Blaine was slightly taken aback, catching a glimpse of the Trainer's reflection in the sunglasses.
Despite his handsome appearance, his eyes exuded a fiery determination, akin to the volcanic intensity found on Cinnabar Island.
"Absolutely," Blaine asserted, pushing up his sunglasses with a slight upward curve of his mouth.
This sense of enthusiasm was reminiscent of the daredevil he fought last time.
It felt like... Ash?
Unyielding and brimming with faith, the path towards becoming a Legendary Trainer continued to unfold.
Facing off against this kind of Trainer, the old man was feeling the heat!
"Let's go," Blaine turned around. "This old man will take you to Cinnabar Gym!"
In the courtyard of the hot spring hotel, Blaine twisted a stone statue, and an Underground Path opened up.
Connecting to the Gym beneath Cinnabar Island, near the volcano, the temperature steadily increased.
Blaine's brow glistened with sweat, but there was a joy that came with the anticipation of a battle.
Suddenly, a cold breeze behind him caught Blaine's attention. He looked back, and there was Luke with a floating Gengar.
"You lead the way, I'll follow," Luke said casually.
"Cough!" Blaine clenched his fist and coughed, whispering, "Normally, those who want to challenge Cinnabar Gym have to undergo puzzle-solving challenges."
"But this time, at Red's request, it doesn't need to be that complicated."
Luke froze for a moment. "Red?"
"Didn't you entrust Red to let this old man know about the challenge?"
Blaine explained while opening the Dojo password lock.
"Otherwise, this old man would still be preparing his thesis in the Laboratory, and the challenge would have to be postponed for three or four days."
A series of ellipses appeared in Teacher Luke's mind.
Is it possible that the boy Red brought the Gym Leader here?
I kindly offered assistance, and he turned around and sold me out?!
The Fighter, I'll remember this grudge...
"No, I can't hold onto this grudge."
Luke quickly corrected himself and wiped away his cold sweat.
"Gold, I'll let you hold on to this grudge!"
Meanwhile, in Johto, the Hatcher sneezed from afar.
"What's happening?" Gold scratched his head, whispering, "I haven't offended anyone recently..."
During this period, he occasionally helped Crystal at Trainer School and played some billiards. Life was going pretty smoothly.
If it weren't for Aunt Lorelei rushing over from Kanto for a 6V6 battle, life might be even better...
But seeing everyone lose to Teacher Luke, Gold felt some relief.
Everyone is at 3:0, and I can do this too!
...
In Cinnabar Island's open-air plaza, vendors peddled hot takoyaki.
Red and Yellow, draped in bathrobes, stood side by side at the square's center, with a hazy snow descending from the sky.
"It's snowing," Yellow murmured.
Red extended his palm, observing snow melt in his hand.
This weather... might not be ideal for Mr. Blaine, Red pondered.
If Mr. Blaine is determined to defeat Teacher Luke, will he unleash the Pokémon residing in Cinnabar Island's volcano?
With all-out effort, what are the odds of Teacher Luke emerging victorious?
The duo silently stood together. In the night, the lingering light blurred the distinction between snow and raindrops.
Flames enveloped the Dojo from all sides.
Cinnabar Gym's challenge seemed to endure for more than ten minutes.
Blaine reached out and commanded, "Magmortar, Sunny Day!"
Adorned in orange-yellow patterns, Magmortar, arms resembling barrels, hoisted its high artillery tube and fired a dazzling ball of light into the air.
Sunny Day radiated within the enclosed Gym, and the temperature continued to rise.
A bead of sweat rolled down Luke's cheek.
"Squirtle, Water Pulse!"
Squirtle inhaled sharply, and suddenly a tower of water cascaded from the sky, nearly overwhelming Magmortar.
Dong!
The water surged back, taking shelter within Magmortar's spherical light curtain, revealing a crack in the 'Protect' shield.
The Water Pulse's formidable power left Blaine somewhat startled.
In the next moment, Magmortar readied its barrel, forming a fiery fireball, an orange-yellow blaze.
"Fire Blast!" Blaine shouted.
A turbulent air wave expanded, and under the radiant Sunny Day, Fire Blast roared like a blazing Fire Dragon!
Even with Attribute advantage, Squirtle was at risk of injury from Fire Blast.
"Water Gun," Luke said calmly.
Blaine hesitated for a moment, seeming surprised by Luke's command.
But in the next moment, a resounding explosion dispelled all of Blaine's doubts.
The collision between the water column and the fireball erupted instantly, thick white smoke billowing.
Could Water Gun possess such destructive power?!
Blaine hesitated only briefly, focusing intently on the smoke's center.
Following Fire Blast, the next move concealed in Magmortar's barrel was the true finishing move!
Bah!
In the dense smoke, golden electric currents shot out rapidly, Thunderbolt abruptly illuminating the area.
Ka!
"Did it hit?"
Blaine questioned herself with uncertainty, a tremor in her voice.
The earlier Sunny Day and Fire Blast were merely feints to set up an ambush.
Magmortar, adept at special attacks, needed just one Thunderbolt to vanquish the Water-type Squirtle!
Magmortar slowly lowered its barrel, freezing unnaturally for a moment.
"Ao wu!!"
As the smoke cleared, Growlithe descended with Thunderbolt, baring its teeth and roaring.
Blaine looked grave.
The immediately played-in Thunderbolt replaced the Pokémon on the field?
This remarkable judgment was truly...
In a moment of contemplation, Blaine's eyes widened.
