//------------------------------//
// Where On Cinnabar Island Is Blaine's Gym? 
// Story: Pokemon Turquoise 
// by foxmaster 
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Turquoise was relaxing on the ferry to Cinnabar Island hyped for her next Gym Battle. As she was talking to her pokemon about it another trainer who was on board burst her bubble by saying Cinnabar Island has no gym. Turquoise knew they were lying since Sabrina told her about it herself. As soon as the ferry made it to Cinnabar Island Turquoise was surprised to see a ton of shops and stalls.

“ Strange I thought there would be other trainers here beside me. I wonder what makes this place such a tourist trap?” Turquoise asked herself before bumping into a man with long dark blonde hair with a matching mustache and sunglasses.

“ The answer is a riddle. What do tourists think is hot and cool?” the man asked. Turquoise began thinking until the answer hit her.

“ I got it its Hot Springs they are hot but tourists think they are cool,” Turquoise said.

“ That’s right. You see kid because of the volcano there are lots of Hot Springs here on Cinnabar Island. And every year more and more tourists come to visit them. They have taken over Cinnabar Island. Trainers don,t come anymore,” The man said before falling to his knees. “ TOURISTS THEY RUINED THE ISLAND,”

“ Is the gym still here I came all this way to challenge it?” Turquoise asked.

“ Blaine’s Gym is where you put your glasses,” The man said.

“ In front of your eyes?” Turquoise asked.

“ Your right again. Blaine’s gym is in front of your eyes,” The man said before pointing to the torn remains of an old building.

“ That’s it that wreck?” Turquoise asked.

“ Blaine got tired of battling tourists who cared more about postcards and T-shirts then about Pokemon. That’s when he abandoned the gym,” The man said.

“ But I care about Pokemon and I traveled all this way to earn my seventh badge,” Turquoise said.

“ I’m afraid you came to the wrong place,” The man said before handing Turquoise a card that said The Big Riddle In on it. After reading it the man mysteriously vanished. Turquoise figured she might as well just head to the Pokemon Center and maybe ask around for information about Blaine. As soon as she entered the place was filled to the brim with tourists.

“ If you are here to ask for a room don,t bother we are so filled that gues are even sleeping in the lobby,” Nurse Joy said.

“ I’m not here for that I was wondering if you knew where I could find Blaine the Gym Leader?” Turquoise asked.

“ There have been rumors that Blaine built a secret gym for trainers who are serious about Pokemon and being the quiz master that he is won,t give you a straight answer. As for what kind of Pokemon he uses. Blaine is a master of Fire-Type Pokemon,” Nurse Joy said.

“ Thank you for the info. By the way is the vidphone available?” Turquoise asked.

“ Your free to check but I would not hold your breath if I were you,” Nurse Joy said. Turquoise was in luck the vidphone was not being used by someone currently. After dialing the number Professor Oak appeared on the screen.

“ Ah Turquoise its always a pleasure to see you,” Professor Oak said.

“ Same with you. I need you to send me my Milotic,” Turquoise said.

“ Certainly I assume you know what to do by now?” Professor Oak asked.

“ Sure do I’m sending over my Corviknight,” Turquoise said. After making the exchange Turquoise left to do some training with Milotic before trying to find Blaine’s Gym. As Turquoise was exploring the Island she came across a store that sold what looked like records. After going inside Turquoise noticed these records were labeled with TR followed by a number.

“ I see you have quite the eye. That one is TR03 Hydro Pump,” The owner said.

“ TR?” Turquoise asked.

“ Technical Records, they are just like Technical Machines only more fragile since they can only be used once,” The owner said with Turquoise still feeling confused. “ Young lady, is this your first time looking at a TM or TR?

“ Yes, it is,” Turquoise said.

“ Then allow me to educate you, TMs and TRs are recordings of moves that you can teach your pokemon. A TM can be used any number of times you wish were as a TR can only be used once since they break after a single-use. Some trainers may think teaching moves this way is cheating but let me assure you it is completely legal.” The owner said.

