Annnnnnd we are back with another installment. Last chapter was brief due to Team Aqua just congratulating Satoru and all that whatnot. They discussed the mission briefly and now it's time for Satoru to hunt down another badge! This time it's Flannery! Let's heat things up shall we!?

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon! All of its characters and content are owned by Game Freak and Nintendo

Chapter 36: A Fiery Spirit!

After having talked it over with the other Admins, Satoru was able to leave the base in order to obtain his fourth badge. He had been wanting to for quite a while and since he figured he'd rightfully earned it, he would indeed go for it. He slowed to a stop on Mantine and hopped off, stroking her lightly.

'Thanks for the lift. I really enjoy flying with you, its such a big help.'

'You are welcome Satoru. It's always so much fun!'

Satoru nodded and watched as she flew off. As he was about to head into the Pokémon center, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Hey, Satoru!" Angie called out, having followed him there.

Satoru blinked as he saw her land on a Swanna before returning her to her ball. She walked up to him and placed her hands on her hips.

"The boss wanted me to come along, mostly to see that you don't try to run away or anything. Also, just to let you know, your friends Allen and Karen are doing okay. So don't worry about that..." Angie winked.

A faint smile crossed his features as he turned towards her.

'Archie really doesn't need to worry about me running off. I like Team Aqua. I've been having fun you might say...'

Angie grinned at this and put her arm around his neck and pulled his face towards her chest, giving him a noogie with her right fist.

"Good! Because if you did decide to up and leave you had best believe I would hunt you down!"

Satoru gasped for air as she let go of him. Most guys would dream of their face being where his just was. He on the other hand was glad he didn't suffocate. Angie gave an amused chuckle before slapping him on the back.

"So, you're going to battle a Gym Leader huh? Sounds like fun. I want to see how you work," Angie smirked.

'As long as you don't do that again, you can she me battle whenever I go fight a Gym,' Satoru remarked.

"Sounds good to me Satoru! Now come on, let's go see what you're made of!"

It might be said that wearing their uniforms was a rather silly idea. Team Aqua was, after all, already known for thieving. As was Team Magma. But, the pirate themed look got a lot of attention so it would probably just be mistaken for a costume of some sort. Satoru and Angie both walked into the Gym, feeling a wave of heat in the process.

Satoru looked around the gym only to see a fiery redhead standing next to an elderly bespectacled man. Flannery seemed a bit annoyed for whatever reason.

"How could that kid say such things!?" Flannery fumed.

"Now Flannery, remember what I told you about staying calm? That is the reason you lost. Albeit his insults were uncalled for, it is your duty to uphold your dignity," her grandfather replied.

"I know, but him calling me weak just because I haven't been a leader for long is uncalled for!" Flannery grumbled.

Satoru and Angie raised a brow at this scene. It took a while for Flannery to notice that she had a challenger. She sighed and turned towards them. Her eyes fixed themselves on Satoru who was staring back at her intently. His bandanna was off and was being held by Angie. She took note of the gray eyes and the messy blond hair that he had. Recognition flashed in her eyes as soon as she saw him.

"Hey, I know you!" Flannery exclaimed.

Satoru blinked at this declaration.

"Yeah! You're that guy from the Battle Interview! I watch it to see what potential challengers I might get. I saw how you battled. Grandpa and I were hoping we would see you around here!" Flannery smirked.

"Should I tell them Satoru?" Angie asked.

Satoru thought about it and then nodded.

"Satoru here, is mute. He can, however, speak via NAV."

Flannery blinked at this. She had never fought or met anyone that couldn't speak. She looked over at Satoru, even more determined to have a match with him. Her grandfather saw this and smiled. It seemed that the possibility of a strong opponent got her ready to go.

"Well, if you're ready to go Satoru then so am I!" Flannery grinned.

The mute nodded, making his way towards the arena floor.

"This Gym Battle is between the Lavaridge City's newest Gym Leader; Flannery and the Challenger; Satoru! This will, be a three on three battle! Only the Challenger will be able to substitute Pokémon. Satoru will have the first move! Ready? Begin!"

"Camerupt, you're on!"

"Kirlia let's go!" Satoru called out.

Satoru had seen a Camerupt and even studied them in school. They were powerhouses and also bulky. But the one advantage that he had here was speed. That would be his ticket here. He began to map out a strategy before his first attack.

'Start with teleport then use Zen Headbutt.'

Two snaps echoed out, signalling the start of the match. The attack order had been set for his battle system and now Satoru was on the assault. Kirlia teleported from his spot quickly.

"Use Curse Camerupt!"

Camerupt began to build up power. He became surrounded in a purple aura as his speed stat was drastically cut however his defenses and attack power were raised. At this time, Kirlia arrived with a surprise Zen Headbutt. He cannoned into Camerupt's forehead, causing the volcanic Pokémon to stagger a bit. He turned his head and watched Kirlia teleport again as two snaps echoed again.

