Chapter 66 Ho-Oh’s Sacred Flame, Charizard Leaves the Team

Chapter 66 Ho-Oh's Sacred Flame, Charizard Leaves the Team

"Roar!" Charizard launched a Flamethrower toward Mega Charizard X, who responded immediately with a blue Flamethrower of its own.

The flames collided, evenly matched. Ron was a bit startled; this was Mega Charizard X after all! It should've been superior in terms of attributes compared to the three Level-100 Charizards, yet their flame powers seemed equally matched.

Mega Charizard X also felt slightly surprised, immediately increasing its flame intensity. The other Charizard matched it equally, again reaching a stalemate.

Ron, however, became uneasy. From the flame of this Charizard, he felt a familiar sensation—similar to what he had experienced from Mewtwo.

"The power of origin?" Ron murmured softly, "Mega Charizard X, finish this quickly. I have something to ask them."

Mega Charizard X immediately abandoned the flame duel, breaking through the opposing Flamethrower with a Dragon Claw, knocking the Charizard back several steps.

Now Mega Charizard X was Fire/Dragon-type, possessing quadruple resistance to Fire moves, making these flames feel like a gentle drizzle.

Seeing this Charizard pushed back, the last of the three Level-100 Charizards could no longer sit idle. It instantly used Dragon Claw, colliding fiercely with Mega Charizard X's Dragon Claw. Mega Charizard X was pushed back two steps, marking the end of the match.

"As expected. The aura of the last one is even stronger," Ron narrowed his eyes slightly.

After ending Mega Evolution, Ron walked up to his Charizard, patting its lowered head and said gently, "You've already done very well. Your opponent possesses something you should start comprehending now."

Turning to Liza, Ron said, "The Pokémon League is really cunning. Leaving Ho-Oh's flame here is meant to attract these Charizards, right?"

"So, you noticed it?" Liza playfully stuck out her tongue and laughed, "Yes, the League indeed asked Ho-Oh to leave its flame here to attract Charizards to settle, which is the origin of the Charizard Valley. Both you and Ash from Pallet Town are key trainers the League is grooming, so they had me guide you both here."

"So, the Charmander Ash had was originally from here?" Ron asked suspiciously.

"Yes. It was specifically assigned to Ash by the League. Otherwise, how could a Charmander possibly be abandoned on the roadside, no matter how weak it was?" Liza replied. "What's most unbelievable is that someone like Ash actually received a direct message from Ho-Oh to the League."

Indeed. One of Ron's lingering doubts was finally resolved. Ron had already become suspicious when he saw that Ash's Charizard had top-level aptitude. How blind could its original trainer have been to abandon a Charmander with such tremendous potential? Moreover, most of Ash's main team members were Fire-type and Flying-type, perfectly matching Ho-Oh's attributes. This also explained why Ash had encountered Ho-Oh on the very first day of his journey and why Suicune greeted him upon arriving in Johto's New Bark Town.

As the system had mentioned, Ash was truly this world's child of destiny. If he continued growing at this rate, it was entirely possible that every Legendary Pokémon would follow his commands, with Ho-Oh and the Legendary Beasts likely being the first to do so.

The flame Ho-Oh left here was probably unintentional. But in the end, Ash's Charizard greatly benefited from it. With an entire valley of powerful Charizards training alongside it, coupled with Ho-Oh's flame, even a pig might manage to touch the edges of Legendary power.

"He's just extremely lucky. We can't compare," Ron practically gritted his teeth as he said this.

Liza was puzzled but said, "Now that you know the truth, please keep it secret and don't mention it to Ash. Also, the League hopes you'll block Ash's championship journey as much as possible. Before he meets Ho-Oh's expectations, Ho-Oh doesn't want him to win a championship and become complacent."

Ron was speechless, finally understanding why Ash was always stuck as the perpetual runner-up, unable to become champion. Ash, you'd better accept this fate.

But then Ron quickly realized something else: this Ash was not the one from the anime anymore. He was steadily growing stronger, and if Ron didn't speed up his own pace, Ash leading a team of legendary Pokémon would undoubtedly become every trainer's nightmare.

"By the way, if I can get a Legendary Pokémon to obey the League, can I request to capture one?" Ron suddenly asked.

"You mean your Mewtwo?" Liza asked.

"No, Team Rocket's Mewtwo. Right now, it's teaching my Mewtwo how to reach Legendary status," Ron said, while inwardly scheming: Mewtwo, you must work hard! Whether I can request a Legendary from the League all depends on you!

Far away, on an isolated island dozens of nautical miles from Pallet Town, two Mewtwos simultaneously shivered. The two Pokémon glanced at each other, both feeling a sense of foreboding.

After discussing this, Liza secretly took out a special communication device and called the League's private line, briefly explaining the situation.

"What Legendary Pokémon do you want? I'll tell you in advance, we can only give you young Pokémon from Legendary groups. But you must handle that Mewtwo," a deep voice responded.

"That's fine. But I want a Celebi. Is that possible?" Ron asked.

"Celebi? No way! If you want one of the three Legendary Birds, I can give it to you right now," the deep voice replied.

"What would I even do with those silly birds? I want Celebi," Ron insisted. "Why can't I have Celebi? Celebi belongs to one of the larger Legendary Pokémon groups, doesn't it?"

"I said no, and that's final."

"Then there's nothing more to discuss."

"What do you want Celebi for?"

"None of your business."

"Give me one hour."

Ron agreed and turned to Liza, asking, "Can you show me Ho-Oh's flame?"

"Follow me," Liza said. She led Ron and Charizard toward the back of the valley. Along the way, Ron saw numerous Charmanders and Charmeleons resting in small caves, many curiously staring at Ron.

Ron silently estimated that there were nearly a hundred Charmanders and Charmeleons here, clearly demonstrating the incredible foundation of Charizard Valley. Liza eventually brought Ron and Charizard to a hollow rocky crater, at the bottom of which burned a small flame. Even from afar, one could sense its endlessly vigorous life energy.

Around the flame, there were three flat rocks, clearly the resting spots for the three Level-100 Charizards. At this moment, Liza said, "Your Charizard defeated two of them and thus has earned the right to occupy one of these spots. However, it must accept daily challenges from other Charizards. Now, let your Charizard dip its tail flame into Ho-Oh's flame."

Ron glanced at Charizard, who nodded and flew forward, landing on one of the rocks and inserting its tail into the flame. Instantly, Charizard's tail flame burned brightly. Charizard thoughtfully roared a few times toward Ron.

"Really? If it's suitable for you, then stay here for now and comprehend it. I'll have Liza send you over when it's time for the Silver Conference," Ron said.

Charizard nodded, lay down on the rock, and immersed its tail flame into Ho-Oh's flame, focusing deeply. Ron handed Charizard's Ultra Ball to Liza, saying, "Please take care of Charizard for now. I'll contact you when the Silver Conference begins. Please teleport Charizard over at that time."

"No problem," Liza replied, taking the Ultra Ball.

Ron turned around, forcing himself not to look back at Charizard. He knew it was for Charizard's good, and it was also Charizard's own decision. But at the moment of separation, an indescribable sadness filled his heart.

Liza had Charla take Ron away from Charizard Valley. As they flew away, a powerful roar suddenly echoed through the air, making Ron look back. A Flamethrower pierced straight into the sky, lingering for a long time…