"We're finally here in Pewter City," Serena exclaims, her voice brimming with excitement as we step foot into the vibrant town. I can't help but smile in response. "Yeah, this is where we have our first gym battle," I confirm, my own anticipation rising with each passing moment.
Yellow, ever the curious one, interjects, "Um... Ash, didn't Viridian City have a gym? Why didn't you challenge that one?" I pause for a moment, recalling our decision. "The Viridian Gym leader isn't in the gym, which is actually very strange. But we decide to do that one last," I explain, hoping to satisfy her curiosity.
"But before we go to the gym, how about we check out the Pewter Museum of Science?" Insey suggests, her eyes alight with curiosity. "Sounds good," Misty agrees, her adventurous spirit always eager for new experiences. With unanimous approval, we make our way towards the museum, eager to explore its wonders.
Entering the museum, we're greeted by an array of fascinating exhibits, each one a testament to the wonders of science. Among them, the fossils hold a particular allure. I'm reminded of the Fossil restoration machine here in Pewter City, but regretfully realize I don't have any fossils with me, as they're safely stored in my Mt. Moon House.
As we finish perusing the exhibits, our attention is drawn to a mysterious figure seated before us, surrounded by an assortment of rock merchandise. Intrigued, we exchange curious glances, wondering what secrets this enigmatic stranger might hold.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Yellow's voice cuts through the air, breaking the silence as we confront the mysterious figure.
The man looks up, revealing a weathered face with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "The name's Flint. These rocks here are Pewter City souvenirs. Do you want to buy some?" he offers, gesturing to the array of merchandise before him.
"No thanks. We are going to challenge the Pewter City Gym," I reply firmly, my determination unwavering.
Flint chuckles softly, his laughter echoing in the stillness of the museum. "Don't tell me you're planning on challenging Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader," he remarks incredulously, amusement evident in his tone. "You think you can beat him?"
"Who knows," I retort, a confident smile playing on my lips. "My parents did train us a lot about strategies. We shall see." With that, we turn away from the old man, leaving him to his rocks as we embark on our journey to face the challenge that awaits us at the Pewter City Gym.
Once we arrive at the Pewter City Gym, we're greeted by the sight of a magnificent rock garden, the very terrain reflecting the specialty of the Gym Leader we're about to face.
A man approaches us with a friendly smile, his enthusiasm palpable. "Hiya! Do you want to dream big? Do you dare to dream of becoming the Pokémon champ? I'm no Trainer, but I can advise you on how to win. Let me take you to the top!"
"That will be nice," I reply, grateful for any insight that could aid us in our quest.
"The Gym Leader here is Brock, and he specializes in Rock Type Pokémon," the man continues, his voice carrying a note of wisdom. "I suggest you have Water or Grass Type Pokémon on your team if you want to beat him."
"That sure is useful," Serena remarks, her eyes narrowing in thought. "But you don't have any of them, right?"
"I don't need to use Water or Grass Pokémon," I declare confidently, a spark of determination igniting within me. "And you'll see why." With those words hanging in the air, we steel ourselves for the challenge ahead, ready to prove our mettle against Pewter City's formidable Gym Leader.
On our way to face Brock, we encounter the first Gym trainer, a Camper named Amara. "This is the Pewter City Gym. Trainers here are a bit different from those you've faced so far," she explains, a hint of challenge in her voice.
Without hesitation, she sends out a Geodude to battle. Assessing the situation, I choose Butterfree as my Pokémon. My strategy against this Geodude is simple yet effective: I have Butterfree lull it to sleep using Sleep Powder, and then I capitalize on its vulnerability with several Confusion attacks.
"You're quite different from the challenges I've faced! I never thought I would lose to a Bug and Flying Type," Amara admits, her surprise evident as her Geodude succumbs to defeat.
"Wow... he's amazing," Yellow marvels, her admiration for my tactics evident in her voice.
"Ash is capable of helping Pokémon learn new moves after all," Serena observes, her confidence in my abilities reaffirmed by our successful battle strategy. With newfound determination, we press forward, ready to face whatever challenges await us in our quest to conquer the Pewter City Gym.
