A new day dawned, and the others and I got up to leave Blackthorn City.

Clair was kind enough to let us sleep over at her house.

After saying goodbye to Clair and Blackthorn City, the six of us started heading back to Yelena's villa, taking a few detours along the way.

We took a long way back to the villa. Going through Ecruteak City to Goldenrod City, then through Azalea Town. I wonder what adventures await us this morning?

After we passed through Azalea Town, we took another route that took us through a canyon. The rugged path overlooked spiked rock pillars and many far drops leading to small streams.

I've never been through a canyon before. It's breathtaking!

"This place is amazing!" Nina cried.

Then, her voice echoed throughout the canyon.

"Now, that's cool," Elsu said, "Hello!"

I smiled as the native's voice rang throughout the canyon.

"These echoes are really cool!" Kat said.

Angel smiled before letting out a cheer-filled cry, bouncing with joy as her voice bounced back at her. Libby laughed before she cried out towards the canyon. My Eevee wagged her tail when she heard her voice bounce back.

"Awesome echoes, you two!" I praised.

Angel and Libby smiled as they let out friendly cries. Walking along the canyon's path, I noticed a dark shadow flying overhead. When I looked up, I recognized the Pokémon flying overhead.

"Hey, look up there, guys," I said, "It's a Charizard!"

My friends looked up and gasped.

"You're right, but what's a Charizard doing out here?" Rina asked.

"That's because it's my Charizard." said a voice above us.

We looked up ad saw a girl with fair skin, green hair, and blue eyes. She wore a red crop top and matching shorts, and golden earrings with a cane in her hand.

"That's your Charizard?" Elsu questioned.

"Yup, that's my Charla," she said.

"Wow! I've never seen one so big before!" Nina exclaimed, "You must've trained her well!"

"Thank you!"

The girl jumped from the cliff and landed in front of us.

"The name's Liza," she said, "Who might you be?"

"I'm Eragona, and these are my friends Kat, Eric, Nina, Elsu, and Rina." I said.

"Nice to meet you!" the others said.

"Likewise!"

Then, Liza's blue eyes widened.

"Wait. You're Eragona!" she declared, "Oh, I've heard so much about you! I remember hearing on Poké Talk Radio that you were traveling with a Charizard, right?"

"Oh, um... yeah, that's right." I said.

Liza walked up to me and sniffed me like a Growlithe.

"I can tell," Liza said, "You have that Charizard scent all over you."

Is that supposed to be a compliment?

"You must come to Charicific Valley with me!" Liza said.

"Charicific Valley?" we parroted.

"Yes! Charicific Valley is a place for wild Charizard to train and grow stronger. I'm its caretaker."

"I've never heard of such a place." Rina commented.

"As its caretaker, it's my job to keep people who might poach these wild Charizard. That's why it's not a tourist attraction; it's a training ground and a haven for all Charizard!"

Wow. A place for only Charizard? Charcoal is going to love this place!

"So, will you come with me?" Liza asked.

I looked back at the others, and they nodded.

"Sure! We'd love to come!" I said.

"Wonderful!" Liza said, "Oh, Charla!"

Liza's voice echoed throughout the canyon. Then, a dark shadow loomed over us. When I looked up, I saw the giant Charizard from before with a basket attached to its tail.

"Wow! Charla's even bigger up close." Eric commented as the Charizard landed.

Liza nodded before hopping on her Charizard's back.

"Two people can fit in the basket." Liza said.

"We'll ride it!" Elsu and Rina exclaimed.

I chuckled as I watched the two climb into the basket.

"Eragona, you can fly on the back of your Charizard." Liza said.

"Alright," I said, pulling out a Pokéball, "Charcoal, I choose you!"

At my command, my Charizard appeared and let out a mighty roar.

"Ah, I can see you've raised your Charizard with much love and care," Liza said, "And the name suits him perfectly!"

"Thanks, Liza," I said, "Oh, I almost forgot!"

I then pulled out another Pokéball and tossed it in the air.

"Jet, come on out!" I said.

Then, my Garchomp appeared with a mighty roar.

"Eric and Nina, you can fly on Jet's back while Kat and I ride on Charocal." I said, hopping on my Charizard's back.

"Sounds fun!" Nina said.

