"C'mon! We're gonna miss them!"

"Not all of us can run as fast as you can, Ash!"

"Well, that's why I've got you!"

Ash, Dawn, Pikachu, and Rosa were on a mad dash towards the Cinnabar Island docks, with Ash pulling Dawn along by the hand. Backpack and satchel fully prepared for the trip back to the Seafoam Islands. Unfortunately, they'd risked seeing their friends off!

"...Ciara! Kenny!" Dawn gasped out, when she made her two friends out of the loose crowd. The pier that they'd selected was sparsely populated, compared to the next one over, where Ash and Dawn were headed.

"Dawn! Ash!" Kenny addressed. His lips pulled into a coy smirk. "You just barely made it. What took you two so long?"

"Sorry… your highness," Dawn snarked back, though she had a hard time finishing her sentence, hunched over to catch her breath. "We…"

"...we got caught up in training for my Gym Battle." Ash laughed, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. "Lost track of time."

"Weren't you two up, early in the morning?" Kenny raised a brow. "You were out the door by the time we were fetching breakfast at the Pokémon Center. It's been hours."

"Like I said! Lost track of time," Ash replied. "Had to make sure our strategy was picture perfect. I've gotta thank you, by the way, Kenny. The way you battled with Skarmory helped me find the key to victory!"

"That so?" The chestnut-haired young man grinned, puffing out his chest. "Well, between that and teaching your Torterra Energy Ball… You're racking up a real debt, Ash." He jeered, giving him a playful punch in the shoulder.

Ash laughed, rubbing his arm. "Yeah, guess you're right. I'll have to pay you back and teach you some of my strats, sometime!" He gave Kenny a playful punch in the arm back.

Kenny winced, holding his arm. "Man, what the hell? That hurt. What, are you eating raw eggs for breakfast now?"

"Nope. Just pushing Golems up a hill." Ash let his words hang, and watched Kenny and Ciara's faces drop in real time. The way their faces screwed up told him that they were trying to deliberate whether he was telling the truth or not. Ash didn't give them an answer, only sharing a mischievous grin with Pikachu.

The mouse rolled his eyes, but he couldn't quite hide the little smirk at the corners of his lips.

"What're you both doing on this pier, anyway?" Dawn asked. "Aren't you taking the boat back to Seafoam and Fuschia?"

"We're not," Ciara shook her head. "I'll be heading back there, next, but… We're… w-well…" The girl's signature shyness took the spotlight again, as she nervously poked her fingers together. A dark flush filled her cheeks. "We're heading to New Island…"

"New Island?" Ash asked. Somehow, he felt the slightest itch that he should recognize that name, but couldn't for the life of him remember why.

"It's a bit to the south of here," Kenny explained. "Rumor has it, there was some huge lab accident a few years ago. But the wildlife's totally recovered, and there are rumors of strong Fire-types, over there! Ciara and I were gonna go camping there, for a few days. See if we could catch some. Just rough it, you know?"

Ciara squeaked. "Kenny! You're making it sound like a… a d-date."

Ash and Dawn shared a look, cracking amused, knowing smiles of their own.

"Well, maybe it is," Kenny said. To Dawn's relief, he was… somehow, being completely honest. "Anyways, I have four ribbons from Johto, and I was hoping to expand my team a little before I go for my fifth."

"And I have two," Ciara added, regaining her composure. "...I know there's still some time. But, I'd like to reinvent myself, after… everything that happened. I want to become stronger, and finish collecting ribbons!"

"You'd better," Dawn giggled. "We still haven't had a chance to make up for that battle of ours in Vermilion, remember?"

"Yes! That's… right," Ciara nodded. "Unfortunately, I lost too early to have that chance, here."

"Then, how about this?" Dawn smiled, extending a hand. "Get your five ribbons, so we can face off at the Grand Festival!" In this moment, she was seeing the faintest shades of deja vu. Just as Zoey had challenged her…

Ciara took her hand. Although it was cold and feeble, she gripped Dawn's own with confidence. Her wide, ocean blue hues stared into Dawn's with complete certainty. "I will. I'll see you at the Grand Festival!"

The loud, deafening foghorn of the boat behind them interrupted the conversation.

"Well, I guess it's time to go!" Kenny turned towards the walkway lowered to the pier. He looked over his shoulder one last time, smiling. "See you, Ash. See you, Dawn. I wanna see you and Ciara kick butt at that Grand Festival! Got it?"

Dawn smirked. "Oh, you know it! And the same for you, in yours."

"You'll see me in the winner's circle."

With one last gaze of respect, the two friends renewed wrapped a neat bow on a relationship that had just been in great peril. Dawn, now, could watch Kenny leave along with Ciara, with absolutely no regrets.

Just in time, too, as the larger ship was pulling on, one dock over. Dawn and Ash rushed their way over, slipping through the crowd to filter onto the boat. It was a bit of a difficult fit, but with Pikachu's crackling cheeks keeping anyone from wanting to hang too close, they found their way to the front deck.

With a spot by the railing secured, Dawn leaned on the cool metal, looking out across the seas. A hand cradled her cheek, and she looked off into the distance with a content smile. With Empoleon by her side, she could only feel positive about the time she'd spent on Cinnabar.

"...Dawn!" Larkspur approached, drawing Dawn's attention.

"Larkspur!" Dawn turned to her former opponent. "I didn't know you were on this boat.

"Well, I still have yet to complete my ribbon quest, so…" He twiddled his thumbs, flushing when he caught his faux pas. "...Oh! I meant to tell you, but I could never quite find you; congratulations on your victory."

"Oh, thanks!" Dawn beamed. "Good job, by the way. You made it to the semi-finals!"

"I did… But, I have to admit, I admire you, truly. The way in which you always find a way to secure a dazzling victory under pressure…" He matched her gaze with a look of seriousness oft obscured by his messy hair. "I've collected three ribbons. But both of the times I've lost; against you and Kenny; I thought my battles through, thoroughly, but while facing someone creative, like either of you… I find myself without a leg to stand on."

Dawn frowned. "You really shouldn't be beating yourself up like that… You know, I think I might know what your problem is."

Larkspur's eyes widened. "Oh? Please tell me!"

"It's your battles," Dawn replied. "They're good, and they're stylish! But, they almost feel… just like ordinary battle strategies."

"...Oh." Unfortunately, Dawn's insensitivity was made readily apparent.

"You're good at them," she continued, "but maybe you need to find some room for more… pizazz!"

"Pizazz…?" Larkspur echoed.

"Something that's not just technically being ahead of your opponent. Something grand, and creative! Moves that only you could come up with, and that people will remember your Pokémon by!" Daw professed passionately, holding her hands over her heart. "Like my Flame Ice, or Ice Chandelier, or Sky Phoenix!"

"Like your combinations… I can't possibly imagine that," Larkspur admitted. "Creating anything like them."

"I put a ton of hard work into that, Larkspur. I have the benefit of a whole other year of experience. Plus, the help of my friends." On that note, Dawn peered over her shoulder, back at Ash and Pikachu. The Electric Mouse was running up and down the railing, playing tag with Ash, while the trainer made repeated attempts to grab for him. Laughter was abundant.

"...Hm." Larkspur hummed. "I see… I wonder if I could do the same, with more time and work."

"Take some time and think about it," Dawn advised. "I'm sure you'll come up with something!"

"Perhaps I will," the boy agreed. Though, that didn't prepare her for the impulsive proposition to come. "Dawn! Will you be my mentor?"

"W—what!?" Dawn exclaimed. That'd come completely out of the blue…! She felt her cheeks fill with heat, on the spot. 'A student of my own… I'd be like Mom! Which is totally great, but…!' She swallowed heavily. "...I'll think about it more seriously if I win the Grand Festival. That's my goal right now, and it needs my full attention."

"...I understand." The boy bowed his head. "Thank you."

By the next day, the ferry had brought Ash and Dawn back to where they'd started their little island-hopping adventure: the Seafoam Islands. Given how they'd arrived just before noon, the duo had agreed to lunch first.

Relaxing on the white plastic chairs set on the small porch outside of the Pokémon Center, Dawn took short sips of orange juice. "It's so good to be back!" she cooed. The salty sea air was invigorating, no matter how you sliced it.

Slouching in his chair, Ash watched intently as Dawn slurped her drink. Uncharacteristically, he'd powered through his lunch, nearly choking on it once or twice. Though he didn't say anything to interrupt her leisure, the way he was rocking his heels was starting to make the bottom of the table creek and wobble.

