The Pewter Gym slowly settled into silence after the clash. Dust drifted down from the ceiling, and Sudowoodo lay still, defeated.
Brock stepped forward, calm but thoughtful. His eyes moved from the battlefield to Ash, then briefly to Charizard, who had already turned away, wings folding as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
"That battle showed more than strength," Brock said. "You didn't force an injured Pokémon to fight. And you didn't command Charizard. It chose to step forward."
Ash swallowed, still catching his breath. "I just… didn't want anyone to get hurt."
Brock nodded. "That's what makes a real Pokémon Trainer."
He reached into his vest and removed a small case. Opening it, he revealed a gray, stone-shaped badge that reflected the Gym lights.
"This is the Boulder Badge," Brock said. "It's awarded to trainers who defeat the Pewter Gym using both skill and respect for Pokémon."
Ash stepped forward slowly, hands trembling as Brock placed the badge in his palm.
"My first badge…" Ash whispered.
"You've earned it," Brock said. "Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."
Ash clenched the badge, a wide smile breaking across his face. "Thank you! I promise I'll keep learning. I'll become a better trainer."
Nearby, Maya smiled as she helped tend to Rattata and Metapod. Pidgey chirped softly from her shoulder, relieved and proud.
Charizard stood apart, tail flame steady. It didn't celebrate. It didn't leave either. It simply watched Ash, eyes unreadable.
Later, outside the Gym, sunlight washed over Pewter City. Ash clipped the badge case to his belt and looked ahead at the road beyond the city.
"One Gym down," he said quietly. "A lot more to go."
Charizard shifted, stepping forward at the same pace as Ash. Not leading. Not following. Just there.
With his first official victory behind him and the world ahead, Ash began walking toward the next chapter of his journey—exactly as every great Pokémon adventure does.
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T/N:
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