The next trainer we encounter is a camper named Liam, who confidently declares, "Stop right there! You're ten thousand light-years from facing Brock!"
Undeterred by his bold statement, I accept his challenge. This time, he also sends out a Geodude, but I opt to switch things up and choose my Male Nidoran instead. Nidoran proves to be a wise choice, as it's one of the few Pokémon I have that isn't particularly weak to Rock Types. With the aid of Nidoran's Poison Point ability and its powerful Double Kick move, we swiftly defeat Liam's Geodude.
"Oops!" Liam gasps in surprise as his Pokémon falls to the ground, defeated. Ignoring his reaction, I press on, determined to face Brock at last. With each step, the anticipation builds, driving me forward until finally, we reach our destination. It's time to face the formidable Pewter City Gym Leader and prove our worth in battle.
"Who goes there?" Brock's voice echoes through the gym, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the battlefield.
"You must be Brock," I declare confidently, meeting his gaze with determination. "The name is Ash. I challenge you to a gym battle."
Brock chuckles, a deep rumble that reverberates through the air. "My Pokémon are all hard as a rock and have true-grit determination! That's right! My Pokémon are all Rock types! Fwahaha! You're going to challenge me even knowing that you'll lose? After all, your Pikachu is in a cute stage, it can't win," he taunts, a smirk playing on his lips.
I hold my ground, unfazed by his words. "You just need to worry about your Pokémon," I retort, my voice steady and resolute. "Just because Pikachu is cute doesn't mean he can't be strong."
"Suit yourself. That's what a Trainer's honor demands! So be it! Show me your best!" Brock responds, his demeanor unwavering as he prepares for battle.
With a snap of his fingers, the battlefield materializes before us. "My first Pokémon will be Pidgey," I announce, choosing my trusty flying type for the challenge ahead.
"This will be a two-on-two match. I'll start with Geodude!" Brock declares, his confidence evident as he sends out his formidable Rock type Pokémon onto the battlefield. The stage is set for an epic showdown between two determined Trainers, each eager to prove their worth in the heat of battle.
As the match begins, I waste no time in issuing commands to my Pidgey. "Pidgey, let's raise your speed with Agility!" I call out, hoping to gain the upper hand in the battle.
"You have a bad strategy. Don't you know that Flying Type Pokémon are weak against Rock Types?" Brock counters, his confidence evident in his words.
"Maybe it seems bad, but there is a reason why I defeated your two Gym trainers with Flying Type Pokémon," I reply, steadfast in my resolve.
"Then let's see how you do it. Sandstorm!" Brock commands, and Geodude begins to conjure a swirling vortex of sand, obscuring the battlefield.
"Rock Throw!" Brock follows up swiftly, prompting Geodude to hurl boulders toward Pidgey. Reacting quickly, I guide Pidgey to dodge the incoming attack and counter with Quick Attack. The blow connects, but Pidgey winces in pain as Geodude's tough exterior proves difficult to penetrate.
"This isn't over just yet," I declare, determination burning brightly within me. "Pidgey! Sand Attack!" With a swift motion, Pidgey kicks up a cloud of sand, causing Geodude to be temporarily blinded.
Brock gasps in surprise as his Geodude struggles to shake off the sand and execute its next move. "Shake off the sand and use Smack Down!" he commands, but the Sandstorm only worsens the situation, causing the attack to miss its mark.
"Now use Steel Wing!" I instruct Pidgey, and with a graceful flap of its wings, Pidgey's feathers glow with a metallic sheen before striking Geodude with powerful force, significantly weakening it.
Meanwhile, on the second floor, Misty, Insey, Serena, and Yellow watch the battle unfold with bated breath. "That sure does a lot of damage!" Insey observes, impressed by the intensity of the battle.
"Now Ash needs one more hit and he'll win!" Serena adds, her excitement palpable. However, their attention is soon diverted as nine more people arrive to watch the battle, likely Brock's siblings.
"Finish it with Twister!" I command, seizing the opportunity to deliver the final blow. Pidgey unleashes a powerful vortex of wind, lifting Geodude into the air before slamming it back down to the ground, fainting it in one decisive move.
