“Take the initiative, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!”

Brock only felt a flash of golden light before his eyes, and a terrifying current once again erupted from that tiny source, transforming into a thick, twisted electric current that struck Onix.

“Rumble!”

As Thunderbolt exploded, even Onix couldn't help but let out a wail. Pressured by the immense force and electricity, its body bending slightly.

“Sure enough, Electric-type moves are effective against Onix…”

Brock frowned, thinking the situation was a bit peculiar. As a Gym Leader who had thoroughly studied the type chart, he naturally knew that Electric-type moves should be completely ineffective against Ground-type Pokémon; the previous Geodude could be dismissed as a coincidence. But now, Onix's reaction showed that this Pikachu could indeed defy the ultimate iron rule of type effectiveness.

“Or perhaps this boy possesses some special power…?”

For example, every few years, Viridian Forest nearby would produce a Bug Catcher with “Viridian Power,” so it wouldn't be particularly strange for this boy named Ash to possess some “Anti-Type Power.”

Thinking of this, Brock suddenly ripped off his shirt, revealing a muscular physique, his dark skin seemingly forged from rock; his not-so-tall body stood there, firm as a rock!

“This is the tenacity and determination of Rock-type Pokémon! Let me see your strength!” he roared.

Ash was dazzled by the bronze-skinned brute in front of him, secretly wondering if all Gym challenges now required stripping off clothes. Well, I can't lose either; I can't let others discover that I'm just a country bumpkin from Pallet Town!

Immediately, Ash felt a surge of anger. He ripped off his jacket, then his black T-shirt, revealing a physique that, while not massive, was definitely solid.

“I will never lose!”

The sweat and fighting spirit of the two muscular men continuously clashed in the Gym.

Referee: “???”

I just took a nap; how did the situation suddenly become so intense?!

But he was a professional, so he feigned a cough and continued watching this subtly shifting battle of strong men.

...

“Very good, Ash, I admire you!”

Brock's lips curled into a smile. He liked Ash's fighting spirit, but that didn't mean he would go easy.

“Go, Onix, use Sandstorm!”

Since you like creating a Sandstorm, I'll show you what a true Sandstorm is!

Onix's rock tail whipped at the rocky arena, and instantly countless grains of sand and gravel shot into the sky, swirling continuously, turning the Pewter Gym into a desert of howling yellow sand in the blink of an eye. Sandstorm weather, with sand and stones flying.

Ash was startled by the massive change in the environment and only came to his senses after a long while to command:

“Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!!”

“Pikachu!”

This time, the powerful Thunderbolt didn't even break through three meters in front of it before being neutralized by the countless swirling sands around it. Pikachu was somewhat helplessly swallowed by the yellow sand.

“Whoosh!”

A dark shadow appeared from the murky Sandstorm. Before Pikachu could react, the shadow had already grown larger, violently knocking it several meters away.

“Clang!”

Pikachu was struck by Onix's tail, suffering a significant blow.

“Pika, Pika…”

Pikachu, raising its head again, quickly scanned its surroundings, attempting to detect Onix's presence ahead of time, but all around was hazy dust, with no signs of anything amiss.

Ash also clenched his fists, suddenly remembering a Trainer's instruction he had seen on TV before, and quickly commanded:

“Pikachu, calm down quickly, and use your heart to sense the opponent's position!”

Pikachu: “0-0?”

You come up and fight; you use your heart to sense it and let me see.

“No, no, Pikachu, use your ears to sense Onix’s direction!”

Ash quickly changed this vague instruction into one suitable for Pikachu's characteristics. The latter immediately twitched its ears, calmed down, and even closed its eyes.

“Tap, tap, tap…”

Countless grains of sand struck Pikachu, continuously draining its stamina, but as long as it remained calm enough, it could pinpoint Onix's location…

“Pikachu!”

Pikachu's eyes suddenly lit up, and it jumped in place. And the next second, sure enough, a long dark shadow swept past with considerable power, directly carving a deep gully where it had been.

Ash's eyes lit up, and he suddenly raised his muscular arm, shouting:

“Now, get on it!”

“Pikachu!”

Pikachu rolled in the air, landing smoothly on Onix's tail. Since the Sandstorm prevented Thunderbolt from spreading, then it wouldn't need to spread; zero distance would suffice.

Ash waved his finger: “Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!!”

“Oh no, Onix, shake it off quickly!”

