Training under Blaine was nothing like Ashley had expected. It wasn't just hard—it was brutal. The lab inside the volcano wasn't just a place for battling; it was a full-on training facility designed to push Fire-types and their trainers to their limits. Every corner was optimized for controlled intensity: lava channels lined the edges of the cavernous room, radiating heat that made every move feel like a workout. Metal training dummies, heat-resistant targets, and even a ring of fire for agility drills dotted the space.

From the moment Ashley stepped in with Mars and Vulcan, Blaine wasted no time throwing them into the deep end.

"Alright," Blaine barked, his arms crossed as he surveyed the trio. "If we're going to make something of you three in two weeks, there's no time to waste. We'll start with Vulcan. He's got potential, but he's got a lot of catching up to do if he's going to keep up with that Charmander of yours."

Ashley glanced at Vulcan, who stood at attention beside her. His tail wagged slightly, but his eyes were focused and determined.

"Let's do it," she said, adjusting her hat and kneeling down to ruffle Vulcan's fur. "You ready to level up, buddy?"

Vulcan barked sharply, his tail flicking with excitement.

Blaine strode back and forth in front of Ashley and Vulcan, his hands clasped behind his back like a drill sergeant sizing up his recruits. The lab's heat lent an extra edge to his words, the faint smell of molten rock in the air making every moment feel intense.

"Most trainers," Blaine began, his voice sharp and deliberate, "think that throwing a TM at a Pokémon is enough. They slap the disc on, watch the little light show, and then—boom—they expect perfection." He stopped pacing, turning to fix Ashley with a piercing stare. "You know what that gets you?"

Ashley paused mid-scribble, glancing up from her notebook. "Uh... a half-baked move?"

Blaine smirked. "Exactly. A Pokémon that can perform the move but doesn't own it. And if your Pokémon doesn't understand the move—really understand it—how can you expect them to use it effectively when it matters most?"

Ashley nodded furiously, her pencil scratching against the paper as she tried to keep up. "Okay, so how do we make Vulcan own it?"

"Intent," Blaine said, his tone firm as he crossed his arms. "Your Pokémon needs to know what it's creating and why. Substitute isn't just some flashy trick—it's survival. It's about leaving something behind that's convincing enough to take the heat, giving you the time you need to regroup or counterattack. If Vulcan's just going through the motions, the decoy's going to be weak, short-lived, and, frankly, useless."

Vulcan tilted his head, his ears flicking as he listened closely.

Blaine crouched down to meet Growlithe's gaze, pointing toward a large, metal training dummy in the center of the gym. "Alright, Growlithe. Picture this: that thing over there? It's coming for you. Fast and hard."

Vulcan's hackles rose slightly, and he let out a low growl, his amber eyes narrowing as he locked onto the dummy.

"Good," Blaine said, his tone low but encouraging. "Now here's the catch—you're not dodging. You're not running. You're leaving something behind to take the hit for you. That's what Substitute is. It's your escape route. Your shield. You've got to believe you're making something strong enough to stand in for you."

Ashley stepped back, watching as Blaine guided Vulcan through the mental steps. She'd never thought about TMs this way before—like they were tools, not shortcuts. It was as if Blaine was peeling back the layers of the move, showing her and Vulcan how it worked from the inside out.

"Alright," Blaine said, his voice softening as he leaned closer to Vulcan. "You see it?"

Vulcan growled again, his muscles tensing as he kept his focus on the dummy.

"Good," Blaine said, stepping back and motioning to Ashley. "Let him try."

Ashley clutched her notebook tightly, feeling a surge of nervous energy. "Alright, Vulcan, you heard him," she said, her voice steady but tinged with excitement. "Substitute!"

Vulcan crouched low, his fur bristling as he concentrated. For a moment, his body flickered faintly, a shimmer of light forming around him—but it quickly fizzled out, leaving him standing there, panting slightly.

Ashley frowned, but Blaine didn't seem bothered. "Not bad for a first attempt," he said, nodding approvingly. "But it's not enough to want the move to happen. He's got to commit to it."