"No way..." Brock gasps in shock as he recalls his defeated Geodude. "It's my fault for underestimating your Pidgey. But it will be no match for Onix!"
With a sense of trepidation, I prepare to face Brock's second Pokémon, the formidable Onix. As the towering Rock Snake Pokémon emerges onto the battlefield, I steel myself for the challenge ahead.
"Use Bind!" Brock commands, and Onix wastes no time in ensnaring Pidgey with its powerful coils, trapping it in a vice-like grip.
"Oh no! Pidgey! Try to get it off using Gust!" I urge, hoping Pidgey can break free from Onix's hold. But despite Pidgey's valiant efforts, the bind only tightens, and eventually, Pidgey succumbs to exhaustion, fainting from the relentless pressure.
"Frown creasing my brow, I return Pidgey," I mutter, recalling the brave Pokémon back into its Poké Ball. "Pidgey, return." With a heavy heart, I turn to Pikachu, determination burning brightly in my eyes. "Pikachu, you're up!"
Pikachu nods resolutely as he jumps onto the battlefield, his cheeks crackling with electricity. Brock's expression betrays a hint of contemplation, a departure from the usual mockery I've come to expect when sending out an Electric Type Pokémon against a Ground Type opponent. It seems he's considering his options carefully, perhaps recognizing that this battle may not be as straightforward as he initially thought.
"Onix, that Pikachu might have some tricks, let's use Rock Polish!" Brock commands, his voice echoing with determination as he seeks to gain the upper hand in the battle.
As Onix raises its speed with Rock Polish, I quickly formulate my next move. "Iron Tail, Pikachu!" I command, seizing the opportunity to deal some damage while Onix focuses on increasing its speed.
"Iron Tail is super effective!" Serena cheers as Pikachu's attack lands, eliciting a satisfying grunt of pain from Onix.
But Brock isn't one to back down easily. "Bind again!" he orders, and I gasp in shock as Pikachu finds itself ensnared in Onix's powerful grip once more. "Iron Tail!" I shout, hoping to break free from the bind.
With a determined flick of its tail, Pikachu crashes into Onix, forcing it to release its hold. "If that's the case, use Gyro Ball!" Brock counters swiftly, his strategy adapting to the changing tide of battle.
Anticipating Onix's approach, I make a split-second decision. "Pikachu! Grass Knot!" I command, and Pikachu executes the move flawlessly, causing Onix to trip and fall to the ground.
"Now let's go with Rain Dance!" I continue, seizing the opportunity to further weaken Onix with the power of water. Pikachu growls in determination as rain begins to pour, causing Onix to writhe in discomfort.
"Rock Pokémon are weakened by Water," Misty observes, her knowledge of Pokémon types proving invaluable in this battle. "Pikachu can learn Rain Dance as well?"
"In normal circumstances, a Ground Type Pokémon like Onix won't be affected by Electric Type moves. But with the rain going on, Electric moves will be able to attack Onix! Let's finish it off!" I declare, my confidence bolstered by our strategic advantage. With victory within our grasp, Pikachu prepares to deliver the final blow and secure our triumph in this intense battle.
As I'm about to command Pikachu to deliver the final blow, I suddenly feel a strong resistance, and I realize that a group of people is holding me back. Insey's voice cuts through the commotion, her words echoing with indignation. "Hey! They can't do that! It's against the rules!"
I glance around and see Brock's nine siblings, all of them vehemently protesting against my actions. They accuse me of being a bully and causing unnecessary harm to Onix.
"Stop it, get off, all of you! This is an official match. And we're going to finish it no matter what!" I protest, frustration evident in my voice as I try to break free from their grasp.
"But Brock! We know that you love your Pokémon so much!" one of Brock's siblings pleads. "That's why we can't watch Onix suffer from another attack!"
Feeling conflicted, I frown and reluctantly recall Pikachu back to my side. "Pikachu, return," I mutter, acknowledging that the situation has escalated beyond my control.
Brock's incredulous voice breaks through the tension. "What do you think you're doing? This match isn't over yet!"
