Lavaridge Town, nestled at the base of Mt. Chimney, is a volcanic town known for its famous hot springs and sand baths—much like Cinnabar Island in the Kanto region.
After arriving, Ash and his friends checked into the Pokémon Center, then relaxed in the local hot springs. That night, they all enjoyed a peaceful and comfortable rest.
Hot Spring Buns and Gym Plans
The next morning, after breakfast, the group made their way toward the Lavaridge Gym.
On the way, May handed out something she'd secretly bought: Lavaridge's famous hot spring buns!
"These are so good!" May's cheeks puffed out as she munched, looking adorably satisfied."Pika~!""Eevee~!"
Ash took a bite too.
"Mmm… That sweet red bean filling really hits the spot."
"Right? Hot spring buns are the best!" May beamed.
A Fiery First Impression
When they reached the Gym, they found the front door locked.
"Hello? Anyone in there?" Brock called out.
Just then, a red-haired girl in a scorched coat came sprinting out from the courtyard—trailing smoke behind her!
"So hot… too hot…" she gasped. The group stared in confusion.
"Guess this really is a Fire-type Gym," Ash muttered. "Mudkip, Water Gun!"
"Glee~!" Mudkip sprayed her with water, extinguishing the flames.
"Phew, thank you!" the girl sighed with relief, shaking off the water. She looked at the group and smiled. "That helped a lot!"
Brock's eyes turned to hearts as he rushed forward.
"You're as radiant as the sun! Let me be the flame to your spark—!"
Max yanked Brock back by the ear.
"Give it a rest already!"
"Um… excuse me," May asked, "Why were your clothes on fire?"
"Ahaha, well… I was helping these two train." The girl gestured to two Slugma beside her. "Their names are Mag and Mega. I've been helping them prepare for evolution, but they got a little carried away with their Flamethrower."
Ash stepped forward.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town. I came to challenge the Gym!"
"A challenger?! Finally!" the girl jumped excitedly."I'm Flannery, the Gym Leader! Welcome!"
The group introduced themselves, and Flannery's enthusiasm flared up again.
"I've been waiting for a proper Gym battle—let's turn up the heat!"
A Surprising Twist
"Wait a second…" Brock said. "Isn't the Gym Leader supposed to be an old guy named Mr. Moore?"
As it turned out, Mr. Moore was Flannery's grandfather. Recently, he had become fascinated with Professor Oak's poetry and decided to return to Johto. He left the Gym in Flannery's care just three days ago, making her a rookie Gym Leader.
Unfortunately, Flannery was very new.
She hadn't fixed up the uneven battlefield yet… and she had no idea where the Heat Badge was even stored.
While the group searched high and low, an older man in beachwear with an afro strolled in casually to use the restroom. Moments later, he emerged holding the Heat Badge from a hidden safe behind the shelf!
Everyone stared.
"You know where everything is…" Ash narrowed his eyes. "You must be Mr. Moore, right?"
"Grandpa?!" Flannery exclaimed. "It really is you!"
Seeing no way out, Mr. Moore chuckled and dropped the act.
"I came back because I was worried about you," he admitted.
He then looked at Ash.
"You're sharp, kid. I like that."
Let the Battle Begin!
Mr. Moore helped the group repair the battlefield, then joined them for a relaxing hot spring and sand bath at Flannery's house. That afternoon, it was finally time for the Gym match!
"This is the official Gym battle between Gym Leader Flannery and Ash from Pallet Town!" Mr. Moore announced. "Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon. Each side will use three Pokémon!"
"Do you have to keep calling me 'rookie' in front of everyone?!" Flannery pouted.
"Flannery! I'm the referee now—no calling me Grandpa!"
Flannery sent out her first Pokémon.
"Let's go, Mag!"A Slugma appeared on the field.
"Mudkip, I choose you!" Ash responded.
[Slugma – Strength: Superior (Early Stage)]
"Ash, you can start!"
"Alright! Mudkip, Water Gun!"
"Glee~!" Mudkip launched a high-pressure water stream.
"Mag, dodge—!" But Slugma was far too slow. The water hit its mark.
"Flamethrower!" Flannery called out.
Slugma retaliated with a wave of fire—but Ash countered.
"Water Pulse!"
The water sphere collided with the flames, filling the battlefield with steam.
"Now! Mud-Slap!"
Mudkip kicked up a blast of mud, blinding Slugma.
"Water Pulse again!"
Slugma tried to respond with Double Team, creating multiple copies, but Ash calmly recalled Mudkip.
"Mudkip doesn't have any wide-range moves. Time to switch it up. Go, Torchic!"
"Tor-chic~!"
"Use Detect, then Flame Charge!"
Torchic's speed spiked as it identified the real Slugma and smashed into it with a blazing tackle.
"Mag, hang in there!" Flannery urged.
Suddenly, Slugma began to glow—and evolved into Magcargo!
[Magcargo – Strength: Superior (Mid Stage)]
"Awesome! You evolved!" Flannery cheered. "Flamethrower!"
"Torchic, dodge!"
Despite the evolution, Magcargo was even slower than before. Torchic easily avoided the attack and built up speed with each Flame Charge—finally breaking through and defeating Magcargo in one hit!
"Magcargo is unable to battle! Torchic wins!" Mr. Moore announced.
Final Round
Flannery gritted her teeth.
"Alright, go, Mega!"
Another Slugma entered the field.
Ash returned Torchic and brought Mudkip back in.
[Slugma – Strength: Superior (Early Stage)]
"Mega, Body Slam!"
"Rock Smash!" Ash countered.
The two Pokémon clashed head-on, and Mudkip followed up with Water Pulse at close range—Slugma had no time to dodge and was knocked back hard.
"Finish it! Tackle!"
"Gleee~!"
Mudkip rammed into Slugma, knocking it out!
To be continued...