Riddle Me This (Re-Edited)

Cora and her friends were taking a ship to head to Cinnabar Island. By morning, they were getting closer to the Island, on the deck, looking over the ocean and the approaching Island.

"We're almost there." Ash said with excitement.

"It's supposed to be beautiful." Misty told them.

"It's got an awesome volcano, best of all, it got Pokémon research laboratory's one best in the world," Brock informed, "Trainers come all over to learn the latest Pokémon technique."

"And Blaine the Gym Leader lives there." Cora added.

"I wonder what he's like." Mairin commented.

"From what I've heard, he's called the Hotheaded Quiz Master." Alain said.

"The Hotheaded Quiz Master?" Misty asked.

"The guy is a Fire-type gym leader who likes to give out riddles. Some of those riddles are impossible to solve." Cora replied.

"I just hope that he doesn't give us one when we meet him." Ash prayed.

'Oh, but we will, Ash.' Cora thought.

"Well, well, well, isn't it little Ashy."

An annoying voice came from behind the gang. They looked over their shoulders and saw Prof. Oak's arrogant grandson, Gary, laying out on a pool lounge chair with his cheerleaders next to him.

"Gary." Cora deadpanned, "What are you doing here?"

"I've earned so many badges already so I'm taking a break to work on my tan." Gary taunted.

"While you're tanning, I'll be at the Cinnabar Gym." Ash said.

Gary just continued to smirk, "Cinnabar Island doesn't even have Pokémon Gym."

"What?! That's impossible!" Ash exclaimed.

"It's true. Cinnabar is just a tourist attraction." Gary stated.

Ash slumped his head forward at the information.

"Well, let's get going." Cora decided and walked away.

"Good idea." Alain nodded and followed after her with Mairin behind him along with Brock, Ash and Misty to go to their rooms to get their backpacks.

======================

After the ship finally stopped at the dock, Cora and her friends had got off the ship and looked around. There was a lot of people around, but they weren't trainers. They were tourists, much to Cora and Ash's disappointment.

"I guess Gary was right." Ash stated.

"This place is a tourist attraction." Misty commented.

"No sign for a Pokémon Gym but there sure are a lot of tourists around here, there so many nice Islands, I wonder why this one became so popular." Brock said as they looked around the people.

Suddenly a man with long hair, sunglasses and a mustache stood in front of them. Cora recognized this man as Blaine the Cinnabar Gym Leader, in disguise.

"The answer is in the riddle; what's the tourists think is hot and cool?" he asked.

The gang blinked at him.

"Hot spring are really hot and..." Misty trailed off and smiled.

"And tourists think they're cool." Cora finished, smiling.

Blaine nodded, "That's right, young ladies. See kids, because of the volcano, there's a lot of hot springs here on Cinnabar Island, and every year more and more tourists come visit 'em. Now they even taken over Cinnabar Island, trainers don't even come anymore. Tourists! They've ruined the Island!" The man fell to his knees in depression.

"Um, sir, you wouldn't happen to know where Blaine's gym is, do you?" Cora asked gently.

"His gym is right where you put your glasses on." Blaine said.

"Glasses...In front of your eyes." Cora said.

Blaine nodded, "That's right. Blaine's Gym is in front of your eyes." He pointed to the side, which a small looking house that looked destroyed and abandoned.

"Huh?!" the gang and the Pokémon exclaimed.

Blaine walked toward the house and the gang followed. They all stood in front of it.

"That's it?" Brock asked, shocked.

"Blaine got tired of battling tourists who care more about post cards and t-shirts than about Pokémon, that's why he abandoned the Gym." Blaine explained.

"Does Blaine still live here?" Ash asked, desperate to know.

"I'm afraid that he left the island to get away from the tourists for the time being." Blaine replied.

Cora sighed, "I guess I won't be able to get the Volcano badge." She said.

Ash nodded, "Yeah." He agreed.

Kilala nuzzled Cora's cheek, trying to cheer her up.

"Don't worry, Cora." Alain assured her, "We'll figure something out."

Cora smiled softly at Alain, "Thanks, Alain."

"Here's my card," Blaine said as he pulled out a card and handed it to Cora, "If you need anything."

