The next day after their training session at the back of the centre, Ash and Pikachu debated on what to do first. Deciding on Rock, Paper, and Scissors as a way to decide, Pikachu won. What was Ash thinking about choosing paper when Pikachu couldn't ball his hand up much and always chose scissors. Chuckling they walked into the museum, paid the fare and spent the afternoon looking at the exhibits. Walking around with the tour guide was very beneficial for Ash. Maybe this town wasn't as boring as he first thought. It was at the last exhibit that Ash saw something familiar. "Look Pikachu, it's the same rock we found yesterday." Hearing this the tour guide stopped dead in his tracks and asked him to repeat what he said.
"Yeah," Ash said, "yesterday an old man outside the city sold me a rock. Last night I split it open with Pikachu's help and the same rock that's in that exhibit came out." Pulling it from his backpack he carried on, "see, it's the same one." Looking at the signage he read 'Old Amber'. "Old Amber, eh?" Ash said musingly. "I wonder what it's for."
"That young man is something we can find out for you," the guide said. Turning to the rest of their party he carried on, "I'm sorry but I must take this young man to see the scientists that help make these exhibits." Immediately grumbling started.
"Well, there's no reason you can't make this part of the tour for everyone is there?" Ash asked looking around at their group who all nodded enthusiastically. "After all we all did pay for a ticket. And I'm not just going to go off with you and leave the rest of the group to always wonder what it is I have."
"Very well, follow me," the guide said leading them all through a door and into the laboratory at the back where a scientist came up to him to berate him. Raising a hand to silence any protests he said "I know we shouldn't be here. I have done this guiding for a few years now so I'm very aware of what I can and cannot do but this young man is doing the league challenge and found an Old Amber yesterday."
Immediately all work stopped, and they all came rushing over. Flaring his Aura Ash said "enough" pushing them all back. "Carry on and I will walk out of here. Now, this is the Old Amber I found yesterday. Can someone tell me what it is?"
"Old Amber is a fossil young man," the obvious head scientist said. "A very strange fossil that contains DNA from millions of years ago to when prehistoric Pokémon roamed this planet. Calling it a fossil is a bit of a misnomer to be honest. It's essentially fossilised tree-sap that coats insects like mosquitos that fed off those Pokémon way back then thus having DNA of those Pokémon inside them. We have spent the last ten years working alongside various researchers coming up with a way to revive the fossils and made a breakthrough a few years ago at the centre on Cinnabar Island.
So far, we have records of only 25 known fossil Pokémon being discovered across all the regions. Kanto and Johto have 5, Hoenn has 4, Sinnoh has 4, Unova has 4, Kalos has 4 and Paldea has 4 but there may be more undiscovered. As you found Old Amber here in Kanto it's highly likely it contains the DNA of one of the five from this region. If you like we can scan it and see just what kind of Pokémon you have?"
"Wow," Ash said excited. "You hear that Pikachu; we might have a rare Pokémon inside this." Handing it over he said "please have a look." Following the scientist to a machine that looked extremely hi-tech. The group gathered around and waited in anticipation. "This will only take a few minutes to scan it and we'll see what you have." Those minutes dragged by for the group until it dinged and above the machine on a screen a silhouette appeared.
"Uh oh," the scientist said to Ash looking worried. "I was afraid of this. Now, firstly congratulations, you have a viable fossil that can be revived. However, I will have to report this to Lance. This Pokémon, when awakened has always gone on a rampage straight away. It is vicious. It is called Aerodactyl and was the top predator during the time it was around. You need extremely strong Pokémon with you to be able to control it until it gets used to you so be very careful. When you reach Cinnabar and try and revive this you must contact Lance before doing so. It is a law that was put in by the league a year ago after one was revived and destroyed a lab in Kalos killing many people there."
Nodding Ash took back the Old Amber and put it safely away in his backpack. Handing over his Pokégear number he told them to give it to Lance to contact him when he has the chance. He'd also tell Professor Oak too so he would be covered by his sponsor. Leaving the museum with the group he separated from them and walked towards a nearby park where he scanned the fossil Pokémon on his Pokédex looking for information on them. He wouldn't have minded having Kabuto or Kabutops. But Aerodactyl? "Aerodactyl, Pokédex Number 142, The Fossil Pokémon. A savage Pokémon that died out in ancient times. It was resurrected using DNA taken from amber. In prehistoric times, this Pokémon flew freely and fearlessly through the skies."
"I'll be honest Pikachu," Ash said after a few minutes of quiet, "I don't know if I want to have an Aerodactyl on our team. I know we've discussed team members before, and there will be two slots available after we catch the starters but I'm undecided on who to get. I never imagined I'd have a fossil Pokémon, never mind the most vicious of them."
