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-/-
"Man, that gym trainer is no joke," a bug-catcher complained to himself as he handed his team in at the Pokecenter and went to sit down in the waiting lounge.
"Tell me about it," the older gentleman whom he'd sat down to answered bitterly. "He beat my Growlie so badly he's traumatised now, flinches at every fart." The man paused. "Although ever since Blaine implemented him as the guard between himself and everyone with less than five badges, I feel like I can finally breathe in the streets again."
"What do you mean?" the bug-catcher asked, fiddling with his straw hat.
"I'm from Cinnabar," the gentleman in the brown tweed suit answered. "Even went to school with Blaine back in the day, if you can believe it. We got our Growlithe at the same time. Then our paths diverged. Ever since he's back as the gym leader, the island has been full. Quite unbearable for the locals. Now with the new gym trainer, things have quieted down a lot. Nobody who doesn't seriously want the badge is bothering anymore. It only took a month for everyone to get the memo." He turned towards the younger boy. "Where are you from?" he asked.
"Viridian. I decided to do a reverse journey. Trained in Viridian Forest for a month and came here for my first badge. After this is Fuschia." He grimaced. "If I make it."
"It was the Houndour, wasn't it?" The gentleman asked.
The bug-catcher nodded mutely."
"Nasty thing," the older man cursed. "Trainer looks more like a dark-type specialist than a fire-type specialist with that get-up of his."
"Burned my Weedle and Metapod straight into intensive care," the bug-catcher complained.
"Bad match-up," the gentleman replied. "You don't have to win to pass, though, just prove that you can dodge a few attacks and hit some. Then you get forwarded to the gym leader. Still, only a third of people actually make it through. The problem is at the fourth badge when he brings out the Slugma. That thing is a tank. My Ponyta completed so many agilities, but the moment the little slug had its Amnesias stacked up, it was over."
"Maybe it's not worth it to keep trying here," the bug-catcher sighed. "I'd have more luck against Koga. Maybe I could even learn something."
"I'll be honest with you, kid," the gentleman responded. "You look like you got grit, but some battles just aren't worth it. With a poison-type and a Metapod, you're better off in Celadon, Cerulean, or even Saffron, not here."
"Maybe you're right," the bug-catcher stood up as his name was called. "Good luck with your match, mister."
The gentleman shook his head.
"I might live on Cinnabar and have as many attempts as I need, but even I know when I'm beaten. A few battles on the public grounds every once in a while will do. Gym challenges are for the young 'uns."
-/- 1 month previously
"These would be your rooms," Blaine explained briefly as he led Joey through a rather large and empty mansion on one of Cinnabar's cliffs, more on the wild side of the island.
Most people would have likely been a tad afraid of building property so far out, but with a champion-level Arcanine lounging lazily on the front porch, there was likely nothing to be worried about.
Joey looked inside the very spacious bedroom, which had enough space for himself and basically all his Pokemon. He shook the bedframe.
Didn't creak.
Checked under the furniture for bugs.
Checked the bathroom for water damage, verified that the toilet flushed correctly and that the shower worked and had good-quality water.
"You are by far the most demanding kid I've ever met," the gym leader complained from behind Joey as he watched the trainer inspect every corner of his mansion.
"Quality has no price," Joey replied blithely after they'd made their way to the rather large and rather unused kitchen. There was a huge marmor island in the middle, and Joey could already imagine how nice it would be to make food there.
He didn't let his excitement show. "You'll have to redo the wiring at some point," he told the older man as they sat down. "Whoever did it didn't account for how future electric appliances will have more voltage."
"Built this place 20 years ago, of course it's outdated," Blaine grumbled.
Joey went to operate the brand-new-looking coffee machine and made them an espresso each. He brought the two small cups to the kitchen table, where Blaine had sat down before getting them both a glass of water as well.
"The sugar?" the older man asked.
"It's bad for your hypertension," Joey replied. "I won't help poison you, the sugar you can get yourself."
Blaine looked at him blankly through his signature glasses before slowly shaking his head and downing the espresso in one shot. Then he took a sip of the water.
"Anyone ever told you you're a weird ass kid?"
"All the time."
"Well, as long as you know."
"About the salary. Would you want to pay me weekly until we both agree you don't need my services anymore, or would you like to negotiate a specific time frame and then do one lump sum?" Joey asked.
"Arceus almighty," Blaine muttered into his hand. "How long do you even have?" he asked.
"I'd rather commit on a weekly basis," Joey admitted. "The moment there's nothing more to learn, I'd have to go to Fuschia, although obviously we can agree on a minimum period of three months so you don't train someone up only to have them run off on you. Probationary period of a week if you end up hating me, so I don't have to stick around."
"Seems like you have it all figured out."