“ As long as it’s legal I’ll take it,” Turquoise said. After buying the TR Turquoise decided to find an open space to practice Hydro Pump. After using the TR on Milotic and seeing her master Hydro Pump Turquoise noticed it was getting late and decided to try and find a hotel for the night. Turquoise tried every hotel she could find and every time she would be told they had no vacancies. Just when it looked like she had no place to sleep for the night she remembered the card she was given by that man. After pulling it out Turquoise read what was on it.

“ If you look near the swing you can see my hands or at least my face,” Turquoise read confused by this riddle. Turquoise noticed there was a swing behind her but did not see anyone’s hands or face. Turquoise also noticed above where the swing was there was a building with a clock tower. It then hit her that the answer to the riddle was a clock. As soon as she arrived at what she discovered was the Big Riddle Inn the man from before was waiting for her.

“ I assume you’re here because you solved the riddle?” The man asked.

“ I sure did. You can see my hands or at least my face. The answer was a clock since a clock has both hands and a face,” Turquoise said.

“ And once again you are correct and as a prize, you get a free room here at the Big Riddle Inn,” The man said.

“ Thank you now I can focus on finding that hidden Gym,” Turquoise said.

“ So you heard the rumors too. Well, they are true. Blaine did build a secret gym and since you came this far here is a riddle that will lead you there. It’s in a place where firefighters can never win,” The man said.

“ That one is a real brain teaser,” Turquoise said before heading to her room. Turquoise racked her brain over it before going to sleep.





The next day Turquoise and her Pokemon trained some more before getting tired. Turquoise figured maybe a soak in the hot springs would help clear her mind and figure out the riddle. As she was soaking she began thinking.

“ It’s in a place where Firefighters can never win. Where can such a place be?” Turquoise said to herself. As she was thinking her Zoroark leaned against the Gyarados shaped water fixture which caused the rock it was on to sink into the ground thus causing another rock on the side of the volcano to move to reveal a secret passage. After getting dressed Turquoise entered the secret passage and the further down the stairs she went the hotter things got until she reached a metal door. Turquoise tried to open it but as soon as she touched it she felt how searing hot it was. The door began to open slowly revealing a battlefield suspended over a pit of lava by chains. “ This must be Blaine’s Gym but why inside a volcano? Wait, A Volcano that’s it there isn’t enough water to put out a volcano. Suddenly the lights turned on revealing the man who owns the Big Riddle Inn on the other side.

“ Looks like you solved my riddle,” The man said.

“ What are you doing here?” Turquoise asked.

“ It’s not a hat but it keeps your head dry. If you wear it it’s only because you lost it?” The man asked.

“ Another riddle?” Turquoise said. Turquoise felt close to pulling her hair out on this one until she stopped herself after getting the answer. “ It’s a wig. A wig keeps your head dry and you only wear it because you lost your hair.

“ And the kid has done it again,” The man said before removing his wig and mustache revealing him to be an old man with a bald head and white hair on the back of his head. “ Wig is correct.

“ Its a wig,” Turquoise said shocked by what just happened.

“ You get it I wear a wig because I am really Blaine the gym Leader,” Blaine said dropping his fake accent. “ So are you ready to battle?”

“ I sure am,” Turquoise said before a ref bot came out and hovered over the side of the battlefield.

“ The battle between Turquoise the Challenger and Blaine the Gym Leader will now begin. Both sides will be using four pokemon and the battle will be over when all of either side’s pokemon are unable to battle. Additionally, only the challenger is allowed to substitute pokemon,” The ref bot said.

“ Fine with me,” Turquoise said.

“ Same here,” Blaine said.

“ Then let the battle begin,” The ref bot said.

“ Go Ninetails,” Blaine said as he called out his Ninetails.

“ Go Zoroark,” Turquoise said as she called out Zoroark.

“ A Dark-type how interesting,” Blaine said.

“ I know Ninetails can use Psychic-type moves in addition to Fire-type moves,” Turquoise said.

“ Well, let’s see how prepared you are. Ninetails use Fire Spin. Ninetails unleashed a spiraling stream of fire at Zoroark.

“ Zoroark use Detect. Zoroark’s eyes glowed as she dodged the Fire Spin. “ Now use Night Daze. Zoroark unleashed her Night Daze which almost shook the battlefield with Ninetails getting hit by it and fainting.

