Chapter One Hundred and One: Scorched Earth

The smell of ash was the first sign that their destination was near. Standing at the prow of the boat, hoping the sea breeze might dull her headache, Alaska slowly noticed the salty twang of the ocean disappear, replaced by something smoky and bitter that got stronger with every second.

It was not long after that Cinnabar appeared in the distance. At first glance, the grey smear across the horizon looked like a mistake, as if a giant stone had fallen from the sky to disrupt the pearly blue waters below.

As they got closer, the island began to feel more like a void, an inverted black hole that stretched towards the sky. It was bare and featureless, a giant black rock that disturbed the very air around it. It made Alaska think of a gnarled fist forcing itself through the waves as her eyes zoned in on the volcano that sat at Cinnabar's centre, its shadow spreading across the ocean as it loomed over everything, reminding Kanto who was really in charge.

"It's hideous, isn't it?"

Alaska smirked and glanced at Leaf as she joined her at the railing. "I remember when we visited. It was so beautiful back then. You'd think they would have rebuilt at least some of it by now."

"Smell the air." Leaf stopped and sniffed, recoiling at the sulphuric smell that now filled the air. "The volcano is still active. It hasn't erupted again, but the seismologists who monitor the site don't believe it will be safe for years, if ever. Besides, Kanto had a lot to rebuild after Rocket was defeated. Other parts of the country took priority over a smoking, chargrilled island."

On that note, she glanced at Alaska, but if she was trying to goad her, her efforts failed. Alaska simply stared at the island, thinking of the beaches and seaside resorts she had marvelled at years ago. Viridian may have been destroyed, but at least there was still land to build on, roads and houses to guide the planning. At least we could return home and still see what had been.

A tense silence interrupted only by the boat slicing through the waves lingered until finally, Leaf cracked. "So, once we arrive at the island, we'll wait for Blaine to make an appearance, and then –"

Alaska had prepared for this. "No. None of you is coming with me."

"Alaska, I really don't think that's wise."

"I'm well aware there are risks, but I have to face him alone. You're the one that sent me to track him down because you knew I'm the only one who can convince him to join this war. If I show up to a gym battle with the literal military behind me, how is he going to believe I'm a figure worth getting behind? I mean, Red fought him alone in the middle of a literal eruption – that's the myth that I'm supposed to top today."

"If you'd like I could ask Articuno to create a blizzard." Leaf turned away from the volcano and slouched against the railing. "You make a fair point. We'll stay on the boat and be on standby in case –"

"In case Buzz or Gideon decides to try and kill me, yeah, I get it."

"I'm just looking out for you, there's no need to be tetchy."

"I'm not being tetchy, I'm just…" Alaska let her sentence run cold and turned so she didn't have to meet Leaf's gaze, her eyes instead drifting back to the island as they bobbed ever closer towards it.

Leaf followed her line of sight and sighed. "Ah, right. I wish I could offer you advice, but I never battled Blaine. The world went to shit before I could, and then he disappeared. If Red was here, he might have something to say, but as you said, they did battle in exceptional circumstances. All I can say is be prepared."

Alaska scoffed. What do you think I've spent the last two days doing? There had been nothing for her to do but prepare, trapped on this boat that seemed to be slowly heading for nowhere. Alaska had trained, strategized and thought of nothing but Blaine and what tricks he might hold. It was the only thing that seemed to drown out the voices and the guilt that followed her wherever she went.

Yet the guilt was what forced her to focus. Every time Alaska let her guard down or took too long of a break, she would see Butterfree's lifeless eyes floating in front of her. Sandy never said a word about her fallen Pokémon, but Alaska could still feel her grief, and only battling would drown it out.

She hoped the training regime was helping Sandy as well. Alaska kept one eye on her friend as they spent hours battling on the deck, or as they sat together in their cabin watching old videos of Blaine at endless exhibition matches. Alaska knew better than to pity her; Sandy didn't want sympathy, she didn't want to forget. She wanted to remember Butterfree, yet at the same time knew that grief couldn't be her only state of mind. Training and strategizing kept both of them busy, and let the unspoken tension slip away into the background.

It meant that Alaska was the most prepared she had ever been for a gym leader. She knew what the challenge was, she knew how to face it. Only four Pokémon would work in her favour. Frances was out of the question against a Fire trainer, and Darwin was too big of a risk – Hestia would bring him down in a second. Alaska hoped Shelley was comfortable enough in her new body to be ready for the challenge – she had moved sluggishly at first, but felt more comfortable when it came to the special attacks. It meant Paige, Nadia and Bluebell would have to be used against the physical opponents, but after the last forty eight hours, Alaska was confident they were the right choices.

