The climb north was brutal, stone paths carved through jagged cliffs, boulders stacked like ancient monuments. Ash barely noticed the sweat on his brow; every new rock formation made his eyes shine with wonder.
"Look at that one! It looks just like an Onix!" he shouted, pointing.
Ren trailed behind, Ghastly bobbing at his shoulder, mist curling around him like a cloak. He wasn't impressed. Rock. More rock. Gray on gray. This is like the opposite of Lavender. No wonder Ghost-types avoid this place.
Cael smirked, arms folded as Machop trotted beside her. "Not exactly haunted-house material, huh?"
Ren muttered, "Stone lasts. Shadows last longer."
"Creepy as ever," she replied, rolling her eyes.
At last, the mountain path leveled, opening into Pewter City, a settlement carved from stone itself. Squat buildings stood shoulder to shoulder, walls of gray rock blending with the cliffs behind. Statues of Geodude and Onix loomed in the plaza, their rocky faces lit by the afternoon sun.
Ash's jaw dropped. "Wow! Even the Pokémon Center is made of stone!"
Ren's gaze fixed on the fortress-like building at the city's edge: Pewter Gym. Above its doors, the carved shape of an Onix wound upward, massive and imposing. His stomach twisted. Here we go.
Inside, the gym was cavernous, dim, the battlefield cut directly from the mountain itself. Spotlights angled down, leaving the audience in shadow.
Brock stood across the stone arena, tall, tan, with narrow eyes and a calm expression that gave nothing away. His orange vest and green undershirt seemed the only color in the stone-gray room.
Ash stepped forward, fists clenched. "I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I'm here for a Boulder Badge!"
Brock tilted his head. "Do you have what it takes?"
Ash's grin widened. "We'll see!"
Ren watched from the sidelines with Cael. Ghastly floated silently at his shoulder, watching too.
The first round was a disaster. Ash sent Pikachu against Brock's Geodude, only to find his Electric attacks completely useless. Pikachu took hit after hit, finally collapsing. Ash fled the gym, humiliated.
Hours later, he returned, determined, focused. Flint had given him advice, and Ash had a plan. The rematch ended spectacularly: Ash's Pikachu used the gym's water sprinklers to weaken Onix, then unleashed a thunderous blow that sent the Rock Snake crashing down.
The referee declared Ash the winner.
Ash jumped into the air, hugging Pikachu. "Yes! We did it!"
Ren smirked faintly, clapping once. "Reckless… but effective."
Brock returned Onix, turning to Ren. "And you? Will you challenge me too?"
Ren hesitated. He didn't care about badges, didn't want the League path. But Ghastly floated forward eagerly, its mist curling.
Ren sighed. "…Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
The referee raised his flag. "Second match! Challenger Ren versus Leader Brock!"
"Geodude, go!" Brock threw his Poké Ball. The rocky Pokémon appeared, fists clenched.
"Ghastly," Ren said softly. The ghost emerged, cackling.
"Geodude, Tackle!"
The rock hurled forward like a cannonball.
"Double team," Ren whispered.
Ghastly shimmered, splitting into dozens of illusions that swirled around Geodude. The Rock-type smashed one, then another, but the phantoms multiplied, dancing around its head.
Brock narrowed his eyes. "Illusions. Just like… Agatha."
Ren's jaw clenched. "Don't compare me to her."
"Geodude, Defense Curl! Wait it out!" Brock countered.
Ren's smirk returned. "Then try this. Night Shade."
Ghastly's eyes flared crimson, lances of shadow energy slamming into Geodude. The Rock Pokémon staggered.
"Enough," Brock called, recalling it. "Onix, go!"
The battlefield trembled as the enormous serpent appeared, towering high above.
"Big target," Ren murmured. "Bigger shadow."
"Rock Throw!" Brock commanded.
Onix ripped boulders free from the ground, hurling them like meteors.
"Ghastly, mist and vanish!"
The ghost dissolved into vapor, slipping between the falling rocks.
"Bind it!" Brock shouted.
Onix lunged, coils sweeping. Ghastly barely escaped, cackling.
Ren's voice lowered. "Now. Fire in its eyes."
Ghastly conjured illusions of fire and lightning dancing around Onix's vision. The serpent thrashed wildly, smashing walls.
"Hypnosis," Ren whispered.
Rippling rings of purple energy spread from Ghastly's gaze.
Onix groaned, its movements sluggish, then crashed to the ground, half-asleep.
"Finish it. Lick."
Ghastly zipped forward, slapping its grotesque tongue across Onix's rocky hide. Ghostly sparks jolted through its body, paralyzing it completely.
The referee raised his hand. "Onix is unable to battle! Victory goes to Ren and Ghastly!"
Ash whooped, pumping his fist. "Yes! Ren, you did it!" Pikachu cheered beside him.
Ren allowed himself a faint smile. "Well played," he told Ghastly, who puffed proudly.
Brock recalled Onix, studying Ren for a long moment. "Your style… You don't just fight the Pokémon. You fight the trainer, the field, the rhythm. Exactly like…"
Ren cut him off, voice sharp. "Don't say it."
A flicker of surprise crossed Brock's face, but he nodded slowly. "Very well. Still, both of you have earned this." He handed Ash and Ren their Boulder Badges.
They turned to leave, when a group of children burst through the gym doors. Younger boys and girls, all with Brock's eyes and expressions. They cheered, tugging at his vest.
"Big brother! You did great!"
"Don't forget dinner tonight!"
Ren blinked, recognition dawning. His siblings. Just like in the show…
Then another figure stepped inside: a man in a dirty brown coat, eyes tired but alive. Flint.
"I'll take care of them from now on," he told Brock.
The Leader froze. "…Dad?"
The reunion was brief, emotional, and freeing.
When Flint promised to look after the family, Brock's shoulders eased. He turned back toward Ash and Ren, determination in his eyes.
"I've been tied here too long. Watching you two fight reminded me, I can't grow stronger if I stay behind stone walls." He stepped forward, extending his hand. "I'll travel with you. If you'll have me."
Ash grinned from ear to ear. "Of course!"
Ren hesitated, glancing at Ghastly. The ghost cackled softly, amused. Finally Ren nodded. "…Fine. Just don't get in the way."
Brock chuckled. "That's a promise."
Cael rolled her eyes. "Great. Another one to babysit." But the corners of her mouth twitched, betraying a smirk.
As they left Pewter City, Ash marched at the front, badge pinned proudly to his vest. Pikachu rode his shoulder, humming with energy.
Brock walked beside him, already talking about food, training, and travel. Cael strode behind, Machop shadowboxing beside her.
Ren lingered at the back, Boulder Badge cool in his palm. He turned it over, frowning.
"I wasn't supposed to win," he muttered under his breath. "I just wanted to spook him. So why does it feel like I'm walking her path already?"
Ghastly floated close, eyes gleaming. It laughed quietly, shadows stretching across the road as the group left Pewter behind.