After scouring related news, Su Feng found footage of the so-called "phoenix." In the video, billowing smoke erupted from the volcanic crater as a massive avian silhouette flickered within the haze. With a single flap of its wings, the smoke dispersed, revealing golden feathers ablaze with fire. The person filming gasped in awe at the majestic sight.
A comment below read:
[@ProfessorXiaoLiang What kind of bird is this?]
Professor XiaoLiang replied:
[A bird that thrives in thousand-degree magma and flies freely through scorching volcanic ash? Don't tag me—tag @JustAPokémonEnthusiast.]
"Interesting." Su Feng raised an eyebrow. His inbox was perpetually flooded with 99+ unread messages, so he rarely checked it. Still, he responded:
"This Pokémon is Moltres, a Legendary creature. Its wings, tail feathers, and crest are composed of eternal flames. Legends say Moltres illuminates mountain paths with its fiery wings and rescues those in peril nearby."
Given the lack of casualties reported, Su Feng guessed Moltres had simply emerged during the eruption—unexpectedly caught on camera.
After replying, Su Feng glanced at Combusken training relentlessly in the yard. The Pokémon's daily regimen of martial drills and meditation was paying off—its strength surged, evolution likely imminent.
Studying the volcanic terrain on his phone, Su Feng finalized his next livestream location.
"Vulpix."
The icy fox stirred from her bed, stretching like a housecat before padding lazily toward him.
"Vul? (Hmm?)"
Scooping her up, Su Feng stroked her frosty, fluffy tail. "We're heading to a volcanic area. You might need to stay in your Poké Ball for safety, okay?"
"Vul~" She nodded sleepily.
Touched by her trust, Su Feng swapped her standard ball for a Luxury Ball. A red light enveloped her—no resistance. Releasing her immediately, Vulpix pawed playfully at the ball, demanding a repeat. Su Feng indulged her, amused. System-made Luxury Balls could handle a million clicks.
Next, he formally "caught" Combusken and Gengar with Luxury Balls—symbolic gestures of partnership. As always, he respected their choice to roam freely or retreat into their balls. Gengar, however, preferred lurking in his shadow.
Announcing his volcanic expedition, Su Feng packed his gear. At dawn, he boarded a flight to N City with Vulpix and Combusken in their balls. Gengar rode shotgun in his shadow.
Mid-flight, an idea struck: What if flying Pokémon like Corviknight became urban taxis? The concept—fast, eco-friendly, thrilling—had potential. Safety regulations would be a hurdle, but the market gap was obvious.
Landing in N City, Su Feng hired a taxi to the volcanic outskirts. The driver dropped him at the city limits—leaving a 100km trek to the crater.
As Su Feng groaned at the distance, Gengar popped from his shadow, waving a stubby arm.
"Gengar! (Wait! I can fly us!)"
"Fly? You?" Su Feng blinked. As Gastly, her telekinesis had only lightened his steps. Now…?
To prove it, Gengar hoisted him onto her back—spikes oddly cushiony, her cool body like a summer ice mat.
"Gengar! (Let's gooo!)"