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The Proud Fire, burns...

"Roserade is unable to battle!" Jaden declared, pointing his hand at Jake's side, "Lucario is the winner, and the victory of this match goes to the challenger Jake!"

"That's what I'm taking about! Another gym victory!" Jake exclaimed, holding up his fist triumphantly. He ran to Lucario, who was beaming with joy despite looking exhausted, and gave the panting aura user a bear hug, "That was excellent, pup. You just keep getting stronger and stronger and stronger through every battle. You make me really proud."

"Thanks." Lucario replied, nestling against the human's warm chest, tail wagging happily, "I'm just glad that I didn't disappoint you."

Meanwhile on the spectator's place, Ryan was smiling as he watched his two friends enjoyed their victory in an affectional way.

...

They took a twenty-minute short break for Gardenia's pokemon to recover. Jake and Lucario walked to Ryan; and they began to exchange small talks about Ryan's upcoming battle.

A few minutes later, Jaden joined them after having checked Cherubi's conditions. Poor thing, having its energy source literally plucked off and eaten by another pokemon. It would take several days to completely recover from that.

Jaden pulled out a can of energy drink from his pocket and tossed it to Jake, "That was a splendid battle. Here, my treat."

"Thanks."

"No problem. Oh, and I got something for ya too." Jaden added and tossed a chocolate bar to Lucario, who looked extremely happy and immediately dug in as he bit a large chunk and swallowed it greedily.

"Wow, how do you know he likes chocolate?" Jake inquired, puzzled.

"Let just say I did my home work," Jaden shrugged, "Ever since the day I decided to come here, I've always dreamed of having a Lucario in my team, so I studied them as much as I could..." his expression became dreamy as he started ranting, "They possess so many wonderful trails...brave, strong, intelligent, loyal, heroic. They make perfect companions, or something even more special (winked at Jake). They're also one of the few species that can sense and use aura...Such fascinating creatures, won't you agree.?"

Lucario's face turned into deep shade of red as Jaden continued to compliment his race. His pointy ears flicked playfully as he chowed down the rest of his delicious treat.

"By the way, have you any strategies for the next battle, Ryan?" asked Jaden.

"Simple, like how I've always done it. Go in there, kick some butts and return with a badge. I just kinda worry about Cherubi, cuz if it can't battle anymore, how are we supposed to progress with the match?"

"I thought you would say that." said Jaden, "Don't worry, I've discussed the problem with Gardenia, and we both agreed to bend the rules a little, just this time."

"What?"

Jaden held his hands up and made a calm down gesture, "Just hear me out, okay? Instead of 3 vs 3, the battle is now 2 on 2, and all other rules will be applied normally. Basically, I didn't give you any advantages, so don't get to worked up."

Jake nodded and tapped Ryan's shoulder as he noticed the tension in the air, "He has a point, that's not much of a big deal. You still get to fight, and it's everything that matters, right?"

Ryan went silent for a while. He then inhaled deeply and spoke, "You're right. Sometimes I let my pride get in the way. Sorry about that, you tried to help me after all."

"No biggie. Now then, really to take home that badge?"

"Yeah. Let's do it."

...

Once again, Gardenia was standing on a side of the battlefield, but this time, Ryan was the other side. The gym leader didn't look very happy, which could be inferred from her recent lost, and the fact that her precious Cherubi was incapacitated in that very same battle.

Ryan knew Gardenia was having a hard time controlling her anger, and that she could lose it anytime soon, but that was all Ryan hoped for. The more anger she was, the more careless she got, the easier for him to win.

"Let's get this over with. Go, Turwig!" Gardenia said as she threw a pokemon onto the ground, unleasing a not-so-strange, green turtle pokemon, looking as fresh as it ever was.

"Alright, here we go." Ryan mumbled to himself. He reached for Charizard's pokeball, but his fingers suddenly became very itchy, as if they refused to follow his will. Charizard was his ace, and they had pretty much fought every battle together. But why was he hesitating? Why was he thinking about another one of his pokemon companions?

"Blaziken, you're up, buddy!" Ryan declared, much to everyone's surprise.

"Did he just said 'Blaziken'?" asked Jake, blinking, "Is Ryan really going to risk this important battle by working with a pokemon he barely knows anything about?"

"I don't understand either, but I guess that's something called 'trust'. Weren't we the same during our first gym battle? Beside, Ryan is a smart trainer. He will know what to do." said Lucario as he quietly snuggled up to Jake, who noticed the fuzzy warmth by his side and became silent.

