Cinnabar Chapter Major

**"Cinnabar Chapter Major"** is the thirty-fifth (thirty-seventh in Archive of Our Own and Royal Road) chapter o*f Pokémon Reset Bloodlines*. Ash and his group arrive to Cinnabar Island for his next gym challenge. However, since Blaine isn't available for the day, they need to stay an extra day in the inn. Once more, Ash discovers that his growing fame as a trainer can play against him, as Blaine has heard enough of him to prepare in advance and the match will be tougher than he expected.

## Plot

In an undisclosed location, Dr. Fuji desperately tries to escape his lab while trying to save his daughter Amber. Having lost her before, he tried to revive her through human cloning, convincing himself that he was doing something good, but now, with everything he's done, he realizes what a folly it was. As he continues to struggle with his own mind at the verge of losing his sanity, he reflects on how he managed to discover what made Bloodliners such, and realized that was the key element to keep a cloned body stable enough to grow. However, the prize for funding in his cloning research was that he would have to create a Pokémon that could serve as the ultimate weapon for Team Rocket. Said Pokémon, labeled Subject #150 and also known as Mewtwo, has now gone rogue and in his rampage through the lab killed everyone but him. His escape attempt is foiled when Mewtwo breaks through the defenses and traps him in the middle of a fire. Dr. Fuji can only embrace his inevitable doom, with the realization of what his creation is capable of doing and the terror he has unleashed into the world by creating it.

Meanwhile on Cinnabar Island, Ash takes notice that the island no longer looks like the tourist trap it used to be back in the Old Timeline. The place however still looks pretty busy, more than the Seafoam Islands as Iris points out, and Ash remarks the island has hot springs, picking her interest, though she quickly backs off upon seeing the volcano. Anabel points out that it's smoking, but Ash is certain that, if it were in danger of an eruption, the island wouldn't probably be as packed with tourists as it is. They find a kiosk that confirms the volcano isn't fully active, though it does release toxic gases that could potentially kill those who come close, making Ash realize that probably volcanoes were less dangerous in the old timeline.

The group enters the local Battle Club and find themselves a large amount of trainers trying to call dibs on challenging Blaine, one of which Ash recognizes. A female voice screams for everyone to shut up, helped by an Overheat, and Ash spots a red-haired girl with a Flareon in her arms who seem to have been responsible. Ash takes notice that the girl's skin looks unusually red, but ignores it as she says that her grandfather is busy with research work and won't be taking any challenges until tomorrow. Ash is surprised to learn that Blaine has a granddaughter and is a researcher this time around. The girl then defers to Don George, who explains they're gonna make a quick tournament to decide who gets to challenge Blaine first, depending on the ranking. Given that most trainers had four badges or above, they agree to it, while the rest just leave in a huff. The girl then spots Ash and runs off to him, gushing in excitement as she recognizes him from the Battle Dome and Fuchsia tournaments. She introduces herself as Alish, explaining that she's always on the lookout for new challengers for her grandfather and hopes he wins this tournament. Ash feels flattered, if awkward, while Misty seems to be refraining herself from pushing the girl away.

The battles go one after another and at the end, Ash is left facing Raymond, the trainer he recognized before. Raymond seems rather cocky and confident and sends out his Golem, while Ash sends out Squirtle. Raymond laughs at Ash's choice, until he gives the first order and hits Golem with a Water Gun so hard that it sends Golem rolling backwards almost out of bounds. Raymond decides to get serious and has Golem attack with Rock Blast. Squirtle defends with Iron Defense, which he learned from Boldore, and uses the momentum when he's knocked into the air to initiate a Counter Shield. Raymond orders Golem to use Rollout, which Squirtle counters with Water Pulse, having recently broken the four-move barrier and training with Misty and Gyarados to make it bigger. The attack leaves Golem confused, and Squirtle then punches him in the face with a Return, causing massive damage much to Raymond's shock. Ash then orders Squirtle to finish the job with Brine, winning the match and the tournament. Alish then screams at Raymond that he goes away, while Squirtle dons his glasses and crosses his arms in victory. Alish congratulates Ash on his victory and asks if they've got a place to stay, which reminds Misty they haven't checked in a hotel yet. Alish invites them to their inn, offering both a discount for a gym challenger and a buffet dinner, which they happily agree to.