"Commit how?" Ashley asked, glancing between Blaine and Vulcan.

"Picture it," Blaine said, gesturing toward the Growlithe. "He needs to see the Substitute in his mind. Every detail. The shape, the size, the feel of it standing there in his place. If it doesn't exist in here—" he tapped the side of his temple, "—it won't exist out here."

Ashley crouched beside Vulcan, resting a hand on his back. "You hear that, buddy? We've gotta up our imagination game."

Vulcan barked softly, his tail wagging faintly as he tilted his head at her.

"Let's try again," Blaine said, his voice calm but commanding. "And this time, I want you to believe it's there."

Vulcan crouched again, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the dummy. His fur bristled as he let out a sharp bark, and this time, the shimmering light began to take shape. A faint outline of a decoy appeared in front of him, flickering like a mirage but holding steady for a few moments before fading.

Ashley gasped, clapping her hands together. "Yes! That's it!"

"It's a start," Blaine said, though his tone carried a note of approval. "He's got the basics now. The rest is refinement."

The rest of the day was spent refining that flicker into something solid. Blaine gave Vulcan pointers on how to hold the image longer, while Ashley cheered him on and scribbled notes like a madwoman. Mars even jumped in at one point, demonstrating his own Substitute with practiced ease, which seemed to fire Vulcan up even more.

By the time evening rolled around, Vulcan stood proudly in the center of the lab, a solid, glowing decoy standing beside him. The decoy's features mirrored his perfectly, down to the fiery gleam in its eyes and the way its tail wagged slightly.

Ashley clapped so hard her palms stung, her grin stretching from ear to ear. "Nice work, Vulcan!" she called, running over to give him a high-five.

Vulcan barked happily, returning the gesture with a paw before bounding over to Mars, who gave him an approving nudge.

Blaine crossed his arms, a satisfied smirk on his face. "Not bad, kid," he said, glancing at Ashley. "You and Vulcan make a good team. But don't think for a second that you've mastered it yet. Substitute is a move you can always improve on. The stronger his confidence, the stronger his decoy will be."

Ashley nodded, her notebook still clutched in one hand as she looked down at her panting but ecstatic Growlithe. "Got it. We'll keep working on it. Right, Vulcan?"

Vulcan barked again, his tail wagging furiously as he looked up at her with shining eyes.

Blaine turned toward the lab's exit, motioning for them to follow. "That's enough for today. Get some rest—you're going to need it for tomorrow."

Ashley stood, slinging her notebook into her bag as she looked down at her Pokémon. "Hear that, guys? We're just getting started."

Mars and Vulcan chirped in unison, their energy still buzzing despite the long day of training. As they followed Blaine out of the gym, Ashley couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. Her team was growing stronger, and for the first time, she could see just how far they could go together.

The following day, the heat in the lab felt even more intense, as if the volcano itself knew they were about to push their limits again. Blaine didn't waste any time. The moment Ashley and her team stepped onto the training floor, he gestured toward a series of targets arranged in a chaotic pattern across the room. Some were stationary, others rotated slowly, and a few zipped back and forth on tracks like hyperactive Voltorb.

"This move," Blaine said, holding up a TM with a calm, practiced air, "is all about precision. Swift is famous for not missing, but that's only half the equation. If your Pokémon's energy is scattered, those stars are just as likely to hit the wrong target—or bounce back at you."

Ashley tilted her head, her notebook already in hand. "Wait, so they don't miss but could still hit the wrong thing?"

Blaine smirked, clearly enjoying the teachable moment. "Exactly. The stars will land somewhere, but it's up to Vulcan to guide them to the right place. Control is everything."

Vulcan barked, his tail wagging eagerly as he stepped forward, ready for the challenge.

"Alright, buddy, let's see what you've got," Ashley said, crouching down and ruffling his fur. "You ready to light this place up?"

Vulcan gave a sharp bark, his chest puffed out confidently.

Blaine handed the TM to Ashley, and with her guidance, Vulcan learned Swift in moments. The glowing stars flickered faintly around him as the knowledge of the move settled into his mind. He shook his fur out, looking excited but unsure.

