After leaving the small town that had been thrown into turmoil by Team Rocket's Pokémon Daycare scam, Ash and his companions boarded a ship and arrived at their next destination: Cinnabar Island, famous for its volcano and hot springs.
Even before the boat docked, a faint scent of sulfur mixed with the damp sea breeze drifted toward them. In the distance, the silhouette of a towering volcano loomed through the hazy steam.
"Wow! So this is Cinnabar Island? It feels so lively!" Misty exclaimed excitedly as she looked at the bustling crowd on the pier.
The island was filled with all kinds of hot spring inns and souvenir shops for tourists. Visitors came and went endlessly, giving the whole place the unmistakable atmosphere of a vacation resort.
According to the guidebook, the Cinnabar Gym was located somewhere on this island. Its Gym Leader, Blaine, was said to be a master who specialized in Fire type Pokémon. Brock flipped through his guidebook, but his brows slowly knit together. "But… I've heard the Cinnabar Gym has been a bit… unusual lately."
The three of them walked through the lively streets, following the directions toward the Cinnabar Gym. However, when they arrived at the location marked on the map, all they found was a massive building with a sign that read Volcano Hot Spring Bathhouse. A long line of visitors stood outside, all wearing bathrobes and laughing cheerfully. There was no sign of a Gym anywhere.
"Huh? Where's the Gym?" Misty looked around in confusion.
Just as they were feeling puzzled, an elderly man wearing a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, and perfectly combed hair lounged leisurely on a beach chair nearby. He slowly fanned himself and spoke in a rhythmic, theatrical tone.
"Travelers from afar… are you perhaps searching for the arena where flames and wisdom are tested?"
Ash's heart stirred. Through his Aura, he instantly sensed the powerful Fire type energy hidden within the old man, as well as a vitality that completely contradicted his aged appearance. He immediately recognized the man's identity.
The Gym Leader of Cinnabar Gym, Blaine.
But Ash showed no reaction and politely replied, "Yes, sir. We're looking for the Cinnabar Gym."
Blaine sat up, removed his sunglasses, and revealed a pair of sharp eyes filled with playful amusement.
"The Cinnabar Gym? Hmm… it is like a mirage hidden within a desert illusion. Before I tell you where it is, answer a few questions for me."
He cleared his throat and began presenting his riddles.
"First question: What is something with a cold head but a warm body?"
Misty immediately answered, "Hot spring buns?"
Blaine shook his head.
Brock pondered for a moment. "Is it… someone who just finished bathing in a hot spring?"
Blaine shook his head again and turned his gaze toward Ash.
Ash smiled slightly. "An outdoor hot spring. Your head sticks out in the wind and feels cold, while your body stays warm in the water."
A hint of approval flashed in Blaine's eyes as he continued.
"Second question: What is something that is right in front of you, yet you cannot see it?"
This time both Misty and Brock frowned deeply, thinking hard.
Ash calmly answered, "Your own eyelids."
The smile on Blaine's face widened. He stood up and examined Ash carefully.
"Sharp mind, young man. It seems you're not the kind of trainer who only relies on brute force."
Then his tone changed slightly, carrying a hint of regret.
"However… you've arrived too late. The real Cinnabar Gym, unable to endure the constant disturbance from tourists, has temporarily closed."
"Closed?!" Misty and Brock cried out in unison, their faces filled with disappointment.
Although Ash had already known this situation from the original story, he still displayed a perfectly timed expression of surprise and disappointment.
He clearly knew Blaine was standing right in front of them, and that the Gym had not truly disappeared.
But he did not expose it immediately. After such a long journey, everyone was indeed feeling tired. Since Blaine clearly intended to hide his identity for now, Ash decided to go along with it.
Blaine seemed quite satisfied with their reactions. He pulled out a beautifully made card from his pocket and handed it to Ash.
