Blaine paused, his sunglasses reflecting the image of a Trainer whose fighting spirit burned as fiercely as Cinnabar Island's volcano.
"Of course." Blaine adjusted his sunglasses with a smirk.
This fiery excitement... the last time he'd felt it was during that battle with that reckless kid—what was his name again? Ash Ketchum?
Trainers who charged forward with unshakable conviction, aiming for legendary heights...
Facing them always reignited his own flames!
"Follow me." Blaine turned.
"I'll take you to Cinnabar Gym!"
...
In the hot spring inn's courtyard, Blaine twisted a stone statue, revealing a hidden passage leading underground to the Gym near the volcano's heart. The temperature rose steadily as they descended.
Sweat dripped from Blaine's brow, but his grin never wavered—until a sudden chill made him glance back.
Natsume walked calmly beside a hovering Gengar.
"Lead the way. I'm right behind you."
"Ahem!" Blaine coughed into his fist. "Normally, challengers must solve puzzles to reach me. But since Red requested this, we'll skip formalities."
"Red?" Natsume blinked.
"Didn't you ask him to arrange this?" Blaine input the Gym's passcode. "Otherwise, I'd still be at the lab finishing my paper. You'd have waited days."
Natsume's face blanked.
So Red set this up?!
I should hold a grudge against The Battler...
No, wait—
"Gold! I'll remember this!" he blurted, wiping sweat from his brow.
Somewhere in Johto, The Hatcher sneezed violently.
"What the...?" Gold scratched his head. "Haven't pissed anyone off lately..."
These days, Gold occasionally helped Crystal at Trainer School or lounged around the chat group. Life was good—if only Auntie Lorelei hadn't traveled all the way from Kanto for 6v6 battles...
Still, seeing everyone lose 3-0 to Natsume-sensei gave him comfort.
If they got swept, I wouldn't have done worse!
...
At Cinnabar Island's open-air plaza, vendors hawked sizzling takoyaki. Red and Yellow stood side by side in yukatas as snowflakes drifted down.
"It's snowing," Yellow whispered.
Red caught a flake on his palm, watching it melt.
This weather... disadvantages Mr. Blaine.
His thoughts turned to the battle below. Would Blaine call upon that Pokémon dwelling in the volcano? Against Natsume-sensei... what were the odds?
...
Flames roared around the gym's arena. The battle had raged for over ten minutes.
"Magmortar, Sunny Day!" Blaine bellowed.
The cannon-armed Magmortar fired a blazing orb skyward, flooding the chamber with harsh light. Beads of sweat rolled down Natsume's face.
"Squirtle, Water Pulse!"
The torrent Squirtle unleashed threatened to engulf Magmortar entirely—only for a shimmering Protect barrier to crack under the deluge.
Blaine's eyes widened. That power...
Magmortar's cannons glowed orange.
"Fire Blast!"
The inferno roared forth like a dragon, heat distorting the air. Even with type advantage, taking this head-on would wound Squirtle badly.
"Water Gun."
Blaine faltered—why such a weak move?
BOOM!
The collision of fire and water erupted into steam. A Water Gun matching Fire Blast?!
Before the smoke cleared, a golden bolt lanced out—Thunderbolt!
"Did it hit?!" Blaine's voice trembled.
The Sunny Day and Fire Blast had been feints. One Thunderbolt should've felled Squirtle instantly.
Yet as the smoke parted—
"Growlithe!!"
The Puppy Pokémon stood firm, fur crackling with residual electricity.
He switched mid-attack?! Blaine's throat tightened. Those reflexes...
Then he noticed—Growlithe's wounds were healing under the artificial sun.
"Using Sunny Day against me... to power Morning Sun," Blaine exhaled. "Incredible synergy."
Natsume's expression mirrored his tension.
Magmortar for a second gym? If this were Blue, he'd probably field a Champion-tier team!
With Squirtle having defeated Rapidash earlier, Natsume had swapped it out to avoid Thunderbolt. Now, Magmortar had to fall.
"Double-Edge!"
Growlithe charged, fangs bared.
Magmortar sneered, superheated cannons unleashing another Fire Blast!
CRASH!
Both Pokémon skidded backward. Magmortar dug its arms into the ground, breathing heavily. Growlithe tumbled across the floor before staggering up—clearly worse off.
Natsume's thumb hovered over its Poké Ball.
No need to risk serious injury for a badge...
Yet Growlithe dodged the recall beam, shaking its head with a determined grin.
"Growlithe!"
I can still fight!
Its black eyes burned with resolve.
Always playing the fool, always forgiven with a pat on the head...
But today—
I'll be Trainer's hero!
"Growlithe!!"
It lunged again. Magmortar barely raised its cannons before—
SLAM!
The Fire-type crashed against the wall, barely standing.
"Such... spirit!" Blaine whispered, then roared: "Answer it, Magmortar! Fire Blast!"
Natsume's voice cut through the heat:
"Dodge!"
Growlithe pivoted, the flames grazing its fur as it retaliated with Flamethrower!
Magmortar collapsed, smoke rising from its body.
Blaine recalled it, adjusting his sunglasses.
"One last round."
He reached for a Poké Ball—then winced.
"Gah—!"
Did I throw out my back?!
But the battle's climax demanded grandeur.
"BURN BRIGHT, ARCANINE!"
The Legendary Pokémon materialized—towering, majestic, its mane rippling like flames.
Against this titan, Growlithe stood no chance...
Yet it growled, lowering its stance.
Blaine's voice softened. "You and your Pokémon... share a volcano's will."
He'd seen this only once before—in The Battler.
Natsume raised a hand.
"Mr. Blaine."
His gaze lingered on Growlithe's wounds.
"Items are allowed, correct?"
"One per battle." Blaine nodded. "A Potion, or—"
His breath caught.
"Ah." A slow smile spread. "Bold indeed."
Natsume took the flickering Fire Stone from Gengar.
The troublemaker who wrecked furniture, the lazy pillow for Togepi, the goofball he scolded daily
...
Memories flashed as he tossed the stone.
"Growlithe!!"
It caught the stone mid-leap—
And blazed white.
Natsume's shout echoed through the gym:
"BURN BRIGHT, ARCANINE!"
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