“The Pokémon used will be limited to two each.
Understood?” Brock asked, looking straight at Ash.
“Understood.
Let’s begin,” Ash replied.
The two of them walked to the rectangular Trainer positions on opposite sides of the battlefield.
Tension hung over the field as they took their places.
Brock’s younger brother, Forrest, stood to one side of the battlefield, serving as the referee for the match.
Ash left Pikachu and Eevee with Misty.
“Ash, do your best,” Misty said as she took the two Pokémon and gave him an encouraging smile.
“Come out, Geodude!” Brock shouted as he threw his Poké Ball.
With a pop and a flash of red light, Geodude appeared on the field.
Geodude resembled a round gray rock.
Heavy stone brows sat above its trapezoid-shaped eyes, and a pair of muscular arms extended from either side of its body.
Ash activated his Pokémon Data Scouter.
[Pokémon: Geodude]
[Gender: Male]
[Type: Rock, Ground]
[Introduction: The Rock Pokémon.
It mostly lives on mountain paths.
Since accidentally stepping on one will make it furious, caution is advised.]
[Base Stat Total: 300]
[Ability: Sturdy — If it is at full HP, an attack that would otherwise knock it out will leave it with 1 HP instead.
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, you’re up!”
Ash threw Bulbasaur’s Poké Ball.
Bulbasaur appeared on the field.
It was a blue-green Pokémon with a squat, toad-like build and reptilian features.
Each of its four legs ended in three white claws.
Its body was mostly cyan and green, giving it a vibrant, lively appearance.
A large seed bulb grew on its back.
Bulbasaur shifted the bulb on its back and stared at Geodude, ready for battle.
“Come on.
The laws of victory have already been decided.”
A confident smile appeared on Ash’s face as he lightly brushed his bangs aside with his right hand.
Brock attacked first.
“Geodude, use Rock Throw!”
At the command, Geodude hurled several rocks toward Bulbasaur.
Ash stayed calm.
“Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip to knock the rocks away!”
Bulbasaur’s vines shot out, whipping through the incoming rocks and deflecting them one after another.
Broken pieces of stone scattered across the battlefield.
Brock narrowed his eyes, clearly impressed by Ash’s response.
“Not bad.
But that isn’t enough.
Geodude, use Defense Curl, then Rollout!”
Geodude curled itself tightly into a ball.
Its rocky body hardened even further before it began rolling rapidly toward Bulbasaur.
“Bulbasaur, dodge!” Ash shouted.
Bulbasaur sprang to the side and avoided Geodude’s Rollout.
But Geodude did not stop.
It kept rolling across the battlefield, carving tracks into the ground as it went.
“Use Leech Seed,” Ash ordered.
“Bulba—!”
Bulbasaur fired several seeds from the bulb on its back, sending them straight toward Geodude at high speed.
The seeds struck Geodude.
The instant Leech Seed touched its body, green vines sprouted from the seeds and wrapped tightly around it.
Geodude struggled against them, but the vines kept tightening.
No matter how hard it fought, it could not break free.
Leech Seed began taking effect, steadily draining Geodude’s stamina.
Pain showed in Geodude’s eyes, and its floating body began to tremble as its strength was drained away.
Brock frowned at the sight but quickly regained his composure.
Ash knew he could not give Geodude a chance to break free from Leech Seed, so he immediately followed up.
“Bulbasaur, use Leaf Storm!”
“Bulba!”
Bulbasaur cried out and gathered its power.
Countless leaves swept upward and formed a powerful storm before surging toward Geodude with tremendous force.
Geodude had only just begun trying to struggle free from Leech Seed’s vines.
It had no time to counter before Leaf Storm struck.
The leaves cut into Geodude like sharp blades, battering its rocky body and sending it tumbling through the air.
Leech Seed continued draining Geodude’s stamina, and Leaf Storm only added to the damage.
Against a Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon like Geodude, the Grass-type attack was extremely effective.
Geodude finally could not endure any more.
It crashed heavily to the ground with a thud, unable to battle.
“Geodude is unable to battle.
Surprise crossed Brock’s face, but he quickly composed himself.
He recalled Geodude and looked back at Ash.
“That was a very good strategy, Ash.
But this is only the beginning.
Come out, Onix!”
Brock threw another Poké Ball.
Red light flashed, and a massive Onix appeared on the field.
Its enormous body was made entirely of rock, with huge stone segments tightly connected one after another.
It raised its triangular head and opened its enormous mouth, letting out a low roar.
Ash activated his Pokémon Data Scouter again.
Blue light flashed across the display as Onix’s detailed information appeared before his eye.
[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 — If it is at full HP, an attack that would otherwise knock it out will leave it with 1 HP instead.
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 up at the enormous Onix without showing the slightest fear.
He glanced at Bulbasaur.
“Bulbasaur, you’ve already done very well.
Take a rest for now.
Squirtle, you’re up!”
Squirtle appeared on the battlefield.
Its blue skin and orange-brown shell stood out clearly, and its large eyes burned with fighting spirit.
“Squirtle, use Bubble Beam!” Ash ordered.
“Squirtle!”
