"Here are your two Pokémon eggs. Would you like to have them incubated in the Blazing Plains? Customers who purchase Pokémon eggs from us can enjoy a 12% discount on incubation services. Hatching Pokémon in the Flame Realm will slightly improve their Fire-type potential."
After Aria applied healing spray to her face, the swelling had subsided considerably. With a sweet smile, she spoke earnestly to the brothers, "The cost of incubating two Pokémon eggs in the Blazing Plains with standard nutrient solution is 100 million Pokédollars, while adding energy nutrient solution brings it to 200 million. If you incubate both eggs together, we offer an additional discount—12% off the regular 9% discount, bringing it to 21% off the total."
Jacob's expression darkened. The Flame Realm was truly shameless. They might as well rob you directly, yet they still tried to convince you to pay for egg incubation services.
It would cost 200 million to incubate one Pokémon egg, meaning 400 million for two. Even with the 21% discount, it would still amount to 316 million. Adding the 128 million for the Pokémon egg itself, the total approached nearly 444 million Pokédollars.
It was completely unreasonable! However, for trainers planning to participate in the Fire Gym Leader Ranking Tournament and compete for a Gym Leader position, most would grudgingly spend this money. If you didn't, other Fire-type trainers would, giving them an immediate advantage. How could you hope to compete then?
Asher had come prepared. Fortunately, he had been running a Gym for the past three years and had accumulated some savings.
"Let's have them incubated here and pay for everything together," Asher said, feeling the financial pain as he swiped his card to pay over 400 million Pokédollars.
"By the way, you can download the Frosthollow Flame app on your phone. We'll provide you with an account so you can monitor your eggs' incubation status remotely. When we detect that the eggs are close to hatching, we'll call you in advance so you can witness the hatching process if possible."
It had to be said that while the price was steep, the service was excellent—something the Bug Realm could learn from.
Jacob secretly resolved to convince his father to advise the Pokémon Association to adopt the Flame Realm's practices and make the Grass/Bug Realm even more profitable than the Flame Realm.
I'll make you pay back every Pokédollar you've earned from me!
After completing the payment, Aria received a substantial commission, and her smile grew even brighter. After escorting the Asher brothers out of the Flame Realm, they exchanged contact information, with Aria promising to notify them as soon as the eggs were ready to hatch.
After leaving the Realm, the brothers prepared to fly back to Starlight City on their Flying Pokémon.
However, while their journey to the Realm had been safe, the return journey might not be.
"Jacob, take my Charizard. I'll use the other Charizard," Asher said, handing his Charizard to Jacob while taking the rented Charizard. He had already sensed potential danger and had prepared accordingly. The Gym Leader-level Charizard would provide Jacob with some protection. "Be careful during the flight, and stay close to me."
"Understood." Noting Asher's serious expression, Jacob responded solemnly.
"Let's go, then."
The Charizards spread their wings and soared into the air, heading toward Starlight City. As they ascended, two shadowy figures followed behind them on Braviary and Staraptor.
Riding on Charizard, gazing down at forests, mountains, and rivers from high above, watching wild Pokémon soaring through the air and feeling the wind rushing past his ears, Jacob felt incredibly peaceful. This was what every Pokémon enthusiast dreamed of experiencing. However, this tranquility didn't last long before Asher's voice broke through it.
"Jacob, hold tight and prepare to turn," Asher warned, his expression grave. "Someone's following us. We're far from the Western Metropolitan Area now. They'll likely make their move soon."
"Got it." Jacob gripped Charizard firmly and held tightly to the harness.
"Charizards, are you ready? Accelerate!"
Upon hearing Asher's command, Charizards beat their wings powerfully, stirring up gusts of wind as they suddenly increased their speed.
Simultaneously, the Braviary and Staraptor in the distance no longer bothered concealing themselves and accelerated as well, pursuing the Asher brothers.
Braviary and Staraptor—both were true masters of the sky.
Both Braviary and Staraptor were extremely fierce raptor Pokémon that not only served as flying mounts but were also powerful physical attackers among Flying-type Pokémon.
"Braviary, use Brave Bird, charge!" The man riding Braviary commanded.
Braviary folded its wings close to its body, becoming enveloped in flying-type energy that emitted a dazzling light as it dove toward the Charizards!
"Staraptor, Tailwind!"
Almost simultaneously, the man on Staraptor issued his command, directing Staraptor to generate a tailwind. Instantly, a powerful gust blew behind them, creating an airflow visible to the naked eye, allowing both pursuers to ride the tailwind and dramatically increase their speed!
The ferocious Brave Bird attack combined with Tailwind's boost transformed Braviary into a living projectile, shooting straight toward Charizards with tremendous momentum.
"Charizard, use Fire Blast!" Asher commanded calmly. Charizard received the order and suddenly dove downward, then executed a stylish turn. Simultaneously, flames gathered in its mouth before it released a massive, kanji-shaped blast of fire!
The intense flame shaped like the kanji character for "big" hurtled toward Braviary at high speed, exploding on contact. Yet Braviary didn't slow down. It plowed directly through the flames, enduring the scorching heat as it continued its trajectory toward Charizard.
[Fire Blast]: The target is attacked with an intense blast of all-consuming fire. This may also leave the target with a burn.
"Descend!" Seeing that he couldn't stop Braviary, Asher immediately ordered the Charizards to change course and head toward the jungle below.
Following Asher's command, both Charizards simultaneously altered their direction, tucking their wings and diving sharply toward the ground. Within moments, they had landed in the dense jungle below.