When we were ready, Charla took to the skies with the basket behind them.

"Follow them, Jet and Charcoal!" I said.

My Pokémon cried out before following the overgrown Charizard.

"You're riding your Charizard very well, Eragona!" Liza commented.

"Thanks! This isn't the first time riding him!" I said over the howling winds.

"I knew this kid who couldn't ride his Charizard for nothing. His Charizard was stubborn but had good intentions, just like its trainer. Now, his Charizard is one of the strongest in the valley."

Wow! I wonder who she's referring to.

As we flew over the cliffs and canyons, I smiled when we came to a rugged valley with a large body of water.

"We're here!" Liza declared.

When we flew around a stone wall, a gasp escaped my lips. A large rock in the shape of a Charizard head rested over an iron door, overlooking a water path with Charizard statues.

"Welcome to Charicific Valley!" Liza said.

Charla roared before she landed in front of the iron gates. Charcoal and Jet grunted as they landed beside the overgrown Charizard.

"Wow! This place is amazing!" Kat exclaimed, sliding off Charcoal's back.

I grinned as I hopped off Charcoal's back, admiring the beautiful rock structures.

"Thanks for the help, Jet. Return." I said, retracting my Garchomp.

Liza slid off her Charla and smiled up at the iron gates. She then pulled out a remote and pressed a button. Then, the iron doors slid open, and a horde of Charizard was inside. The Charizard roared as they fought on the land and in the air.

"Wow! I've never seen so many Charizard before!" Elsu exclaimed, "And these are all wild?"

"They sure are!" Liza said.

I looked up at Charcoal to see him gazing at the many Charizard. To my surprise, a lot of them were larger than him. Then, Charcoal let out a roar, catching the attention of the other Charizard. I grimaced when I saw one Charizard with a claw mark over its eye and another with tattered wings.

Yep, these Charizard are definitely wild.

"Do you want to battle one, Charcoal?" Liza asked.

Charcoal turned to the green-haired girl and nodded. The caretaker grinned as she looked around at the Charizard.

"Why not this one here?" Liza suggested, gesturing with her cane.

I looked over and grimaced when she pointed to the Charizard with a scarred face. Charcoal grunted before stomping over to the Charizard. As I was about to follow him, Liza stopped me with her cane.

"I'm sorry, but you'll have to let Charcoal fight alone," she said, "It'll test his true power and strength without that of his trainer."

I sighed as I watched Charcoal approach the scarred Charizard. The scarred Charizard looked down at Charcoal and grunted. Charcoal held up a fist and roared.

I wish I knew what they were saying.

The scarred Charizard grinned and nodded. Then, the Charizard spread its wings and took to the skies.

"Looks like it accepted Charcoal's challenge," Liza said, "Let's see how strong Charcoal truly is."

I watched as Charcoal chased the scarred Charizard into the skies. The scarred Charizard roared before using Flamethrower. Charcoal roared as he dodged the attack and charged at the other Charizard with glowing wings.

That's Wing Attack!

When Charcoal was close enough, he swung his wing and knocked the Flame Pokémon back.

Yes! Way to go, Charcoal!

The scarred Charizard growled before using Wing Attack as well. When I caught Charcoal's grin, I smiled.

I know what he's doing.

When the scarred Charizard was close enough, Charcoal used Metal Claw to catch the scarred Charizard's wings.

"He caught it!" Eric exclaimed.

Then, Charcoal roared before throwing the scarred Charizard back to the ground. Charcoal grunted as he tucked in his wings and dove after the other Charizard. The scarred Charizard growled before roaring out a Flamethrower attack. Charcoal responded with a powerful Dragon Pulse. When the attacks collided, an explosion occurred, masking the middle with dark gray smoke.

"Charcoal!" I cried.

When the smoke cleared, Charcoal and the scarred Charizard were at a stalemate. Both growled at one another as they panted. Then, the scarred Charizard fell backward on its bottom and grunted.

"Charcoal won!" Kat declared.

When Charcoal roared, he let out a ribbon of fire into the sky. The surrounding Charizard did the same.

Whoa, Charcoal's strong, even without my guidance.

Charcoal roared as he stomped over to me with a smile.

"Great work, buddy!" I exclaimed.