"For your sake, I hope you are prepared," Leaf said, snapping Alaska out of her thoughts. "You can't rely on high risk, high damage plays with Blaine; you try to set something up, he'll destroy it and anything else you might be able to use."

"I didn't think there was anything left to destroy."

"I'm sure you would have found something," Leaf said, smirking. She straightened up and extended a hand. "We're nearly there, I'm going to go rally the troops. We might as well stretch our legs while we're waiting. Good luck up there, Alaska. Forget about the war and why we need him – just focus on kicking his ass."

"I intend to." Alaska accepted the handshake and stared Leaf dead in the eye as they weighed the other up. The gym leader had grown on Alaska, but once Blaine was done, Leaf was the final step, and Alaska looked forward to unleashing all the resentment and bitterness she'd been holding back.

She watched Leaf go, hopeful that she would have a few moments to herself before they reached land. The island was closer than ever, the boat already slipping into the shadow of the volcano, flakes of ash clouding the air and piling on the railing. Alaska wanted to bask in its frightening glory, but a pressure on her brain said different.

There is a woman waiting for you on the shore. Only she is not who she seems.

Alaska sighed and shut her eyes. When she opened them again, she was metres above her body looking down at her own head. Latios blinked twice and suddenly it was as if they were floating in front of the lone woman waiting on Cinnabar's shore; her copper skin seemed to glisten despite standing in the shadow, her eyes gleaming and all-knowing as they stared from beneath her shawl, focused on the boat and likely on Alaska herself.

"That's Hestia," Alaska said, shuddering as her mind returned to her body. "Blaine would've sent her to collect me."

My last trainer fought Blaine as well, back when he had hair and his Delphox could walk without the aid of her stick. She was a fierce opponent then, and her mind will still be sharp. If you were to battle with me –

"No." Alaska turned away from the island and stared up at Latios. He looked so lonely up there without Latias for company, but Alaska's sympathy only went so far. "Blaine wants to fight Alaska the trainer, not Alaska the prophesied warrior. Battling with you proves nothing."

Nothing to him, or everything to you? Latios descended rapidly so he was only a metre away from Alaska, and he stared at her with his unfathomably deep eyes. You are still trying to put distance between the two of us even though you know it is futile. The more you resist, the harder it will be to let me in, and the more you will struggle to utilise the power you are trying to avoid.

"I am well aware what I am and am not avoiding, I don't need you therapizing to tell me what's what," Alaska snapped. "I am perfectly aware that you could defeat him within minutes, and you are perfectly aware that the thought of that annoys me after the months I've spent training my team, and we both know that the real reason is that your abilities terrify me. I would love to chat about this further, but I've got a gym battle to win, and you are going to stay here and let me prove I can still do this on my own."

You're in luck then. We've arrived.

There was a sudden shudder that made Alaska tumble backwards; she grabbed onto the railing to steady herself and realised that they had arrived at a plastic floating dock that was anchored to the hardened surface of Cinnabar. Alaska turned back to Latios to see if he had anything else to say, but he had already drifted away, his back turned to Alaska.

Mope then, see if I care. Alaska checked she had all her Poké Balls and marched towards the gangway. One of the soldiers was already there securing it to the dock below, and nearly toppled over the edge as Alaska brushed past. Her footsteps echoed on the thin metal, and it seemed for a moment that she would get away unnoticed until the voices in her head picked up.

"Oi, where do you think you're going?"

"You're not coming with me."

"The fuck I am!"

Alaska stepped onto the dock and spun around. Emily came to a halt, forcing an uneasy Edward to stop as well. "Stay on the boat."

"You can't tell us what to do, Alaska. You may have more Pokémon than us, but we're still older than you."

"Fine, wander about the island if you want to, but you aren't coming to the gym."

"Haven't you heard of free will?"

"Haven't you heard of how I destroyed the Celadon City Gym?" Alaska had a Great Ball in her hands and centimetres from Emily's face before her sister had even blinked. "Nadia threw Alexis' Meganium right through the wall, and that was before she was a Nidoqueen. If you try to follow me, she will do exactly the same thing to you."

Emily's eyes narrowed as they flickered between Alaska and the Poké Ball. After a few moments, she pushed it out of her face and stepped forward. Alaska's finger rested on the button as she eyed her sister cautiously.

"I only wanted to wish you good luck," Emily seethed, and she threw her arms around Alaska. The hug was tight and suffocating but short-lived before Emily pushed Alaska away and disappeared back up the gangway.

Edward stepped aside to let her pass and stared awkwardly at Alaska. "Are you really as violent as people say?"

Alaska shrugged. "I try not to be, but it depends on how far they push me."

"And they say Blaine knows exactly how to push people's buttons," Edward added, smirking softly.

"If he pushes them in just the right way, you'll probably see the smoke from here anyway."

"That sounded filthy."