The injuries on Growlithe's body were visibly healing at an astonishing rate!
"With the aid of Sunny Day and Morning Sun, Growlithe has secured space dominance on the field," Blaine muttered. "It truly possesses excellent defensive capabilities."
Luke's expression also turned serious.
You mentioned needing just a Magmar, but you opted for an evolutionary type.
This is only the second Gym. Couldn't you have arranged it directly for the Champion, if playing against Blue?
In the duel, Squirtle triumphed over a Magmortar.
But due to the "Thunderbolt" restriction, Luke was compelled to substitute Squirtle.
This Magmortar still needs to be dealt with first!
"Double Edge," Luke declared loudly.
Growlithe bared its teeth, extended its limbs, and charged into Magmortar with impressive force.
Facing Growlithe's open-mouthed leap, Magmortar's eyes narrowed, raising its preheated barrel.
The orange-yellow flames distorted the air, and the gun barrel emitted a surging flame!
Bang!
The powerful collision caused both Pokémon to fall backward simultaneously.
Magmortar thrust its arm into the ground, sliding three or four meters and panting heavily.
Growlithe emitted an "ao wu" sound, somersaulting in the air three or four times before crashing onto the ground.
Undoubtedly, Growlithe was at a disadvantage in this comparison!
There was no need to risk serious injury for the Gym battle, Luke thought, raising a Poké Ball, and a red light shot out.
Blaine's eyes held a trace of confusion.
If you chose to send Growlithe, use it as a buffer.
Consuming Magmortar's stamina continuously would be the sensible choice.
So why at this moment...
Growlithe leaped up swiftly, avoiding the red light.
Luke gave a questioning look.
Growlithe shook its head, baring its teeth foolishly.
"ao wu!"
I can still fight!
Growlithe panted heavily, its dark eyes burning with a desire for victory.
Standing beside the elder sister's head and the owner, I can live happily.
Even when I make mistakes, the owner will smile helplessly and choose to forgive me.
If I live carefreely by charming others, I can still lead a happy life.
But... I also want to become stronger.
Like my mother, I want to be a hero.
I want to secure victories for the master, watching the master smile with happiness.
I also want to...
Make the master a true Trainer!!
"ao wu!!"
Growlithe bared its teeth and charged into Magmortar at an astonishing speed, disregarding the wounds on its body.
In Magmortar's eyes, the reflection continued to expand.
Dong!!
Magmortar, flying upside down, collided with the field's edge and barely stood up with its gun barrel.
"This is... what a determination!" Blaine murmured incredibly, his voice suddenly rising.
"Don't be embarrassed by this belief! Come on, Magmortar, use Fire Blast!"
Growlithe's battling silhouette fell into Teacher Luke's deep pupils.
Suddenly, Luke laughed helplessly.
For Pokémon, sometimes Trainers need to exert effort!
"Growlithe, dodge it!"
"ao wu~!!!"
Growlithe's limbs pushed with force, leaping sideways to evade the whistling heat wave and unleashing a Flamethrower from its mouth!
Bang!!
Magmortar, engulfed by the pillar of fire, glowed with black smoke, kneeling to the ground with all its might.
Seizing the moment of command and making a precise judgment, this sophisticated style made Blaine take a deep breath.
"This is the final round."
Blaine recalled Magmortar, who had lost its combat capability, and pushed her sunglasses.
"Hmm! Ignite, Arcanine!"
Mr. Blaine, who bellowed with an impressive presence, abruptly flung a Poké Ball, suddenly stiffening.
Oops... I hit my waist!
But the Gym battle seemed to be reaching its climax.
The Arcanine from Eastern myth appeared before Luke.
Flowing flaxen hair, black and orange stripes resembling a tiger, and eyes exuding a commanding presence.
In terms of size and physical strength, Growlithe had no advantage at all.
"ao wu!"
Growlithe lowered its limbs, making threatening movements without fear.
Despite the scars, Growlithe still wanted to fight until the last minute!
This determination seemed to infect Blaine.
He said emotionally, "You and your Pokémon... have a spirit like a volcano!"
This kind of spirit, he had seen it in The Fighter.
The bonds between humans and Pokémon in battle were indescribable in words.
Watching the scarred Growlithe, Blaine saw Luke suddenly raise his hand.
"Mr. Blaine."
Luke glanced at Foolish's Growlithe, suddenly hesitant.
"Can you use items during the battle?"
"You can use one." Blaine nodded. "Do you want to use a Potion or..."
Suddenly, Blaine dumbfounded.
"Really..."
Seeming to have thought of something, Blaine sighed, praising Luke with a smile. "A bold Trainer!"
Luke gestured to Gengar, and Gengar handed over the Flame Stone pulsating within to Luke's palm.
"Jie jie~!" Gengar's eyes flickered, a little sad but also a little happy.
It could sense Growlithe's desire to become stronger.
For this belief, let them keep moving forward!
In Luke's eyes, Growlithe with bruises and smirking teeth appeared.
Trainer and Pokémon needed to respond to each other.
Since Growlithe wanted to win this game.
Then I will take you to defeat Blaine!
Starting with the heated Fire Stone.
Luke tossed it to Growlithe, like playing a game of 'Baton Pass Ball' at home.
Growlithe, who had demolished the house, slept late with Togepi, had rubbed its dog's head angrily...
For a moment, Luke contemplated many things.
"ao wu!!"
Growlithe caught the Fire Stone with a dazzling white light.
In the end, Luke simply said.
"Ignite, Arcanine!!!"