A bit later, Ash has gone to the volcano's slope to train with Anabel. Right now they're practicing the Z-Move with Butterfree to make it faster and more effectively. He already practiced putting Anabel's Kadabra to sleep before attacking, but with Eevee they're unable to perform it before she uses Quick Attack to interrupt them. Anabel tells Ash that the Z-Move might not be an asset for the battle against Blaine, since they still haven't perfected it and Butterfree has a type disadvantage against Fire Pokémon, most of which in Kanto can learn Quick Attack. Ash agrees that she's right, and then they begin discussing which of his Pokémon might be good choices that aren't that obvious.

Back at the hotel, Anabel finds herself surrounded by many varied guests, including scientists who visit the local Research Laboratory, and musicians who play for entertainment. As a younger musician finishes his guitar tune, he lets an older one take over with a harp. Anabel listens to the song as she reads the older musician's emotions and feelings: the song also conveys memories of the man's first wife, who died in a Gyarados attack, the sorrow he felt upon losing her, and later how he was comforted by another woman, eventually falling in love with her and marrying again. Anabel takes notice of how the man clearly loves his current wife very much, yet it doesn't feel like he's betraying her by still recalling his first wife, whom he still loves long after her passing as well. The telepath wonders if that's similar to what Iris aims for, with them having a relationship with Ash.

After dinner, Ash decides to take a dip in the hot springs for rest as he wonders which Pokémon he would be using. Boldore, Squirtle and Kingler seem the most obvious choices, but now that he knows that Blaine expects him, he needs something more, trying to think what kind of attacks and strategies they could attempt against him. He also knows that he has to put Charizard this time around, and not only because he didn't use him in the gym battles against Erika and Janine. However, he gets his train of thought interrupted by a trio of guys who get near the fence, trying to find if there's a hole to peep into the women's side. Ash approaches and berates them, getting even more annoyed when they mention specifically his female companions as the girls they want to see, and even accusing him of "not wanting to share" when one of them points out that he saw them register together. Ash grows increasingly annoyed, despite his own admission of finding the girls attractive. After a while, the water begins to enter much hotter to the springs, forcing the guys to step away from the fence and leaving Ash to finally relax. Meanwhile, at the women's side, Alish warns the girls to not to get too close to the fence, explaining that her grandfather installed a sensor that pours hotter water if anyone stays too close to the fence for too long on either side. Misty, who actually feels a little tempted by the idea of spying on Ash, asks why they put it on the women's side too, and Alish replies that it was an old woman, not a man, who tried to sneak in a screwdriver to peep on the other side.

That night, Iris finds herself unable to sleep, due to not being used to sleep in a bed, barring the one time she shared it with Ash and the others. While Axew continues to sleep, Iris thinks about everything they've done and everything she wants to do, including eventually defeating Hunter J and rescuing her Dragon family. However, she wonders if when that time comes, the new family she has formed with Ash and the other girls will be at odds with her old one, and if she'll be forced to choose between one or the other. She decides to leave the question for later and focus on Ash's battle.

In Pallet Town, Professor Oak gets a message from Gary saying that he won't be hearing of him for a while with an apology, leaving the scientist a bit worried about his grandson. Then Delia knocks on his door, and the woman looks like she hasn't slept well. The scientist quickly deduces that she's worried about Ash and invites her in. They've recently learned he's in Cinnabar Island, and Oak wonders if Delia is worried about having everything clean and tidy for him when he returns. Delia however isn't worried about that; she's more concerned about all the shenanigans Ash has gone through, like the Cerulean City Gym, catching Goomy in the sky and all those hug-happy Grimer, and worried that people won't see him as the sweet and kind boy he is, but as something to be afraid of. Oak tries to assure her, while he can't be sure he won't be facing animosity, he's certain Ash will pull through, plus he has friends who support and understand him. Delia then adds that she can't get any sleep with that, since she recalls Ash didn't notice that girls found him attractive before and now he's traveling alone with three, and she's mildly worried that she might be a grandma before reaching her mid thirties. Oak points out the irony of the change in her mindset, causing both of them to laugh. Still, Oak thinks they might need to meet Ash's female friends soon, if only to ease Delia's worries.