"Only cause you've spent too long at boarding school," Alaska retorted, and the two laughed. "See you later." She turned, ready to climb up the craggy cliffs and join Hestia, but a flash of light made her hesitate.

Alaska glanced past her brother and into the doorway of the ship. Sandy was trying to stay out of sight, but the light had caught her hair at just the right angle, making it gleam even in the shadow. Alaska waited to see if Sandy would say anything, but the seconds ticked by and there was no response, not even in her head. She sighed and waved half-heartedly at her friend before finally turning away.

Hardened rock was all that was left from the eruption. The cracked surface drooped into the ocean, already worn down by the waves. A metal ladder and a series of steel ropes held the jetty in place, though when Alaska climbed onto the ladder she found the rungs were already rusting.

It was a short climb, but when Alaska reached the top, she saw Hestia was already walking away. For fuck's sake, is this going to be a game the whole time? She wasn't sure if she should run to keep up or stay back and reclaim some dignity. Neither option suited, so Alaska kept a steady pace but maintained the distance between them.

It was a gap made larger and more noticeable by the bare expanse of Cinnabar. As she walked, Alaska remembered the postcards her mother had always received from friends and relatives boasting about their holidays here. They had all been of the same mould; white sandy beaches dotted with palm trees, kitschy colourful houses scattered about like pieces of candy, that dormant volcano a picturesque backdrop unrivalled in its beauty.

That era was long gone. The eruption had destroyed everything, burying all the beauty and history under thick, endless layers of molten fire. The ground looked like gnarled bark, twisted layers and strange patterns piled and drooped atop each other.

Alaska could vaguely remember from lessons they'd had after the eruption – once Viridian's own problems had been sorted out – that rain eventually would break down the rock and create new chemicals that could let nature return, but part of Cinnabar's attraction was that it rarely rained. Even if it did, the whole island had been covered. It was said that while the cone itself had been depleted, blasted apart by the force of the explosion, the lowest levels of the island were now ten metres further above sea level, while black sand beaches were already forming in place of what had been.

Maybe they should have shipped all this extra ground to Viridian, solved both our problems.

"You really aren't that intelligent, are you?"

Alaska glanced around. Hestia was staring at her over her shoulder, the deep bronze eyes of her glamour gleaming with ridicule.

"Oh, I'm sorry that I didn't pay attention in science class," Alaska shouted. "I probably should have, looking back on it, but the universe had other ideas, didn't it?"

"Of course," Hestia replied, not looking back this time, but Alaska heard the mocking tones in her voice.

"So you're an expert in rock formations then, I take it?"

"Of course not. I just know that what you suggested was silly and impractical. This rock is part of the island now. Whatever future generations chose to do with it is their decision, but there are plenty of scientific options for them available."

"And how do you know that?"

"Because I can read minds." Properly, she added and glanced around again to ensure the point was received.

Alaska had got it without the added insult of the stare, but she refused to bite. The two walked in silence for some time, the landscape barely changing as they moved up the path of the lava flow.

After nearly half an hour, the slope increased, and soon Alaska found herself sweating. The crater was closer now, the dusting of ash becoming thick like snow, but Alaska imagined it would take another hour to get there.

"Are we far?"

"Depends on your definition of far."

Bloody hell. "Is there a shorter route?"

"Of course."

"Well, why aren't we taking it?"

"Oh?" Hestia stopped and turned around. She was further up the slope than Alaska and seemed to take pleasure in looking down at her. "Did you think I was guiding you? I'm sorry, I was just there to see how many people were on the ship. I am not taking you to Blaine – this is the route I simply chose to walk home."

Alaska felt as if her legs had been swept out from under her. "Are you serious? I've been following you for the last half hour for nothing?"

"Well, exercise is important, I wouldn't dismiss it entirely."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Oh, but I did say something. In here," Hestia said, tapping a golden finger to her forehead. "Maybe if you had accepted your gifts and learnt to master them, you would have been able to see I was playing you. Blaine will be rather disappointed."

Alaska turned away. If she kept looking at Hestia, she was probably going to say or do something she regretted, something that wouldn't change the fact she had been played. If anything, it proved that she had been right on the boat; Blaine was here to test her as much as battle her, and Alaska had to be prepared.

Save the anger, she thought. Don't waste it now, save it for him. If he wants you to prove yourself, then let's show him what happens when he pisses us off.

The red flash of Paige's Poke Ball briefly illuminated the bare rocks. The Pidgeot flexed her wings and peered curiously around the rough environment, but Alaska didn't wait to ask before climbing onto her back. "Up there," she said, pointing at the crater.

Paige chirped in acknowledgement. She hobbled forward for a few metres before stretching her wings and launching into the sky. Her path sent her flying towards Hestia, but the Delphox stepped aside, watching Alaska intently as they passed.

