Training with the Red-Hot Mistress

She was up to her neck in this steamy hot water. It made her sweat yes, but sweat in a good way. She was burning hot, but this was the kind of hot she wanted. Like a nice hot bath, or a nice hot shower. It felt good against the skin. They told her lava ran beneath this springs, which was the cause for its warm nature. Was it safe or not, she didn't know. They assured her it was however, and that's the best she could go by.

Ten-year-old May Ruby sat neck-deep in the Lavaridge Hot Springs, trying to sweat off her daily quarrels. She couldn't believe she fainted during her battle with Flannery; that was so unprofessional of her. Blaze looked so disappointed too. Thanks to May's antics, the battle was postponed to a later date.

But May wasn't sure when she would go back. Her head hurt, and she was shaking because of it. She didn't know what to do now.

"Hey! May! Is that you?"

The twelve-year-old locked up, as she sank deeper into the Hot Springs. The water came up to her nose now, as she tried to hide her naked body beneath. Someone else stepped into the Hot Springs soon after, a woman much older than her. So free was she with her body, not caring at all for those who may or may not have been watching. She sat into the springs up to her chest, letting out this deep breath of relief. Towel in hand, she dragged it across her sweating brow, while a smell crept upon her lips.

Flannery's red eyes moved over to May a moment later, which made the twelve-year-old grow even more embarrassed. She simply wished she could vanish from existence at this very moment. But the red-hot Gym Leader moved over closer, until she was sitting directly beside May. The twelve-year-old couldn't move away any further, and thus stopped as she remained in her restrained measure. She looked up to her red eyes, only to look back down and away, doing this a good a few times.

"Are you okay, May?" the Lavaridge Gym Leader asked, "Is it because you fainted?" the child nodded, "It's okay... maybe it's my hot gym. I've had a lot of people faint when they've come in, really. I thought you'd be able to deal with it though, seeing as how hot your Blaziken is..." she suddenly blushed, "No! No! Not like that! You know what I mean!"

"I didn't faint because it was hot," May said as she stood back up from the Hot Springs, "I fainted because I got scared..."

"Scared of what?" Flannery asked.

"I got scared because I thought you killed Blaze!" she claimed as she roamed into the center of the springs, "I... I thought you would kill Blaze..."

"Why would I kill Blaze?" Flannery asked as she placed her hands on the shoulders of the child, "May... May... something happened, didn't it? I've battled for years and I've never killed someone else's Pokémon. But May... what happened to you?"

"Parlay died..." the child answered as she looked off, "They killed my Pokémon. I... I was scared you would kill my Pokémon. I was scared thinking... you'd kill Blaze... I didn't want to think that... but I couldn't..."

"Listen May," Flannery whispered, "I wouldn't kill your Pokémon."

"I... I'm scared," May whispered as she wiped tears from her eyes, "What if... what if I fight those guys again... and they kill Blaze?"

"You won't let them," Flannery answered with a smile, "May, I think you're a powerful Trainer. Your Pokémon were able to match mine, even though two of them had horrible type match-ups. Your power reminds me of someone, really. Oh! I know! You battle like Norman! The Gym Leader of Petalburg!"

"R-Really?" May answered as she turned to face Flannery, "I... I fight like my father?"

"Your... father?" Flannery repeated in shock, "Wait... Norman is your father? No wonder! You too look a like somewhat... ya'know... if Norman was a cute little girl with brown hair... and wasn't so uptight and..." she shook her head, "I should've been able to figure out you were Norman's daughter since your last name is Ruby... guess I screwed up, huh?"

"When do I know I'm strong enough?" May asked, "When do I know I'm strong enough?"

"You know when you'll know," Flannery said as she stared deep into May's eyes, "Hey, how about this... meet me on the Jagged Pass that leads up to Mt. Chimney. We're going to do a little training with your Blaziken. And after we're done, we finish that fight we started, okay?"

"O... okay..."

"Don't you just love the Hot Springs? They really help me think, ya'know!"

…

"May! Down here!" the Lavaridge Gym Leader called.

May found Flannery to be such an interesting woman. When they fought at the Gym, she was a very tough woman who scared the twelve-year-old a little. But now, she was smiling as she stood in this large match of heated grass. There were many smoldering areas around, black patches, simmering smog, within this area. Flannery was sitting down upon the shell of her Torkoal, his steam blowing against her body. With one hand, she beckoned to May who stood on the rocky hillside. She stepped to the side, only to skid down the rest.