"So, it was a fossil then?" a voice said next to him sitting down. It was the old man that sold him the rock yesterday only this time he wasn't wearing a disguise. "I knew it was special with the way you held it."
"Yeah," Ash said looking forward. "Turns out it's an Aerodactyl. The most lethal and unpredictable of all the fossil Pokémon."
Nodding the old man sat silently at the side of him. "Are you here for the gym challenge?" Seeing the questioning look of Ash he continued. "Usually outsiders only come here for two reasons. The museum and the gym. You have already done the museum and haven't left so that leaves the gym."
"Yeah," Ash said, "I plan on entering the league this year so this is my first stop."
"What Pokémon are you going to use? Please don't tell me you're going to use that Pikachu?" he asked incredulously.
"Of course, I am," Ash said scratching Pikachu's head.
"Well, you will lose. You cannot face Brock with an electric type," the man said.
"You must be awfully familiar with Brock to drop his name like that and to know he will win," Ash mused unconcerned. "Either way I don't care. I will beat him no matter what he sends out."
Standing up the old man looked at him. "I do know Brock yes; I'm his father and I gave him his first Pokémon. He uses rock types. You won't win."
Standing up with him he looked the man in the eye and said "watch me" and walked off towards the gym. He was very irritated. "Pikachu, we're going all out here. I'm sick of people underestimating us." Getting a determined nod from his partner he continued. "Rock types huh. Looks like you'll be relying on Iron Tail then but there's always a weakness, every Pokémon has one. We just have to find it."
Coming upon the Gym he walked in and told the receptionist he was here for a battle. Handing her his Pokédex she scanned it and asked him to take a seat. Sitting down he waited until his name was called and walked into the arena. It was littered with boulders, and the entire gym area seemed to be surrounded by rocks. Good, Ash thought. We can use those if we smash them up.
"Who goes there?" came a voice from the darkness.
"My name is Ash from Pallet Town and I'm here for a gym battle and to claim my first badge," Ash said confidently.
"I admire your confidence young man," Brock said walking into the light. He was a teenager, around six feet tall with spiky black hair and really squinty eyes. "But overconfidence can lead to recklessness. Now, my receptionist told me you have Junior Professor status. That means this will be harder than a normal newbie battle. This battle will be 3 on 3 until either side only has one Pokémon standing and the challenger can substitute at any time. Those are my battle terms."
"Erm," Ash said, "that's fine by me but I have only caught one Pokémon so far." He said scratching Pikachu's head.
"A Pikachu?" Brock said bewildered. "You came and challenged a rock gym with just a Pikachu? Tell me you are joking."
"I am not. You know your father said the same thing to me not half an hour ago," Ash said seriously. "I already know what my team for the league will be and I won't deviate from that. I need your badge, which is why I'm here."
"You cannot take part in a 3 on 3 battle with just one Pokémon," Brock said firmly putting the mention of his father to one side for now.
"Well how about this then," Ash said, "I will battle you with just Pikachu, if I lose, I cannot challenge this gym again until I have 3 Pokémon."
Sighing Brock walked to his side of the battlefield. "Very well. But I do not want to hear any complaints when you lose because of your own arrogance. Geodude come on out." A small rock appeared on the ground with arms protruding from it. "Geodude, Pokédex Number 74, the rock head Pokémon. This Pokémon is male. Often found in fields and mountains. Mistaking them for boulders, people often step or trip on them."
"Geodude huh," Ash said sending Pikachu onto the battlefield. "Let's make this quick Pikachu. Quick Attack."
"Defence Curl," Brock said shaking his head wondering how this trainer attained professor status.
Seeing Pikachu get closer he shouted, "Quick Pikachu, turn that speed momentum into Iron Tail."
"What?" Brock said and before he could say anything Pikachu smashed into Geodude sending it flying into the wall clearly knocked out. Coming back to Ash's side of the field Pikachu waited in silence.
"Great job Pikachu, that's one down. That Iron Tail is getting really strong," Ash said waiting for Brock to make his next move. Silently recalling Geodude Brock analysed his opponent. That was unexpected. Bringing out another Poké Ball he threw it and a Rhyhorn appeared. Ash scanned it with Dexter. "Rhyhorn, Pokédex Number 111, the spikes Pokémon. This Pokémon is female. It is a Pokémon with a one-track mind. It is inept at turning because of its four short legs. It can only charge and run in one direction."
"Interesting," Ash said. "Ok Pikachu we're going to try the same thing but beware of its horn. It cannot manoeuvre very well so let's use your speed."
