Ashwin stepped out from the oppressive ruins, his breath slow and heavy as psychic residue clung to him like a fog. The unsettling presence of the spore-infested lower chambers still echoed in his mind, but more than that, the revelation of the stolen Delphox artifact stirred a fire within him. Delphox, whose presence had become more than just a powerful ally, matched his determined pace, her staff leaving trails of protective fire as they walked through the thinning mist.
[Main Quest Updated: "Remnants of the Flame – Stage 2"]
Objective: Recover the Delphox Artifact from the Inner Sanctum.
Requirement: Fire-type unit combat readiness at optimal level. Specialized gear recommended.
Reward: ??? (Locked)
Ashwin knew he couldn't move forward without preparation. This wasn't just another wild field challenge or side event—this was something deeper, with historical weight, dangerous terrain, and the very real threat of ancient traps and defensive Pokémon.
Before returning to the farm, Ashwin passed through a small merchant camp nestled between two moss-covered cliffs. The merchant, a gruff older man with a relaxed Houndour at his feet, watched Ashwin's soot-covered team with interest.
"Been crawling in some cursed place, haven't you?" the merchant remarked. "You're lucky spores didn't root inside your team."
Ashwin nodded, glancing at his Fire-type companions—Torchic, Growlithe, Cyndaquil, and now, Delphox. All bore signs of fatigue but burned with resolve. It was here that Ashwin's attention locked onto a shimmering item within the merchant's display.
A pristine Fire Stone.
"I need that," Ashwin said immediately. "How much?"
"For a lad with fire in his eyes and ash on his boots? Just enough," the merchant smirked. "One condition though—use it wisely."
Ashwin didn't hesitate. After a trade of goods and coin, he held the Fire Stone, its surface radiating warmth and power.
Back at the farm, Ashwin brought his team into the open field behind the Breeder's Grotto. The newly rescued and tamed Fire-types were all gathered for training, and the spore contamination research was ongoing in a sterile section of the lower labs.
He called forward Growlithe, who had grown significantly under Ashwin's care, its loyalty unwavering and its battle instincts sharpened.
"You've earned this," Ashwin said, kneeling to eye level. "And we'll need your strength more than ever."
As he pressed the Fire Stone to Growlithe's fur, a brilliant flame enveloped the Pokémon, swirling and pulsing like a living inferno. When it died down, standing tall and proud was Arcanine, fur flowing like molten fire, eyes burning with noble resolve.
[System Alert: Growlithe has evolved into Arcanine!]
[Combat Potential: Significantly Increased]
[Special Ability Unlocked: Flame Vanguard – Fire-type moves grant a minor resistance buff to allies]
Ashwin smiled. The first piece of his elite fire unit had been born.
That evening, under the glow of orange and red training lamps, Ashwin ran tactical drills.
Delphox led the advanced team in flame control and psychic-fire maneuvers. Arcanine, now a powerful anchor, trained with the other Fire-types, using his new ability to shield allies during mock scenarios. Torchic practiced evasive maneuvers, Cyndaquil honed precision flame strikes, and even the newly found Houndour pups mimicked Delphox's flame rings.
All the while, Ashwin monitored spore contamination control. It was clear: fire wasn't just a weapon here—it was the cure.
The farm's open training fields were bathed in the amber light of early dawn, the kind of golden warmth that softened the tension still hanging in the air from Ashwin's recent journey into the spore-infested ruins. But today's objective was clear.
Ashwin stood before a large, custom-constructed steam training arena—a blend of stone trenches, heated geysers, and pressure-controlled water pipes, built with the help of local engineers and Rock-type Pokémon. His Fire-types were gathered in a semi-circle, eyes fixed on the mist rising from the training zone.
"We've trained in open flame," Ashwin said, walking in front of them, "but now we test your control. Fire isn't always about destruction—it's about balance. You'll be using your flame not to overwhelm water... but to survive within it."
Delphox took the lead. With her staff glowing faintly, she manipulated the steam vents, creating shifting waves of mist and pressure. Her psychic aura surrounded the entire field like a net, amplifying the smallest fluctuations in heat.
"First drill—fire resonance stabilization," Ashwin called. "You must maintain flame in damp environments without losing control or letting your fire die."
Torchic hopped nervously, her small wings twitching as she entered a shallow trench filled with ankle-deep, lukewarm water. Cyndaquil, Growlithe, Houndour, and even a skittish Charmander followed.
Flames sputtered. Water hissed.
Torchic's flame was the first to flicker.
Ashwin watched closely.
"Breathe," he called out. "Visualize your flame not as a torch… but a sun."
Delphox released another controlled steam blast—this time hotter, thicker—and as it cloaked the battlefield, the Pokémon inside the training zone began to glow faintly from within the fog.
Growlithe, now Arcanine, held his composure the best. His mane flared steadily, glowing under the haze like coals in a forge. The younger Pokémon faltered, but not for long—spurred by Ashwin's commands and Arcanine's presence.
Ashwin moved to the next phase.
"Cyndaquil, you're up. Time to try Flame Jet Stabilization through moving currents."
Pumps whirred to life and a circular water flow began in the trench's center. It was like a whirlpool, gentle but unrelenting.
Cyndaquil stepped in, flames flaring from his back.
"Keep it stable. Don't resist the flow—ride it."
The small Fire-type struggled initially. But soon, the movement aligned with its natural breathing rhythm. Small sparks began to pulse from Cyndaquil's back in timed bursts, resisting the water's cooling effect with rhythmic combustion.
"Good," Ashwin murmured. "Use your instincts, not brute force."
Meanwhile, Houndour—once a rescued pup—was observing from the side. Its eyes flicked between the mist, the steam, and Delphox's stance.
Then it stepped into the thickest part of the fog on its own, unprompted.
Delphox tilted her head curiously.
Houndour's eyes narrowed.
A faint red ring formed around it—mimicking the circular spell that Delphox used during psychic casting.
Ashwin's eyes widened. "It's... trying to create a rotational flame buffer on its own?"
The steam exploded outward in a sudden pulse. Houndour howled, cloaked in a sudden, hot blaze that formed a protective spiral around its body. Delphox nodded, almost respectfully.
[System Alert: Houndour has developed the technique – Ember Spiral]
[Effect: Creates a rotating shield of fire that deflects projectile-based attacks for a short duration.]
Ashwin couldn't help but smile. "That's what I'm talking about."
As the Fire-types cooled down post-training, Ashwin brought out water bowls infused with healing herbs. Delphox quietly summoned her energy to dry and cleanse the Pokémon without snuffing out their warmth.
Torchic snuggled next to Cyndaquil. Charmander wagged its tail flame at Houndour, mimicking its Ember Spiral. The warmth of kinship was evident, forged through pressure, steam, and fire.
Ashwin sat down on a rock at the edge of the field, looking over his team. "We're readying for more than just one battle," he said quietly to himself. "We're shaping what comes after…"
He stared up toward the distant treeline beyond which the Delphox artifact was hidden. The flame of determination burned in his chest—not wild, but tempered. Controlled.
Ready.