Alaska returned the stare with cool steely rage. "You'll get yours."

"I would expect nothing less."

Alaska wanted to spite her, but as Paige soared overhead, she knew she only had herself to blame. This was the same Blaine who had tricked her into revealing her innermost thoughts and feelings, who had given her a Ponyta because he knew it would annoy them both. Blaine was on her side but playing the game his way, and Alaska had to be sharper if she hoped to beat him.

As they neared the top, Alaska focused her attention on the mountain itself. It was as barren as the rest of the island, the surface rougher and more unhewn than the smooth lava flows below. The smoke grew thicker the closer Paige got, and Alaska had to shield her eyes against the ash that fell so thickly it was like a mist. It was worse than she had expected from her research, and the seed of doubt Hestia had planted started to grow.

Alaska's stomach suddenly dipped, and she gripped onto Paige as they descended. The mountain hurtled towards them, but Paige realised too late there was no smooth space for her to land amongst. She squawked as she pulled back, and Alaska struggled to hold on as the Pidgeot crashed claws-first into the rocks. There was a jolting thud, but Paige managed to pull herself up before she broke her legs, skidding to an uneasy stop.

Alaska's whole body felt tense as she climbed off. "You alright?"

"Gee," Paige replied furtively. She ruffled her feathers and shook off the ash before gazing cautiously around the mountaintop as though looking for predators.

Alaska felt the same sense of unease. She couldn't see more than a few metres ahead, the ash and smoke forming a shroud that covered the crater lake and spread across onto the shores. The smell of sulphur was thick in the air, a toxic stench that made Alaska's eyes water, mixing with the sweat pouring down her face; it was stifling up here, hotter than she had anticipated, not just from the lake but with the sun imposing itself upon them, unperturbed by the clouds.

Any confidence Alaska had felt half an hour ago was quickly dissolving. She had expected some of these factors but not all. She couldn't even tell where they were going to battle; the land around the lake was smooth in places, cracked and rough in others, with no signs of a battlefield hidden beneath the ash. What is Blaine playing at, Alaska thought, too late remembering that he could probably hear that himself.

As if on cue, a ripple moved through the air. Alaska and Paige both turned as a pink shimmer spread across the lake, pushing the steam and smoke aside and exposing the sulphuric green water. Alaska's eyes were immediately drawn to the putrid colour, a shade she had never seen before in nature. She dreaded to imagine how hot that water was, but she held onto her composure as she spied her opponent standing on the other side of the lake.

"It's so nice to see you again," Blaine purred, flashing that well-worn grin. How long had he been standing there? His appearance gave away nothing; he looked as calm and composed as he had when Alaska last saw him, dressed in a crumpled white suit with a splash of red from his shirt. He looked more like an ageing tourist than a gym leader; a retiree who had got lost on his way to the beach, cane held limply at his side.

It would be easy to underestimate him, but Blaine knew he didn't need to look tough, not when he had the island to speak for him. The lake, the smoke, the ash, the altitude; the battlefield alone spoke volumes. And it was not as though he had to brave the heat himself; he had his Pokémon for that. Alaska avoided looking at Hestia standing solemn and poised beside her trainer, returned to her normal form, but it was hard to avoid her staff and the ball of flame flickering brightly from its tip.

That was one side of the battlefield. On the other, there was just Alaska and Paige, alone and lost amongst the smouldering, unhewn rocks. Alaska's shirt was already damp and her leg ached from the climb. Her assuredness was somewhere back on the ship, but Alaska knew she had to match Blaine's smile if she wanted to survive. "I'm happy to be here."

Blaine's grin widened. "I'm sure. I imagine this is far less hostile territory than what you've endured the last week."

"We could have used your firepower," Alaska said.

"My apologies, for you and your friend." Blaine frowned for a moment before the glee took over again. "My time elsewhere was not wasted. I found the information I was looking for, and I am happy to share – if you earn it."

Alaska was finding it harder to maintain her false smile. "After I've proved myself in battle, I suppose?"

"Why else do you think we're here?" Blaine spread his arms wide and spun around, smoke swirling around him as he did.

"Beats me, I see nothing but a lot of old rock. I wish you had been a little more detailed in your invitation, I left my hazmat suit on the boat."

Blaine let out his croaky laugh, the sound echoing across the barren mountaintop. "I do apologise. I spend so much time up here that I forget these smells aren't for everyone."

"I thought frozen caves were more your style now."

"One does need some fresh air from time to time." Blaine inhaled deeply before coughing violently, laughing through his unhealthy rasps. "I'll have to agree with you, the air quality could be better."

"Why come here then? It certainly can't be for the view."

