Rex and Flannery couldn't help but be speechless seeing the greedy little Chimchar.
"I don't know what to do with you. Let's put you back into the Pokéball to rest."
Rex squatted down, gently touched Chimchar's bloated belly, and spoke to it.
He then took a high-level Pokéball from his waist and lightly tapped Chimchar's head. Instantly, a red light flashed, and Chimchar was swept into the Pokéball without resistance.
"Let's head out now," Rex said to Flannery.
After spending an entire afternoon in the hot cave, Rex was eager to leave. Although he could endure the heat, it was uncomfortable, especially causing dry mouth and profuse sweating.
Flannery retrieved Magcargo from the lava lake and led Rex out of the cave.
As soon as they exited, the cool breeze felt incredibly refreshing, sweeping away all the heat.
Returning to Lavaridge Town, it was getting dark, but they decided to soak in the hot springs first.
After being in the lava cave and practicing body-strengthening techniques, they both needed the hot springs to relax their muscles.
At the Lavaridge Hot Springs, Rex and Flannery each chose a single-person spring. The water had magical healing properties, and as Rex immersed himself, he felt completely relaxed, as if being massaged.
After soaking for about an hour, Rex emerged feeling much better, with his muscles significantly relaxed.
"Flannery left half an hour ago and even settled your bill," said the smiling hot spring innkeeper.
Rex, planning to pay the bill, was surprised but didn't mind. He gathered his belongings and left the inn.
"Rex, come over for dinner!" Flannery called as he returned to the Lavaridge Gym.
"Thanks for the trouble, Flannery!" Rex placed his backpack on a chair and walked over.
At the table, he found a light meal instead of the expected spicy feast, with porridge and a few small dishes.
"I noticed you can't handle spicy food, so I made a light meal. Hope you don't mind," Flannery explained, smiling as she handed him a bowl.
"Not at all, this looks great. Thanks for the meal, Flannery. But let me handle the dishes afterward," Rex offered, feeling it was only fair to help with the chores.
"No way, I can't let a guest do the dishes," Flannery insisted firmly.
"How about we eat first, and then we'll clean up together," Rex suggested after a brief argument.
Agreeing, they sat down to eat. Rex enjoyed the meal as Flannery's cooking was indeed good, as long as it wasn't too spicy.
After dinner, they cleaned up together and then planned to train their Pokémon to digest the food.
At the training ground, Rex released Combusken and Chimchar. Chimchar, having digested some milk, no longer had a bloated belly. It quickly climbed onto Rex's shoulder, carefully extinguishing its tail flame to avoid burning him.
Rex was pleased with Chimchar's affectionate behavior and let it stay on his shoulder.
"Flannery, training like this is a bit dull. How about a Pokémon battle between your Magcargo and my Combusken?" Rex suggested after some training.
Seeing Flannery and Magcargo unenthusiastic about training, possibly due to the earlier gym battle loss, he thought a battle might lift their spirits.
"Sure, I'd like to see Combusken's current strength," Flannery agreed, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Go, Combusken!" Rex cheered, knowing the battle would be tough but valuing the training experience.
"Magcargo, get ready!" Flannery encouraged her sluggish Pokémon.
Though reluctant, Magcargo slowly moved to the battlefield.
"Combusken, use Double Kick!" Rex commanded.
Combusken charged at Magcargo without hesitation.
"Magcargo, use Iron Defense!" Flannery countered, boosting Magcargo's defense instead of dodging.
Combusken's kicks hit Magcargo with a metallic sound, causing little damage.
"Magcargo, use Rock Tomb!" Flannery ordered.
Magcargo summoned large rocks that quickly fell towards Combusken.
Combusken used Flame Charge to dodge the rocks, but the relentless Rock Slide attack from Magcargo's Rock Slide caught up, hitting Combusken and causing significant damage.
"Combusken, use Quick Attack and then Double Kick!" Rex directed, aiming for a quick strike.
Combusken's Quick Attack knocked Magcargo back, followed by a powerful Double Kick, breaking through Magcargo's Iron Defense and dealing more damage.
Just as Combusken was about to continue, Magcargo unleashed a cloud of purple smoke, covering the area and allowing Magcargo to disappear within the smoke.