On Mt. Chimney's Fiery Path, a girl with wheat-colored skin and a hibiscus ornament on her head wiped the sweat from her brow and looked toward the end of the mountain trail.
Sweltering steam kept rising. Although the girl wore only a skimpy blue tube top and a miniskirt, beads of sweat still rolled down her smooth skin.
"Pheobe, why don't you have some more iced cola? It's way too hot here," a red-haired girl with a high ponytail said worriedly.
"I'm fine. But what about you, Flannery? You've only just taken over as Gym Leader, and you're already joining me on such a dangerous mission. Are you really okay with that?" Despite Pheobe's revealing outfit, she actually had the personality of a caring older sister.
"It's fine! As Lavaridge Town's Gym Trainer, fighting crime is my duty!" The girl excitedly patted her chest, her eyes sparkling.
"You seem pretty excited..." Pheobe smiled helplessly. "We're facing Hunter J, you know. Even that Valkyrie from Sinnoh hasn't managed to bring her to justice.
"We can't let our guard down."
"Don't worry. I won't hold you back." Flannery nodded firmly.
"Ahh~" Pheobe picked up a can of iced cola and drank it in little sips. A wave of coolness temporarily suppressed the sweltering heat.
"Still, there's no need to worry. Steven said we're only responsible for blocking her escape. Someone else will do the actual fighting."
"Who? Wallace?" Flannery asked curiously.
"No, a powerful Pokémon Trainer whose strength rivals a Champion's. Apparently, Hunter J angered him this time, and that's why her whole operation is being wiped out," Pheobe said with a sigh.
"Rivals a Champion? Ahh~ I'm fired up! I really want to battle him!" Flames sprang up in Flannery's eyes.
"Ahh~ Wait! Flannery, you're actually on fire! Your Slugma set