Landing on the grassy field, May wondered if lava flowed from beneath this area as well. It made sense for it too; Mt. Chimney was relatively close by, even the soot from the mountain fell around them. Flannery must have been used to this. She didn't even bat an eyelash, even as the soot drenched her hair this white color.

"You ready for some training? Lavaridge style!?" Flannery asked as she withdrew her Poké Ball.

"Uh-huh," May replied as she withdrew her Poké Ball.

"Good! Now, together!" Flannery pulled back her Poké Ball, "Go! Blaziken!"

Flannery tossed out her Poké Ball, the one with the flaming symbol on it. The capsule device opened within the air, spewing out brilliant flames as it did so. May had to defend herself from the fires that actually weren't danger. When the show ended and her blue eyes opened, the twelve-year-old was staring face to face with a Pokémon much like Blaze. The only difference, Flannery's Blaziken's hair wasn't as long as Blaze's. For this Blaziken was a woman.

"Blaziken..." the Blaze Pokémon stated as she crossed her arms.

Wow. Even though May had seen Blaze as a Blaziken, she never really got the chance to take in his new form. Standing face to face with another Blaziken was simply amazing. And a female one no less. But it was obvious this Blaziken was powerful. How much powerful? May wasn't really sure.

"Go Blaze!" the twelve-year-old yelled as she threw out her Poké Ball next.

The Poké Ball opened in the air, bringing its usual and distinctive flash. From the flash, May's beloved Pokémon fell out. Blaze landed on his feet, prepared for any opponent Flannery would throw at him. He was surprised to see a fellow Blaziken gazing back. And a female one no less. When it came to females, the only ones Blaze knew were his the fellow Pokémon May owned, and May herself. Seeing a female of his own species surprised him.

"Blaziken?" he said in confusion before standing up tall.

"Isn't my Blaziken a beauty?" Flannery asked, "Though I don't use her as much as my Torkoal, she's no pushover! Blaziken! Sunny Day!"

The female Blaziken before Blaze and May suddenly created a flaming orb with her hands. Pulling it back, she lobbed that orb into the sky, where it mixed with the falling soot. May and Blaze gazed up to it in awe, before the skies seemingly exploded. From the soot, hot rays that felt like the sun peered through. When that happened, Blaze felt his own fire powers increase to levels he couldn't even fathom! Let alone do on his own!

"You may believe Blaze is as strong as he can be," Flannery stated, "But May! He can become so much stronger!" she suddenly gained a tough demeanor, "I want you to come at me! Come at me with everything you've got! I'll show you how strong a Blaziken can be!"

"O... Blaze?" May whispered, looking at him, "Are you sure?" from over his shoulder, he nodded, "Then..." she gained a powered stance, "Blaze! Bulk-Up and Focus Energy!"

Her Blaziken spread out his legs and started to focus his power, causing a burning red aura to erupt around his body. While Flannery's eyes gleamed at the sight, Blaze further increased his power. His body bulged and swelled slightly, for his muscles were becoming as hard as diamonds. The ground broke around Blaze's body, as he grew stronger than ever before. Noticing this, Flannery's Blaziken prepared herself for a strike. Flannery herself couldn't help but to smile.

"Alright Blaze!" May yelled out, "Double Kick!"

With feet burning with power, Blaze dashed for Flannery's Blaziken. His burning feet had toppled over many Pokémon, this female Blaziken was just another one. He rose his first foot, delivering a kick that was strong enough to destroy a mountainside. Flannery's Blaziken merely lifted her hand, blocking the blow without so much as a grunt. Blaze was taken aback, and so was May. Did that actually happen? No, it couldn't have!

Blaze struck again, this time with his other foot. Flannery's Blaziken blocked that kick. Both kicks, rendered useless by this Blaziken that had seen so much more. Blaze was taken aback, but it was too late now. She grabbed him by the throat, wheeling him back whilst doing so. With one powerful toss, Flannery's Pokémon sent Blaze flying away. He crashed into a soot pile next to his trainer, springing up the next moment. Flustering his cheeks, Blaze blew the soot away and stood back up. At the same time, his eyes settled on Flannery's Blaziken.

"What?" May said as she grew disheartened, "B-Blaze!"

"Don't give up hope yet!" Flannery said, making May and her Pokémon gaze at her, "I'm about to show you just how strong your Blaziken can become!" she looked at her own Blaze Pokémon, "Blaziken! Fire Punch!"

The Blaze Pokémon readied herself, raising a her hand as she did so. It was suddenly swallowed in a blazing inferno that would burn anything to the touch. With that Sunny Day in affect, Fire Punch was something even the elites would fear. So what chance did Blaze have against this Pokémon? He didn't even know Fire Punch was a move he could learn, it was obvious May had no idea of it either. Yet neither he nor she would give up; Rubys never give up!