"Use Curse again!"

Camerupt once more powered himself up before being slammed into by a vicious Kirlia. Camerupt seemed to endure it better this time and glared defiantly at Kirlia. Satoru noticed the change in defenses and began to figure a way around it. Camerupt took a lot of damage and on purpose too. He'd done what he could to not let her set up but by the looks of things, that Camerupt was very well trained.

"Surprised at how sturdy he is? Me and Camerupt worked on defense a lot. And now, it's time to show you the offense! Earthquake!"

Satoru snapped once and Kirlia warped from his spot. The shockwaves were phenomenal. Satoru fought to maintain balance and even Angie had a few problems not falling over. Due to the immense power up, the shockwaves still hit Kirlia just before he landed, knocking him back and skidding across the ground. Kirlia struggled to a stand.

Satoru snapped twice as Kirlia got to his feet and shook off the attack. He was ready for another go at this. He surged forward with his head glowing bright violet. Flannery smirked as Kirlia got closer.

"Overheat!"

Camerupt's mouth opened wide as Kirlia neared. Powerful flames crackled inside. Steam erupted from the volcanic mounds on his back. A powerful blast of flames spiraled out of his mouth and crashed into Kirlia with brutal intensity. Kirlia was sent flying back into the wall, down for the count.

"Kirlia is unable to battle! Camerupt wins!"

"Alright, yeah!" Flannery shouted.

"So, how did you like that? Not bad for being new huh?" Flannery grinned.

Angie's brow twitched a bit as she saw her attitude. She, however, was not one to talk.

Satoru smirked and returned Kirlia to his ball, getting his next partner ready. He then unsnapped Clauncher's ball and released him onto the field.

'Ahoy there boyo! Who we be facing today!?'

'Well, you see that Camerupt?'

'Aye, he be lookin' like a tough one!'

'I want it taken down...'

'Aye aye Cap'n!'

"A Water Type huh? And a Clauncher too. I saw your Clauncher battle, it's wicked! But I won't let you beat me that easy!"

Satoru simply smirked and shook his head. Two snaps resounded and Clauncher dashed in with Aqua Jet.

"Yawn!"

'Substitute!'

Camerupt opened his mouth and let out a pink puff of air which made contact with Clauncher who promptly collapsed...into a cloud of smoke.

"What!?" Flannery panicked.

Two more snaps resounded and a large Water Pulse hammered home, packing more than enough force to send Camerupt packing.

"Camerupt is unable to battle! Clauncher wins!"

"That's the way Satoru!" Angie shouted enthusiastically.

Satoru grinned as he heard his friend cheering him on. He needed that during this match.

"Well, I gotta say, I'm impressed. But let's see how you handle this! Let's go Mag!"

Satoru watched in surprise as Magmortar appeared on the field. This wasn't exactly what he expected, but then again no Gym he fought was without a surprise.

"Mag, use Thunderbolt!"

Satoru snapped once for Clauncher. The feisty crustacean created an afterimage of himself as Magmortar pointed his cannon at him. Magmortar soon discharged a powerful current of electrical energy at Clauncher. The substitute exploded on the spot. Two snaps echoed and Clauncher jettisoned himself towards Magmortar with his claw glowing with aquatic aura. Magmortar slammed the Crabhammer home, sending Magmortar stumbling backwards.

"Don't give up Mag! Use Smokescreen!"

Magmortar let loose a cloud of smoke that covered the arena. This was not a comfortable spot for Clauncher to be in. He couldn't see, and on top of that...his enemy knew Thunderbolt. Two snaps resounded which gave Clauncher an offensive command. He raised Long Shot and began to charge up a Water Pulse.

"Thunderbolt!"

'Water Pulse!'

A devastating blast of electricity powered into Clauncher's Water Pulse right after he released it. This resulted in him being flung into a wall. He was nearly out of it. Had he not shot off that hasty blast, he would have been done for. Satoru recalled Clauncher and released Trapinch instead.

"Trapinch huh? This should be interesting! Bring it!"

'Hey Trapinch...hungry?'

'Yes! What's to munch on?'

Satoru pointed at Magmortar.

'See him? Use Dig now!'

Trapinch borrowed underground quickly, leaving Magmortar alone for a moment.

"Be careful Mag, he could be anywhere!"

Magmortar nodded and kept watch for signs of the little trapper.

'Bulldoze!'

The command went obviously unheard to Flannery but not to Trapinch. The ground suddenly began to heave and soon Magmortar fell backwards from the shockwaves of the sudden underground assault. Suddenly, Trapinch rocketed out of the ground and crashed into Magmortar. After executing a strong Dig, another snap rang out and Trapinch promptly used Bite and flung Magmortar with his powerful boulder crushing jaws. Magmortar collapsed.