As Blaziken emerged from his orange pokeball, his eerie cold gaze fixed upon Turwig, quietly evaluating the turtle pokemon. If someone looked into Blaziken's eyes at this moment, they would hardly believe that he was a fire-type.

"Turwig, charge and use Tackle!" Gardenia said loudly. Turwig immediately reacted to its order and began to charge at Blaziken.

"It's no use." said Ryan, "The same trick never works twice, remember that! Blaziken, jump onto the trees."

Blaziken, who was still standing calmly as Turwig approached and attemped to tackle him, somersaulted backwards and landed on a branch of the nearest tree, advoiding Turwig's attack just in the nick of time.

"My, you are a pretty fast runner, little one, but it seemss jumping is out of your league, huh?" said Blaziken with a mocking smirk as he looked down at an irritated Turwig.

"So what?" replied the turtle pokemon, "Are you going to hide in those trees forever? Come down and face me if you have any guts!"

"Calm down, Turwig!" said Gardenia, "Use Leaf Storm!"

Turwig called out and raised its head. Out of nowhere, dozens of glowing leaf poppoed up and floated around it in a spiral motion. Turwig then pointed its head at Blaziken, and the cyclone of glowing leaves shot at the fire pokemon.

Blaziken's smirk grew a little wider as Turwig's grass blades shot at him. He glanced at Ryan, who nodded and gave his order, "Destroy those leaves with Flamethower!"

Taking a short breath, Blaziken's chest heavied up as he opened his mouth and unleashed an orange stream of fire which worked like a fiery, greedy tongue, licking away every single leaf in its range. Soon. Turwig's Leaf Storm was reduced to nothing but a pile of dust.

"Is that all you got?" said Ryan, rolling his eyes at Gardenia, "Okay, stop playing hide and seek and come down here, Blaziken. Let's see what else miss Gardenia and her Turwig have to entertain us further." the trainer spoke in a provoking tone which he rarely used, but he wanted to get Gardenia back for having tried to adward him the Forest Badge earlier. Gardenia might be oblivious to it, but Ryan considered that act of her an insult.

Gardenia's face went crimson in embarassment. Clenching her hands into fists, the gym leader said loudly, "Fine, you want my best, huh? Turwig, Solar Beam!"

The leaves on Turwig's head glowed white green and streams of solar energy could be seen gathering in its opened mouth. Ryan realized it was the same move that Cherubi had used on Starly earlier, but Turwig was executing it in a much, much faster rate. Soon enough, the turtle pokemon unleashed the yellow energy beam from its mouth, aiming for Blaziken.

"Oh boy...Perhaps I overdid the insults. Dodge it, Blaziken." Ryan told Blaziken. The blaze pokemon wasted no time and jumped to his right, easily avoiding the destructive beam.

"I got ya now! Use Bite!" said Gardenia loudly.

As it received Gardenia's command, Turwig charged at Blaziken, who was staggering a little and only had enough time to shield himself with his wrist. A barely audible groan escaped from Blaziken's mouth as Turwig's sharp teeth dug into his skin, leaving a deep cut from which small streams of blood were drizzling out.

"Blaziken, are you okay?" Ryan called out, looking slightly nervous as he saw the blood from Blaziken's wound and Turwig, who was still forcing his teeth even further into its opponent's wrist, intended to do more damage.

"You fool." Blaziken suddenly smirked, much to everyone's surprise, "Of all the places you can bite, and you ended up choosing my wrist? Big mistake, kid, and I will show you why."

And, as if to prove Blaziken's words, two turfs of raging flame immediately ignted and surrounded his wrists, resulted in Turwig's falling onto the ground and screaming in agony as its mouth was burnt severely. At the same time, the flame also cauterized Blaziken's wound, effectively sealed it

Ryan shivered at the scene, and now he truly understood why Blaziken had tried to keep away from him. With his strength, Blaziken could have easily shaken Turwig off his arm, yet he chose a much more cruel way to do it. Whether his enemies were strong or weak, Blaziken would fight them without mercy. This was the result of his tormenting days under team Magma's control. This was his dark side - a fearsome warrior. Ryan knew he had to put an end to this right now, or Turwig would suffer even more, "That's enough Blaziken! Wrap things up with Fire Punch!"

Slowly, yet frighteningly, Blaziken stepped towards Turwig, his fists going ablaze. Staring down as his helpless opponent, the pokemon said coldly, "Sorry, kid, but our little game ends here."

