As fun as screeching and sliding through the jungle was, it wasn't going to get them any closer to finding a Pokémon. "You didn't forget why we were here, did you? We're here to catch a Caterpie for the Cat Tower," Josh reminded his starter Pokémon. "I have enough Pokémon that I can probably grind a tower myself for capture fodder to get all the Pokémon I want from UNOVR's trade shops. Plus, it might be a fun challenge to get all the way to the top without anyone's help."

Ares frowned before pulling Goroh into a sharp wheelie, screeching his back air sac before landing and coming to a stop. "...Killjoy," the fire-type quipped as he steered with one hand and held his tail in the other. If he spotted a Caterpie, it was going to find out what having Embers whipped at it was like. It certainly wouldn't be pleasant for the small bug.

Ares was seemingly a better fit for Goroh than Josh was, the Charmeleon much more reckless of a driver. The Cyclizar was having quite a fun time, pulling wheelies and all kinds of stunts for the fired-up lizard. Braver, on the other hand, was content to simply canter around the canopy with Josh in tow.

The canopy's density would be good practice moving in more confined spaces: a skill that would be valuable after he evolved. If they didn't work on their turning now, it would only be worse after evolution. While Arcanine were lauded for their speed, their turning was even worse than a horse Pokémon. Once Braver evolved, he would no doubt be a mainstay of Josh's team, being one of the best distance runners on four legs.

With the small bird long gone, the scout trekked on, occasionally feeling himself be flung forward out of nowhere. It was a good thing his hold on Nraver was so strong! Was this one of the leaky ceilings Shalin Nariya told him about? It sure seemed like it when he hit what could only have been described as an invisible wall. "No wonder they call this place Beta Island," Josh mumbled to himself, the Cyclizar and Charmeleon able to pass through it just fine.

Forced to go a different way, Josh eventually caught up with the fire-type and dragon-type, the two waiting near the zone line leading to the volcano. "No sense in going there," he said to Area. "Let's turn around and try going another way."

The canopy was no place to let loose with Goroh's wheels, but there was still plenty of room for the Cyclizar to gallop. He loved the dragon-type's hybrid locomotion: movement much like a wingless dragon such as Kommo-o when precision was needed, and the speed of a full-throttle motorcycle when haste was warranted. He was so easy to control, too, and would recommend the species to any new riders. Their calm demeanor sold the beginner-friendly aspect of the species, and would be one of the Pokémon he would let new riders learn with.

Ares and Braver seemed to be enjoying themselves, as well, basking in each others' heat. The two became so warm that the air wavered around them like a desert mirage. "Careful, you two -- we don't want to burn the whole forest down!" Josh warned, the Growlithe turning his own temperature down.

The reason for Ares' aggression toward the wild Pokémon was simple: the more he battled, the closer he got to evolution. With the multitude of grass and bug-types in the canopy, all the easy foes would add up until they found the worm they wanted and could get back to the Cat Tower. On the prowl for one, lizard and dog would travel onward, Braver instructed to give a howl once they located their prey.

On the other side of the canopy, the vertical whirlwind grew as Goroh's air sacs accelerated, whirling fast enough that wind began to howl around Josh. The giddy boy twisted the Cyclizar's steering bones like one would the accelerator on a motorcycle, ready to execute what would have been a Quick Attack. As Goroh continued to rev up, his entire frame began to shake, slowly moving him from the center of the four branches he was suspended upon.

By the time Josh and Goroh arrived, having both smoke and the howl to locate the battle, it was already over. The small bug-type was almost completely motionless, surrounded by EMBERS on all sides. He felt bad for the poor thing; not only had he burned it to within an inch of its life, but he would be catching it for exactly one purpose.

Nodding toward the creature, the Kindler dismounted and stepped as close to the flames as he could, reaching over them and dropping his GOLDEN Poké Ball onto the bug-type. Tilting his head toward Braver and Ares, he faced them with mixed emotions. "Good work, both of you. Now, let's head back to the Challenge Tower and... get this over with."