Alain, Mairin, Misty, Ash and Brock gathered around Cora as she read from the card, "The Big Riddle Inn."

Misty frowned, "An Inn? How can you run a hotel and then blame tourists for ruining the Island? That doesn't make any sense to me."

Brock looked over their shoulders, "He's gone."

The gang looked around, but the man was nowhere to be found.

"Where did he go?" Ash asked and Misty shrugged.

"Well I suppose we should book somewhere to stay." Cora suggested.

Alain nodded, "Good idea."

=====================

They went to the Pokémon Center to rent a room. However, Nurse Isabella Joy told them that they were booked. That's when Cora remembered Blaine's card and she asked Nurse Isabella Joy where to find it. So she gave them directions which led them to a small park.

"A park?" Mairin asked, confused.

"Nurse Joy led us to a park?" Misty asked, confused as well.

"I go in any direction she tells me to go." Brock said in a blushed daze.

Misty slammed her fist into his head.

Alain looked at Cora, "Cora, what else did that old man's card say?"

Cora dug into her pocket and pulled the card out, "Must be directions to his hotel. It looks like a riddle." she said.

Brock looked over Cora's shoulder at the card, "Mmm. 'If you look near the swing, you'll see my hand, or at least my face'."

Misty pointed to the swings, "There's the swings."

Brock frowned, "Yeah, but I don't see anybody's hand or face."

Cora blinked, "'You'll see my hand, or at least my face'..." she smiled, "I know what it means! It's a clock!" She looked above the swings up to the top of a hill to see a building with a clock on it. She pointed at the building, "Look up there!"

Misty, Mairin and the boys looked up at the building. "Is that..." Misty trailed off.

"That must be the Big Riddle Inn," Ash turned to the others, "Let's go."

They started to run toward the hill.

=====================

Soon enough they reached to the building to see the sign of 'The Big Riddle Inn'. They all stepped in and saw no one around.

"Hello?" They called out.

Blaine, still in his disguise, walked around the corner, "Well look at that." He looked between Cora and Misty, "Which one of you two solved the riddle?"

"That will be me." Cora replied with a chuckle.

"Well done. As a prize, I'll give you free rooms at the hotel." Blaine said.

Cora smiled, "Thank you so much."

==========================

Blaine had served the kids and the four Pokémon food on the table, before a phone rang and he went to answer it.

"What?" they all looked toward Blaine, who was speaking on the phone.

"Is something wrong?" Cora asked.

Blaine turned to them, "The Pokémon lab has been attacked by a Meowth shaped balloon."

"A Meowth shaped balloon?" Cora blinked and then frowned, "Team Rocket."

========================

The gang followed the man out of the hotel, and straight back to the Pokémon lab. They saw Team Rocket's air balloon on top of the building, with the trio holding a net with a couple of Pokémon inside it.

"They're flying away." Blaine said.

"Well I'm about to burst their bubble," Cora said as she pulled out a Pokéball and threw it, "Gail, go!" The Bird Pokémon was released, and Cora looked at Kilala, "Kilala, you and Gail go bring back all those Pokémon."

"Espe," the female Sun Pokémon said as she jumped on Gail's back, and they flew up toward the balloon. Team Rocket didn't notice until it was too late. Kilala smirked and jumped up to the balloon, "Espeon!" she used Thunder Shock, which made Team Rocket scream in pain as they let go of the net.

The Pokémon all fell on the roof, safe, as Kilala jumped back on Gail's back. They watched as Team Rocket's air balloon flew off.

"LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket screamed.

DING!

The gang and Blaine looked at the Pokémon on the roof as they got out of the net, cheering. The man looked at Cora, "Thanks for saving the Pokémon, Cora. You deserve a big reward, so I'll let you in on a little secret. Blaine built a gym that tourists never see."

The gang smiled at that.

"He did?" Cora and Ash asked.

Blaine nodded, "It's in a place where firefighters could never win."

Ash face planted on the ground at the riddle, "For real?" He groaned.

Cora pretended to ponder for a moment, "A Volcano." She replied.

"Correct, young lady." Blaine said.

Kilala, Chespie, and Jevin (Togepi) sighed at that moment.

