Sunlight filtered through the tall trees of Viridian City, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Ash, Xiao You, and Brock stood before the grand entrance of the Viridian Gym, gazing up at the ancient, ivy-covered building.
"We're finally here!" Ash clenched his fist, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is the last badge I need!"
Pikachu stood on his shoulder, the electric sacs on his cheeks flickering with faint electricity, seemingly sensing his trainer's excitement. "Pika Pika! (I'll do my best!)"
Brock narrowed his eyes, examining the Gym's architectural style. "The Viridian Gym is one of the oldest Gyms in the Kanto region. They say it's been around for over a hundred years."
"I heard that the Gym Leader here, Mr. Giovanni, is very powerful," Xiao You said, looking at her rotom phone. "He specializes in Ground-type Pokémon, but they say his battle style is varied and hard to predict."
"No matter how strong he is, I'm going to win this battle!" Ash patted the badge case on his chest. "I already have seven badges. Just one more, and I can participate in the Pokémon League!"
As the three were about to enter the Gym, two gatekeepers in green uniforms suddenly emerged from both sides, blocking their path.
"Stop! The Viridian Gym only accepts challengers with seven or more badges," one of the gatekeepers said sternly.
Ash confidently pulled out his badge case, opened it, and showed it to the gatekeepers. "I have seven badges, plus an appraisal badge."
The gatekeeper carefully inspected each badge, and after confirming they were all correct, nodded. "You meet the challenge qualifications. Please follow me."
Passing through a long corridor, the three were led into a spacious circular arena.
The arena was surrounded by high stands, and in the center was the battleground, made of a special material capable of withstanding the impact of various Pokémon moves.
"Wow, this arena is huge!" Xiao You exclaimed.
Brock looked around. "This arena design is adapted for various types of battles. It seems the Viridian Gym is indeed not simple."
Just then, the large door on the other side of the arena opened, and a middle-aged man in a black suit walked out.
He had impeccably slicked-back hair, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.
"Is that Gym Leader Giovanni?" Ash whispered.
Brock nodded. "It should be. They say he's the leader of Team Rockets, but no one can confirm that rumor."
Giovanni walked to the center of the arena, and just as he was about to speak, a subordinate in a researcher's uniform hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear.
Giovanni's expression suddenly became serious. He nodded, then turned to Ash and the others.
"Apologies, I have an urgent matter to attend to," Giovanni's voice was deep and authoritative. "Today's Gym challenge will be handled by my capable assistant, Wang Hao."
With that, Giovanni quickly left the arena, leaving Ash and the others looking at each other in Confusion.
"What? I thought I'd get to battle Gym Leader Giovanni," Ash muttered, a bit disappointed.
"Don't be careless, Ash," Brock reminded him. "Anyone who can act as a Gym Leader must be strong."
A moment later, a young man in a green Gym uniform walked out.
He looked to be in his twenties, with neat short hair and confident eyes.
"Hello, I am Wang Hao, the acting Gym Leader of the Viridian Gym." He walked to the center of the arena and extended his hand to Ash. "I heard you're here to challenge the Gym?"
Ash shook his hand. "Yes! I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and this is my partner, Pikachu."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu waved his small paw in a friendly manner.
Wang Hao smiled and nodded. "Very good. Then I will announce the rules of the match. This battle will be 3v3. The challenger can freely switch Pokémon, while the Gym side will not switch. Additionally, you can choose one of the four major systems to use."
Ash suddenly understood. "No problem!"
Wang Hao nodded approvingly. "A very spirited decision. Then, the match begins now!"
A staff member who looked like a referee walked to the edge of the arena. "Viridian Gym Challenge, Challenger Ash versus Acting Gym Leader Wang Hao. The match rules are 3v3, and the challenger can switch Pokémon. Now, both sides, please send out your first Pokémon!"
Ash took a Poké Ball from his waist. "It's decided, Metagross!"
With a flash of red light, a silver-white Metagross appeared on the field.
Its metallic body gleamed in the sunlight, and its four sturdy metal arms displayed immense power.
Wang Hao was surprised to see Ash's Metagross, then also threw out a Poké Ball. "A Shinny Metagross!! Rhyperior, prepare for battle!"
A massive Rhyperior, covered in rock-like armor, landed heavily on the ground with a dull thud.
It let out a low growl, pounding the ground with its forelegs, displaying its immense power.