For just a second, Blaine's smile faltered. It was a mere flicker of a frown, a passing twitch most people would have ignored, but Alaska had been watching him closely, waiting for the façade to drop. Blaine wanted her disoriented and apprehensive, and the only way she could take back the upper hand was by wearing down his armour.

"I'll get you for that soon. For now, you can just listen to an old man's reminiscences."

"I'd rather try my luck in the lake."

"I did love the view from up here once," Blaine continued, ignoring the jibe. "It would only take you roughly fifteen minutes to walk around the crater, and you'd get the best views of the island. The tourist beaches to the east, the secret coves in the west. I can't remember when I last did that walk, but that view will always be with me.

"You visited Cinnabar once, yes? I hope you appreciated it. Her beauty will live on in photos forever, but as I have learnt, photos are nothing compared to memories. To actually know Cinnabar, you had to step foot on the island and experience her essence in person; the locals, the tourists, the culture, the food – the humidity! I'd always see photos of the sunset from the western beaches that highlighted those magnificent colours – the oranges, the pinks, the purples – but unless you stood on those shores watching the sun bleed away into the horizon, you never truly experienced the island."

Blaine was beginning to sound wistful, and Alaska couldn't tell if he was genuinely mournful or just trying to knock her off balance. "That was really touching. I think it even drew a tear out – though, actually, it's probably just the fumes."

Blaine smirked and turned back to her. "I lost everything when this volcano erupted. My house, my gym, my research, all of it. The only reason I'm glad I lost my sight is because it means I never have to see what became of my Cinnabar. Unlike you, I can still reflect on the past without the present tarnishing my memories."

Alaska tensed. "Are you trying to rile me up again?"

"Of course not. In a way, I'm merely pointing out how lucky I am. I saw Cinnabar burn, but I was blind before the lava had stopped. I can feel the difference, though. The ground has shifted. The air is, as you say, harsher. I can only imagine what it must be like for you to experience all that and see it as well."

"I've been trying not to think about it lately," Alaska said quietly. Even though I can barely think about anything else.

"Why? Because Leaf chided you for it? Fuck her!" Blaine barked, waving his cane in the air. "What does she know? What has she lost? My poor flawed colleagues want to move on because they are blessed to have that option. They fought and suffered as we all did, but they didn't lose anything. They can't possibly relate to either you or I or understand what we went through."

"Are you trying to turn me against them?"

Blaine sniggered. "Why would I waste my time, you've done well enough by yourself." He cackled for a moment before waving the thought aside. "I merely want you to know that your anger is what makes you fascinating, it's what makes you strong. When you stood in that cave, convinced you had to win me over, you showcased a fire I have rarely seen in my life. You talked yourself down to win me over; that takes guts, Alaska. Don't let them try to take that away from you."

Alaska was dumbstruck. She had no clue what was going on here exactly; was Blaine trying to give her advice, or was he just trying to get inside her head again? "You already said you will fight with us. Why are we battling then?"

"I said I like your spirit, I didn't say I thought you were a good fighter," Blaine fired back, grinning. "Anyone can fight, but it's not a fight if everyone wins."

"And having all eight badges means I'll win?"

"No. Having all eight shows you have strength, cunning, tenacity, drive; training with your friend and her Victreebel doesn't. Do not view this as some grand trial you have to endure. This is simply a gym battle, one I hope you are willing and prepared to partake in." Blaine extended his free hand, and even from the other side of the lake the yellow and black of an Ultra Ball was indistinguishable.

Alaska's head was spinning trying to keep up with Blaine's rapid-fire rabble, but the one thing she knew was that he was right. She was overthinking this, raising the stakes in her own imagination. This is only going to be as difficult as you make it.

"I wouldn't be standing here if I wasn't ready."

Blaine cackled. "Excellent! Let the fun commence then – four on four, last man standing wins. Any questions?"

"Did you remember to take your medication this morning? I'd hate for your heart to give out halfway through."

"You'll pay for that," Blaine shrieked, and he threw the capsule into the air.

Shit, it's happening. Alaska turned to Paige. "You ready?"

"Jee-ot!" Paige jumped and launched herself skywards, immersing herself in the shroud of smoke as Blaine's Pokémon took shape.

Alaska thought she had chronicled every Pokémon Blaine owned. She had watched enough videos with enough combinations and teams that she and Sandy had felt confident. But the beast that hovered in the air above her was utterly unrecognisable; it looked like a mutated flower, with six burnt orange wings like petals growing out of a body that was half white and furry, half sleek and segmented.

Blaine's laugh echoed across the lake. "You should see the look on your face," he cackled. "Never seen a Volcarona before?"

"Never even heard of it," Alaska shouted back, trying to make her features look more neutral.

