Advent: Explorers of Boundaries

Chapter 27: Stark Mountain

Days later, guildmaster Altaria summoned Team Awesome, ready to assign them a special task after their successful test with the Eon duo.

Elton couldn't contain his excitement, cheering loudly at the prospect of being elevated to Gold-rank. However, his premature celebration earned him a sharp scolding from guildmaster Altaria, who reminded him not to count his Torchics before they hatched.

In a rather colorful tone, guildmaster Altaria emphasized that this task wouldn't rely much on their physical prowess but instead would test their intelligence and adaptability.

After receiving all the details, the team set off for Wasl's most notorious volcano, located just a few hours away: Stark Mountain.

Upon arrival, Alex and Elton were greeted by soaring temperatures that made them instantly sweat. Smoke billowed from the volcano, and lava flowed around its base.

Elton couldn't help but mutter under his breath, likening the task to punishment rather than a special assignment, eliciting a wry chuckle from Alex as they prepared to face Stark Mountain's scorching challenge.

As Elton mustered some motivational words to coax himself and Alex into venturing into the volcano's fiery depths, they braced themselves for the oppressive heat that awaited them inside. 

The moment they crossed the threshold, the temperature skyrocketed, enveloping them in a searing embrace. The air shimmered with a mesmerizing display of orange and red hues, accentuated by the occasional burst of flames and crackling lava flows.

The intense heat felt like an inferno, as if they were trapped in the heart of a blazing furnace. Sweat dripped profusely down their faces. Elton, being a grass-type Pokémon, felt particularly affected, his usually lush appearance now resembling a wilted plant struggling in the harsh desert sun.

Despite the challenging conditions, Elton and Alex pressed forward with determination, their movements slowed by the oppressive heat. Every step felt like a battle against the scorching environment, testing their endurance and resilience to the extreme elements of Stark Mountain's volcanic interior.

As they ventured deeper into the volcano, the paths seemed to multiply like a maze designed by a mischievous Pokémon. Elton's frustration bubbled over, punctuating their journey with colorful curses that echoed against the walls of the volcanic tunnels.

Navigating through the labyrinthine passages became a comedic spectacle of wrong turns and backtracking. Each dead-end they encountered felt like a slap in the face, their spirits deflating with every failed attempt to find the correct path. Alex and Elton's expressions mirrored the slow realization that they were, quite literally, lost in a volcano.

Some paths presented challenges that bordered on absurdity. One section, completely submerged in molten magma, forced them to make death-defying leaps from rock to rock to proceed. Alex's attempt at a heroic leap resulted in a spectacular misjudgment, dunking his leg into the searing magma with a dramatic splash. The ensuing howl of pain echoed through the tunnels, punctuated by Elton's frantic application of a Burn Heal to soothe Alex's scalded appendage.

"I hate this place!" Alex bellowed, his voice a mixture of agony and exasperation, as they trudged onward, their resolve tested by the volcano's relentless challenges.

Finally reaching the heart of the volcano, where the temperature soared to new, absurd heights, they couldn't help but marvel at the sheer absurdity of their predicament amidst their own misfortunes.

As a wall of magma surged forward, Alex and Elton were too preoccupied with trying to cool off their scorched bodies to notice the impending danger.

When the magma subsided, a massive Heatran descended from the ceiling, looming over the uncomfortable Team Awesome.

"Greetings, Team Awesome!" Heatran's voice boomed through the cavern. "For this challenge, you must retrieve basalt. As you can see, that mineral is located in the pool of magma. Good luck!"

Alex and Elton exchanged exasperated glances, their minds still fogged by the intense heat. However, in a rare stroke of brilliance, Elton dashed to their bag and retrieved a peculiar orb.

The orb in question was a Snow Orb. Elton wasted no time activating it. Within moments, the blistering atmosphere transformed into a refreshing coolness, with snowflakes gently descending around them. The sudden change allowed Team Awesome to catch their breath and think clearly.

"Okay, Alex," Elton exclaimed, his mind racing with newfound clarity. "This orb won't last forever. We need to strategize on how to retrieve the basalt from the magma pool."

As they brainstormed, Elton proposed a daring plan to create new paths by destroying the thin rock formations at the ceiling. However, the challenge was reaching those heights.

In a moment of inspiration, Alex recalled an old training technique and suggested Elton launch him into the air using Quick Attack.

Elton initially hesitated, deeming the plan risky. But with the Snow Orb's effects fading, urgency spurred him to accept. With a firm grip, Elton propelled Alex skyward with Quick Attack.

Using Shadow Claw, Alex deftly dismantled the base of the fragile rock formations, causing them to collapse and form a makeshift path.

They repeated this aerial maneuver until they reached the basalt formation, where Alex skillfully chipped away a substantial piece.

Returning to Heatran with their prize, the legendary Pokémon was impressed by their innovative tactics and imprinted its mark on the mineral as proof of their success.

"Congratulations! Team Awesome has my approval! Now it's time for you to go back," Heatran declared before plunging into the magma.

The Snow Orb's cooling effect wore off, enveloping Alex and Elton in the intense heat once more. Elton, not one to endure discomfort needlessly, swiftly got an Escape Orb and activated it, whisking them out of the volcanic inferno.

As Elton proudly displayed the basalt imprinted by Heatran, gasps of surprise echoed through the guild hall.

Guildmaster Altaria beamed with pride as he congratulated Team Awesome, announcing their elevation to the prestigious Gold-rank.

Alex and Elton erupted in cheers, their accomplishment met with applause from Team Light.

"Now we can head out whenever we want and stay for however long we want at curfew hours!" Elton exclaimed with pride.

In celebration of their new Gold-rank status, Farfetch'd presented Alex and Elton with special gifts. To Alex, he gave a Lucarionite, a powerful Mega Stone that would unlock Lucario's hidden potential, along with a Z-Crystal for Fighting-type moves. For Elton, he bestowed a Sceptilite, enabling Sceptile to Mega Evolve and reach new heights, accompanied by a Z-Crystal for Grass-type moves.

With these treasures in hand, it marked the dawn of a new era for Team Awesome, signifying their ascent as a formidable Gold-rank team in the guild.

"They're now at the same level as Team Light..." muttered Spinda from Team Fuse, clearly astonished by the turn of events.

***

Hours later, in the Vesta Region at Verity Lake, deep inside the cavern nestled in its heart, Kevin engaged in conversation with Mesprit, the ethereal being of Emotion. With a reverent gesture, he presented the guitar instrument to Mesprit, its polished surface glinting in the mystical light of the cavern.

"Why the long face, Mesprit? You seem a bit down." Kevin said.

*sighs* "I can't shake off this feeling. I sense something ominous about to unfold, something dark and unsettling." Mesprit stated.

*concerned* "Is there anything I can do to help or prepare for it?" Kevin asked.

"No, Kevin. It's a foreboding that hangs in the air, beyond our control. But your presence here brings comfort nonetheless." Mesprit replied.