Dawn furrowed her brow, pulling back from her drink. "You know, I can feel you jittering around. You can't wait for that battle, can you?"

Ash suddenly stopped rocking. Shrinking into his chair, as if he'd been caught. "...I really can't," he laughed. "But this trip was all about you, remember? I told you my Gym Battle could wait."

"You said that it can wait until I had the Aqua Ribbon," Dawn corrected, wearing a coy smile. She slurped down the remainder of her drink, until the filtered sound of ice rattling in her paper cup could be heard. "I have it now. So, let's get to it!"

Ash immediately jumped up out of his chair, nearly knocking it over. "Dawn, you're the best! But, there's just one problem. We have to find where the Gym is."

"You're lookin' for Blaine's gym?" asked an old man, dressed in leather fringe and tie dye. The Pokémon Center doors closed behind him.

Shocked by the quiet approach of the stranger, Empoleon squawked.

"Uh, yeah, we are," Ash answered. He looked towards Pikachu, who shrugged. The guy was quiet, but not fishy. He seemed more like an old hippie than a real threat.

"Well, little dudes, here's a riddle for ya. I think it'll help. Alrighty… How far can a Vulpix run into a Pecha berry patch?" Satisfied with himself, the man started walking off. "The answer's groovy. Peace out."

Making a face at the riddle, Ash gestured at the retreating figure. "What the hell does that mean?! How big's the berry patch?! I don't have a Vulpix; how am I supposed to know how far they can run?!"

Putting down her cup, Dawn looked over to Ash. "Halfway."

"... What?"

"It can only run halfway. After that, it's running out."

Opening and shutting his mouth before shaking his head, Ash crossed his arms. "How did you know that?!"

Smiling proudly, the coordinator answered. "It's like I've already told you! Riddles are just advanced poetry."

"Dawn, you never ceased to amaze me," Ash laughed. "That doesn't really help us, though… Oh! Yes it does!" Ash quickly began shrugging on his backpack and scooping up Pikachu.

"I was looking at a map of the island last night to see where the Gym might be, and there's an entrance to the Seafoam Caves near a Pecha berry grove! If we go there, we should go half-way through the caves to find Blaine's gym, right?!" He retrieved four of his Poké Balls, pointing them towards his team. Luckily, they'd finished lunch a bit ago, and they eagerly retreated to their capsules.

Pardoning Rosa, who hopped atop Ash's free shoulder.

Getting ready just as quickly, Dawn nodded her head. "Makes sense! Empoleon, everyone, we're going!" Dawn recalled the rest of her team, pardoning her partner.

"Empo!"

After a short walk, the trainers reached the Pecha berry patch. Dawn was taking in the scenery and admiring how healthy and huge the fruit were when she noticed Empoleon gorging himself on them.

"Hey, leave some for everyone else!"

The water type quickly pointed at Ash and Pikachu.

Having been ratted out by the mama's boy of the team, Ash, Pikachu, and Rsosa stopped in the middle of their own feast. The trio hastily wiped pink pulp from their lips to hide their crimes.

Sighing, Dawn put her hands on her hips. "I guess it can't hurt… As long as you guys didn't overdo it."

"It's important to maintain our energy!" Ash justified; ignoring that they'd only just finished lunch.

"Pika!"

A brief walk through the patch led the group to the mouth of a cave which sloped into a small hill and down, deep into the ground.

"Guess this must be it," Ash shrugged, before venturing forth. "Let's go!"

The path forward gradually became dimmer, and the air became nippy, not before long. What started as stalagmites were quickly becoming icicles, as they ventured away from the light of day. "H-hey, Pikachu… You think you could provide a light for us?"

"Pika!" Pikachu affirmed. A warm, golden glow emitted from each of his rosy cheeks. Static snapped at Ash's bangs and frayed them a little, but it didn't bother him. Nor did the tickle of static at his skin; if anything, he welcomed it as a distraction to the cold.

Pikachu lit their way forward. But the further they advanced, the coolest it became.

"Sh-sh-sheesh…" Ash chattered, hugging his arms. "Can't Blaine pick a normal location for his Gym? It's out of the frying pan and into the freezer."

~Glad I have fur,~ Rosa added.

"It's out of the fire and into the frying pan," Dawn corrected. "Besides, weren't you on Mt. Silver? You've said before that it was freezing, but you were 'too tough to crumble to that!'"

"And I am too tough for it all," Ash huffed. Dawn wasn't one to throw his words back at him… Was she really so defensive of cold environments? "I'm just pointing it out, is all."

Dawn shrugged. "It's not that bad. It's kind of a relief. The weather's nice here, but if this is the heat we get during spring… I'm already worried for summer!"

Putting a hand on his hip, Ash shook his head with amusement. "Spoken like a true Sinnohan."

"Yeah, well. No need to worry." As Empoleon skated forth on his belly, Dawn led the group, with both of her arms folded behind her back. She looked over her shoulder, and winked. "If you need someone to hold you to keep you warm, I won't say no."

"H-hey!" Ash blushed, running up to walk beside her. "What's with all the sass, today?" He looked off, muttering under his breath. "I wouldn't mind that, though…"

"Look who's talking?" Dawn replied. "You were the one to question my riddle skills."

Ash blinked. "That's what you were ticked off about…?" A huff. "I thought we agreed that we wouldn't be hiding our feelings any."

"I didn't," Dawn defended. "I only just realized it, now!"

"Pika…" Pikachu huffed.

~You guys are weird,~ Rosa chastised.

"Pol!" Empoleon squawked. Though, he wasn't chiming in to be the peanut gallery of their romantic quarrel. He'd led the group by sliding on the slick floors, and now he was pointing to a split path!

"Having trouble in paradise?" A familiar, lulled voice echoed off the walls, as a figure stepped out from the shadows. The same hippie from before flashed a peace sign. "Greetings, brothers and sisters. I see you rocked my riddle. Far out."

"...Huh? No! We're fine." Ash shook his head. "What're you doing here?"

"I bet you're here to give us another hint," Dawn suggested. In her eagerness for another, she'd completely forgotten about their minor spat..

The man nodded. "If you can solve this one, I'll take you right to Blaine myself."

"You will?!" Ash enthusiastically asked. He turned to Dawn, gesturing that he was giving her the floor. "Dawn, I'm counting on you!"

"No need to worry!" Dawn winked. "I won't let you down!"

"Alright, sister, here's your riddle: A man rode in on Tuesday and two days later he left on Tuesday. How so?" Content with his stumbling block, the man sat down and rested on the ground.

"...What? This one's crazy. We might actually need to come together, after all!" Ash looked to Pikachu, then Rosa, then Empoleon, and finally Dawn. "Um, let's see… Ah, I know! Celebi helped him use time travel! … No? Okay, uh, five day weekend! Weekends don't count for shipping, so maybe…!"

Interrupting Ash's frantic guesses, Dawn declared her answer. "He was riding a Ponyta named Tuesday!"

"It was just a nicknamed Ponyta?!" Ash snapped.

Smirking, the old man stood up. "Right on." Yanking under his beard and tossing off his glasses, the disguise he wore fell away. Under it all was none other than Blaine! "Well! Aren't you a clever girl?" Tapping his cane against the cave floors, he then turned to chide Ash. "Kid, you still suck at riddles."

"Ha! That's where you're wrong." Ash retorted, proudly raising his index finger. "As it just so happens, I've figured out the riddle you left me with. And we're ready to take you on!"

"That so?" Blaine laughed, stroking his snow-white mustache. "Well, then, you have my interest. Let's get on down to my arena… Ha! You better have Burn Heal."

Blaine's guidance brought Ash and company deeper and lower into the caverns of Seafoam, until they'd seemingly hit the bottom. A large cove, bottlenecked at the narrow entrance they came through. A large landmass that staged a battlefield, drawn in the rocky cavern floor. Walls framed and came over the arena, with stalactites hanging abound.

However, there was more to this grand room they'd walked into; beyond the stage, slowly rolling water currents wrapped around its outer edge, barring off elevated portions of land and rock. At the far end, a grand elevation stood above all else, like a throne. Gaps in the ceiling filtered in light from the outside; as if it were a spotlight cast for royalty that had gone absent.

Although ice was mostly absent from the stage of battle, frozen, crystalline structures framed the end of the cove that staged a large elevation; seemingly unshaken by Blaine's white-hot domain.

"It's… beautiful," Dawn mouthed, as they stepped into the chamber. "This looks like more than just a battlefield. It's like a throne room!"

