Chapter 11: Type-Defying Master, Revealing His Edge
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Preemptive Strike! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!!"
Brock only saw a flash of golden light. A terrifying Electric Current erupted once more from that small source, transforming into a thick, twisting Long Whip of electricity that slammed into Onix.
"BOOM!!"
The Thunderbolt exploded!
Even Onix couldn't help but let out a Wail of Pain from the blast of immense voltage, its body bending slightly backward.
"As expected, the Electric-type move was effective against Onix."
Brock frowned, thinking to himself that the Situation was a bit strange.
As a Gym Trainer well-versed in Type Advantage Tactics, he naturally knew that Electric-type Moves should be completely ineffective against Ground type Pokemon.
The Geodude from before could be considered a coincidence...
...but with Onix now, it proved that this Pikachu could indeed defy the ultimate, ironclad rule of Type Effectiveness.
"Or perhaps... this Youth possesses some special Power?"
His profound eyes narrowed into a slit.
For example, in the nearby Viridian Forest, a Bug Catcher Boy possessing "Viridian Power" would emerge every few years.
In that case, it wouldn't be particularly strange for this Youth named Ash to possess something like "Type-Defying Power."
*Rip!*
At this thought, Brock suddenly ripped off his shirt, revealing a set of sturdy Muscles.
His dark skin looked as if it were forged from Rock.
His not-so-tall body stood there, as firm as a boulder!
"This is the fortitude and determination of Rock Pokemon! Let me, the one with the Rock-Solid Will, see what your Strength is like!"
He roared loudly, with immense resolve.
"?"
Ash was blinded by the sight of the bronze-skinned macho man before him, thinking, "Do Gym challenges these days require you to take off your clothes?"
In that case, he couldn't back down. He couldn't let others find out that he was just a country bumpkin from Pallet Town!
Instantly, a fiery spirit began to surge within Ash's heart.
He ripped off his own Jacket, then his black T-shirt, revealing a set of muscles that, while not massive, were definitely solid.
"I, Ash from Pallet Town, will absolutely not lose!!"
The sweat and Fighting Spirit of the two bare-chested macho men clashed continuously in the Gym.
Referee: "?"
*I just dozed off for a moment, how did the Situation suddenly become so intense?!*
But he was a professional. He faked a cough and continued watching this now somewhat delicate macho Battle.
"Very good, Ash, I admire you!"
The corner of Brock's mouth lifted as he spoke.
He really liked Ash's bare-chested, fighting spirit, but that didn't mean he would Go Easy on him.
"Go, Onix, use Sandstorm!"
*Since you like creating sandstorms, I'll show you what a real Sandstorm is!*
*WHAP!*
Onix's rock tail whipped against the Rock Field. Instantly, countless grains of sand and Fossil Gravel shot into the sky, swirling continuously.
In the blink of an eye, the Pewter Gym had transformed into a desert landscape of howling yellow sand.
A sandstorm weather condition, with flying sand and stones...
...was in no way comparable to the previous combination of Sand Attack and Gust.
Ash was startled by this massive change in the environment; it was the first time he had ever seen a weather-altering Move.
It took him a good while to come to his senses before he commanded:
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!!"
"Pika, chu!!"
This time, the powerful Thunderbolt didn't even break through a few meters before it was nullified by the countless swirling particles of sand. Pikachu was somewhat helplessly swallowed by the yellow sand.
*Whoosh!*
A black shadow shot out from the dim yellow sandstorm. Before Pikachu could react, the shadow had already loomed larger, fiercely knocking it several meters away.
*SMACK!!*
Pikachu was struck head-on by Onix's tail, suffering a significant, though not critical, blow.
"Pika...!"
Lifting its head again, Pikachu hurriedly scanned its surroundings, trying to spot Onix's trail in advance. However, it was surrounded by gray, dusty sand, with nothing out of the ordinary in sight.
Ash also clenched his fists.
However, this scene suddenly reminded him of a Trainer Battle Strategy he had once seen on TV. He quickly tried to Copy it and shouted:
"Pikachu, calm down and feel your opponent's position with your heart!"
Pikachu froze: "0-0?"
*You come up here and fight. Let's see you try feeling with your heart.*
"No, no, Pikachu, use your ears to sense Onix's direction!"
Ash quickly changed that empty, high-sounding line into an instruction suited to Pikachu's characteristics.
"Pika!"
The latter's Aptitude was extraordinary, and it understood on the spot.
Its ears twitched as it calmed down, even closing its eyes.
*Pat, pat, pat...*
Countless grains of sand pelted Pikachu's body, continuously Weakening its Stamina.
But as long as it remained calm enough, it could still faintly detect the big guy's position...
"Pika!"
Pikachu suddenly opened its eyes and leaped straight up from its spot.
The next second, just as expected, a long, black shadow swept past. Its Power was immense, instantly carving a large trench into the spot where Pikachu had just been.
Ash's eyes lit up. He shot up a muscular arm and shouted:
"Now, get on it!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu did a somersault in mid-air and landed smoothly on Onix's tail.
If the sandstorm prevented Thunderbolt from spreading, then it didn't need to spread. Point-blank range would do the trick.
Thus, Ash waved his thumb forward.
"Now, use Thunderbolt!!"
