“The Pokémon used will be limited to two each.
Understood?” Brock asked, looking straight at Ash.
“Understood.
Let’s begin,” Ash replied.
Then the two of them each walked to the rectangular Trainer positions on opposite sides of the field.
The air was filled with tension.
Brock’s younger brother, Jiro, stood to one side of the battlefield, acting as the referee for this match.
Ash entrusted Pikachu and Eevee to Misty.
“Ash, do your best,” Misty said, taking the two Pokémon with an encouraging smile on her face.
“Come out, Geodude!” Brock shouted, throwing out the Poké Ball in his hand.
With a pop, red light flashed, and a Geodude appeared on the field.
Geodude looked like a round gray rock.
Beneath its raised stone brows were a pair of trapezoid-shaped eyes, paired with muscular arms.
Ash opened his scanner.
[Pokémon: Geodude]
[Gender: Male]
[Type: Rock; Ground]
[Introduction: The Rock Pokémon.
It mostly lives on mountain paths.
Since stepping on it by accident will make it furious, caution is advised.]
[Base Stat Total: 300]
[Ability: Sturdy — Even if it is hit by an opponent’s move, it will not be knocked out in one blow.
One-hit KO moves also have no effect.]
[Current Strength: Gym Level]
[Potential: Elite Four Level]
[Moves: Tackle; Defense Curl; Rock Throw; Harden; Rollout; Mega Punch]
[Status: Healthy]
“Bulbasaur, fight for me!” Ash threw Bulbasaur’s Poké Ball.
Bulbasaur appeared on the field.
It was a blue-green, toad-like reptilian Pokémon with a very unique appearance.
Each of its four legs had three white claws.
Its body was mainly cyan and green, giving it a vibrant, lively feeling.
On its back was a large seed bulb.
Bulbasaur shook the seed on its back and stared at Geodude, ready for battle.
“Come on.
The formula for victory has already been decided.” The corner of Ash’s mouth lifted into a confident smile as he lightly brushed aside his bangs with his right hand.
Brock attacked first.
“Geodude, use Rock Throw!”
Hearing the command, Geodude quickly hurled rocks toward Bulbasaur.
Ash remained calm and commanded, “Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip to knock the rocks away!”
Bulbasaur’s vines shot out rapidly, flexibly deflecting the falling rocks one after another.
Broken stones scattered everywhere.
Brock narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of admiration appearing on his face.
“Not bad.
But that isn’t enough.
Geodude, use Defense Curl, then Rollout!”
Geodude quickly curled its body into a ball.
Its surface became even harder, and then it rapidly rolled toward Bulbasaur.
“Bulbasaur, dodge!” Ash shouted.
Bulbasaur nimbly jumped to the side, avoiding Geodude’s Rollout attack.
But Geodude did not stop.
It continued rolling, leaving trails across the battlefield.
“Use Leech Seed,” Ash ordered decisively.
“Bulba—!” Bulbasaur received the command and quickly fired several seeds from the bulb on its back, shooting them toward Geodude at high speed.
The seeds landed precisely on Geodude.
The instant Leech Seed touched Geodude’s body, green vines rapidly sprouted and wrapped around it.
Geodude tried to struggle, only to find that the vines were tightening more and more.
It could not break free at all.
Leech Seed began to take effect, continuously draining Geodude’s stamina.
A trace of pain flashed through Geodude’s once-energetic eyes, and its floating body began to tremble slightly.
Seeing this, Brock frowned, but quickly regained his composure.
Ash knew he could not give Geodude a chance to break free from Leech Seed’s restraint, so he immediately gave a decisive order.
“Bulbasaur, use Leaf Storm.”
“Bulba!” Bulbasaur responded loudly and gathered its power.
Countless leaves swept up like a powerful storm, carrying tremendous force as they rushed fiercely toward Geodude.
Geodude had just tried to struggle free from Leech Seed’s vines and had no time to counterattack before it was struck by the sudden Leaf Storm.
The leaves were like sharp blades, striking its body viciously.