Blaine grunted a note of approval, as he walked across the open battlefield. "You'd be correct, little lady. That's because this is the throne room… of a legendary Pokémon."

"Legendary!?" Ash gasped. He walked his way towards his trainer's box, with Rosa following closely behind. He couldn't help but gaze upon the room's crystalline peak. So, Blaine's Gym housed a myth…? Or rather, a myth's home housed his Gym, really.

"The legendary Articuno," Blaine explained. "The truth is, I saw the error of my ways after our incident set off the volcano, heh…" The man rubbed the back of his neck. "Housing my Gym in such a volatile place was irresponsible. And even before it erupted… Well, it was just plain dangerous. Guess in my younger years, I thought it was a testament to my fearsome abilities as a Gym Leader, hah."

"A Gym inside a volcano sounds insane," Dawn quickly agreed, frowning. "But, what does that have to do with moving here?"

"A location as cool as the Seafoam Islands, frankly, makes battling with my fearsome Fire-types safer. For challengers, and for myself. I ain't getting any younger! Heat stroke could probably blow me over like a stiff wind." Blaine tapped his cane against the ground, and looked towards the throne. "So, I tried settling here. Articuno wasn't too happy, at first… But, they tested my worthiness in battle."

"You battled Articuno! Then that means…" Ash's mouth hung open, when the implications set in. "...You defeated them."

"Hm." Blaine nodded. "We came to an understanding. Articuno isn't always here. It seems they have duties elsewhere." Ash could only hazard a guess that Ice Island was involved. "But, whenever they do appear, they restore the frigid temperature of their throne room. So, the environment is never truly threatened."

"...You're not kidding." Ash smiled. His irises trembled in wonder. He felt humbled; the Cinnabar Gym Leader had not only defeated Articuno, but been allowed to use their home. It made Deidra all the more terrifying for it… But, he shook that thought off. He would win, too.

Battling in the home of Articuno was an honor, he felt. Though, looking about, he spotted mechanical fixtures on the walls. "Are those… cameras?"

"Only to record official matches. The best Gym Battles of the season sell big, you know," Blaine explained. "And speaking of that, I think we've meandered long enough. Merle!"

"Sir!" An admittedly nerdy looking young man with glasses and a lab coat stood a safe distance from the field, at equal distance between Ash and Blaine's sides. Surely, the referee. (Ash couldn't imagine he got paid enough to work in an environment like this…)

"This will be a three on three battle, between the challenger, Ash, and the Gym Leader, Blaine! The battle will be over when all three of a competitor's Pokémon are unable to battle, or when one surrenders. There will be no time limit!" Merle raised his hand. "The Gym Leader will release their Pokémon first!"

Blaine grabbed a Poké Ball, and slung it towards the battlefield. "Ninetales! Go!"

"Nine~!" A beautiful beast with lustrous blonde fur appeared before Blaine. Her nine separate tails fluttered gracefully behind her; beady red eyes looked as if they'd seen many battles. A howl towards the ceiling heralded uncomfortable heat. She'd set harsh sunlight.

Ash frowned, holding his cap down to filter the harsh sun. Just like Ciara's Vulpix… "Drought!" Well, this threw a wrench in things. But, he'd already set his choice in stone. He grabbed his Poké Ball from his belt, as Pikachu abandoned his shoulder, throwing it. "Floatzel! I choose you!"

"Zel!" The bipedal weasel stood tall, with his arms crossed.

Blaine held a thumb to his chin in thought, but said nothing.

Merle raised a hand. "You may begin! The challenger has the first move!"

"Let's go, Floatzel! Hydro Pump!" Ash passionately waved a hand outward.

Floatzel drew his head back, and spewed a jet of water forth.

"Ninetales! Heat Wave!" Blaine commanded.

Ninetales' many tails fanned over towards her foe, whipping up a terrible, sweltering gust that was filtered with shimmers of orange and red. In just an instant, they doubled in intensity, and met Hydro Pump head-on. Astonishingly, they tore through the jet, sprinkling it to mist in the air, and went on to blast Floatzel.

"Float…!" Floatzel was sent flying back, before finding his footing in the earth. He winced, shaking off the intense heat. The air was almost unbearable… Almost.

"It completely tore through Hydro Pump…!" Ash gasped.

"Haven't you learned a thing from our first battle?" Blaine asked. Ash's silence said all it needed to, and he continued. "Drought. I'm sure you've seen the sweltering effects of it. Ninetales did the same, back when you first came to my Gym. You used a Water-type against her, didn't you…?"

"A Water-type…Squirtle!" Ash exclaimed. "That's right. His Water Gun went down to her Fire-type attack instantly. He didn't stand a chance. So, that was because of…?"

"Because of Drought," Blaine affirmed. "That, and a level difference…But, hell if we'll let Water-types secure an easy victory. Certainly not against an opponent asking for our full strength."

Ash grimaced at the immediate shift in momentum. 'So, this just got a lot tougher… if only I'd had money for the TM for Rain Dance, back on Cinnabar.' His eyes darted over to Dawn, then. 'But, Dawn's got her Aqua Ribbon because of it. I'll make do without it.'

With no further commands from Ash, Blaine took the initiative. "Ninetales! Solar Beam!"

Solar energy gathered before Ninetales' mouth immediately, thanks to the harsh sun. A blinding blast was subsequently fired towards Floatzel.

"Dodge that!" Ash commanded, as Floatzel sprinted forth, and ran to the right of Solar Beam. It passed by harmlessly, into the darkness of the cavern they'd all come from. "Now, Aqua Jet!"

Roaring waters coalesced, and propelled Floatzel on a quick path towards Ninetales… At least, that was what the Sea Weasel was used to. He quickly felt the water around him vanishing into steam and hot mist. By the time he'd gotten halfway to Ninetales, the waters about him wouldn't hold. He gasped, landing on his feet.

"What!?" Ash exclaimed. This was a definite first.

"Hmph!" Blaine's mustache pulled into a seeming smirk. "Confuse Ray."

Ninetales' ruby eyes emitted a terrible, disorienting flash. One that Floatzel was forced to bear witness to. His eyes were wide, and seemingly hollow, now.

The Water-type stumbled about awkwardly, with no rhyme or reason.

"No! He's confused." Ash grimaced. This could get ugly, very quickly.

"Solar Beam!"

Ninetales fired another round of the terribly strong Grass-type move. If that hit…!

'We need a way out of there, somehow…! But, Floatzel can't even see straight…' The trainer's eyes widened suddenly. "That's it! Floatzel! Hydro Pump!"

The weasel was stumbling about like a drunken sailor, when the blast came. He could hardly tell up from down, but luckily, 'Hydro Pump' did register in his ears. "Zel…!" Floatzel spat a strong current at the ground below him. With loose footing, the immediate result was Hydro Pump propelling him high into the air, and out of Solar Beam's path.

"Yes!" Ash cheered.

"Hmph. Clever." Blaine grunted. "I can see even now, you're going to be a problem… Ninetales! Psychic!"

With a glimmer of the fox's eyes, Floatzel was gripped and suspended in mid-air. He choked and coughed, feeling a sudden pressure on his entire body. "Float…?" He shook his head, feeling a bit groggy. Floatzel was back to his old self. But, not before he was flung brutally towards the wall behind him.

"Use your flotation ring to protect yourself!"

The startled water type inhaled, inflating his yellow ring in the nick of time. The blow was softened, and he landed on his hind legs, canines bared at the pesky Ninetales.

'This is a nasty situation we're in,' Ash thought to himself, anxiously adjusting his cap. He was starting to sweat. 'They can confuse us, throw us around, and our Water-type moves are cut down…!'

"Out of the frying pan, eh, Ash?" Blaine sneered. "Heat Wave!"

Ninetales fired another gust, once more aided by the hot climate.

Even Ash was beginning to feel sweaty in these normally freezing chambers. He tugged at his gloves. If this was bad for him, then surely, Floatzel was hurting. "Block it with Counter Shield!"

Feeling his fur frizz and heat, Floatzel needed no extra encouragement. "Zel!" He flipped onto his back, summoning a torrent of water spiraling around his body.

Even as it was summoned, though, the cannons dispersed into mist, sweeping Floatzel away.

"It didn't work!?" Ash looked on in horror, watching the shield vanish. "It's way too hot for that water… At this rate, any water's gonna turn into steam before it can do anything. Just like Aqua Jet!" His eyes narrowed, before growing wide, once more. "Just like Aqua Jet…"

Meanwhile, Dawn was tugging at her pink jacket, none too happy that it was sticking to her shoulders. "And, just when we'd found some good Sinnoh weather… My hair's going to frizz from this!"