"Rhyhorn use Take Down," Brock shouted, "And look out for its horn." For the next few minutes Rhyhorn and Pikachu attacked each other, both unable to land any solid hits but Ash knew that Brock could play the waiting game here. He still had one fresh Pokémon to send out after Rhyhorn so he needed to end this soon. "Pikachu new plan, circle around it and take its legs out with Iron Tail." Quicker than Brock could react Pikachu did just that leaving Rhyhorn helpless as its legs gave way. "Now Pikachu Iron Tail to its horn before it can recover." Doing just that Pikachu delivered a devastating Iron Tail and knocked Rhyhorn out cold where it lay. Slowly walking back to Ash Pikachu shook itself and waited for the last Pokémon. He was clearly exhausted but knew Ash was relying on him.
"Well done, Pikachu, I'm very proud of you. Even if you lose the next battle, we have still shown that type advantages mean nothing if your opponent has strategy on their side."
"It certainly doesn't Ash," Brock said applauding him. "Normally you would have just earned the Boulder Badge, and I am going to give it to you anyway. So, I am declaring this match over, however I would still like to see how you fare against my last Pokémon. What say you?"
"You say we've got the badge no matter what?" Ash asked. Seeing the nod, he looked at Pikachu and said, "your choice buddy" receiving a "Pika" as Pikachu set itself on all fours facing Brock he looked up and said, "there's your answer."
"I will tell you now that you will not win. So, do not be disheartened when you lose. My last Pokémon was going to be an Onix. This Pokémon however is reserved for those who have years of experience and faces my Elite team." Seeing his confused face he elaborated. "Each gym has two sets of teams. One for rookies to battle, usually first evolutions such as Geodude and Rhyhorn, nothing too difficult for people to face while still providing a challenge. The second set is for intermediate and advanced trainers doing the gym challenge after they have already competed in a league and want to challenge us again. They are the gym's Elite Pokémon. We all have at least six. So, I will use my 'weakest' and see how you fare. Let's go Golem." At that a massive boulder appeared onto the battlefield with four arms and a head protruding from it. Ash knew he was outclassed with this Pokémon. Pointing his Pokédex at it he scanned it. "Golem, Pokédex Number 76, the megaton Pokémon, and the final evolution of Geodude. This Pokémon is male. Its boulder-like body is extremely hard. It can easily withstand dynamite blasts without damage."
"Erm," Ash said, "yeah, we're not winning this one Pikachu. Not at the moment anyway but do your best buddy. Quick Attack into Iron Tail."
"Golem, use Rock Slide," Brock said knowing it was over with as it smashed the ground around it and sent the debris at Pikachu who had no chance of getting out of the way and was knocked out. Even fresh it would have struggled. Returning Golem Brock walked over to Ash who was spraying Pikachu with a potion.
"Well done, Ash," Brock said. "As I said you had no chance against Golem and you knew it. But you still faced it head on together despite that."
"You said Golem was your weakest of your elites," Ash said standing up. "Why?"
"Weakest is a loose term to be honest Ash," Brock said. "Golem has only just evolved about two weeks ago so he's still not really used to his new body and is susceptible to receiving attacks. At times he still believes himself to be a Graveler with the way he moves."
"Ah ok, that makes sense," Ash said. "So what's your gym's motto then. Professor Oak told me that each gym has a hidden challenge and that beating the leader doesn't guarantee they will receive a badge."
"He is correct Ash," Brock said. "Most trainers come here with Water and Grass types and just expect to win. Most do as I use my rookie squad, so they never really learn the lesson I'm asked to teach by the league. But for those who face my elites my motto then becomes evident. Meeting a rock-hard challenge head on with grit in the face of adversity. You have more than done that taking me on with just a Pikachu. So, it is my honour to present you with the Boulder Badge. Congratulations." Brock said holding his hand out where a badge lay on his palm. Taking it he showed it to a now partially recovered Pikachu and said "well buddy, that's one down." Shaking Brock's hand Ash left to go but was held back in Brock's firm grip. "You mentioned my father before? Can you tell me where he is?"
"He's the rock peddler just outside the city, next to Viridian Forest." Receiving a nod but no further elaboration Ash left Brock to go the Pokémon Centre where Pikachu was healed, and Ash typed up his first of his many reports to Professor Oak about the gym challenge he had just faced. Looking over at Pikachu on his bed he said "I am very proud of you Pikachu. I want you to know that." Finishing up Ash climbed into bed and was out as soon as his head touched the pillow.
Elsewhere Brock was trekking up to the entrance of the Forest where he saw a man just packing up rocks. "Hello Father, long time no see."