NOVEL NEXT Chapter 81: Clash At The Volcano
The trail out of Meteor Falls twisted through dense foliage, leading John back to the base of Mt. Chimney. The once-bustling cable car station, where Team Magma had previously stood guard, now lay eerily silent, its emptiness amplifying the distant hum of volcanic activity.
John approached the platform, stepping onto the cable car. The vehicle swayed slightly as it began its ascent, the rhythmic clanking of the cables a stark contrast to the escalating tension in his chest.
When the cable car reached the summit and the doors hissed open, chaos exploded into view. Members of Team Magma and Team Aqua clashed violently, their Pokemon engaged in brutal combat. The acrid tang of sulfur filled the air, mingling with the oppressive heat that radiated from the volcano. Lava bubbled and hissed in the distance, adding to the ominous symphony.
As John surveyed the scene, his Gameboy buzzed with a sudden notification:
[Dungeon Entry Detected: "Volcano Plan"] [Special rewards for first-time completion]
[Recommended Level: 45]
His eyebrows shot up. "A dungeon? Here?" he muttered, surprised.
This wasn't part of the original game mechanics. He'd heard of massive team battles, but an actual dungeon with objectives was something entirely new. Curiosity piqued, John opened his team menu. His strongest Pokemon, Gabite and Frogadier, were only at LV 34. The rest barely hovered around LV 30—a far cry from the recommended level of 45.
John hesitated, tapping his chin in thought. Then, with a resigned shrug, he said, "No guts, no glory." He q
uickly saved his progress before selecting [Enter].
The world around him blurred and shifted. The next thing he knew, he stood at the edge of the volcano, where the air was thick with heat and the stench of molten rock was nearly suffocating. Black smoke curled into the sky, obscuring the sun, and sweat began to bead on his forehead almost immediately.
A glowing translucent screen materialized before him:
[Dungeon Objective: Defeat Maxie, Team Magma's Leader, and stop the Volcano Eruption.]
[Time Limit: 60 Minutes]
John wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze scanning the battlefield. The chaos was overwhelming. Team Magma and Team Aqua members barked commands at their Pokemon, who fought with ruthless intent. These weren't friendly battles or training skirmishes—their attacks aimed to maim or even kill. The trainers, too, were targets, as some Pokemon lunged directly for their opponents' throats.
"Take him out!"
A sharp shout pierced through the din, and John turned to see a Team Magma grunt pointing directly at him.
"But he's not Aqua!" another protested, glancing at John's plain clothes.
"Doesn't matter! If he's not one of us, he's against us!"
"Mightyena, Night Slash!"
A sleek Mightyena leapt from the smoke, its LV32 marker glowing faintly above its head. A dark aura surrounded its body, coiling like a living shadow as it lunged for John, fangs bared.
"Rock Smash!" John commanded without hesitation.
In a burst of light, Combusken emerged from its Pokeball. With a sharp cry, it lunged forward, claws glowing with energy.
CRACK!
Mightyena hit the ground hard, its body skidding across the volcanic rock. The force of the impact left cracks in the ground, and the dark aura dissipated.
"Finish it off!" John called out.
Combusken spun, its second claw smashing down with precision. Mightyena shuddered before collapsing, its LV marker dimming as it fainted.
[Defeated Mightyena (LV32). Combusken gained 2086 XP.]
John's lips curled into a grin. "The XP gains here are insane."
But the victory was short-lived. Two more Mightyena appeared from the shadows, growling as they closed in. John quickly tossed another Pokeball, releasing Frogadier to assist Combusken.
The two Pokemon squared off, each handling a Mightyena. Meanwhile, a movement in John's peripheral vision caught his attention. A Golbat darted through the smoke, its fangs glinting with a venomous purple glow.
"Poison Fang!"
The Golbat moved faster than John could react. Before he could reach for another Pokeball, one on his belt opened automatically.
Kirlia emerged, her eyes blazing with psychic energy. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a Psybeam that hit Golbat head-on. The twisted, multicolored beam pierced Golbat's maw, sending it spiraling to the ground.
[Defeated Golbat (LV32). Kirlia gained 1726 XP.]
[Kirlia leveled up to 30!]
Before John could even thank her, Kirlia began to glow. The brilliant light consumed her, her small frame elongating and shifting until she emerged as the elegant figure of Gardevoir.
[Kirlia evolved into Gardevoir!]
John's Gameboy buzzed with updated stats:
[Gardevoir (Psychic, Fairy-Type)-Shiny ]
[Level: 30]
[Ability: Synchronization (When other Pokemon cause Burn, Poison, Toxic, or Paralysis to oneself, oneself will cause the same Status Condition to that Pokémon.)]
[IV's: HP (31), Attack (31), Special Attack (31), Defense (31), Special Defense (31), Speed (31)]
[Skills: Disarming Voice, Growl, Double Team, Confusion, Draining Kiss, Teleport, Calm Mind, Psybeam, Flash, Secret Force, Dazzling Gleam, Hypnosis, Misty Terrain, Healing Wish, Moonblast, Life Dew, Wish]
[Held item: Twisted Spoon]
Her hair shimmered a soft, oceanic blue, cascading over her slender frame. She exuded a calming aura, a stark contrast to the chaos around them. John's eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat.
"She's... perfect," he whispered, captivated.
The battlefield seemed to pause as the surrounding Team Magma grunts hesitated. The sight of their fallen comrades and John's evolving Gardevoir gave them a moment's pause.
"Stop wasting time! Get to the boss!" one of them barked, breaking the spell.
A towering figure strode through the haze, his crimson coat billowing in the hot air. Beside him, a Houndoom growled menacingly, its fiery breath casting flickering shadows on the ground.
"Stand back," the man commanded, his voice low and authoritative. "I'll deal with him myself."
A notification appeared in front of John:
[New Objective: Defeat Tabitha (Team Magma Admin)]
John clenched his fists, adrenaline surging. "Bring it on."