"Blaze!" May yelled with increased vigor, "Fire Punch!"

"Now you're getting it!" Flannery exclaimed with glee.

Blaze rose his hand, clenching and unclenching his fist as he did so. His wrists were blazing with so much power, it was easy to tell his opponent was powerful. Any lesser being would fall at this point in time, but not him. Looking at the female Blaziken with his wonderful blue eyes, he caused his own hand to erupt into flames.

He and she, they started running at each other the next moment. They grew faster, as the ground between each other began to close in. At the same time, they pulled back their fists. When they collided, the mountains shook with fire.

…

Blaze breathed in and out heavily. The steamy mist around him was blinding his eyesight, but it would take more than that to make him stop. Regaining his battling composure, the Blaziken tried his hardest to peer through the fog. Whenever that Coal Pokémon roamed, steam and mist was sure to follow. But it was worse now than the first time. He couldn't even see his own Trainer, let alone the opponent he's suppose to face.

"Blaze!" May cried through the fog, "Pay attention! You can't see through this!" well duh, "But you can hear him! Listen out for him and Double Kick!"

Listen for him. Strange, that was something Blaze hadn't thought about before. He was so used to seeing his opponent the thought of listening for his opponent never crossed his mind. He listened to his trainer, closing his eyes to better focus his ears. He heard such a hard noise.

"Toooooooorrr..." it was a whisper, as if it were breathing.

FEEEEEEEEEE!

The expulsion of steam. It wasn't far, rather close. He could hear it, coming in close. He stood behind, while he rose his feet. The monster, his opponent, it was near by. Too close in fact.

Behind Blaze, the smog vanished, revealing the Coal Pokémon Torkoal. Its throat was bulging, preparing to lodge another Sludge Bomb at its opponent. But it was Blaze who had the superior hand, not this Pokémon. He twirled around, his foot cutting the wind. With one decisive kick, he struck Torkoal square in the face. The blow must have bothered the Coal Pokémon, for it didn't move much after. And then the second kick, stronger than the first. Right to Torkoal's head again, but more in a thrusting manner. The second kick threw Torkoal away from him, sending it crashing into the steaming hot moat around the battlefield.

In only a matter of minutes, the steam vanished. Blaze was standing tall within the center, breathing heavily. He gazed at the area he kicked Torkoal too, wondering if the Coal Pokémon would rise or not. It rose alright, as a levitating shell with fire sprouting from its holes. Torkoal returned to the battlefield, much to Blaze's surprise. Even May was dumbfounded by he Coal Pokémon's returned. Have you ever seen a shell fly thanks to fire? Not an easy sight to take in.

"Torkoal!" Flannery shouted with a smile as her Pokémon glared at Blaze, "Fire Blast!"

The Coal Pokémon pulled in its limbs, sprouting flames from its holes once more. Raising to the air, it began to summon a great flaming orb of absolute destruction. May and Blaze glared up at the sight, wondering what to do. May had never seen such an action occur, and she was confused greatly by it. How does one knock something out of the sky? Maybe it was time to put some of Blaze's new moves to good work.

"Blaze!" she shouted, "Sky Uppercut!"

He rose his fist again, tightening it hard. Eyes peering up toward the flying flaming tortoise, his fist began to glow. Blaze crouched down, then leaped up high. He cleared the distance between himself and his foe with one mighty jump. His fist was pulled back, ready to roar into his enemy's awaiting body. It shot forth like a cannon, stabbing into the underbelly of Torkoal's body. The blow was so strong, the Coal Pokémon's head and limbs shot out from its shell, while its eyes grew wide. Thanks to the lack of control thanks to the blow, the Fire Blast exploded above them.

May and Flannery guarded their eyes as to not blind themselves from the fiery explosion above. It rumbled above for what felt like forever, before a being finally fell out. Blaze landed first, touching down upon his knees. Breathing in and out heavily, he stared back to where Torkoal was. Just like he was, the Coal Pokémon fell, but it was more liked jettisoned. It crashed into the battlefield, back first, where it grew extremely silent.

May and Blaze watched and listened, waiting for the Torkoal to rise once again. It never did.

"Final Round!" the Pokémon Mediator shouted as May felt her heart stop, "Victor! Challenger May Ruby!"

For some reason, she couldn't believe it. She just won, she just defeated Flannery! Another victory. Then why didn't it feel like a victory? Why did it leave her with this heartless and swelling pit within her heart? Why did she still feel weak?

