The trip went relatively calmly. We all fell asleep and basically didn't notice anything until we finally arrived at the Viridian City train station, where Celeste's grandmother was supposedly waiting for us.
"Brotheeeeer!" someone shouted.
At a speed improper for a human being, a small figure jumped toward Ash, knocking him down instantly and almost throwing him to the ground.
"Molly?" I exclaimed, confused.
"Brother, we finally meet again!" Molly said while rubbing her head against my chest.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, not understanding.
"I came to see your battle for the eighth badge!" Molly said.
"I guess my mom told you," I said.
"That's right. Your mom informed us about it and when Molly found out, she wouldn't stop insisting on coming. She got so insistent that I had no choice but to bring her," Celia said.
It was Molly's mother, Celia.
"I had to see my brother's battle!" Molly protested.
She had already snuggled into my arms and refused to get down, so I had no choice but to hold her.
"I understand, but… what are you doing with Celeste's grandmother?" I asked curiously.
"Simple, we already knew each other from before," Celeste's grandmother said.
"Grandma!" Celeste exclaimed.
"It seems you finally noticed my presence," her grandmother said with a tone of dissatisfaction in her voice.
"Hehe, sorry," Celeste said.
She had been lost in her own thoughts and hadn't noticed her grandmother's presence until now.
After talking for a while at the station, we decided to head straight to the Pokémon Gym. Celia, Molly's mother, wanted to go to the Pokémon Center and eat something first, but Molly flatly refused, saying she wanted to see my battle as soon as possible, so we had no choice but to accept.
"I don't know what's wrong with this girl. Whenever it has to do with you, she behaves like a spoiled child," Celia sighed.
"That's because I love my brother!" Molly exclaimed.
I was holding Molly's hand while walking because carrying her in my arms the whole way would definitely make my arms numb.
"I love her a lot too," I nodded.
Back when I saw the movie, I always thought Molly would have been an excellent sister for Ash. It's a shame they didn't want to mix the movies with the anime at the time—a stupid decision if you ask me.
"Ash. Have you already thought about the team you're going to use against the Gym Leader?" Celeste's grandmother suddenly asked.
Celeste's grandmother, from now on known as Aurora, had been engrossed in a conversation with Celeste and Roxanne about some of the adventures we had lived when the question suddenly came to her mind.
"If I'm not mistaken, the Gym Leader specializes in Ground-type Pokémon, so I more or less know which Pokémon to use," I nodded.
Whoever the Gym Leader is, the type Giovanni specialized in hasn't changed, if it isn't him, so I already had in mind which Pokémon to use. The first one I would use was Blastoise, followed by Ivysaur and Floette. I wanted to use the latter to test if she could Mega Evolve.
Regarding the mechanics that exist in this world, there is a slight problem. Mega Evolution is a mechanic that can be used anywhere on the planet, without restrictions, just like Z-Moves. Those don't need to be in their region of origin to work either. But Terastalization and Dynamax are completely different. The reason is that they can only be used in their region of origin, that is, Paldea and Galar respectively.
As for whether they can be used in Gyms or not, the answer is yes, but you have to notify the Gym Leader in question that you have the ability to Mega Evolve your Pokémon. Obviously there is a limit. Only one mechanic can be used per battle and these mechanics can only be used if you have at least 6 badges, so you can only use them in two Gyms.
In the Pokémon League the rules are similar, only one mechanic per battle is allowed. Of course, these rules only apply to the Pokémon League of Kanto and Johto. The other regions have their own rules. For example, I've read online that in the Galar region you can use all the mechanics you want in its Pokémon League, but in exchange, you can only use Dynamax in the Pokémon Gyms of the region and only starting from the third Gym. In short, different regions, different rules.
I will also use Ivysaur in this battle because I want to stimulate its power and try to make it evolve into Venusaur once and for all. As for Butterfree, it simply isn't suitable for this Gym, just like Pikachu. I could use Onix, but I want to test Mega Evolution, and as for Mew and Lopunny… it was for the same reason. I want to test Mega Evolution.
Unlike in the video games where you don't need a bond or the power of friendship or anything like that, in real life the Pokémon you want to Mega Evolve has to have a certain bond with you. Obviously you don't need to be inseparable, but you do need to have a certain bond with your Pokémon. And while it's true that I haven't been with Floette for long, I think we share a special bond. I can feel it, and I also feel that we can activate Mega Evolution. Call it a hunch or call it whatever you want.
By the way, during the walk to the Gym I asked how it was possible that Celeste's grandmother, Aurora, knew Molly's mother, and the answer couldn't have been simpler. When she was last in Pallet Town, Celeste introduced her grandmother to my mother and the others, although of course they only did it through video call. But when they saw her at the station, they knew it was her and quickly started talking while they waited. Apart from that, there was also a question circling in my mind.
"By the way. Why didn't my mom and Spencer come?" I asked curiously.