"I know what I want," Joey replied. "As should you. Where our expectations don't match, we negotiate and compromise."
The older man put his hands in the air. "Alright, lay it on me!" he said, waving him to go on. "You can start!"
"There's hardly anyone who can take this position, so I'd say my skill set is rather valuable. I know for a fact there is no other trainer who can better learn the formalities of being a part of a gym faster and who can make long-term and short-term decisions on which challengers to block, which ones to allow through, and which ones to teach a lesson. I'd say that in addition to room and board for my friend and me, I should be compensated with the average sixth-badge trainer one one-week mission remuneration of 100k Pokedollars. In addition to this, I would request five hours per week in training assistance for my Houndour. In return, I would offer eight hours of labour, five days per week. Three of those hours daily can be spent on miscellaneous tasks, while five can be spent facing challengers."
"You want the fucking clothes off my back as well?" Blaine growled angrily while slamming his fist on the table. "You know how much I could charge for training someone? Fire specialists would be lining up and willing to pay me a million per move!"
"Well then, maybe you should consider offering your services," Joey countered lightly.
Blaine's eyebrow twitched.
"One hour per day of training together, five times per week. Just join my sessions with my own team. Your Houndour has potential; this is why we're sitting here. Payment? Take 10k a week. Opportunity costs," he said before pausing. "You're keeping what the challengers who lose pay you anyway."
Joey pulled out his Pokenav and quickly dialled a number. "It seems we have an agreement."
Blaine jerked in place. "We do?" he asked, getting whiplash at the speed of the negotiation. "Wait, who are you calling?"
"A contract lawyer," Joey answered before putting a finger to his lips and turning around to speak quietly into the mic.
Blaine's world spun, and he somehow got the feeling that he'd just been played.
-/-
The pallet trainer with the yellow jacket opposite Joey bitterly recalled his Squirtle as the small turtle Pokemon slowly unfurled from the shell it had been cooked in and revealed the spirals in its eyes.
"Stop with the glum face," Joey said in an annoyed tone of voice to the boy, Ken. "Your Squirtle and Geodude did well enough against Houndour. He's a third-badge Pokemon so you were never supposed to beat him. You came here with a type-advantage, managed to get in some good hits, lasted several minutes and had a plan. That's enough to pass and go challenge Blaine."
The mood visible on Ken's face instantly reversed, and he suddenly smiled happily.
"Man, that battle was tough," the boy said. "Should I go talk to the receptionist again?"
"Yes," Joey answered, kneeling down next to Houndour and waving off the challenger. "Now git!"
As Ken retreated, Joey raised a Potions bottle and started spraying his Pokemon's bruises and wounds. "One more hour today, buddy, then we're done. Next one is Slugma first, fourth-badge challenger. You can rest for a bit."
Houndour nodded tiredly, past nervousness buried under sheer exhaustion.
Well, that was one way of getting rid of anxiety.
Battling five hours per day. Absolutely brutal.
Joey had no clue how some gym leaders did even more.
-/-
"Houndour has the ability Flash Fire," Blaine explained as the two of them sat on a stone bench in the training ground behind the man's mansion. "That means that if there's any single move he absolutely needs, it's Flare Blitz."
"Flare Blitz is the perfect move if you're right, and it can trigger Flash Fire. It's complicated, though," Joey commented as watched the gym leaders' many fire Pokemon run through their drills. The air was quickly growing hot from the accumulated heat. "Houndour is young and inexperienced, and Flare Blitz is one of the most powerful fire-type moves out there. It's like going from Ember to Fire Blast."
Blaine nodded. "You're right, of course, but that's why I'm a fire-specialist, and you're not. I know my Pokemon. Houndour can learn Fire Fang in a week, Flame Wheel in a month, and Flare Blitz in three. That's the progression. Of course, after that, he needs some more wide-coverage ranged moves to take advantage of the boost, but the important thing is to get that boost first. It will guide his development for the rest of your career; it's too powerful of a combination that it wouldn't."
"You're the expert," Joey replied. "And the second Pokemon you said I should use in the gym?"
"I've been using Slugma for lower-badge challengers. She's very disciplined. Just restrict her move-set, and she goes down in rank. Without Recover, she's a five-badge challenge. Without Smog, she's a four-badge. Without Amnesia it's three, and without Lava Plume it's two."
"That sounds good to me," Joey said without any concern. "Should we start?" he asked.
"You're ready?" Blaine questioned right back.
"Let me give the rest of my team their own tasks for today, and then we can focus on Houndour together. After he's set, you can introduce me to Slugma."
