Chapter 211: The God of the Volcano and "Torkoal"
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Damn it, what complete nonsense!"
Blaine's brows furrowed deeply. What the Pokedex said was the complete opposite of his own state of mind; it was practically humiliating him. His expression immediately soured.
"Pokedex Beep. Just a random comment, don't take it to heart."
The Pokedex also stated its position, offering a well-intentioned reminder.
Ash and the other two quickly chimed in to support the Pokedex, looking at Blaine with grins on their faces.
"Hehe, it was just saying that for fun. Don't mind it, sir."
"Surely no one's getting upset, right?"
"How could anyone get upset? Wouldn't that be admitting it's true? Hehe."
Blaine: "..."
In the end, he could only flick his hand in dismissal. Although he was a bit salty, Cinnabar Island's economy did seem to have improved quite a bit in recent years. He couldn't stop the townsfolk, so he could only express his silent protest by dismantling his own gym.
Truthfully, though, his desire to simply get a new gym was a bit stronger.
He had discovered a location far more suitable for Fire-type Pokémon battles.
"So, are you here to challenge the Cinnabar Gym? If you haven't obtained six Badges or more, this is not a gym you can challenge just yet."
Returning to the main topic, Blaine's face grew serious.
The Cinnabar Gym wasn't like those gyms that could casually go easy on challengers. Even if he did go easy, the difficulty was still very high and could leave a mental scar on a rookie trainer. That was why this rule had been established.
"I have them, I have them."
Ash quickly flipped open his vest, revealing six neatly arranged Badges.
"Oh? Not bad."
Blaine regarded Ash with a new level of seriousness. Six Badges, and among them, the Marsh Badge and the Soul Badge were no small feats. Judging by his age and appearance, he was likely a trainer who had just started his journey. This was truly an impressive performance.
He then turned his back and walked to the side.
"Since you've met the Badge requirement, then I, Blaine, formally accept your challenge. As for the battlefield... let's meet here again tomorrow at 9 AM. I will take you to the real Cinnabar Gym."
With that, Blaine's figure vanished from their sight, leaving behind the air of a mysterious master.
"Hey, Ash, aren't you going to tell him about the volcano erupting?"
"No rush. I'll have more credibility after I defeat him!"
Ash's mind was now completely filled with thoughts of tomorrow's battle. A scorching heat welled up inside him, much like the Volcano beneath his feet, making him wish he could find something to unleash it on right then and there.
A powerful Fire-type expert?
He would have to think carefully about tomorrow's team lineup.
The trio left the Cinnabar Gym, found a nearby hot spring hotel, and after eating and drinking their fill, they even went for a soak in the locally famous open-air volcanic hot springs, taking one last chance to relax before the battle.
"Wartortle, the volcanic spring here can help you master a very special Water-type move: Scald. Focus on understanding it."
"Wartor?"
The next day, it was not yet 9 AM.
Ash and his friends had already arrived in front of the ruined Cinnabar Gym, looking refreshed and brimming with fighting spirit.
When the clock struck nine, Blaine's figure appeared as promised. Unlike yesterday, however, today Blaine was no longer wearing a bizarre hippie outfit, but the rather proper attire of an academic researcher, even draped in a white lab coat.
Although, he still wore a pair of inexplicable round sunglasses on his face.
Ash often saw Professor Oak in this kind of outfit.
"Researcher from the Cinnabar Lab."
The three suddenly remembered what the Pokedex had called Blaine's other identity yesterday, thinking to themselves that the Pokedex was truly amazing, having predicted everything.
"Youth, you seem to be in good condition today."
Blaine stroked his mustache and greeted them with a smile.
No matter how gentle a Fire-type trainer's personality was, when facing a battle, they would be infected by the scorching flames, their hearts blazing with passion.
It had been a week since Blaine's last battle. The previous trainer, despite having six Badges, was of average strength and couldn't give him a satisfying fight at all.
"Follow me, youths."