“ Ninetails is unable to battle Zoroark wins,” The ref bot said as it raised its right flag.

“ Ninetails return,” Blaine said before recalling Ninetails. “  Pretty impressive using Detect to dodge and then counter-attack.

“ Thanks,” Turquoise said.

“ However this battle is not over yet let’s see how you handle my next pokemon. Go Rapidash,” Blaine said as he called out a unicorn-like pokemon with a flaming mane. Turquoise pulled out her Pokedex for this one.

“ Rapidash. The Fire horse Pokemon. This Pokémon can be seen galloping through fields at speeds of up to 150 mph, its fiery mane fluttering in the wind,” The Pokedex said.

“ Rapidash use Smart Strike. Rapidash’s horn began to glow and extend until it was a long as a lance while Rapidash was lunging at Zoroark. Zoroark was hit by the Smart Strike and then fainted before lying near the edge of the battlefield.

“ Zoroark is unable to battle Rapidash wins,” The ref bot said while raising its left flag.

“ Zoroark return,” Turquoise said as she recalled Zoroark. “ You did well out there now rest. Turquoise gave careful consideration to who to end out next since she is going up against a pokemon that can do a lot more than Fire-Type moves. Turquoise then made her choice. “ Go Espeon. Espeon came out ready to battle.

“ A Psychic-Type this time? You sure know how to surprise an old man,” Blaine said.

“ Just watch and see. Espeon use Psybeam. Espeon unleashed her Psybeam on Rapidash who despite getting hit by it managed to survive with minimal damage.

“ Now that was a powerful attack now let me show you mine. Rapidash use Flame Charge. Rapidash stomped its hooves in place while building up fire around itself and then stampeded towards Espeon while hitting her for a ton of damage.

“ That sure was powerful but we are not finished yet. Espeon use Psychic on Rapidash. Espeon unleashed her Psychic on Rapidash who despite being beggar than her was levitated off the ground and then slammed onto the ground with enough force to shake the battlefield and faint.

“ Rapidash is Unable to battle Espeon wins,” The ref bot said while raising its right flag.

“ Rapidash return,” Blaine said as he recalled Rapidash. “ You are full of surprises kid but let’s see how you handle my third pokemon. Go Arcanine. Blaine threw his next Pokeball and out of it came a big orange canine-like pokemon with a yellow mane and black stripes in certain places. Turquoise pulled out her Pokedex again.

“ Arcanine. The Legendary Pokemon. The sight of it running over 6,200 miles in a single day and night has captivated many people,” The Pokedex said.

“ Espeon can you keep going?” Turquoise asked with Espeon nodding yes.

“ Let’s see you dodge this. Arcanine use Extreme Speed. Arcanine leaped and then struck Espeon faster than a speeding bullet.

“ Espeon use Morning Sun. Espeon was bathed in Sunlight which allowed her to recover some health. “ Now use Swift while Spinning. Espeon spun around while using Swift which trapped Arcanine in a Swift Tornado that struck arcanine each time it touched the tornado.

“ Not bad but not good enough. Arcanine use Flare Blitz. Arcanine was covered in a cloak of blue fire as it not only burned up the Swift Tornado but also managed to nail Espeon for enough damage to finish her. Turquoise managed to recall Espeon in time before she fell off the edge.

“ Espeon is unable to battle Arcanine wins,” The ref bot said while raising its left flag and Arcanine feeling the recoil from Flare Blitz.

“ Good save kid,” Blaine said.

“ I would never let my dearest friend fall to her doom,” Turquoise said.

“ Then let’s keep going,” Blaine said. Turquoise made her choice between the two pokemon she knew would win her the match.

“ Go Milotic,” Turquoise said as she called out her Milotic.

“ A Water-Type how predictable,” Blaine said before he realized that Turquoise has been saving Milotic for this precise moment. “ Arcanine use Extreme Speed. Arcanine leaped at Milotic which caused Turquoise to smile.

“ Milotic use Hydro Pump from close range. Milotic blasted arcanine with a powerful stream of water that knocked Arcanine out.