"You've traveled a long way, after all. Here's my business card. It contains clues to a guesthouse I run on this island. The environment is quite nice, and the hot springs are excellent. I'll even give you a discount."
With that, he left.
Ash took the card and saw that it displayed a strange line written in a peculiar format:
"Below is a swinging pendulum, above are people chasing, running, jumping, and bumping into one another. That is where the Riddle Guesthouse lies!"
Misty leaned over to take a look, becoming even more confused. "What does this even mean? I can't understand it at all! Swinging… people chasing each other…"
Brock also frowned as he thought about it. "It sounds like a location riddle."
Ash already understood. This was the exact riddle from the original story that pointed to the guesthouse.
"Below is a swing" referred to an actual swing, while "above are people chasing, running, jumping, and bumping into each other" referred to the moving hands of a clock.
Pretending to suddenly realize, he said, "I get it! This riddle is talking about a building that has a clock above a swing!"
Following this clue, the three of them searched around the island. Sure enough, on a relatively quiet street, they found a Japanese style building with a traditional courtyard.
There was indeed a wooden swing in the courtyard, and above the main entrance of the building hung an antique looking clock.
"This must be it!" Ash said, pointing at the clock.
Misty looked at him admiringly. "You're amazing! You even solved such a difficult riddle!"
The guesthouse, called Big Riddle Inn, had a tranquil atmosphere. Its traditional Japanese architecture carried the quiet weight of passing years.
When they checked in, even the receptionist at the front desk wore a mysterious smile, as if they knew something, yet chose not to say anything.
After settling their luggage, the three of them eagerly went to try the guesthouse's proud outdoor hot spring.
The warm water washed away the exhaustion from their long journey. Misty let out a comfortable sigh.
"Even though we didn't find the Gym, relaxing like this actually feels pretty nice."
Brock nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and I keep feeling like that Man was hinting at something. The riddle he gave us might not just be about recommending a place to stay."
Ash soaked quietly in the hot spring, letting his thoughts drift.
Of course, he already knew where the Gym was. He could even go look for the entrance right now.
But he was not in a hurry.
Blaine was clearly testing them. It was not just about riddles, but also about temperament. Impatience was a major taboo for a Fire type trainer.
Ash decided to follow the rules of this little game. Tomorrow, he would visit Blaine directly and formally challenge him.
Not only was it a sign of respect toward the Gym Leader, it was also a display of confidence.
That night, Ash stood alone by the window of the guest room, gazing at the faint red glow from the volcano crater in the darkness.
Pikachu sat quietly by his feet, eating Pokémon food.
"The seventh badge…" Ash murmured softly. "Blaine, I accept your test."
He recalled Blaine's riddle style.
"Above is a great flood, below is a great fire."
He knew this was another riddle Blaine would ask when they met, and the answer was the hot spring itself. Everything suggested that tomorrow's Gym battle would not be easy.
However, just as Ash was about to turn off the lights and go to sleep, his Aura suddenly picked up a strange disturbance.
It was not coming from the direction of the Gym.
It was coming from the courtyard outside the guesthouse.
Several sneaky energy signatures, carrying a familiar and unpleasant frequency, were quietly approaching.
That feeling… there was no mistake.
Ash's eyes sharpened.
Why would Team Rocket appear here? And their target seemed very clear…
At the same time, faint noises drifted up from downstairs. The voice of a guesthouse attendant could be heard asking something in slight panic, followed by the sound of something being knocked over.
Ash immediately walked to the door and listened carefully.
Pikachu also raised its ears alertly, small sparks of electricity flickering on its cheeks.
In the hallway outside, deliberate yet still audible footsteps could be heard, moving straight toward their room.
Ash tightened his grip on a Poké Ball, his gaze serious.
"Looks like someone doesn't want us to have a peaceful night. But what exactly is Team Rocket's target this time…?"
The battle for the Cinnabar Gym was about to begin. And Charizard's first big moment could not be missed.
...