"Magmortar is unable to battle! Trapinch wins!"

Flannery knitted her brow as she returned Magmortar. Satoru was as good as she had seen him on the TV. In all, honesty, this got her even more fired up.

"Okay! Time for my last partner, Torkoal let's go!"

The lava turtle slammed heavily onto the arena, blowing black smoke from his nostrils as he stared Trapinch down.

'He looks tasty!'

'Well...you can't eat him...but you can bite all you want. Have fun!'

'Yay!'

"Okay Torkoal, Flamethrower!"

Satoru snapped twice for Trapinch to dive underground. Trapinch obeyed and dug in deep, the flames missing him by a hair. This however, did not seem to faze Flannery in the least. In fact she had hoped he would do this.

"Okay Torkoal! Earthquake!"

Satoru was not prepared for that. Trapinch was already underground which was not a good thing. Torkoal raised his front legs and slammed them hard into the ground. Seismic waves shook the arena and disrupted Trapinch's path, causing him to crash through the floor earlier than anticipated due to the quake.

"Overheat!"

Torkoal opened his mouth which flashed white inside. A powerful beam of heated energies shot from Torkoal's mouth towards Trapinch. The blast hit with deadly force, slamming Trapinch into the ground. Smoke rose off of Trapinch as he was knocked out by the attack.

"Trapinch is unable to battle! Torkoal wins!"

"That's the way Torkoal!" Flannery grinned.

Angie smirks to herself. She knew that Satoru had this one in the bag. He recalled Clauncher for a purpose and this was it. As far s everyone knew, Torkoal wasn't much for coverage when it came to Water-types. Sure...it could use Solarbeam, but with no solar power in here, that wouldn't be happening. That, and with the vog, always being there, it would be rough.

Satoru released Clauncher who was rested and ready for action.

"Torkoal, use Stone Edge!"

Satoru snapped once, calling for the only defensive move that Clauncher owned. The crustacean promptly created a doppelganger and stealthily made for Torkoal's position. The powerful stones battered the duplicate, causing it to explode in a cloud of smoke. By this time, Clauncher had gotten in close. Two snaps echoed out.

"Torkoal look out!"

Too late. Clauncher launched an ability infused Water Pulse that washed over Torkoal, sending him flying into the wall behind him. Torkoal puffed out smoke before crashing into the floor.

"Torkoal is unable to battle! Clauncher wins! That means the victory goes to Satoru!"

Flannery sighed as she recalled Torkoal. She hitched him to her belt and then looked over at Satoru who surprisingly smiled at her. Taking that as a sign that he was a nice guy, she cracked a smile and walked up to him.

"Well, that was one hot battle! You really got me good! As a show of thanks for an awesome battle, I awards you with the Heat Badge!" Flannery grinned, handing him the badge.

Satoru took it with a faint smile. His moment was spoiled when Angie slapped him on the back.

"Way to go Satoru!" Angie grinned.

Satoru gave her a look and then turned back to Flannery.

He took out his NAV and began typing.

"Thanks for the great match. I enjoyed it a lot. You know...whoever said you were horrible, must have had some insecurity they needed to work out."

"Yeah...the brat came in, beat me with a combination of a Hariyama, a Pupitar and a Huntail. He then had the audacity to call me bad! The nerve!" Flannery fumed.

Satoru raised a brow at the mention of a Hariyama. Perhaps it was that bully that messed with Allen. It sure sounded like him. Satoru simply shook his head.

"Well, you're not bad. You are very strong. Just...try to be more relaxed and don't get overconfident. You already are able to prove you are strong."

Flannery thought about it for a moment. Her grandfather nodded at Satoru's words and looked down at Flannery. She smiled and looked back at Satoru.

"I will work on that! And if you ever want another match, swing on by!" Flannery grinned.

Satoru nodded and then waved goodbye. He added the badge to his case and then exited the Gym. Waiting to meet him and Angie were Swanna and Mantine.

"Gotta say Satoru. You really racked up the points today."

'What exactly is the purpose of those?'

"Ah! My secret. You will have to wait and find out once you score enough. Now, let's get back to base. We have a feast planned tonight due to the mission success. I hope you are hungry because I plan on making a lot!"

'You cook?'

"What? Did you think that battling was my only talent?"

Satoru didn't dare tread in that water. He simply shook his head and smiled.

"Smart man...extra points there...now come on, let's go!"

Badge number four acquired! I had to debate on what to put in as a surprise. I switched out her Slugma and threw in Magmortar. She could still use the nickname Mag. I evolved her Numel and powered gave Torkoal Earthquake. Thus, a well fought battle but still, Clauncher blasted Torkoal for the win. Ready for more? Me too! Get ready for more of Rising!