258. The Future Flame King

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"This perfume's formula is ours!" Jessie declared proudly.

With this, not only could she own an advanced perfume, but she could also analyze its ingredients and mass-produce it. Then, they could earn a fortune and finally pay off their mounting debts.

"I won't let you do this!" Brock suddenly stood up, his voice filled with determination.

This was his chance to impress the gathered young ladies, and he knew he had to act heroically.

"We don't have time for this nonsense!" James sneered.

"That's right, Meowth, show them what we've got!" Meowth grinned, pulling out a remote control. Without waiting for anyone to react, he pressed the red button.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Explosions erupted around the room, sending everyone into a panic. However, the blast also shook the ground beneath Team Rocket's feet, launching them upward and shattering the glass ceiling above.

"Meowth, how did you mess up the bombs?!" James shouted angrily as they soared through the air.

"Who cares? We got what we came for: this premium perfume!" Jessie chimed in. For once, their objective had nothing to do with Pikachu but everything to do with their newfound scheme.

Boom!

Suddenly, the Rainbow Gym was engulfed in flames. The explosions had ignited the botanical garden at the center of the gym, spreading fire to the surrounding competition field.

"Everyone, stay calm and evacuate!" Erika shouted, maintaining her composure as she directed the crowd to safety.

"Yes, ma'am!" the staff and trainers responded.

"Let's help out!" Misty called to Brock. He nodded, and the two rushed to assist. The fire was a dire threat to the Grass-type Pokémon housed in the gym.

The staff scrambled to recall the Pokémon into their Poké Balls, but the chaos made it challenging as the fire spread rapidly around the competition field.

"Quickly, everyone, evacuate! Agh, the smoke!" Erika coughed as she continued directing the rescue effort.

Crash!

A chandelier, weakened by the flames, fell from the ceiling, plummeting toward Erika.

"Look out!" Ash sprang forward, pushing Erika out of the way. The chandelier crashed to the ground, shattering and igniting the field even further.

"Are you okay?" Ash asked, helping Erika to her feet.

"I'm fine, thanks to you!" she replied, her voice trembling as she glanced at the flaming wreckage.

"No time for that—let's move!" Ash urged. By now, most of the trainers had escaped to safety.

"Wait! Gloom is still inside!" Erika suddenly realized. She had been so focused on helping others that she had forgotten her beloved Pokémon.

"Gloom!" she called, frantically scanning the smoke-filled venue.

Gloom! Gloom!

But amidst the chaos, Erika's voice rang out. She had spotted Gloom trembling near her experimental platform, cowering and visibly terrified.

"Gloom!" Erika called out in panic, rushing toward it. Ash, noticing the dangerous proximity of the flames, quickly followed.

By now, the fire had reached the platform, with embers scattering across its surface. The platform held various experimental materials, including pollen, which, combined with Charmander's lingering heat, created a perilous situation.

Boom!

A sudden explosion sent Gloom flying. The Pokémon cried out in fear as it hit the ground. Debris from the platform, now ablaze, hurtled toward Gloom.

"Charmander!" Ash shouted.

Charmander dashed forward, bravely using its claws to shield Gloom as the flaming debris came crashing down.

Gloom! the Pokémon whimpered.

But the chaos only intensified. Frightened, Gloom released a noxious stench. The scattered pollen, exposed to the flames' heat, ignited instantly.

Boom!

The resulting explosion shook the area. Charmander, too close to the blast, inhaled the pungent fumes. Its face twisted in discomfort before it collapsed, overwhelmed by the odor. The flaming debris loomed dangerously overhead.

"No, Gloom!" Erika screamed, anguish in her voice. But her plea came too late. Charmander lay weakened, and the burning wreckage crashed down.

The spreading flames engulfed both Gloom and Charmander. Erika cried out in despair, "Gloom!!"

Ash, determined to act, clenched his fist and reached for Squirtle's Poké Ball. Just as he prepared to throw it, something unusual happened.

"Wait...?" Ash muttered, lowering the Poké Ball as a strange presence filled the air.

The raging inferno seemed to shift. It was as though a mysterious wind swept through, parting the flames. Ash froze, sensing time itself slow.

Boom!

Suddenly, the flames receded, as if forced back by an unseen power. They parted, revealing a charred, blackened path leading through the destruction.

At the end of the path stood a figure, its body radiating intense heat. The outline of its form shimmered against the fiery backdrop, its glowing red eyes cutting through the haze.

DAL!

The figure let out a powerful roar. Flames roiled behind it, swirling in deference. Step by step, it moved down the charred road, carrying the unconscious Gloom on its back. The inferno seemed to bow, retreating as though acknowledging the fiery entity's dominion.

It was as if the king of fire itself had arrived.