Chapter 25: Bird of Prey Pokémon

"Here are your two Pokémon eggs. Would you like to hatch them here in the Raging Flame Plains? Customers who purchase eggs from us enjoy a 12 percent discount on incubation services. Furthermore, hatching Pokémon within the Flame Secret Realm slightly boosts their Fire-type aptitude."

After applying ointment to her face, Jiang Qinglan’s swelling had subsided. With a sweet smile, she spoke earnestly to the brothers, Xia Luo and Xia Yu, "Incubating the two eggs in the Raging Flame Plains with the standard nutrient solution costs 1 million, and 2 million with the high-energy nutrient solution. If you hatch both together, we offer a further discount—a 10 percent reduction on top of the 12 percent discount, effectively 79 percent of the original price."

Xia Yu’s face darkened. This Flame Secret Realm was truly shameless; they could just as well be robbing people, yet they acted as if they were doing him a favor by incubating the eggs.

Two million to hatch one egg meant 4 million for two. Even with the 79 percent discount, it would still cost 3.16 million. Add that to the 760,000 for the eggs themselves—which were already 60 percent of their original price—and the total was nearly 4 million.

Predatory. Truly predatory! But for any trainer aiming to compete in the Fire-type Gym Leader qualifying tournament, they would grit their teeth and pay. If you didn’t pay, other Fire-type trainers would, and you would be starting at a disadvantage. How could you hope to compete then?

Xia Luo had been prepared for this; fortunately, having served as a Gym Leader for the past three years, he had some modest savings.

"Let’s hatch them here. I’ll pay for both," Xia Luo said, his heart aching as he swiped his card to pay the four million-plus total.

"By the way, you can download the 'West Shu Flame' app on your phone. We will provide you with an account so you can monitor the incubation process in real-time. Once the system detects the eggs are about to hatch, we will call you in advance so you can witness the moment they emerge."

It had to be admitted that while the price was exorbitant, the service was excellent—something the Grass-Bug Secret Realm should learn from.

Xia Yu secretly made up his mind to convince his father to suggest that the Pokémon Association take notes from the Flame Secret Realm. He was determined to make the Grass-Bug Secret Realm even more "predatory" than this one.

Everything you’ve taken from me, I will make you pay back!

After the transaction, Jiang Qinglan received a handsome commission, and her smile grew even brighter. After seeing the brothers out of the Flame Secret Realm and exchanging contact information, she promised to notify them the moment the eggs began to hatch.

...

After leaving the secret realm, the brothers prepared to return to Starlight City on their Flying-type Pokémon. However, while the journey there had been peaceful, the return trip was not guaranteed to be.

"Xia Yu, ride my Charizard. I’ll take the other rental Corviknight." Xia Luo gave his Charizard to Xia Yu while he climbed onto the rented Corviknight. He had a premonition that the return path might not be smooth and had prepared accordingly. A Gym-Leader-level Charizard would give Xia Yu a measure of self-protection. "Be careful on the way, and stay close to me while we fly."

"Understood." Xia Luo’s solemn expression made Xia Yu realize something was amiss, and he nodded seriously.

"Let’s go. Move out."

The Corviknight and Charizard beat their wings, instantly rising into the sky and heading toward Starlight City. As the two took flight, two other figures mounted a Braviary and a Staraptor and followed them.

...

Riding on the Charizard, looking down from high altitudes at the forests, mountains, and rivers, with flocks of Pidgey soaring through the air and the wind rushing past his ears, Xia Yu felt an extraordinary sense of tranquility. This was perhaps the dream of every Pokémon enthusiast, but the serenity didn't last long before it was shattered by Xia Luo’s voice.

"Little Yu, hold on tight. We’re about to turn." Xia Luo’s expression was grim. "We’re being followed. We’re far enough from the West City urban area now; they’re likely about to make their move."

"Got it," Xia Yu replied, hugging the Charizard tightly and gripping the harness.

"Charizard, Corviknight, are you ready? Accelerate!"

Hearing the command, the two Pokémon flapped their wings, whipping up gusts of wind as their speed surged instantly.

At the same time, the Braviary and Staraptor in the distance stopped hiding and accelerated, closing in on the brothers.

Both the Braviary and the Staraptor were masters of the sky.

The Braviary is a large bird Pokémon with a white, three-feathered crown tipped in reddish-brown. Its face features three white feathers on each side, and its neck is adorned with white down. Its upper body and wings are reddish-brown, while its chest, abdomen, legs, and the undersides of its wings are a deep navy blue. Its tail feathers are reddish-brown with yellow and blue bands. It possesses powerful legs and massive claws. Known for its fearless, brave, and proud personality, it will fight for its companions regardless of the danger. It is a valiant sky warrior.

The Staraptor is equally powerful, with a fierce gaze, razor-sharp claws, and a piercing beak. Its chest features a black, M-shaped marking, and its abdomen is white. Its most distinctive feature is its crest-like plumage, black at the back and red at the front. Staraptors are fierce, independent creatures capable of living apart from their flocks. With sturdy wings and powerful leg muscles, they are formidable physical attackers in the air.

"Braviary, Brave Bird, charge!" the man riding the Braviary commanded.

The Braviary tucked its wings, enveloped in Flying-type energy, and streaked toward the Charizard and Corviknight like a blinding bolt of light.

"Staraptor, Tailwind!"

The other man commanded his Staraptor simultaneously. The Pokémon flapped its wings, creating a visible vortex of air that boosted their speed significantly.

The combination of Brave Bird and Tailwind sent the Braviary hurtling toward them like a cannonball.

"Charizard, Flamethrower!" Xia Luo commanded calmly. The Charizard dove downward, performed a sharp, graceful drift, and unleashed a massive burst of flame shaped like the kanji for "fire."

The flaming vortex collided with the incoming Braviary, exploding on contact. Yet, the Braviary did not slow down, pushing through the searing heat to continue its assault.

"Charizard, Corviknight, descend!" Seeing that the Braviary could not be easily blocked, Xia Luo ordered his Pokémon to dive into the forest below.

Obeying instantly, the Charizard and Corviknight tucked their wings and plummeted toward the canopy, disappearing into the dense woods below in an instant.