"Rhyperior versus Metagross, battle begin!" the referee announced loudly.
"Metagross, use Bullet Punch!" Ash launched the first attack.
Metagross's four metal arms instantly transformed into silver flashes, rushing towards Rhyperior at an astonishing speed.
However, Wang Hao's reaction was equally swift.
"Rhyperior, use Protect!"
A green barrier unfolded in front of Rhyperior, perfectly blocking Metagross's Quick Attack.
Bullet Punch struck the Protect barrier, making a crisp sound.
"Good defense!" Ash praised. "But what about this next move? Metagross, use Psychic!"
Metagross's eyes emitted a blue glow, and a powerful Psychic wave surged towards Rhyperior.
This attack hit directly, and Rhyperior staggered back a few steps in pain.
"Rhyperior, don't show weakness! Use Rock Blast!" Wang Hao commanded.
Rhyperior steadied itself and shot countless sharp rock fragments from its back armor, flying towards Metagross like rain.
"Metagross, use Iron Defense!" Ash responded quickly.
Metagross's body surface glowed with a metallic luster, becoming exceptionally hard.
The rock fragments struck it, but most were deflected, causing only minor damage.
"Now, use Comet Punch!" Ash seized the opportunity to counterattack.
Metagross's four arms simultaneously emitted dazzling white light, striking Rhyperior like four meteors.
This attack landed squarely, sending Rhyperior several meters back from the immense impact, where it fell heavily to the ground.
"Rhyperior is unable to battle, Metagross wins! Acting Gym Leader, please switch your Pokémon," the referee announced.
Wang Hao recalled Rhyperior, a look of appreciation on his face. "Well done, Ash. Your Metagross has excellent speed and power."
"Thanks!" Ash said happily, and Metagross let out a victorious growl.
"However, your next opponent won't be easy to deal with," Wang Hao threw out his second Poké Ball. "Go, Nidoking!"
A massive, purple Nidoking appeared on the field.
The sharp horn on its head gleamed dangerously, and its tail swung powerfully.
Ash thought for a moment. "Metagross, come back and rest." He recalled Metagross and took out another Poké Ball. "Blastoise, it's your turn!"
The blue Blastoise emerged from the Poké Ball, its two water cannons on its back already poised for action.
"Blastoise versus Nidoking, battle begin!" the referee announced again.
"Nidoking, use Earthquake!" Wang Hao made the first move.
Nidoking raised its forelegs and stomped heavily on the ground.
The entire battleground began to shake violently, and a powerful shockwave rushed towards Blastoise.
"Blastoise, jump to avoid it!" Ash reacted quickly.
Blastoise leaped high using its strong hind legs, avoiding most of Earthquake's power.
After landing, Ash immediately ordered, "Blastoise, use Hydro Pump!"
Two high-pressure water jets shot out from the cannons on Blastoise's back, directly hitting Nidoking.
The force of the water jets pushed Nidoking back repeatedly.
"Nidoking, counter with Sludge Wave!" Wang Hao commanded.
Nidoking opened its mouth wide and spewed out a purple wave of venom.
Blastoise couldn't fully avoid it and was splashed by some of the venom, showing a pained expression.
"Blastoise, are you okay?" Ash asked with concern.
Blastoise shook its head, indicating it could continue fighting.
"Alright, then we'll use Ice Beam!" Ash decided to change tactics.
Blastoise took a deep breath and shot an ice-blue beam from its mouth.
Nidoking tried to dodge, but the Ice Beam still grazed its leg, which began to freeze.
"Oh no!" Wang Hao frowned. "Nidoking, quickly use Thunderbolt!"
Golden electrical energy gathered at the sharp horn on Nidoking's head, and a powerful current shot towards Blastoise.
"Blastoise, withdraw into your shell to defend!" Ash hastily shouted.
Blastoise quickly retracted its limbs and head into its hard shell.
The electrical current struck the shell, and most of it was grounded.
"Now, while it's in the attack interval, use Skull Bash!" Ash seized the opportunity to counterattack.
Blastoise suddenly burst out of its shell, ramming into Nidoking at an astonishing speed.
This blow hit Nidoking squarely in the abdomen, sending it flying.
Nidoking struggled to stand up but ultimately collapsed.
"Nidoking is unable to battle, Blastoise wins!" the referee announced.
"That's great, Blastoise!" Ash shouted excitedly.
