The heavy gym doors closed behind Silas with a soft thud, sealing him inside Lavaridge Gym.
Outside, the group of elderly men who'd been watching finally turned their attention away.
One of them chuckled toward the round, silver-haired man reclining nearby.
"Mr. Moore, your granddaughter hasn't even been Gym Leader that long. You sure you're comfortable leaving everything to her already?"
Mr. Moore adjusted his glasses with a lazy grin.
"Kids have their own destinies," he said, settling back into his chair. "I've done what I can. Pulled a few strings at the League a while back to get her a promising young Pokémon. That's enough help from me."
He yawned, covering his face with a newspaper. "Besides, I'm planning to travel soon. Been wanting to see the Johto region again. After all, I've already seen enough of fiery mountains in Hoenn."
But as his eyes drifted shut, a faint frown tugged at his brow.
'…That boy earlier–the one challenging Flannery.'
He sniffed lightly. 'Why did he smell just a bit like… that old sea dog, Drake?'
Curiosity got the better of him. He peeked over the edge of his paper and accessed the gym's registration list.
Registered Pokémon:
Crawdaunt (Water/Dark)
Sharpedo (Water/Dark)
Mr. Moore let out a gruff chuckle.
"Ha! Just as I thought. Another trainer reeking of the sea. That same irritating water-type smell. No wonder he reminded me of Drake… that salty sailor never leaves the ocean."
He shook his head, muttering in mild disdain, but a small, amused smile crept across his lips. "Still… there's something about that kid."
.....
Meanwhile, Silas stood at the gym's registration desk, signing his final form.
It was all part of the plan-to leave a good impression, both on Flannery and the League observers who monitored official matches.
Even if it didn't earn him an advantage, it never hurt to look professional.
After registering his Pokémon, Silas waited quietly in the challengers' area. Two other trainers were ahead of him.
Compared to his previous challenges in Rustboro and Petalburg, Lavaridge Gym felt… older. Established.
Flannery had been the official Gym Leader for almost a year now, and her reputation online was overwhelmingly positive.
Aside from a few comments about her fiery temper and impulsive nature, most reviews described her as "passionate, fair, and strong."
Silas smirked faintly. "Fire-type Gym… passionate, huh? Figures."
He'd registered for an Intermediate Tier Challenge this time-up to three Pokémon, levels capped at 40. The registration fee was steep-5,000 Pokédollars but for Silas, it was a worthwhile investment.
Experience, reputation, and perhaps a little prize money on the side–worth every coin.
...
The intercom crackled to life.
"Challenger Silas Willow, please proceed to the battle arena. Challenger Silas Willow, to the battle arena!"
Silas rose, tightening his gloves. "Showtime."
He followed the stone passageway through several wooden doors until he emerged into an open-air battlefield surrounded by towering red walls. Steam drifted lazily through vents in the floor.
The ground was scorched black in places,a clear sign that countless fiery battles had taken place here.
Rows of spectator seats lined the edges, though they were empty today.
Silas stepped to his mark, scanning the grand arena. "So this is the heart of Lavaridge…"
Before he could admire it further, a confident female voice rang out.
"Hey there, Trainer! Welcome to Lavaridge Gym-I'm Flannery, the Gym Leader!"
A girl stepped forward through the rising mist. Her hair was an unmistakable crimson waterfall, tied high behind her head, and her fiery eyes gleamed with the same heat as the volcano nearby.
She wore a cropped jacket and black leggings, her posture bold, her grin fierce.
"Challenger Silas ," she said sharply. "How many badges do you have so far?"
"Two," Silas answered evenly.
"Only two?" She tilted her head, frowning in mock disappointment. "Huh… and which Gyms were they?"
"Petalburg and Rustboro."
Her expression shifted to curiosity and then to approval.
"Petalburg, huh? Even Grandpa always said Mr. Norman's one of the toughest Gym Leaders around. Guess you've got some skill after all!"
Silas studied her silently.
'Just like her reputation… fiery, blunt, and completely straightforward.'
He'd read that some Gyms judged challengers by badge count. Clearly, Lavaridge was one of them.
Flannery flashed a grin. "So you're using Water-types, huh? Don't think type advantage alone will win this fight!"
Her tone flared with pride. "I'll show you what real fire looks like-the kind that burns like a volcano!"
The referee, looking faintly nervous at her intensity, quickly raised his flag.
"Official Lavaridge Gym Challenge-begin!
Up to three Pokémon may be used. Level cap: 40. The first side to lose all usable Pokémon loses the match.
Challenger may switch Pokémon; the Gym Leader may not."
Silas exhaled slowly. "Got it."
He glanced to his side. "You're up, Umbreon."
"Umbre~!" The Moonlight Pokémon stepped forward gracefully, her golden rings gleaming faintly in the heated air.
Flannery's eyes lit with excitement.
"Alright, let's heat things up! Go-Slugma!"
"Mag~!"
A flash of red light burst open as a molten, snail-like Pokémon crawled onto the battlefield, its rocky shell oozing molten magma that dripped to the floor in glowing trails.
"Slugma, use Incinerate! Let's melt the battlefield!"
"Umbreon, Double Team! Go!"
Umbreon split into four shimmering afterimages, darting between the waves of fire that burst forth like a living flame engine.
Flannery gasped. "What the–?!"
For a moment, even she was caught off guard. Then her battle instincts kicked in.
"Slugma, target the left one!"
"Mag!!"
The Lava Pokémon spat a torrent of flame at the leftmost illusion-obliterating it in a burst of heat.
But the real Umbreon was already moving, gliding through the flames with feline agility. Her dark fur shimmered faintly in the light, but she remained unharmed.
Silas's expression was calm. "High Special Defense. She can take it."
Umbreon landed lightly on her feet, eyes glowing with dark energy.
"Now–Confuse Ray!"
"Umbre!"
A sphere of ghostly light shot from her gaze, swirling hypnotically toward Slugma, who wavered uncertainly as the beam connected.
Flannery clenched her fists. "Come on, Slugma, fight through it!"
But the Lava Pokémon's eyes were spinning, its movements sluggish.
Silas's eyes narrowed. "Let's turn up the pressure."
He snapped his fingers. "Umbreon-Feint Attack!"
Umbreon's body blurred into shadow, darting through the haze and striking with precision before fading back into the mist.
Flannery grit her teeth, a flicker of thrill lighting her expression. "Not bad, Silas! But you're gonna need more than tricks to withstand the flames of Lavaridge!"
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(End of chapter)