"Let's start simple," Blaine said, stepping back and pointing to a stationary target in the center of the room. "Vulcan, aim for that one. Focus on the energy inside you—don't just launch it. Guide it."

Vulcan barked again, crouching low as the golden stars began to form around him. With a sharp bark, he launched the first volley. The stars shot forward, glowing brightly as they zoomed toward the target—but instead of a clean hit, they scattered wildly, bouncing off the target's edge. One ricocheted off the wall and zipped past Blaine's head, close enough to ruffle the edges of his lab coat.

Ashley winced, clutching her notebook tightly. "Uh, sorry about that," she said, her voice sheepish.

Blaine didn't flinch, calmly adjusting his sunglasses. "Not bad for a first try," he said evenly, though there was a glimmer of amusement in his tone. "He's got power, but no focus. Vulcan's trying to brute-force it. That's not going to work here."

Ashley crouched down beside Vulcan, who looked a little dejected, his ears drooping. She scratched behind his ear and gave him an encouraging smile. "Hey, it's okay. We've got this. You're strong—we just need to dial it in. One step at a time, right?"

Vulcan's ears perked up slightly, and he let out a determined bark.

Blaine nodded approvingly. "Good attitude. Let's keep going."

The next few hours were spent refining Vulcan's Swift attack, and it was... a process. Blaine pushed him hard, running him through every type of target the lab had to offer. At first, the stars continued to scatter wildly, hitting multiple targets with no real pattern. But with each attempt, Vulcan grew a little more confident, his energy more controlled.

"Focus, Growlithe," Blaine said as Vulcan prepared another attack. "Don't think of the stars as separate from you. They're an extension of your will. Where you look, they go."

Ashley clapped her hands. "You hear that, Vulcan? Think of yourself as a star commander. You're the boss—they've gotta follow your orders!"

Vulcan barked sharply, his tail wagging as he crouched low. This time, when he launched his attack, the stars were sharper, their movements more deliberate. Two hit the moving target dead center, while the third barely clipped it.

"That's it!" Ashley cheered, pumping her fist in the air. "You're getting it!"

Mars, who had been watching from the sidelines, stepped forward with a determined glint in his eye. He glanced at Ashley, then at Vulcan, before stepping into position beside the Growlithe.

"What's up, Mars?" Ashley asked, tilting her head. "You wanna help?"

Mars nodded, letting out a firm "Char!"

Blaine raised an eyebrow but didn't intervene. "Interesting. Let's see what your Charmander's got."

Mars crouched low, his tail flame flaring brightly as he launched a volley of stars toward one of the rotating targets. Each one hit dead center, the golden light shimmering against the metal surface.

Ashley whistled, clearly impressed. "Okay, show-off. Save some brilliance for the rest of us."

Mars gave a playful smirk, then turned to Vulcan, gesturing with his claws as if to say, Watch and learn.

Vulcan watched closely as Mars repeated the attack, this time focusing on a faster-moving target. The stars zipped through the air with precision, striking the target in rapid succession. Vulcan's eyes narrowed, his competitive spirit kicking in.

"Alright, Vulcan," Ashley said, crouching beside him. "You see how he's doing it? The focus, the control? Let's try that again."

Vulcan barked sharply, his tail wagging as he squared his stance. This time, when the stars formed around him, they glowed brighter, their movements steadier. With a sharp bark, he launched them toward a rotating target. The stars zipped through the air, striking the target cleanly in a neat cluster.

"Boom! Nailed it!" Ashley shouted, throwing her hands up in triumph.

Vulcan barked excitedly, his tail wagging so hard it was practically a blur. Mars gave him an approving nod, nudging him lightly with his head.

Blaine adjusted his sunglasses, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Not bad," he said, his tone calm but genuinely impressed. "He's starting to get it. But don't stop here. Keep refining it. The more control he has, the more versatile that move will be."

By the end of the day, Vulcan's Swift was sharp and precise. The lab's targets were littered with scorch marks and faint scratches from the repeated volleys, but Ashley couldn't have cared less.