Libby hopped off my shoulder and onto Charcoal's as she nuzzled his cheek. Charcoal smiled and softly groaned.

"I knew your Charizard was strong, Eragona!" Liza said, "I'm truly impressed!"

"Thanks, Liza." I said.

Charcoal smiled and let out a soft groan. Then, a strong gust of wind kicked up.

"Where did this wind come from?" Liza asked.

I looked up and groaned.

Not them again! Can't they go one day without stealing Pokémon?

I growled as I stared up at Team Xenon's helicopter.

"Team Xenon? Again?" Kat questioned.

"Can't they leave us alone for one day?" Rina asked.

"Who's Team Xenon?" Liza asked.

"They're an evil organization whose goal is to steal every Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution." Eric said.

"Unfortunately, Charizard happens to be one of those Pokémon." Nina said.

The Charizard roared as Team Xenon members jumped down from the helicopter.

"Detain every Charizard in sight!" said a male grunt.

At his command, every grunt released their Pokémon. My eyes widened when the Pokémon before us were all Water and Rock-types.

A Fire/Flying-type like Charizard is weak to both typings! I pay my respect when it's due; they sure know how to think ahead.

"We can't let a single Charizard leave the valley!" Liza exclaimed.

"Leave it to us, Liza," I said, "You ready, Charcoal?"

Charcoal growled and roared.

"Crawdaunt, use Crabhammer!" said a female grunt.

The Rouge Pokémon cried out before charging at Charcoal with a glowing pincer.

"Grab it, Charcoal!" I said.

When the Crawdaunt got close enough, Charcoal grabbed it by its arms.

"Throw it!" I cried.

Charcoal roared before throwing the Water/Dark-type Pokémon in the air. Then, the scarred Charizard roared before chasing after the falling Pokémon. The scarred Charizard growled before its tail glowed green. Then, it slammed its tail into the Crawdaunt, making it plummet to the ground.

That was Dragon Tail! I didn't know a Charizard could learn that.

I glanced at the Team Xenon grunts to see them battling the surrounding Charizard in the valley. Then, I saw Carracosta slam its arm into the Charizard with the tattered wings, knocking it out.

"Charcoal, quickly! Go and help out that Charizard!" I said.

Charcoal grunted before flying over to help. I turned around to see my friends and Liza fending off nearby Team Xenon grunts; however, they were vastly outnumbered.

Time to even out these odds!

I pulled out my Pokéballs and tossed them in the air.

"Jet and Ajax, I choose you!" I exclaimed.

At my command, my Garchomp and Sceptile appeared.

"We need your help to drive Team Xenon away," I said, "Ajax, use Leaf Storm! Jet, use Dig!"

Jet growled before he dug into the ground. Ajax roared before whipping up a tornado of leaves around his tail. My Sceptile jumped up before slamming his tail into a group of Pokémon, knocking them out. Jet came up from the ground and knocked out a group of Rock-type Pokémon.

That should've reduced their numbers by at least half. Hopefully, they don't pull any tricks.

Then, a sharp roar cut through the air. I turned around to see Charcoal battling a group of Rock-type Pokémon.

"Charcoal!" I cried, running up to him.

Charcoal roared as he slapped away a Graveler with his tail.

"Detain that Charizard!" a male grunt said.

A female grunt nodded before setting up a net launcher.

"Charcoal!" I cried, stepping in front of my Pokémon.

"Get out of the way, brat!" the female grunt growled.

"No! You're not taking him away from me, not again!"

Charcoal growled before letting out a mighty roar, only for an intense blast of fire to escape his mouth, burning the net launcher.

Whoa! I've never seen Charcoal's Flamethrower so powerful before!

Then, Jet and Ajax appeared at Charcoal's side and growled at the opposing Pokémon.

"Now, triple Dragon Pulse!" I exclaimed.

My Pokémon roared and fired multicolored shock waves that merged into one. The attack consumed the opposing Pokémon, causing a powerful explosion. When the dust cleared, all of the remaining Pokémon were unconscious.

"Leave this place, Team Xenon, and never return!" Liza declared.

Charla and the other Charizard around her growled at the defenseless Team Xenon grunts.

"Retreat!" a male grunt cried.