"Floatzel, Ice Aqua Jet! Keep on spinning and keep on icing!" Ash punched both fists forward.

"Ice Aqua what, now?" Blaine cocked an eyebrow. "What's he up to?"

"Float!" The water type spun, shooting off towards Ninetales. His fists both shone with icy, sky blue energy, leaving swirling trails of frost as the Sea Weasel spun. The Aqua Jet became an icy corkscrew, catching dispersing mist each time it strayed. Even under the punishing sun, the Aqua Jet retained its shape.

"What!? Drought isn't stealing its thunder!" Blaine gawked at the combination move.

"You're darn right!" Ash grinned, holding a fist across his chest before pointing forward. "Go, Floatzel!"

Crossing the battlefield with outrageous speed, Floatzel crashed into Ninetales. "Float!"

Ninetales cried, knocked from her comfortable perch by the powerful jet.

"Solarbeam, now!" Blaine countered.

"Ice Punch!" Ash quickly countered.

"Nine~!" Ninetales bared her canines, quickly gathering a bright light.

Turning out of his Aqua Jet, Floatzel landed in a crouch, swinging his fist above. "Float-zel!"

A streak of chilling pain collided with Ninetales' jaw, knocking her head upward. The Solarbeam fired though, regardless, its sun-fueled might spraying across the rocky cave ceiling above.

A booming rumble caused the hearts of everyone present to jump, followed by one rocky chunk of debris after another dropping down. Ninetales shrieked, leaping several bounds out of harm's way.

"Slick move, kid. Dirty, but very resourceful!" Blaine praised, smiling widely. "Ninetales, Heat Wave!"

"Controlling the battlefield is what we do best!" Ash boasted. "Crouch behind the rocks!"

The Water-type quickly slipped below a row of boulders, his back to the icy rock.

Heat Wave cascaded over the field once more, hot as ever. This time, though, it missed its target.

Ash blinked, his dark hues glimmering with revelation. "I've got it."

Blaine's glasses glimmered over, a snow-white brow raised. "Hm?"

Ash's face showed that familiar gleam of mischief. He raised an arm, pointing an open hand towards the stalactites. "Floatzel! Let's try using Sonic Boom, right at the ceiling above Ninetales!"

Floatzel's eyes narrowed, his trainer's orders heard. "Float!" He quickly turned to whip his two tails, firing one powerful soundwave before a second swerve fired another. "Zel! Zel!"

The barrage of shock waves pummeled the ceiling from one end to the next, triggering loud, dusty explosions that basically amounted to a Rock Slide attack on Ninetales' turf.

"Ninetales, dodge that!" Blaine stammered. This kid was too good.

"Nine! Nine!" The slender creature hopped from one spot to the next, frantically dodging a hail of boulders that had just barely left her untouched. She huffed, giving her tails an undignified swish.

"We've got 'em on the run, now." Ash grinned, and punched forward. "Charge in, for Ice Punch!"

"We're not making it that easy," Blaine asserted. "Ninetales, Psychic, now!"

"Tales!" The weary fire type howled, surrounding the multitude of boulders with a bright light. Sure enough, under her will, they rose, flinging themselves violently at the approaching target.

"Dodge that!" Ash ordered, throwing a hand to the side. "Use Aqua Jet!"

"Float!" Floatzel rolled and turned, weaving up, down, and beside the assault with precision. Every time Aqua Jet faded away, he ignited another for a quick propulsion in speed. It wasn't much, but it served him through the barrage.

As soon as he passed through the storm, the rocks turned tail, shooting back towards the retreating Sea Weasel. At this rate, there'd be no escape! They'd just keep chasing him. Ash clenched a fist, a mischievous thought tugging at the corner of his lip. "Get behind Ninetales!"

"Zel!" Only meters from the mythical Fox, Floatzel tumbled, swerving around before skidding to a halt.

It was only then, when the boulders were staring Ninetales right in the eye, that Blaine caught on to Ash's ruse. Breaking out in a sweat, he shouted to his prized veteran. "Ninetales, dodge that!"

The blonde fox panicked. She made one quick bound before the next, but it was no use. A boulder struck her in the side, crumbling upon impact in tandem with her own shriek.

"That's our chance!" Ash announced, clenching both fists at his side. "Hydro Pump!"

Turning on his paws, Floatzel huffed up his water supply before firing the jet. "Zel!"

The powerful spray struck Ninetales in the stomach, carrying her into the air before allowing her to tumble off across the battlefield. The impact left her body limp, ruby eyes turning to swirls.

By now, Ash and Floatzel alike were breathing heavily, grinning at the exhilarating outcome.

"Ninetales is unable to battle! Floatzel is the winner!" The referee raised a hand, wiping sweat from his brow with the other.

Ninetales was swallowed by a red flash, retreating to the Poké ball in Blaine's palm. "Bravo. Not many challengers face the wrath of my senior Fire-types at full power, and even less overcome the heat. The Professor wasn't full of hot air when he went on about you!"

"Well, you know me. I strike when the iron's hot!" Ash grinned.

"I know I should appreciate wordplay, but they're going to give me a heatstroke," Dawn deadpanned.

"It's the one kind this kid ain't half-bad at," Blaine admitted as he tossed his next Poké Ball. "But, I hope you haven't forgotten… that's what led you to your defeat, last time."

"Rhyyy…!" The rumbling groan of Rhyperior echoed off the cavern walls. Dwarfing Floatzel, the Rock-type bashed his wrecking ball tale into the dirt behind him. The ground cracked under it.

"Don't worry," Ash smiled. "I haven't. Floatzel, return!" The Sea Weasel's Poké Ball was extended, and returned him in a flash of red light.

"Hm?" Blaine raised a snowy brow. "Recalling your Floatzel… With your Water-type moves feeble under Drought, that's sensible. And I assume you factored in Rhyperior's Solid Rock ability; making Super-effective attacks nigh-useless. A wise, conservative choice, kid."

"All of those things may be true," Ash agreed. "And I did think of that. But that's not why I recalled Floatzel."

"Oh…?" Blaine asked, his curiosity piqued. "Do tell."

"It's simple," Ash said, as he slung a second Poké Ball into the fray.

"Koal…!" Torkoal appeared before Ash, standing bravely on all fours. Thick, black smoke was expelled through his shell and his nostrils. The light of the harsh sunlight invigorated him, and he stared down Rhyperior with stubborn resolve.

"Torkoal's frustrated from their last battle. You challenged us to find the answer to our weakness, and we did… So, we're going to prove that we overcame you and your riddle, together!"

"Torkoal!"

"Interesting kid," Blaine remarked. "Very well!"

"Let's go!" Ash waved a hand. "Flamethrower!"

Torkoal spewed fire from his mouth; under Drought, its volume and heat intensified greatly.

"Use Rock Blast!" Blaine countered.

Rhyperior aimed his arm cannon at the coming stream, and fired. Although the sturdy boulder began to melt in the extreme heat, it was no less of a threat to Torkoal for it.

"Aim it below you, and fly over!" Ash urged.

Torkoal tilted his head to redirect the stream towards the ground below his shell. He was propelled clear of the blazing boulder, and into the air above.

Meanwhile, the blazing boulder crashed into the ground before Ash, making the earth beneath him tremble. He flinched; the heat had come far too close for comfort.

~Buzz off!~ Rosa hopped on Ash's shoulder, and extinguished the blaze with a gust from her Vacuum Wave. The rock then split and crumbled into fiery rubble.

"Thanks, girl," Ash praised. But, they had a battle to continue. "Hop across those rocks, now!"

Torkoal did as he'd done in their prior battle, by landing on the next large rock that catapulted his way. He hopped to the one succeeding it, and carried on until he neared Rhyperior.

"Use Hammer Arm!" Blaine ordered. Rhyperior swung for the most recent stone that the tortoise had weighed down, effectively killing its momentum.

"Use Shell Smash!" Ash commanded with a hand thrust forward.

A red glow encompassed Torkoal, as fractures of light ran across his shell. Fragments of the tough-as-diamond surface chipped off, alleviating some of Torkoal's weight, and providing a precious power boost, to boot. Torkoal felt light as a feather, and he used his newfound strength to clear Rhyperior in a leap.

Behind Torkoal, the rock was bashed into rubble and dust.

"You're making the same mistake!" Blaine chastised. "Behind you! Hammer Arm!"

