Chapter 57: Charizard is in Love
After obtaining Cosmog, Ryan's mind was immediately filled with ambitious plans. After all, in the games, both Solgaleo and Lunala could lead people through Ultra Wormholes into other dimensions.
Ryan was certain that, aside from the Ultra Beasts dwelling in Ultra Space, it was possible to encounter legendary Pokémon in other dimensions. Although the probability was low, it was worth attempting, wasn't it?
The legendary Pokémon that Ryan had previously wanted to capture were actually Cosmog and Celebi—one traveling through space, the other through time. Celebi's ability to travel through time could allow Ryan to return to ancient eras, to witness the Pokémon of those times. The legendary Pokémon that Ryan could think of were the three legendary titans of the Hoenn region.
Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza are Pokémon that have slumbered since ancient times. However, no one can truly reveal what transpired in those primordial eras. Perhaps Rayquaza dwells in the ozone layer, but the universe is so vast that it's impossible to say if there are other Rayquaza out there. Everything remains shrouded in mystery.
Returning to Konikoni City, they found Olivia and bid her farewell. Olivia expressed great curiosity about Tapu Bulu's gift of a Pokémon for Ryan to raise. However, after examining Cosmog, she found nothing particularly remarkable. This examination, however, awakened Cosmog, whose loud cries tormented them both.
Fortunately, Ryan had prepared his secret weapon: Poké Beans. After feeding Cosmog the beans, it calmed down and happily munched away.
This suggested that this Cosmog was indeed the one entrusted to Ash by Tapu Koko in the anime series. But Ryan couldn't understand why Tapu Bulu had been given this responsibility. Even considering plot momentum, shouldn't it have been Tapu Koko's role?
Perplexed, Ryan stopped overthinking it. Now that Cosmog was in his care, there was no way he could return it. Only someone like Ash would release his main Pokémon. Ryan was certain that no trainer would release a legendary Pokémon once they obtained one.
After bidding farewell to Olivia, Ryan asked Charizard to fly him to Wela Volcano Park. He planned to challenge the Totem Pokémon there and obtain the Firium Z to increase Charizard's fire-type move power.
Cosmog sat on Charizard's back, chirping with delight. Ryan had originally intended to capture the legendary Pokémon using a regular Poké Ball, but the system bluntly announced, "Ding. Warning to the host: Unless a legendary Pokémon willingly remains in a Poké Ball, ordinary Poké Balls cannot restrain them and will burst within minutes. If the host wishes to capture a legendary Pokémon, it is recommended to use the Master Ball provided by the system."
According to the system, legendary Pokémon possess inherent power that cannot be restrained by ordinary Poké Balls. Even standard Master Balls can barely withstand a legendary Pokémon's power. Only the Master Balls provided by the system can truly contain their strength and capture them successfully. Capturing with ordinary Poké Balls is considered a conditional capture; if the legendary Pokémon wants to escape, there's no stopping it.
Ryan's Mewtwo had also voluntarily followed him. Did anyone really think a single Master Ball could truly capture Mewtwo against its will? So Ryan abandoned the idea of capturing Cosmog with a Poké Ball.
Arriving at Wela Volcano Park, Ryan began his ascent from the base of the mountain. Kiawe's Firium Z was inherited from his grandfather, so Ryan didn't know exactly where to find the Totem Pokémon on Wela Volcano.
So Ryan chose secluded, untraveled mountain paths, hoping to encounter a Totem Pokémon. Cosmog curiously looked around. Then, without Ryan noticing, it teleported and vanished.
"Damn it! Charizard, quickly find Cosmog!" Ryan was immediately panicked. Finding someone with teleportation abilities was incredibly difficult.
He was about to send Charizard into flight when he heard Cosmog's cries from above. Looking up, Ryan saw a cave opening in the rock face high above. He gestured to Charizard, and Charizard immediately carried Ryan up to it.
Entering the cave, Ryan found Cosmog surrounded by three Salandit. He couldn't help but facepalm. After all, a young legendary Pokémon being frightened by a few level 20 Salandit was quite the sight.
Charizard's Flamethrower scared off the Salandit. Ryan walked over, picked up Cosmog, and fed it a few Poké Beans. He said, "Don't wander off next time. I'll worry if I can't find you."
Cosmog nodded, then tugged at Ryan's sleeve. Its nebula-shaped appendage pointed to the side. Ryan then noticed the wooden pedestal that stored Z-Crystals in the games. A fiery red Firium Z gleamed upon it.
Ryan happily patted Cosmog's head. It turned out the little creature had understood Ryan's intentions and brought him here directly. But there didn't seem to be any Totem Pokémon around. Ryan waited for a while. Less than two minutes later, a massive Salazzle appeared at the cave entrance. Ryan said, "I'm going to take the Firium Z. Let's battle."
The Salazzle nodded and rushed forward, then bursts of light emanated from its body, just like the Totem aura in the games. Ryan decided to test the Totem Pokémon's strength and declared, "Charizard, Flamethrower!"
Charizard immediately opened its mouth and launched a stream of flames at the Salazzle. The Salazzle remained unmoved, giving Charizard a seductive look. Then, opening its mouth, it too launched flames, blocking Charizard's attack while simultaneously captivating the dragon.
Ryan frowned slightly, his bond power surging to temporarily weaken the attraction. He declared, "Dragon Claw!"
Charizard roared, and a massive claw condensed from dragon energy slashed toward the Salazzle. The Salazzle's expression turned pitiful. Charizard hesitated, its attack significantly weakened, but the blow still managed to inflict damage.
Ryan shook his head. Even heroes fall to beauty. Not to mention Charizard—his Nidoking had been courting Lillie's Nidoqueen since their battle, and they were still flirting back at the ranch. He was sure they'd be expecting offspring by the time Ryan returned.
Charizard, too, was young and full of vigor, unable to resist temptation. The Salazzle lashed out with its tail, hurling a torrent of Sludge Bomb at Charizard. Ryan shouted, "Endure it, then use Outrage to finish this!"
Charizard blocked the poison attack and then slammed into the Salazzle with a powerful burst of dragon energy, knocking it out of commission.
Ryan glanced at the Salandit behind the Salazzle; they didn't bother him anymore. He walked over to the pedestal and removed the Firium Z.
He turned around, ready to celebrate with Charizard, but saw Charizard cuddling with the slightly recovered Salazzle. It seemed this battle had also won the Salazzle's heart.
Both Pokémon belonged to compatible egg groups, so breeding shouldn't be an issue. But what was with this sickeningly sweet romantic atmosphere? Ryan always felt like he was being fed relationship drama by his own Pokémon.
(End of Chapter)
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