurry.
"Can't die yet..." Natsuhiko mumbled repeatedly.
Healing potions, special healing potions, even the precious "Dragon's Saliva" was used without hesitation.
Volcarona couldn't die yet.
At least not until he reaped benefits.
Otherwise, wasn't it all for nothing?
Is this part of Natsuhiko's skinflint nature?
If Dragapult knew Natsuhiko's thoughts, it would surely dry its tears and hit him with a Meteor Shower.
But actually.
Natsuhiko's mumbling and constant self-hypnosis were also a way to comfort himself, letting him "reluctantly" use a plethora of items and materials in vain.
A "big villain" making unrewarded contributions always needs a reason to feel at ease; otherwise, how can one be worthy of the title "villain"?
Typical of a tough mouth but soft-hearted.
He promised Dragapult to help.
If Volcarona ultimately died, would that count as any help?
So, it couldn't die!
Natsuhiko said so, even the Nether King Dragon couldn't change that!
——————
To maintain plot consistency.....Updated twelve thousand words today, can I ask for monthly ticket support?