"Groaaahr!" Rhyperior roared, lifting one of his arms. A bright white light coated it in raw power, as he swung around to smash and demolish Torkoal with a backhand.

Ash smirked. "Iron Defense!"

Torkoal swiftly retreated to his shell, and coated it in shimmering, sturdy steel. Rhyperior's Hammer Arm bashed into its tough surface, then, to very little effect. A harsh sound reverberated through the cavern.

Torkoal fell to the ground, and emerged safely on all fours. "Tor…!"

"Hmph. A wise save. Rhyperior! Rock Wrecker!"

"Rhyyy…!" Rhyperior aimed his mighty arm cannon at Torkoal. He rumbled and exerted effort as solidified earth built into a hastily growing mass that would soon reach colossal proportions.

"Shell Smash, and jump over!" Ash urged.

Torkoal shone red, once more, and the metallic coating on his shell chipped away. With a gargantuan boulder right in his face, he was forced to leap. His stubby tail only cleared the Rock Wrecker by inches. But, he had saved himself.

As Torkoal landed safely on the opposite side of Rhyperior, Ash made his next command with a wide, confident sweep of his arm. "Now, use Flamethrower!"

"Koallll!" Directly behind Rhyperior, Torkoal spat a wide-spanning, white-hot blaze. The flames completely engulfed the Rock-type, eliciting a roar of pain that could just barely be heard over the blazes.

"Rhyperior!" Blaine gasped.

"Yes!" Dawn jumped up in excitement. "A direct hit!"

"Empol!"

"Like I said, I've figured out your riddle," Ash boasted. The black smoke surrounding Rhyperior still lingered. He had a moment to talk. "'It's best to strike while the iron is hot, but sometimes, it's best left cold.' Powering up while the moment's right; when things are hot; can let us swing for major damage, and speed ourselves up! But, it's just as important to cool down and buff our defenses when we're about to take an attack. That's what your riddle meant!"

A slow clap was the fiery elder's response. His mustache picked up into the appearance of a smile. "Good job, kid. I'm impressed. You figured out the riddle. Did Dawn, over there, help you out, or did you finish your homework on your own?"

"Nope!" Dawn chimed up. "I just helped us get down here. That was all Ash."

"I do have Dawn to thank, though, in a way," Ash conceded with a smile. "It was her entry in the Wallace Cup that helped me understand what you meant. Now, Torkoal and I are ready to win!" The trainer from Pallet promised, pumping a fist.

"Tor-koooal!"

"Will you, though…?" Blaine hummed. "I do wonder."

About as timely as one could be to build dramatic tension, Rhyperior groaned, stumbling out of the smoky debris. His protective tough hide was burned and marked in several places. His posture was lumbering, now, with something of a hunch. But, his black-as-coal eyes were just as steady and piercing as ever. He roared mightily. "Rhyperior!"

"Use Rock Blast!"

Rhyperior aimed his open hand at Torkoal.

"Flamethrower, below you!" Ash urged. Torkoal propelled himself with flames, once again, nearing the ceiling. The first shot of Rock Blast missed, however, there was a different problem at hand.

"You've made quite the mistake!" Blaine boasted. "We're no longer on the beach. You don't have the free airtime to dodge, as you please. Your limit is the ceiling above you!"

"He's right!" Ash gasped. Rhyperior, this time, had promptly readjusted. A huge boulder was closing in on Torkoal, and several more fired after it. He'd cornered his Fire-type partner! "Quick! Iron Defense!"

Torkoal retreated in the face of peril, hiding within his safe and sturdy home. Tough iron coated the frailties he'd created; just in time for his shell to be rocked and battered. He could feel the rattling from the inside; even when his shell hit the ceiling, only to be battered several more times. "Tor…!"

His shell dropped down to the floor with a loud 'thud.' "Koal…!"

"Torkoal!" Ash called. "Are you alright…?"

The tortoise poked out of his shell, standing up in the crater he'd formed with some effort. "Toar…!" He grunted, walking his way out of the depression he sat in. His shell was scuffed, and he'd certainly taken damage. But unlike last time, he was standing. He exhaled smoke. "Koal!"

"Keeping the iron cold assured that, I'm sure," Blaine praised. "But, we'll see if he can withstand Rhyperior. Hammer Arm!"

"Shell Smash!" Ash called.

All things came in a sequence that could have, perhaps, been squeezed into the blink of an eye. Torkoal's shell shone. He felt himself lighten. Rhyperior swung his arm in a brutal clothesline. Torkoal cleared it. In but a moment, he was face-to-face with Rhyperior.

Ash grinned. It was a picture-perfect moment, and he grasped it. "Use Flamethrower!"

"Koal!" Torkoal cried, and unleashed his full might. A highly concentrated blaze doused Rhyperior's outer shell, and fanned into a wide-reaching inferno. The heat emanating off it was sweltering.

Even from a distance, Dawn yelped, recoiling into herself at the heat coming in gusts. At least, until the cool protection of Empoleon's wing covered her. When the winds died, she exhaled. Patting her partner's shoulder. "...Thank you, Empoleon. I can't believe that Flamethrower…!"

Three uses of Shell Smash, and Drought to propel its power further. Even the cavern of Articuno themselves felt like a sauna; steam and water vapor clung to the field like a vast white blanket, shrouding pitch-black smoke. Torkoal's head popped out of the veil, waiting patiently.

"Incredible… You're incredible, Torkoal." Ash praised, holding down his cap. Pikachu and Rosa clinging to him added to the sensation of feeling unbearably hot. But, he wouldn't dare make him step into the hot steam while it cleared. Even shielded by his jeans, his legs felt uncomfortable. "I can't believe that power. Now, there's no way Rhyperior-"

A faint, but stubborn orange glow started to shine through the drifting black smoke and ash. Lumbering forth, Rhyperior groaned. He'd stumbled down on one knee, and his rocky hide was covered in burns. But, a glow about him persisted. "Groahhhor…"

"...What!? How?" Ash exclaimed.

"Endure," Blaine explained simply. "I was right to consider it, with your tactics in mind. Truthfully, that alone may have been enough to defeat Rhyperior in one shot." Now visible, the man stood closer to the icy rivers, at an elevation safe from Torkoal's heat. "You're not the only one who can rely on survival tactics." The elderly man gestured a hand outward. "Use Hammer Arm!"

Rhyperior lunged forward. Bringing his full weight behind a brutal haymaker.

"Iron Defense!" Ash urged.

Torkoal retreated, just in time to feel his entire shell rattle and fly. He spun and dragged on the dirt. It made him sore, but that was hardly his concern. Not when, from the inside, he could hear Blaine's subsequent command.

"Rock Wrecker!"

Torkoal emerged, and found himself staring down a quickly gathering rock mass.

"This'll go the same as last time," Ash shouted defiantly. "Use Shell Smash!"

Rock Wrecker dwarfed Torkoal, and fired. This time, though, without opposition, it crashed into Torkoal. Carrying and crushing him beneath its gargantuan weight. Loose rocks splintered and flew.

"Torkoal!" Ash screamed in worry. 'He just… took it!?'

"Well, that should be that for Torkoal," Blaine surmised. "A darn shame. But, he did fight valiantly. A strong effort for a Pokémon who once went down to one Hammer Arm."

"Rhy…" Rhyperior hunched over. Breaths heavy and labored from their ultimate move.

The rubble started to rattle and shift, drawing all eyes to it. Rocks and pebbles rolled down with shifting foundations, before one orange leg found the surface. Grabbing solid earth, before dragging the weight behind it to freedom. Torkoal's head emerged. "Koal…" He groaned weakly. His eyes, shut as always, gave no indication of his health.

But the weak stumbling out of the rubble did.

"Torkoal!" Ash exclaimed happily, and laughed. "You made it!"

"Torrr… koal!" Torkoal said defiantly. Though, he was conscious, he hardly looked well.

"He made it…!" Dawn beamed, pumping a fist in the air. "Way to hang in there, Torkoal!"

"Empoleon!"

"Well, I'll be damned," Blaine muttered. "A Fire-type walking out of a Rock Wrecker… I'd have to call that one a first."

"Torkoal's worked hard to get here," Ash justified. "And we're not going down without our best effort! Not that you're free, Torkoal, use Shell Smash!"

"Torrrr….!" Torkoal cried… only for nothing to happen at all. "Koal…?"

"Huh!?" Ash frowned, lifting the brim of his cap. "Torkoal, what's up? Are you okay?"

