"What a great battle. As expected, I didn't misjudge you, Ash."
Blaine praised as he took out a Poké Ball and recalled the unconscious Ninetales lying on the ground. He then cast an approving glance at the energetic Pikachu. He hadn't expected his Ninetales to be unable to deal any substantial damage to Pikachu, which surprised him slightly.
"My second Pokémon is this one!"
To counter Pikachu, Blaine decided to send out Rhydon.
The towering Rhydon let out a roar the moment it appeared, its muscles tensing as it panted heavily, staring at Pikachu in the distance.
"Rhydon, the Drill Pokémon, the evolved form of Rhyhorn. After evolving, it can stand on its hind legs alone. If struck by its horn, even rocks will be pierced through."
Ash had originally intended to recall Pikachu and send out Primeape, who specialized in Fighting-type combat. However, seeing the fighting spirit in Pikachu's eyes, he gave up on that idea. After all, Pikachu still had plenty of stamina left, so there was no reason to deny it the chance to keep battling.
Moreover, Pikachu's speed and agility could wear down Rhydon's stamina, allowing Primeape to gain an absolute advantage later.
"Rhydon, use Fury Attack!" Blaine commanded.
Rhydon immediately charged toward Pikachu, thrusting forward with its sharp drill-like horn in rapid succession. However, Pikachu easily dodged with its superior agility and seized the opportunity to strike Rhydon's body with an Iron Tail, causing Rhydon to cry out in pain.
"Pikachu, keep using Iron Tail!" Ash shouted excitedly, trying to press the advantage.
"Ash is still too impulsive…" Red sighed helplessly, shaking his head.
Although Rhydon was doubly weak to Steel-type moves, its abundant stamina meant it wasn't yet incapable of fighting back.
Rhydon didn't dodge. Instead, it deliberately endured Pikachu's Iron Tail attack. After suppressing the pain, it seized the opening when Pikachu relaxed and immediately grabbed Pikachu's tail.
"Pika—!"
Feeling the pain from its tail, Pikachu instinctively released an electric current from its body. However, it discovered that the electricity had no effect on Rhydon at all, as it was all conducted into the ground.
"Rhydon, use Hammer Arm!" Blaine ordered.
Rhydon let out a roar, raised its heavy left fist high, and struck, sending the Pikachu it held flying. Pikachu nearly fell into the magma below the battlefield.
"Come back, Pikachu!" Ash called out worriedly, his expression showing a hint of regret over his earlier reckless command.
"I'm counting on you, Primeape!"
Ash shouted as he threw his Poké Ball. A flash of white light dispersed, and the long-unseen Primeape appeared on the battlefield. It stared at the towering Rhydon ahead with intense fighting spirit, showing no fear—if anything, it seemed even more eager for the confrontation.
"Rhydon, use Stone Edge!"
Sharp stone blades floated around Rhydon and, under its control, shot rapidly toward Primeape.
"Primeape, use Rock Smash!"
Primeape's fists glowed white as it swung them swiftly, easily shattering the incoming stone blades. It then rushed forward and struck Rhydon's body with Rock Smash.
A pained cry came from Rhydon as Primeape's skilled punches landed on its body, causing cracks to appear in its armor—clearly, Rock Smash's additional effect had triggered.
"Rhydon, use Hammer Arm again!" Blaine commanded, intending to go all out.
Rhydon raised its heavy right fist high and swung it with all its might toward Primeape.
"Primeape, use Cross Chop!"
Ash chose to have Primeape face the attack head-on instead of dodging, as he had already noticed that Rhydon was running out of stamina and was merely making a last desperate struggle.
Primeape crossed its arms and unleashed Cross Chop head-on, clashing with Rhydon's Hammer Arm. After a brief stalemate, Rhydon, unable to sustain itself due to exhaustion, finally fell, closing its heavy eyes unwillingly.
"So strong! I didn't expect him to win two in a row!" Misty exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah, I didn't expect Ash's strength to be enough to earn a badge on his own now!" Brock agreed.
"Hey, hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Ash rolled his eyes speechlessly, as if they were saying his previous League badges had all been handed to him by others.
"Congratulations, Ash. You are now qualified to receive this Volcano Badge." Blaine praised as he prepared to take out the badge from his pocket.
At that moment, Red reached out to stop Blaine, wanting him to continue with a third round.
"Ash, your Charmeleon hasn't evolved yet, right?" Red asked.
"Yeah, brother. Ever since you reminded me last time, I've rarely sent Charmeleon into battle. Since it hasn't gained enough experience, it still hasn't met the conditions to evolve," Ash replied.
"That's good. The environment of Cinnabar Gym is perfect for Fire-type Pokémon to evolve. Why not send out Charmeleon? Maybe it'll meet the conditions for evolution," Red said casually.
"That makes sense, Ash. If Charmeleon keeps not evolving, it'll waste its battle potential. You'll definitely need it in the Indigo Plateau Conference," Brock suggested.
"What is the hottest flame in the world, the magma within magma, the blazing fire moving within it?"
Blaine slowly recited his opening riddle, while Red instinctively rolled his eyes.
"I've said it before, I'm terrible at riddles!" Ash cried out in frustration.
"Come out, Magmar!"
Boiling magma splashed like waves, and within the high-temperature lava, a red figure could vaguely be seen. Under the astonished gazes of the trio, Magmar appeared before them.
"That is?!" Ash exclaimed as he pulled out his Pokédex.
"Magmar, the Spitfire Pokémon. It has a high-temperature body and can breathe fire from its mouth. It is said to be found near volcanic craters."
"I choose you, Charmeleon!"
Ash turned his cap around, revealing a determined gaze as he forcefully threw his Poké Ball, sending out Charmeleon.
With its strong limbs and long, sharp claws, Charmeleon appeared on the battlefield, cautiously watching the Magmar ahead.
Recognizing Magmar's strength, Charmeleon did not show its usual irritation. Instead, it stared at Magmar with intense fighting spirit.
"Yes! Charmeleon finally wants to battle!" Ash said excitedly. Although Charmeleon still refused to obey him at times, Ash believed it was just being a rebellious child throwing a tantrum, and that one day it would reconcile with him.
"Magmar, use Flamethrower!"
Blazing flames shot from Magmar's mouth, instantly forming a massive pillar of fire that surged toward Charmeleon.
"Charmeleon, use Flamethrower too!" Ash commanded.
Perhaps because Ash had found it a worthy opponent, Charmeleon did not resist this time and decisively unleashed Flamethrower in response.
"Yes! Charmeleon is finally listening to my commands!"
Seeing this, Ash jumped excitedly in place, even showing off to Misty and Brock about how his command skills had improved—otherwise, why would Charmeleon obey him?
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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