It was Brock's turn to panic. He hadn't expected a rookie Trainer to come up with such a strategy against a Sandstorm.

“Snake! Snake!”

Onix's body continuously twitched in place, trying to shake Pikachu off, while the latter gritted its teeth and held on tightly, its cheek pouches already charged and ready.

“Pikachu!”

The light of Thunderbolt shone again, striking Onix without obstruction. The latter immediately let out a wail, clearly indicating the move's considerable power.

Brock was in a hurry; if it wasn't shaken off, the consequences would be unimaginable.

“Shake it off quickly!” “Pikachu, hold on, use Thunderbolt again!!”

“Pikachu!”

Golden lightning erupted, and the current shot into the sky, striking the continuously twitching Onix again. The resulting air current even cleared away the Sandstorm, and the air quality instantly improved.

“Sizzle, sizzle!”

But the current was still crackling.

This had become a battle of wills; both Onix and Pikachu were desperately holding on. Finally, under Onix's frantic thrashing, Pikachu's grip slipped, and its body was flung several meters away.

Onix's condition was even worse, its body scorched black and covered in burn marks, panting heavily, looking like a flickering candle in the wind.

Ash raised his arm above his head and roared:

“Final blow, use Knock Off!”

Pikachu continuously rolled in the sky, adjusting its posture, finally tucking its tail beneath itself, and after a spin, it struck straight down, hitting Onix directly on the head.

“Pikachu!”

No one noticed that the very tip of its tail had already acquired a metallic sheen… Knock Off!

“Clang!”

Onix took a direct hit to the head and finally succumbed to the pressure, its massive body crashing down.

“Onix is unable to battle, Pikachu wins! Pewter Gym Challenge, Ash wins!”

...

Brock was stunned, not expecting this rookie Trainer to actually defeat him. Especially that Pikachu, both Thunderbolt and Knock Off were generally effective moves, but it simply overpowered his Onix.

Finally, Brock simply smiled helplessly and sighed.

“What an incredible young man…”

Pikachu also slowly walked over to Onix and stroked its head, as if saying something.

“Don't worry, you're definitely not the last one I'll ride, but as the first, remember your glory at this moment.”

If Meowth were here, he would surely be able to authentically translate Pikachu's arrogant tone as well.

After the battle, Ash received the spoils of victory from the Pewter Gym, the Rock Badge. He excitedly held it high above his head, looking incredibly spirited and triumphant.

This was his first step to becoming a Pokémon Master!

“Ash, congratulations…”

Brock, however, looked at Ash's youthful and reckless expression with considerable envy. This ability to freely strive and fight for one's dreams made him very envious. Unfortunately, with so many younger siblings at home, even if Brock wanted to leave, he simply couldn't.

...

Just then, a loud shout suddenly came from the entrance of the Pewter Gym.

“Brock, leave the Gym to me! Go and fulfill your dreams with peace of mind!”

Brock suddenly looked up. Flint and Misty had slowly walked in. Flint took off his hood, and his appearance was seven-tenths similar to Brock's.

“Dad, aren't you dead?” Brock asked, shocked.

Flint: “???”

What followed was a touching scene of filial piety between father and son, which even brought tears to Ash's eyes as he watched.

“Waaah, if my dad…” As he spoke, Ash suddenly realized.

“Oh, right, my dad's gone.”

Misty beside him, however, looked on with a sense of bewilderment, even a little sweat.

Isn't this a Gym challenge? Why are these two shirtless? Are Pokémon outdated? Do Gym battles now involve real-person combat?

...

Finally, the unburdened Brock extended a sincere request to join the team.

“Ash, can I join your team?”

Perhaps by following such an extraordinary young man, his own dreams might also come true?

“Join if you want, no need to ask me, I'm not the protagonist, hehe.”

Ash replied indifferently.

He was still confused why Misty kept following him. It was just a bicycle, after all; would he, the future Pokémon Master, really renege on a debt? Besides, once he became a Pokémon Master, her scrapped, worthless bicycle would skyrocket in value and be sold as an antique! In that case, Misty would even have to pay him!

After some mutual introductions, Brock also noticed Misty.

“Oh, aren't you from Cerulean Gym…”

At that, Misty flinched and quickly gestured with her eyes for him to shut up.

Brock quickly understood. Being a considerate person, he realized Misty might have her own difficulties, and he naturally wouldn't expose her.

But Misty, as a friend, Brock was determined to get to know her for her three sisters!