*WHAM*

Ryan couldn't bring himself to watch as Blaziken delivered the final blow, and when he gathered enough courage to open his eyes, the trainer saw Turwig lay at the base of a nearby tree, looking as if it had been dead, while Blaziken was cracking his knuckles, his eyes were even colder than an iceberg. Everyone at present was wearing the same shocked expression. Gardenia looked like she was about to collasp.

"Turwig is unable to battle..." said Jaden, his voice hoarse, "Blaziken wins."

...

"Turwig, re-return..." Gardenia stammered as she retrieved the beaten turtle pokemon with shaky hand. She then pulled out another pokeball, which Ryan was pretty sure it was Roserade's, and stared at it. Her eyes showed fear rather than confidence, as if she was considering whether to surrender and be humiliated or let Roserade battle and end up like Turwig, or even worse.

"I'm sorry, Roserade, but I-I can't allow myself to run away from a fight...It's your turn now." said Gardenia. She then proceeded to release her second and final pokemon.

"The gym leader has switched her second pokemon. Do you wish to change yours,?" asked Jaden, looking at Ryan. There was a silent conversation between two trainers as they exchanged gaze, and Ryan understood what Jaden wanted him to do.

"Uhm...yes, I do. Sorry, Blaziken, but I think you've done enough. Take a good rest, you deserve it." said Ryan, looking at Blaziken nervously as if he was afraid that the blaze pokemon might get angry because of his decision.

However, much to Ryan's relief, Blaziken only grinned as he spoke, "Sure, Ryan. Your wish is my wish."

"Alright then, in you go." said Ryan as he pressed the middle button of Blaziken's pokeball and retrieved him. The trainer then grabbed another pokeball from his belt, "You're up, Charizard."

Gardenia looked relieved as Ryan recalled Blaziken, but her relaxed face vanished instantly when Charizard emerged from his pokeball and roared mightly, "Really, another fire-type? Ryan...is he my nemesis or what?"

"Charizard can fly, and he's also a fire-type, which means Grass Knot and Weather Ball are pretty much useless. Now, show me what else you can do, Gardenia." said Ryan.

"If you say so. Here we go, Roserade, use Magical Leaf!" Gardenia commanded. Roserade held out its arms, and unleashed dozens of glowing leaves from the bouquets of rose at its hands.

"Magical Leaf...The pesky move that keeps following its target until it hits..." Ryan mumbled, "Fine, I'll let you have a taste of your own medicine. Charizard, take flight."

The flying pokemon responded with a slight nod, then spread his wings and launched into the sky. As Ryan had predicted, Roserage's leaves, as if being driven by an unknown force, immediately changed their course and chased after Charizard.

"Now, towards Roserade." Ryan ordered.

"What's he up to?" muttered Gardenia as she saw Charizard got very close to Roserade. Then, it struck her as she gasped and yelled, "Get out of there, Roserade!"

"Too late. Up you go, Charizard!"

As he received the order, Charizard stopped right in front of Roserade just for a second, then, like a soaring rocket, flied up in a vertical angle. The glowing leaves which were going after him couldn't change their direction in time, and Roserade took a direct hit of its own assault. It didn't do much damage, however, as Roserade only staggered a little.

"C'mon, when will you stop playing around, Gardenia?" said Ryan, facepalming, "I really feel like setting this whole place on fire. Get serious!"

The gym leader flinched. It had been a while since the last time she met such a fierce challenger, and Gardenia knew she had no choice but to bring her A-game, "Roserade, use Poision Sting!"

Roserade responded to the order by opening its mouth and fired a series of purple darts at Charizard..

"Dodge." said Ryan

The flying pokemon flied to his left, easily avoiding the purple assault, but something suddenly wrapped around his left foot and pulled him down to the ground. Charizard blinked when he realize the thing around his foot was thorn whip sticking out from one of Roserade's flowery hand.

"Now you can't run away anymore." said Gardenia smugly, "Use Mega Drain,"

Still struggling to hold Charizard with its left hand, Roserade extrended its other hand and fired a dark green beam at the flying pokemon, trapping him in it. Then, something strange happened. The beam turned scarlet, and Charizard started wincing as if he was in great pain.

"What's going on?" said Ryan irritatedly, "Wait, Mega Drain...don't tell me that thing's draining Charizard's energy."