She knelt down beside Vulcan, scratching behind his ears. "Look at you, hotshot," she teased, her grin stretching from ear to ear. "You've got some serious skills now."

Vulcan barked proudly, his tail wagging as he looked up at her with shining eyes. Mars stepped forward, nudging Vulcan playfully before standing beside him, their tails swishing in unison.

By the third day of Blaine's intense training regimen, Vulcan was finally catching up to Mars's skill level. Growlithe's movements were sharper, his confidence stronger, and his ability to harness the energy from TMs was becoming second nature. Still, when Blaine announced that Double Team would be their next challenge, Ashley could feel Vulcan tense up slightly.

"It's not just about making copies," Blaine explained, his voice calm but deliberate as he stood in front of Ashley and her Pokémon. His gaze shifted between Vulcan and Mars, his sharp eyes carrying the weight of his experience. "It's about selling the illusion. If your opponent can tell which one is the real you, you've already lost."

Ashley furiously jotted down notes, her pencil scratching against the notebook as she glanced up. "So... it's like acting?"

Blaine smirked, crossing his arms. "Exactly. Confidence, timing, and speed are key. Your Growlithe needs to believe in every copy he creates. If he hesitates, even for a second, the illusion falls apart."

He turned to Vulcan, gesturing toward the center of the lab where the floor was marked with faint scorch marks from previous training sessions. "Alright, Growlithe. Show me what you've got."

Vulcan stepped forward, his tail wagging slightly as he crouched into position. His amber eyes locked onto the target dummy ahead, his ears twitching as he focused. With a low growl, he leaped into action, his body blurring for a split second as faint flickers of light appeared beside him.

But the copies didn't hold. They flickered weakly, out of sync with his movements, and disappeared almost as quickly as they formed. Vulcan stumbled slightly as he landed, his tail drooping in frustration.

"Don't beat yourself up," Ashley said quickly, stepping closer to him. She crouched down, giving him a reassuring pat on the head. "This one's tricky, but you'll get it. We just need to figure out what's missing."

Blaine nodded, his tone thoughtful as he addressed the Growlithe. "You're hesitating. You're trying to create the copies, but you don't trust them to hold their own. Remember—they're not just shadows. They're reflections of you. Move like they're all equally real."

Vulcan barked softly, his ears perking up slightly at Blaine's words.

Mars, who had been sitting off to the side, stood up and trotted over to join them. His tail flame swayed as he gave Vulcan a confident nod, then stepped forward to demonstrate.

"Alright, Charmander," Blaine said, his tone carrying a hint of challenge. "Let's see what you've got."

Mars crouched low, his tail flame flaring brightly as he darted forward. In an instant, ten identical copies of him appeared, each moving in perfect unison. They circled the training dummy in a fluid, synchronized dance, their movements so seamless that even Ashley couldn't tell which one was the real Mars.

"See that?" Ashley said, crouching beside Vulcan as Mars and his copies vanished in a flicker of light. "That's the goal. Every copy needs to be just as convincing as the original. But don't worry—you've got this."

Vulcan growled softly, his tail wagging as he squared his shoulders and stepped forward again. This time, his movements were more deliberate, his focus sharper. He crouched low, his fur bristling as he tried again.

The light flickered around him, and this time, the copies held for a moment longer. They were still faint, still out of sync, but it was progress.

"Better," Blaine said, his tone encouraging. "Now let's try it again. Confidence, Growlithe. Don't think—just move."

The rest of the day was a blur of trial and error. Blaine's voice rang out across the lab, guiding Vulcan through each attempt. "Faster!" "Hold the image!" "Move like you mean it!" Ashley cheered him on from the sidelines, her voice filled with encouragement as she clutched her notebook.

Mars stayed close, jumping in to demonstrate whenever Vulcan seemed stuck. His presence seemed to calm the Growlithe, and with each attempt, Vulcan's copies grew stronger and more stable.

By mid-afternoon, Vulcan was finally starting to get the hang of it. His copies moved more fluidly, their shapes clearer and more convincing.

