Chapter 125: Safety

"It's Huo La's voice!" Ash's eyes lit up instantly, he immediately stopped the door‑banging action and shouted toward the outside: "Huo La! We're inside! This door is too hard, we can't break it open."

Huo La outside, hearing the reply, finally let his hanging heart settle, and hurriedly shouted toward the inside: "You all quickly step back farther, don't stay too close to the door! I'll have Nidoqueen smash a gap open!"

After speaking, he turned to look at the Nidoqueen beside him, his tone firm: "Nidoqueen, use Brute Force to ram the doorframe beside the door, watch your force, don't let fragments hurt the people inside!"

"Nido!" Nidoqueen let out a low growl, a faint Red Light rippled over its body, its sturdy limbs planted firmly on the ground, then it surged toward the iron door!

"Boom—!" A muffled crashing sound rang out, the heavy iron doorframe was dented inward, a large chunk giving way, instantly revealing a door gap through which the interior light and shadows were clearly visible.

"Not enough! Again!" Huo La stared at the gap, continuing to give orders.

Nidoqueen did not hesitate, gathered strength again, its muscles tensed, and slammed toward the dented spot! This time its force was greater than before, and with a "Clack!" crisp sound, the iron door deformed even more, the gap now wide enough for a person to slip through sideways.

Huo La watched Nidoqueen's slightly trembling limbs, knowing it had exhausted its strength, and quickly said: "Nidoqueen, you rest first, you've worked hard."

Speaking, he turned his head toward the waiting Kingler beside him, raised his hand and ordered: "Kingler, it's your turn! Use Metal Claw to widen the door gap a bit more."

"Claw!" Kingler responded, stepping forward, its twin claws glinting metal, and heaved hard at the edge of the dented iron door.

The sharp Metal Claw, like scissors, gradually tore the deformed iron sheet apart; the originally narrow gap widened steadily, soon enough for a person to pass.

Inside, Ash supported Li Jia, shielding the Pokemon Egg in his arms, pressed tightly against the wall retreating, his eyes fixed on the ever‑widening gap, his tone full of anticipation: "Almost there! We'll be out any moment! Li Jia Guan Zhu, hold on a little longer!"

Li Jia nodded, and the Pokemon Egg in her arms seemed to sense hope, its shell's faint glow flickered briefly.

She looked at the vague figure outside the door, feeling a surge of gratitude—thankfully Huo La arrived in time, otherwise a while longer the egg in her arms might truly have been lost.

A moment later, Ash helped Li Jia and carefully squeezed out through the widened gap.

Huo La immediately stepped forward, took the two Pokemon Eggs from Li Jia's arms—the shells still warm, clearly the recent high temperature had affected them considerably.

He didn't dare delay, turned his head and instructed Kingler: "Kingler, clear the way ahead, use Bubble Beam to cool both sides, don't let the lingering flames scorch us!"

"Claw!" Kingler immediately leapt forward, its twin claws spouting fine bubbles, extinguishing the reignited sparks.

Ash looked at Squirtle, his tone carrying some concern: "Squirtle, can you still hold on?"

"Squirt!" Squirtle nodded.

"Alright, then cooperate with Kingler, watch your safety."

Huo La and Ash exchanged a glance, and Huo La handed him one of the Pokemon Eggs, "You take one for me, we get out quickly; this place could collapse a second time at any moment."

Ash immediately took the Pokemon Egg, cradling it gently, and with Huo La protecting Li Jia on his left and right, followed Kingler and Squirtle, sprinting toward the Gym entrance.

Outside the Gym now, the fire had been largely suppressed by firefighters and Pokemon, the air filled with damp steam and a charred smell.

Xiao Gang paced anxiously at the doorway, occasionally glancing into the Gym, muttering nonstop: "Why aren't they out yet... Huo La, Ash, Miss Li Jia, you all mustn't get into trouble!"

Bilan the Blastoise, following the firefighters' orders, was spraying water jets into the Gym; seeing Xiao Gang's anxiety, she took a moment to come over and comfort him: "Don't panic blindly, Huo La may seem impulsive, but he's actually more careful than anyone; with him there, he'll definitely get people out safely."

"Exactly! Look— they're out!" Xiao Xia suddenly pointed at the Gym entrance, shouting excitedly.

Xiao Gang spun around sharply, indeed seeing Huo La and Ash walking side by side at the front, each cradling a Pokemon Egg, Squirtle trailing beside them spraying water to cool, Li Jia following behind them, her complexion a bit pale but appearing unharmed.

As for the path‑clearing Kingler, by the time they neared the doorway Huo La had already recalled it into a Pokeball.

"Miss Li Jia!" Xiao Gang instantly forgot his earlier anxiety, rushed forward, and in Huo La's expectant gaze—bypassing him—grabbed Li Jia's hand, his tone full of self‑reproach, "Miss Li Jia, are you alright? I couldn't go in with Huo La to rescue you earlier, truly my negligence! If you feel any discomfort, you must tell me!"

Huo La: "..."

He reached out, his hand that wanted Xiao Gang to help catch the Pokemon Egg frozen mid‑air, his mouth twitching, and ordered the nearby Ivysaur: "Ivysaur, Vine Whip!"

The Ivysaur that came forward responded at once, two thick vine whips shot out instantly, precisely coiling around Xiao Gang's waist; with a light flick it hoisted him into mid‑air. Using the power it gained after evolving into Ivysaur, this was a trivial feat.

"Hey? Ivysaur! What are you doing! Let me down quickly! Miss Li Jia is still below!" Xiao Gang, hanging in mid‑air, shouted anxiously, thrashing his limbs, yet he couldn't break free of the vine whip's grip.

Huo La ignored his shouting, first carefully handed the Pokemon Egg to the arriving Nurse Joy, then turned his head toward Li Jia, his tone carrying some concern: "Li Jia Guan Zhu, are you alright? Should we go to the Pokemon Center for a check‑up first?"

Li Jia looked at Xiao Gang hanging in mid‑air, couldn't help but smile, shaking her head: "I'm fine, just a bit tired, and could you please put Xiao Gang down—he's also worried about me."

"We can put him down, but if he dares to 'ignore' me again, next time it won't be as simple as hanging him," Huo La hummed, raising his chin toward Ivysaur, "Put him down gently."

Ivysaur obediently retracted the vine whip, and Xiao Gang "thumped" onto the ground. He was about to complain, but seeing Huo La's gaze, he shut his mouth obediently, then moved back to Li Jia's side, continuing to ask after her wellbeing.