On the way to the crater, Su Feng grew curious about the Flame Coins. With his potential winnings, he'd likely amass over a thousand—but what could they really buy?
"Mag. (Mainly food, but you can also hire Pokémon for construction or trade for rare items.)" Magmar scratched his head.
Though, given Su Feng's wealth, few Pokémon here could offer anything of equal value. And since Su Feng wasn't settling down, the coins might never circulate back. Eh, I'll just mint more later.
An hour later, they reached a hidden cave near the volcano's summit.
[This is Moltres' lair? Feels like a Fire Archdemon's dungeon.]
[Final boss vibes. Feng-ge's gonna style on it.]
[Not as epic as Kyurem's ice palace.]
[Bro, it's a living volcano. That's metal enough.]
Magmar halted Su Feng. "Mag. (Wait here. I need Moltres' permission.)"
The narrow tunnel glowed from molten rivulets underfoot. Deeper inside, Magmar stopped before a golden magma pool and bowed.
"Mag. (Lord Moltres.)"
A languid, feminine voice echoed from the depths:
"Magmar. I said not to disturb me."
Magmar's legs trembled under her aura. "Mag! (A human knows of you! He seeks an audience!)"
"Human?"
BOOM!
Moltres erupted from the magma, sending a geyser of golden lava skyward. Droplets splattered onto Magmar, searing his hide—yet he dared not flinch.
Shaking off the molten gold, Moltres perched at the pool's edge. "Bring them in."
Magmar scurried back, his shell scorched.
Su Feng frowned. "Did Moltres attack you?"
"Mag. (Not intentionally. You may enter.)"
Su Feng sprayed a Hyper Potion on Magmar's wounds. The relief was instant.
"Mag. (Haven't used one of these in decades.)"
Inside, the cavern's heat was bearable—far from the 10,000°C Su Feng expected. The golden magma illuminated Moltres in all her glory: a regal, flame-wreathed raptor with piercing eyes.
"Human." Her voice was sharp. "State your purpose."
[She talks!!!]
[That's the phoenix from the footage! So majestic!]
[Why's she side-eyeing the drone?]
[Feng-ge, can I catch her?]
[Sure! Just walk up and ask, "Be my Pokémon?" Easy.]
Before Su Feng could speak, Moltres' gaze snapped to the drone.
"What is that?"
A whip of golden lava lashed out—only for the drone to shake it off like water.
Moltres' eyes widened. My flames vaporize steel. How…?
[Did she just attack us?!]
[Drone's built different. Survived blizzards, survives magma.]
Su Feng's heart raced. One direct hit, and I'm meeting Arceus early.
Moltres stalked closer, studying the drone. Then she froze.
"This machine… it carries the scent of the Alpha."
She turned to Su Feng. "Why do you reek of the Creator?"
The stream froze.
Su Feng: "?"
Every. Damn. Legendary.
He glanced at his arms. Did Arceus mark me like a fire hydrant?