Chapter 32: Cinnabar Gym Battle – Facing Blaine
Chapter 32: Cinnabar Gym Battle – Facing Blaine
Early the next morning, Ron and Lillie took a ferry to Cinnabar Island.
Following the directions on their digital map, they arrived at the abandoned gym.
Lillie looked at the dilapidated building and hesitated.
"Ron, are you sure this is a real gym? I overheard people on the ferry saying that Blaine is no longer the Gym Leader. This place is just a tourist destination now."
Ron grinned.
"Don't worry."
He turned toward the empty space and called out loudly:
"Come out, Blaine—I already saw you."
---
Thanks to his Enhanced Vision Cheat, Ron's eyesight was so sharp that he could see a mosquito's leg from a hundred meters away.
Naturally, spotting Blaine—disguised with a fake wig and beard—was effortless.
---
Seeing himself exposed, Blaine coughed awkwardly and stepped forward.
"Ahem… I'm not Blaine. Just a random passerby."
Ron's face darkened.
"You think putting on a fake wig makes you unrecognizable?"
---
Realizing he was caught, Blaine sighed.
"Alright, alright… Sharp-eyed kid. Yes, I'm Blaine."
"If you're here for a Gym battle, follow me."
---
Blaine led them to his hotel, prompting Lillie's curiosity.
"Gym Leader Blaine, Ron told me you have Elite Four-level strength. Is that true?"
Blaine laughed bitterly.
"Ah, Ron… you think too highly of me."
"That's not true. Back in my youth, I challenged the Elite Four—but got completely wrecked."
"Now that I'm old, I don't even know my current level anymore."
---
Ron rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, right. Like hell I'd believe that."
He had already asked Professor Oak about Blaine's past.
Blaine did challenge the Elite Four and lost, but his opponent told him:
"If you train for two more years, you could replace one of us."
Blaine declined the offer.
---
Now, Blaine was indeed older, and his strength might not be the same.
However, with Lance about to take over as Johto's Champion, there would soon be an opening in the Elite Four.
Among Gym Leaders, only Koga and Blaine were strong enough to fill the spot.
The League might actually invite Blaine back.
---
While Ron pondered this, Blaine led them to his hot spring resort.
Then, suddenly, he asked a riddle.
"What has a flood above and fire below?"
---
Ron and Lillie both froze.
"Seriously? He's still obsessed with riddles…?"
With a deadpan expression, Ron answered:
"A bathhouse."
---
Blaine nodded.
"Correct!"
Pressing a hidden switch, he revealed a secret tunnel in the rock wall.
The group descended into Blaine's Lava Arena.
---
Blaine stood at the other end of the battlefield and smirked.
"Ron, the League has been talking about you a lot."
"I'm curious… You already earned your badge. Why challenge my Gym?"
---
Ron grinned and raised a Poké Ball.
"Battling strong opponents is fun."
"I was fortunate to train under Hoenn Champion Steven Stone. He exposed my weaknesses, and now I see my flaws clearly."
"My goal is to become a Pokémon Master—but my current strength is far from worthy of that title!"
"Let's go, Aerodactyl! This is your debut battle!"
---
A massive Aerodactyl burst from its Poké Ball, hovering menacingly in the air.
It locked eyes with Blaine, letting out a thunderous roar.
Blaine's expression hardened.
"You caught this Aerodactyl in Pewter City's Fossil Valley, right?"
"It's strong. I'll have to use my ace."
"This is a 3v3 battle, best-of-three. Show me what your Pokémon can do!"
"Go, Arcanine!"
---
A majestic Arcanine landed gracefully, growling at Aerodactyl.
Aerodactyl flinched for a second.
But then its anger exploded.
It was the king of Fossil Pokémon—how dare a mere dog intimidate it?!
---
Ron sighed.
"Cool it, Aerodactyl."
"Use Giga Impact!"
Aerodactyl charged at Arcanine with overwhelming force.
Ron knew Giga Impact wasn't ideal, but Aerodactyl needed to vent its rage.
Otherwise, it would refuse to obey, just like Ash's Charizard.
---
Blaine stayed calm.
"Arcanine, Extreme Speed! Then Thunder Fang!"
Arcanine became a blur, dodging Aerodactyl's attack.
Then, as Aerodactyl became immobilized from the move's aftereffect, Arcanine sank its fangs into its wing, releasing electricity.
Aerodactyl screamed in pain.
---
"That hurt, huh?" Ron's tone darkened.
"You think you're still the boss of Fossil Valley?"
"There are countless Pokémon stronger than you!"
"If you want to win, listen to me!"
"Use Supersonic!"
---
Aerodactyl reluctantly obeyed, sending sonic waves toward Arcanine.
Blaine smirked.
"Safeguard."
A protective veil formed around Arcanine, blocking the confusion effect.
---
Ron remained unfazed.
"Brave Bird!"
---
Aerodactyl became a streak of blue light, ramming into Arcanine with full force.
Arcanine was blasted backward, slamming into the arena wall.
Ron's hidden ability—Rock Head—negated Brave Bird's recoil.
"Stealth Rock!"
Aerodactyl scattered jagged rocks across the battlefield.
---
Blaine chuckled.
"Tricky kid…"
"Arcanine, Flare Blitz!"
"Aerodactyl, Hyper Beam!"
---
Flames erupted from Arcanine as it charged, colliding with Aerodactyl's point-blank Hyper Beam.
When the dust settled—
Arcanine collapsed.
"Aerodactyl wins."
---
Thanks to his Max HP Cheat, Ron's Pokémon were beefier than ever.
Even the frailest Pokémon, like Beedrill, had bulk comparable to tanky species.
Ron wasn't afraid of stat-checking opponents anymore.
---
Both trainers recalled their Pokémon.
The second match: Charizard vs. Magmar.
The instant Magmar landed, it released lava, melting Stealth Rock from the field.
Ron raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't expect that trick."
"Maybe I should start experimenting with battlefield tactics too…"
But now wasn't the time to ponder.
---
"Magmar, Overheat!"
"Charizard, dodge downward one meter! Then use Rock Slide!"
---
The Overheat attack narrowly missed.
Then, Charizard rained boulders down onto Magmar, dealing massive damage.
---
Magmar staggered, its health dropping rapidly.
Ron narrowed his eyes.
"Just one more hit…"
"Giga Impact—Finish it!"
---
"Magmar, Fire Blast!"
---
Fire Blast hit Charizard, but it barely flinched.
Then, Giga Impact sent Magmar flying, knocking it out.
---
Ron had won.
Blaine smiled approvingly.
"Impressive."
"I look forward to your future battles."