"Torkoal…?" The tortoise tilted his head. He was just as puzzled as Ash was.

"That's… awfully odd." Blaine nudged the frame of his sunglasses down to peer at the scene before him. Curiosity won over the chance to capitalize on the lull in battle, just as it had for Ash. "I can't say for sure, but I may have the answer to what's happened, here. Even if you power up a Pokémon's stats with special moves, there's bound to be an upper ceiling; Pokémon can't just power up past their natural limits, forever. If a move would take them beyond that, it's likely to fail."

"That… does make sense." Ash acknowledged. A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek. "But, wait a minute. Torkoal coating his shell with Iron Defense should weigh him down and bring his speed back closer to normal. That's why I've used Shell Smash every time, afterward. Can't he still become faster?"

"There is the matter of his speed," Blaine acknowledged. "But, remember: Shell Smash boosts Torkoal's offensive stats, as well. To be honest, in my years, I've never seen a scenario like this. Moves as powerful as Shell Smash rarely ever get used in a battle this often, before it ends. I suppose that's just the move's natural limitation. With your strategy sizzled, and Torkoal on his last limbs… You're out of luck, kid."

"Oh, no… Torkoal's strategy that Ash worked so hard on." Dawn frowned, bunching up her fists. "They can't just lose, after putting in all that work! But, what'll they do, now?"

"I'm… not sure what I"ll do," Ash admitted. He anxiously adjusted the brim of his cap. "But, we'll find a way! I believe in Torkoal!"

"Koalll!" Spurred by his trainer's belief, Torkoal expelled smoke.

"Hmph! We'll see. Rhyperior, Rock Blast!"

Rhyperior aimed his arm cannon, and fired the first of several rock masses at Torkoal.

"Pull out of the way, with Rapid Spin!" Ash coached.

Torkoal took to his shell, and flung himself out of Rock Blast's initial path to land on all fours.

"Now, Flamethrower! Once more!"

Torkoal craned his neck to spew roaring flames towards Rhyperior. However, the armored Pokémon reoriented his arm cannon to block Torkoal's path with another hurtling boulder.

"Rapid Spin, again!"

Torkoal spun to the left, narrowly avoiding a boulder. It flew into the river behind him, hitting the surface with a tremendous splash.

"Flamethrower!"

Torkoal repeated himself, as did Rhyperior. The sequence repeated itself several more times.

"Rapid Spin! Then, Flamethrower!"

"Feh. Surely, this is looking futile, even for you." Blaine scoffed. "Rhyperior! Use Hammer Arm!"

Torkoal slung himself free of yet another boulder, and emerged from his shell yet another time for all four of his feet to hit the dirt and gravel. Dragging and turning with his built up momentum. But, before he could spit more heat, he wasn't faced with another rock mass.

The giant Rhyperior was lunging right at him. Dwarfing Torkoal, and swinging down his giant hammer of an arm; glowing with deadly force.

Ash gasped. "Change of plans, Torkoal! Spin, and keep on spinning!":

Torkoal hadn't yet slowed to a stop; rotating until friction would make him stationary, and he didn't have time for that. With a rocky slab violently coming down upon him, he felt panic. But he trusted his trainer, and retreated to his shell to send himself into another series of spins.

Carried by centripetal force, Torkoal shot out of the way, as Hammer Arm smashed and fractured the ground below. Swinging around the fray in a tilted semi-circle, orbiting Rhyperior with astonishing speed.

"There it is!" Ash grinned, and gestured outward. "Now! Flamethrower!"

Dust and gravel kicked up, as Torkoal found his footing. Dragging across the cavern floor, he fired a terribly hot Flamethrower towards Rhyperior's back. A sure knock-out shot.

"Rhyperior!" Blaine yelled promptly. "Use your tail on the ground, behind you! Hammer Arm!"

Much like his weaponized limbs, Rhyperior's wrecking ball tail shone with mighty, Fighting-type energy, as it swung down to bash in the surface below it. A huge earth slab was dislodged, and provided a solid wall for Flamethrower to blast and fan away from.

Rhyperior groaned at the hot embers landing on his hide. A sure close call.

"Damn it. So close," Ash lamented. Then, his eyes widened. "Wait a minute… that speed." The speed at which Torkoal had orbited, and been able to counterattack. 'Rapid Spin was giving Torkoal momentum, when I acted on it quickly. Even without Shell Smash, it can be used to build his speed! If we play our cards right, we can still win!'

One of Blaine's bush brows raised, above his round spectacles. Surely, wondering just what the young man had in mind, now. "Finish it, Rhyperior! Use Rock Blast!"

"Dodge it with Rapid Spin, again!" Ash coached. "And don't bother with Flamethrower! Just keep moving!"

The game of touch-and-go repeated, with Torkoal flinging himself out of the barrage's path, one rotation after the next. Boulders hit solid rock and shattered, or crashed against the river's surface. Each time, the tortoise maintained a greater and greater lead on Rhyperior's aim; even when accounting for where he'd go. He couldn't account for the ever-increasing velocity.

With the last boulder missing, Ash beamed, triumphant. "Okay!" He waved a hand through the air. "Keep spinning, and change directions with your Flamethrower!"

Already catapulting through the air, Torkoal burst with roaring flames from each of the gaps in his shell. Like a rocket's propulsion into space, hot flames blasted him out of his current trajectory, and on a curving, ever-faster collision course with Rhyperior, himself.

"Now, let's finish this!" Ash shouted. "Use Iron Defense, one more time!"

"Koaaal…!" Torkoal abandoned burning flames, and reinforced himself with solid steel. Just in time for the tough-as-nails shell to smash violently into Rhyperior's side.

"Groaaaah!" Rhyperior roared in pain, as the impact made him contort and recoil, flying through the air, despite his weight. The cave floor rattled and gave under his weight, leaving a massive crater.

"No! Rhyperior!" Blaine exclaimed. Though, it was in vain; swirls sat in the armored Pokémon's eyes, and they were completely lax, belly-up.

"Rhyperior is unable to battle!" Merle raised a hand. "Torkoal is the winner!"

"Yyyyess…!" Ash cheered, hopping in the air. Cool presentation be damned, he couldn't help it in his excitement; flashing a thumbs-up to his triumphant partner. "Way to go, Torkoal!"

"Pika Pikaaa!" Pikachu cheered, hopping from one foot to the next.

Rosa, meanwhile, twirled on one foot in excitement.

Torkoal looked over his shoulder, and his smiling lips quivered. "Torrr…!" He promptly started to sob, tears rolling down freely. That was, until he yelped, stumbling on his feet. He'd only barely caught himself. But even from a distance, Ash could see him trembling. "Torkoal…!"

"You've done great, big guy." Ash smiled fondly, and extended his Poké Ball, recalling him in a flash of light. He looked down upon the metallic capsule. "Take a good, long rest. We'll finish this battle."

"Well, I'll be damned…" Blaine snorted in amusement. "You did it, kid. You put the wisdom I imparted to good use, and even surpassed it, where I failed in my own blind spot. You have every right to call yourself a great trainer. However…!" The elder retrieved one final Poké Ball, and tossed it.

The metallic sphere bounced off the scorched earth, and the latch popped open. The light escaping climbed into a gargantuan shape. Bulky, and imposing in all aspects, with a blazing crown. "Morrr…!" Leering eyes shrouded in black looked down upon Ash.

Sizzling heat emanated from the Pokémon's very being, as if Cinnabar's volcano, itself, lived on within it. A mighty weapon hoisted on its arm put Rhyperior's to shame. Magmortar had been called.

"A Magmortar…!" Ash gasped. "That means that…!"

"Magmar evolved," Blaine affirmed. "Believe it or not, kid, you're not the only one who's been doing some powering up. Even at my age, my Pokémon want to get stronger, too. And just for your information, Magmortar's a cut above the rest. I hope you don't expect your tired Pokémon to play clean-up crew with him."

"Clean-up crew? As if." Ash smirked. One last Poké Ball was picked off his belt. It rumbled in the palm of his hand; he even felt his skin start to sear, for the heat leaking through the capsule. "I never planned on that. I wanted all my Pokémon to fight. In fact, Magmortar, I've got a surprise for you. There's someone who's been waiting to see you!" He drew back an arm, winding up before tossing his third and last pokeball. "I choose you… Charizard!"

The dual-colored sphere spun, exploding to give birth to the image of the large, fiery lizard. The Flame Pokémon dug his talons into the cave floor, batting his wings once or twice before greeting the battlefield with a booming roar. He spotted Magmortar, and his flame-tipped tail began to swish.

