Pokemon is owned by Gamefreak and all Pokédex entries are from Bulbapedia.
"Butts"- Humans speaking
"Butts"- Pokemon speaking
'Butts'- thoughts
"Butts"-Pokedex entries/TV commentary
The Burning Question
Just as they planned, Ash and his friends boarded the ferry, which was packed as it made its way to Cinnibar Island; home to Ash's 7th gym badge and the Fire type gym leader Blaine.
Misty: I'm really excited to get to Cinnibar, I heard it's beautiful.
Green: But not as beautiful as that badge is gonna be in our possession, right Ash?
Ash: Right. That badge is as good as ours.
Suddenly, a familiar voice piped up as a set of fottstops stopped.
?: Ah, I see your Pokemon finally get to use their stones now.
Surprised at the voice, he turned around to see the person talking was Alain, the same teen that gave Ash his Mega Glove. Next to him was Luna, his Gardevoir and a Charmeleon which he assumed was Ira.
Ash: *smiles* Alain!
Green: Man, it's been a hot minute since we've seen you.
Cobalt: Hey, Luna. Ira.
Luna: Hello, Cobalt.
Ira: Yo.
Brock: It's nice seeing you again, Alain.
Alain: Nice to see you guys too.
Misty: Where's Daisy?
Alain: She said she needed to head back to the gym to make sure things were swimming smoothly. So, what's going on with you guys?
Azula: We;re actually heading over to Cinnibar to get our 7th badge.
Suddenly, all three looked surprisedat the group as they looked down, awkwardly frowning.
Green: What's up?
Alain: Um, guys….. I'm not sure how to tell you all this but…
Ira: Cinnabar Island is a resort. It doesn't have a gym.
Ash: WHAT?! What do you mean it doesn;t have a gym?!
Ira: …I literally just told you.
Alain: I already have my 8 badges for the Indigo League, so we're simply going to Cinnibar for a well deserved break.
Cobalt: But…. Blaine… The Fire types…..
Luna: Sorry, guys. But on the bright side, you can finally catch a break once we arrive on Cinnibar.
Eventually, the ferry stopped as it allowed the passengers, including our heroes, to get off and take in the sights of Cinnibar Island. The group was bombarded by oise and souvenirs as they took in thesights. Though Ash and his party, especially Green, weren't tat happy of campers.
Green: I can;t believe this! A whole 3 weeks! WASTED!
Ash: I know, Green. I'm upset, too….
Brock: Sorry about this, Ash. It does look nice though, you have to admit. Wonder why this island is the one people go to out of all of the Sevii Islands.
They keep walking before they stumbled upon a man that stepped into their path. Hre had long, blonde hair with a bushy mustache, a green bead necklace around his neck, and a pair of sunglasses over his eyes.
Man: The answer to that question, my friend, is a riddle. What do tourists think is COOL AND HOT at the same time?
Misty: "Cool and hot"?
Green: Obviously, if you lay outside an open fridge in a warm blanket, you're HOT AND COOL, right?
Cobalt: Bro, I'm not exactly sure how to respond to that-
Misty: Hot springs! They're hot… And people find them cool.
Green: Pfft. No way that's the right answer-
Man: That's right!
Green: Oh come on!
Man: You see, kiddos. Due to the volcano, lots of hot springs show up out of the blue on Cinnibar Island. *sadly* And every year, tourists come to visit. And now, it's like they've taken over and now trainers don;t even come here anymore. TOURISTS! THEY RUINED THE ISLAND!
Ash: Uh… Sorry to disrupt your dramatic episode, sir. But do you know if there's a gym here?
Man: Of course. The great Blaine's gym is where you put your glasses.
Green: Seriously?! Anothe riddle?! This guy's worse than that rhyming guy from Mt. Moon!
Ash: In front of your eyes?
Man: That's right! *points* It's right in front of you.
The man directs the to what seems to be a wrecked building, which had collapsed upon itself with age.
Azula: Huh…. It seems to be missing something, like…. A wall. And….. 3 more walls.
Brock: It's a wreck!
Man: Yep! Blaine got tired of challenging trainers that cared more about trainers then they do for Pokemon. And as such, he abandoned the gym.
Ash: But I'm not a tourist, I'm a real trainer! I need to challenge the gym for my 7th badge!
Man: Sorry, little friend, but I'm afraid you came to the wrong place.
The boy looked down, disappointed that Green was correct, they really had come to Cinnibar for nothing. The man handed Ash a card, which detailed a place called the "Big Riddle Inn".