Squirtle fired a dense stream of bubbles from its mouth.
Countless bubbles raced toward Onix, sparkling with rainbow colors beneath the Gym lights.
The attack struck, making Onix’s massive body shake.
Brock immediately responded.
“Onix, use Earthquake!”
Onix obeyed.
Its thick tail swung down hard and slammed into the ground, making the entire battlefield shake violently.
Cracks spread across the floor.
Squirtle lost its footing and began to wobble.
“Squirtle, jump and avoid the Earthquake!” Ash shouted.
Squirtle reacted at once, kicking off the ground and leaping into the air to escape the violent shaking.
But before Squirtle could regain its balance after coming back down, Brock had already issued his next command.
“Onix, use Tackle!”
Onix charged straight toward Squirtle.
“Squirtle, use Protect!” Ash ordered.
Squirtle raised a pale green barrier in front of itself.
Onix slammed into the shield and was knocked backward by the impact.
“Good job, Squirtle!
Now use Hydro Pump!”
Ash seized the opening and immediately gave his next command.
Squirtle took a deep breath, withdrew into its shell, and began spinning rapidly.
Thick jets of water blasted from every opening in its shell.
Hydro Pump roared toward Onix with tremendous force.
The powerful water cannon crashed directly into Onix and burst across its body, sending a cloud of mist spraying through the air.
Onix’s massive body was pushed backward by the impact.
When Hydro Pump finally ended, Onix was panting heavily, its enormous body rising and falling with each breath.
Ash checked his Pokémon Data Scouter again.
Pale blue light appeared on the display before his eye.
[HP: 1%]
Ash looked at the number flashing on the display.
His fingertips lightly rubbed the brim of his cap, but after a moment, he lowered his hand.
Onix lay collapsed among the rubble.
Its clouded eyes were filled with exhaustion.
Surprise flashed across Brock’s narrowed eyes.
“Ash, why aren’t you continuing the attack?”
Ash looked at Squirtle, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
“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 to help both sides improve.”
Brock stayed silent, then let out a sigh and looked at Ash with respect.
You win.”
He recalled Onix.
As the red light wrapped around the battered Pokémon and pulled it back into its Poké Ball, the Gym lights dimmed for an instant.
Forrest quickly walked to the center of the battlefield and announced loudly,
“The winner of this match is Ash!”
[Congratulations, host, on your victory.
You have obtained 1,000 points and Rockium Z.]
The system’s mechanical notification echoed in Ash’s mind as Brock walked over to him.
Brock held out 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 metal against his fingertips made them tremble slightly.
He raised the Boulder Badge toward the light and looked at it.
“All right, I got the Boulder Badge.” Ash said, holding it up with a satisfied smile.
“Pi~ Pikachu~!”
“Eevee~!”
“That’s amazing, Ash!”
Misty smiled so brightly that her whole face lit up.
Just then, another system notification sounded in Ash’s mind.
[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 instinctively pressed a hand against his pocket, where he could feel something giving off a faint warmth.
“Ash, you’ve trained your Pokémon really well.”
Brock paused, then lifted his head and looked toward the Gym’s dome.
“Actually, I want to travel too.
I want to experience more adventures with my Pokémon and become a Pokémon Breeder.”
Brock’s voice gradually grew quieter.
“But because I have to take care of my younger brothers and sisters, I had no choice but to give up on that idea.
So please, take my dream with you and travel on my behalf.”
Ash nodded.
“Mm.
I will.”
Before Ash could finish, a tired voice came from behind them.
“Brock, go chase your own dream.”
Everyone turned toward the entrance at once.
Against the light, a tall figure slowly walked 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 reached up and removed his knit cap, then tore the fake beard from his chin.
As the disguise came away piece by piece, a face almost identical to Brock’s was revealed.
He had the same thick eyebrows and narrow, squinting eyes, though deep wrinkles had formed around them.
“Dad…” Brock said before he could stop himself.
“Huh?
He’s your father?”
Misty covered her mouth, never expecting the man who had been selling stones to actually be Brock’s father.
“That’s right.
I’m the irresponsible deadbeat father who made grand promises, left home, accomplished nothing, and was too ashamed to return.”
Flint gave a self-mocking laugh, though there was a choked emotion behind it.
He staggered a few steps forward.
His calloused hand trembled as he reached toward Brock, only to stop halfway.
“Brock, Forrest…
I’m sorry.
All these years…”
“Dad, there’s something I need to tell you,” Brock suddenly interrupted.
“I abandoned all of you for so many years.
No matter how much you want to scold me, I deserve it.”
Flint had already braced himself to hear his son’s complaints.
Instead, Brock pulled out a half-mended sweater.
“Forrest likes red miso.
Salvadore likes white miso.
Yolanda likes layered miso.”
Brock shoved the sweater into his father’s arms, his words suddenly coming much faster.
“Also, Tommy likes clear soup, and Cindy likes miso ramen.
You can get it canned at the shop here in Pewter City.”
“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 as he hurried to write everything down.
Sweat soaked through his shirt as he stared at Brock, terrified of missing even a single word.
And just like that, Brock joined the group.
The original protagonist trio had officially come together.