Meanwhile, the flames atop Magmortar's head began to rage. "Mortar…" The giant growled, taking cautious steps to the left and right, sizing up his old opponent. It wasn't hard to tell that the lizard was even more formidable than he had been during their last bout. This was thrilling.

"You could cut the tension in the air with a knife," Dawn observed. Even her heart was racing.

"Pol…"

"It looks like Magmortar remembers your Charizard. Not to mention, raring for a fight. You said that your Charizard is of better temper, now, correct…? I'd hate to see you throw the match." Blaine taunted, spitting his words from his grinning mouth.

"Like I said, that stuff's long gone," Ash answered as he toyed with his cap. "Charizard and I are a team. And, together, we're going to beat you guys at your best!" He pumped a closed fist. "Bring it!"

"Very well, Ash. Magmortar, Lava Plume!"

The Blast Pokémon linked his arms forward, firing a large mass of lava.

"Counter with Dragon Pulse!" Ash called, pulling a hand back only to throw it forward.

"Roagh!" Charizard craned his neck before firing, launching a violet beam of energy.

The scalding liquid and the blast collided, creating a volatile fusion that exploded immediately.

Removing his cap to fan himself with the headgear, Ash huffed in the wake of the expulsion of heat. "Charizard's lucky he's a Fire-type… I can feel that all the way over here!"

"I hope you're not done already. A few more Lava Plumes, Magmortar!"

"Mag!" It aimed both cannons at Charizard, firing one blast of magma after the next.

"Dodge it!" Ash ordered with a wave of his hand. "Then, use Shadow Claw!"

Charizard was quick to take off, swerving past a first shot with a tilt of his wings. Maneuvering around a few scorching projectiles, the Flame Pokémon quickly closed the distance between the two. He followed his approach with a drawn back arm, brandishing shining, elongated claws, coated with necrotic energy.

"Counter with Fire Punch!" Blaine ordered.

"Mor!" Magmortar dug his feet into the ground, pulling a blazing fist back.

Both titans struck forward at the same time, striking one another across the face.

Magmortar bled, and Charizard's jaw was scorched.

"Good job," Ash praised. "Now, another Shadow Claw!"

"That repetition is going to bite you, kid," Blaine decried. "Hold onto Charizard with Strength!"

The second slash of Charizard's claws were stopped with an iron grip. To add insult to injury, the first arm that had struck the Blast pokemon was clutched tight, leaving the Flame pokemon struggling to free himself. He bore his canines, pulling away from Magmortar.

And, with good reason. Having a bad feeling where this was going, Ash shouted. "Charizard, get out of there, and make it fast!" How the hell did he fall into that trap so easily?

"Too late. Thunderbolt!"

Charizard tugged and pulled, but he wasn't freed from the wrath of the blinding golden flash that consumed him. Electric charges ran through his every vein and bone, prompting a roar of pain.

"Now, get rid of 'em!" Blaine ordered in succession.

Magmortar quickly complied, twisting his body before roughly tossing Charizard.

"Another Thunderbolt!"

A surge of electricity was fired from Magmortar's arm cannon.

"Climb up high, and use Fire Spin!" Ash ordered, raising a hand before pointing it forward.

Pain was taken in stride, and Charizard shot upward, barely avoiding the static that snapped at his tail. Huffing in indignance, the pseudo-dragon swung his tail about in a spiral. The residual flames circled below him and continued downward, capturing Magmortar in a pillar of fire.

"I thought you'd know better than that, Ash." Blaine scoffed. "You don't really think that kind of heat is going to put Magmortar out of commission? Even before he evolved, he was capable of sleeping in lava! You're going to have to do better."

"Was already planning on it," Ash answered through a mischievous grin. "Add in Dragon Pulse!"

Charizard cried out again, spitting out a second wave of draconian energy. This time, it went unhindered, spiraling into the roaring Fire Spin. The pillar of red and orange practically doubled in size, surrounded in blue, pink, and violet, assaulting Magmortar with inflamed draconian energy.

The Blast pokemon's shout of pain was hardly audible over the twister.

"I call that one Dragon Spin!" Ash declared with pride, flipping his cap backwards on his head.

"So powerful, and it's gorgeous, too!" Dawn marveled, fingers clasped.

...Was Ash borrowing her simplistic move-dubbing style?

"Real menacing strategy you've got there," Blaine admitted through a grimace. "Even for Magmortar, that looks pretty deadly. Get out of there, and use Fire Punch!"

The Dragon Spin burst in the middle, parted by a leaping Magmortar, ashened with burns from the combination attack. Unrelenting in his fury still, the fire type closed the distance between himself and Charizard, he threw a fiery punch at his rival, followed by one blow after the next.

"Dodge that!" Ash warned.

Charizard stepped backward in the meantime, his head swerving to slip past every punch thrown his way. Soon, though, he found himself cornered, with only solid wall behind him.

He wouldn't be able to dodge the next attack.

Ash clenched a fist, punching it across his chest. "Dragon Tail!"

The Flame pokemon pivoted on his foot, swinging his huge, glowing tail around, striking Magmortar with a brutal whiplash to the chest. The heavy pokemon was sent reeling.

"Strength! Grab him!"

Just as he'd been thrown from the cave wall, Magmortar grasped Charizard's swinging tail, yanking him along for the ride. With a cocky, competitive sneer, Magmortar took the Flame pokemon down with him. "Mag," he boasted, swinging the other fire type with a grunt.

Charizard cried out as he was thrown aside, breath knocked from him brutally. His spine collided with yet another rocky wall behind him. He was swiftly embedded in a crater.

"Charizard! Hang in there! You can handle more than this," Ash insisted, leaning forward enough to worry about falling over. The trainer wiped sweat from his forehead. This was a much tougher trial than the first time around. That was saying a lot.

"Don't let them rest. Lava Plume!" Blaine quickly dragged Ash from his thoughts.

Skidding across the earthy floor, Magmortar aimed his cannon once more. "Mortar!"

"You've gotta get out of there, quick!" Ash warned.

Thin, but muscular arms tore from their rocky prison, forcing Charizard out of the wall he'd been embedded in. He lurched forward, tilting and skidding just shy of the hunk of lava that splashed into the crater he'd just escaped.

He could hear the frosty stone behind him sizzle. But admitting fear was never on Charizard's agenda. He didn't look back, soaring into the shallow height that the cavern allowed.

None too soon, as several more shots fired his way.

He swept under one, just barely flapping above another, only to spin past a fourth shot.

By the time he'd turned, all he could see was red heat.

"Charizard!"

A glowering, explosive bubble of liquid heat drew the attention of everyone present, completely swallowing Charizard. The last Lava Plume had hit its mark, and even the far-off Dawn and Empoleon were uncomfortably hot under the results.

"Charizard's so powerful, and even he's struggling here…" Dawn marveled, brows furrowed in distress and awe. She clenched a fist, her free hand brushing sweaty bangs off of her cheek. Normally, that would bother her. "Can anyone even beat Magmortar, at this rate?"

"Empol…" The Emperor pokemon behind her stared into the blindingly bright mess of red and yellow hues. His claws clutched, eyes narrowed. Even the pokemon who had inspired him to evolve was being dominated, despite his best efforts.

While Dawn and Empoleon fretted in doubt, and Ash in worry, only one train of thought dwelled inside the bubble of heat.

Humiliation.

No matter what was thrown at that damnably powerful and valiant lava-dweller, it kept coming back for more. The lava licking at his skin, no matter how resistant it might be, attested to that. Irritation grew in the heart of the Flame pokemon as the assault continuously reminded him of his failure. Irritation turned to hot-blooded rage.

Deidra had called Blaine 'a waste of time.' If he couldn't match Blaine's might, then he couldn't hope to match hers. To match Metagross's… let alone the Champion, Lance. At this rate, he was on the course to be wholly inadequate.

That was a reality Charizard could not abide.

The mass of lava exploded, hazardously flying in every direction under the duress of a teal explosion from its core. Even the blast, though, was deafened by a booming roar.

"Charizard!?" Ash watched in wide-eyed awe, adjusting his cap with the palm of his hand.

The Flame pokemon was on display for all eyes to see, anxiously flapping his wings that were cloaked in a bright, crackling veil.

"...I get it, now," Ash mouthed under his breath. He recognized the blinding valor of those wings. The ethereal form that was now coating his trusty partner. The move Lance had wielded to rule the heavens. The move that'd overwhelmed Metagross. Possibly unrivaled in power…

He smiled. He couldn't think of a more fitting move for the indomitable Charizard. "Alright, Charizard! Let's show them your power!" He triumphantly pointed forward. "Dragon Rush!"

