Pewter Gym

On a rock platform stood a young man with squinting eyes and dark skin, his expression serious; he was a man as unyielding as a rock. The Gym Leader, Brock.

“New Trainer, are you attempting your second challenge?” he asked slowly. “Each Gym only allows three challenges. If you fail all three, you won't be able to challenge this Gym again for a year. I suggest you go back and train more.”

After all, what kind of progress could be made in just one night?

Ash's eyes were bright, and he replied without hesitation, “I've decided to challenge! The Pikachu I have now is a brand new Pikachu!”

“Pika!”

Early in the morning, he had brought Pikachu to challenge the Gym.

“Then I accept your challenge!”

Brock's gaze shifted downwards to Ash's leg. Although he didn't detect anything unusual, this Electric Mouse truly seemed to have gained something new. This time, he would be a little more serious.

“Go, Geodude!”

A Pokémon with only a round, stone head appeared in the arena, swinging its two strong fists.

“Beep beep. Geodude, the Hard Pokémon, classified as dry waste.” The Pokédex automatically reported.

Brock: “...”

He felt offended.

Having suffered a defeat once, Ash dared not be careless in the slightest. Since the opponent wasn't starting with Onix like yesterday, he wouldn't use his ace either.

“I choose you, Pidgeotto!”

Brock's gaze remained unchanged. Pewter City was located next to Viridian Forest, so most of the challengers he encountered had Pokémon like Pidgey, Pidgeotto, and Caterpie.

Battle start!

“Geodude, use Rock Throw!”

Above its floating body, several gravel appeared out of nowhere. Geodude swung its arms and projected them all out in a "whoosh whoosh whoosh" fashion.

“Pidgeotto, use Dodge!”

Pidgeotto's speed was not slow; its body weaved back and forth through the gaps in the gravel, appearing to move with ease.

“Now, use Quick Attack!”

With a high-pitched cry, Pidgeotto's body was covered in a layer of white light. It charged the moment it passed over the pile of gravel, its sharp beak aiming directly for the target.

“Block it with Defense Curl!”

Geodude quickly brought its hands together in front of it, forming an almost perfect sphere, intending to take the hit head-on.

“Clang!”

In the dust, Geodude remained motionless, while Pidgeotto was sent flying backward, its beak even twisted a few centimeters.

“This kind of move doesn't have much effect on my Pokémon, you know.” Brock couldn't help but smile, then commanded again:

“Use Rollout!”

“Fist!”

Geodude transformed into a rolling stone and began to spin wildly on the ground. As its speed increased, the power of Rollout also continuously rose.

“Pidgeotto, block it with Hurricane!”

However, no matter how strong a whirlwind Pidgeotto generated, it couldn't stop Rollout's advance. The type disadvantage was like an insurmountable chasm, difficult to cross.

“Quick, dodge!”

As the saying goes, if you don't know what to shout, just shout "Quick, dodge!" and you're done.

Relying on Pidgeotto's speed, it barely managed to avoid the formidable Rollout, but it was also sweating profusely. Novice Pokémon, not accustomed to long battles, clearly don't last long, and the battle was almost over after a few rounds.

“I must find a way to interrupt its offensive...”

Ash brainstormed wildly, then his eyes suddenly lit up; he had thought of a countermeasure.

“Pidgeotto, use Sand Attack!”

Pidgeotto landed, turned around, and frantically dug holes like a dog, splashing a large amount of sand and dirt all over Geodude's eyes.

“This move won't work on me.” Brock said simply.

Ash, however, showed a triumphant expression and shouted, “Then try this again! Pidgeotto, follow up with Hurricane!”

As Pidgeotto flapped its wings, countless sand and dirt particles intertwined with the whirlwind, spiraling upwards to form a small Sandstorm.

Seeing this, Brock frowned: “A bit interesting, but this move still won't... No, this time it works.”

Sandstorm weather can increase Geodude's defense. Confusing human behavior.

“Hmph hmph, it's time to decide the winner! Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack!”

“Pika-chaw!”

Pidgeotto let out a loud cry, its body transforming into a dazzling white light as it charged into the Sandstorm. Its powerful force actually broke through all the sand, completely exposing the unprepared Geodude inside. Obscure vision, then close-range attack—this was Ash's strategy!

“Whoosh!”

The terrifying impact force landed squarely on Geodude, sending the latter tumbling backward several times, leaving a long trail on the ground.

This was his true strength as a Pokémon Master!

The referee at the side also announced in due time:

“Pidgeotto is unable to battle, Geodude wins!”

Ash: “???”

As the dust settled, he quickly looked closely, only to see that the retreating Geodude was merely rubbing its head in confusion, while Pidgeotto on the other side had already fainted on the ground, its beak twisted.

What the heck, was it faking an injury?

A series of operations as ironically fierce.

Then the person was gone.

“As expected of a Gym Leader, truly excellent tactics...”

A drop of sweat fell from Ash's forehead. He silently recalled Pidgeotto, gaining a deeper understanding of the Gym Leader's strength.

Responding to all changes with no changes? Goodness, he thought Brock was on the first level, and he was on the second. He didn't expect this squinting man to actually be standing on the fifth level.

Brock: “...”

I've always been on the first level...

“Then it's up to you, Pikachu!”

“Pika!”

Pikachu took two small hops to the arena, clenching its small fists, electricity sparking from its cheeks.

“Another type disadvantage, haven't you learned your lesson yet.” Brock frowned, and without politeness, launched another attack.

“Geodude, use Rock Throw!”

Immediately, countless gravel were projected.

Ash, however, was not flustered in the slightest, roaring loudly:

“Pikachu, let them see our power! Use Thunderbolt!!”

Pikachu jumped in place, letting out a sharp cry, and the electric sacs instantly burst forth with current!

“Pika, chu!!”

Countless currents covered its body, blinding light illuminated the entire arena, and when its power reached its maximum, it transformed into a roaring electric snake. The seemingly formidable Rock Throw instantly turned into powder upon contact.

Unstoppable, Thunderbolt continued to burst forth, directly hitting Geodude's little face. The next second, terrifying impact and voltage erupted simultaneously, directly charring Geodude.

Even the referee was startled and took a while to react.

“Geodude is unable to battle, Pikachu wins!”

Brock: “...”

To be able to elevate his electric power to a new level in just one night, is this young man cheating? It seems this time I'll have to battle seriously.

Brock recalled Geodude and sent out his ace, Onix!

“Beep beep. Onix, the Hard Pokémon. It is said that for every Onix that's born, ten Geodude lose their lives. No other implications.”

The Pokédex automatically reported.

Brock: “...”