On the azure sea, a ferry cut through white waves, slowly approaching Cinnabar Island's dock. Ash stood on the deck, his red and white cap trembling slightly in the sea breeze, and Pikachu squatted steadily on his shoulder, its cheek pouches occasionally emitting tiny sparks.
"Pikachu, look! That's Cinnabar Island!" Ash excitedly pointed at the gradually clearer outline of the island in the distance. The volcano-shaped island was shrouded in a faint mist, with wisps of white smoke faintly visible rising from its peak.
"We're finally here," Xiao You said, tidying her hair, which had been ruffled by the sea breeze, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I heard Cinnabar Island's hot springs are very famous."
Brock checked the medicines in his backpack and smiled, "It's not a bad idea to relax in a hot spring before challenging the Gym. But Ash, are you sure the location of the Cinnabar Gym is correct? Is the information Professor Oak gave reliable?"
Ash pulled out his black and blue rotom phone, and the Rotom on the screen immediately became active: "Confirmed roto! The Cinnabar Gym is located at the foot of the volcano on the east side of the island. According to the latest information, it's currently disguised as a hot spring inn roto!"
"Disguised as an inn? How interesting!" Ash clenched his fist, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "No matter what it looks like, I'm going to get that Crimson Badge!"
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu also raised its small fist in agreement.
After disembarking, the trio followed the rotom phone's navigation, walking along a winding mountain path. The air was filled with a faint smell of sulfur, and hot steam occasionally rose from cracks in the rocks by the roadside. About half an hour later, a traditional Japanese building appeared before them, with the words "Cinnabar Hot Spring Inn" written on the noren.
"This is it roto!" The rotom phone spun in the air.
The three pushed open the wooden door, entering a spacious Japanese-style lobby. A white-haired old man was wiping teacups behind the counter. Hearing the doorbell, he looked up, his eyes behind his glasses glinting shrewdly.
"Welcome to Cinnabar Hot Spring Inn. Are you looking for accommodation?" The old man's voice was loud and strong.
Ash stepped forward: "Yes, we'd like to check in. Also..." He hesitated for a moment, then decided to get straight to the point. "Excuse me, are you Mr. Blaine? The Cinnabar Gym Leader?"
The old man paused his action of wiping his glasses, then burst into laughter: "As expected, I can't hide it from a Trainer's eyes. That's right, I'm Blaine." He walked out from behind the counter, his stature much taller than Ash had imagined. "If I'm not mistaken, you're Ash from Pallet Town, aren't you? Oak mentioned you to me."
Xiao You blinked in surprise: "You know Ash?"
"Of course!" Blaine laughed heartily. "A young Trainer with Aura is rare in the Kanto region." He gave Ash a meaningful look. "And your Lucario is also very special."
Ash scratched his head sheepishly: "I didn't expect you to know so much."
"Hahaha, even though I'm an old man in retirement, my information is still very well-connected." Blaine patted Ash's shoulder. "Since you're here to challenge the Gym, don't waste any more time. Follow me, the arena is in the volcano crater."
Brock exclaimed in surprise: "In the volcano crater? Isn't that very dangerous?"
Blaine winked mysteriously: "Precisely because it's dangerous, it can stimulate the true potential of Pokémon and Trainer. What, are you scared?"
"No way!" Ash puffed out his chest. "No matter where the battle is, I won't back down!"
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu also jumped onto Ash's shoulder, showing its support.
Blaine nodded in satisfaction: "Good spirit! Follow me."
Passing through the back door of the inn, a hidden path led to the summit. As the altitude increased, the temperature gradually rose, and the smell of sulfur in the air became stronger. About twenty minutes later, they arrived at a naturally formed platform on the edge of the volcano crater.
The platform was cordoned off with ropes, and in the center was a flat rock surface, clearly a carefully prepared battleground.
A kind old woman was already waiting there, and seeing them approach, she smiled and waved.
"This is my wife, and she will be the referee today," Blaine introduced.
The old woman nodded to the trio: "The battle rules are 3v3, and only the challenger can switch Pokémon. One of the four elemental systems can be used, but..." She looked at Blaine.
Blaine waved his hand: "Today, let's have a pure battle, without those systems."
Ash clenched his fist: "Just as I hoped!"
"Then, both sides take your positions." The old woman raised two flags. "Battle start!"
Ash took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He felt the Aura flowing within him, especially the power of the Fist Plate hidden deep inside. "Aura is in my heart..." As he whispered, a blue energy surged from his body, forming a faint halo around him.
"That's..." Blaine's wife's eyes widened in surprise.
Blaine explained: "Ash is enhancing his Aura, and then establishing a connection with Lucario."
Indeed, Ash took out a Poké Ball: "Go, Lucario!"
