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At the foot of Mt. Chimney, near Fiery Path.
Steven was already drenched in sweat from the intense heat. His portable fan was working overtime, practically smoking from overuse, but it provided little relief.
All of his Pokémon were Steel-types, and to prevent them from overheating, Steven decided to take the cable car to Lavaridge Town instead.
Building a cable car on Mt. Chimney was truly a brilliant decision!
Fiery Path was a tunnel carved through the base of Mt. Chimney, and the temperature inside was unbearably hot. Steven didn't have the means to go mining there yet.
After passing through Fiery Path, one would continue on Route 111, then take Route 113 to reach Fallarbor Town. Steven definitely had to visit the legendary Meteor Falls.
His Beldum had been found there when it was still an egg. After it hatched, Joseph had given the Beldum to Steven.
However, the Pokémon in Meteor Falls were incredibly strong, and his company's mining team had suffered heavy losses on their return expedition.
"Young man, would you like some Lava Cookies? They're absolutely delicious!"
An elderly woman stood by the cable car station, waving at Steven with a warm smile.
"Hello, ma'am. How much are the Lava Cookies?" Steven approached her.
He had heard for a long time that Lava Cookies were delicious and could also cure status conditions in Pokémon. Steven planned to buy some to enjoy during his journey.
"Young man, how many do you think would be suitable?" the old woman asked with a kind smile. "You can also try them first to see if they're authentic. I never do anything dishonest."
"Okay, ma'am. I'll try them first," Steven said with a slight smile, picking up a pack of Lava Cookies and beginning to taste them.
Because they had the ability to cure status conditions, they contained hints of Berry flavors. Steven could tell whether they were authentic with just one bite!
Behind Steven, two people wearing red uniforms with hoods and a mountain-like symbol on their chests walked straight toward Fiery Path.
"How strange..."
"What's wrong, ma'am?" Steven asked curiously, munching on a Lava Cookie.
"Nothing, dear. I just saw two people wearing hoods in such a hot environment," the old woman said slowly, shaking her head in surprise.
Steven glanced back but unfortunately didn't see the two individuals.
"By the way, ma'am, why don't you seem bothered by the heat?"
"Young man, you get used to it after living here for a long time!"
"Haha, I'll take a few bags of Lava Cookies then!"
"Wonderful! Please wait just a moment..."
"Have a safe trip!"
Steven placed the Lava Cookies into his backpack, purchased a cable car ticket, and then boarded the cable car to the summit of Mt. Chimney.
Lavaridge Town was located on the mountainside of Mt. Chimney and was famous for its hot springs. However, it was so hot that Steven had absolutely no desire to soak in them right now.
Still, at night, the temperature around Mt. Chimney dropped rapidly. That would be the perfect time to enjoy the hot springs.
Steven sat in the cable car, gazing at the volcano below through the window. The cable car was thoughtfully equipped with air conditioning, so he wouldn't be roasted alive in the sealed environment.
Seeing Mt. Chimney so comprehensively for the first time, the scenery was quite impressive. He could even see the direction where volcanic ash was falling.
After more than ten or twenty minutes, Steven finally arrived at the cable car station at the summit of Mt. Chimney.
"Why isn't there a station in Lavaridge Town? This designer could've done better!" Steven grumbled to himself.
"Young man, would you like some Lava Cookies? These are exclusive specialties of Lavaridge Town, you know!"
Steven was taken aback by the familiar voice. The old woman had somehow made it to the summit!
"Ma'am, how did you get up here so quickly?" Steven was genuinely confused.
"Oh, are you talking about the one at the foot of the mountain? That's my younger sister!" the old woman said with a chuckle.
Steven's confusion cleared: "I see!"
"So, how about it, young man? Would you like some Lava Cookies?"
"No, thank you, ma'am. I already bought plenty from your sister," Steven said, waving his hand politely.
"Is that so? Well, remember to come find me when you're leaving Lavaridge Town," the old woman said with a smile.
"Okay, I'll come find you if I need more."
"It's a promise!"
Steven waved goodbye and began walking down the mountain.
Lavaridge Town wasn't very far from the summit of Mt. Chimney. After enduring the heat for more than ten minutes, Steven finally arrived in the town.
"I feel even hotter now..." he muttered.
Mossdeep City's climate was comfortable year-round—warm in winter and cool in summer. This was Steven's first time experiencing such sweltering heat.
"At this temperature, I'm worried their performance will be affected too," Steven said, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a sense of helplessness.
It seemed that to perfectly conquer the Lavaridge Gym, he might have to rely on Metagross and Scyther.
Steel-type Pokémon were inherently weak to Fire-types, let alone resistant to high temperatures like this.
Steven wasn't accustomed to such a hot environment. He felt several times more exhausted than usual.
First, he headed to the Pokémon Center, got a glass of ice water to cool down, and then Steven rented a room, eager to enjoy some air conditioning.
Though he knew it would feel even hotter when he eventually stepped back outside.
"Phew!" After turning on the air conditioning, Steven removed his outer clothes, preparing to take a cold shower.
When Steven emerged from the shower, he noticed his PokéNav, which he'd casually tossed on the bed, was flashing with a signal light.
Picking up the device, he opened it to see a missed call from his father.
"I have a feeling this isn't good news," Steven muttered.
He called back, and within two seconds, the line connected.
"Where are you right now?"
"Lavaridge Town. What's wrong, Father?" Steven said, his tone becoming serious. "It's incredibly hot here. I just took a shower."
"Hmm... It's nothing urgent. I have something I'd like you to help me with."
I knew it, Steven thought.
But he had no reason to refuse.
"What is it?"
Joseph clearly paused before continuing, "I need you to go to Celestic Town in the Sinnoh region and bring back a Skull Fossil."
"Huh? Can't it be shipped?" Steven asked, puzzled.
The Sinnoh region was far from the Hoenn region. Shipping it would probably be the most practical option.
"Recently, a group of people in the Sinnoh region have been stealing Pokémon fossils, so I want you to personally bring it back," Joseph explained.
"Pokémon Hunters?!" Steven was startled, immediately remembering the group he'd encountered in Mirage Tower half a month ago.
That Number Two had also taken a fossil.
As for what else they'd taken, Steven still didn't know. In the end, he never discovered what the true treasure of Mirage Tower was.
Now that Mirage Tower had collapsed, it was hard to say whether it would reappear in a collapsed or intact state.
"That's probably what those people are called," Joseph confirmed.
"So, are you available?"
"Since it's Father's request, of course I'll go," Steven said with a slight chuckle.
His luck couldn't be so terrible that he'd encounter them as soon as he arrived, right?
"Alright, then find some time to go within the next two days."
"Be careful."
"I understand."
After the call ended, Steven lay back on the bed, sighing helplessly.
"Looks like I'll have to challenge the Lavaridge Gym tomorrow..."
"That's fine, though. I really can't stand this heat much longer."