Geodude was sent tumbling through the air by the force.
Leech Seed continuously drained Geodude’s stamina, and with the violent attack of Leaf Storm on top of that, the Grass-type move was undeniably super effective against Rock- and Ground-type Geodude.
With a heavy thud, it crashed to the ground and lost its ability to battle.
“Geodude is unable to battle.
Bulbasaur wins!” Jiro’s voice rang out.
A trace of surprise appeared on Brock’s face, but he quickly returned to calm.
He recalled Geodude and said, “That was a very good strategy, Ash.
But this is only the beginning.
Come out, Onix!”
He threw out his Poké Ball.
Red light flashed, and a massive Onix appeared on the field.
Its body was made of rock, with huge stone segments tightly connected one after another.
It had a triangular head and opened its enormous mouth, letting out a low roar.
Ash opened the scanner again.
With a flash of blue light, Onix’s detailed information appeared clearly before his eyes.
[Pokémon: Onix]
[Gender: Male]
[Type: Rock; Ground]
[Introduction: The Rock Snake Pokémon.
It burrows underground in search of food with astonishing force.
The tunnels it leaves behind are used by Diglett as homes.]
[Base Stat Total: 385]
[Ability: Sturdy — Even if it is hit by an opponent’s move, it will not be knocked out in one blow.
One-hit KO moves also have no effect.]
[Current Strength: Gym Level]
[Potential: Elite Four Level]
[Moves: Tackle; Rock Slide; Bind; Harden; Iron Tail; Slam; Dig; Earthquake; Sand Tomb; Screech]
[Status: Healthy]
Ash looked at the Onix before him without the slightest fear in his eyes.
He glanced at Bulbasaur and said, “Bulbasaur, you’ve already done very well.
Take a rest for now.
Squirtle, fight for me!”
Squirtle appeared on the field, with blue skin, an orange-brown shell, and fierce fighting spirit burning in its large eyes.
“Squirtle, use Bubble Beam!” Ash quickly ordered.
“Squirtle!” Squirtle fired a dense stream of bubbles from its mouth.
Countless sparkling bubbles shot rapidly toward Onix, glittering with rainbow colors under the lights.
Onix’s massive body shook slightly.
Seeing this, Brock commanded loudly, “Onix, use Earthquake!”
Onix received the command.
Its thick tail swung hard and slammed into the ground, causing the entire battlefield to shake violently.
Cracks appeared across the ground.
Squirtle lost its footing and began to wobble.
“Squirtle, jump and avoid the Earthquake!” Ash shouted.
Squirtle reacted quickly, kicking off the ground and leaping nimbly into the air, avoiding Onix’s Earthquake.
But before it could steady itself, Brock had already continued giving orders.
“Onix, use Tackle.”
Onix charged toward Squirtle.
“Squirtle, use Protect,” Ash ordered.
Squirtle raised a pale green barrier.
Onix’s attack slammed into the shield and was deflected backward.
“Good job, Squirtle!
Now, use Hydro Pump!” Ash seized the opportunity and decisively gave a new order.
Squirtle took a deep breath, withdrew into its shell, and began spinning rapidly.
Thick jets of water blasted out from every opening in its shell.
Hydro Pump roared toward Onix with tremendous impact.
The water cannon crashed into Onix with overwhelming force and exploded upon contact, stirring up a mist of water that filled the air.
Onix’s massive body was pushed backward by the impact.
When Hydro Pump ended, Onix was already panting heavily, its huge body rising and falling violently.
Ash opened the scanner.
Pale blue light unfolded before his eyes.
[HP: 1%]
Ash looked at the number flashing on the scanner.
His fingertips lightly rubbed the brim of his cap, but in the end, he lowered his hand.
On the field, Onix lay collapsed among the rubble, its clouded eyes filled with exhaustion.
A trace of surprise flashed through Brock’s narrowed eyes, and he could not help asking, “Ash, why aren’t you continuing the attack?”
Ash looked at Squirtle, the corner of his mouth lifting into a gentle curve.