"Precisely." Gardenia confirmed, "But don't worry, that energy won't be wasted, cuz it will help recover my Roserade."

And to prove her words, the red beam released Charizard from its bind and return to Roserade. Ryan could notice Roserade's bruised, results of the backfired Magical Leaf, were disappearing rapidly.

"Finally a decent move." Ryan complimented, "Not bad, but it's gonna take more than that to bring down Charizard."

"Then how about this? Poison Jab?"

"Yeah, like I gotta stand here and let you do that. Charizard, dodge and use Fire Fang to cut that whip around your leg."

Both pokemon reacted to their orders simultaneously, and it almost happened in slow motion to those who were watching. The bouquet on Roserade's right hand glowed purple as it attemped to strike Charizard, whose fangs and mouth was becoming covered in fire, with it, but the flying pokemon, with a swift and reflexive movement, lowered his head and bent his body to the right, thus avoided Roserade's poisonous assault. It was every close, however, as the purple glowing roses were only 1 millimeter away from scratching his skin.

Seizing the change when Roserade staggered slightly as it lost balance, Charizard bit down on the whip around his leg. His flaming fangs easily cut through the binding, and at the same time, the flame also started spreading from the rest of the whip to Roserade's hand, making it yelp in panic.

"Roserade, pull yourself together!" Gardenia yelled.

"Nice try, but you're finished." said Ryan, smirking trumphiantly, "End this battle. Charizard, Flamethrower!"

Charizard took a deep breath as he gathered power, before unleasing a huge stream of redish orange fire from his mouth at Roserade, who was still struggling to put out the flame on its hand.

Needless to say, the attack was a critical hit. The stream of fire exploded as soon as it came in contact with Roserade body, knocking the pokemon backward until it hit a tree and fell flat on the ground, various parts of its body covered in burn marks. It seemed hard for Roserade to even move its body, left alone continue fighting.

"Roserade is unable to battle! Charizard is the winner, and the victory goes to the challenger Ryan." said Jaden loudly.

...

Gardenia shivered slightly as she retrieved Roserade. She had never been through such a mentally exhausting battle like this one. May be she wouldn't be able to take on any challenger for the rest of the day. But first, she needed to fulfill her duty as a gym leader.

Walking to Jake and Ryan, who were taking and exchanging joyful laughters, the gym leader cleared her throat and began talking, "Congratulations. It's embarassing, but I lost, twice in a row. You two are great trainers, and you have some amazing pokemon. As Eterna gym leader, it's my honor to grant you these - The Forest Badges."

"Thanks." Jake smiled and took the badge. Ryan was also holding another badge in his hand, but his face showed a different emotion rather than joy.

"Alright then. Since everyone is satisfied with the result, I guess there's nothing else for us to do here. Thanks again for letting me be the ref, Gardenia." said Jaden, "C'mon guys, let's go."

"Wait. There's something I need to tell you, Gardenia."

"Yes? What is it, Ryan?" asked Gardenia, raising her eyebrowns.

"Just a piece of advise. From now on, I think you shouldn't give out badges for granted like how you tried with us. Perhaps those badges are nothing to you, but to us trainers, they are precious symbols of hardwork and bonds with our pokemon. Badges should only be earned, by those deserve them. For now, please try to understand that simple truth."

As soon as he finished the statement, Ryan coldly turned around and walked out of the battle area, leaving behind a shocked gym leader who didn't even notice that her mouth was hanging open.

...

Because Ryan wanted to leave the city immediately, the group decided to return to the Pokemon Center to pack their stuffs. However, as soon as he stepped inside the center, Jake quickly noticed something strange. The place was stuffed with people, a lot more than usual, and most of them were carrying unconscious and seemingly injured pokemon.

Walkimg to a guy who looked about the same age, perhaps younger than him, and was carrying an injured Luxio, Jake asked, "Hey, mind if I ask what's happened to your pokemon, and why are there so many people here today?"

"Dude, you seriously don't know. There are rumors about a very strong Buizel which lives in the river at the end of Eterna Forest. Dozens of trainer have come there and tried to catch it, but all ended up getting their asses kicked." replied the trainer with the Luxio.

"Including you..." added Jake, nodding, "But I was also there, in Eterna Forest, how come I didn't heard anything 'bout this? Hmm, interesting."

Turning to Jaden and Ryan, who had been listening to his conversation intentively, Jake asked, "Hey, what do ya think about paying Eterna Forest a revisit?"

...

(To be continued)