Parlay... No! Not Parlay! She's fine! She's perfectly fine! The Dustox is just sleeping. Yeah. Sleeping. She just kept telling herself that.

"That... was... EXPLOSIVE!" the Lavaridge Gym Leader exclaimed as she suddenly whisked May up into her arms. Flannery sure could move, "I lost the match, but I'm completely satisfied. It's not often I get to enjoy a battle this heated! Let's have another one like this sometime!"

She pulled back however, seeing a less than energetic face on the child's mug. May looked like someone had ruined her life, not like she was just victorious. Flannery was taken aback by it; she's never met someone who was depressed after winning a Pokémon Battle. It didn't take her long to realize why, however.

"May..." she whispered, "It was a wonderful battle... you and your Pokémon should be proud of yourselves..."

"I... I... I just don't feel well... Blaze..." May whispered.

Her Blaziken didn't waste any time in coming to her side. Standing beside her, she and he just looked at one another. Turning away, as if she couldn't face her Pokémon, May returned him to his Poké Ball. She stood up tall moments later, as her eyes met Flannery's red ones.

"I... I'm sorry," she stated, "It... it was a great fight..."

"May..." Flannery whispered as she tried to understand what grief the child was feeling, "Th... there's more to this, isn't there?"

"I have to go, Flannery," May claimed, being unusually cold, "I have other Gyms to fight..."

Whatever was going on within the child, Flannery knew she couldn't deal with it. It was May's problems, and she would need to deal with it with someone else she trusted. Not the burning Gym Leader from Lavaridge city. There wasn't much Flannery could do here, other than see May off on her journey.

"As the Gym Leader, May, I must give you this," Flannery stated as she reached into her pocket, "The Heat Badge. With this, I can't think of much Pokémon that won't obey you. But I think you could command any Pokémon, you're just so strong!" her statement made May smile, "Let's exchange superhot moves in another battle. I want to see how stronger Blaze will become in the future. Maybe he'll be able to match my Blaziken."

"Yeah..." May whispered, "Maybe..." and suddenly, to Flannery's surprise, the twelve-year-old hugged her, "Thanks Miss Flannery! Blaze feels so stronger now!"

"And he is!" Flannery claimed, "But not because I made him stronger, but because you made him stronger..." she smiled a bit more, "And he's only going to get stronger if you keep helping him. Oops, I almost forgot... the Heat badge!"

Flannery slipped it into May's hands quickly. The twelve-year-old lifted the badge, musing at its beauty. It was like a wisp of fire, with a yellow circle at the end. The Heat Badge. And what an amazing badge it was. Yeah. Amazing.

"You know what's next, right?" Flannery asked, "You're only half way there, May. You have four more badges needed before you can challenge the Elite Four. And I can't think of anyone better for you to fight than... him..."

"Whose... him?" May asked.

"Norman."

…

"I WANT TO KNOW WHERE MY DAUGHTER IS!"

Her roar jerked everyone within the hospital's lobby. They say Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn. What if you make that woman into a mother? Well, you get Caroline Ruby. She was far from her home in Littleroot. This trip took hours to make, and it only made her angrier. The receptionist behind the counter wasn't making things any better.

"I can't give you your daughter," he claimed, fearing the woman before her, "It's impossible!"

"HOW IS IT IMPOSSIBLE!?" Caroline snapped, threatening to rip his head off, "TELL ME!"

"Caroline, Caroline!" Norman called, his hand falling upon her shoulder, "Calm down Caroline, let me talk to him."

It took quite a bit of wrestling to move the woman back, but Norman was able to do so. Somehow.

"Listen," he whispered, "We're looking for my daughter, May Ruby. She's responsible for saving everyone from those Team Magma thugs up there on Mt. Chimney. I suspect you saw the news, right?" the receptionist nodded, "Good... so where is my daughter?"

"I can't really tell you, because I don't know," the receptionist replied, "May Ruby checked herself out of this hospital earlier this morning, okay? She could be anywhere!"

"She... checked herself out?" Norman repeated in awe, "May did?"

The receptionist nodded; Norman pulled back. The Gym Leader faced his wife, who was threatening to return to one of her crying fits again. Hugging his wife, he tried his hardest to calm her down. It didn't take long for her to realize May wasn't here. She could be anywhere, really.

"It's okay," Norman whispered into Caroline's ear, "I promise. May's a strong girl she-"

"YOU KEEP SAYING THAT!" his wife yelled, "Then why did I almost see my daughter die, Norman? Strong people don't die!" she started sobbing, "Strong people... don't... die..."