"Nice one, Vulcan!" Ashley called, clapping her hands as he created three identical clones that circled the target dummy. "You're getting there!"

Vulcan barked happily, his tail wagging as he glanced back at Ashley. But his distraction caused the copies to flicker and vanish.

"Focus, Growlithe!" Blaine barked, his voice sharp but not unkind. "Your opponent won't wait for you to admire your work."

Ashley winced slightly but nodded. "He's right, Vulcan. Let's try it again—this time, no looking back. Stay in the zone."

Vulcan huffed softly, shaking out his fur as he squared his stance once more.

By the time the sun began to set, Vulcan was a different Pokémon. His final attempt of the day was nearly flawless—five identical clones surrounded the target dummy, each moving with perfect synchronization. They darted left, then right, weaving through each other in a dizzying display of speed and precision.

Ashley leaped to her feet, her grin stretching from ear to ear. "Yes! That's it!" she shouted, pumping her fist in the air. "Vulcan, you nailed it!"

Vulcan barked triumphantly, his tail wagging furiously as he bounded over to Ashley. She crouched down, wrapping her arms around him in a quick hug. "I knew you could do it," she said, ruffling his fur.

Mars trotted over as well, giving Vulcan an approving nudge before the two began playfully sparring, their energy still buzzing from the day's success.

Ashley sank to the gym floor, cross-legged, her notebook resting on her lap as she watched her two Fire-types wrestle and tumble in the background.

"Blaine," she said, glancing over at the Fire Master, who was leaning against a nearby table, polishing his sunglasses. "These techniques you're teaching us? They're a goldmine. I can't thank you enough."

Blaine smirked, slipping his sunglasses back on with a casual shrug. "Don't thank me yet, kid. We're just getting started."

Ashley grinned, glancing at Mars and Vulcan. "I don't know," she said lightly, her tone teasing but sincere. "If Vulcan can learn this much in three days, imagine what we can do in two weeks."

Blaine's smirk widened. "That's the spirit. But don't get comfortable—I've got a few surprises in store for you tomorrow."

Ashley laughed, tapping her pencil against her notebook as she leaned back on her hands. "Bring it on. We're ready for anything."

The next phase of Blaine's training was where the heat really turned up—literally. Fire-technique training wasn't about flashy moves or raw power, as Ashley quickly learned. Blaine insisted on starting small, almost maddeningly so.

"You want to master Fire-type moves?" Blaine said, pacing in front of Mars and Vulcan with his hands clasped behind his back. "Then forget about power for now. Control is the foundation of every great Fire-type technique. Without it, your Pokémon's flames are just chaos."

Ashley stood off to the side, notebook in hand as she scribbled furiously. "Control over power," she muttered, underlining the phrase twice. "Got it. So, where do we start?"

Blaine smirked and reached into a nearby box, pulling out a collection of small, unlit candles. "Here," he said simply, placing them in a row on the lab's floor.

Ashley blinked. "Candles? That's it?"

"Patience, kid," Blaine replied, setting up another row of candles a few feet away. "Your Charmander and Growlithe are still in their first evolutionary stages. They don't have to worry about managing overwhelming amounts of power yet—but that doesn't mean they don't need precision. We're starting small because if they can't control a flame here, they'll never manage moves like Fire Spin or Flamethrower later."

Ashley nodded slowly, glancing down at Mars and Vulcan. "Alright, guys. You ready to light things up?"

Mars puffed out his chest, his tail flame swaying brightly as he stepped forward. Vulcan followed, his ears perked and his amber eyes fixed on the row of candles in front of him.

"Good," Blaine said, standing back to observe. "Now, I want each of you to use Ember. The goal is simple: light the candle without melting it into a puddle of wax. Start small, controlled bursts."

Mars and Vulcan exchanged a glance before crouching low, their tails flicking with anticipation.

"Alright, Mars, you're up first," Ashley said, motioning toward the closest candle. "Let's show 'em what you've got."