"Their rare, I'll give you that. Native to Unova. Helios here is a recent acquisition, relatively speaking. I've never had a chance to use him in battle, so who knows how tough he is. It's put you off though, hasn't it?"

Alaska could have screamed. She felt the urge, she could feel it building up inside of her, but she had to resist. She was letting Blaine get to her, and screaming wouldn't solve anything. Why was she so unnerved by this matchup? Was it him? Was it Sandy? Who was she trying to prove herself to this time?

"I hope I haven't upset your plans too much," Blaine called out. "Are you still wanting to battle, or do you need more time to revise your strategy?"

Alaska's fists tightened by her side. "Aerial Ace."

"Quiver Dance."

Alaska watched as Paige rocketed through the air. The swirling smoke was dissipated by her speed, and Alaska felt emboldened as she watched her starter cut across the Volcarona. Their challenger was flung back by the force but seemed unfazed as he wriggled his body while emitting a luminescent glow, not unlike the lake water below.

There were no obvious consequences of the dancing, and Alaska pursed her lips. A Bug move then, maybe setting up for something else? "Air Slash, keep your distance."

"Fire Blast."

Alaska noticed that Blaine smiled as he delivered each of his commands. The old man was clearly enjoying this, but it also masked any hint of strategy; if he was grinning all the time, there was no way to tell when he was working on a master plan

Alaska turned back to Paige and watched as a swirling cloud of lilac wind hurtled towards Helios, but the Volcarona dived before it could hit. His speed was phenomenal, everything but his vibrant wings turning to a blur. Alaska wasn't even sure where he had stopped until a star-shaped ball of flame filled the sky.

"Dive and use Aerial Ace!"

"Pid Gee!" Paige squawked as the flames passed her by with only inches to spare, and she stared reproachfully at Helios as she shot towards him.

She was only metres away when Blaine opened his mouth. "Fiery Dance."

Another dance? Is this thing a ballerina? Alaska had never heard of the move and guessed it was something unique to Volcarona. She watched tensely as Helios' wings began to burn bright orange, and he swivelled and spun in mid-air, making no effort to escape the Aerial Ace.

It was only once Paige had hit her target that Blaine's plan became clear. As her wings struck Helios around the middle, his own wings seemed to fall off, scattered into the sky. As he flew through the air from the force of the attack, Alaska realised it was the fire he had conjured up, six dagger-like points that flew through the air, knowing what to target.

Paige saw them coming and tried to flee, but the Fiery Dance was too quick for her. Her shrieks reverberated across the mountaintop as she was engulfed by the fire, the six points seeming to wrap around her like a shawl. Paige dropped and for a moment it seemed she was going to fall directly into the lake, only pulling herself up at the last moment, straining under the effort.

"Fire Blast," Blaine barked.

"Counter with Heat Wave!"

Before Paige could even reach full height, Helios was shooting back towards her, a fuzzy rocket locked onto its target. There was no diving this time; the Fire Blast was fired from mere metres away, and this time Paige couldn't stay airborne. Smoke still shrouded from her as she plummeted to the ground, hitting the solid rock with a disheartening thud.

Alaska seized up. She could tell that Paige was still conscious, her body twitching as she tried to push herself back up, but that didn't make the impact any less painful. The battle had barely been going two minutes and already Alaska was struggling. Paige was meant to be her best battler, the one to test the waters – or rather, avoid the waters and see how Blaine would use the field. If she lost Paige, Alaska not only lost her best asset, she lost her only way of gaining the upper hand.

"Quiver Dance." For once, Blaine sounded dismissive, almost bored. He was no longer smiling, and Alaska could tell why; this was not the challenge that he had been looking for. Even his Volcarona seemed uninterested, squirming in mid-air as it danced tauntingly above Paige.

If we had not gone to Seafoam to find him, Sandy might never have been separated, Butterfree would still be alive. I am not going to give him a reason to back out now.

"Heat Wave!"

"Fire Blast."

Helios moved swiftly, darting out of his dance and diving down to Paige in a single movement. Alaska tensed, unsure if he was too quick for Paige to ready herself; she could see the Pidgeot stretching up, getting awkwardly back to her feet, but did she still have time to attack?

"GEEEE!"

The decisive squawk was all the answer Alaska needed; Paige spread her wings, and hot orange air wafted out from beneath her. It may not have bothered a Volcarona normally, but he was close enough to bear the brunt of it, and Alaska relished watching him squirm under the pressure.

"Air Slash!" she shouted.

"PIDGEEE!" Paige swivelled on the spot and flung the attack, blowing Helios back into the sky before he could move out of the way.

"Aerial Ace!"

"Fiery Dance!"

Alaska cursed under her breath. She had hoped to lure Helios into a trap and get revenge for the short-range Fire Blast, but Blaine clearly had just been waiting for Paige to get back in his territory. The Pidgeot already looked unsteady as she pushed herself up and chased after Helios, and Alaska knew that one more attack would finish her.