Blastoise also happily waved its small paws.
Wang Hao recalled Nidoking, a wry smile on his face. "Two consecutive losses, it seems I need to show my true strength." He threw out his last Poké Ball. "Go, Machamp!"
A muscular Machamp with four arms appeared on the field.
It struck a Fighting-type pose, its four fists colliding with dull thuds.
Ash thought for a moment. "Blastoise has used up a lot of stamina, come back and rest." He recalled Blastoise and turned to Pikachu on his shoulder. "Pikachu, the last match is up to you!"
"Pika! (Leave it to me!)" Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder, landing steadily on the field, its tail held high, and its electric sacs flickering with electricity.
"Pikachu versus Machamp, battle begin!" the referee announced.
"Machamp, use Bullet Punch!" Wang Hao launched the first attack.
Machamp's four arms swung out at an astonishing speed, hitting Pikachu almost simultaneously.
This Quick Attack was difficult to completely dodge.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack to evade!" Ash commanded.
Pikachu transformed into a yellow flash, barely avoiding most of the attacks, but was still grazed by one punch, its small body knocked back a few steps.
"Pikachu, are you okay?" Ash asked with concern.
Pikachu shook its head, repositioning itself in a battle stance.
"Alright, then we'll use Thunderbolt!" Ash decided to use a powerful move.
Pikachu's entire body erupted with dazzling golden electrical light, and a thick bolt of lightning struck down from the sky, accurately hitting Machamp.
This blow was incredibly powerful, and Machamp trembled all over from the shock, but its strong physique prevented it from collapsing immediately.
"Machamp, hold on! Use Cross Chop!" Wang Hao encouraged.
Machamp endured the pain of the electric shock, its four arms crossed into an X shape, and it charged towards Pikachu.
"Pikachu, quickly dodge!" Ash hastily shouted.
Pikachu tried to dodge, but Machamp was too fast.
Cross Chop struck Pikachu heavily, sending him flying.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried out in pain, rolling a few times on the ground before stopping.
"Pikachu!" Ash cried out, his heart aching.
"Pikachu, use Play Rough!" Ash shouted excitedly.
Pikachu suddenly became incredibly agile. He danced joyfully, surrounded by pink Fairy-type energy.
Machamp was somewhat confused by this sudden change.
"Machamp, don't be fooled! Keep attacking!" Wang Hao commanded.
But it was too late. Pikachu had already approached Machamp with an erratic trajectory, its small fist enveloped in Fairy-type energy, striking Machamp heavily in the abdomen.
The Fairy-type's advantage against Fighting-type made this attack exceptionally effective, and Machamp bent over in pain.
"Last strike, Thunderbolt!" Ash pressed his advantage.
Pikachu once again gathered all of its electrical energy, and an even more powerful bolt of lightning than before descended from the sky, directly hitting the already injured Machamp.
This time, Machamp could no longer sustain itself and fell to the ground with a thud.
"Machamp is unable to battle, Pikachu wins!" the referee announced loudly. "Therefore, Challenger Ash is victorious!"
"That's great! We won!" Ash excitedly ran towards Pikachu, lifting him high.
Pikachu also happily chirped, "Pika Pika!"
Xiao You and Brock also ran down from the stands to congratulate him. "That was amazing, Ash!" "Your tactical use is becoming more and more mature."
Wang Hao recalled Machamp and walked up to Ash. "Congratulations, Ash. Your battle style is full of passion yet strategic, and your bond with your Pokémon is excellent." He took a green badge from his pocket. "This is the Viridian Badge. You've earned it."
Ash solemnly accepted the badge. "Thank you, Mr. Wang Hao. This battle taught me a lot."
He placed the Viridian Badge into his badge case. Now, eight badges were neatly arranged inside, sparkling in the sunlight.
"Finally, I've collected them all!" Ash looked at the badge case, his eyes shining with excitement. "Now I can participate in the Pokémon League!"
Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder. "Pikachu! (That's right!)"
Brock patted Ash's shoulder. "Next, it's time to go home and prepare for the League."
"Yeah," Xiao You said with a smile, "Pallet Town is right next to Viridian City, so we'll be there soon."
After bidding farewell to Wang Hao, the three left the Viridian Gym.
The sunlight fell upon them, and the road ahead led to their hometown and to a bigger stage.
Ash clenched his fist, full of determination. "Pokémon League, here I come!"