-/-
Blaine's notebook
I've thought about the possibility of activating Flash Fire with Flare Blitz for a very long time. Ever since I saw that Houndoom in the wild do it in Johto. The experiments never worked on any other species, however. The issue is that the recoil damage of Flare Blitz is considered typeless. The reason why it worked on the Houndour was likely because when giving all your power into a fire-move and opening yourself up to the pain of recoil, your own flame can burn you as if it belonged to an enemy… As long as it's a dirty flame. A chemical one.
I hope my hypothesis proves correct.
-/-
Welcome to the League Circuit Forums! The best place to discuss with other battle enthusiasts and exchange training tips.
Kanto → Gyms → Cinnabar → Megathread
Topic: The hottest gym in Kanto!
Original Poster: LeagueOfficial
(Showing page 391/412)
►LadyinRed
This rude new gym trainer is keeping me away from my one true love! He burned my cutey wutey Oddish to Charcoal!
►KingKongSuperstar
Kid's Houndour and Slugma are strong as heck. Watched some of the matches during my lunch break, and I have to say, where did Blaine find this kid? Did Bruno recommend him? I remember he had a match against Bruno last year or something.
►Dissmypokeanddie (Verified Ace-Trainer)
I looked into the matter, and y'all should be grateful. Before Blaine organised a gym trainer, you needed a month to get a match. Now you need a week. If you can prove yourself against the gym trainer of course.
►I like Pumpkin-Pie (Verified Ace-Trainer)
@Dissmypokeanddie Didn't you challenge Blaine yourself? saw it in your match history. Wasn't recorded or broadcast?
►Dissmypokeanddie (Verified Ace-Trainer)
I got my ass beat, I'm not posting that shit.
►I like Pumpkin-Pie (Verified Ace-Trainer)
Lmao, git gud skrub. Everyone scrambling to Cinnabar because they think they have a chance. Let me remind you, Blaine, as he is now basically still Elite Four level. Wait five years for him to lose his edge and then go get bragging rights.
►Madboiii?
I'm salty. That Slugma stacked like six Amnesia and then used Recover. Even my water attacks barely hurt it after that. That's not even a fire-type strategy.
►Palletsuperiore (Verified Trainer)
That Houndour gave my Charmander chemical burns! This is abuse. I'm reporting this. Do you have any idea who my father is?
►AverageRaticateEnjoyed (Original Poster)
Houndour literally just does that, and Pokecenter can treat it easy. Aren't you the kid who failed to get a badge in Pewter against Brock and then fled south? How can you fail at your first badge with a Charmander and two months of training?
►Grasstropeabused (verified trainer)
I swear this whole thread has devolved into a skill issue complaint board since Blaine came. Attracted all the cockroaches. Cinnabar used to be, like, the second-chillest gym in the region (pun intended).
►Metapod master race (verified trainer)
I don't understand why he's using a Houndour and a Slugma; the best fire-type for a situation like this is obviously Metapod. If you teach it how to spin the air in its mouth until it gets hot, it can release a proto-Heat Wave. Very powerful.
►Hesss (Verified Trainer)
@Metapod master race Sure thing, buddy, sure thing.
►Kanto's biggest Pipi (Verified youngster)
Blaine beat me the first time; that stupid gym trainer beat me the second time! My pipi's the biggest in Kanto, don't think you can just keep beating me off without getting your just desserts!
►FireHazard (verified fire-type specialist)
I wish I could unsee that paragraph. Regardless. I'm happy for Blaine that he went and got some help. Bro must have been struggling hard with all those challenges.
The only question is… Why didn't he take me as a gym-trainer… I sent 90 application letters… I'm a fire-type specialist.
►Cynthiafanboy (verified stalker)
@Fire Hazard, even Blaine recognises the superiority of generalists. The IQ is just higher. Get a generalist, give them a fire type, bam, better result than you could ever get dealing with a stinky specialist.
-/-
The speed at which Joey's training accelerated with Blaine's training was incredible to watch in real time.
Every week felt like a month, and that was despite only spending short mornings training with the man's time.
The largest effect came from the newly gained sparring partners.
Rattata wanted to test his speed against a Rapidash? He could.
Diglett wanted to see how he could fare against an Elite Four sparring partner with just his grit and his type advantage. He could.
Metapod and Misdreavus wanted to see how they'd fare in a double battle against an eighth badge Growlithe? Now they could.
Blaine had twenty Pokemon overall, several of the same, but at different strength levels. The children of his team members and, in some cases, their children as well.
One thing all those twenty Pokemon had in common? All fire-types.
Houndour was in heaven. His pack had suddenly expanded, and due to being the youngest, he essentially got to relive his childhood.
He roughhouse with the Growlithe, got help in increasing the intensity of his flame from a Rapidash, before turning around and being supervised in the way he coated his bite with fire-type energy by an Arcanine.
He went from being a two-badge Pokemon to a three-badge Pokemon in a week, then to fourth badge in two.
His speed was immense.