Blaine led the trio to a corner of the Cinnabar Gym ruins. He pressed down on a certain piece of rubble, seemingly activating some kind of mechanism. The ruins began to tremble, and in a short while, an entrance resembling a cave appeared.
The floor of the cave was a man-made staircase corridor, and torches providing light were set up every few meters along the rock walls.
A searing, scorching heatwave blasted out from within, making their noses feel slightly hot.
They were baffled yet impressed. They stretched their necks to look into the depths of the cave, which was straight and seemingly endless.
Then they looked back outside, noting the direction the cave faced, and their pupils contracted sharply.
"This is..."
The end of the cave's path pointed directly at the Volcano that towered over Cinnabar Island.
This was a cave path leading deep into the Volcano?!
Seeing the shocked looks on their faces, Blaine thought they were scared and explained with a smile:
"Hehe, it is indeed deep inside the Volcano, but don't worry. Experts from Pewter City came to inspect it a few years ago. This Volcano won't erupt for at least another 50 years."
Ash and his friends: "..."
He then saw the three of them staring blankly at him with the kind of look you'd give an imbecile.
Blaine: "?"
Since they planned to explain properly after the battle, Ash and his friends didn't say much and soon stepped onto the volcanic cave path with Blaine.
The moment they entered, the temperature shot up, becoming exceptionally hot.
"Right, I forgot to tell you. When we get to our destination, remember that there are a few taboo phrases you can't say."
Blaine suddenly remembered something and turned his head to remind them.
This wasn't a taboo he had set, or one set by any human, nor was it exclusive to the Cinnabar Island Volcano. It was a natural taboo word for all volcanic craters in every region of the world, one that carried the might of nature itself.
They were still in the volcanic path now, so it wasn't a big deal, but once they were deep inside the Volcano, those words could not be spoken.
"Oh, oh, I know!"
Brock couldn't help but interject. He had some knowledge in this area.
When facing volcanic magma, there were a few words that must never be said. Although volcanic magma is an inanimate object, behind it exists a deity, something like a volcano god, who silently guards all the volcanoes on the planet.
One could say that these taboos were, in fact, the taboos of that lofty volcano god.
"No way. What could happen from just saying something?"
Sensing the seriousness in their tones, Ash sounded somewhat dismissive.
"It's better to be safe than sorry."
Blaine said gravely. One must have the most basic reverence for nature.
It was said that a certain city in the Hoenn Region, surrounded by the ocean, was now buried deep beneath the sea precisely because they disrespected the deities at a volcanic crater and violated a taboo.
"The first taboo word is, 'can't fly.' It's said that for every time you say 'can't fly' to a volcanic crater, the volcanic magma will rise by 1 centimeter."
Ash: "?"
"The second taboo word is, 'There can't really be a god who can't fly, right?' The punishment for this is even greater. The magma's elevation will rise by 1 meter!"
Ash: "?"
"And the third taboo word is the most dangerous of all. It is said that if a human shouts this phrase ten times at volcanic magma, even a dormant volcano of a hundred years will erupt on the spot, causing utter devastation. That phrase is..."
Blaine's tone sank as he uttered in a low voice:
"Torkoal!"
After speaking, he cautiously glanced around the volcanic path, only daring to continue forward after seeing that nothing was out of the ordinary.
Torkoal, a Pokémon unique to the Hoenn Region. Because of this taboo, many experts and scholars now believe it may have an intricate relationship with the volcano god.
Some senior researchers have even proposed a very bold hypothesis.
The God of the Volcano... is Torkoal!
As long as a Torkoal's Pokémon Egg is soaked in volcanic magma for 49 days, it's highly likely that this Torkoal will directly become the legendary God of the Volcano on the day it is born!
In fact, this hypothetical research has already achieved great results, with only the most critical step remaining. However, they have never been able to make a breakthrough on this final, crucial step.
*How, in the first step, to place the egg into the magma without it being instantly cooked into a fried egg?*
Ash: "?"
This volcano god, and these people researching the volcano god...
Why did they all sound like idiots?
(end of chapter)