"Magmar, even if the power of our flames is equal, you still have your Fire-type ultimate move—use Fire Blast!" Blaine ordered.
Standing atop the stone pillar, Magmar immediately executed Fire Blast upon hearing the command. A blazing, giant flame shot out from its mouth, rapidly approaching Charizard.
"Charizard, use Dragon Claw to block the attack!" Ash commanded, recalling how during last night's training, the scale-armored Charizard had easily deflected flames with Dragon Claw.
Clearly understanding Ash's intent, Charizard extended its claws, which were enveloped in emerald light, and used Dragon Claw to withstand the incoming Fire Blast. Borrowing the force, it flung the attack upward.
"Now's the chance—use Headbutt!"
Seizing the opening created by Charizard throwing off the Fire Blast, Blaine decisively ordered Magmar to attack.
Before Charizard could react, it was struck directly by Magmar's Headbutt. The impact was so powerful that Charizard's entire body was slammed into the stone pillar. Fortunately, it flapped its wings in time to stabilize itself—otherwise, it would have fallen into the scorching magma below.
Taking advantage of the sunlight shining over the terrain, Charizard seized the moment while Magmar squinted, closing the distance and landing a Dragon Claw on Magmar's body. However, Magmar showed no weakness, countering with Fire Punch, engaging Charizard in a close-range clash.
Magmar hadn't expected today's Charizard to have changed so drastically, actually being able to match it evenly. Just yesterday, it had seemed frail and weak.
'I've put in far more effort than you could ever imagine!'
Charizard roared, forcefully pushing Magmar away. It then flapped its massive wings and unleashed Air Slash. The sharp wind blades struck Magmar mercilessly, dealing considerable damage.
But the experienced Magmar chose not to engage in a drawn-out fight. Instead, it used the momentum to leap behind Charizard, grabbing hold of its body and attempting to drag it forcefully into the magma.
"Fly, Charizard! If you get dragged into the magma, you won't be able to beat Magmar!"
Ash shouted anxiously, nearly jumping onto the battlefield. Luckily, the Pikachu by his feet kept tugging at his pants, trying to calm him down.
However, Ash's urgent shouting had no effect. The careless Charizard was still dragged down into the magma by Magmar.
Seeing this, Ash angrily questioned Blaine across the field, shouting,
"Pushing Charizard into the magma—this is completely against the rules!"
"I already said from the start, the battlefield is the entire volcano crater. Using its characteristics is part of the strategy," Blaine explained calmly, telling Ash not to be so impatient lest he lose his composure.
"Charizard…"
Ash stared nervously at the boiling magma, worried about Charizard's safety.
Just as Ash lowered his head in distress, Misty and Brock behind him suddenly called out excitedly, urging him to watch the battle beneath the magma.
Then, Charizard—previously submerged—suddenly emerged, flapping its massive wings and bringing Magmar up into the sky behind it.
"Good! Spin your body like that to make Magmar dizzy!" Ash ordered.
Flying high above, Charizard rapidly spun its body, making the Magmar clinging to its back dizzy and disoriented.
Seeing this, Ash proudly looked at Blaine.
"If using the battlefield's special features is strategy, then the sky above this crater is also part of the battlefield!"
"Charizard, now use Seismic Toss!"
Charizard roared, spinning in place like a sphere to increase the impact. Then, when Magmar had no way to resist, it decisively hurled Magmar down from the sky in a powerful throw.
From high above, Magmar plummeted rapidly. Enhanced by gravity, its entire body crashed into the magma below, sending up waves of molten lava like surging tides.
Just as Charizard flew back to the battlefield, ready to embrace victory, the Magmar that had fallen into the magma suddenly reappeared. After giving Charizard a disdainful smile, its eyes spun in circles as it collapsed unconscious on the ground.
"What a splendid battle, Ash!" Blaine praised. "You are now fully qualified to take the Volcano Badge from me!"
...
The next day
After successfully obtaining the Volcano Badge from Blaine, Red accompanied Ash and his companions as they enjoyed themselves around Cinnabar Island. It was an incredibly joyful time—but the result of that joy was, inevitably, oversleeping.
"Don't leave us behind!"
"Wait!"
"That boat, wait!"
At the harbor of Cinnabar Island, Ash and his group were desperately running, trying to stop the departing ferry. Meanwhile, Red leisurely strolled behind them, already used to watching their frantic antics.
In their panic, Ash's group even forgot to ask Red to use Teleport—though part of it was also because Red deliberately ignored the idea.
"I told you not to stay up so late, but you never listen~" Red teased, his gaze drifting toward the seaside.
(That Wartortle should show up about now, right?)
As Ash's group passed by the beach, a panicked Wartortle suddenly ran out from the shadows and collided with Ash.
"Bang—"
Ash only suffered minor scrapes from the collision, but the Wartortle, despite being a Pokémon, nearly fainted on the spot and was now spinning dizzily in place.
"Are you okay? Sorry about that," Misty said apologetically.
"How rare—this is a Wartortle, isn't it?" Brock said in surprise, not expecting to encounter a wild Wartortle here.
"W… Wartortle?!"
The fallen Ash excitedly turned over, eagerly pulling out his Pokédex to analyze it.
"Wartortle, the Turtle Pokémon, the evolved form of Squirtle. Its long, fur-covered tail is considered a symbol of longevity."
Now conscious, the Wartortle ignored their curiosity and anxiously gestured toward Pikachu, trying to explain the situation. However, Pikachu looked completely confused, unable to understand.
Fortunately, the clever Pikachu glanced at the Poké Ball on Ash's waist, hopped lightly, and tapped it with its paw—releasing Squirtle.
Upon appearing and seeing Wartortle, Squirtle warmly greeted it. After all, they were of the same kind, so there was a natural sense of closeness.
Upon seeing Squirtle, Wartortle excitedly explained what had happened. After hearing the story, Squirtle was momentarily stunned, realizing the severity of the situation.
"What are they saying?" Ash asked, puzzled.
"Wartortle is explaining that something serious has happened on the island where they live."
At this moment, Red walked over leisurely and explained to the confused group.
After understanding the gravity of the situation, Squirtle took out its old sunglasses from its shell and put them on.
"Those are the Squirtle Squad's sunglasses!" Ash exclaimed in surprise.
"It still has them, huh~" Brock commented.
After exchanging nods, Squirtle and Wartortle immediately jumped into the water, heading toward the distant Turtle Island to rescue their fellow Pokémon in trouble.
"Ash, we need to hurry over too!"
With that, Red threw out a Poké Ball and released the Crimson Gyarados.
Under Ash and his companions' astonished gazes, Red leapt onto Crimson Gyarados's head and instructed it to head toward Turtle Island in the distance.
Seeing that Red had already set off, Misty quickly sent out her Water-type Pokémon to pull a boat, carrying the group as they followed behind.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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