It wasn't strange that neither of them came to see my battle, but… where is my mom?
"Well… Spencer has been very busy lately with his work and your mom had important things to do, so they couldn't come to see you, but they told me to tell you that they will definitely be in the front row at the Pokémon League and that they will make it up to you once you return to Pallet Town after winning your last badge," Celia said.
But for some reason I could see her tremble slightly when I asked that question. Is she hiding something from me?
I considered that possibility, but then I thought it was complete nonsense. What could she be hiding from me and why? My suspicions made no sense.
While we were talking about things that at first glance might lack importance, we arrived at the Pokémon Gym without realizing it.
"Well, the moment has arrived," I sighed.
"Are you nervous?" Celia asked.
"A little, after all it's my last badge," I nodded.
Who wouldn't be? This badge depended on my entry into the Pokémon League, so it was normal to be nervous.
"Don't worry, brother. Molly will be cheering you on from the stands and your nerves will disappear!" Molly said with determination.
Hearing her so enthusiastic, with an unbreakable faith in me, I couldn't help but feel encouraged.
"Alright, now I feel calmer," I nodded.
With that said, the seven of us entered the Pokémon Gym only to be received by a receptionist as always. Well… in this case it was a receptionist.
It was a woman who looked no older than 30 or 35 at most, with long red hair down to her waist, and surprisingly she was wearing a suit that looked more like a man's than a woman's. Is she one of those tomboy girls or something like that?
"Excuse me. Is there something you need?" the woman asked when she saw us.
Her tone was very respectful.
"Yes, I came to challenge the Gym Leader for my eighth badge," I nodded.
"Oh. Are you a challenger?" the woman asked.
"Yes, and this is my last badge," I nodded.
"Then let's battle with all our strength," the woman said.
"Battle? Are you the Gym Leader?" I asked, somewhat surprised.
"That's right. My name is Miyamoto and I am the Gym Leader of Viridian City. It's a pleasure to meet you, challenger…" Miyamoto said.
"Ash," I said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, challenger Ash!" Miyamoto said, extending her hand to me.
I did the same. After all, not doing so would be very disrespectful on my part.
By the way, the girls also introduced themselves, and when the introductions finally ended…
"Very well, now I'll guide you to the battlefield. Follow me," Miyamoto said.
Miyamoto guided us to her battlefield which, to no one's surprise, was the same as the rest, with no difference. Seriously. Doesn't any leader except Erika have their Gym decorated? I think the Kanto government should characterize their Gyms a bit. I've read online that in other regions the Gyms are decorated according to the type the Gym Leaders use.
"By the way. Can I use Mega Evolution?" I asked curiously.
I almost forgot.
"Oh. Do you have access to Mega Evolution?" she asked, somewhat surprised.
Although Mega Evolution could be used starting from the seventh Gym, not many trainers had access to it. Normally it was very difficult to have access to it, and even less so for novice trainers like Ash.
While walking, Miyamoto read Ash's information from the database that only Gym Leaders have access to. It said the start date of each trainer's journey, and based on that, Ash was a complete novice, which made it unusual that he had access to Mega Evolution so soon.
"Yes," I nodded, showing the Mega Bracelet.
"Oh, then you can use it," Miyamoto nodded.
Then she pointed to a small pendant she had around her neck. The pendant held a Key Stone.
"Alright," I nodded.
After that, the moment of truth arrived.
"Good luck, brother. Molly will be cheering you on from the stands!" Molly said.
"We will too," Celeste and Roxanne said.
"Thank you. I won't disappoint you," I said with conviction.
"Excuse me, but… could one of you act as referee? My receptionist has fallen ill and couldn't come, so I've had to take care of all her work, but I'm afraid I can't act as both referee and leader at the same time," Miyamoto said.
Well, I suppose those things can happen.
"I'll do it," Aurora said.
"Are you sure, Grandma?" Celeste asked, somewhat worried.
Her grandmother was already a bit old and leaving her standing for so long… maybe it wasn't very good.
"Your granddaughter is right. Why don't you rest and I'll do it? It can't be that difficult," Celia said.
"No, I feel like doing it. Besides, it's good for me to stretch my legs. I spend too much time sitting and that isn't good either," Aurora said.
And it was true. She spent many hours sitting at home, so it was time to stretch her legs.
"Then thank you very much," Miyamoto said.
Although Celeste insisted more, Aurora flatly refused, and I have to say that Celeste's grandmother is even more stubborn than she is. Now I know who she takes after.
After failing to convince her, Celeste had no choice but to give in.
Now with a referee, we could finally take our respective positions.
"How was it…?" Aurora wondered.
But then she seemed to remember something and nodded.
"I remember now!" she said.
And then she looked at both of us.
"The rules of this battle are simple! It will be a 3 vs 3! The first to knock out all three of the opponent's Pokémon wins! You may begin!" Aurora said.
And that's how my battle for the last Kanto Gym badge began.