"HEY, HEY, HEY!" a teenage redhead yelled as she pushed the doors open to the Lavardige hospital, "What's going on here! There's so much yelling, I can hear it from the out... Norman?"

"Flannery?" he answered.

"Hey Norm!" she said back as she walked up to him, completely ignoring Caroline, "Long time no see!"

"Same here!" he replied, "Why... when I last saw you, you were only twelve! How old are you now?"

"I turned eighteen not to long ago," she said with a girlish giggle, "And I can see you've grown yourself since I last saw you."

Even though it was a harmless flirt, Norman couldn't help but to blush. This, of course, didn't sit too well with Caroline, who forced herself between the two.

"And who are you, you little hussy!?" she snapped, making Flannery step back.

"That's Flannery," Norman answered, "The Gym Leader of Lavaridge. I knew her father, Mr. Moore. He was the Gym Leader here and actually served on the Hoenn Elite Four for a little while," he looked back at Flannery, "Whose the Gym Leader here now, Flannery?"

"Oh its me!" she claimed with a high and uppity smile, "And I haven't even lost yet! Well... kinda..."

"What's a 'kinda'?" he asked.

"Your daughter paid me a visit not to long ago," Flannery claimed as she closed her eyes, not noticing Norman and Caroline's shocked stares, "Yup! She came by with her Pokémon and... well... beat me..." she slumped over, "Three weeks and not one loss, until she came by... okay... maybe a few losses..."

"Flannery!" Norman suddenly said, his hands falling on her shoulders and shocking her, "You said May came by and fought you? Where did she go?"

"I don't know," the Lavaridge Gym Leader claimed, "I told her to head your way next. She just thought about, nodded, then walked off."

"How long ago was this?"

"Two hours ago... May could be anywhere now."

"Then we need to find her!" Caroline stated, "C'mon Norman! Let's get back into the car!"

She marched off and out the exit, leaving Norman behind. He started following his wife, when a hand fell upon his shoulder. Turning around, he stared back to Flannery, who smiled.

"May's a strong girl, Norman," she stated, "She reminds me of me at that age. I can see so much of you within her. A young... cute... girl version of you... she has the same glare you get when she battles, and she has the intelligence too. You fight just like each other, it's almost uncanny... Norman, if you know what's wise, don't hold your daughter back. She can go so far, I know it, and you know it. She's coming your way, and you're gonna see just how strong she can be."

"Flannery..." he whispered.

"And quite the wife you got there," the Gym Leader added as she started leaving the hospital, "She looked like she was going to spring on us if we talked any further."

Flannery exited soon after, leaving Norman alone. And yet her words weighed heavily on his mind. Just how strong was his daughter? If Flannery's words were to be believed, extremely strong. She was able to survive being buried alive, only to wake up in a hospital, leave that day, then continue on her adventure like nothing happened.

Maybe his daughter was too strong. He would need to see for himself. When she challenges him.

"Caroline!" Norman called, "We have to talk!"

Maverick Talks!

Is this a shorter chapter? Why, yes. Yes it is!

So after the last chapter, I felt the need to delve into May's psyche a bit for this chapter. At first, it looked as if she was making great strides in overcoming Parlay's death, but now, not so much. She looks like she's trying to suppress her feelings, as you can tell. Hm. How quaint.

You know something I like about writing this novelization? Expanding peoples roles. Flannery's now not some Gym Leader, but also a somewhat mentor to May. Wally get's to do more things than mope around, Brendan is being hit on by Courtney, Max is hanging out with a Treeko, Caroline is terrified for her daughter, and Norman is Norman. Yeah, I love this expanded role.

Today, Flannery get's an expanded role. Her female Blaziken actually exists, by the way. It exists in B2/W2's Pokemon World Tournament. Occasionally, Flannery pulls out a Blaziken in her group. Except her Blaziken might not always be a girl. Ya see, her Pokemon can be either gender, it all depends on what the game feels like. Huh.

May's Pokemon. Is only Blaze, so yeah. But he's stronger. There's that.

Remember that little arc where May was with Wally for like three chapters straight? Well maybe we'll do something like that with Brendan. Next chapter, May and Brendan go through Roue 111's desert. Yeah. Awesome!

So, as usual, read and review. And maybe something special will happen. Yeah, something special indeed!

Or maybe not. Just review because I said so. Please?

My favorite Poke Ball? The Luxury Ball. It's amazing! I caught Giratina and Virizion with one! For seriously!

Maverick Kay Prime