Nozomi sat across from Blaine, watching the old man's expression shift through a whole storm of emotions—conflicted, dejected, furious, and finally resigned—as he reluctantly agreed to accept the challenge.
What on earth had Blaine imagined to make his face so expressive?
Still, whatever he was thinking didn't matter. What mattered was that Blaine had accepted his challenge. That alone was good news.
His seventh Gym Badge was now within reach.
Following Blaine to the back courtyard of the inn, Nozomi watched as the Cinnabar Gym Leader pressed a hidden switch. The ground split open with a click, revealing a dark passageway.
"Follow me," Blaine said curtly.
Nozomi didn't move. He just stared at the tunnel entrance, lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Something the matter?" Blaine frowned.
"No," Nozomi shook his head. "I was just wondering how much League funding you requested to build all these secret mechanisms."
"..."
Blaine's throat worked, but no sound came out. He could only scowl, his face darkening, and wordlessly lead the way ahead.
Inwardly, though, he vowed: Even if I can't win, I'll make him fight for it. He's not walking out of here with an easy victory.
They passed through the pitch-black tunnel until the narrow path opened into a vast underground cavern.
It was enormous. The center gaped open like a volcano's heart, molten lava bubbling and churning below. Waves of scorching heat rolled upward, making the air ripple.
By Nozomi's estimation, in this environment the power of Fire-type moves would increase by at least twenty percent—while Grass-types and Steel-types would be weakened by nearly thirty.
"What do you think of this battlefield?" Blaine asked, pride written plainly across his face.
Though he'd closed Cinnabar Gym years ago, it wasn't as if he'd been idle. The volcanic battle arena before them was one of the personal projects he'd devoted years to perfecting.
Nozomi nodded appreciatively. "It's impressive. Though I can't imagine what this must've cost."
Blaine's smile froze. Could they not bring up the funding again?
Nozomi chuckled faintly, saying nothing more. He wasn't here to audit Blaine's expenses—he was here to win a Gym battle. Standing by the edge of the molten pit, he said evenly,
"Let's hear the rules."
"Standard 1-on-1 match," Blaine said. "Whichever Pokémon loses the ability to battle first determines the winner."
He didn't plan to fight more than one round. Once was enough. Any more, and he doubted his heart could take it.
"Fine by me."
Nozomi was slightly disappointed he wouldn't get to thrash Blaine a few more times, but he wasn't the petty sort.
"Then—battle begin!"
Blaine tossed his Poké Ball. "Go—Ninetales!"
Nozomi threw his own. "Go—Gyarados!"
In a flash of light, Blaine's Ninetales appeared—its cream-white fur gleaming, nine tails flowing like silk flames behind it, red gemstone eyes burning with intelligence.
Before it, Nozomi's Gyarados loomed in midair, immense and imposing, the crimson sheen of its scales unmistakable.
"A Gyarados… and a Shiny Gyarados at that!"
Even Blaine couldn't hide his astonishment.
He'd heard of Shiny Pokémon, even seen a few in his long career—but a red Shiny Gyarados? Never. He recalled an old rumor from Johto: that a crimson Gyarados had once appeared at the Lake of Rage, though scientists could never confirm it.
And now, one stood before him.
But Blaine was a veteran Gym Leader; his shock lasted only a heartbeat. He drew in a breath, regaining composure, and called out,
"Ninetales, I'm counting on you!"
Ninetales was one of his ace Pokémon. If he was going to make this match shine, she was the perfect choice.
And when he saw Gyarados, a spark of hope kindled within him.
All the intel said Nozomi's strongest Pokémon were his Metagross, Dragonite, and Steelix.
Those three were his known powerhouses.
No report had ever mentioned a Gyarados.
That meant this Shiny Gyarados was newly caught—likely still unrefined.
His Ninetales, nurtured for over a decade, against a fresh capture? Even with a type disadvantage, the terrain's boost to Fire-types and suppression of Water-types meant Blaine still had a chance!
"Let's go! Ninetales—use Fire Spin!"
At his command, Ninetales exhaled a swirling vortex of flame that roared toward Gyarados.
"Fire Spin? Petty trick. Gyarados—Hydro Pump!"
Gyarados opened its maw and unleashed a surging torrent of water straight into the oncoming firestorm.
Ninetales darted aside, but the blast pursued her relentlessly, hissing through the air. Pressed to the limit, she spewed another Fire Spin to disrupt the attack.
Nozomi's eyes narrowed. "Gyarados—dodge!"
Had it tried to brute-force through, the clash of extremes might have backfired.
At his order, Gyarados lunged forward, slipping past the flames—and its crimson eyes flashed.
A pulse of Dark Pulse energy rippled outward in a black shockwave.
The wave struck Ninetales head-on, freezing her for an instant—long enough for Gyarados to lunge and bite down hard.
Ninetales screamed, then roared back in fury—her body bursting into a cloak of flames. Wrapped in blazing fire, she lunged at Gyarados like a living inferno.
Gyarados roared, jaws snapping open from the searing burn, and the two Pokémon separated with a blast of steam between them.
That exchange left both sides battered—though Gyarados clearly held the edge. Ninetales had taken both the Dark Pulse and the Crunch head-on, while Gyarados had only burned its mouth.
"Ninetales, are you all right?!" Blaine called, alarmed.
Ninetales turned, shaking her head and letting out a low growl, signaling she could still fight.
Her eyes gleamed with renewed battle spirit. After years of seclusion with Blaine, it had been far too long since she'd faced such a fierce opponent.
This time, she would give it her all!
"Let's finish this, Gyarados—Hydro Pump, again!"
Water-type attacks would always be the surest way to strike a Fire-type.
(End of Chapter)