"That's the advantage of being a specialist!" Blaine exclaimed gruffly as they stood at the sidelines with their arms crossed, supervising the morning training. The heat, as always, was intense. Joey was getting used to it. "You get one new team member, and they struggle with something? There's ten other Pokemon who encountered the exact same issue back in the day, and each one of them solved it differently. As a specialist, you never have issues catching up a new member to the team standard."
"It's definitely helpful getting your perspective," Joey commented, wondering if he should seek out more type-specialists in the future.
"I'm not trying to convince you of anything," Blaine continued. "There's upsides and downsides. Downside of being a specialist? You have a lower ceiling. It's just the truth, no matter how some might try and pretend it isn't. Information is more free these days. Generalists are winning conferences now. That Cynthia girl who just became an Elite Four member in Sinnoh? I wouldn't stand a chance."
"Would you say that the improved information flow, largely exemplified by the sharing capacities of the Pokenet and the condensation potential of the Pokedex, are what's leading the charge? Or is there something else?" Joey asked.
"Information is everything," Blaine muttered. "You used to have to discover everything on your own. It was useful to only have to discover the deeper knowledge of one type, not six. You used to only be able to succeed as a generalist if you were a genius, like Oak. Now even brats like you are getting a chance. Second reason? World's more peaceful. People are more willing to trade secrets for favours these days. Back then, you knew how to evolve an Onix, and that was your ticket to being one of the most powerful and important experts in the region. You took that secret to the grave or gave it to your kids only. Now you can read the method in a book."
"Knowledge is the equaliser between the oppressor and the down-trotten. Once everyone has similar access, will we live in a meritocracy?" Joey wondered.
Blaine laughed out loud. "Nah, we went from feudalism to the League. The next step is inheritocracy. Meritocracy? Let's see in a millenia. Neither you nor me will be alive by then. My dad was the gym leader of Cinnabar when I was a kid. I'm aware of the fact that this boosted my journey in the beginning."
"Aren't I proof? Oak came from nothing. Cynthia's mother is a history professor."
"Don't compare yourself to Oak," Blaine scoffed. "And don't underestimate the connections a history professor has. Nobody starts their journey with a Gible, unless they're filthy rich or filthy connected. Who's currently the most likely future Champion of Indigo? Fucking dragon boy. Blackthorne in my ass for fifty years now. Shitty clan. Can you believe it? Medieval cave-dwelling dragon tamers from the last era, and they can still just spit out a future champion whenever they wish, with those absurd bloodlines they have brooding in those caves of theirs. The fact of the matter is, the game is rigged from the start. You wanna break the mold, like Oak? You better be ready to be a once-in-a-generation genius and then get lucky on top of it."
"It doesn't matter in the end, does it?" Joey said rhetorically and shrugged. "You can only try your best in the end, with whatever you're given. Fate sorts out the rest."
"Didn't take you for a determinist," Blaine grunted.
"Fate is simply the magical world attributed to the sort of human agency that the human mind cannot understand. Did the great unifier unite Kanto because he was the great unifier, or is he the great unifier because he succeeded. Who was the man before the feat, but simply a man willing to accomplish it and who ended up succeeding?"
"Cut the bullshit. What are you trying to say?" Blaine asked.
Joey smirked as he watched Houndour launch himself up in a Flame Wheel before crashing back down with a startled yip.
"There is always a winner. One who stands above all. I just wonder… Why shouldn't it be me?"
"At least you have ambition, I guess," Blaine replied after a long silence. "Can't get very far without that."
-/-
Joey whistled as he scrubbed down Slugma with fine gravel with the use of some incredibly tough and heat-resistant gloves.
"Slug, slugmaaaaa," the Pokemon crooned under his ministrations.
Since Joey was using her in battles, her care also became one of his responsibilities.
He didn't mind overly much. Slugma was a very nice girl.
"Who's a nice girl?" Joey cooed, transforming his bathing into a tickling, causing the fire Pokemon to playfully wiggle under his ministrations.
"Slugma?" the Pokemon exclaimed.
"You're a good girl!" Joey answered and tickled the slug more, eliciting laughs and bubbles from the lava-like face.
"Slslslslslslslsl."
After finishing his playtime with his temporary team member, Joey briefly wondered where Jessie was. He hadn't seen her in a while.
-/-
"And a one, two, three, four," Jessie said dramatically as she demonstrated the steps to Happiny, who promptly fell to the floor.
Jessie nodded slowly before using the words she'd learned from Joey. "It's a work in progress!"
"Happiny!"
-/-
AN: And when nobody needed him anymore, he returned. Anyway, a lot of chapters stacked up on Patreon due to the hiatus at the moment, so maybe check that out. I think its 15 chapters advance now (like 50k words). Will have to find a reason to do a few quick updates soon.