Ash heads for the Cinnabar Gym, noticing that it's no longer a ruined building, instead looking rather solid and sturdy and the entrance framed by a Volcano Badge and two Arcanine statues guarding it. After reviewing in his mind the possibilities once more, he approaches the statues and a recorded message rings out: *"I am both terror and protector, often to the very same. It is by the lead of those I follow that makes me noble or ignoble."* Misty points out it might refer to a Pokémon, adding later that it could also be a specific Fire-type. At first Ash thinks of Arcanine itself, but quickly discards it as they're not particularly scary, but then wonders aloud if it means a Houndoom, and the doors open signaling that he got the right answer.

As soon as he and the others enter the gym, Ash notices the arena looks more standard compared to the one in the volcano, as well that Blaine himself looks slightly different in appearance than he remembered, including being dressed in a lab coat and holding a cane that seems to have something on the tip. Blaine sees Ash and asks in shock how he can still be alive, which Ash realizes must mean his encounter with Sabrina. Ash replies that he did so thanks to "careful planning and good friends". Blaine seems to accept it, and adds that Ash not only has talent and drive, but also luck, and he's going to pull out the stops more than usual to test him, adding that before Giovanni, he might be his last stop worth his time. A robot pops out of the ceiling to act as the referee, declaring it to be a five-on-five battle with full substitutions for Ash. Ash was ready for a full six-on-six, but accepts it nonetheless, while Alish, Misty, Iris and Anabel go take their seats by the sidelines.

Blaine begins with a Magcargo, and Ash sends out Primeape. Magcargo begins using Heat Wave, with Primeape counters using Thrash with the ground to kick up some dust and block the heat. Primeape continues his attack and begins punching Magcargo repeatedly, and Ash notices that each punch seems to do more damage as Magcargo changes color. However, after taking several punches, Magcargo begins dodging them, and counters with a Heat Wave at point-blank range, knocking Primeape away and making him swear in anger. Blaine explains that he anticipated that Ash would probably be expecting a repeat of Janine's Stealth Rock, and while he'd usually have a Magcargo for that purpose, this one is different. The Pokédex explains that Blaine's Magcargo has the ability Weak Armor, which weakens the defenses when taking damage in exchange for a speed boost. Magcargo then sends out a Will-O-Wisp, forcing Ash to recall Primeape before he gets hit and burned.

Misty recalls she hadn't seen Ash recall a Pokémon since the Vermilion City Gym, while Anabel doesn't think they should be worried yet, even though Blaine managed to stay ahead of Ash, Primeape is still unburned and active to come back later. Ash then sends out Goodra, and immediately Blaine orders Magcargo to use Recover to heal damage. Ash counters having Goodra summon a Rain Dance, which stops Magcargo's attempt to heal and causes him annoyances, something Ash wasn't actually aiming for but gives him an edge he can capitalize on. One Dragon Breath damages Magcargo and paralyzes him, and one more later, Magcargo is down. Alish is surprised at what Ash just did, but Misty explains he probably didn't think it so thoroughly, he just figured it might work and ran with it.

Blaine returns Magcargo and compliments Ash, adding that he hopes he has more than that. Blaine then calls an Arcanine as his second Pokémon, and Ash continues with Goodra. Goodra attacks first with a Dragon Breath, which Arcanine counters with a Dragon Pulse, piercing through Goodra's own attack and hitting him. When Arcanine goes to deliver an Iron Tail, Ash calls for Goodra to use Bide to take it and store up energy. Arcanine uses Headbutt before jumping back at safe distance. As soon as Goodra unleashes the stored power, Arcanine raises a Protect and avoids damage altogether while leaving Goodra exhausted. Ash decides to recall him for the time being, much to the surprise of Iris, who wonders if they should be concerned. Misty thinks that Ash still has the advantage as neither Primeape nor Goodra have been beaten, but Anabel isn't as sure. Alish for her part, thinks that unless Goodra is the last Pokémon Ash sends out he probably won't have enough to rest from taking those attacks.

