Chapter 34: Cinnabar Gym, Battle Against Blaine
Early the next morning, Ryan and Lillie took a ferry to Cinnabar Island. Following their map, they arrived at what appeared to be an abandoned gym. Lillie looked at the deserted building and said, "Ryan, is there really a gym here? I heard on the ferry that the Gym Leader, Blaine, isn't operating it anymore. It's become a tourist resort."
"Don't worry," Ryan said with a smile. "Come out, Gym Leader Blaine. I can see you."
Through careful observation, Ryan had developed keen eyesight during his travels, allowing him to spot details others might miss. He easily identified Blaine in the crowd—just like in the stories he'd heard, the Gym Leader was wearing a disguise with a fake mustache and wig.
Seeing that Ryan had spotted him, Blaine coughed and emerged, saying, "Ahem. I'm not Blaine. I'm just a tourist."
Ryan shook his head. "How could I not recognize you even with that disguise?"
Realizing his cover was blown, Blaine said with a chuckle, "Alright, you've got sharp eyes, kid. I am Blaine. If you want to challenge my gym, follow me."
He led them to his hotel. Lillie asked curiously, "Gym Leader Blaine, Ryan mentioned you have Elite Four-level strength. Is that true?"
"Huh? Ryan, do you really think that highly of me?" Blaine smiled wryly. "Well, I did challenge the Elite Four in my youth, but I was soundly defeated. Now that I'm older, I'm not sure where my strength stands anymore."
Ryan remained skeptical. He'd heard from Professor Oak that Blaine had indeed challenged the Elite Four when he was younger but lost. However, the Elite Four had suggested that with two more years of intensive training, Blaine could have claimed a position among them. He had declined the opportunity.
Blaine was indeed older now, and his strength had undoubtedly changed from his prime. But with Lance soon departing for Johto to claim that region's Champion title, an Elite Four position would need filling. Among the Gym Leaders, only Koga and Blaine had the necessary qualifications. Perhaps the League would actually approach Blaine again.
With these thoughts in mind, Blaine brought Ryan and Lillie to his hotel, then led them to the hot springs area. He couldn't resist asking a riddle: "What has fire below and water above?"
Ryan and Lillie both groaned. Blaine's love of riddles was legendary. Ryan reluctantly answered, "A hot spring bathhouse."
"Correct!" Blaine nodded approvingly. He flipped a switch, and the rock wall slowly opened, revealing a tunnel. The group descended and arrived at Blaine's volcanic battlefield.
Blaine walked to the far end of the arena and said, "Ryan, I've heard your name mentioned frequently by League officials. I'm curious—you already have a qualification badge, so why are you still challenging gyms?"
"Battles against strong opponents help me improve," Ryan said, holding up a Poké Ball. "Besides, I was fortunate to receive guidance from Steven, the Hoenn Champion. He helped me realize my shortcomings. My goal is to become a Pokémon Master, but my current strength isn't worthy of that title yet! Take the field, Aerodactyl. This is your first official gym battle."
A massive Aerodactyl appeared above the field, letting out a fierce cry that echoed through the cavern. Blaine's eyes narrowed as he assessed the prehistoric Pokémon. "You captured this Aerodactyl in Grampa Canyon, didn't you? It's truly formidable. In that case, I'll need to use my main team. This will be a three-on-three battle. Let me see what your Pokémon are capable of. Go, Arcanine!"
A majestic Arcanine appeared on the field and growled challengingly at Aerodactyl. The ancient Pokémon bristled—it had been the apex predator in its underground domain, and this canine's defiance sparked its competitive instincts!
"Stay focused, Aerodactyl. Take Down!" Ryan commanded with a frown.
Aerodactyl charged at Arcanine with tremendous force. Ryan knew Take Down wasn't the optimal choice, but Aerodactyl was letting pride interfere with strategy, and that needed to be addressed before it became a bigger problem—like what happened with Ash's Charizard.
"Extreme Speed, then Thunder Fang!" Blaine commanded. Arcanine became a blur of motion, dodging Aerodactyl's charge. Taking advantage of the recoil damage that briefly stunned the Rock-type, Arcanine bit down on its wing with electrified fangs. Aerodactyl shrieked in pain.
"Do you understand now? Do you still think you're the ruler of that cave?" Ryan said sternly. "Don't underestimate the world outside! There are many Pokémon stronger than you. You're wasting energy with reckless attacks. If you want to win, listen to my commands. Use Supersonic!"
Aerodactyl nodded and launched a disorienting sound wave at Arcanine. Blaine countered, "Safeguard!"
A protective barrier surrounded Arcanine, preventing status conditions. Ryan calmly ordered, "Brave Bird!"
Aerodactyl suddenly became wreathed in powerful energy and slammed into Arcanine with tremendous force, sending it crashing into the rock wall. Thanks to its Rock Head ability, Aerodactyl took no recoil damage. Ryan followed up: "Stealth Rock!"
Aerodactyl roared, scattering sharp stones around the battlefield that would damage any Pokémon Blaine sent out next. Blaine shook his head with a grin. "Clever strategy, kid! Arcanine, finish with Flare Blitz!"
"Indeed, time to finish this! Aerodactyl, Hyper Beam!" Ryan knew Blaine had realized Arcanine was at its limit and was making a final desperate attack.
Arcanine, wreathed in intense flames, charged forward just as Aerodactyl unleashed a devastating beam of energy at close range. Both attacks connected, but Arcanine collapsed first.
Both trainers recalled their Pokémon and simultaneously sent out their second choices. Ryan's Charizard and Blaine's Rapidash emerged onto the battlefield.
The moment Rapidash appeared, it galloped through the volcanic terrain, its hooves causing lava to bubble up and spread across portions of the field, dissolving the Stealth Rock hazard.
