And that's why both Charmeleon and Scyther had to rest in their Poké Balls.
I knew that my coordination with Scyther was still low. But it would just take more time, more battles, and some nights of special training.
But one thing was certain. We would improve, and soon we'd be moving as one too.
Thinking that, I stepped through the automatic doors of the Pewter City Pokémon Center, Eevee trotting at my side.
Nurse Joy stood behind the counter, her bright pink hair and crisp white uniform instantly familiar, just like the one I had seen back in Viridian City when I registered for the league. Warm. Calm. Welcoming. She even looked exactly the same, just like in the anime.
"Good afternoon! How can I help you?" she asked.
"Chansey," came a soft voice beside her.
A Chansey stepped forward immediately, ready to assist.
"Can you check these three Pokémon, please?" I said as I stepped closer, handing over Scyther's Poké Ball first, then Charmeleon's. Then I recalled Eevee as well and placed her Luxury Ball on the counter.
After everything we'd been through, I wasn't taking any chances. If there was even a minor injury, Nurse Joy would handle it quickly with her experience and advanced medical technology.
And it was all free too, just like in the anime.
"Of course. We'll have them back to full health shortly," she replied with a gentle nod.
Chansey carefully took the tray with the Poké Balls and carried it toward the back.
I sank into one of the lobby chairs and let out a long breath I felt like I had been holding since Viridian Forest. My entire team was exhausted, but we had made it.
Now it was time to rest, recover, and prepare for what came next: the Pewter City Gym.
Just as I was waiting, I noticed a kid rushing inside the Pokémon Center. He was wearing a red cap and clutching a Pikachu in his arms. The Pokémon looked badly hurt and barely conscious.
"Pikachu... please..." the boy said as he ran to the counter.
I stood up immediately, concern rising in my chest.
Nurse Joy looked up the moment they arrived. Her calm expression sharpened with focus.
"Chansey!" she called.
A Chansey appeared at once.
The boy reached the counter, breathing hard. "Please... will Pikachu be okay?"
Nurse Joy gave a quick nod. "We'll take care of it."
Chansey carefully took Pikachu and hurried toward the back room.
The boy still stood there, staring after them. "It... it will be okay, right?"
I walked closer to him and asked quietly, "What happened?"
The boy looked at me, still breathing hard.
"I... I lost," he said, voice shaking. "In a battle. His Steelix was too strong.."
He tightened his fists.
"My Pikachu got hurt because I didn't step back in time... I should've surrendered fast and protected it better."
I frowned slightly. "Who was it?" I asked.
"It was Brock.." the boy muttered, staring down at the floor as if the tiles themselves had defeated his Pikachu. "The Pewter City Gym Leader."
I let out a slow breath while thinking...Gym Leaders in this world really don't mess around.
Back in the anime, Brock had always felt like a fairly straightforward first obstacle. Strong, sure, but still someone most protagonists eventually overcame without too much trouble.
Reality was different.
Much different.
If Brock was already using a Pokémon like Steelix against trainers going for their very first badge, that alone said a lot.
Gym Leaders here weren't simply handing out badges to anyone who showed up.
They were experienced trainers whose job was to determine whether challengers were actually ready to continue their journeys.
And from the sound of it, Brock took that responsibility very seriously.
Looks like earning that first badge won't be nearly as easy as I thought.
The boy remained quiet for a moment before speaking again. As we talked, I learned his name was Kaito.
Over the next half hour, he told me about how his challenge against Brock had gone.
Most of it came back to the same problem. Brock's Steelix had completely overwhelmed his Pikachu and Pidgey. It had shrugged off their attacks, controlled the pace of the battle, and capitalized on every mistake.
But I learned more than that.
For starters, Pewter Gym used a 2-on-2 format for trainers with zero badges.
Brock clearly didn't hold back just because someone was new, and from everything Kaito described, the Gym Leader seemed more interested in testing challengers than simply handing out badges.
I offered a few thoughts of my own and shared some advice. Before long, the conversation drifted away from the loss itself and toward training, traveling, difficult battles, and the lessons that came from mistakes along the way.
By the time we finished, Kaito looked a lot less defeated than when we'd first met.
Then a familiar cheerful voice echoed through the Pokémon Center lobby.
"Gil! Your Pokémon are completely healed and ready to go!"
I stood immediately.
"Looks like this is where we part ways."
After wishing Kaito good luck, I headed to the counter, collected my Poké Balls, and made my way toward one of the training fields behind the Pokémon Center.
Three flashes of light appeared one after another.
Eevee landed first and immediately trotted over to my side, her fluffy tail swaying with a playful bounce.
While, her big, bright eyes sparkled as she looked up at me.
"Vee-" The soft sound was warm and sweet, like she was happy to be close again...
Next came Charmeleon. She stepped out with a lazy stretch, raising her arms high above her head.
Her smooth orange body arched nicely, showing off the strong curves and toned build she had gained after evolving. A low, satisfied "Charrr-" rolled from her throat.
She looked more than ready for battle.
Finally, Scyther appeared beside her, blades gleaming beneath the lights. All her injuries were gone now, though I could still see a few faint signs of the battle she'd fought earlier.
I crouched down so I was eye-level with all three of them.
"Alright, listen up."
Three pairs of eyes immediately locked onto me.
"Pewter Gym will be a 2-on-2 battle. That means only two of you will be entering the match."
Eevee's ears perked up instantly, and her fluffy tail began swishing excitedly behind her. The little fox looked completely convinced she was about to be chosen.
"I'm taking Charmeleon and Scyther."
"Vee"
The wagging stopped at once.
Her tail slowly drooped, followed by her ears.
I couldn't help smiling as I reached down and gently scratched behind them.
"Don't be sad. You're amazing, and you know it."
Her tail gave a small hopeful wag.
"But Brock uses Rock and Steel-types. Charmeleon's Fire-type attacks and Scyther's speed give us our best chance. Right now, that's the strongest team I can put on the field."
Eevee pouted for a second before eventually leaning into my hand.
"Vee~♡"
I chuckled.
"You'll get your turn soon..."
Then my attention shifted to Scyther.
Her posture immediately grew more focused.
I took a few minutes to go over her last battle against Lara's Meganium, pointing out several moments where she had relied too heavily on instinct instead of working with me. Trainers' battles are different from fighting in the wild. Timing, coordination, and trust between trainer and Pokémon mattered just as much as strength.
To her credit, Scyther listened seriously.
There was no irritation or resistance this time.
Only concentration.
By the end of it, she gave a firm nod, making it clear she understood exactly what I was trying to say.
A grin spread across my face.
That was all I needed.
I stood back up and looked toward the direction of Pewter Gym.
"Let's go win our first badge."
"Vee!"
"Charrr!"
"Scy!"