Flannery's fiery red hair perfectly matched her personality—she was just as passionate and hot-blooded as the flames she commanded.
The moment Aiden Flint arrived at the Lavaridge Gym, the ever-eager Flannery was already waiting at the entrance. Without wasting a second, she immediately arranged the Gym battle.
Once the referee took his position, Aiden and Flannery stepped forward into the challenger and Gym Leader zones.
"Now commencing the Gym battle between Challenger Aiden Flint and Lavaridge Gym Leader Flannery!
The match will be a three-on-three battle. Only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon.
Let the battle begin!"
With the referee's call, Flannery sent out her first Pokémon.
A Level 25 Numel.
As with most Gym Leaders, the first Pokémon was clearly meant to test the challenger's strength.
Facing Numel, Aiden took out Growlithe's Poké Ball.
A flash of red light, and Growlithe appeared. Intimidate activated instantly, causing Numel's Attack to drop.
Seeing Aiden also send out a Fire-type Pokémon, Flannery's eyes lit up.
"Oh? You love Fire-types too? Nice! But don't think I'll go easy on you!"
"Numel, use Lava Plume!"
Numel opened its mouth, and black, scorching smoke swept across the battlefield.
Even though Growlithe was a Fire-type, it didn't have Flash Fire, so it still took damage.
"Growlithe—use Quick Attack, then Flame Wheel!"
Growlithe darted forward at high speed. As it closed in, flames wrapped around its body, and the rushing wind only boosted the power of Flame Wheel.
In the next moment, it smashed straight into Numel, sending it flying.
"Nice! Now use Bite!"
Growlithe already hated Numel-type Pokémon—after all, it and its mother had been trapped by Camerupt on Mount Chimney.
That resentment exploded into fierce fighting spirit.
Before Numel could even get back up, Growlithe lunged in and bit down with vicious force.
Pinned beneath Growlithe, Numel couldn't move.
Moments later, it lost all strength.
"Ding! Growlithe defeated Numel. Gained 211 experience. Level up—current level: 23!"
"Numel has lost the ability to battle. Growlithe wins!"
Flannery recalled Numel, nodding with approval.
"Great fighting spirit. Your Growlithe is trained really well. Next—Slugma, I'm counting on you!"
A massive Slugma appeared—over a meter tall, far larger than normal.
Pokémon: Slugma
Level: 33
Ability: Magma Armor
Type: Fire
Potential: Purple
Moves: Smog, Yawn, Rock Throw, Ancient Power, Incinerate, Rock Slide…
Against this Slugma, Aiden recalled Growlithe and sent out Infernape.
"Another Fire-type? Haha, I'm liking you more and more, Aiden! Fire-type Trainers are the best!"
Flannery studied Infernape curiously.
"What Pokémon is that?"
"A Sinnoh starter—Chimchar's evolution, Infernape. I got it by chance. Flannery, keep that fighting spirit burning!"
"Infernape—Mach Punch!"
With Iron Fist, Infernape's punching moves were even stronger.
Flannery shouted back,
"As expected from someone who already has four Gym Badges and beat Norman of Petalburg! Slugma—Rock Slide!"
As the stones began to fall, Infernape had already closed the distance.
A glowing fist slammed into Slugma, knocking it flying before the rocks even hit.
The falling stones were smashed apart by Infernape's precise strikes.
"Great! Now Flame Wheel!"
Infernape burst into flames and spun forward.
"Slugma—Ancient Power!"
But Infernape was faster. The spinning flames slammed into Slugma, interrupting its attack.
"Finish it—Thunder Punch!"
Electricity crackled around Infernape's fist, and with a brilliant flash, Slugma was sent flying.
It hit the ground, eyes spinning.
"Ding! Infernape defeated Slugma. Gained 325 experience. Level up—current level: 34!"
"Slugma is unable to battle. Infernape wins. Gym Leader Flannery, please send out your final Pokémon!"
Flannery clenched her fist.
"That Infernape is amazing… Then let's go—my final ace!"
Red light flashed.
A Torkoal appeared.
"Ding! Torkoal's current attributes are as follows:"
Pokémon: Torkoal
Level: 37
Ability: White Smoke
Type: Fire
Potential: Purple
Moves: Withdraw, Rapid Spin, Flame Wheel, Protect, Lava Plume, Iron Defense, Body Slam, Flamethrower…
…
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