Man: Here's my card. In case you need anything.
Ash: Um… *takes card* Thanks.
Misty: An inn? How can you blame tourists for ruining the island then run an inn?
Brock: Gotta make end's meet somehow. Also, he's gone.
They looked ahead, indeed seeing that the man had simply seemed to have disappeared out of thin air. Ash let out a disappointed sigh as he pocketed the card as Green went ver to the gym wreck and kicked it.
Loki: Great! Just great! There's no gym, there's an annoying guy that speaks in riddles, and what's worse?! The ferry won;t return for outgoing passengers until tomorrow, so we're trapped here!
Ash: Loki, don;t worry. We'll find a way to get our 7th badge another way. Come on, let's at least stay to take a small break.
Cobalt smiled and nodded as he, Azula, Loki, and Kestrel followed the humans as they left. Though as Green was about to move, he stopped as he noticed something on the ground. Picking it up, he saw it resembled a red flame with a pink center.
Green: This kinda looks like….
He gasps as he turns it around and right there on the back was a pin and a small stamp resemblng a Pokeball. This stamp is to show the authenticity of-
Green: A gym badge….
Looking to see no one was around, Green pocketed the badge into his vest and walked after his trainer and the party, waiting for his chance to strike.
—-
Eventually, the sun began to set and the group had started to get hungry, so they decided to try checking into the Pokemon Center, only to see people actually camping in the lobby.
Nurse Joy: I'm sorry, but we have no rooms available. We have so many visitors, some are even sleeping in the lobby. It's the busy season.
Green: ….I hate this island.
With disappointed looks, Ash and his friends walked out, only more tired and hungry than earlier.
Brock: I think WE were the only people in that building that were actual Pokemon trainers.
Misty: We could always camp out.
Ash: Let's try that motel over there.
However, the motel Ash suggested was full. As was the next one. And the one after that. And so was the one after that. It was alreasy moonrise as they kept walking, al of them exhausted and hungry, with Kestrel having already fallen asleep in Azula's arms.
Ash: I'm so hungry, I could eat a Tauros.
Misty: I'm too tired to sleep, I just want a nice, soft bed.
Brock: That's it, I'm done. Let's just find someplace to camp out.
However, Cobalt stopped as he sniffed the air, where he subconsciously followed it to what seemed to be a house.
Cobalt: So good~.
Ash: Cobalt? Where are you going?
Azula: We already tried this hotel, it's full.
Cobalt: So unfair. It smells like they're having a banquet.
Suddenly, someone inside got up and opened the door, revealing the person to be the one and only Gary Oak, wearing a kimono as his cheerleaders were inside.
Ash: What the- GARY?!
Green: ….I hate this island.
Gary: Thought I heard something out here. *smirks* Hey look, it's the Sucker Squad!
Misty: Oh yeah? Well, how do you have your cheerleaders after your boxer blunder?
Gary: Turns out, you can do a lot with the right words and some cash to seem like it never happened. So tell me, Ashy. What hotel are you staying at?
Brock: I can tell you. We're staying at the "None Of Your Business" Inn, in their exclusive "Shut Your Stupid Mouth" suite.
Ash snorted, tryig not to burst out laughing as Green high=fived Brock, respectfully smiling as he saw the irked form on the younger Oak's face quickly go back to a smile.
Gary: Well, too bad we don;t have a place like this. We got 5-star cuisine AND a Hitmonlee and Electabuzz in dresses…. For some reason.
Electabuzz: *off-screen* They're kimonos, dick!
Gary: Man, the way you guys actually have to camp at a megga resort like this! I've never seen anyone so pathetic!
Misty: Have you tried looking in a mirror?
Brock: Come on, this guy's not worth our time. Let's go.
Suddenly inside the room, another door opened, revealing a small, spherical pink Pokemon with large blue eyes, pointed ears, and a curl of hair on its head. In its hand was a microphone.
Gary: Great, this must be the entertainment.
Ash: *takes out Pokedex* Entertainment?
Pokedex: Jigglypuff, the Balloon Pokémon. A Normal and Fairy type. Jigglypuff's vocal chords can freely adjust the wavelength of its voice. Never stopping to breathe until it stops singing, the sound waves of its singing voice match the brain waves of someone in a deep sleep.
Cobalt: Uh oh.
Ash: "Uh oh"? Why "uh oh"?
Green: Whenever Jigglypuff sings, it causes anyone around it to fall asleep!
