Having left the small town that had been thrown into a state of flux by Team Rocket's day care scam, Ash and his companions boarded a ship and arrived at their next destinationCinnabar Island, a place famous for its towering volcano and rejuvenating hot springs.
Before they even reached the shore, a faint scent of sulfur drifted over on the damp sea breeze, and the silhouette of the majestic volcano loomed ahead, appearing and disappearing within the thick mist.
"Wow! So this is Cinnabar Island? It looks so lively!" Misty said excitedly, looking at the bustling crowds on the pier.
The island was dotted with various hot spring inns and souvenir shops, with tourists coming and going in a constant stream. It truly looked like a premier vacation resort.
"According to the guide, the Cinnabar Gym is on this island. The Gym Leader, Blaine, is a master of Fire-type Pokémon," Brock said, flipping through his guide with a slight frown. "However, it says here that the Cinnabar Gym has been a bit... special lately."
The three of them walked through the crowded streets, following the directions to the Gym. However, when they reached the location marked on the map, all they saw was a massive building with a sign that read "Volcano Hot Spring Bathhouse." There was a long line at the door filled with tourists in bathrobes laughing and chatting; there wasn't a single trace of a Gym.
"Eh? Where is the Gym?" Misty asked, looking around in confusion.
Just as they were feeling lost, an elderly gentleman wearing a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, his hair meticulously combed, spoke up. He was reclining leisurely on a nearby beach chair, waving a fan. "Young Trainers from afar, are you perhaps looking for the testing ground of flame and wisdom?" his voice rose and fell in a rhythmic cadence.
Ash's heart stirred. His Aura Power allowed him to instantly perceive the powerful Fire-type energy contained within the old man, as well as a vigorous vitality that didn't match his apparent age. He immediately recognized the man's identitythe Gym Leader of Cinnabar Gym, Blaine.
However, Ash kept his composure and answered politely, "Yes, sir, we are looking for the Cinnabar Gym."
Blaine sat up, took off his sunglasses, and revealed a pair of sharp, playful eyes. "The Cinnabar Gym? Hmm... it is like a phantom hidden within a mirage. Before I tell you where it is, answer me a few questions first."
He cleared his throat and began his riddle. "The first question: What is cold on the head but warm on the body?"
Misty answered immediately, "Is it a hot spring bun?"
Blaine shook his head.
Brock pondered, "Is it... someone who just finished bathing in a hot spring?"
Blaine still shook his head and looked at Ash.
Ash smiled slightly. "It's an open-air hot spring. Your head is exposed to the cool air while your body is soaked in the warm water."
A flash of approval showed in Blaine's eyes. He asked the second question: "What is something that is right in front of your eyes, yet you cannot see it?"
This time, both Misty and Brock knitted their brows in deep thought.
Ash answered calmly, "Your own eyelids."
The smile on Blaine's face widened. He stood up and scrutinized Ash. "A good head on your shoulders, young man. It seems you aren't the type of Trainer who only relies on brute force." He then changed his tone, adding a touch of regret. "However, you've come too late. The real Cinnabar Gym has been temporarily closed because it couldn't handle the constant disturbances from tourists."
"Closed?!" Misty and Brock cried out in unison, their faces written with disappointment.
Though Ash already knew this would happen from the original story, he still feigned just the right amount of shock and dismay. He knew perfectly well that Blaine was standing right in front of them and that the Gym hadn't actually vanished.
But he didn't point it out. Their long journey had been exhausting, and since Blaine intended to hide his identity, Ash decided to go along with it.
Blaine seemed satisfied with their reactions. He pulled an exquisite hard card from his pocket and handed it to Ash. "It wasn't easy for you to come all this way. This is my business card; it has a clue to an inn I run on the island. The environment is nice, the hot springs are great, and I'll give you a discount." After saying that, he left.
Ash took the card and saw a strange message printed on it:
"A swing hangs below, while brothers chase each other round and round above. That is where the Big Riddle Inn is found!"
Misty leaned in to look and grew even more confused. "What is this supposed to mean? I don't get it at all! A swing... brothers chasing..."
Brock also frowned. "It sounds like a location riddle."
Ash understood perfectlythis was the riddle from the original work pointing toward the inn. The "swing below" referred to an actual swing, and the "brothers chasing each other above" referred to the hands of a clock. He acted as if he had a sudden realization. "I've got it! This riddle describes a building with a clock above a swing!"
Following this lead, the three searched the island and eventually found a traditional Japanese-style building with a quiet courtyard on a relatively peaceful street. Indeed, there was a wooden swing in the yard, and a quaint, antique clock hung above the main entrance.
"This is the place!" Ash said, pointing at the clock.
Misty looked at Ash with admiration. "You're amazing, Ash! You solved such a difficult riddle!"
This homestay, named the "Time Inn," was serene, its traditional architecture reflecting the weight of passing years. When they checked in, the receptionist gave them a mysterious smile, as if she knew something but wasn't willing to say it.
After settling their luggage, the three couldn't wait to experience the inn's proudest feature: the open-air hot spring. The warm water washed away the fatigue of their travels. Misty sighed comfortably, "Even though we didn't find the Gym, being able to relax like this is pretty nice."
Brock agreed. "Yeah. Besides, I feel like Mr. Blaine had something more in mind. Giving us that riddle might not have been just about finding a place to stay."
Soaking in the spring, Ash let his thoughts wander. He knew exactly where the Gym was; he could even find the entrance right now. But he wasn't in a hurry. Blaine was clearly testing them, not just with riddles, but as a test of characterimpatience was the greatest taboo for a Fire-type Trainer.
He planned to follow the rules of the game and visit Blaine tomorrow to issue a formal challenge. This was not only a sign of respect for the Leader but also a display of his own confidence.
Late at night, Ash stood alone by the guest room window, looking at the faint red glow emanating from the distant crater in the dark. Pikachu was at his feet, quietly eating Pokémon food.
"The seventh Badge..." Ash whispered to himself. "Blaine, I accept your challenge."
He recalled Blaine's riddling style. 'A flood above, a fire below'he knew that was another riddle Blaine would ask when they met again, and the answer was a bathhouse. Everything indicated that tomorrow's Gym challenge would not be easy.
However, just as Ash was about to turn off the light and rest, his Aura Power detected a disturbancenot from the direction of the Gym, but from the courtyard outside the inn.
Several sneaky energy signatures, vibrating with a familiar and unpleasant frequency, were quietly approaching.
This feeling... there was no mistaking it. Ash's eyes sharpened. Why was Team Rocket here? And their target seemed very specific...
At the same time, the faint, panicked voice of the inn's receptionist and the sound of something being knocked over drifted up from downstairs.
Ash immediately moved to the door and listened intently. Pikachu also perked up his ears, tiny sparks of electricity flickering on his cheeks.
In the hallway outside, the sound of lightened but still clear footsteps approached their room.
Ash gripped a Poké Ball, his expression solemn. "It seems someone doesn't want us to have a peaceful night. What is Team Rocket's goal this time?"
The battle for the Cinnabar Gym was about to begin, and he couldn't let Charizard's first moment to truly shine go to waste.
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