Ash decides to bring out Boldore, right when Goodra's rain clears off. Arcanine launches a Flamethrower, which Boldore blocks with Sand Attack before countering with Rock Blast. Arcanine dodges the rocks and then charges with Iron Tail, which she tanks with Iron Defense before attacking with Headbutt. The attack knocks Arcanine back, but doesn't do as much as Boldore hoped. Arcanine says something that makes Boldore wince, which Alish seems to understand as Misty quickly notices by her reaction, just like she and Iris do with Pokémon. Blaine then asks Ash how long he's had Boldore, which he replies that he's had her since the Fuchsia tournament. Blaine then inquires about when she evolved from Roggenrola, so Ash offers the date he found out she had evolved. Blaine then says something about Boldore being "too long to still being on cloud nine about it, and too short to have mastered [her]self", which seems to worry the Rock-type. Ash asks if she's still up to battle, and with her affirmative, she continues. She prepares to launch a Rock Blast at Arcanine, who raises a Protect. Ash tells her to keep holding the attack for a bit, and as soon as the barrier flickers, tells her to fire. The rocks hit Arcanine one after another without fail, defeating Arcanine and giving Ash his second win.

Blaine returns Arcanine and sends out a Rapidash, and Ash recalls Boldore for another switch, this time calling Primeape back to the field. The round begins with a clash between Rapidash's Megahorn with Primeape's Cross Chop, with both attacks evenly matched. When Primeape attempts a Seismic Toss, Rapidash becomes engulfed in a Flame Wheel for defense, causing Primeape to swear angrily again. Rapidash charges to attack but Primeape dodges before countering with a Mega Kick to the horse's hindquarters. Rapidash tries to counter with High Horsepower, but Primeape manages to dodge once more. Blaine then asks Ash about how many of Ash's Pokémon have broken the four-move limit. When Ash replies that only four so far, Blaine tells him he'd do well to spend the months before the league working on that, as well as increasing his Pokémon's overall power. In the sidelines, Anabel thinks about Blaine's words and agrees that Ash lacks something in his training that others, like Paul and Red, have in theirs. While Ash's training helps his Pokémon be more adaptive to different situations, they're overall less powerful than they'd be if focused specifically on the strength aspect, which Paul and Red are more efficient at.

The battle continues with Rapidash using Double Team to surround Primeape with doppelgangers. The first attack comes as a barrage of Megahorns, which Primeape dodges by ducking, but the second, Inferno, is not one he's particularly experienced with. Ash orders Primeape to Mega Kick on the ground, which gives him the jumping strength to dodge the fire attack, with the additional effect that it sends out a shockwave that mixes with the Inferno's fire, clearing away the Rapidash dupes and revealing the real one. Primeape charges away with a Cross Chop, which Rapidash counters with Flame Wheel colliding in midair and causing an explosion (leaving Misty wondering how that happened). The explosion clears away and reveals Primeape is still standing, while Rapidash has been knocked out, giving As his third win during this match.

After returning Rapidash, Blaine comments that he's going to do something he usually saves for eighth-badge challenges, but feels Ash should be ready for it. He sends out a Friend Ball containing an old-looking Houndoom. Alish reveals to Misty and the others that this Houndoom is the oldest Pokémon Blaine has, even longer than she's been alive. Blaine used to have him for eight-badge challenges but now it's mostly retired. Misty then takes notice of the ring around one of Houndoom's horns, holding a Mega Stone. Ash too recognizes it, and Blaine is surprised that Ash knows about Mega Evolution, asking if he managed it. Ash replies that he didn't, but fought one a while back. Blaine realizes he didn't actually have to substitute the Charizard he planned to use, but since he can't substitute without forfeiting, he slams his cane on the ground to activate the Key Stone on the tip and triggers the Mega Evolution on Houndoom to continue the battle. Ash briefly looks at his Z-Ring, wondering if he'll be able to create a Z-Crystal in this situation, but quickly discards it, as Houndoom is a Dark-type and a Psychic-type move would be useless. Houndoom then launches a Fire Blast at Primeape, bringing back memories of his first battle with Blaine in the old timeline.

## Continuity

* First appearance of Mewtwo and Dr. Fuji.
* The opening scene is further expanded in the Mewtwo Interlude side story, detailing Mewtwo's escape from the New Island Lab.
* Alish references Raymond's first attempt to challenge Blaine, as happened in the *Blaine Interlude* side story.
* Squirtle is revealed to have broken the four move limit, having learned Water Pulse.
* The gym battle between Ash and Blaine begins.