A blue light flashed, and Lucario's agile figure appeared on the field. As soon as it appeared, it felt Ash's Aura, and an invisible connection was immediately established between them. Lucario's eyes glowed intensely blue, and it was surrounded by Aura energy even stronger than usual.
Blaine observed this scene with interest: "Interesting, a resonance between an Aura user and Lucario? Then my first one is... Come out, Kangaskhan!"
A tall Kangaskhan appeared on the field, with a small Kangaskhan's head peeking out from its pouch. Unlike ordinary Kangaskhan, this one had particularly sharp eyes and exuded an unusual Aura.
"Kangaskhan's ability is Scrappy," Blaine explained, "which means it can also damage Ghost-type Pokémon."
Ash nodded: "Understood! Lucario, use Vacuum Wave!"
Lucario swiftly swung its arms, and several Air Cutters flew towards Kangaskhan. Blaine remained calm: "Use Protect!"
A green barrier immediately appeared in front of Kangaskhan, easily blocking the Vacuum Wave. But Ash had already anticipated this: "Now, use Force Palm up close!"
Lucario instantly rushed in front of Kangaskhan, blue energy gathering in its palm. Kangaskhan didn't have time to defend again and was hit squarely in the chest by the attack, staggering back a few steps.
"Good tactic," Blaine praised, "but don't underestimate my Kangaskhan! Use Reversal!"
Kangaskhan roared, its body glowing red, and it charged at Lucario with astonishing speed. This attack was incredibly powerful, sending Lucario flying several meters, barely stabilizing itself on one knee.
"Lucario, are you alright?" Ash felt his partner's pain through their Aura, but also its unyielding fighting spirit.
"Rio!" Lucario stood up again, its eyes even more determined.
"Good! Use Swords Dance to boost your attack!"
Lucario began to spin rapidly, and sword-shaped energy appeared around its body. Blaine, of course, wouldn't just watch: "Use Rock Slide to interrupt it!"
Kangaskhan raised a huge rock and smashed it towards Lucario. Ash, in a flash of inspiration: "Use Bone Rush to shatter the rock!"
Lucario condensed a blue bone staff in its hand and swiftly swung it, shattering the falling rocks one by one. Amidst the flying debris, it completed Swords Dance, significantly increasing its attack power.
"Now, use Close Combat!" Ash shouted.
Lucario shot towards Kangaskhan like an arrow, its fists and feet raining down like a storm. Kangaskhan tried to block with its arms, but its efforts seemed futile against the Swords Dance-boosted attacks. A final spinning kick completely knocked Kangaskhan down.
"Kangaskhan is unable to battle! Gym Leader, please send out your next Pokémon." Blaine's wife announced.
Blaine recalled Kangaskhan, a smile of appreciation on his face: "Excellent teamwork, the Aura connection allows you to almost communicate telepathically. However, the next one won't be so easy... Chansey, it's your turn!"
The pink Chansey bounced onto the field, looking harmless, but Ash knew not to let his guard down.
"Chansey is known for its incredible endurance," Brock analyzed from the sidelines. "Lucario must finish this quickly."
Ash nodded in understanding: "Lucario, use Metal Sound to lower its Special Defense!"
A piercing metallic sound echoed through the volcano crater, and Chansey covered its ears in pain. Blaine frowned: "Use Heal Bell to remove the status condition!"
Chansey shook its bell, and the clear sound dispelled the effect of Metal Sound. But Ash had already seized the opportunity to issue the next command: "Now, use Aura Sphere!"
Lucario condensed a blue Energy Ball, hitting Chansey precisely. This attack was super effective, knocking Chansey back a few steps, but it quickly regained its footing.
"Use Soft-Boiled to restore HP!" Blaine commanded.
Chansey magically produced an egg and ate it, its HP visibly recovering significantly. Ash clenched his fist: "Can't give it a chance to breathe! Continuously use Vacuum Wave!"
Lucario moved at high speed, firing Air Cutters from different angles. Although Chansey tried its best to dodge, it was hit by several attacks. Blaine saw the situation was unfavorable: "Use Seismic Toss!"
Chansey suddenly rushed towards Lucario, trying to grab it. Ash was prepared: "Use Detect!"
A blue light flashed in Lucario's eyes, anticipating Chansey's movement, cleverly dodging, and then landing a Force Palm on Chansey's back.
"Final blow, Aura Sphere!"
The Aura Sphere, condensed with all of Lucario's power, struck Chansey directly. This time, it could no longer withstand it and fell to the ground, unable to battle.
"Chansey is unable to battle!" The referee announced.
Blaine recalled Chansey, his smile even wider: "Magnificent! Lucario has defeated two of my Pokémon consecutively. However..." He took out his last Poké Ball. "My ace won't be so easy to deal with. Come out, Magmortar!"
