After sleeping in for once, the alarm rang, and Eichi got up to open the window, taking a deep breath of fresh air.
He then went to wash up, and once finished, went downstairs for breakfast.
He ordered his own meal and released Beedrill and Scyther.
He placed two servings of food in front of them, and the three of them ate breakfast together.
After the meal, he packed his backpack and set out for the Pewter Gym.
Two other people were heading there as well. When they saw each other, they simply nodded.
Together, the three arrived at the Pewter Gym. Someone was already waiting outside the doors.
When he saw Eichi and the others arrive, he didn't say much.
After checking the time, the doors to the Pewter Gym opened. It was the young man from the day before.
He said, "Since everyone's here, follow me. The Gym Leader is already waiting inside."
The four followed him into the main hall, a standard Rock-type battlefield.
On the platform opposite to them stood a middle-aged man. This was the Pewter Gym Leader, Flint.
At this point in time, Flint was still the Gym Leader; Brock had yet to inherit the Gym.
Flint and Brock looked very similar, with square faces, tanned skin, and narrow, slit-like eyes.
Flint spoke. "I am Flint, Pewter City's Gym Leader."
"As long as you defeat me in battle, you will receive this Boulder Badge."
He picked up a badge from the nearby table and showed it to everyone.
Afterward, the young man arranged for the four challengers to face the Gym Leader in turns. Eichi was the last one.
The first challenger stepped up while the others went to the stands to watch and prepare.
He was a boy in gray clothes, about the same age as Eichi. Judging from his appearance, it was hard to tell how strong he was.
The young man walked to the center of the battlefield and announced, "This is a Gym challenge. Each side may use two Pokémon. When both Pokémon of one side are unable to battle, the challenge is over."
"The challenge begins now!"
As soon as the words fell, Flint released his Pokémon. "Go, Geodude!"
Geodude, the Rock Pokémon.
Type: Rock, Ground.
Abilities: Rock Head, Sturdy.
Hidden Ability: Sand Veil.
Description: Because it looks just like a rock found on the roadside, hikers often step on it by mistake.
The boy in gray released his Pokémon too. It was a small, quadrupedal creature resembling a rat. Its body was mainly light purple, while its cheeks, jaw, belly, and paws were cream-colored. Its most distinct features were its large front teeth. Rattata had big ears, triangular eyes with red pupils, and long cream-colored whiskers on its cheeks. Its tail was slightly curled.
Rattata, the Mouse Pokémon.
Type: Normal.
Abilities: Run Away, Guts.
Hidden Ability: Hustle.
Description: Its front teeth are always growing, so it gnaws on anything to keep them worn down. If you spot one, it's certain that forty more live nearby. Its vitality lets it live anywhere, and it's extremely cautious.
Eichi activated the Eye of the Bug Emperor.
Geodude
Talent: Good.
Level: Rookie.
Rattata
Talent: Ordinary.
Level: Rookie.
"Battle start!"
This Geodude was definitely not his main Pokémon. It seemed that Gym Leaders adjusted the strength of their Pokémon based on the challenger.
Every Gym Leader kept many Pokémon of their specialty type inside the Gym.
Otherwise, if they used their strongest Pokémon for every challenger, no one would ever win a badge. What would be the point of running a Gym then?
And if the Gym Leader's main Pokémon got injured from too many battles, they'd have no Pokémon left to use.
That's why they kept some weaker ones as well.
Flint was the first to strike.
"Geodude, use Rock Throw!"
Geodude floated up and picked up chunks of rock, hurling them at Rattata.
"Rattata, use Quick Attack to dodge, then go in with Tackle!"
Rattata swiftly avoided the flying rocks and darted toward Geodude with lightning speed, ramming into it with its full body.
The hit made Geodude slide back slightly, but it barely took any damage. Rattata, on the other hand, seemed to have hurt itself.
Geodude's body was made entirely of stone, and with Rattata's low level, Normal-type moves barely affected it.
"Geodude, another Rock Throw!"
Seeing Rattata up close, Geodude lifted a nearby stone and slammed it down at its opponent.
"Rattata, dodge quickly!"
Rattata tried to jump back, but it was too late. The distance was too close, and the rock landed squarely on it.
With a cry of pain, Rattata fainted.
"Rattata is unable to battle. Geodude wins."
"Challenger, please send out your second Pokémon."
"Damn it!"
The boy in gray recalled Rattata and threw out his next Poké Ball.
"Go, Poliwag!"
Its body was a round blue sphere, soft and elastic, with a white belly marked by a spiral pattern showing its internal organs. It had no arms, just two small legs and a fin-like tail. Its big eyes had black pupils with white irises, and below them was a small pink mouth.
Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokémon.
Type: Water.
Abilities: Water Absorb, Damp.
Hidden Ability: Swift Swim.
Description: Its skin is so thin that its internal organs are visible. Its newly grown legs are not yet good at walking.
Talent: Ordinary.
Level: Rookie.
A Water-type, huh? Water beats Rock. He might actually win this time.
Flint's face remained expressionless.
"Geodude, use Rock Throw."
Once again, rocks flew through the air.
"Poliwag, use Water Gun!"
Poliwag puffed its cheeks and shot a stream of water, breaking apart the falling stones.
"Geodude, use Tackle."
Flint commanded calmly. Geodude grunted and rushed forward.
The gray-clad boy smirked.
"Poliwag, hit it with Water Gun again!"
The jet struck Geodude directly. It winced but kept moving forward through the stream. Poliwag panicked, spraying even harder.
Eichi could see that Geodude was already badly hurt.
Still, it pushed through the attack, closing in on Poliwag, then accelerated and slammed into it with full force.
It was effective. Poliwag's Water Gun stopped abruptly, and it collapsed.
But Geodude had also run out of energy.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle. Since the challenger's two Pokémon have fainted..."
"The first challenger has failed the Gym challenge."