During this period, they did ask about other places to stay.
In particular, go to the local Pokémon Center first to collect the Alliance reward items.
A large sum of money is of paramount importance, but what is more important is other things besides money.
Alliance also gave us an important item.
"Is this [Mystic Water]?"
Ash was holding a small box in his hand, and inside it was a sparkling dark blue drop of water, flashing at Lucas.
[Mystic Water]: A drop-shaped gem. When carried, the power of Water-Type moves will increase by 20%.
Another item that can enhance Pokémon is available.
This kind of strengthening treasure item is very valuable even in the official Alliance.
Being able to give this to Ash as a reward is already very good.
As for James' crazy parents whom I met before...
That's a special case, just some crazy rich people.
"Give it to Squirtle to carry later, so that his strength can be further enhanced."
After confirming the ownership of the props, Ash mentioned the accommodation issue here.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Ash, there are too many people staying here, even the lobby is packed..."
Nurse Joy apologized somewhat embarrassedly.
In this Pokémon center, even on the sofa, there are many Pokémon Trainers covered with blankets...
It should be said that these trainers actually came here as tourists.
It just takes up the rest resources of this Pokémon Center.
"I'm so sorry, we can't accommodate any more guests..."
Nurse Joy's face was full of apology: "If I had known that you would arrive today, Mr. Ash, I might have reserved a bed for you in advance..."
Nurse Joy in the Pokémon Center on Cinnabar Island is also full of regret at this moment.
I finally met Mr. Ash, whom the sisters in the family had mentioned.
And the other party had helped them so many times, and as a result, the other party came here to the Pokémon Center that he was in charge of.
But there was not even a place to stay, which made Nurse Joy feel guilty.
"It's okay. We can just go somewhere else."
Xiao Gang immediately said enthusiastically and kindly: "It just so happens that we also want to go outside to take a hot spring bath, so we can just find a hotel. Nurse Joy, you don't have to mind it!
"Going to a hotel... that may not work either~02"
Nurse Joy smiled bitterly: "Hotels here basically require reservations, and they are almost all full at this time."
"Some good hotels have reservations booked up to a year later."
M:"..."
Sure enough, the island has now become a veritable tourist destination.
Then you can only go to the hotel where the voucher is located.
Soon, the group found the place according to the address marked on the invitation ticket.
On the hillside behind the park, there is a small hotel that looks very ordinary.
Such a geographical location...
No wonder Cinnabar Island, which is fully booked, has to offer invitation tickets to attract customers.
Indeed, not many people would come here to look for a hotel.
"Oh? Is it a gift voucher? No one has been able to get a gift voucher for my store for a long time..."
After knocking on the door, an old man came out to greet the guests. He was dressed fashionably in a red shirt, green beads, sunglasses and a golden wig.
"I remember that I only released one wave of invitation tickets, and I also instructed, "These invitation tickets must be sent to ten excellent Pokémon Trainers..."
The fashionable old man looked Ash and his group up and down, then raised his glasses.
Although he didn't say anything more, his attitude showed what he meant.
"Grandpa, are you saying that the invitation tickets we received are fake?"
Misty immediately raised an eyebrow.
"The invitation voucher is of course real, and you can stay at my place~
The fashionable old man coughed lightly, "But I have a question that I want to test you."
"Problems? Don't you think we are not good trainers? Just ask whatever you want!"
Misty's unwillingness to accept the defeat also rose up.
"Then listen carefully..."
The fashionable old man raised his finger seriously:
"What is that thing that makes your head cold but your body warm?"
Misty:"???"
Isn't this a guessing game?
Is this the standard for identifying a good Pokémon Trainer?
Even Xiao Gang was speechless: "No wonder the name of this boarding house is called 'Mystery'..."
It turns out that it really refers to guessing riddles!
"My head is cold, my body is warm..."
Ash, who already knew the answer, immediately replied, "It's an open-air hot spring."
"That's right!!"
The fashionable old man immediately gave Ash an appreciative look.
"No wonder you were able to get this invitation ticket, you are indeed an excellent Pokémon Trainer!!"
Misty:...…
So what does this have to do with riddles!?
"Okay, I'll help you check in!!"
After guessing the riddle correctly, the fashionable old man became much more enthusiastic.
"By the way, Grandpa, do you know where the Cinnabar gym is?"