"Why don't you guys relax and get some sleep first and I show you in the morning?" Blaine suggested, "Also, if you guys have any fossils on ya', I can take them to the lab to have them restored."

"Sure, that would be great." Cora said.

Cora, Mairin, and Alain had handed their fossils over to Blaine. Then they went back to the inn.

========================

So gang was relaxing in the hot springs near the inn. Cora had to admit that she was somewhat nervous when she would go to Viridian City for her last badge and what is to come when she gets there.

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Misty asked.

"A little bit." Cora admitted as she sat on the edge of the hot spring, "This is going to be my seventh badge. Once I get the Volcano badge, then I have to go battle for the Earth badge."

"Well I'm sure you'll do fine." Mairin assured her.

"I hope so, Mairin." Cora said.

Jevin got out of the water and started walking towards the Gyarados shaped tap. Cora quickly grabbed Jevin before he could climb onto it.

"Don't even think about it, Jevin. That Gyarados is not real, it's a statue." Cora explained.

===========================

The next day, the gang was ready to head to the Cinnabar gym, however Blaine (in his disguise) didn't show up to lead them to the gym.

"I have a feeling that we have to find the gym ourselves." Cora said.

"Oh man. First the riddle and now we have to find the gym." Ash groaned.

"But how can we find it?" Misty asked.

Cora pretended to ponder for a moment. Then she remembered that Gyarados shaped tap. "I think I know where to find the entrance to it."

=========================

The gang went over to the hot springs and Cora spotted the tap. She went over to it and pushed it down. Then the boulder moved, exposing a cave and knocking down the hot springs' gender separation screen.

"Looks like we found the entrance." Alain said.

So the group went inside and walked down the stone stairs. As they were walked down, they felt heat around them.

Misty frowned, "Is it just me, or is it seems to be getting hot down here?"

"Oh it's getting hot alright." Brock confirmed.

They reached to the bottom stairs and looked at a double door in front of them.

"It's a door." Mairin said as she raised an eyebrow.

Knowing if she touched it, her hand would get burned. So Cora thought of a better idea. She took out a Pokéball, "Moishe."

Moishe the Dewgong was released, "Dewgong!"

"Moishe, can you freeze the door handles?" Cora asked.

"Dew. (No problem.)" Moishe smiled.

Moishe used his ice beam attack on the door handles.

"Thanks, Moishe." Cora thanked Moishe.

Moishe smiled before he was returned. Then Cora held the door handles and pulled the door opened to reveal a battlefield that was in the middle of the cave, on top of a lava. The group walked inside with amazement.

Cora smiled, "Blaine's Gym. Well, I guess firefighters can't win in a place like this."

Suddenly the lights turned on.

"Well done there, young lady." A male voice said.

They looked forward and found the man on the other side of the battlefield.

"Before you can battle Blaine, you must answer this riddle first." Blaine said.

Cora nodded.

"What can keep your head dry in the rain, but you can also where it if you already lost it?" Blaine said, giving them another riddle.

"Hm," Cora frowned and then smiled, "A wig."

"That's right," Misty said, "a wig can keep your head dry in the rain, but you can also wear it if you already lost your hair."

"You're a smart young lady," Blaine smiled and took off his wig, sunglasses, and mustache, "I am Blaine the gym leader of Cinnabar Gym."

Cora stepped forward, "I'm Cora from Viridian City and I'm here to battle you for the Volcano Badge."

"I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town and I'm here to battle you as well!" Ash declared.

Blaine nodded in approval, "Good."

=====================

Pokémon Obtained:

