(PS: I revised an earlier setting. Cynthia won the Lily of the Valley Conference the year before last, a year after Lance and Lorelei. She is thirteen, three years older than the protagonist. Steven is sixteen, Lance is fourteen, and Lorelei is thirteen. Cynthia is currently traveling and has not yet begun challenging the Elite Four. She is heading to the Unova Region with Caitlin to train. Since the original series did not give specific ages, only establishing that Lance was nineteen the year Ash set out, this book's settings take precedence.)
Although the Fiery Path was hot, it was still milder than the great desert. Perhaps because it was on the outskirts, far from the volcano's core, the heat was just barely tolerable.
The ground beneath his feet was red and gave off faint wisps of heat. Black coal was embedded in the stone walls on either side.
As Yong walked through the cave, the enclosed passage and sweltering air made him feel as though he were inside a furnace.
"Koff~!"
A Koffing suddenly floated down from overhead. Toxic gas swirled around its purplish-gray body, and it opened its mouth to send a Smokescreen billowing toward him.
Koffing
"Go, Baltoy! Confusion!"
Not bothering to waste time, Yong tossed out a Pokémon Ball. Baltoy appeared in midair, its eyes shining blue as it immobilized its opponent, then hurled it into the rock wall.
"Koff!"
Koffing struck the wall and winced in pain. Barely steadying itself, it floated back into the air. Its awkward-looking face twisted into a fierce expression, and copious gas poured from its body, forming a purple cloud that drifted toward Yong.
It was Toxic Cloud!
The scorching heat had left Yong irritable. Holding nothing back, he gave his command.
"Control it with Confusion, then use Psybeam!"
Baltoy