After retracting their fallen Pokémon, the grunts filed into the helicopter. The copter's blades began to move and whipped up a mighty gale of wind. Then, the aircraft left the ground, leaving Charicific Valley.

"Great job, everyone!" Elsu cheered.

My friends' Pokémon, my Pokémon, and the valley Charizard triumphantly cried out.

"Thanks for the help, you three." I said.

Ajax, Jet, and Charcoal nodded and softly groaned.

"Eragona." said a voice behind me.

I turned around to see Liza and Charla smiling down at me.

"On behalf of Charicific Valley, I want to thank you and your friends for defending this place," Liza said, "I'm forever in your debt,"

"You're welcome, Liza," Rina said, "This isn't the first time we've defended a sacred place from those freaks in blue."

"I can tell. You've all proven your strength, especially you, Charcoal."

Charcoal softly groaned as he quizzically cocked his head.

"That last Flamethrower you used was very powerful; it almost looked like you were attempting to use Fire Blast," Liza said.

"Fire Blast?" I parroted.

"Yes. It's a very robust Fire-type move that can do some major damage. If you stay here and train Charcoal, you'll master that move in no time."

Stay here...?

Charcoal softly groaned as he glanced at me.

"But, if Charcoal stays here..." Eric began.

"He won't be traveling with us anymore for a while." Nina said sadly.

I hung my head as I felt tears sting my eyes. Libby looked at me and let out a soft cry.

"Do you want to get stronger, Charcoal?" I asked.

Charcoal grunted before cocking his head to the other side.

"I asked if you want to get stronger?" I repeated louder, clenching my fists, "It's your choice. I won't stop you; I'll support your decision, whatever you choose..."

Charcoal groaned softly and nodded. I let out a soft sob before facing my Charizard.

"Then stay," I said.

"Eragona." Kat said softly.

"It'll be for the best anyway. You'll be safer from Team Xenon here than staying with me..."

Charcoal grunted as I felt a tear roll down my cheek. Then, Mystery and Zora hopped out of their Pokéballs, tears welling in their eyes. The two Dragon-type Pokémon cried out before going up to Charcoal. Charcoal grunted and nodded softly.

"I'll take good care of Charcoal, Eragona," Liza said, placing a hand on my shoulder, "I promise."

I wiped away the lingering tears before looking up at Liza.

"Thank you." I said softly.

I turned around to see Jet and Ajax saying their goodbyes to their friend. Libby whimpered before hopping off my shoulder and sprinting up to Charcoal. Charcoal hunched over and bumped his snout against Libby's cheek. My heart clenched as I watched my Pokémon say goodbye to their friend.

It's for the best. He'll get stronger and be safer.

"Charcoal!" Nina cried, sprinting past me.

The redhead then embraced the Flame Pokémon with a sad smile.

"Don't forget about us, okay?" she asked.

Charcoal softly groaned as he licked the redhead's cheek. The others walked past me and embraced my Charizard.

"Take care, Charcoal!" Kat said.

"When you're stronger, I'll be waiting for another fiery battle!" Elsu said.

The scene before me made me tear up again. Charcoal groaned before walking up to me. I looked up at my Charizard as a tear rolled down my cheek. I threw my arms around my Charizard's neck.

"Be safe, buddy," I said sadly, "I'm gonna miss you..."

Charcoal softly groaned as he nuzzled his cheek against mine. I sighed as I pulled away from my Charizard. I felt another tear fall as I envisioned Charcoal as a Charmeleon when I first met him.

No one can replace him. He's one of a kind...

"Whenever you want Charcoal back, just give me a call, and I'll send him over to you," Liza said.

"Thanks, Liza," I said, "Please, take good care of him."

"I will, and I'll keep him safe. As the Charicific Valley caretaker, I give you my word."

I smiled as I wiped away the lingering tears. After retracting my Pokémon, the others and I walked out of Charicific Valley. I turned around to see Charcoal amongst the other Charizards.

He really does fit in with them.

"Bye, Charcoal!" Kat exclaimed with a wave.

"See you soon, big guy!" Elsu cried.

"Get big and strong, Charcoal!" Eric exclaimed.

The others and I said our goodbyes as we waved to my Charizard. Charcoal grinned and roared out a ribbon of fire into the sky.

That's my Charcoal, the only one who knows how to set my heart ablaze!