Ryan stroked his chin, impressed despite himself. He'd never considered such an application of field control. It seemed that creative battlefield manipulation could be incredibly effective even without formal moves. He made a mental note to explore similar tactics in future battles.
But now wasn't the time for such thoughts. Looking at the lava-covered sections of the field, Ryan wondered if his Charizard could handle the intense heat from below.
"Rapidash, Flamethrower!" Blaine commanded.
"Charizard, fly up one meter, then Rock Slide!" Ryan countered without hesitation.
Charizard ascended slightly, the flames passing just below its belly. It then summoned massive boulders that crashed down on Rapidash, dealing significant damage. Ryan noticed that Rapidash's health had dropped considerably—that single Rock Slide had dealt about half its total HP. Seeing Rapidash breathing heavily, Ryan prepared his finishing move.
"End it with Giga Impact!" he called.
"Rapidash, we can't give up! Overheat!" Blaine commanded with determination.
The superheated attack struck Charizard, causing some damage but nothing critical thanks to its Fire typing. Charizard's final attack then connected with Rapidash, sending it tumbling across the battlefield, unable to continue.
Both trainers recalled their Pokémon. "One more battle to go," Blaine said with respect in his voice. He pulled out his final Poké Ball, gripping it tightly. "You've proven yourself to be an exceptional trainer, Ryan. But this last battle won't be easy. Show him what we're made of—Ninetales!"
A magnificent Ninetales materialized on the battlefield, its nine tails flowing gracefully behind it like silk banners. The Fox Pokémon's eyes gleamed with intelligence and experience, and an aura of mystical power radiated from its golden fur.
Ryan felt the shift in atmosphere immediately. This wasn't just another Fire-type—this was a Pokémon that had battled alongside an Elite Four-level trainer for decades. He glanced at his Charizard, who was breathing heavily from the previous battle.
"Charizard, are you ready to continue?" Ryan asked.
Charizard roared defiantly, flames erupting from its mouth. It wasn't backing down. The Flame Pokémon's pride was on the line—it refused to be recalled without giving everything it had.
"That's the spirit! Air Slash!" Ryan commanded.
Charizard beat its wings, sending razor-sharp blades of compressed air toward Ninetales. Blaine remained calm. "Extrasensory."
Ninetales' eyes glowed with psychic energy, and the Air Slash attacks were deflected harmlessly to the sides. Ryan's eyes widened—he hadn't expected Ninetales to know Psychic-type moves.
"Now, Will-O-Wisp!" Blaine ordered.
Ghostly blue flames materialized around Ninetales and shot toward Charizard. "Dodge with Dragon Dance!" Ryan called out, adjusting his strategy.
Charizard performed a mystical, powerful dance in mid-air, the Will-O-Wisp flames missing their mark as its Attack and Speed increased. Ryan grinned—this was the opening they needed.
"Impressive! But can you handle this? Confuse Ray!" Blaine commanded.
A sinister light flashed from Ninetales' eyes. Charizard shook its head, fighting against the confusion. Its eyes glazed over momentarily, and it started to veer off course.
"Charizard, remember what we've been through together! Focus on my voice!" Ryan shouted with conviction. "You've overcome so much—don't let this stop you now!"
Charizard's eyes suddenly cleared, filled with renewed determination. The bond between trainer and Pokémon proved stronger than the confusion effect. Charizard roared triumphantly.
Blaine's eyes widened in surprise. "Remarkable willpower! Ninetales, Fire Blast!"
"Meet it head-on with Flamethrower, then break through!" Ryan commanded boldly.
The massive five-pointed star of flames shot toward Charizard, who unleashed its own stream of fire. The attacks collided in a spectacular display, flames filling the entire arena. Using the cover of smoke and fire, Charizard burst through the inferno, its boosted speed from Dragon Dance allowing it to close the distance.
"Now! Dragon Claw!" Ryan ordered.
Charizard's claws glowed with draconic energy as it slashed at Ninetales, landing a devastating super-effective hit. Ninetales stumbled backward, clearly hurt by the powerful attack.
"Ninetales, Extrasensory!" Blaine called out, trying to create distance.
The psychic attack struck Charizard, causing it to roar in pain. Both Pokémon were now heavily damaged, breathing hard. This battle could go either way.
"We need to end this! Ninetales, Overheat!" Blaine commanded.
Ninetales gathered all its remaining energy, flames erupting from its body in a devastating display of power. The superheated attack created a wave of fire that rolled toward the exhausted Charizard.
Ryan knew this was it—the final exchange. "Charizard, this is for all the battles we've fought together! Blast Burn!"
Charizard roared with every ounce of strength it had left, unleashing the ultimate Fire-type move. A massive pillar of fire, even more intense than Ninetales' Overheat, erupted from Charizard's maw. The two attacks met in the center of the battlefield, creating an explosion of flames that shook the entire volcanic chamber.
When the smoke cleared, both Pokémon stood on shaky legs, exhausted and battered. The entire gym fell silent, with only the bubbling of lava providing background noise. Lillie watched anxiously from the sidelines, her hands clasped together.
Ninetales took one step forward, then slowly, its legs gave out, and it collapsed onto the battlefield.
Charizard remained standing, swaying slightly, its chest heaving with exhaustion. Then it raised its head and released a triumphant roar that echoed through the cavern before falling to one knee, completely spent but victorious.
"Ninetales is unable to battle! The winner is Ryan and Charizard!" Lillie announced, acting as the impromptu referee.
join patreon for update and advance 40+ chapters
https://www.p-atreon.com/c/Soulforger
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
"If you're enjoying this story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone! Your support keeps me motivated and helps the novel reach more readers."
"100 Power Stones this week = 1 extra chapter release!"
"500 Power Stones = 2 extra chapter release ."