Chapter 6 – "Ashes and Sparks"
The morning air was heavy with smoke, though it wasn't coming from the Gym this time. I frowned as I stepped onto the Gym balcony, Infernape already released and pacing beside me, flames tracing the ground with each step. The ocean beyond shimmered under a gray haze, and even from this distance, I could see the telltale dust clouds of chaos rising from the forested edges of the island.
Lila appeared behind Arcanine, her small hands tightening around her Poké Ball. "Alex… what's happening?"
I didn't answer immediately. The plume of smoke wasn't natural; it moved too deliberately, and there were multiple points of activity along the ridge. "Something's troubling the wild Pokémon," I said finally. "We need to check it out before it escalates."
Kai was already bouncing on his heels. "Wild Pokémon? Are we going to battle them?"
"Yes," I said firmly. "But we're not going to fight recklessly. Control comes first. Observation and planning matter more than power alone."
Lila nodded and released Arcanine. He sniffed the air and growled softly, muscles coiling like springs. Infernape crouched beside me, flames licking the ground, alert and ready.
By mid-morning, the Gym team was assembled. Theo reluctantly retrieved Quagsire from his Poké Ball, muttering something about "being useful today." Jax released Charmeleon with a flourish, while Mira and Hana readied their own Pokémon for data collection and support. Even Rina had a small team at the ready, including her level-headed Umbreon, poised and silent.
We moved quickly through the forest trails toward the smoke, releasing Pokémon in pairs to scout ahead. Infernape's flames illuminated the path, casting long shadows over the undergrowth, while Lila's Arcanine padded silently beside her.
The source of the disturbance soon revealed itself. Several wild Houndoom were moving erratically through the burned patches of forest, their eyes bright and frantic. Nearby, smaller Pokémon—Oddish, Roselia, and Cyndaquil—fled in panicked clusters. Something had set fire to parts of the forest, and the wild Pokémon were reacting defensively.
"Looks like a fire got out of control," Theo said nervously, backing away. "Maybe… maybe we just wait for it to burn out?"
I glared at him. "Do you see the panic? We're not waiting. We're controlling it. Now, release your Pokémon and follow my lead."
With precise coordination, we began. Infernape darted ahead, flames controlled and directed to create barriers, guiding the panicked Pokémon away from dangerous areas. Arcanine mirrored his movements, blocking paths and calming fleeing Pokémon with barks and low growls that resonated authority. I moved among the trainers and wild Pokémon, issuing calm, deliberate commands. Every motion counted; my presence alone influenced the flow of the battlefield. Even Theo, under my guidance, began giving careful orders to Quagsire.
The League had been informed, and within the hour, reinforcements arrived. A squad of Steel-type Pokémon, including Magnezone and Aggron, were deployed to build temporary firebreaks. Electric Pokémon like Jolteon and Electivire assisted by creating controlled bursts to shock small fires into extinction without harming the terrain. The sight of them reinforced the scale of the operation: this was more than a minor incident. It was an emergency, and the Gym team was on the front line.
Lila's first real test came when a Houndoom darted from behind a burned tree, aiming directly for her. Her hands shook, and for a moment, I could see her fear. "Arcanine, flank!" she shouted. He leapt gracefully, nudging the Houndoom off course without harm. Infernape quickly followed, sending a controlled burst of fire to block the Houndoom's retreat into a dangerous area.
"Good," I murmured. "Anticipate, don't react."
She nodded, breath coming in sharp bursts. "I… I can do this."
The rest of the team fell into rhythm. Jax coordinated his Charmeleon's flame bursts with mine, Theo's Quagsire carefully blocked debris, and Mira's data Pokémon recorded movements and patterns. Hana noted every detail, occasionally shouting advice. Rina moved along the perimeter, directing wild Pokémon back toward safe zones. The forest felt alive with energy, fear, and cooperation—a chaotic symphony that only someone at Elite Four-level strength could manage without losing clarity.
After two hours of careful maneuvering, we had corralled the panicked Pokémon away from immediate danger. The forest was still smoldering, but no life had been lost. Lila and Kai were breathing heavily, their Pokémon panting but safe.
"You did amazing," I said quietly to Lila, kneeling to meet her gaze. "You didn't panic. You guided Arcanine. You protected the other Pokémon. That's leadership."
She smiled, flushed and tired. "We… did it together."
"Yes," I agreed. Infernape gave a soft rumble of approval, flames licking lazily at the tips of his wrists.
As evening fell, the Gym team returned, weary but accomplished. We debriefed and assessed damage while the League engineers helped rebuild temporary shelters for the displaced wild Pokémon. Theo, exhausted and covered in soot, collapsed in the hammock again. Jax was quietly replaying the day in his head, already planning adjustments to his battle techniques. Hana and Mira were still meticulously recording data, arguing quietly over methodology. Lila hugged Arcanine and whispered reassurances, and Kai jumped onto my shoulder, muttering, "Next time, I get to guide the Quagsire!"
I released a long breath. "Today wasn't easy. But you all did more than I expected."
Arcanine nudged Lila, resting his massive head on her shoulder. Infernape stretched, flames settling into a soft glow. "We're a team," I said. "And today proved it."
From the Gym balcony, I looked out at the horizon. The smoke had thinned, the chaos had subsided, but I knew this was only the beginning. Cinnabar's forests were recovering, but other challenges were coming. My siblings were growing stronger every day, the League was fully behind us, and the Gym team was learning fast.
Yet even in that calm, I could feel the tension in the air—a reminder that with strength comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes danger. But I was ready. Infernape and I had faced much worse in our time together. And this team, this family, was ready to rise to any challenge.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting molten-gold light across the island. Arcanine lay next to Lila, quiet and loyal. Infernape curled beside me, muscles coiled and ready. The Gym hummed with life again, the embers of the day's trials glowing softly in the twilight. And for the first time in a long while, I felt completely in control, knowing that whatever came next, we could face it—together