In the morning, after a night of rest, Natsui, full of energy, was about to leave the Pokémon Center when he suddenly saw a young man with a Pikachu and a girl with orange hair arguing about something in front of a poster on the wall.
The young man was wearing a baseball cap, a T-shirt, and a blue jacket on top. Although his appearance was a bit naïve, he was full of spirit, and his expression radiated vigorous enthusiasm.
The girl with orange hair, on the other hand, had a side ponytail. She was very pretty and wore shorts and a tight yellow tank top that not only exposed her abdomen and delicate white arms but also two long and slender legs. She looked full of youth and had extraordinary vitality.
With just one glance, Natsui recognized their identities.
It was none other than Ash and Misty!
And that little yellow mouse next to Ash, was it the legendary Pikachu, the "Pikadíos" who could face anyone?
Seeing that both were carrying backpacks and seemed to have come from a long journey, Natsui couldn't help but think to himself, I didn't expect to meet them so soon and that they had already arrived in Pewter City!
What speed...
Misty pointed at the poster and said, "Challenging the Pokémon League is not as simple as you think, you know? You need to defeat at least eight Gym Leaders and get their badges to participate."
"That little thing won't be a problem for me." Ash was full of confidence, and in his words, there was the bravery of someone who feared nothing. "I'll challenge the Pewter City Gym right now to show you our true power!"
Hearing their conversation, Natsui couldn't help but approach and interrupt them.
"You're Ash, right?"
Ash turned around and saw that the one speaking was a young man he didn't know.
"That's right, I'm Ash, and you are?"
Staring at him, Natsui said, "My name is Natsui. A few days ago, I went to Pallet Town and happened to hear Professor Oak talk about you. I didn't expect to meet you here today."
"So you know Professor Oak too?" Ash said with a smile. "This is my partner, Pikachu, and she is..."
Before Ash could finish, Misty intervened: "My name is Misty, and I'm the most beautiful girl in the world!"
The most beautiful girl in the world?
Natsui glanced at Misty's chest.
There was no doubt that Misty had the makings of a beauty, but her body was not fully developed yet. To become the most beautiful girl in the world, it seemed she still had a long way to go.
At that moment, Misty was also observing Natsui. Seeing his attractive appearance and the Kirlia following him, she suddenly remembered something.
"Are you the trainer with a Kirlia who defeated my sisters?!"
Natsui asked, pretending to be clueless: "Oh? And who are your sisters?"
But hearing Natsui's words, Misty fell silent, clearly not wanting others to know that she came from the Cerulean City Gym.
At that moment, a middle-aged man with a tall red hat and a big beard approached.
"Are you thinking of challenging Brock, the Gym Leader of Pewter City?"
Ash nodded. "Of course! As soon as I leave the Pokémon Center, I'll go challenge the Pewter City Gym and defeat him!"
Unexpectedly, upon hearing Ash's words, the middle-aged man laughed.
"Hahahaha, you!"
His tone was mocking, and without waiting for Ash to respond, he laughed again and walked away.
Seeing him leave the Pokémon Center, Natsui couldn't help but ask, "Who is that? He seems to be underestimating you a bit, doesn't he?"
Misty explained, "His name is Flint. He's a man who sells stones, and we met him when we arrived here."
Flint? The man who sells stones?
Natsui was puzzled for a moment, and then remembered—he was none other than Brock's father, the one who left home years ago!
Looking at his back, Ash said angrily, "Hmpf, that man underestimates me too much! Well, I'll go to the gym now and defeat Brock so he can see!"
"What a coincidence," Natsui shrugged and smiled. "I was also going to challenge the Pewter City Gym. How about we go together?"
...
Pewter City, the color of stone. It is said that this city has been famous for its rock production for a long time, but aside from stones and fossils, it doesn't have any other special characteristics, so it could be considered a quiet city in the north.
The whole city is surrounded by mountains and farmlands, and a wide river divides it in two. The Pewter City Gym is located in the northwest of the city, across the street from another famous building in the city: the Pewter City Science Museum.
The group arrived at the Pewter City Gym.
Seen from afar, the gym seemed to be made of layers of gigantic rocks and steel. But when they got closer, they realized that it was all a façade; those giant rocks were just thin stone slabs that simulated being real, decorating the door!
And as they walked around the door, they discovered that the back of the Pewter City Gym was no different from any ordinary warehouse.
"Wow..." murmured Misty. "I thought the whole gym was made of stone, but it turns out only the front part is real stone!"
They pushed the gym door, and although it was daytime, the interior was incredibly dark.
Natsui and the others entered single file. It wasn't until they reached the center of the gym that a spotlight suddenly turned on, illuminating a corner where a man in a green vest was sitting cross-legged.
"Who are you?"
The man's voice was firm, and his tone calm, like that of an enlightened monk in meditation.
"Are you Brock, the Gym Leader?" Ash stepped forward. "I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I've come to challenge you!"
Natsui also said at that moment, "I'm Natsui, and I've come to challenge the gym as well."
"As Gym Leader, I don't care how many challengers I face," said Brock as he slowly stood up. "However, only two Pokémon can be used. Who of you wants to battle first?"
It was only then that Natsui could see Brock clearly.
Spiky hair, a face that seemed older than it was, full of seriousness, and his eyes squinted so much that even when looking closely, it was hard to tell if they were open or closed.
After looking at Natsui, Ash stepped forward, eager to start: "Of course I'll go first. Let's go, whenever you're ready!"
Seeing Ash's attitude, Natsui had no intention of competing with him and went to the stands with his Pokémon.
"Good luck, Ash!" Misty waved at Ash and sat down next to Natsui.
Looking at Ash, Brock snapped his fingers. Instantly, all the lights in the gym turned on, illuminating every corner. Under the stands on both sides, gates suddenly opened, and two battlefields made of dirt and rock slowly emerged, finally joining in the center.
As a Rock and Ground-type trainer, Brock's gym naturally had a rock and dirt battlefield.
Seeing Ash step onto the field with Pikachu, Brock jumped and landed on the trainer's side of the area.
Ash pointed forward and shouted, "Go, Pikachu!"
"How young and inexperienced," upon seeing this, a slight smile appeared at the corner of Brock's lips, and he also threw his Poké Ball. "Go, Onix!"