The stone battlefield of the Pewter Gym felt colder than before.
Ash stood firm, but his chest was tight. Rattata and Metapod had already been defeated. One Poké Ball remained in his hand.
Brock stood calmly across from him.
"You have one Pokémon left," Brock said. "Continue."
Ash nodded and threw the Poké Ball.
"Pidgey, I choose you!"
Pidgey burst into the air, wings beating hard as it took position above the field.
Brock recalled Geodude.
"My second Pokémon," Brock said, "is Onix."
The massive Rock Snake Pokémon rose from beneath the battlefield, stone segments grinding together.
Ash's Pokédex activated.
"Onix, the Rock Snake Pokémon. Rock and Ground type. It has an enormous body and powerful constricting attacks."
Ash clenched his fists. "Pidgey, stay airborne."
"Onix, Rock Throw!" Brock commanded.
Stones shot upward.
"Dodge and use Gust!" Ash shouted.
Pidgey weaved between the rocks and released a strong Gust. The wind struck Onix directly in the head.
Onix staggered, losing balance for a moment.
"Again, Gust!"
The second blast pushed Onix back hard. The massive Pokémon crashed into the stone wall and stopped moving.
"Onix is unable to battle," Brock announced.
Ash's eyes widened. "We did it!"
Brock recalled Onix without surprise.
"My final Pokémon," he said evenly, "is Geodude."
The Rock Pokémon slammed onto the battlefield once more.
Ash stiffened. Pidgey was already breathing hard.
"Geodude, Rock Throw," Brock commanded.
Stones flew instantly.
"Pull up!" Ash yelled.
Pidgey climbed, but a rock struck its wing.
"Pidgey, Gust!"
The attack hit Geodude, but it barely moved.
"Geodude, Tackle!"
The impact knocked Pidgey out of the air. It hit the ground hard, sliding across stone.
Ash ran forward. "Pidgey!"
Pidgey tried to rise. One wing dragged unnaturally. Its breathing was uneven.
"Pidgey is unable to battle," Brock said.
The match ended.
Ash scooped Pidgey up carefully.
Brock stepped forward. "Your strategy was sound. But your Pokémon was already exhausted."
Ash nodded, eyes locked on Pidgey. "I need a Pokémon Center."
"Go," Brock said. "And come back when you're ready."
Ash didn't answer. He was already running.
The Pokémon Center doors slid open sharply.
"Nurse Joy!"
She took one look and moved fast. "Severe wing trauma. We'll begin treatment immediately."
Ash watched as Pidgey was carried away.
The doors closed.
Ash stood still in the hallway, fists shaking.
He had won a battle.
He had lost the match.
And the cost had been high.
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T/N:
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