Pokemon: Skybound

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Mount Ember, located in the northern part of One Island, is the highest peak in the Sevii Islands.

Centuries ago, it was an active volcano, but over time, it became dormant and eventually classified as extinct. Despite the passage of time and the forces of nature, its shape remains remarkably intact, a testament to its enduring legacy.

After a night of rest at Lorelei's home, Kai and Sabrina, under Lorelei's guidance, returned to One Island. According to local legends, Moltres was said to roost somewhere on Mount Ember.

Its fiery brilliance, said to shine like a beacon even in the darkest nights, earned the mountain its name: Mount Ember.

The group set off on foot, and after a long trek, they finally reached the base of the mountain. Kai looked up toward the summit.

The lower half of the mountain was lush and green, covered with dense shrubs and foliage. But as his gaze moved higher, the greenery disappeared, replaced by barren, rocky terrain.

Past the midway point, the mountain was completely devoid of vegetation, with occasional plumes of smoke escaping from cracks in the rocks.

Kai wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to Lorelei. "Are you sure this is supposed to be an extinct volcano?"

"Well…" Lorelei surveyed the surroundings, her expression uncertain. "It has been a long time since I've been up here. I didn't expect this much change. Compared to my last visit, it does feel… hotter."

Kai nodded thoughtfully. He understood that the distinction between active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes wasn't always clear-cut. A dormant volcano could awaken, and an extinct one might show signs of activity again.

And if a Fire-type like Moltres chose to reside here, it was likely drawn to the lingering volcanic heat.

As they continued upward, Kai noticed Sabrina lagging several meters behind, drenched in sweat and visibly exhausted. The steep climb was clearly taking its toll on her.

Despite being a psychic powerhouse, Sabrina's lack of physical training made such strenuous activity a challenge.

Still, she refused to use her powers to ease the climb and silently pushed herself to keep up with Kai.

Kai smiled faintly and started to walk back toward her, but as he did, his eyes inadvertently lingered on her figure. Her sweat-soaked clothes clung to her, accentuating her curves, leaving little to the imagination.

Before Sabrina could notice his wandering gaze, Kai quickly averted his eyes and flashed her a warm smile. "Tired? Do you want to take a break?"

Sabrina, unaware of his thoughts, shook her head lightly. "No need. Let's keep going."

Kai raised an eyebrow and warned her, "Overexerting yourself isn't a good idea. If you're not used to physical activity and push too hard, you'll regret it tomorrow."

Hearing this, Lorelei added, "There's a hot spring not far from here. It's great for relieving fatigue. Locals, especially the elderly, often come here to relax."

Sabrina hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. The group then continued along a winding mountain trail toward the hot spring.

When they arrived, they were greeted by the sight of steaming water boiling violently, almost like a cauldron. The temperature was clearly far from suitable for bathing.

Standing side by side, the trio stared silently at the spring until Kai finally broke the silence.

"This water's practically boiling. Are you sure the locals come here to bathe? Or is this where they cook dinner?"

Lorelei shot him an exasperated look. "It wasn't like this the last time! I think a recent earthquake might've caused changes in the mountain's geothermal activity."

Kai shook his head and sighed. With no way to rest in the blistering heat, the group pressed on, heading deeper into Mount Ember.

As they climbed, the trail gradually disappeared. Lorelei led them through jagged rocks, navigating the uneven terrain until they reached a hidden cave blocked by a massive boulder.

Lorelei grinned triumphantly. "This cave is a well-kept secret. If Moltres truly exists, I'm certain it's on the other side of this passage."

Kai examined the cave entrance. The boulder almost completely sealed it, leaving only a narrow gap that a child might be able to squeeze through.

Kai was about to call on Gardevoir to move the boulder when Sabrina stepped forward. With her hands outstretched, her psychic powers flared, and the enormous rock began to shift.

Though visibly strained, Sabrina managed to push the boulder aside just enough to create a wider opening, allowing the group to pass through.

With the entrance cleared, a cool mountain breeze wafted out, carrying a refreshing chill that felt like stepping into an air-conditioned room.

The trio entered the cave and immediately noticed how different it was from the outside. The air was damp and cool, and the rocky floor was slick with moisture. Green moss lined the walls, and droplets of water dripped rhythmically from above.

The cave seemed to be naturally formed, with no signs of human alteration. After climbing for several minutes through the narrow, slippery tunnel, they emerged on the other side.

A powerful gust of sea wind greeted them, ruffling their hair as they stepped out onto a ledge overlooking a cliff.

Below them lay the entirety of One Island, its lush forests and sparkling shores stretching into the distance. To the east, the faint outlines of Two Island and Three Island were visible on the horizon.

The breathtaking view left the group momentarily speechless.

"We're so high up…" Sabrina murmured, her voice almost lost in the wind.

Kai took a deep breath, the cool air invigorating him after the challenging climb. But his focus wasn't on the view it was on the peak ahead, where the fiery legend of Moltres awaited.

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