Whoosh—
The scorching flames swept over Onix's body, making it feel the roasting heat while also experiencing a sense of relief.
The Durant clinging tightly to it dropped one by one amidst the flames, swallowed up by a mouth as they were swept in by the tongues of fire.
These obese, bright red beings with orange-yellow patterns and long, pointed snouts resembling an Anteater were the ones continuously devouring the Durants.
Heatmor!
A Fire-type Pokémon, its flames have a slight corrosive effect. It inhales air through its tail to intensify the internal flames, using the expelled flames from its mouth as a tongue.
Just as the Durant restrains the large but intricate Onix, Heatmor is the ultimate counter to Durant.
Their flames are capable of melting the hard metal surface of the Durants' bodies before consuming them.
Durant, which is extremely difficult for Onix to handle, becomes the most delicious food for Heatmor.
This illustrates the food chain relationship in the Pokémon natural world.
Onix, evidently having no choice left, came here to let the Anteaters resolve its crisis.
The cost, however, is that the continually expelled flames also inflict considerable damage on it.
Especially after its hardest shell was shattered by the Durants, exposing the fragile body structure beneath, it could clearly feel the warmth of the flames much more acutely.
Yet compared to being gnawed alive by the Durants and enduring that excruciating pain, it seemed preferable to endure a more intense grilling by the Anteaters.
And so it goes.
The three species of Pokémon, Onix and the Durants, endure the pain brought by the flames, while the Anteaters feast joyously.
In the end.
The Durants no longer persisted, and with the leader Durant's command, they all fell from Onix and swiftly retreated toward the nearby rock wall.
Once they reach the wall, they quickly carve out small tunnels to escape.
But only if they manage to avoid the Heatmors' pursuit.
With the departure of the Durants, Onix collapsed lifelessly to the ground, completely unconscious.
The Heatmors, however, paid no heed to Onix, speeding past it toward the Durants near the rock wall, with each fiery lick accompanying a Durant's death.
Natsuhiko looked at the collapsed Onix on the ground and at the swiftly distancing Heatmors and Durants.
Unexpectedly, he was becoming an invisible man today.
Thinking it over, he decided to throw a Pokéball and capture the Onix.
A freely gained Pokémon is still a Pokémon, plus Onix is relatively rare and could be used for a Steelix evolution paper.
Then he surveyed the general situation of the area.
Even though, judging by the previous tunnel distance, it should have reached the underground of Flame Valley, this underground space wasn't pitch black but instead filled with faint red light.
Fire-red, glowing rocks were embedded in crevices everywhere, casting enough light to maintain visibility.
These stones weren't particularly rare materials or tools, just ordinary glowing rocks, likely influenced by the environment, causing their fire energy element to emit a reddish glow.
If these rocks could stay in such an environment for thousands or even tens of thousands of years, they might transform into Fire Stones, and this area could become a place for mining Fire Stones, similar to Kanto Region's formerly famous Moon Viewing Mountain.
But at this moment, they just contain a small amount of Fire Energy and can serve as food for some Fire-type and Rock-type Pokémon.
The dense distribution of these rocks undoubtedly indicates the underground space's abundance of fire energy, so plentiful as to be called rich.
This place is most certainly ideal for the majority of Fire-type Pokémon to live.
Even without other kinds of food, the Fire-type Pokémon residing here would gradually enhance their power because of the dense fire energy.
If they actively absorb it, they could grow even faster.
The few Heatmor seen before weren't weak either.
However, Natsuhiko wasn't particularly interested in Heatmor. Their value didn't compare to Onix. Since they hadn't initiated any attacks, Natsuhiko didn't attempt to capture them either.
Considering these findings, the formation of Flame Valley and why Fire-type Pokémon inhabit it becomes clear.
The fire energy seeping from this place is intensely sought after by numerous Fire-type Pokémon.
The size of this underground space remains uncertain, but Natsuhiko was confident if he couldn't find suitable Fire-type Pokémon here, he probably wouldn't find them anywhere in Groudon's Alternate Space.
Calling it a paradise for Fire-type Pokémon wouldn't be an exaggeration.
"Chaka-ee!"
Togetic suddenly let out an exclamation.
Following its gaze, Natsuhiko saw something deep brown, like a tread, move closely along the ground not far away. Upon closer inspection, he noticed five pairs of short feet on each side of the "tread," which facilitated its movement.
Togetic's call seemed to have startled it from its focused perusal along the ground.
Roar—
With the sound of flames rising, orange flames ignited on its head and tail.
Supporting itself as it slowly raised its head.
Its bright red abdomen bore several small yellow circles, and its flat head with triangular eyes, alongside a pair of small appendages near its mouth.
"Sizzlipede?"
Natsuhiko was a bit surprised.
Another Pokémon rarely seen or even unseen in other regions. It appears more common in the Galar Region.
The combination of Fire and Insect-type is quite rare.
Sizzlipede is a carnivorous Pokémon. It stores combustible gases within its body, and its fiery body produces intense heat, lacking toxins but preferring to use its high temperature to wrap around and scorch its prey, releasing it only once thoroughly cooked.
Furthermore, Sizzlipede and its evolution, as well as Scolipede, are extremely opposing Pokémon. When the two encounter, they inevitably fight, and when one side falls, it becomes food for the other, coexisting is impossible.
"Ho—" Seeing Natsuhiko and his Pokémon, Sizzlipede swiftly emitted a gas from its mouth, carrying a sulfur-like odor as it spread rapidly through the space.
Natsuhiko's expression changed as he detected the faint scent.
It was calling for its companions!
Clack-clack-clack—
With crisp sounds of limbs striking hard rock, several massive centipedes exceeding three meters in length appeared in Natsuhiko's field of vision.
Twelve-section long bodies like a track, entirely bright red like Sizzlipede, with dark brown armor on their backs, and four blazing flames at each end, plus heat generators on their bellies. Looking only at their faces, they bore some resemblance to Fire God Zhurong.
Speak of the devil, and he appears.
Sizzlipede's evolution, Centiskorch!
A total of five Centiskorches, along with many Sizzlipede, emerged from rock crevices from unknown origins.
What truly surprised Natsuhiko wasn't the appearance of the Centiskorch, but what one of them held in its mouth, a...
Fire-type Pokémon!
————
Consider this the fourth chapter~~