Misty suppressed the desire to complain and asked about the most important matters first.
"Cinnabar Gym?!"
The fashionable old man paused and asked, "What are you doing at the Cinnabar gym?"
"Of course, it's to challenge the gym and get the Badge!"
Misty said as a matter of course, "I heard that the gym trainer's name is Blaine..."
"What is it that is right in front of me, but I can't see it?!"
The fashionable old man raised his eyebrows, quickly interrupted Misty and continued to ask questions for riddles.
"It's the eyelids."
Ash immediately followed his train of thought and replied.
"You got it right again! It seems you really have talent in this area!"
The fashionable old man couldn't stop praising Ash. The more he looked at him, the more he liked him.
Misty:"...…
What does guessing riddles have to do with talent?!!
Also, answer my question!!
"Blaine's gym is like an eyelid. It seems to be right in front of you, but you can't find it anymore~"
The fashionable old man said this with a rare hint of sadness in his tone.
"Pokémon Trainer Blaine, because he couldn't stand too many tourists coming here for fun."
"So in the end, he just closed the gym."
Well, the one who closed the gym was Pokémon Trainer Blaine, and the one standing now is the innkeeper Sono, who was guessing the riddle.
People always have to eat~
Ash looked at the fashionable old man in front of him. He had already recognized his identity.
Blaine himself.
"We are not the kind of challengers who are just playing around!"
"Yes, we have come a long way with great difficulty and challenges, and finally reached Cinnabar Island!"
Misty and Xiaogang both spoke at the same time.
"You should be saying this to Blaine."
The fashionable old man replied, and then he saw Ash took out a strange Pokémon Pokédex.
Beep.
It looked like Solaceon clicked twice, then turned the screen towards him.
"Blaine, the Cinnabar gym leader, is easily excited and passionate. He likes to joke and often tells jokes without realizing it. He is known as the "passionate old man who guesses riddles". He only takes off his sunglasses when he thinks of a new riddle."
Well, the Rotom Pokédex does more than just scan Pokémon.
It can also provide a lot of information similar to encyclopedias.
"An old man wearing sunglasses and who likes to guess riddles...
Ash raised his head and looked at the old man in front of him who met the requirements very well.
"So, Mr. Blaine, will you accept my challenge?"
He asked with a smile.
"It turns out that this old man..."
"It's Blaine!"
Upon hearing this, Xiaogang and Misty looked at this plain-looking old man with surprise... well, he still had some fashionable features.
Unexpectedly, the inn they found randomly turned out to be the gym Trainer himself!
18:"..."
It seems that I have to pay attention to the information recorded by Alliance in the future to avoid being recognized.
"Well, since you have all guessed it...
Blaine, who always likes guessing puzzles and can afford to lose, did not deny it after Ash and others guessed his identity.
He is definitely not the kind of person who would wave his hands and try to be stubborn, saying "Oh, no, you got the wrong person…"
The old man was very casual: "Then yes, I am Blaine, the master of the Cinnabar Gym!!"
He admitted it openly, and looked at Ash with a hint of admiration:
"You have made such sufficient preparations in the early stages. Now I believe that you are a Trainer who really wants to challenge the gym seriously..."
"So, I accept your challenge!!"
He took off his wig and false beard, revealing his shiny forehead.
With this attire and appearance...well, it looks like it's Blaine himself.
"I didn't expect that the hot spring invitation voucher we used would actually help us find the gym leader himself. This is really too lucky!"
Misty and Xiaogang were also very happy that they were able to achieve the purpose of this trip.
For their current feelings, the only difficulty is finding the gym.
As for the gym challenge that Ash will face later...
To be honest, they really weren't worried at all.
Ash has proved this point time and again with his powerful strength.
"It seems that your companions have great confidence in you..."
Blaine observed Xiaogang and Misty with interest:
"It seems like even my old bones might be able to get excited..."
He tapped his waist, then turned around with his hands behind his back:
"Come with me~"
He took the lead and took steps forward:
"I'll take you to the gym for your challenge."
Blaine's Cinnabar Gym is located in the cave behind the hotel's outdoor hot spring.
Continue forward along the cave passage.
When the temperature feels hottest, then you have reached your destination.
"Is this the place?"
Several people walked out of the passage, and what came into view was the person tied up with four iron chains.