Mars nodded, narrowing his eyes as he inhaled deeply. A tiny spark of flame formed in his mouth, glowing brighter as he released it in a short, sharp burst. The flame shot forward and struck the wick, instantly igniting the candle—but also reducing half of it to a dripping mess.

Ashley winced. "Uh... A+ for enthusiasm?"

Blaine raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but critical. "Too much force. He needs to focus on the size of the flame, not the speed. Go again."

Mars looked slightly embarrassed, his tail flame flickering lower for a moment. Ashley crouched beside him, resting a hand on his back. "Hey, it's alright. First try. We'll get it." She grinned at him. "Think of it like blowing out a match. You don't need a gust—you just need the right touch."

Mars perked up, his flame brightening as he nodded.

"Vulcan, you're next," Blaine said, motioning to the Growlithe. "Same instructions. Control, not power."

Vulcan stepped forward, his claws clicking softly against the gym floor. He opened his mouth, a small flicker of flame forming at the back of his throat. When he released it, the ember arced through the air and hit the candle's wick—but instead of igniting, it snuffed out in a puff of smoke.

Ashley bit her lip to stifle a laugh as Vulcan blinked at the unlit candle, tilting his head in confusion. "Well... that was definitely controlled," she said, earning a soft growl from Vulcan, who looked determined to do better.

The hours that followed were filled with trial and error. Mars and Vulcan took turns, each attempt bringing them closer to the balance Blaine was pushing them toward. The first few hours were rough—Mars's flames were either too strong, leaving melted stumps in their wake, or too weak, flickering out before they reached their target. Vulcan, on the other hand, struggled to generate enough heat to catch the wicks, his embers often falling short.

"Breathe, Growlithe," Blaine instructed as Vulcan prepared for another attempt. "Your flame comes from within. Don't force it. Let it flow naturally."

Vulcan closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling as he steadied himself. This time, when he released the flame, it was steady and precise, igniting the wick without so much as a scorch mark on the wax.

"Yes!" Ashley cheered, throwing her arms up. "That's what I'm talking about!"

Mars barked encouragingly, his tail flame swaying as he prepared for his turn.

"Focus, Charmander," Blaine said as Mars stepped forward. "You're close, but you're still rushing. Slow it down."

Mars growled softly, narrowing his eyes as he released a small burst of flame. It hit the wick perfectly, the candle flaring to life without any damage.

"Perfect!" Ashley exclaimed, clapping her hands.

As the days stretched on, Blaine's training became more intricate and demanding, a carefully calculated progression that kept Ashley, Mars, and Vulcan constantly on their toes. What began with single candles lined neatly in a row quickly escalated to chaotic clusters of varying sizes and shapes, placed at unpredictable distances around the lab. Some candles were set close together, practically begging for a single wide burst of flame to light them all at once, while others were spaced far apart, requiring sharp, precise embers to hit their marks.

Blaine's voice carried across the lab like a drill sergeant's, sharp and unwavering. "Don't get comfortable! Each flame needs to be deliberate. Every ember you release must have a purpose. If you're just shooting blindly, you're wasting energy—and in a battle, wasted energy can cost you the match."

Mars, with his natural flair for intensity, tended to go too big, his embers flaring hot and fast but often overshooting their targets. More than once, a candle's wax dripped into a melted puddle as Ashley called out encouragement from the sidelines. "Dial it back, Mars! It's not a bonfire—you're aiming for finesse!"

On the other hand, Vulcan, ever the methodical thinker, struggled with hesitation. His embers were often perfectly aimed but lacked the heat needed to catch the wick on the first try.

"Don't second-guess yourself, Growlithe," Blaine said, crouching down to meet Vulcan's focused gaze. "Confidence. Fire is as much about instinct as it is control. Trust yourself, and the flames will follow."

Ashley knelt beside him, scratching behind Vulcan's ears as she added, "You've got this, buddy. Remember how you crushed those candles yesterday? You're a natural!"

Vulcan barked softly, his tail swishing in tentative determination as he prepared for another attempt.

