Chapter Ten: He Is on the First Floor, While I Am on the Second

Pewter Gym.

On a raised stone platform stood a young boy with squinted eyes, dark skin, and a solemn expression. He was a man as steadfast as rock.

The Gym Leader, Brock.

"Newbie trainer, are you here for a second challenge?"

With a slight opening of his eyes, Brock asked slowly: "Each gym can only be challenged three times. If you fail all three, you won't be able to challenge this gym again for a year. I suggest you go back and train some more."

After all, how much progress could one possibly make in just a single night?

Ash’s eyes were bright, and he replied without a hint of hesitation: "I’ve decided to challenge you! Pikachu is a brand-new Pikachu now!"

"Pika!"

Early in the morning, he had brought Pikachu to challenge the gym.

Brock’s gaze drifted downward toward Ash’s side. Though he couldn't detect anything unusual, this electric mouse really did seem to have gained something new.

"Then I accept your challenge!"

He would take this one a bit more seriously.

"Go, Geodude!"

A Pokémon consisting of nothing but a round, stony head appeared on the arena floor, waving its two sturdy rock-like fists on either side of its head.

"Beep. Geodude, the Rock Pokémon. Composed entirely of stone. Classified as dry waste, please dispose of carefully," the Pokédex chirped automatically.

Brock: "..."

He felt personally offended.

Having been defeated once, Ash didn't dare to be careless. Since his opponent wasn't starting with Onix like yesterday, he wouldn't use his trump card yet either.

"I choose you, Pidgeotto!"

Seeing the small brown bird, Brock’s expression remained unchanged. Pewter City was located right next to Viridian Forest, so most of the challengers he encountered used Pidgey, Pidgeotto, or Caterpie.

...

The battle began!

"Geodude, use Rock Throw!"

Several shards of rock appeared out of thin air above the floating Pokémon. Geodude swung its arms, launching them in a barrage.

Ash quickly shouted, "Pidgeotto, dodge it!"

Pidgeotto’s speed was high; it took flight, its nimble body weaving through the gaps in the falling rocks with ease.

"Now, use Quick Attack!"

"Pidge-otto!"

With a sharp cry, Pidgeotto was cloaked in a white light. It dashed forward the moment it cleared the rubble, aiming its sharp beak directly at its target.

Brock said calmly, "Use Defense Curl to block it!"

Geodude pulled its arms in, curling into a ball. The next second, its body glowed with the signature light of a defensive boost, intending to tank the hit.

Clang!

Amidst the dust, after the impact, Geodude remained motionless. Pidgeotto, however, was sent flying backward several meters, its beak slightly crooked.

"That kind of move doesn't have much effect on my Pokémon," Brock smiled, then commanded, "Use Rollout!"

"Geo-dude!"

Geodude curled up and began to spin wildly across the ground like a rock-and-roll machine. As its speed increased, the power of the move grew as well.

"Pidgeotto, use Gust to block it!"

A storm picked up, but no matter how strong the whirlwind Pidgeotto whipped up, it couldn't stop the advance of the Rollout. The type disadvantage was like a chasm that was difficult to cross.

Facing the incoming stone juggernaut, Ash hurriedly called for his ultimate move.

"Quick, dodge it!"

He didn't know what else to say, so "dodge it" was his go-to. Relying on Pidgeotto’s speed, it managed to narrowly avoid the powerful Rollout.

"Pidge..."

It was drenched in sweat. A novice Pokémon without long-term training clearly couldn't sustain a battle; after a few rounds, it was already flagging.

"I have to find a way to interrupt its momentum..."

Ash brainstormed. Suddenly, his eyes lit up and his lips curled into a smile. He had a plan.

"Pidgeotto, use Sand-Attack!"

This time, Ash took the offensive. Pidgeotto landed, turned around, and began kicking up dirt frantically like a dog digging a hole, covering Geodude’s eyes with a cloud of sand.

"That move won't work on me," Brock said dismissively.

But Ash wore a look of triumph and continued his command: "Then try this! Pidgeotto, follow up with Gust!"

As Pidgeotto flapped its wings, the countless grains of sand intertwined with the whirlwind, spiraling upward.

Whoosh!

It eventually formed a mini-sandstorm—an intimidating sight!

Seeing this, Brock frowned. "Interesting, but this move still won't work on me... wait, actually, it is working."

In a sandstorm, his Geodude’s defense was boosted. Was this human acting strangely?

The setup was complete. Ash finally revealed his sharp fangs and roared: "Heh heh! This is the decider! Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack!"

"Pidge-otto!"

Pidgeotto let out a loud cry, its body turning into a streak of bright white light as it dove straight into the sandstorm. The sheer power tore through the sand, exposing the blinded and defenseless Geodude.

Obscure the vision, then strike at close range—that was Ash’s strategy!

"Clang!"

In an instant, the terrifying force of the impact hit Geodude squarely. It sent the Pokémon tumbling several meters back, rolling over and over and leaving a long trail in the dirt.

Ash clenched his fist, his blood pumping. This was his true strength as a Pokémon Master!

The referee on the sidelines quickly announced: "Pidgeotto is unable to battle! Geodude wins!"

"?"

Ash, still holding his pose, froze.

As the dust settled, he looked closely. The Geodude that had been knocked back was merely rubbing its head in confusion, clearly having taken only minimal damage.

"Pidge..."

On the other side, Pidgeotto had collapsed on the ground, its beak crooked and looking in sorry shape.

All that sound and fury, and the bird was done for.

"As expected of a Gym Leader, truly a master of tactics..." Ash wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, silently recalling Pidgeotto. He now had a deeper understanding of a Gym Leader’s strength.

Was he meeting change with constancy? He thought Brock was on the first floor, while he was on the second. He hadn't realized this squinty-eyed man was actually standing on the fifth!

...

Brock: "?"

I’ve been on the first floor the whole time...

Why does this new trainer today seem a bit slow in the head? Is he trying to stage a scam?

"Then it’s all up to you, Pikachu!"

"Pika!"

Pikachu leaped into the arena, clenching its little fists, electricity crackling on its cheeks.

"Going against the type again? Haven't you learned your lesson?" Brock frowned, not hesitating to launch his next attack. "Geodude, use Rock Throw!"

Immediately, a barrage of stones was launched.

Ash, however, was completely unfazed, shouting: "Pikachu, show them our new power! Use Thunderbolt!!"

Pikachu jumped into the air and let out a low cry. The electric sacs on its cheeks burst with current!

"Pika... CHU!!"

Countless sparks covered its body, and a blinding light illuminated the entire arena.

Crack-boom!

At its peak power, the electricity transformed into a roaring serpent of lightning. The incoming rocks, which had seemed so formidable, turned to powder the moment they made contact.

The attack didn't stop there. The Thunderbolt continued, striking Geodude’s small head directly.

Boom!

The terrifying impact, combined with the high-voltage discharge, instantly charred Geodude. Even the referee was startled by the force of the blow. It took a while for them to react, stuttering, "U-um... Geodude is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!"

...

Brock: "..."

Absurd.

To raise its electrical output to a new level in just one night—is this kid cheating...?

It looks like I’ll have to fight seriously this time.

Brock looked grim as he recalled Geodude. This time, he finally sent out his trump card: Onix!

"Beep. Onix, the Rock Snake Pokémon. It is said that for every Onix born, ten Geodude lose their lives. No other implications," the Pokédex broadcasted automatically.

Brock: "..."