Magmar's Flamethrower had instead played right into Houndoom's paws. Flames swirled around Houndoom's body as it charged toward Magmar.
"Magmar, prepare to meet it head-on!" This Magmar was quite strong, so it was no wonder its Trainer trusted it so much. It assumed a defensive stance, preparing to forcibly withstand Houndoom's attack. Magmar's eyes burned intensely as it stared fixedly at Houndoom.
However…
Houndoom suddenly split into several clones, all of them wreathed in flames. For a moment, it was difficult to distinguish the real one from the fakes. Magmar's mental defenses instantly collapsed. It had just been preparing to focus on meeting the attack head-on, but now it had completely lost its sense of direction.
With no other choice, Magmar could only adopt a completely defensive stance and use all of its strength to resist Houndoom.
It probably had no idea just how powerful this move of Houndoom's was… especially the first strike.
Baaang!
With just a single strike, Magmar was sent flying. This time, it flew straight out of the field and began falling toward the magma below.
In his panic, Magmar's Trainer could not even find its Poké Ball. Although Magmar was highly capable of enduring high temperatures, whether it could actually withstand being in magma was another matter entirely. After all, not every Magmar could be like Blaine's.
Just as Magmar was about to fall into the magma, a red Pokémon leaped out from within it, caught Magmar in its arms, and jumped back onto the field.
Only after it reached the field could they see clearly that the Pokémon that had leaped out of the magma was a… Magmortar!
It had a burly build, and even the space around him seemed distorted by the heat radiating from it. Tetsuya, standing far away, could feel the temperature rise considerably.
Magmortar set down the Magmar in its arms. The areas where Magmortar had held it were actually burned…
Even Magmar could be burned. Just how high was that temperature!?
"You've already lost. Hurry and recall your Magmar," Blaine said.
Only then did Magmar's Trainer react, taking out its Poké Ball and recalling Magmar.
"Go back." Blaine called out to Magmortar. Magmortar nodded, then glanced at Houndoom before jumping into the magma.
Next came Flint's battle. Relying on Infernape's energetic performance, he also defeated his opponent. Next would be the battle between Flint and Tetsuya, but it would not take place today, nor would it be held on a field like this. Blaine would make separate arrangements tomorrow.
After leaving Cinnabar Gym, Flint remained as straightforward and forthright as ever. He walked up to Tetsuya and said, "Not bad, amigo! You didn't let down my expectations. You'd better be careful in your battle with me tomorrow."
Tetsuya did not answer. There was certainly no need for Flint to remind him about something like this. This was Flint, a future Elite Four. In his previous life, Tetsuya had spent his entire life without ever reaching Flint's level. How could he possibly let his guard down against him?
At the Pokémon Center, Tetsuya and Flint handed Houndoom and Infernape over to Nurse Joy at the same time. Everyone else had already left, but Blaine's event had also made many people aware of this Gym again, and the number of Trainers coming and going had increased.
From the backyard of the Pokémon Center, which had originally been deserted, the sounds of Pokémon battling could now be heard at any time.
When Pokémon Trainers met, naturally they would have to have a friendly match.
---◓---
"What League are you challenging right now?" At dinnertime, Flint carried his meal over and sat beside Tetsuya.
"I'm not." Tetsuya continued eating on his own.
"What? No way! Although you're Pryce's student, if you want to attain a certain position, you still have to go through the necessary procedures. The requirements for becoming an Elite Four are quite demanding," Flint said.
"…Reaching Elite Four level is the first requirement, so that's the first thing I'm pursuing," Tetsuya said.
Flint looked thoughtful. "I'm also constantly becoming stronger through battle, and I haven't neglected the League competitions either. I'll definitely take an Elite Four position before you do!" Flint said confidently.
Tetsuya had also finished eating and said, "I don't deny that."
It should not be long before Flint became the new Fire-type Elite Four of the Sinnoh Region. His combat power was also improving extremely quickly, and naturally, the "support" behind him played an indispensable role.
Tetsuya did not know whether Flint had ever had any interactions with Blaine in his previous life, but in this life, there definitely would not be any. Tomorrow, Tetsuya would undoubtedly dominate this competition!
That was because Flint's Infernape always followed behind him and rarely entered its Poké Ball. It even slept beside Flint, which gave Tetsuya… an excellent opportunity to make his move…
---◓---
Late at night, Tetsuya did not sleep. He secretly said to Gengar, "You can move out now. Drain most of that Infernape's vitality. Just make sure it has no energy tomorrow."
Gengar swayed its body, revealing a spooky smile before floating out of Tetsuya's room.
By now, Tetsuya was quite confident in Gengar's abilities. It came and went without a trace, and the speed at which it drained vitality was becoming faster and faster, as effortless as an everyday occurrence.
Tetsuya sat upright at the head of the bed. He could maintain a mental connection with Gengar, allowing him to completely keep track of Gengar's movements.
Gengar floated into Flint's room. Flint was fast asleep on the bed, while Infernape was sharing the bed with him. The man and Pokémon were sprawled all over the bed without the slightest semblance of proper sleeping posture. Gengar completely blended into the air, approached Infernape, and began its operation…
After just over ten minutes, Gengar left. When vitality was drained during sleep, it was very difficult for the target to notice because the body was already in a state of rest while sleeping.
As vitality was drained, the target would become increasingly tired, while sleep restored energy, so it would only grow sleepier and sink even deeper into sleep.
Afterward, Gengar returned to the dormitory and once again merged with Tetsuya's shadow. Tomorrow's battle could now be considered a foregone conclusion, so Tetsuya could also sleep peacefully.
---◓---
Early the next morning, Tetsuya headed to Cinnabar Gym and began his warm-up exercise there. Blaine was also waiting for Flint so they could set out.
Although Tetsuya knew what was going on, when Blaine asked about it, he naturally pretended to know absolutely nothing.
It was not until nearly noon that Flint finally arrived at Cinnabar Gym.
Gone was his usual energetic appearance, and he looked somewhat listless…
"Flint…? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Blaine had also noticed something was off and asked him.
Flint repeatedly shook his head. "…No, I'm not."
"Let's have lunch here at the Gym and rest for a while before setting out," Blaine said. Mainly, Flint did not seem to be in a good mood, and it was already almost lunchtime. There was no need to rush so much, especially since it happened to be time for lunch anyway.
Tetsuya did not care about waiting a little longer either. Given how much of Infernape's vitality Gengar had drained last night, there was simply no way it could recover without a week. Taking part in the battle was completely impossible.