At the entrance of Pewter Gym, Tianlin was finally about to face his first Gym battle.
The current Gym Leader was Brock, who had only recently taken over from his father.
His strength was still developing, so with Tianlin’s current team, this should be manageable.
Pushing open the heavy doors, Tianlin called out, “Is anyone here?
I’m Tianlin from Pallet Town.
I’ve come for a Gym challenge.
Please instruct me!”
After a moment, the main lights turned on, and a spiky-haired young man with half-closed eyes walked out—Brock, the Pewter Gym Leader.
“Hello, I’m Brock, the Gym Leader of Pewter City.
You said you’re from Pallet Town, right?
Three strong Trainers from Pallet Town have already earned my recognition and received their badges.
I wonder how you compare to them,” Brock said.
“Don’t worry.
I won’t be inferior to them,” Tianlin replied confidently.
“Good expression.
I accept your challenge.
The match will be two-on-two.
As the challenger, you may switch your Pokémon freely, but the Gym Leader cannot.
The first side to lose both Pokémon loses the match.
Understood?”
Tianlin nodded.
Brock led him to a rocky battlefield.
Both sides took position—the battle began.
“Go, Geodude!” Brock sent out his first Pokémon.
“Then I’ll start with you.
Scyther—this is your first battle as my partner.
Let’s go!” Tianlin encouraged.
Brock raised an eyebrow.
“Scyther?
Are you a beginner?
It’s strong, but Bug/Flying is heavily disadvantaged against Rock-types.”
“Don’t worry, I have my strategy,” Tianlin replied calmly.
“As the challenger, you go first.”
“Scyther, use Swords Dance!”
Scyther’s blades moved rapidly as energy swords formed around it, sharply boosting its Attack.
“An attack-boosting strategy?
Useless against my Geodude.
Use Defense Curl!” Brock responded.
Both Pokémon chose to strengthen themselves.
“But this isn’t about brute force.”
“Scyther, Wing Attack!”
Scyther struck Geodude, but Brock remained calm.
The damage was minor, and Geodude used Defense Curl again.
“Geodude, Tackle!”
“Scyther, Slash!”
Both moves collided.
Geodude’s Defense Curl had increased its durability, but Scyther’s Swords Dance-enhanced Slash gradually overpowered it.
“Use Rock Throw!” Brock commanded.
Scyther advanced through the falling rocks using Fury Cutter.
Some stones hit it, but after several strikes, it shattered them and closed in, landing a solid hit on Geodude.
Geodude countered with Tackle, but Scyther endured it and responded with another strike.
Brock narrowed his eyes.
“You’re planning something…”
“You noticed?
But it’s too late.
Scyther, use Vacuum Wave!”
A close-range special Fighting-type attack hit Geodude directly.
Despite Scyther’s low Special Attack, Geodude’s Special Defense was equally poor.
The hit was decisive.
Geodude fainted.
Brock was stunned.
“So that’s it… You used Swords Dance not just for offense, but to break through Rock Throw while using Wing Attack as setup pressure.
Interesting usage…”
He recalled Geodude.
“I underestimated you.
But this isn’t over.
Go, Onix!”
A massive Onix appeared, mid-Elite level.
Tianlin recalled Scyther and sent out Treecko.
“Treecko, your turn.
This is your advantage matchup.
Don’t lose.”
Treecko nodded seriously.
“Onix, use Rock Tomb!”
Brock’s signature move launched falling rocks.
“Dodge it!” Tianlin ordered.
The attack covered a wide area.
“Use the rocks as footholds—use Pound to bounce between them!” Tianlin improvised.
Brock was impressed.
“Interesting reaction…”
“Now, counterattack!
Mega Drain!”
Treecko struck Onix, draining energy.
But Onix’s Special Defense held firm.
“Bind it!” Brock commanded.
Onix wrapped Treecko tightly.
Treecko struggled but couldn’t break free.
“Now, Slam!”
The attack hit hard.
“Get up, Treecko!
Don’t let everything we’ve done go to waste!” Tianlin shouted.
Finally, Brock unleashed Rock Tomb again, burying Treecko beneath debris.
“End it here.
You can switch back to Scyther.
Onix has almost no stamina left anyway.
You’ve already won,” Brock said.
But Tianlin smiled.
“No.
It’s not over.”
“I can feel it… Treecko’s burning fighting spirit.”
A flash of light erupted from the rubble.
The rocks shattered.
Treecko stood up—glowing.
It was evolving.
When the light faded, a proud Grovyle appeared.
Grovyle (Treecko evolution), mid Elite-tier, learned: Pound, Leer, Quick Attack, Mega Drain, Leaf Blade, Fury Cutter.
“Now the real battle begins,” Tianlin said.
“Grovyle, use Leaf Blade!”
Grovyle’s speed surged dramatically.
Onix, already exhausted, couldn’t keep up.
The strike landed directly.
Onix collapsed.
Brock smiled calmly.
“I lost.”
He recalled Onix and handed over the badge.
“Here.
This is the proof of victory—the Boulder Badge.”
“Thank you,” Tianlin said, accepting it.