She needs to be able to deliver her next attack quickly, but if Helios gets pushed away, he'll have the advantage… "Grab onto him!"

"What sort of command is that?" Blaine yelled.

"My sort!"

"I don't know what you're playing at, girl." Blaine turned back to Helios, who was awaiting Paige's approach. "Use Fire Blast immediately afterwards."

"Go in claws first!" Alaska was not willing to give up yet, and this was her only way of securing a victory.

Paige took the command in her stride; as she came in for the strike, she twisted her body so her claws and wings hit Helios at once. The Volcarona nearly tumbled away again, but Paige grabbed him by the middle and held him close.

Alaska wanted to cheer, but her plan came at a cost; Helios fluttered his glowing wings at Paige, and the Pidgeot could do nothing but endure as the fiery wings enveloped her again. It looked like she had been wrapped in a flaming towel, and Alaska grimaced at the sight.

She couldn't waste any time though; Helios was already readying his next attack, and Paige would be right in the firing line again. "Hurricane!"

Blaine's groan sounded across the lake, but anything else was tossed aside by the roar of wind that grew from the middle of the battlefield. Alaska had to squint as dirt and rocks were whipped up into the sky, but she could just make out the glorious purple storm that now covered both Pokémon. It stretched up into the clouds, and Alaska could imagine her siblings back on the boat watching with awe.

"Let him go!"

"Fire Blast!"

Alaska could see a flash of fire in the middle of the storm but little else; ash and smoke had been pulled into the Hurricane, obscuring the Pokémon within. It didn't help that rocks and dirt had been whipped into the air, forcing Alaska to shield her eyes to avoid going blind.

She had to rely purely on sound, and what she heard wasn't pretty. There was a high-pitched shriek she didn't recognise, loud enough to be heard above the wind, before something like a soft bang filled the air.

Alaska saw a flash of orange through her fingers, followed by a second, louder cry, but then all she could see was dirt. She shut her eyes and mouth as a blast of wind blew across the crater, hitting her with such force she struggled to stand. Her clothes pulled against her, and small but sharp stones pelted her from all angles.

As quickly as it had started, the wind vanished. There was an echoing patter as the rocks fell back to earth, and then silence. Alaska waited a few moments for any sound, any hint of what had happened, but no one uttered a word.

Reluctantly, she opened her eyes, blinking away the grit. The first thing she saw was Helios; he body stood out even more on the ground than he did on the air, his limp orange wings at odds with the dark stone he was sprawled limply across.

Alaska felt a flicker of triumph, but the fact there was no irritable squawk protesting what had happened meant only one thing. She already had her Poké Ball in hand, and only needed to glance for a moment at Paige lying a few metres away, eyes shut, wings limp across the boulder she had landed on, to know what had happened.

"One all. An impressive effort, though not how you hoped it would go, I'm sure."

Alaska ignored Blaine as she withdrew Paige, watching silently as her starter dissipated into red light. Thank you, you did all you could. Now I have to carry on. She solemnly placed the ball back in her pocket and immediately swapped it out for her next choice.

"My my, you must be determined." Blaine grinned as he placed his Ultra Ball back in his pocket. "I hope you have another strategy in mind. No more aerial support, so are you going to brave the lake now, or will the land be your friend? I'm as eager to find out as you are."

Alaska took the jibe in her stride. Blaine may laugh at her, but the draw meant they were currently evenly matched, and she had to make the most of this slight advantage before he could skew things in his favour.

She dropped the ball and watched the blue energy taking shape. The shiny pink skin of the Slowbro looked as unnatural here as it had in the water, an almost too ridiculous sight that Alaska could barely look at it. She avoided meeting Hestia's eyes and instead stared down at Shelley and her permanently angry gaze, two beady eyes glaring at the world from either side of the thick, pink tail.

"Are you ready for this?"

Of course! Shelley squeaked with an excitement unbefitting of her worm, and wiggled on the tail, trying to get a better look at Blaine and Hestia. Her host body seemed less interested: the Slowbro stared blankly into space, not even looking around, simply gazing off towards a boulder as though it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

Alaska tried not to look concerned. She knew this was a risk; Shelley had done wonders against Sabrina and Janine, but this was new territory. New body, new abilities, new attacks. She had fought well during training, but against Blaine, there was no way to tell.

She finally started at the gym leader, but he gave nothing away. His smile remained, but there was no hint as to what he thought of his new opponent. He merely raised his cane and pointed it at Shelley. "Psychic."

Alaska realised too late what was happening. The very air seemed to shudder as though it could sense an earthquake no one else could, and then the invisible energy hit Shelley with such force Alaska felt the impact. She tensed, expecting to be impaled by that jagged shell, but instead, Hestia sent Shelley careening into the nearest boulder.