"Damn it! Onix, shake it off, quickly!"
Now it was Brock's turn to be anxious. He hadn't expected that a Newbie Trainer could come up with such a counter-strategy when faced with a sandstorm.
"Roar! Roar!"
Onix's body thrashed about on the spot, trying to throw Pikachu off.
The latter gritted its teeth, holding on for dear life. The Electric Sacs on its cheeks were already charged and ready.
"Pika, CHU!!"
The Light of Thunderbolt shone once more!
BOOM!!
A terrifying Electric Current burst forth, striking Onix without any obstruction. The latter let out a Wail of Pain; clearly, the Power of this One Move was not weak.
Brock grew extremely anxious. If he didn't shake it off now, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Shake it off, quick!"
"Pikachu, hang in there! Use Thunderbolt one more time!!"
Ash persisted.
"Pika, CHU!!"
Golden Lightning erupted again. The Electric Current shot towards the sky before once again striking the thrashing Onix.
The resulting shockwave even blew the sandstorm away completely.
In an instant, the Air quality in the Pewter Gym improved again.
"BZZZT!!"
But the Electric Current was still crackling.
This had become a battle of Willpower.
Both Onix and Pikachu were desperately holding on.
Finally, due to Onix's frantic thrashing, Pikachu's grip slipped, and it was flung several meters away.
But Onix's condition was even worse. Its entire body was covered in scorch marks, and it was gasping for air.
It couldn't even keep its body straight, appearing just like a Flickering Candle in the Wind (Metaphor for Near Defeat).
Ash's gaze, however, was brilliant. He raised his arm high above his head and roared:
"The final blow! Use Slam!"
The Pikachu in the Sky somersaulted to adjust its position, ultimately tucking its tail beneath its body.
After a spin, it chopped straight down, hitting Onix right on the head.
"Chu-pi!"
No one noticed that the very tip of its tail had taken on a metallic sheen...
Slam!
*THWACK!*
Struck right on the head, Onix finally couldn't take the pressure, and its massive body collapsed with a crash.
"Onix is Unable to Battle! Pikachu is the winner! For the Pewter Gym Challenge Match, the winner is Participant Ash!"
Brock was stunned.
He never thought this Newbie Trainer would actually defeat him just like that.
Especially that Pikachu. Both Thunderbolt and Slam were Moves that were Not Very Effective, yet they had forcefully overwhelmed his Onix.
In the end, Brock could only give a helpless smile and sigh.
"What an incredible Youth."
Pikachu slowly walked over to Onix and patted its head, as if saying something.
"You definitely won't be the last one I ride, but as the first, you should celebrate."
If Meowth were here, he would surely have been able to perfectly translate Pikachu's arrogant tone.
After the match.
Ash accepted the Spoils of War from defeating the Pewter Gym: the Boulder Badge.
He excitedly held it high above his head, looking incredibly high-spirited.
This was his first step toward becoming a Pokémon Master!
"Ash, congratulations."
Brock watched Ash's youthful and wild expression with considerable envy. This freedom to strive for one's Dream made him incredibly envious.
Unfortunately, he had too many younger siblings at home. Even if Brock wanted to leave, he simply couldn't...
"Brock, leave the Gym to me. Go and pursue your Dream without worry!"
From the entrance of the Pewter Gym, a middle-aged man's voice suddenly shouted.
Brock shot his head up. Brawly and Misty had already walked in slowly.
Brawly even undid his hood, revealing a dark face that was seventy percent similar to Brock's—neither of them had visible eyes.
"Ah, Dad, aren't you supposed to be dead?"
Brock asked with a shocked expression.
Brawly: "?"
Following that, a touching scene of fatherly love and filial piety unfolded, bringing tears to the eyes of Ash, who was watching from the side.
"Sob, sob, sob, if my dad..."
As he was speaking, Ash suddenly realized.
"Oh, right. My dad's been gone for a long time."
Misty, at the side, looked at Ash and Brock, feeling completely bewildered.
She even broke out in a cold sweat, taking a few steps back.
*Isn't this supposed to be a Gym challenge? Why are these two bare-chested?*
*Are Pokémon creatures outdated? Do Gym battles now involve stripping down for real-life brawls?*
Finally, Brock, now free from his family obligations, made a sincere request to join their Team.
"Ash, can I join your Team?"
Perhaps by following such an extraordinary Youth, his own Dream could also be realized.
"Sure, join if you want. No need to ask me, it's not like I'm the Protagonist."
Ash replied nonchalantly.
As for why Misty was always following him, that was a complete mystery.
Wasn't it just a Bicycle? As a future Pokémon Master, would he really skip out on the bill?
Besides, once he became a Pokémon Master, her scrapped, Salted Fish of a Bicycle would skyrocket in value. It could be sold as an antique!
In that case, Misty should be paying him instead.
Perfectly reasonable.
After a round of introductions, Brock also noticed Misty.
"Huh? Aren't you from the Cerulean Gym...?"
Hearing this, Misty flinched and quickly shot him a look, signaling him to shut up.
Brock quickly understood. Being the understanding guy he was, he realized Misty might have her own difficulties, so of course he wouldn't expose her.
But he, Brock, was determined to make Misty his friend today.
If only for her three Sisters.