Jigglypuff: Hi, everyone! I'm Jigglypuff! I'm gonna sing this, uh, little song I wrote. I hope you all like it.
As Gary and the cheerleaders clapped and Jigglypuff took a breath to bgin to sing, Cobalt and Green became panicked as Cobalt grabbed Ash and picked up Azula and Kestrel and Green literally carried Misty, Loki, and Brock as they ran out of the hotel's yard.
Cobalt: WE GOTTA GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!
As Jigglypuff then sang, Gary, the cherleader, and the Electabuzz and Hitmonlee then became more and more drowsy, before they eventually fell asleep. As Jigglypuff finished, he stopped as he saw that everyone had fallen asleep, with Gary sucking his thumb, the Electabuzz and Hitmonlee spooning one another, and two of the cheerleaders cuddling like a married couple. Seeing this, Jigglypuff adorably puffed up as he became angry.
Jigglypuff: *growls* WHAT THE FUCK?! Why is it that everytime I sing, everyone falls asleep?! Am I that FUCKING BORING?! I mean, seriously, I'm confused here! I heard today's music.. Not to sound condescending, but it SUCKS compared to me!
The Balloon Pokemon then tore off the round part of his mic, revealing a black marker head.
Jigglypuff: Looks like some people need to be taught a lesson…..
—-
Meanwhile, Ash and the others panted as they stopped at an old plaugtound, Azula sitting with Kestrel on the swing as it swung back and forth.
Ash: That was a close one. We almost got hit with Sing.
Misty: Well at least those guys are sleeping.
Brock: Wait…. Hey, Ash. What about that card that guy gave you earlier?
Ash: Oh yeah, I almost forgot!
He then took out the card, looking it over.
Cobalt: There must be an address on the card or something.
Ash: Hm… "If you look at what swings, you'll see my face, or at least my hands"?
Green: ARRGH! I'M SO TIRED OF ALL THESE RIDDLES!
Azula: Well, I'm on the swings, but I don;t see anyone else's hands or face here.
Misty: See my hands… Or at least my face…. I got it! The card's talking about a clock!
Ash: A clock?
Cobalt: Hey, she's right! *points up* Look up there!
They followed Cobalt's "finger", where they saw a large building on the hill. On its front is a large clock.
Ash: There's a clock on that building… *realization* That must be the Big Riddle Inn!
Hoping to see if Misty was right, they walked up the hill and entered the building, where lo and behold, the man wa seen sitting behind a desk in what seemed to be a motel lobby.
Man: Once again, my friends, you solved it!
Ash: Thinking about it now, it was kinda easy.
Man: As a prize, I'll give you three romms for free.
Green: Man, his riddles sure are stupid, but the prizes are brilliant!
Cobalt: Hopefully this guy isn't a Speaker.
Man: And judging by how y'all were out there all night, I assume you'd like some dinner.
Brock: If it's any consolation, I can help cook.
Man: *nods* I'd appreciate that a ton.
Brock and the man went into the kitchen just as he gave Ash the room keys, where Misty would take a room as Ash and Brock shared with Cobalt and Green. Ash and Misty sat at the table as Ash released Psi, Yami, and Aiden while Misty let out Harold, Perry, and Staryu. However, when Ash wasn;t looking and his vest was just open enough, Green quickly leaned over and pinned the badge he found into the inside, right below the Rainbow Badge.
Green: *sighs* Finally….
Cobalt: Finally what?
Green: Uh…. Finally… We got a place to stay for the night.
Brock: Soup's on!
Brock and the man sat down, passing out plates of rice pilaf to Misty and Ash as Brock poured the Pokemon their Poke Chow. Though he gave Azula a bottle of formula to feed Kestrel herself.
Azula: There you go. Drink it all for Momma…
Misty: ….That's literally the most adorable thing I've ever seen.
Ash nodded as they began eating. However, as they ate, the man looked over to Ash, his eyes widening as he spotted the badge Green found in his vest with his other badges.
Man: Where'd you get that badge?
Ash: *points to Thunder Badge* Oh, this? It's the Thunder Badge. You see, my Lucario, Cobalt, won it for me. It actually helped us get a lot closer as frie-
Man: Not that! *points at red badge* That!
Ash: What?... I never got this badge before?
Man: That's the Volcano Badge; the one Blaine gave to those who beat him in a gym battle. How did you get it?
Ash: I don;t know, it wasn;t there a second ago.
Ash suddenly turned as he heard Green whistle nonchalantly as he looked away, nervously glancing at him.
