After Pidgey evolved into Pidgeotto, getting lost almost never happened anymore.
Under Pidgeotto’s guidance, Ash and Misty successfully walked out of Viridian Forest.
Looking toward the steel city in the distance, Misty’s face was filled with joy.
“We finally made it out of the forest.”
Ash nodded slightly.
“That should be Pewter City up ahead.”
Pewter City, also known as Nibi City, was a city famous for all kinds of stones.
There was a huge science museum here, and its ancient fossils were especially famous.
After arriving in Pewter City, they first went to the Pokémon Center to rest and reorganize a little.
Ash also reported his progress to his mother and Professor Oak.
“Mom, I’ve reached Pewter City,” Ash said with a grin.
“Pika, Pikachu~”
Pikachu lay on Ash’s shoulder, waving its hand in greeting to Delia.
Before Delia could speak, Professor Oak could not help asking, “Why did it take you so long to get from Viridian City to Pewter City?
I remember these two cities aren’t that far apart.
There’s only Viridian Forest between them.”
Ash scratched his head.
He did not mention anything about his future self, instead casually finding a simple excuse.
“I caught two Pokémon in Viridian Forest, and I also evolved three Pokémon in my team.”
There was not much wrong with this reason, so Professor Oak easily believed it.
“I see.
Before challenging the Gym, raising the strength of the Pokémon in your team in advance is indeed a very good choice,” Professor Oak said, nodding in sudden understanding.
Ash suddenly thought of something and could not help asking Professor Oak, “How many Badges does Gary have now?”
Because he had wasted quite a bit of time in Viridian Forest, Ash was very curious about Gary’s current progress.
Gary could be considered Ash’s rival.
That said, in reality, it was only a competitive relationship between friends.
“Gary?
He has already passed the Cerulean Gym in Cerulean City.
He currently has two Badges.”
“What?!
Two?!”
Ash’s eyes widened, and his heart began to grow somewhat anxious.
“I haven’t even gotten a single Badge yet!” Ash gritted his teeth.
No matter what, he had never expected that he still did not have even one Badge, while his rival Gary had already obtained two.
“No, I need to speed up!”
“Mom, Professor Oak, I’m not chatting with you anymore.
I’m going to challenge the Gym!” As Ash spoke, he impatiently hung up the call.
Misty, who was beside him, fell into thought after hearing the words Cerulean Gym. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“Misty, what are you standing there for?
Hurry up and come with me to challenge the Pewter Gym!” Ash could not help urging her.
Under Ash’s urging, Misty finally came back to her senses and replied with a couple of “ohs.”
They ran all the way toward the Pewter Gym.
The distance was not too far.
After all, a Gym could also be considered one of a city’s landmark facilities.
The exterior of the Pewter Gym was a huge rock.
Standing in front of the Gym’s entrance, a heavy feeling like solid stone rushed toward them.
Without thinking much, they directly pushed open the door and entered.
Inside the Gym, everything was pitch-black.
Misty seemed a little afraid and leaned against Ash.
Ash could only frown and ask loudly, “Excuse me, is anyone here?”
The lights turned on.
A dark-skinned young man sat cross-legged on a high platform, looking at the two of them with narrowed eyes.
“Which one of you is the challenger?” Brock asked.
His voice drew Ash and Misty’s attention.
“Who are you?”
“Can you open your eyes when you talk?”
Ash and Misty spoke in unison.
“…”
For some reason, Brock fell silent for a moment before answering, “My name is Brock.
I’m the Gym Leader of this Gym… Also, my eyes are already open as wide as they can go.”
“…”
This time, it was Misty and Ash’s turn to fall silent.
“Ahem.
Anyway, I’m Ash from Pallet Town.
I’m here to challenge the Gym and obtain a Badge.” Ash cleared his throat, breaking the deathly silence.
“Pika, Pikachu!”
Pikachu waved its little fists from the side, looking full of fighting spirit.
Brock looked at Ash and Pikachu with some surprise.
“Looks like the relationship between you two is very good.
How long have you been together?”
Misty thought there was another meaning behind Brock’s words.
Faced with such a direct question, Misty blushed and repeatedly waved her hands in denial.
“No, no!
We’re not in that kind of relationship!”
Ash, however, heard that Brock was referring to him and Pikachu, but he did not pay any attention to Misty’s words.
Brock nodded slightly.
“Is that so?
Then it happens to be the sweetest period.”
Hearing their conversation, Misty blushed beside them, a trace of embarrassment in her eyes.
“What are you two talking about?
We’re clearly not in that kind of relationship…”
During this time together with Ash in the forest, Misty had thoroughly come to know this boy.
He was brave and strong, sincere and kind.
At first, his head had been a little silly, but for some reason, after leaving Viridian City, he had become very smart.
If she had to choose someone to date, Ash would undoubtedly be qualified.
But Ash had not confessed to her, and in their usual interactions, he did not seem to have any thoughts in that direction either.
Yet now, when Brock asked, he just had to say that he was dating her.
That was why Misty was both embarrassed and annoyed.
“Misty, what are you talking about?
Pikachu and I have known each other for half a month, so of course our relationship is good.” Ash glanced at Misty with a strange look.
“Uh…”
Misty was instantly dumbfounded.
Her cheeks were completely filled with red from embarrassment.
“Anyway, enough nonsense.
Let’s start the Pokémon battle!” The impatient Ash immediately urged Brock.
Brock nodded.
“Don’t be in such a rush.
Challenging a Gym is an official League match.
It’s different from an ordinary Pokémon battle.”
Ash froze for a moment.
He did not interrupt Brock and let him continue speaking.
“First of all, the Pewter Gym is a Rock-type Gym, so the battle field will be a rocky field!”
As soon as his voice fell, violent shaking came from the originally empty hall.
One rock after another rose up from the ground.
Ash’s eyes widened as he watched this scene, while Misty showed no surprise at all.
Soon, under the effect of the mechanism, the hall transformed into a battle field filled with rocks.
Brock slowly came down from the high platform, entered the rocky battle field, and stood at the Trainer’s position.
“Second, only two Pokémon may be used in this battle, and the challenger may freely switch Pokémon.”
Brock spoke word by word, calmly and unhurriedly stating the battle rules.
After understanding these rules, Ash also entered the battle field and gave Brock a provocative smile.
“Then let’s begin the battle!”