Having stayed at home long enough, Eichi decided to leave once he finished challenging the Viridian Gym. However, as the strongest Gym in the Kanto region, he wasn't entirely sure of the Viridian Gym Leader's true strength.
Over the past few days, besides training, he spent his time gathering information about the Gym. Despite growing up nearby, the original owner of this body had never visited; at most, he had stolen a few glances at the entrance.
The Viridian Gym was quite different from others. Most Gyms provided spectator seating for the general public, allowing them to earn money through ticket sales. The Viridian Gym, however, was different. No one except challengers was permitted entry. Furthermore, its location was unique. While other Gyms were situated in the heart of their cities, this one sat on a remote edge, close to the forest.
Ordinary people found it strange, but it made perfect sense if one knew that the Gym Leader was actually Boss Giovanni of Team Rocket.
The sky today was overcast and sunless, with a somber gray hue and a biting wind. Eichi prepared himself early in the morning and set off. It was quite a distance from his home to the Gym; even taking a shortcut, the journey took two hours. With his home as the center point, the Viridian Gym lay to the south.
Eichi trekked through the thicket. The path was uneven, making his progress somewhat slow. Two hours later, seeing the buildings in the distance, Eichi knew he had arrived. This Viridian Gym looked exactly like the one in the anime. From the outside, it resembled a castle with a vintage, retro style.
Approaching the gate, the surrounding area was wide and deserted. The entire building felt massive and imposing. Huge pillars stood at the four corners, and two burly men dressed in ancient armor guarded the main entrance.
However, there was another person waiting outside before him. Eichi remembered that even when challenging the Viridian Gym, only one person was allowed inside at a time. The next challenger could only enter after the previous battle concluded.
Eichi walked up and asked, "Hello."
Hearing someone call out, the person turned around and replied, "Hello."
"Are you a challenger too?" Eichi asked with a smile.
"Yes," the man replied. "My name is Yuki, and I'm from Asakusa City. I'm participating in this year's Indigo League, so I must obtain the Viridian Gym badge."
Seeing him introduce himself, Eichi returned the gesture. "I'm Eichi. I've come to challenge the Gym as well."
Since they had just met, Eichi didn't have much else to say, so he simply offered his best wishes. "I hope you win and get your badge."
Yuki was very happy and confident. He took out three Poké Balls. "Don't worry. With my Raticate, Butterfree, and Pidgeotto, I will definitely win."
Just then, the doors opened. A person walked out looking completely dejected. He spared a glance at Yuki and Eichi before walking away. Judging by his expression, he had likely lost.
Now it was Yuki's turn. "Good luck," Eichi said.
Yuki gave a firm nod and entered. The doors opened automatically and shut once he was inside, leaving Eichi alone with the two guards.
Ten minutes passed. Suddenly, the doors swung open and Yuki emerged. So fast? It's only been ten minutes.
Yuki spoke to Eichi with a discouraged tone, "I'm sorry, I lost. It seems I still need to train for a while longer. Good luck, Eichi." After saying that, he ran toward the Pokémon Center.
Eichi felt a slight pressure build in his chest. Both previous challengers had lost, and they had been defeated in less than ten minutes. Eichi entered the Viridian Gym, fully on guard.
The interior was quite dark. There were no electric lights, only torches lit in the corners. The decoration and style were reminiscent of European centuries past. Walking further inside, he reached the inner sanctum where a rock battlefield waited. Two burly men in ancient armor stood to the side.
Opposite Eichi was a platform where a man in his twenties sat in a chair. He had black hair, triangular eyes, and a hooked nose—the kind of face that screamed "trouble." The man's expression was arrogant and disdainful, looking down as if from a great height.
When he saw Eichi, he froze for a split second before returning to his original expression. However, Eichi's keen observation skills caught the lapse. Does he recognize me? Eichi wondered.
The man thought to himself: So this is Eichi? Why did he suddenly come to challenge the Gym? I heard he's a genius, specifically a Bug-type genius. Today, I'll see if he truly has the strength.
He then spoke aloud, "My name is Takemoto. I am the acting Gym Leader of the Viridian Gym."
One of the burly men beside him announced, "The format is 3-on-3. The match ends when all three Pokémon on one side are unable to battle. The Gym Leader cannot switch Pokémon mid-battle."
As soon as he finished speaking, Takemoto pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it. "Go, my treasure!"
A massive, round silhouette emerged from the white light. It was a spherical Pokémon covered in rock. Its head, hands, and feet protruded from the boulder-like body. Its head looked less like a rock and more like a turtle.
It was a Golem, a Ground/Rock-type Pokémon.
Eichi activated his Eye of the Bug Emperor.
Golem, the Megaton Pokémon.
Talent Grade: Excellent
Trainer Rank: Experienced (Mid-stage)
Seeing Golem's rank, Eichi breathed a sigh of relief. This would be much simpler. He pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it.
"Go, Heracross!"
"Yakkuru!" Heracross stood opposite Golem. Golem's official height is 1.4 meters, but Takemoto's Golem was a size larger than average, estimated at about 1.55 meters. Still, it was a bit shorter than Heracross. Not counting its horn, Heracross had a standing height of about 1.7 meters. In terms of pure build, Heracross was a size larger.
"Goru~" Golem looked at Heracross with a fighting spirit, sensing the powerful aura radiating from it.
"The challenge begins!" the official shouted.
"Golem, Tackle!" Takemoto ordered.
"Goru~" Golem curled into a ball and charged toward Heracross.
Rumble! Golem's weight was nothing to scoff at; a thundering sound echoed as it moved across the ground.
"Heracross, Arm Thrust!" Eichi commanded. Since the opponent's level was lower than his own Pokémon, he wasn't worried. This time, he intended to sweep all three.
"Yakkuru!" Heracross was full of confidence. It stepped heavily onto the ground.
Bang! It waited in place for Golem to arrive. The moment Golem struck, Heracross extended its hands and pushed outward with immense force.
Bang! Golem's limbs were forced out, and it reverted to its original form.