After finally arriving in Dragonia City, Flash prepares for his final Gym Battle against the toughest Gym Leader in all of Equestria. However, Torch, the Gym Leader, declares he is retiring and is holding a special contest to determine his successor. However, after Spike overhears how almost everyone in town plans to abuse their authority if they become Gym Leader, he decides to enter the competition himself and quickly finds himself teaming up with Torch's daughter, Ember.
- Abdicate the Throne: After Spike wins the contest, he passes on the title of Gym Leader to Ember, knowing that she won't abuse her authority like others would and that he isn't ready to be a Gym Leader himself yet because he isn't even a real trainer yet.
- The Big Race: The titular Gauntlet of Fire is a race setup by Torch to determine his sucessor as Gym Leader.
- Bread, Eggs, Breaded Eggs: When some competitors are discussing what they will do as Gym Leader, one says they will make it so their challengers must win without losing a single of their Pokémon and another plans to ban all Ice, Fairy and Dragon types so they can't use any super effective types to win. Garble plans to basically combine both of these, forcing his challengers into a 6 on 1 battle while banning Ice, Fairy and Dragon types, all to ensure he will never lose a match.
- David Versus Goliath: Peewee vs Garble's Blazegon. Peewee is much smaller than the average Terragon, facing a fully evolved Dragon/Fire type. Peewee wins after learning Draco Meteor.
- Full-Body Disguise: After Ember is banned from competing by her father, she disguises herself in armor to hide her identity. She also paints her Champagoon green and puts its Pokeball in a Contest Ball Capsule to make it appear to be a Shiny.
- Passing the Torch: After Spike wins the title of Gym Leader, he passes the title to Ember, with him literally passing the proof of his victory, the official Sceptre Badge, to her.
- The Promise: After Spike passes the title of Gym Leader to Ember, Ember asks him for a favor in return; that when he finally starts his own journey he comes back and challenges her to a battle.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story: Flash and his friends traveled all the way to Dragonia City so he could battle the "toughest Gym Leader in Equestria". Unfortunately, shortly after they arrive they learn that Torch, the Gym Leader, is retiering. Though it is downplayed, since although Flash is dissapointed he missed his chance to face Torch he is happy to face Ember in her premiere battle as Gym Leader.
- Too Dumb to Live: Many of the competitors hoping to become the next Gym Leader boast of the rules they will implement once they win. Many of which give them an unfair advantage against challengers. As Spike realizes, if the Equestria League ever finds out about it they might just shut the Gym down.
- Took a Level in Badass: Peewee learns Draco Meteor, allowing him to defeat Garble's Blazegon.
- The Unfought: Torch announces he is retiering as Gym Leader, shortly after Flash arrives hoping to have a battle with him.
- We Will Meet Again: After Grable loses the Gauntlet of Fire against Spike, he angrily declares that he will get him back for this before storming off.
- Whole-Plot Reference: The plot is just like the Friendship is Magic episode of the same name, with Torch retiering and holding a competition to determine his sucessor, Spike entering to stop someone unworthy from winning, and teaming up with Ember and passing the title to her after he wins.
