On the road between Viridian Forest and Pewter City.
Team Rocket had dug a massive pit right in the middle of the road—seven or eight meters deep.
They propped branches over it, then carefully covered the surface with sand and leaves from the surroundings.
From the outside, everything looked completely normal.
"Flawless trap!"
"Exactly—once the brat comes by, he'll fall right in!"
"And then that mutant Pikachu will be ours, nyah!"
The three crossed their arms and laughed smugly, already on the verge of celebrating.
Mid-laughter, James suddenly froze.
"…Wait. Where did we put the trap again?"
Jessie and Meowth frowned.
The trap was too perfect—so perfect that even its creators couldn't recognize it.
They immediately crouched down and began searching.
"I remember it being around here…"
Meowth, the most careful of the trio, followed his memory toward the center of the road.
Crack!
The sound of branches snapping rang out.
The trap instantly collapsed, exposing the pit beneath—and Meowth slid straight in.
"Jessie, help me!"
Panicking, Meowth grabbed Jessie's leg.
The momentum dragged her in as well.
"James, help me!"
Jessie followed suit, grabbing James—who was immediately pulled down with her.
In moments, all three disappeared into the pit.
No splash.
No sound.
Outside the pit, everything looked as though nothing had happened.
Three Minutes Later
A handsome boy and a pretty girl passed by.
"Huh? Why is there a huge hole in the road?" Ash asked, stopping in confusion.
"There's no warning sign at all—this is dangerous," Misty said, peering into the pit.
It was pitch-black inside, but she thought she saw shadows wriggling upward—like insects.
She shuddered and quickly suggested:
"Should we fill it in?"
"Sounds reasonable."
Ash nodded and tossed a Poké Ball.
"Go, Pidgey—use Sand-Attack!"
After appearing, Pidgey spun in place and kicked backward furiously.
Whoosh—whoosh—!
Sand and dirt flew everywhere, pouring straight into the pit.
In less than three minutes, the hole was completely filled.
Everything returned to normal.
The light of justice shone warmly on their faces.
Satisfied, the two continued on their journey.
Entrance to Pewter City
As they walked, Ash suddenly heard a sharp shout and jumped back in alarm.
"Hey! Young man—you stepped on my pickled stone!"
A middle-aged man stood before them, wearing a red knitted cap that covered most of his face.
The exposed skin was dark and weathered, and his arms were thick with muscle.
Ash looked down and realized he was standing on a strangely shaped rock—with a price tag attached.
Looking around, he saw all sorts of oddly shaped stones, each neatly labeled with prices.
"Pewter City is a city that symbolizes rock," the man said calmly, pride evident in his voice.
Ash couldn't help asking:
"Uh… sir, who are you?"
Before the man could answer, Misty jumped in eagerly.
"I know! You must be Steven Stone, the Hoenn League Champion!"
She'd heard Steven was obsessed with rocks.
And since she didn't know much else, she guessed that all rock lovers from Hoenn were dark-skinned middle-aged men.
"League Champion?" Ash blinked.
What was that?
Was it even stronger than a Pokémon Master?
And wasn't Hoenn the place where Rayquaza (as Caterpie)(as Caterpie) supposedly roamed everywhere like stray dogs?
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Little girl, I'm not Steven. My name is Flint."
"Beep. User: Flint. Retrieving data."
The Pokédex abruptly interrupted, once again desperate for attention.
After a brief pause—
"Beep. Data updated."
"Flint. Pewter City resident.
Former Pewter Gym Leader.
Has resigned from Gym position and challenged the Pokémon League alone.
Has challenged the League for twenty years without becoming Champion.
Best result: Runner-up at the Kalos League."
"TWENTY YEARS?!"
Both Ash and Misty were stunned.
Especially Ash.
For some reason, hearing twenty years without winning sent a chill straight up from his feet to his spine—
as though he'd been doused in ice water.
A strange sense of dread washed over him.
Even Red, deep within Ash's soul, felt alarmed.
"Is this resentment from another world…?" Red wondered grimly.
Flint frowned.
What kind of Pokédex is this?
Why does it expose everything about me on first meeting?
Had he challenged the League so many times that he was flagged in some blacklist?
"Um… what exactly do 'Gym Leader' and 'challenging the League' mean?" Ash asked.
He was still a complete beginner.
"You're a rookie Trainer, aren't you? Then let me expl—"
"Beep. Keyword detected. Initiating educational mode."
The Pokédex cut him off again.
Apparently, it didn't allow others to steal its job.
"Beep. Every region has multiple Pokémon Gyms.
Defeating a Gym Leader earns a Gym Badge.
Collect eight badges to qualify for the regional Pokémon League Conference."
"Winning a League Conference allows you to challenge the Elite Four.
Defeat all four, and you earn the right to challenge the League Champion."
Ash rubbed his head.
That was way too much.
"…Can you summarize it in four words?" he complained.
Pokédex: "Beep. Be a decent person."
"…."
"Well, basically," Misty explained patiently,
"you challenge Gyms, collect eight badges, then enter the League."
"Ohhh!" Ash finally got it.
He patted the Pokédex like scrap metal.
"Got it! Pokédex, you should really work on your communication skills."
Pokédex: "..."
Flint: "..."
This Trainer somehow felt even stranger than the Pokédex.
"So, kid—are you planning to challenge Pewter Gym?" Flint asked.
Ash straightened, pounding his chest confidently.
"Of course!"
Becoming League Champion was the first step toward being a Pokémon Master!
"Heh. But looking at your Pokémon…" Flint said slowly,
"…defeating Brock won't be easy."
He glanced at the Pikachu on Ash's shoulder.
A common Electric-type mouse wasn't exactly ideal against a Rock-type Gym.
"I also have Pidgey! And Metapod!" Ash protested.
Flint's frown deepened.
Is this kid missing a few screws?
Why was he deliberately choosing Pokémon at a type disadvantage?
"Cough… forgive my bluntness," Flint said carefully.
"You've already lost just from type matchups."
"Type matchups? What's that?" Ash waved it off casually.
"Pokémon battles are about fighting spirit and indomitable will! Right, Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
Pikachu nodded enthusiastically.
Flint, Misty: "..."
"Anyway, I'll definitely beat Brock.
Hey, sir—can you take me to Pewter Gym?
Nobody's buying your rocks anyway."
Flint frowned.
Though it hurt to hear, he still led Ash to the Gym.
He had no ulterior motive.
He just wanted to be close to it.
Yet he lacked the courage to approach it openly.
Only by guiding a rookie Trainer could he justify standing nearby again.
Ash, however, gave it no thought.
Upon arrival, he pushed the door open boldly.
Hands on his hips, he shouted into the empty Gym, full of youthful confidence.
This was how young people should be—fearless and reckless!
"Hey! I'm Ash from Pallet Town!
My dream is to become a Pokémon Master!
I'm here to challenge the Gym!"
Three Minutes Later
Ash appeared at the Pewter City Pokémon Center, cradling an unconscious Pikachu.
PS : Note here , Flint is Brock's father. From Pewter City.