"An excellent battle. I wasn't wrong about you, Ash."
Blaine praised, taking out his Poké Ball to recall the fainted Ninetales. He glanced with approval at the still-energetic Pikachu, slightly surprised that his Ninetales had been unable to inflict any substantial damage on it.
"My second contestant is this one!"
To counter Pikachu, Blaine decided to send out Rhydon.
The massive Rock-type let out a roar upon entering the field, its muscles tensing as it panted, staring at the small Pikachu in the distance.
"Rhydon, the Drill Pokémon, the evolved form of Rhyhorn. After evolving, it can stand on just its hind legs. If struck by its horn, even boulders will be pierced through."
Ash had considered recalling Pikachu and sending out his fighting specialist, Primeape, but seeing the unwavering fighting spirit in Pikachu's eyes, he abandoned the idea. After all, Pikachu still had plenty of stamina; there was no reason to deny it the chance to battle.
Besides, the agile Pikachu could wear down Rhydon's stamina, giving Primeape an absolute advantage later.
"Rhydon, use Fury Attack!" Blaine commanded.
Rhydon immediately charged at Pikachu, its sharp horn jabbing repeatedly, but the nimble mouse easily dodged and landed an Iron Tail on Rhydon's body, making it cry out in pain.
"Pikachu, keep using Iron Tail!" Ash said excitedly, wanting to press the advantage.
"Ash is still too impulsive," Red observed, shaking his head helplessly.
Although Rhydon was doubly weak to Steel-type moves, its own ample stamina wasn't so low that it would be left powerless.
Rhydon didn't dodge, choosing to take Pikachu's Iron Tail. After enduring the super-effective pain, it seized a moment of carelessness from Pikachu and grabbed its tail.
"Pika!"
Feeling the pain in its tail, Pikachu instinctively released the electricity in its body, only to find the current had no real effect on Rhydon; it was all conducted into the ground.
"Rhydon, use Hammer Arm!" Blaine commanded.
Rhydon roared, raising its heavy left fist high and smashing the Pikachu held in its right hand, sending it flying and nearly into the lava below the battlefield.
"Come back, Pikachu!" Ash said worriedly, a look of regret on his face for having blindly ordered Pikachu to keep attacking.
"I'm counting on you, Primeape!"
Ash shouted, throwing the Poké Ball in his hand. The white light faded, and the long-unseen Primeape appeared on the field. It stared with full battle intent at the massive Rhydon, showing no fear but rather looking forward to the duel.
"Rhydon, use Stone Edge!"
Sharp blades of stone floated around Rhydon. Under its control, they shot swiftly toward Primeape.
"Primeape, use Rock Smash!"
Primeape's fists glowed white as it swung rapidly, easily shattering the incoming stone blades. It then rushed in front of Rhydon and used Rock Smash, hitting Rhydon's body.
A cry of pain came from Rhydon's mouth. Primeape had landed a skilled punch, and its rocky armor began to crack. Clearly, the secondary effect of Rock Smash had activated.
"Rhydon, use Hammer Arm again!" Blaine commanded, deciding to go all out.
Rhydon raised its heavy right fist high and swung it forcefully in Primeape's direction.
"Primeape, use Cross Chop!"
Ash commanded Primeape to meet the attack head-on, not choosing to dodge, because he could see that Rhydon was already exhausted and this was just a last-ditch struggle.
Primeape crossed its arms and met the Hammer Arm head-on in a contest of strength. After a brief standoff, overcome by exhaustion, Rhydon was finally defeated, its heavy eyes closing helplessly.
"Amazing, he actually won two in a row!" Misty said in surprise.
"Yeah, I didn't expect Ash's skill to be enough to earn a badge on his own now!" Brock added.
"Hey, hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Ash said, rolling his eyes speechlessly, as if his previous League badges were all just handouts.
"Congratulations, Ash. You are now qualified to receive this Cinnabar Badge," Blaine praised, preparing to take out the badge to give to Ash.
Just then, Red reached out and stopped Blaine, wanting him to continue with the third round.
"Ash, Charmeleon hasn't evolved yet, has it?" Red asked.
"No, big brother. Ever since you reminded me last time, I've rarely sent Charmeleon out to battle. Because it hasn't gained enough experience points, it hasn't met the conditions for evolution," Ash replied.
"That's good. The environment of the Cinnabar Gym is perfect for a Fire-type Pokémon's evolution. Why not send out Charmeleon? It might just reach the conditions to evolve," Red suggested.
"He's right, Ash. If Charmeleon doesn't evolve soon, its battle talent will go to waste. You'll definitely need it for the Indigo Conference," Brock advised.
"The hottest flame in the world, lava within lava, what is the burning flame that moves within it?"
Blaine slowly began his dramatic introduction, while Red rolled his eyes out of habit.
"I told you I'm the worst at riddles!" Ash said, exasperated.
"Come out, Magmar!"
The boiling lava splashed up like ocean waves. A red figure appeared faintly within the high-temperature magma. Under the astonished gazes of Ash's trio, Magmar appeared before them.
"What's that?!" Ash exclaimed, taking out his Pokédex.
"Magmar, the Spitfire Pokémon. It has a high-temperature body, and its mouth spews flames. It is said to have been discovered near a volcanic crater."
"I choose you, Charmeleon!"
Ash turned his hat, his eyes determined, and forcefully threw the Poké Ball in his hand, sending out his rebellious Fire-type.
With its sturdy limbs and long, sharp claws, Charmeleon appeared on the battlefield, cautiously watching the Magmar in the distance.
Recognizing Magmar's strength, Charmeleon didn't show any annoyance. Instead, it stared at Magmar with full battle intent.
"Alright, Charmeleon finally has the will to fight," Ash said excitedly. Although Charmeleon was still disobedient, in Ash's view, it was just like a rebellious child throwing a tantrum, and sooner or later they would make up.
"Magmar, use Flamethrower!"
Scorching flames spewed from Magmar's mouth, instantly forming a thick pillar of fire that shot toward Charmeleon.
"Charmeleon, use Flamethrower too!" Ash commanded.
Perhaps because Ash had found it a worthy opponent, Charmeleon didn't defy his command this time, decisively using Flamethrower to counter.
"Alright, Charmeleon is finally listening to my commands!"
Seeing this, Ash jumped up and down with excitement, not forgetting to boast to Misty and Brock about his improved commanding skills. Otherwise, why would Charmeleon obey him?