By the end of the week, the progress was undeniable. Mars's embers, once wild and unrestrained, became tighter and more focused, his aim improving with each session. Vulcan's hesitation melted away, replaced by a growing confidence that fueled his flames with just the right amount of heat and intensity.

Blaine began setting up moving targets—candles mounted on small, rotating platforms that spun at unpredictable speeds. The challenge forced Mars and Vulcan to think quickly, adjusting their timing and angles on the fly.

Mars nailed it first, his embers streaking through the air to hit three spinning wicks in rapid succession. Ashley threw her arms up in celebration. "That's what I'm talking about, Mars! Nailed it!"

Vulcan, not to be outdone, narrowed his eyes and crouched low, releasing a controlled burst of flame that curved slightly mid-air, striking two of the spinning candles with precision.

Ashley gasped, clapping her hands. "Vulcan, did you just curve your ember? You're a total pro!"

Blaine gave an approving nod, his arms crossed as he watched the duo. "Good. Now let's see if you can sustain it."

Blaine unveiled his next test: a tall, ornate candelabrum with six unlit candles spaced evenly around its edges. The sight alone was intimidating—this wasn't about hitting single targets anymore. This was about endurance, control, and precision all rolled into one.

"This," Blaine announced, gesturing toward the candelabrum, "is where you learn to maintain a steady output of flame. Fire Spin and any other sustained Fire-type moves demand more than just bursts of power. They require consistency. Without it, your flames will burn out before they've done any real damage."

Ashley crouched between Mars and Vulcan, resting a hand on each of their backs. "Alright, guys. One shot. We've got this. Focus on what we've practiced—small, steady flames. No rushing, no second-guessing. Just let it flow."

Mars was up first. He puffed out his chest, his tail flame glowing brightly as he prepared to strike. With a deep inhale, he released a stream of embers, each one curving toward a candle in turn. The first four lit up in rapid succession, but by the fifth, Mars faltered slightly, his stream flickering as he struggled to maintain the pace. He stumbled forward, releasing one last burst of energy to catch the final wick just in time.

"Not bad," Blaine said, nodding approvingly. "But you're losing focus near the end. You need to pace yourself. The goal isn't to finish fast—it's to finish strong."

Ashley gave Mars an encouraging pat. "You'll get it, buddy. That was awesome for a first try."

Mars barked, his tail wagging as he stepped back to let Vulcan take his turn.

Vulcan inhaled deeply, his ears twitching as he locked onto the candelabrum. This time, his confidence was unmistakable. He released a steady ember, the flame weaving gracefully around the candles like a dancer. One by one, the wicks flared to life, each perfectly lit with just the right amount of heat.

"Yes!" Ashley shouted, springing to her feet as the final candle flickered to life. "That's what I'm talking about! Vulcan, you crushed it!"

Mars barked in agreement, nudging Vulcan playfully with his head. The Growlithe wagged his tail, his tongue lolling out in a happy pant as Ashley crouched down to give him a hug.

As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the volcanic lab, Ashley sat cross-legged on the floor, her notebook resting on her lap. Mars and Vulcan sparred playfully nearby, their tails swishing as they exchanged mock attacks.

"You've got a solid team," Blaine said, his voice breaking the comfortable silence. He leaned against a nearby wall, adjusting his sunglasses as he spoke. "You should be proud of the progress they've made. I was not expecting them to learn Fire Spin that fast. I was only aiming for control this week."

Ashley looked up at him, a grin spreading across her face. "I am. But honestly? I'm more excited about what's next. If Vulcan and Mars can learn this much in one week, I can't wait to see what they'll look like by the end of two."

Blaine chuckled, his smirk widening. "That's the right attitude. But don't think for a second that we're done. This was just the warm-up. Next week, we'll see if they've got what it takes to handle real heat."

Ashley laughed, standing up and adjusting her hat. "Bring it on. We're ready for whatever you've got."

As she watched Mars and Vulcan tumble across the lab floor, their playful growls and sparks of flame lighting up the dim space, Ashley felt a swell of pride and excitement. They'd come a long way in a short time, and she knew the best was yet to come.