The heat of the Cinnabar Gym was oppressive.
Even Misty, no stranger to warm training grounds, pulled her collar as they stepped onto the stone battlefield, sweat already building on her brow.
Skylar stood firm.
Across the lava-split arena, the Gym Leader Roka waited—tall, lean, tattoos glowing faintly across his arms like flickers of living flame. His expression was calm, but there was fire behind his eyes.
"Welcome," Roka said, voice even. "Three-on-three. Standard rules. Show me your fire."
Skylar didn't respond with bravado.
He simply took a PokéBall.
And tossed it.
The PokéBall cracked open in midair, and a vortex of red and gold erupted into the air as Red Gyarados emerged with a roar that shook the arena.
The heat was nothing to him.
The lava? Irrelevant.
His serpentine body curled in the air above the battlefield, eyes locked with Roka's.
The Gym Leader raised an eyebrow, impressed—but said nothing.
Then he threw his own PokéBall.
First Match – Torkoal vs. Gyarados
Steam billowed the moment Torkoal hit the field. Its shell pulsed with heat as Drought activated, filling the gym with shimmering haze.
Roka was quick.
"Yawn."
The sleep mist floated across the field.
Skylar's hand moved instantly.
"Dragon Dance. Stay airborne."
Gyarados spiraled upward through the mist, shimmering with stored momentum. He dove before the second wave of Yawn could connect, crashing down with Aqua Tail, sending Torkoal sliding across the rocks.
Roka called for Body Slam, but Gyarados spun out of range and delivered a punishing Crunch to the exposed leg.
It was over in less than thirty seconds.
"Torkoal is unable to battle!"
Second Match – Talonflame vs. Gyarados
Roka didn't hesitate.
His Talonflame burst into the air with a cry, wings catching the heat for an instant boost.
Skylar kept his eyes locked forward.
"Air superiority's yours. Don't let it matter. Whirlpool."
Gyarados spun, twisting the air and rising steam into a vortex that pulled Talonflame off balance.
"Steel Wing!" Roka countered.
The metal-glinting slash cut into Gyarados's flank—drawing blood but not staggering him.
Skylar gave the order calmly.
"Bite. Wing root."
Gyarados surged upward.
CRUNCH.
Talonflame screamed and spiraled out of the air.
Down.
Hard.
"Talonflame is unable to battle!"
Misty blinked.
"That's two."
Final Match – Magmortar vs. Gyarados
Magmortar erupted into the field, its cannon arms glowing, lava pouring from its shoulder vents.
"Thunderbolt!" Roka barked instantly, knowing the type advantage.
But Gyarados had already moved.
Skylar's voice was quiet, calculated.
"Hyper Beam."
The golden glow pulsed from Gyarados's mouth just as the Thunderbolt flew—both attacks collided in mid-air, exploding violently.
Smoke filled the arena.
Then a red tail sliced through the haze.
And slammed Magmortar to the floor.
CRACK.
Silence.
Even the lava stopped bubbling.
"Magmortar is unable to battle! Skylar wins!"
Roka returned his Pokémon, stepping forward without hesitation.
"You don't just control Gyarados. You've become a weapon together."
Skylar took the Volcano Badge without flair—but there was pride in his eyes.
"Thanks."
Later – Outside the Gym
The sun was low in the sky when Skylar and Misty stepped out into Cinnabar's central square. The volcanic wind still carried heat, but the badge in his hand felt cool, clean. Earned.
"That was insane," Misty said, her arms behind her head. "You didn't even switch."
Skylar looked ahead, silent.
But not just from thought.
Because someone was waiting for them.
In the alley across the square.
Ace.
The Shadow agent who had once tried to probe him.
Now, his face was tense. Pale. Sweating.
Skylar didn't reach for a PokéBall this time.
Ace raised a hand quickly. "I'm not here to fight."
Misty stayed close.
"Then start talking."
Ace stepped out of the shadows.
And everything about him screamed urgency.
"Ash is missing," he said. "The Champion."
Skylar's heart skipped.
"What do you mean?"
"He accessed something he shouldn't have. A file no one's supposed to even know exists. After that, Shadow went silent. Then they started moving."
Skylar's voice dropped. "They're hunting him."
Ace nodded once.
"They've labeled him a threat. Internal destabilizer. Target for quiet removal."
Misty's fists clenched.
"But why?"
Ace exhaled, struggling to find the words.
"I don't know what he saw exactly. But it scared them. And trust me—Shadow doesn't get scared."
He looked at Skylar.
Then lowered his voice even further.
"I've seen their leader. Not clearly. But…"
He hesitated.
"There's something wrong. He's not just a powerful man or a high-level agent. There's something inside him. Something that bends around him. Like space shouldn't exist the way it does near him."
Skylar's breath slowed.
Misty's eyes narrowed.
Ace stepped back into the dark.
"I'm going to find out the truth. And when I do…"
He met Skylar's gaze again.
"…you'll be the first person I bring it to."
Then he vanished into the side alley.
Gone.
Skylar stood under the molten sky of Cinnabar.
Seven badges in his pocket.
And now a deeper storm waiting.
And coming.
From inside the League.