Pewter Gym.
Standing atop the rocky platform was a squint-eyed young man with dark skin and a stern expression.
A man as steadfast as stone.
Gym Leader Brock.
"Rookie Trainer," Brock asked calmly, eyes narrowing,
"Are you here for your second challenge?"
He opened his eyes just a fraction more.
"Each Gym allows only three challenge attempts.
If you fail all three, you won't be allowed to challenge again for a year.
I suggest you return and train more."
After all—what real improvement could come from just one night?
Ash met his gaze without flinching, eyes shining.
"I've decided to challenge again.
This Pikachu is a brand-new Pikachu now!"
"Pika!"
Bright and early, he'd brought Pikachu back to storm the Gym.
Brock's gaze dropped to Ash's side.
He couldn't sense anything specific—but this Electric-type mouse did feel different somehow.
"Very well. I accept your challenge."
This time, I'll take it a bit more seriously.
"Go—Geodude!"
A Pokémon consisting of a single round stone head appeared on the field,
with two thick rocky arms swinging at its sides.
"Beep. Geodude. Rock Pokémon.
Body composed entirely of stone. Classified as non-recyclable waste—please dispose responsibly."
The Pokédex announced.
Brock: "..."
That felt personal.
Having already suffered one defeat, Ash didn't dare be careless this time.
Since Brock wasn't leading with Onix, Ash also chose not to reveal his trump card yet.
"Go—Pidgey!"
Brock's expression didn't change.
Pewter City bordered Viridian Forest, so challengers almost always brought Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Caterpie, or the like.
Battle start!
"Geodude, use Rock Throw!"
Fragments of stone formed above Geodude's body, then were hurled forward in rapid succession.
"Pidgey, dodge!" Ash shouted.
Pidgey took to the air, weaving smoothly between the flying rocks.
"Now—Quick Attack!"
"Pidgeee!!"
White light wrapped around Pidgey as it darted forward, beak aimed straight at Geodude.
Brock remained calm.
"Use Defense Curl."
Geodude tucked its arms in, curling into a compact sphere as a defensive glow enveloped its body.
Clang!
After the impact, dust settled.
Geodude hadn't moved an inch.
Pidgey, on the other hand, was blasted backward several meters—its beak visibly bent.
"That kind of move won't do much to my Pokémon," Brock said with a faint smile.
"Now—Rollout."
"Geo!!"
Geodude curled tighter, transforming into a rolling boulder that charged forward.
With each rotation, its speed and power increased.
"Pidgey, use Gust to stop it!"
A violent windstorm erupted—but no matter how strong the gusts, they couldn't halt Rollout's momentum.
Type disadvantage was a wall too high to cross.
Facing the incoming stone juggernaut, Ash shouted his ultimate technique—
"Dodge!!"
When you don't know what to say, just tell it to dodge.
Barely relying on speed alone, Pidgey avoided the charge by a hair's breadth.
"Pidgee…"
It was already drenched in sweat.
Without long-term training, rookie Pokémon simply couldn't endure prolonged battles.
A few exchanges in, and fatigue was already setting in.
"I have to break its momentum…"
Ash brainstormed rapidly.
Then his eyes lit up.
"I've got it!"
"Pidgey—use Sand-Attack!"
Pidgey landed and began kicking sand backward furiously, showering Geodude's eyes.
"That won't work on me," Brock said indifferently.
Ash smirked.
"Then let's try this—Pidgey, follow up with Gust!"
The whirlwind swept the sand into the air, mixing it violently—
WHOOOSH!!
A miniature sandstorm formed, roaring across the battlefield.
Brock frowned.
"Interesting… but still useless—wait."
Sandstorm conditions increased Rock-type Pokémon's defense.
Was this… self-sabotage?
The setup complete, Ash finally bared his fangs.
"Now it's over!
Pidgey—Quick Attack!"
"Pidgeee!!"
Pidgey transformed into a streak of white light and charged straight into the sandstorm.
The impact split the sandstorm apart, exposing the still-blinded Geodude beneath.
Blind first. Then strike at close range.
That was Ash's plan.
CLANG—CLANG!!
The blow sent Geodude flying backward, tumbling across the arena and carving a long trench in the ground.
Ash clenched his fist, blood boiling.
This is it—my true strength as a Pokémon Master!
The referee immediately announced:
"Pidgey is unable to battle. Winner: Geodude."
"?"
Ash froze mid-victory pose.
As the dust cleared, he stared in disbelief.
Geodude was merely rubbing its head, clearly only lightly damaged.
Meanwhile—
"Pidgeee…"
Pidgey lay unconscious on the ground, beak bent sideways in a tragic state.
All that effort—Incineroar-level intensity—
And then the bird went down.
Ash wiped sweat from his brow and recalled Pidgey.
"As expected of a Gym Leader… impressive tactics."
His understanding of Gym Trainers rose to a new level.
Using constancy to counter change…
He thought Brock was on the first floor,
and that he himself had climbed to the second.
But in reality—
This squint-eyed man was standing on the fifth floor.
Brock: "?"
I've been on the first floor the whole time…
Why did this rookie seem mentally unstable?
Was this some kind of scam?
"Then I'm counting on you, Pikachu!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu dashed onto the battlefield, cheeks crackling with electricity.
"Still using a disadvantageous type?
Haven't you learned your lesson?" Brock frowned.
He attacked without hesitation.
"Geodude—Rock Throw!"
Stones flew once more.
But Ash didn't panic at all.
"Pikachu!
Show them our new power—Thunderbolt!!"
Pikachu leapt into the air, electricity bursting from its cheek pouches.
"PI—KA—CHUUU!!"
Blinding light flooded the arena.
ZZZAAAP—!!
At full power, the lightning formed a roaring electric serpent.
The incoming rocks disintegrated on contact—reduced to dust.
The Thunderbolt didn't stop.
It slammed straight into Geodude's round stone head.
BOOOOM!!
Electricity and explosive force erupted simultaneously, blasting Geodude into a charred lump.
Even the referee was stunned, taking a moment before announcing in a halting voice:
"G-Geodude is unable to battle.
Winner: Pikachu."
Brock: "..."
Ridiculous.
One night—and his electrical output jumped an entire tier?
Was this kid cheating?
It seemed he'd have to fight seriously now.
With a grim expression, Brock recalled Geodude and released his ace—
Onix!
"Beep. Onix. Rock Snake Pokémon.
It is said that for every Onix born, ten Geodude lose their lives.
No further implications."
The Pokédex announced.
Brock: "..."