"Strike first, Pikachu—Thunderbolt!!"
Brock barely had time to register the flash of golden light before terrifying electricity erupted from that tiny body, twisting into thick, whip-like arcs of lightning that slammed directly into Onix.
BOOOOM!!
Thunderbolt detonated.
Even Onix couldn't help but let out a pained roar as its massive body bent backward slightly under the sheer voltage.
"So Electric-type attacks really are working on Onix…"
Brock frowned, sensing that something about this battle was deeply wrong.
As a Gym Leader well-versed in type matchups, he knew better than anyone that Electric-type moves should be completely ineffective against Ground-type Pokémon.
Geodude earlier could still be dismissed as coincidence.
But now—Onix reacting like this meant only one thing.
This Pikachu was genuinely breaking the fundamental rules of type effectiveness.
"Or… perhaps this boy possesses some kind of special power?"
Brock's sharp eyes narrowed further.
After all, Viridian Forest produced a so-called Viridian Forest Aura Bug Catcher every few years.
So if this boy named Ash possessed some kind of Anti-Type Power, maybe it wasn't that strange after all.
Whoosh!
With that thought, Brock suddenly tore off his shirt, revealing a powerfully built, rock-solid physique.
His bronze skin looked as though it had been carved from stone itself.
Not tall—but unshakable, like bedrock.
"This is the resolve of Rock-type Pokémon!" Brock roared.
"Let me see what you're truly capable of!"
"?"
Ash nearly went blind from the sudden burst of bronzed masculinity.
Do Gym Battles require stripping now?!
No way he was backing down—he couldn't let anyone think he was just some country bumpkin from Pallet Town!
Ash's fighting spirit surged.
He ripped off his jacket.
Then his black T-shirt.
Revealing a lean, well-trained upper body—not bulky, but solid.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town—and I won't lose!!"
Two shirtless men.
Sweat.
Fighting spirit.
Clashing violently in Pewter Gym.
Referee: "?"
I blinked once—why does this feel like a life-or-death duel now?!
Suppressing his confusion, the referee professionally continued observing.
"Well said, Ash," Brock said, grinning.
"I admire you."
But admiration didn't mean mercy.
"Onix—use Sandstorm!"
CRASH!
Onix slammed its massive tail into the rocky battlefield.
Sand and stone exploded upward, spiraling violently.
In an instant, Pewter Gym transformed into a raging desert.
This wasn't mere Sand-Attack plus Gust.
This was a true Sandstorm.
Ash was stunned—it was his first time witnessing a weather move.
After a moment, he snapped back to his senses.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Pika—CHUU!!"
This time, the lightning barely traveled a few meters before being swallowed whole by the raging sand.
Pikachu was engulfed, visibility reduced to nothing.
WHOOSH—!
A massive shadow burst out of the storm.
Before Pikachu could react, it grew larger—
SMACK!!
Onix's tail struck Pikachu head-on, sending it flying several meters.
"Pika…!"
Pikachu scrambled upright, scanning desperately—but the storm was blinding.
Ash clenched his fists.
Then suddenly, inspiration struck.
He recalled a battle strategy he'd once seen on TV.
"Pikachu, calm down! Feel where Onix is!"
Pikachu froze.
"0-0?"
You try sensing it yourself.
"Wait—no! Pikachu, use your ears to locate it!"
Ash quickly corrected his nonsense into something Pikachu could actually do.
"Pika!"
Pikachu stilled itself, ears twitching.
It even closed its eyes.
Tap tap tap…
Sand battered Pikachu's body, draining its stamina.
But amid the chaos—
It felt it.
"Pika!"
Pikachu suddenly leapt upward.
The very next second, Onix's massive body swept through Pikachu's former position, carving a deep trench in the ground.
Ash's eyes lit up.
"Now—jump on it!"
"Pika!"
Midair, Pikachu twisted and landed squarely on Onix's tail.
If Thunderbolt couldn't spread—
Then it didn't need to.
Point-blank range would do.
"Now! Thunderbolt!!"
"Onix—shake it off!" Brock shouted urgently.
Onix thrashed violently, trying to fling Pikachu away.
Pikachu clung on, teeth clenched, cheeks sparking.
"PI—KA—CHUU!!"
Thunderbolt exploded again.
Electricity surged directly into Onix's body without resistance.
Onix howled in pain.
"Again!" Ash roared.
"Thunderbolt again!!"
Golden lightning erupted a second time.
The shockwave blew the Sandstorm away entirely.
The air in Pewter Gym finally cleared.
ZZZZZT—!!
The struggle had become a contest of wills.
At last, Pikachu lost its grip and was flung aside.
But Onix was in even worse shape—charred, gasping, barely able to straighten its body.
Ash raised his arm high.
"One last move—Slam!!"
Pikachu twisted midair, tail raised high.
It spun—then brought its tail down in a crushing arc.
"PIKA!!"
No one noticed—
But the very tip of Pikachu's tail gleamed faintly with metallic light.
SLAM!
CRACK!!
Onix finally collapsed, its massive body crashing to the ground.
"Onix is unable to battle!
Victory goes to Ash!
Winner of the Pewter Gym Match!"
Brock stood frozen.
This rookie… actually beat him.
With Thunderbolt.
With Slam.
Moves that should've been mediocre—yet they toppled his Onix through sheer will.
At last, Brock smiled helplessly.
"What an unbelievable kid…"
Pikachu walked over and gently patted Onix's head.
You won't be the last I ride—but as the first, take pride.
If Meowth were here, he could've translated Pikachu's smug thoughts perfectly.
After the Battle
Ash received the Boulder Badge.
He raised it high, beaming with pride.
This was the first step toward becoming a Pokémon Master.
"Congratulations, Ash," Brock said softly.
Watching Ash's youthful determination filled him with envy.
To chase dreams so freely…
But with so many siblings at home, Brock couldn't leave.
Then—
"Ash! Brock! I'll take over the Gym—go chase your dream!"
A middle-aged voice echoed from the entrance.
Brock snapped his head up.
Flint (Pewter Gym Brock's father) and Misty had entered.
Flint removed his hood, revealing a dark-skinned face uncannily similar to Brock's.
Seven parts alike.
Same eyes. Or lack thereof.
"Dad?! I thought you were dead!" Brock blurted.
Flint: "?"
A heartfelt father-son reunion followed.
Ash was moved to tears.
"If only my dad—"
He froze.
"Oh. Right. Mine's gone."
Misty watched the two shirtless men in silence, sweat dropping.
Why are they all half-naked?
Are Gym Battles physical now??
At the end, Brock made his decision.
"Ash… may I join your journey?"
Maybe following this extraordinary boy—
His dream could finally be fulfilled.
"Sure, whatever," Ash replied casually.
"You don't need my permission—I'm not the main character."
Misty twitched.
Then why am I still following you?!
It's just a bike!
When he becomes a Pokémon Master, that wrecked bike will be a priceless antique anyway!
If anything—she should pay him.
Totally logical.
After introductions, Brock noticed Misty.
"Wait—you're from the Cerulean Gym—"
Misty immediately shot him a look.
Brock understood at once and smiled knowingly.
He wouldn't expose her situation.
Besides—
Just for her three sisters—
This friendship was worth it.