The battle field is suspended in mid-air with four corners hanging.
The battlefield was surrounded by stone walls filled with lava.
Directly below, magma was still bubbling out with hot bubbles.
The whole challenge scene is like the raging fire of hell.
Ding!
In a three-person team
When measuring the surrounding environment, turn on the surrounding lights.
On the opposite platform, Blaine was already in position.
"Welcome, everyone."
At this time, after Blaine took off his wig and beard, he looked more like an older man.
But the overall mental outlook is completely different!
"The rules of the game are three on three. Do you have any questions?"
"Not at all."
Ash crossed the rock steps and stood at the battle position.
"Okay, Ash from Pallet Town..."
Blaine took out a Pokémon ball and was instantly filled with passion:
"This is my number one player!!"
Bang!
A Pokémon with golden fur and nine long tails landed on the field.
"Oh~"
It has beige fur all over its body, and its nine tails are smooth and long, with saffron highlights at the ends.
A pair of bright red eyes looked at Rival in front of him with nobility and elegance.
"Ding, Ninetales is a fox Pokémon. According to legend, each of its nine tails holds a mysterious power. The long-lived Ninetales have golden fur.
Rotom Pokédex announced at the right moment, and then immediately shrank back in a sweat.
"Um?!"
Outside the court, Xiaogang was slightly stunned.
It's not because the Rival in front of me is the evolution of Vulpix, but because...
"Did Ash just introduce himself?"
Xiaogang asked with doubt.
"It seems not…"
Misty also reacted: "Now that you put it that way, it seems like the old man called out Ash's name directly..."
"Did they know each other before?"
"It doesn't look like it...
Indeed, I don't know him.
When Xiaogang and Misty were confused, Ash just smiled.
"It seems that I'm not the only one who has collected Blaine's information. Master Blaine also has a comprehensive grasp of my information~"
"Haha, I always have the utmost respect for Rival who came to challenge me."
Blaine crossed his arms and said with a rather hearty smile:
"Besides, the name [Ash from Pallet Town] has become quite famous recently!"
"I'm really curious now..."
The corners of Blaine's mouth curled up, and his eyes burned with a fire no less than the blazing magma under the fighting stage!
"As a Trainer, how good are you that so many people would praise you...
"X4..."
Ash smiled and lowered the brim of his hat.
"It is truly my honor to be able to inspire Mr. Blaine to fight and get him ready for a good fight..."
Ash said a different version of 2.5 Satoru's speech:
"But the person who wins in the end will definitely be me!"
He also threw his own Pokémon ball:
"Squirtle, it's decided to be you!"
To deal with Fire Type Pokémon, you naturally have to use Water Type ones!
"Jenny~Jenny!"
The fire-fighting turtle made a brilliant appearance, and was full of energy, not affected at all by the high temperature surrounding it. [014607102 Filo 131421401]
"Oh, Squirtle? Breeder looks pretty good..."
Blaine's eyes lit up: "Although I expected that the one sent out would be a Water Type."
"But I was quite surprised that I could breed this squirtle so well..."
"But if that's the case... "
Blaine felt himself getting a little excited:
"You deserve all the praises from people, Ash from Pallet Town!!"
"Go, Ninetales, use Fire Spin!!"
"Oh~!"
Blaine shouted the order, and Ninetales took immediate action.
A ball of intense, hot flames turned into a vortex and enveloped Squirtle.
"Since it's a whirlpool..."
Ash calmly ordered: "Use Tidal Whirlpool!"
[Flame Vortex] and [Tide Vortex] are Fire Type and Water Type whirlpool-type move skills respectively.
And the effect is to trap Rival in a fierce vortex of fire (water flow) and attack him.
Whether it is the power of the skills or the effects they produce, they are exactly the same.
But the difference is that these are two major differences, and they are also a collision of opposing attributes.
Flame and water flow are very intuitive.
"So, it just depends on whose Pokémon each one is, and the one with the stronger Attribute power, right?!"
Blaine's eyes became brighter.
The biggest advantage of this skill is that you can intuitively see which one is stronger or weaker.
The same power of moves and skill effects, a collision occurred.
Then, isn't the measure of strength between the two to see who is more powerful?
He likes this kind of competition!
"Are you so confident in your Squirtle?"