Chapter 5 – "Trial by Flame"
The morning sun hit the Gym like a spotlight, casting long shadows over the partially rebuilt arena. Even after days of reconstruction, the air still carried the faint scent of smoke, charred wood, and the salty tang of the ocean breeze. Cinnabar Island had a history written in fire and water alike, and walking onto the grounds now, it felt like standing on the edge of that story, ready to add my own chapter.
Infernape was already pacing near the doorway, flames flickering along his wrists in tiny spirals. He paused when he noticed me leaning against the doorway with a mug of coffee in hand. I raised a brow. "Ready for today?"
He tilted his head, a low rumble vibrating in his chest. Translation: depends on whether we were going to fight or clean up Theo's latest disaster. I grimaced. "Probably both."
Hana was already in the temporary office, clipboard in hand, her hair tied back tighter than usual. Her expression could have sliced steel if looks were weapons. She gestured at me with a pen. "Alex, today we're running training rotations, obstacle courses, and integrating live Pokémon exercises. Theo is supervised. Rina has Lila's rotation. Jax pairs with Mira for observation training. Everyone must be accounted for, and nothing catches fire—literally."
I sighed, knowing chaos was unavoidable when Theo was involved. "Understood. But you know how it goes."
Theo grinned and saluted. "Challenge accepted!"
I groaned. "No."
Lila appeared behind Arcanine, her small hands tightening around the Poké Ball containing her starter Pokémon. She was nervous, but determination flickered in her eyes. "I'm ready," she whispered.
"You'll do fine," I said quietly. "Control before power. Anticipation over reaction."
She nodded and gave a small, hesitant smile.
By mid-morning, a convoy of League trucks arrived on the Gym grounds, bringing specialized equipment and Pokémon to aid reconstruction. Steel-type Pokémon like Steelix and Magnezone reinforced key support beams, while Machoke and Conkeldurr lifted heavy scaffolding. Even a few rare Steel-types were carefully placed to stabilize unstable sections of the arena.
Rina observed silently, arms crossed. "These reinforcements will allow us to expand the arena safely. But I want close monitoring. This isn't just a rebuild; it's a relaunch."
Jax's Charmeleon bounced on his heels, impatient. "Can I help? I want to help!"
"No, you can't," Rina said firmly.
I intervened. "Maybe he can carry small crates?"
Rina's sharp glare made me reconsider. "Small!"
Theo tripped over a hose and fell into a pile of sand, knocking a few crates over. Infernape flicked a controlled fire at the crates, nudging them upright again with precision. Mira scribbled in her notebook like a tornado had collided with a library. "Thermal response under chaotic conditions is… fascinating!" she murmured.
"Obsessed," I muttered under my breath.
By late morning, Rina had Lila ready for her first official mini-battle test. The arena was cleared, dust dancing in the sunlight streaming through patched roof panels. Lila released Arcanine from his Poké Ball, and he shook his massive mane, muscles coiling with readiness.
"Your goal," Rina instructed, "is to coordinate Arcanine's movements to anticipate the attacks of these Pokémon. Predict their patterns. Adapt. Control, do not panic." She threw a Poké Ball, releasing a Croagunk that landed nimbly on the arena floor, bouncing with energy. "Begin."
Lila's hands trembled as she gestured, and Arcanine obeyed, moving with precision despite her hesitation. The Croagunk lunged; Lila's commands guided Arcanine's leap, and the wild Pokémon rolled away safely from the "target zones."
Rina's eyes softened slightly. "Well done. Reaction was slow at first, but adaptation is what counts."
Lila exhaled sharply, relief flooding her. "I… did it?"
"Yes," Rina said. "Now prepare for round two." She threw a Shinx and an Electrike into the arena simultaneously. Lila's eyes widened. Coordinating two Pokémon and Arcanine was a daunting task, but she straightened, hand firm on Arcanine's collar.
"Focus," I whispered. "Control. Anticipate."
Lila adjusted her stance and gestured sharply. Arcanine moved with almost preternatural timing, deflecting Shinx's Spark and dodging Electrike's quick charges, her commands precise, calm, and authoritative despite the adrenaline. Infernape, sitting nearby, gave a low cheer, flames spiraling from his arms in encouragement.
Theo, attempting to supervise, tripped on a stray rope and sent a small obstacle tumbling into the arena. "Added challenge?" he suggested, sheepishly.
Rina pinched her bridge. "Yes. Absolutely."
By afternoon, the Gym grounds were alive with coordinated chaos. League engineers worked with Pokémon to stabilize the arena, while trainers ran exercises, supervised by me or Rina. Jax worked with Mira, analyzing Infernape and Arcanine's coordination, scribbling notes faster than I could blink. Hana documented every movement, every Pokémon release, every minor mishap, ensuring the Gym's reconstruction was precise down to the last pebble.
Then the ground rumbled sharply, throwing some loose equipment off balance. A trio of wild Graveler tumbled down the ridge, massive and rolling, aiming for the Gym's outskirts. They hadn't noticed the chaos below yet, but their size alone made them dangerous.
"Back!" I yelled, and the trainers scrambled, releasing their Pokémon defensively. Lila sent Arcanine forward. Jax threw his Charmeleon, and I released Infernape.
Arcanine moved with grace, intercepting Graveler's rolling assaults, guiding them away from the Gym's vulnerable sections. Infernape's flames acted as precise signals, influencing the wild Graveler's movements without harming them. My own movements were calm, deliberate, commanding the battlefield with the kind of presence only someone at Elite Four strength could maintain. Every throw, every instruction, every battle command flowed naturally from me, instinctively read by the Pokémon at my side.
Rina directed Lila from the edge. "Anticipate, do not react. Trust Arcanine and yourself."
Lila's fear melted into focus. She guided Arcanine expertly, and even Theo's Quagsire released from its Poké Ball helped block stray rocks under my command. Slowly, the Graveler were coaxed back up the ridge, away from the Gym.
When the dust settled, Lila hugged Arcanine tightly, pride and relief mixing on her flushed face. "We… did it," she whispered.
"Yes," I said, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "Together."
Infernape nudged me and rumbled softly. Not bad.
Even Theo, crawling out of a sand pile, managed a thumbs-up.
By evening, the Gym was calm again. Trainers retrieved their Pokémon back into their Poké Balls, exhausted but triumphant. Lila and Kai walked toward me, Arcanine padding quietly beside them, their smiles a little brighter than the day before.
"You think we can do it?" Lila asked, her voice a mixture of hope and wonder.
"Yes," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. "We can. And we will. One step at a time."
Kai grinned. "And Theo stays on the ground next time?"
I chuckled. "Good plan."
Infernape snorted, flames flickering lazily along his wrists in agreement.
Standing there, watching the Gym's staff, my siblings, and the Pokémon move together in harmony, I realized something important. The Gym wasn't fully restored yet, but today had proven it was more than bricks and beams. It was people, it was Pokémon, it was fire and determination. And it was home.
For the first time since arriving, I felt it—the weight of responsibility, yes, but also the clarity of command. My parents' legacy wasn't just a burden. It was a foundation. And with Infernape at my side, the siblings learning, and the League's support staff by our side, this Gym would rise stronger than ever.
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Gym in molten-gold light. Arcanine leaned against Lila, tired but loyal. Infernape sat beside me, muscles coiled, flames quieting into a gentle hum. And all around us, the Gym began to breathe again—alive, chaotic, and perfect in its imperfection.
We still had mountains to climb, fires to control, and wild Pokémon to contend with. But today had been proof: we were ready. And no matter what came next, together, we could handle it.