Cora: Shiny Espeon (Kilala)(F), Shiny Charizard (Nuri)(F), Altaria (Talia)(F), Shiny Lucario (Jackal)(M), Frogadier (Kenji)(M), Pidgeot (Gail)(F), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M), Cloyster (Matta)(M), Shiny Starmie (Pyxis)(Genderless), Butterfree (Papilio)(M), Beedrill (Stinger)(M), Nidorina (Juno)(F), Nidorino (Malik)(M), Raichu (Tama)(F), Clefable (Shayla)(F), Sandslash (Digger)(M), Meloetta (Odele)(F), Bayleef (Kalmia)(F), Shiny Dephox (Rogue)(F), Mienshao (Mulan)(F), Glaceon (Nieva)(F), Leafeon (Panra)(F), Shiny Gengar (Sypro)(M), Shiny Monferno (Pirro)(M), Galarian Rapidash (Althea)(F), Shiny Quilladin (Cybele)(F), Alolan Raichu (Zuma)(M), Rockruff (Romulus)(M) Meowstic (Yuki)(F), Dewott (Daisho)(M), Kingler (Kuka)(M), Shiny Umbreon (Zunair)(M), Sylveon (Stella)(F), Vaporeon (Kaori)(F), Jolteon (Lyn)(F), Flareon (Egan)(M), Dragonair (Scylla)(F), Absol (Twilight)(M), Shiny Raboot (Scorch)(M), Brionne (Naia)(F), Alolan Vulpix (Elsa)(F), Pink Butterfree (Momo)(F), Drizzile (Mystique)(F), Primeape (Manny)(M), Magnemite (Static)(Genderless), Growlithe (Aiden)(M), Alakazam (Houdini)(M), Zoroark (Kurama)(M), Cubone (M), Marowak (Alsie)(F), Vulpix (Inari)(F), Persian (Cleo)(F), Ponyta (Rubira)(F), Dewgong (Moishe)(M), Seadra (Arnav)(M), Kangaskhan (Mildred)(F), Gardevoir (Guinevere)(F), Poliwhirl (Dallas)(M), Poliwhirl (Kishi)(F), Tauros (9), Porygon (Prism)(Genderless), Sprigatito (Fleur)(F), Quaxly (Emmett)(M), Hisuian Zorua (Eira)(F), Dreepy (Drogo)(M), Quilava (Hugo)(M), Hisuian Growlithe (Fia)(F), Buizel (Itachi)(M), Type: Null (Talos)(Genderless), Jigglypuff (Chantel)(F), Aerodactyl (Téra)(F), Shiny Farfetch'd (Keesha)(F), Ivysaur (Nemus)(M)

Alain: Charizard (M), Metagross (Genderless), Tyranitar (M), Weavile (M), Bisharp (M), Unfezant (M), Leafeon (F), Umbreon (M), Chestnaught (M), Malamar (F), Steelix (M), Shiny Gyarados (F), Scyther (M), Golbat (M), Shiny Zoroark (Unovan)(M), Frigibax (M), Prinplup (M), Copperajah (F), Lokix (M), Magmar (M), Fraxure (M), Rockruff (M), Rhydon (F), Alakazam (M), Meowstic (M), Krokorok (M), Absol (M), Quilava (M), Hydreigon (F), Corviknight (M), Wartortle (M), Growlithe (F), Marowak (M), Tauros (M), Lanturn (F), Fearow (M), Kirlia (M), Eevee (2), Fuecoco (M), Hisuian Zorua (M), Buizel (M), Pawmi (M), Hisuian Growlithe (M), Wattrel (F), Maschiff (M)

Mairin: Chespin (Chespie)(M), Florges (Bébé)(F), Gogoat (Grazer)(F), Butterfree (Bira)(F), Parasect (Paxtin)(M), Clefairy (Pixie)(F), Lilligant (Unovan)(Petunia)(F), Swadloon (Evanthe)(F), Thwackey (Biri)(F), Grotle (Aspen)(M), Simisage (Sage)(F), Roserade (Rose)(F), Azumarill (Mary)(F), Skitty (Cathy)(F), Cherubi (Cherry)(F), Maractus (Amaranth)(F), Servine (Vinicius)(F), Shaymin (Carissa)(F), Wartortle (Kai)(M), Poliwhirl (Wade)(M), Eevee (Sorrell)(F), Dewgong (Nixie)(F), Goldeen (Maya)(F), Gloom (Bryony)(F), Hisuian Lilligant (Laurel)(F), Sprigatito (Jasmine)(F), Brute Bonnet (Shamrock)(M), Tandemaus (Kundu & Panya)(M&F), Smoliv (Olivia)(F), Applin (Pomeroy)(M), Togepi (Jevin)(M)