Misty: Sir, he didn;t take the badge in case you were wondering.
Brock: Yeah, Ash is no thief.
Ash: Wait, if this is Blaine's badge… Why do YOU have it?
The man jolted at the surprise question, but seeing no way out of it, he sighed and looked him in the eye.
Man: Before Blaine disappeared, he built a gym hidden somewhere on the island.
Ash: He did? So is that how you got this badge?
Man: *chuckles* All I'm gonna tell you is this… It's in a palace where firefighters can never win. Sleep on it tonight. Oh, and feel free to use the hot springs tomorrow. After all, they're what gave Cinnibar its fame.
As he walks off, Green rolls his eyes at the man, only to see Cobalt, Ash, and his other Pokemon looking at him and frowning.
Green: Uh… Gee, Blaine had a gym this whole time? Who would've thought?
Cobalt: Dude! You STOLE that guy's Volcano Badge?!
Green: What, no! I didn;t steal it!
Ash: Green, I know you put it in my vest while I wasn;t looking.
Green: Look, okay, I did do that, I'm sorry. I just felt bad you came here for nothing and wanted to cheer you up.
Ash: *sighs* Green, listen. I appreciate it, but… You can;t just give me a badge I didn;t earn. It's illegitimate.
Green: I…. I guess I didn;t think it through. I'm sorry….. But I didn;t steal it. I found it on the ground back at the gym wreckage.
Azula: You…. You found that badge on the ground?
Green: Yeah, just as that guy left. I didn;t even know it was a badge until I looked at the back.
Cobalt: So, if trainers don't come here to the gym… How did that guy get that gym badge?
—-
The next day, our heroes decided to take the man's advice and take a dip in the hot springs, with Ash, Brock, most of Ash's Pokemon, and Loki staying on the male's side and Misty and Azula going to the women's.
Ash: What do you think the answer could be, Psi?
Psi: "Where a firefighter could never win"... This riddle even baffles me.
Green: I knew riddles were nothing but trouble.
Brock: I'm really stumped on this one, Ash.
Ash: So is Psi, and they're the smartest out of all of us.
Cobalt: I saw a bookshelf in the Inn, maybe that could give you a clue?
Psi: Hmm, perhaps. *gets up* I shall go inside and investigate.
Psi walked over to the inn, opening the door as they walked by the bedrooms and then eventually into the lobby of the motel, where they went over to the bookcase and looked through the books.
Psi: Hmm, F, F, F. "Flashlights and you", "Fairy Tale Galar Glaore", "Fried Fertatas: 1001 recipes" Ah, here it is! "Firefighting; Where to and not to fight flames".
As the Alakazam pulled out the book, another one suddenly fell out of the shelf, catching Psi's attention as they then picked it up.
Psi: 'It seems to be some kind of diary.'
Though these kinds of books should be kept in private, curiosity got the best of Psi as theybthen opened the diary to where the bookmark sat. From the type of vocabulary used and the diagrams, Psi deduced this diary came from a scientist.
Psi: "July 5th; Today, while on our journey through the densest part of the jungle in Alola, we were surprised to discover a new Pokémon." *amazed* A new Pokemon? Incredible… "July 10th; We decided to name the recently discovered Pokémon: Mew." Mew?... As in the mythical Pokemon of origin? Could…. Could Mew truly be real?
Shaking this off, Psi read on, skipping more and more pages before one caught his eye as the page seemed to be stained with… blood?
Psi: "February 6th; From our master seeing the potential within Mew, he has ordered us to use it in an experiment to grant him the ultimate weapon. We have managed to create a weapon in a most interesting format. An entirely new Pokémon: Mewtwo." ….Mewtwo? "September 1st; We have failed to curb its vicious tendencies… It has become far too strong. It is beyond even us now."...
They turned the page to see if there was any more, only to see that the rest of the pages were blank, except for the blood that had bled through from the previous page. Though concerned, Psi stopped as some sort of rumbling came from outside. They immediately yeleported outside in a hurry, spotting a passage now opening in the rock wall as Misty, Ash, and Brock began getting dressed.
Psi: What happened?
Azula: I don;t know. We were just relaxing in the tub and then suddenly, Kestrel wandered off and started playing around on the tap fixture.
Ash: And then the barricade got knocked over and that doorway showed up.
Brock: Wonder where it goes.
Ash: Well, there's only one qay to find out.
After Ash recalled Psi, he led the group into the passade, where they went down a set of stairs that was illuminated by a set of candles. Though as they went deeper down the stairs, they noticed that it seemed to get more and more hotter.