“The outcome has already been decided.
There’s no need to keep fighting.
Battles aren’t meant to leave Pokémon covered in wounds.
They’re meant for both sides to grow.”
Rare admiration appeared in his eyes.
“You’re right.
You win.”
He recalled Onix.
As the red light wrapped around the battered Pokémon, the Gym lights dimmed for an instant.
Jiro quickly walked to the center of the field and loudly announced, “The winner of this match is Ash!”
[Congratulations, host, on your victory.
You have obtained 1,000 points and Rockium Z.]
As the mechanical notification echoed in Ash’s mind, Brock had already walked up to him.
He handed over a gray octagonal Badge with a metallic sheen.
“This is proof that you defeated the Pewter Gym—the Boulder Badge.”
“Thank you.” Ash accepted the Badge.
The cold touch of metal made his fingertips tremble slightly.
He held the Badge up toward the light.
“All right!
I got the Boulder Badge!” Ash cheered, waving the Badge.
“Pi~ Pikachu~!”
“Eevee~!”
“That’s amazing, Ash!” Misty smiled so brightly that her eyes curved.
Just then, the system notification sounded again.
“Congratulations, host, on obtaining the Boulder Badge.
Reward obtained: 10,000 points and Exp.
Charm.”
[Exp.
Charm: After a Trainer possesses this charm, the experience gained by their Pokémon will increase.]
Ash subconsciously pressed his hand against his pocket, where something was faintly warm.
“Ash, your Pokémon are raised very well.” Brock paused, then lifted his head to look at the Gym’s dome.
“Actually, I also want to go traveling, experience more adventures with my Pokémon, and become a Pokémon Breeder.”
Brock’s voice gradually grew lower.
“But because I have to take care of my younger brothers and sisters, I could only give up on that idea.
So please, take my dream with you and travel on my behalf.”
“Mm.
I will,” Ash nodded.
Before his voice had even faded, a deep voice suddenly came from the entrance, hoarse with the weight of time.
“Brock, go chase your own dream.”
Everyone turned their heads at once.
Against the light, a tall figure was slowly walking into the Gym.
Sunlight outlined his broad shoulders, but his face remained hidden in shadow.
Misty was the first to cry out in surprise.
“Huh?
It’s that man who was selling stones!”
The man suddenly reached up and removed his knit cap, then tore off the fake beard stuck to his chin.
As his disguise was stripped away layer by layer, a face nearly identical to Brock’s was revealed—thick eyebrows and his signature squinting eyes, only with several deep wrinkles at the corners.
“Dad…” Brock called out subconsciously.
“Huh?
He’s your father?” Misty covered her mouth, never expecting that the man selling stones was actually Brock’s father.
“That’s right.
I’m the irresponsible deadbeat father who made grand claims, left home, accomplished nothing, and was too ashamed to return.” Flint laughed self-mockingly, though his laughter hid a choked sob.
He staggered a few steps forward, his calloused hand trembling as he tried to touch Brock, only to freeze halfway in the air.
“Brock, Jiro… I’m sorry.
All these years…”
“Dad, there’s something I need to tell you,” Brock suddenly said.
“I abandoned you all for so many years.
No matter how you scold me, I deserve it.” Flint had already prepared himself to face his son’s complaints.
But Brock took out a half-mended piece of clothing instead.
“Jiro likes red miso.
Saburo likes white miso.
Our little sister likes mixed miso.” Brock shoved the sweater into his father’s arms, his voice suddenly becoming rushed.
“Also, Goro likes clear soup.
Rokuro likes corn soup.
They sell it for 328 yen at the Pewter shop.
Make sure it’s canned…”
“Wait, wait, slow down!
I need to take notes!” Flint frantically searched through his pockets.
When he finally pulled out a pen, his trembling hand drew crooked lines across the paper.
Sweat soaked through his shirt as he stared at his son, afraid of missing even a single word.
And just like that, Brock joined the team.
The original protagonist trio had officially assembled.