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The next day.
The next morning, after a night's rest and recuperation, the Pokémon were all energetic. After breakfast, they rested for a while.
Ash and Misty arrived at the entrance of the Pewter City Gym. Like the city itself, the Pewter City Gym had a strong rock theme.
The roof was entirely constructed from a massive rock, giving the impression that the entire building was carved out of a giant boulder. The front entrance was a simple, rustic-looking large door.
"Is this Pewter City Gym? It looks so simple." Misty, being from the Cerulean City Gym, felt that Pewter City Gym looked indeed a bit plain compared to their Cerulean City Gym.
"Isn't this good? If the outside is too flashy, and the trainer's strength isn't great, that would be troublesome," Ash responded calmly.
Misty paused slightly, feeling as if she had been unintentionally offended. Their Cerulean City Gym, being a water show venue, was indeed more extravagant on the outside to attract people.
Most importantly, Cerulean City had always carried the title of Kanto's weakest Gym. Because her sisters completely disregarded being looked down upon by others, she also left the Gym for this reason.
But she didn't say anything, because she didn't intend to tell Ash her identity. She could only silently accept this sarcasm that wasn't directed at her.
Ash didn't pay attention. He truly had no intention of targeting Misty; he just said it casually.
Click!
Pushing open the door, a heavy sound resonated. As they entered, the Gym was pitch black, and they couldn't see their hands in front of their faces.
"It's so dark, I can't see anything! Is no one here? The door's still open," Misty said, feeling a bit unaccustomed to the pitch-black Gym.
"There's definitely someone here!" Ash responded faintly, his gaze directed forward.
Clang!
Suddenly, a sound like a gate opening was heard. The lights in the Gym immediately flashed, revealing a spacious Gym entirely made of rock. On the stairs in front, a figure sat under the light.
He had spiky hair, dark skin, and narrowed eyes, sitting cross-legged on a high platform in a meticulous manner.
It was Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader. Ash finally saw one of the main anime characters with his own eyes for the first time. To be honest, seeing him so serious now, it was really hard to associate him with his later perverted image.
"Who are you two?" Brock looked at the two in front of him, still looking serious.
Seeing that Misty showed no change in expression, it seemed Brock indeed had no interest in undeveloped young girls.
"My name is Ash. I'm here to challenge the Gym." Ash didn't waste time and spoke directly.
Brock heard him and sized Ash up for a moment, still sitting there without any intention of getting up. He said faintly, "Is this your first time challenging a Gym?"
"Yes!"
"Looking at you, you seem to have just become a trainer not long ago. You should know that a Gym battle is different from a casual battle on the roadside," Brock said after observing Ash, seemingly able to tell that Ash was a rookie trainer.
"The rules of the Pokémon League Gym challenge, since I'm here to challenge, I naturally know them without you telling me. Can we not waste time?"
Ash chuckled upon hearing this. They truly are father and son. Both of them look down on him. But it didn't matter; they would find out after a clash.
Listening to Ash's response, Brock paused slightly. He had seen many rookie trainers, all arriving full of spirit, believing themselves invincible after becoming trainers, but their actual strength was subpar.
So when he encountered a rookie trainer, he would usually explain things clearly. Although dealing with rookie trainers was easy, it still consumed Pokémon stamina. Many people came to challenge him every day, so he didn't want to waste extra time and Pokémon stamina.
But he didn't know why, listening to Ash's words, he sensed an unspeakable confidence from his smile, different from the typical youthful exuberance of an inexperienced rookie trainer.
"Interesting. If someone comes to challenge, a Gym Leader cannot refuse."
Feeling what Ash gave him, Brock leaped slightly, jumping down from the high platform.
"The number of Pokémon used in this battle is limited to two. When all of either side's Pokémon lose their ability to battle, that side loses, understood?"
Misty's expression changed upon hearing this. She thought it was an earthquake and quickly stood behind Ash. At this moment, on both the left and right sides, rocky terrains filled with protruding rocks pushed out from the shadows.
Gradually, they merged towards the center of the Gym. Ash stood still, his expression calm. When he first entered, he had deliberately not walked forward, knowing that the battle arena was on both sides.
Soon, the two halves of the arena merged, forming a giant rock arena. Brock's estimation of Ash rose even higher.
Trainers who had never been to Pewter City Gym and were challenging a Gym for the first time would usually react to this situation, but seeing Ash's calm demeanor, he didn't seem like a rookie trainer at all.
"It looks like this trainer isn't the kind who can be easily intimidated and scared away," Brock analyzed and judged, looking at Ash.
A gray, round rock-like body. With bulging stone eyebrows, trapezoidal eyes and coffee-colored irises, and a pair of muscular arms.
It was somewhat unexpected for Ash. In the anime, as he remembered, when Brock first battled Ash, Brock initially sent out Onix.
"Forget it!" But for Ash, it didn't matter. He took out a Poké Ball from his waist. Misty saw this and retreated to the side to watch the battle.