Misty: Phew… Is it me or is it getting hotter?
Brock: Yeah, the temp sure is climbing, alright.
Eventually, they reached the bottom of the stairs, where the came across a pair of giant metal doors.
Ash: A door? What's a door doing down here?
Cobalt shrugged as he reached to grab the handle, only to recoil and yowl in pain as he caressed his paw.
Azula: Are you okay?!
Ash: What happened?!
Cobalt: Hot! That door's red hot!
Suddenly, the doors opened by themselves revealing what seemed to be a small battlefield hung by chains over a pool of lava.
Ash: Blaine's secret gym.
Brock: The riddle's right. No firefighter can win in this place.
Green: We're in the heart of a freaking volcano!
Cobalt: No wonder it's so hot.
Suddenly, lights from above came on, revealing the man from earlier on the otherside of the field.
Man: I guess you solved the riddle once more. Yep, this is Blaine's secret gym, built in the heart of the Cinnibar Volcano,
Ash: What are you doing here?
Green: I swear if he says another riddle, I'm gonna scream.
Man: It keeps your head dry in the rain, but the only reason you'd wear it was because you've alreafy lost it.
The Sceptile then took a deep inhale through his nose before collapsing ont his knees. And afterwards, much to everyone;s surprise, he actually kept true to his word as he let out a long, loud scream that echoed through the arena. He stopped, panting harshly as Cobalt helped him up.
Cobalt: You good?
Green: Is this real life?
Man: Not a fan of riddles?
Ash: He's…. Been through a lot the past few days.
Man: Well then, as a token of my condolences, allow me to make this a freebee…. The answer….
The man says this before gripping his hair before tearing not only it, but his mustache and sunglasses off, revealing him to be an aged man with thinning silver hair.
Man: Is a wig! And now you know the truth!
Ash: *gasps* You're…. Bald?!
Man: Yes- What? No, I'm not bald! I'm... thinning. The truth is that I'm no ordinary man! I am Blaine, the Cinnibar gym leader!
Brock: Oh,,,, That makes a whole lot more sense.
Ash: So, that's why you had the Volcano Badge.
Blaine: Yes, when I gave you my card yesterday, it must have slipped out of my pocket. And I see your Pokemon with his whistling was the reason you got it.
Realizing what had happened due to Blaine's confession, Ash looked like he was about to challenge Blaine… Only to walk around the arena to Blaine and hold out the Volcano Badge to him.
Ash: Here.
Blaine: ….What?
Misty: Ash, what are you doing?
Ash: I'm giving him his badge back. I didn;t earn it. It;s not fair to keep it. *to Blaine* I'm really sorry about what happened, Sir. I'll leave if you want me too.
Blaine was… Legitimately stumped at the actions of Ash. He would;ve expected Ash to just walk out with the badge. But here he was, giving it back to him. Though as he took the badge back, he gained an idea.
Blaine: Well, here's another riddle…. What do you call two trainers using 3 Pokemon in this area and a badge being in the balance?
Ash: A standard…. Gym… Battle…. You mean…?
Blaine: nodded and smiled, which only seemed to excite Ash as he hurried over to the other side of the arena, ready for battle.
Brock: I could referee the match if you don;t have one.
Blaine: *nods* Knock yourself out.
Brock nodded in agreement as Ash readied himself, ready to finally get his 7th gym battle underway. However, unknown to him, a quadrapedal figure with curved horns watched from above, its eyes narrowing at the sight of Ash.
?: You will pay for what you have done to my master… Capped One…..
TO BE CONTINUED…
—-
Ash's Team
Lucario: Cobalt
Sceptile: Green
Alakazam: Psi
Gengar: Yami
Charizard: Aidan
Drizzile: Azula
Togepi: Kestrel
Rotom: Sparky (at Oak's lab)
Umbreon *shiny*: Blacky (at home)
Misty's Team
Staryu
Psyduck: Perry
Gyarados: Mel (Malestrom)
Squirtle: Loki
Wimpod: Harold
Goldeen: Bella (at gym)
Horsea: Jeff
Starmie (at gym)
Butterfree: Alex (at gym)
Tentacool: Charles (at gym)
Brock's Team
Onix
Geodude
Golbat: Nightwing
Bulbasaur
Croagunk
Mankey: John
Krabby (at gym)
Jessie's Team
Arbok
Wobbuffet
Yanmega
Seviper
James's Team
Weezing
Inkay
Growlithe: Growlie
Carnivine