"I'll probably come in another time," I reply, my voice heavy with resignation. "After all, I think I'm doing a little too much, and it's not fair for Gym Leaders who are facing challengers with no badges. The next time I come, I'll battle without relying on tutoring moves..." With those words, I turn away, acknowledging that this battle has reached an impasse, and it's best to regroup and approach it with a different strategy in the future.
As everyone frowns at me, I gently lower Brock's siblings back to the ground. Misty speaks up first, confusion evident in her voice. "But why? It's not against the rules that he shouldn't use tutoring moves."
Insey offers an explanation, her tone softened with understanding. "That's my brother for you. Deep down inside, he loves Pokémon and he doesn't like to see them hurt as well."
Serena calls out to me as I start to walk away from the gym. "Ash! Wait for us!"
As we leave the gym behind, I turn to Pikachu, a sense of disappointment weighing heavily on my shoulders. "Pikachu, even though we didn't win the Gym badge, your training with the Grass Knot and Rain Dance really paid off."
"Thanks," Pikachu responds, his voice tinged with sadness. "But I am still unable to let it go..."
"Ash! Wait up!" Brock's voice calls out as he hurries towards us, catching us by surprise. "Brock?" I question, puzzled by his sudden appearance.
"You forgot this. As proof of your victory, take an official Pokémon League Badge—a Boulder Badge!" Brock offers, extending the badge towards me.
"But I can't accept that, I didn't beat you. I gave up in the end..." I protest, feeling conflicted about taking the badge under false pretenses.
Brock shakes his head with a smile. "Nah, I lost to you. You beat me in battle and were kind to all Pokémon. To tell you the truth, I get more pleasure from raising Pokémon than making them battle. I don't care about being a great Pokémon Trainer. I want to become the world's best breeder. I can't leave here because I have to take care of my brothers and sisters. Ash, I want you to take this and fulfill my dream. Will you do that for me?"
Silence falls over our group as we absorb Brock's unexpected confession. After a moment of contemplation, I nod, a sense of gratitude washing over me. "Thank you, Brock," I say sincerely, accepting the Boulder Badge with a newfound sense of purpose.
"With a Boulder Badge, Pokémon up to Lv. 20 from other Trainers will listen to you without question," Brock explains, his voice carrying the weight of authority as he bestows the badge upon me. Before we can continue our conversation, we're interrupted by the same man who was selling merchandise earlier.
"Brock, you should go follow your own dream," the man insists, removing his disguise to reveal himself as Brock's father.
"My father..." Brock's voice trails off, his expression a mixture of surprise and disbelief.
"I couldn't become the great Pokémon Trainer I wanted to because I was such a failure. And I was too ashamed to go back to my family," Flint admits, his voice filled with regret. "Brock, I think it's time for me to take care of my own family, while you can go on a journey and fulfill your dream."
Brock stares at his father, emotions swirling within him as he processes the revelation. "First, there are some things that I must tell you," he finally responds, his voice tinged with determination.
As Brock begins to recount the habits of his siblings to his father, Flint struggles to memorize the details, prompting a lighthearted exchange between the two.
"Hey, Ash, are you sure it's okay that I go with you on your Pokémon journey?" Brock asks, turning to me with a hopeful expression.
"Of course, the more the merrier. And I'm just glad to have a boy in our journey to talk with," I assure him with a smile.
"And you don't want to talk with us?" Serena interjects, her expression marked with a playful frown.
I chuckle, shaking my head. "No, I enjoy talking with you, but just like you girls have your own private matters, boys also have their own as well!"
"Relax, Brother, she's just kidding," Insey reassures me with a sigh, and laughter fills the air as we share a moment of camaraderie. In the end, we all know that our bonds of friendship transcend gender, and we're united by our shared passion for Pokémon and the adventures that await us on our journey.
And this is the first gym, and starting from the next chapter, I am not going to include every episode of the Pokemon anime and there are going to be some original and manga ones. I hope you like this chapter.
Ash + Serena's Pokemon:
Charmander, Butterfree, Beedrill, Pidgey, Rattata, Spearow, Pikachu, Nidoran (F), Nidoran (M)
Insey's Pokemon:
Bulbasaur, Beedrill, Pidgey, Spearow
Misty's Pokemon:
Goldeen
Yellow's Pokemon:
Pikachu