"Groar!" Charizard bellowed, firing across the field like a vengeful Moltres, surrounded by the bright blue image of a dragon's head. The false jaws opened wide, ready to swallow Magmortar.

The Blast pokemon braced itself.

Just as the jaws shut, Charizard smashed into Magmortar with all of his prideful might. Greeted by a groan of pain, the Flame pokemon circled back above, the glowing image around him fading. He spit out an ember, declaring victory in his own words.

"You really wanted that move," Ash recalled aloud. "A match like this with a rival was just what you needed, huh?" He couldn't be more proud as a trainer. "But, it's not over yet! Dragon Pulse!"

Swerving back around, Charizard fired another purple blast at his downed opponent.

"Lava Plume!" Blaine swiftly ordered.

Bruised and scorched, Magmortar raised an arm to fire another round of lava. "Mag!"

The two bursts collided, and Ash grinned. "Finish it, with Fire Spin!"

A toss of Charizard's head launched another spiral of fire, coiling into the Dragon Pulse. A corkscrew of cool colored flames drove through, blasting Magmortar with explosive might.

"Mortar!" A painful moan could be heard from within the smoke.

"Magmortar…!" Blaine watched on in awe, adjusting his spectacles.

The smoke soon withered and dispersed, showing Magmortar to be flat on his back.

An exhausted, scorched Charizard hovered lower, landing to huff and spit out flames.

The referee peered over the felled giant. "Magmortar is unable to battle! Which means the victors are Charizard, and the challenger, Ash, from Pallet Town!" The young man declared, raising a hand high.

"Ahaha! Alright, Charizard!" Ash sprinted onto the field, occasionally leaping out of the path of lava that hadn't yet cooled.

"Ash!" Dawn called out in caution. "I better not have to carry you out of here missing a foot!"

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!" The teen laughed in joy, throwing an arm around the weary Charizard. "This time, we won the battle together. And, you picked up on that move!"

"Pika-Pikachu!" Pikachu climbed from Ash's shoulder to his companion's, giving him a pat on the neck, for lack of a better option. Charizard had put up such a great fight!

"Groar!" Charizard growled in joy, raising a fist to pump against Ash's own.

A slow clap echoed through the grand, crystalline cavern. Blaine walked over, with a slight upturn in his facial features that denoted satisfaction. "Excellently done, kid. Not only did you execute the knowledge I'd left within your grasp and use it well, but you fought with white-hot intensity when that was the only way forward. An excellently balanced battle style."

"Thank you, Blaine." Ash bowed his head. His smile still hadn't left his face. "I have you to thank for it all. You battled me on Cinnabar, and gave me the hints I needed. Now, Torkoal's gotten a lot closer to unlocking his potential with me!"

"Hm." Blaine grunted in affirmation. "That he has. Although…"

Ash frowned. "Although…?"

"Are you aware of Torkoal's ability, Ash…? As important as the knowledge you've acquired today may be, I think you might be missing a vital piece of the puzzle, regarding the heights he can reach."

"His ability…?" As Ash pondered the question, he retrieved Torkoal's Poké Ball, and called him out to stand by him. Talking about him as if he weren't here was just a tad odd. "You mean Drought?"

"Correct," Blaine hummed. "The pattern of Torkoal's shell told me everything I needed to know. A Torkoal with Shell Armor has a wider reaching exoskeleton, and a tougher underbelly to protect them completely from critical hits. Yours doesn't."

"Tor…!" Torkoal's lip started to quiver.

"However," Blaine resumed, just in time to stop the Pokémon from sobbing. "This isn't necessarily a bad thing. As you saw with Ninetales, an ability that can change the weather at a whim is a terribly powerful one. My concern is that back on Cinnabar, he showed no indication of ever using it. Curious… very curious."

"I've read it in his Pokédex information," Ash affirmed, "but I've never even seen him use it." He crouched by his partner, resting his hand on his shell. "Is something the matter, big guy?"

"Koal…?" Torkoal tilted his head. He was completely puzzled, himself.

"I may have a theory. Although Torkoal was triumphant today, he seemed insecure at a glance. Perhaps, Torkoal has never had the confidence or know-how to activate his own ability."

"You mean that a Pokémon can just… not know how to trigger their own ability?" Dawn asked.

"It's not unheard of," Blaine replied. "Especially if they've never had a tutor with the same."

Ash gasped. "...Of course! When I found Torkoal, he was alone in the Valley of Steel, challenging anyone he could come across. He didn't have any Fire-type companions… He must've never learned it!"

"The Valley of Steel… That's an arid desert, isn't it?" Blaine asked. "It's also possible that in such a scorching environment, he may have never developed the need."

"That… does make sense. Do you think that's true, Torkoal?" Ash asked.

"Tor…" Torkoal hummed. He, himself, was entirely confused. But, knowing he had an entire ability he had no idea how to capitalize on… He hung his head, sullen.

"Then, I have a suggestion," Blaine said. "Ash, allow me to train your Torkoal, and teach him to utilize Drought."

"You, train him…!?" Ash's eyes grew wide. "That'd… be really nice. But that probably means we wouldn't see him for a while, right?" He looked down at the tortoise. He had to wonder… How did he feel about that? Was it the right move?

"Only for a little while," Blaine answered. "Don't go underestimating my teaching skills, kid."

"Hm." Ash hummed. Although he'd miss his friend… An old poem echoed in his head. Without thinking, Ash let it pass his lips. "A Noctowl's Wisdom. Not a product of its own, but born of its flock."

"Ash…?" Dawn trailed off. "Was that a poem!?"

"A poem, indeed," Blaine hummed. "But it doesn't sound like one you'd come up with."

"Nevermind that." Ash shook his head, and smiled upon the Fire-type. "It's up to you, Torkoal. Do you want to train with Blaine for a little while, and get stronger? You know I'll be back for you."

"Tor…" Torkoal hummed, staring up at his trainer. Then, at Pikachu, Charizard, and Rosa. Finally, at Dawn and Empoleon. His tears began to flow freely. He'd had so much fun, traveling with them…

But, if he could continue to grow even stronger to fight alongside Ash…!

"Tor-koaallllll!" Torkoal shouted, expelling a great deal of black smoke. It made the group cough and hack, but he wasn't deterred. He faced Ash with a bold seriousness. The most potent look a Pokémon could give, perhaps, with perpetually closed eyes.

"...I get it. You do." Ash smiled fondly, and crouched down to wrap his arms around the tortoise. "You take care, and behave with Blaine, alright? I'll grow stronger, too, and I'll be waiting for you."

Torkoal nestled his head into the crook in Ash's shoulder, nuzzling him happily. "Torkoal."

Ash left Torkoal's Poké Ball in Blaine's hand. "Here. Now, we should probably get going. We all have a lot to do, now." He took a last look at his partner, his smile bittersweet.

"I'm certain," Blaine agreed. "Take care, kid. And you better blow the blazes out of that League. If you can stand up to my Fire-types, then there should be nothing stopping you."

"You've got it!" Ash beamed, pumping a fist. "Me and Torkoal, Charizard, Pikachu, and Rosa… We're gonna win!" With a two-fingered salute, Ash turned on his heels, and walked towards the exit to the cover. Dawn and Empoleon followed. "Goodbye, Blaine! Bye, Torkoal!"

"See you later, Torkoal!" Dawn waved on the way out.

"Empolll!" Empoleon sobbed.

"Pika Pikaaa!"

"Groahhh!"

~See ya! Get real strong!~

Blaine folded one arm behind his back, while he leaned his weight on his cane with the opposite hand. "...Phew. About time, too. With all of that intense heat, I think I could use a break. These old bones don't take it the way they used to." He nodded his head towards the exit, goading Torkoal.

Though, before they could advance, a cool, invigorating wind hit his back. Instantaneously, the elderly man felt a familiar sense of wonder beyond the ordinary. All of his discomfort built over the course of the fight chilled to null, and the scorching field was paved, once again, with a delicate blanket of cold.

A cry of the divine echoed from the ceiling, and when Blaine looked over his shoulder, diamond dust cascaded from the break in the cove's ceiling.

"Sir…" Merle stammered off. The feeble young man stammered in awe. "You think that was…?"

"Hm." Blaine nodded. He resumed his stroll, with Torkoal following. "I see that they found our battle worth watching."