"Again," Blaine growled while the crack of stone still hung in the air.

Hestia stepped closer, her eyes shining like quartz and her staff held high above her head. The dust that circled Shelley instantly cleared, revealing the stunned expression of the Slowbro as he stared confusedly into the sky, unaware his threat was closer to home.

"Surf!" Alaska heard the fear in her voice but didn't care; if Shelley couldn't even make a dent in Hestia's defences than the match was over.

Thankfully, those dazed eyes flashed blue, and there was a great roar as a fist of water rose from the lake. It wasn't how Alaska had imagined the attack to look – for one thing, it was green, and it was hardly a wave – but she relaxed nonetheless as it hurtled towards Hestia.

Predictably, the attack was diminished with a wave of Hestia's staff, but it still gave Alaska room to breathe. "Whirlpool."

"Psychic." Blaine sounded bored as he gave the command for the third time in a row, but he didn't need to use anything else; Fire moves were pointless, and Psychic worked wonders on its own.

Alaska knew that was a barrier she would struggle to tear down, but she had to try. She watched the Whirlpool grow out of the Slowbro's mouth, the chubby arms wriggling as it urged it to churn faster.

He then gave it a pantomime shove to send it towards Hestia. The Delphox raised her staff again, ready to push it aside, but Alaska had anticipated that. "Psychic!"

The Whirlpool stopped in mid-air; the water continued to spin, but the swirling mass was now hovering above the lake, frozen between both Pokémon. Slowbro's eyes burned pink as he held it in place, and Alaska could see Hestia was doing everything in her power to tear it apart. She would have the upper hand, Alaska was well aware, but she just had to use that to her advantage.

"Zen Headbutt, now!"

The Slowbro charged forward without hesitation. It was surprisingly focused when given orders, Alaska had noticed, but supposed that was the nature of having such limited thoughts of its own. At any rate, she relished watching it charge and jump straight into the Whirlpool, crashing through the water as it collapsed under Hestia's might.

The Delphox wasn't prepared for a flying Slowbro and raised her staff too late to stop it. Slowbro hit her square in the chest; enough effort to topple her, but Hestia's staff stopped her hitting the ground.

It'll have to do, Alaska thought. "Surf!"

The lake was already churning after the fresh dumping of water; now the whole thing seemed to froth as Shelley dredged it from its crater. It looked like a witch's cauldron, the green water smouldering and steaming, and Alaska stepped back as a proper wave rose from the lakebed. Blaine limped out of the way, leaving Hestia exposed as Shelley sent the attack her way.

The staff came up at the last second, but Alaska couldn't tell how effective it was; the water crashed against the surface of the mountain, hissing and releasing a fresh cloud of steam that only shrouded everything further. The attack was more plentiful than Alaska had expected, litres of water pouring across the mountain, but it needed to actually hit Hestia to have any effect.

Two pink spheres radiated through the mass of water. It was only when Slowbro suddenly went hurtling backwards that Alaska realised those were Hestia's eyes. She barely had time to blink before the Slowbro crashed into the side of the lake, the ground cracking beneath her, before he was flipped over and sent rolling towards Alaska's feet.

It had been days since the two Pokémon had evolved together, but Alaska still could not tell who was in control. Was Shelley the true conscious mind directing the attacks, or did the former Slowpoke hold all the power? Were they two minds behaving separately or one connected network feeding back to each other?

All Alaska could tell at the moment was that, either separately or as a unit, both pairs of eyes were shut. There were no signs of injuries, but that's what happened with Psychic attacks; the mind didn't leave any visible wounds.

Alaska felt her throat sink somewhere near her groin. She had known Shelley and Slowbro were be too green to survive the battle for long, but she had hoped it would take more than two attacks. Now she was without a Water-type on her side, leaving her with just one more Pokémon that had the type advantage and three opponents to bring down.

At least you got your hits in, Alaska thought as she withdrew her unconscious Pokémon.

"Ready for another round?"

Alaska tensed. There was something different in Blaine's voice, a tone she had heard from him before. As she stared at the spot where Shelley had been, she tried to work out what it was. It took her a minute to realise, but then it was clear; he had spoken like that when he had given her Bluebell, acting as though it was a gift. It was the voice of someone brimming with glee but for reasons the other person didn't know, someone with a secret they couldn't wait to share.

Slowly, Alaska raised her head to face him, and rapidly her whole willpower vanished. It wasn't Blaine himself who filled her with dread, even though he was grinning mercilessly. It was Hestia standing beside him, her fur dry as a bone and the flame on her staff burning brighter than ever, wearing an expression that was proud, unyielding, and already certain of victory.