Bang!
"Meta!"
Metagross regarded Camerupt calmly, observing the Fire-type that had just finished unleashing its Flamethrower.
The surrounding high temperature did affect it considerably, but it remained within a tolerable range.
Asa looked at the opposing Pokémon, which radiated waves of overwhelming pressure, and the flames in her eyes burned brighter!
What a powerful Pokémon!
"Let's finish this quickly, Metagross," Steven said firmly.
"Mheta," Metagross nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"Flash Cannon!"
"Lava Plume!"
The full-powered Flamethrower from earlier had required substantial stamina and energy, meaning Camerupt couldn't use another Flamethrower in such a short period.
Metagross extended its arms flat, and a silver beam of energy was instantly released!
Camerupt hunched forward, and roaring flames erupted from the humps on its back!
Boom!
Flash Cannon struck Camerupt first, and in an instant, a cloud of black smoke rose from where it stood.
Metagross looked up at the falling flames, calmly raised a Protect barrier, and blocked the fire attack completely.
"Earthquake!"
"Mheta!"
Metagross slammed one of its massive arms into the scorching ground!
The Gym's battlefield began to shake violently!
The tremors nearly made both Steven and Asa lose their footing.
"Camerupt, use Earth Power to counter it!" Asa's body swayed unsteadily, but she didn't forget to issue her next command.
Camerupt weighed up to 220 kilograms, and its movement speed was extremely slow, making it impossible to avoid a wide-ranging Earthquake attack. It could only use a move to reduce the power of the incoming Earthquake.
Camerupt took a deep breath, exhaling black smoke, then lifted its foot and stomped down hard!
However, how could Camerupt's strength possibly stop Metagross?
Underground, the energy from Earth Power was instantly shattered by the force of Earthquake!
Bang!
Earthquake struck Camerupt with full force, and the powerful impact sent it flying into the air before it crashed down heavily.
The outcome was unsurprising.
"I never expected you to have such a powerful Pokémon. You're clearly stronger than a three-badge Trainer!" Asa recalled Camerupt, a hearty smile spreading across her face.
In this battle, she had at least been true to herself, and the loss was inevitable against such strength.
"It was originally meant as training for those two younger ones, but I'm still not skilled enough," Steven said as Asa walked forward. He recalled Metagross into its Poké Ball.
"Anyway, this Volcano Badge is yours! Congratulations, challenger..."
Asa took out a flame-shaped badge that seemed to flicker like fire, but as she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer.
Steven chuckled at this. Asa still didn't know his name.
How could she be a proper Gym Leader if she hadn't asked about the challenger's background and name!
Asa felt slightly distressed, thinking to herself how difficult it was to be a good Gym Leader.
"Steven, from Mossdeep City," Steven said, extending his hand to Asa.
"Oh! Steven, let the hot springs wash away today's exhaustion!" Asa enthusiastically clasped Steven's sweaty hand and laughed heartily.
"Eh?"
Steven was momentarily stunned. What was the connection?
But indeed, the hot springs in Lavaridge Town were famous for their ability to wash away fatigue.
Steven returned to the Lavaridge Town Pokémon Center and handed the injured Skarmory and Lairon to Nurse Joy for treatment.
As for his trip to the Sinnoh region, Steven planned to depart the following day.
No matter what, he absolutely had to soak in the hot springs again tonight.
He also needed to review today's mistakes and shortcomings.
When Camerupt had used Flamethrower, Steven could have chosen to recall Skarmory instead of letting it take the hit.
"It seems environmental factors are also critical elements that influence the outcome of a battle," Steven said helplessly, covering his forehead with his hand.
He had learned a valuable lesson today.
Initially, Steven had only thought that high-temperature environments would merely increase stamina consumption at a faster rate.
He hadn't realized that when he became dizzy from the heat, his judgment would also begin to deteriorate significantly.
He still had a long way to go in his training journey!
When he retrieved Skarmory and Lairon later, Nurse Joy gave Steven several instructions, informing him that both Pokémon needed proper rest for a while.
Steven had already planned to do exactly that.
Pokémon Center treatment addressed move-related damage and physical injuries effectively.
However, for example, the scorched marks on Lairon's steel armor would have to heal slowly on their own over time.
Still, when he returned to his room and saw the re-energized Lairon and Skarmory, Steven smiled warmly once more.
"This time, everything was my fault. I apologize," Steven said with genuine remorse, gently stroking the somewhat charred steel feathers on Skarmory's body.
"Yo!"
Skarmory didn't seem to mind at all. Victory and defeat were common occurrences in battle—what was a minor injury in the grand scheme of things!
As for Lairon, needless to say, it was completely fine after enjoying a hearty meal.
That night, Steven found himself soaking in the hot springs.
So comfortable...
It was a shame that most of his Pokémon weren't particularly fond of getting into water, except for...
Steven glanced over, watching Scyther meticulously cleaning its scythes in the hot spring water.
"Chaa?" Scyther raised an eyebrow, looking at Steven with a challenging expression.
What? Do you have a problem with me soaking here?
"Don't stay in too long."
"Chaa."
I think you're the one who should be worried.
Steven leaned back against the edge of the pool, closed his eyes, and gazed up at the night sky, his thoughts drifting back ten years into the past.
At that time, he had met his first real friend—a cute, blonde little girl.
Simply because of a word from her grandmother, the girl had followed him around everywhere.
Back then, Steven had wanted to read more Pokémon data to "activate" his memories from his past life and consolidate his knowledge.
At first, Steven had found having such a clingy blonde girl constantly around him somewhat annoying.
But for some inexplicable reason, the more he looked at her, the more endearing she became.
Seeing her sometimes dazed and occasionally pitiful expressions, Steven couldn't bear to neglect her and quickly warmed up to playing with her.
When the blonde girl finally had to leave, Steven gave her a pair of ornaments he had crafted from black gemstones.
Steven had noticed she liked them, so he took the liberty of fashioning them into accessories for her.
Afterward, Steven was thoroughly scolded by his father, Joseph.
"I actually found Cynthia annoying at first. I truly didn't appreciate what I had back then," Steven said with a wry, self-deprecating smile.
Steven still vividly remembered the last words the blonde girl had said to him before departing:
"You wait! I'll be the one to become Champion first!"
"Chaa." Scyther glanced at Steven, who was grinning foolishly to himself, with obvious disdain.
However, Scyther also gazed at the reflection in the water's surface.
The truth... where was it?
Eventually, both Steven and Scyther stayed in the hot springs far too long and returned to their room feeling dizzy and lightheaded.
Neither of them had the courage to criticize the other for it.
The next morning, a thoroughly refreshed Steven prepared to return to Mauville City to catch a flight to the Sinnoh region.
At the cable car station on Mt. Chimney's summit, he politely declined the elderly woman selling Lava Cookies and boarded the cable car to descend the mountain.
Similarly, he politely declined another elderly woman selling Lava Cookies at the cable car station located at the mountain's base.
To ensure he would return to Mauville City before nightfall, Steven relied on Metagross's impressive movement speed for most of the journey.
Metagross was truly a model worker! It didn't complain once throughout the entire day, and whenever Steven asked if it was tired, it simply kept shaking its head in denial.
Metagross!
If you keep acting like this, I'm really going to cry from gratitude!