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"You two, aren't you going to move out of the way?!" Brock was usually very gentle with his younger siblings, but at this moment, he was unusually strict.
Although becoming a Gym Leader was not what he desired, the Gym was the lifeline of their family. Taking care of nine younger siblings meant huge expenses.
Such a situation occurring inside the Gym was indeed his responsibility as a Gym Leader.
He immediately sternly reprimanded his younger siblings. Brock's younger siblings clearly hadn't expected him to be so angry. In their eyes, Brock had always been a very gentle person.
"But... but we just wanted to protect Onix, whom big brother worked so hard to raise. And besides, he clearly cheated first."
Listening to Brock, the children felt a little wronged. Brock's third youngest sibling spoke with a hint of defiance, while also looking up at the ceiling.
At this moment, the water from the fire suppression system seemed to have run out and was no longer spraying. The damaged spray devices could be seen.
"According to the Pokémon League rules, anything within the battle arena is considered part of the battle. I did not cheat!" Ash said lightly after hearing them.
Even in the air, as long as it was within the boundaries of the arena, it could be part of the battle. This was a rule set by the Pokémon League to cultivate resourceful trainers.
Truly outstanding trainers must have strong on-the-spot adaptability. As long as they were within the battle arena, even things like the ceiling or chandeliers could be utilized.
Even the arena itself was merely a place for battle. Even if a Pokémon was knocked out of the arena, as long as it hadn't lost its combat capability, it could still return to the arena and continue fighting.
Brock, as a Gym Leader, naturally knew this better than anyone, which was why he rarely got angry with his younger siblings.
"Besides, your brother's Onix was carefully raised, but aren't other people's Pokémon also carefully raised? Do you know how much arduous training every trainer and their Pokémon have to go through to participate in the Pokémon League and challenge a Gym?"
Ash wasn't polite with these spoiled kids. Raising a huge Pokémon like Onix was indeed a troublesome matter.
However, although the effort required to care for Pokémon varied, every trainer's dedication and care for their Pokémon were equal.
Your brother put in effort, but others also put in effort. Why should it be okay for others' Pokémon to be injured and defeated after a hard-fought challenge, but your brother's Pokémon cannot be injured?
"..."
Listening to Ash, Brock's younger siblings all fell silent. They had been raised by Brock and were relatively mature.
After hearing Ash's words, they also understood that what they did was wrong. Now that the water had stopped, and no finishing blow was dealt, Onix had stood up again.
"I'm very sorry that something like this happened. I lost this battle." Brock looked at Ash, admitting his defeat, his voice filled with deep apology.
Brock walked into the arena, gently stroked Onix's body, then walked towards Ash, taking an octagonal badge from his pocket.
"This is the proof of defeating Pewter Gym, the Gray Badge. You battled wonderfully, and fighting you taught me a lot."
Brock naturally knew the Pokémon League rules very well, and he also strongly agreed with what Ash said.
Everyone's dedication to Pokémon was the same. The hardship of caring for Pokémon could not be used as a standard to judge whether a trainer genuinely cared for their Pokémon.
Therefore, Ash's words genuinely impressed him. It was hard to imagine Ash was just a rookie trainer. Undoubtedly, he was qualified to take the Gray Badge.
"Thank you!" Ash didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the Gray Badge.
He had won, after all, so there was nothing to be pretentious about. After receiving the badge, he also shook hands with Brock.
"Also, on behalf of my younger siblings, I apologize to you."
"It's nothing!" Although there was a small accident, the outcome was still what he wanted. As for what happened, he didn't feel the need to argue with spoiled kids.
Aside from everything else, he greatly admired Brock as a person, compared to his parents...
"Alright then, I'll be taking my leave. Pikachu, let's go!" Ash looked at Pikachu in the arena and called out.
"Pikapi!!!" Pikachu shook off the rainwater from its body upon hearing him and quickly ran out, jumping onto Ash's shoulder.
Then Ash left with Pikachu and Misty. After watching Ash and Misty leave, Brock stood rooted to the spot for a long time, silent.
"Big brother, I'm sorry!" His younger siblings, realizing their mistake, felt the silent atmosphere and all lowered their heads.
"Jiro, take your younger siblings back first!" Brock didn't seem too angry. Instead, he looked very calm. But the calmer he was, the more uneasy his younger siblings felt.
Jiro, seeing this, dared not disobey. He quickly led his younger siblings away, while Brock stayed alone to clean up the arena.
At this moment, a figure watching from a high window looked at this scene, tears welling up in their eyes and a deep sense of self-reproach. A moment later, they carefully left.
...
"I didn't expect something like this to happen, but thankfully, I still got the badge in the end." Misty was still thinking about what happened earlier on the way back to the Gym.
"It's nothing. After all, they're just kids," Ash said with a faint smile in response to Misty.
"Hmm?? Ash, your attitude is completely different from just now! You looked very angry just now." Misty sounded a little surprised. She felt Ash's demeanor just now was completely different from now.
"I was indeed angry! I don't like people who disrespect competition rules. But Brock himself wasn't wrong; the children were just ignorant. Now that the match is over, let's just let the other things go!"
Ash responded lightly. Misty nodded understandingly upon hearing him and quietly took Ash's words to heart.
"Actually, you can't blame them entirely for these things!" At this moment, a voice sounded.