The flame-like Pokémon appeared on the field, and the surrounding temperature instantly rose. Molten lava subtly flowed within the cannon-like organs on its arms, emitting terrifying heat.
Ash felt Lucario was already exhausted and decided to switch: "Return, Lucario. The rest is up to... Wartortle!"
"Wartortle!" Wartortle jumped onto the field with high spirits, showing no fear in the face of the powerful opponent.
"Water has an advantage against Fire," Xiao You analyzed, "but that Magmortar looks extraordinary."
Indeed, as soon as the battle began, Blaine demonstrated his seasoned command: "Magmortar, use Smokescreen!"
Dense black smoke instantly enveloped the entire field, and Wartortle lost its vision. Ash tried to command through sound: "Use Water Gun to spray!"
Wartortle spun, spraying water, but all missed. Suddenly, a lava beam pierced through the smoke and hit Wartortle, which cried out in pain and was knocked back.
"It's Lava Plume!" Brock exclaimed. "Wartortle can't dodge at all in the smoke!"
Sweat beaded on Ash's forehead: "Wartortle, use Rapid Spin to dispel the smoke!"
Wartortle retracted into its shell and spun rapidly, the generated airflow indeed scattering some of the smoke, but Magmortar had already seized the opportunity to close the distance: "Use Thunder Punch!"
A fist wreathed in electricity heavily struck Wartortle, with super effective results. Wartortle was sent flying, crashing into a rock, and gasping in pain.
"Wartortle!" Ash's heart ached. Through their Aura, he could feel his partner's pain and its determination not to give up.
"Final blow, Fire Blast!" Blaine commanded.
Magmortar spewed out flames in the shape of the character "big" (big), rushing towards Wartortle. In the nick of time, Ash shouted: "Use Water Pulse to defend!"
Wartortle barely gathered water energy to form a barrier, but the flames were too fierce, and the barrier was quickly broken through. Amidst the flames, Wartortle let out a cry of pain.
"Wartortle!" Ash clenched his fist, suddenly feeling an unprecedented energy fluctuation. Within the flames, Wartortle's figure began to change.
Dazzling white light dispelled the flames, and a taller figure gradually emerged. When the light faded, Blastoise stood majestically on the field, its two water cannons on its back ready to fire.
"It evolved!" Xiao You and Brock exclaimed in unison.
Blaine also showed a surprised expression: "Evolving in a desperate situation? Interesting!"
Hope reignited in Ash's eyes: "Blastoise, let them see our power! Use Skull Bash!"
Blastoise charged at Magmortar with a speed unbefitting its size, crashing heavily into it. Magmortar staggered back, and Blaine immediately counterattacked: "Use Flamethrower!"
"Counter with Hydro Pump!"
Two streams of energy collided in the air, creating a large amount of steam. Blastoise's Hydro Pump was slightly superior, and the residual water hit Magmortar.
"Now, use Ice Beam!" Ash pressed his advantage.
Blastoise switched its attack method, and an ice-blue beam struck Magmortar, with significant effect. Magmortar's movements noticeably slowed down.
Blaine saw the situation was unfavorable: "Use Sunny Day!"
Magmortar released energy, and the clouds above the volcano crater were dispelled, with sunlight shining directly down, greatly increasing the power of Fire-type moves.
"Now, use Blast Burn!" Blaine unleashed a full-power attack.
A terrifying vortex of flames swept towards Blastoise. Ash knew this was the decisive moment: "Blastoise, use the most powerful Hydro Pump!"
The two water cannons on Blastoise's back charged simultaneously, then fired an unprecedentedly powerful water jet. The moment water and fire collided, the entire volcano crater trembled. Ultimately, the water jet pierced through the flames, directly hitting Magmortar.
After the steam dissipated, Magmortar lay on the ground, unable to battle.
"Magmortar is unable to battle! The winner is Ash!" Blaine's wife announced.
Blaine recalled Magmortar and walked up to Ash: "A magnificent battle, Ash. The bond and potential you and your Pokémon displayed in a desperate situation are truly impressive." He pulled out a crimson badge from his pocket. "This is the Crimson Badge, you've earned it."
Ash took the badge, his hand trembling slightly with excitement: "Thank you, Mr. Blaine! This battle taught me a lot."
"Pika Pika! (Ash, you're amazing!)" Pikachu also jumped onto Ash's shoulder, happy for its partner.
That evening, the trio enjoyed Cinnabar Island's famous volcanic hot springs at the inn. Soaking in the warm spring water, Ash gazed at the starry sky, tightly clutching his seventh badge.
"Only one more Gym left," he said to Pikachu on his shoulder. "We'll definitely become Pokémon Masters!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu rubbed against Ash's cheek, its eyes sparkling with the same determination.
The next morning, the trio bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Blaine and embarked on their journey to the final Gym. The sunrise over the volcano crater cast a golden glow on their retreating figures.