“ Arcanine is unable to battle Milotic wins,” The ref bot said while raising its right flag.

“ Arcanine return,” Blaine said as he recalled Arcanine. “ I must say its been a while since anyone has pushed me this far and now my last pokemon shall surprise you.

“ What Pokemon would that be?” Turquoise asked.

“ You’re about to find out. I chose Magmar,” Blane said as the magma began to shake and a sphere made of magma rose behind Blaine and then dissolved revealing a red and yellow humanoid-like creature.

“ What is that?” Turquoise asked while pulling out her Pokedex.

“ Magmar. The Spitfire Pokemon. Born in an active volcano. Its body is always cloaked in flames, so it looks like a big ball of fire,” The Pokedex said.

“ Magmar use Thunder Punch. Magmar charged at Milotic with a fist covered in electricity which managed to nail Milotic and inflict some serious damage.

“ Magmar can use Thunder Punch?” Turquoise said in shock.

“ You’re surprised? Back in the day, most trainers thought all they needed to beat me was a Water-Type Pokemon so I had Magmar learn Thunder Punch as a countermeasure against Water-Types,” Blaine said.

“ No matter we will still win. Milotic use Aqua Tail. Milotic’s tail was covered in water as she tried to hit Magmar with it only for Blaine to react.

“ Magmar use Thunder Punch on that Water. Magmar managed to hit Milotic’s tail with its Thunder Punch which caused it to inflict more damage and cause Milotic to faint. 

“ Milotic is unable to battle Magmar wins,” The ref bot said while raising its left flag.

“ You seem to have forgotten that water conducts electricity so all you did was make my Magmar’s Thunder Punch stronger,” Blaine said.

“ Milotic return,” Turquoise said as she recalled Milotic. “ You were amazing out there now rest. Turquoise pinned all her hope on her final Pokemon. Go Flygon. Flygon flew above the field before landing on it.

“ A Ground and Dragon-Type now that is what I call an ace in the hole,” Blaine said.

“ If you think that is good let’s see what you think of this. Flygon use Sand tomb. Flygon’s eyes glowed as Magmar was now covered waist-deep in sand and took some damage.

“ Not bad but not good enough. Magmar use Fire Punch on the sand. Magmar punched the sand with a fist covered in fire and turned the Sand Tomb into glass and then broke free from it. “ Now use Fire Blast. Magmar fired its Fire Blast at Flygon who caught it and tried to send it back but failed.

“ Flygon use Dragon Breath. Flygon unleashed his Dragon breath which managed to not only nail Magmar but also Paralyze it. “ Now finish this with Earthquake. Flygon landed onto the battlefield hard and shook it violently thus causing Magmar to lose its balance and teeter on the edge of the field and into the lava.  Suddenly Magmar leaped out of the lava and back onto the field only to faint afterward.

“ Magmar is unable to battle Flygon wins which means the winner is Turquoise the challenger,” The ref bot said while raising its right flag.

“ We did it Flygon we won,” Turquoise said while hugging Flygon.

“ You were amazing Magmar now rest,” Blaine said as Magmar jumped back into the lava to rest.

“ Can Magmar survive in that lava?” Turquoise asked.

“ Relax to Magmar it’s like soaking in a hot spring now for my last riddle. What is always red but has no words? The answer is a Volcano Badge and you have earned this one,” Blaine said before giving Turquoise a red flame-shaped badge.

“ Thanks,” Turquoise said.

“ So any idea where you will be going next?” Blaine asked.

“ I know exactly where I’m going. I’m heading back to Viridian City. it’s time to face my toughest challenge yet,” Turquoise said.

“ Good luck to you I remember the Viridian City Gym Leader well. Like you, he was among the few people to ever find my secret gym,” Blaine said. As soon as Turquoise returned to the Pokemon Center she gave all her Pokemon to Nurse Joy to be healed. After her Pokemon were healed Turquoise boarded a ship that was on route to Vermillion City and stood among the bow of the ship.

“ Twilight, Rainbow I hope you’re waiting for me because I’m on my way,” Turquoise said while clutching her fist.