The Goldenrod Gym is located in the central area of Goldenrod City. It is a uniquely styled building—its entire exterior resembles a giant pink Miltank with a round body and four short legs.
But that's only apparent from a distance. Up close, you'll find that the Goldenrod Gym is quite grand and imposing.
Due to the presence of the Battle Pyramid in Goldenrod City, the number of challengers at the Goldenrod Gym isn't very high.
If it weren't for the Silver Conference's popularity, there might not be any challengers at the Goldenrod Gym with the Battle Pyramid in town.
Actually, for a Gym Leader, this might not be a bad thing. It allows them to take a break.
Even if the Gym Leader defeats multiple challengers, their salary won't increase.
Of course, for those ambitious Gym Leaders who want to improve and become stronger, battles are the best encouragement and reward.
The Goldenrod Gym Leader Whitney uses Normal Type Pokemon, her most famous being her Miltank which is said to possess unmatched Divine Power and can defeat challengers with ease!
Ash confirmed Whitney's information last night; she's quite a strong Gym Leader but not at that kind of extraordinary Gym Leader level.
What is the extraordinary level? Gym Leaders like Giovanni, Sabrina, and Blaine are the extraordinary level; Gym Leader Pokemon should honestly be at Gym Level or below!
What does it mean to be at Elite Four Level? Isn't that the extraordinary version?
Therefore, although Whitney is powerful, she's not at the extraordinary level, so when facing her, Ash can bring out some Pokemon he hasn't used in a long time.
"Here we are," Ash looked up at the sign to confirm they hadn't gone the wrong way.
"Finally here," Misty stretched, feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep, "But Ash, is your health really okay? You fainted just yesterday."
"I'm fine now!" Ash moved his shoulders, which made a cracking sound, "See? Just like usual."
"Pika Pika~" Pikachu also jumped off Ash's shoulder, doing some stretching exercises, its tail making slapping sounds.
Ash and the group stepped over the threshold, and the view opened up—the entrance directly led to the Gym's battle arena, with no corridor or entryway.
The arena was bigger than expected, surrounded by several rows of simple bleachers where many people sat watching the matches.
Rows of white lights shone from the ceiling, illuminating the space brightly. The edge lines of the arena were still new, having been recently renovated.
Standing at the center of the arena were two people: one was a referee in a black uniform, the other was a girl with pink twin-tails.
Her skin was pale to the point of transparency, wearing a white jacket with a bit of red stripes on the sleeves, and denim shorts exposing her long, straight legs. At the moment, she was retracting a Pokeball with a relaxed smile at the corner of her mouth.
Opposite her was a challenger, a boy who looked like a newbie, dejectedly retracting his fallen Pokemon and leaving the arena in gloomy defeat.
"Next—" The referee looked up at the entrance, his gaze falling on Ash and his group.
The pink twin-tailed girl also turned to them, her large eyes meeting Ash's gaze.
At that moment, a shadow dashed from behind the group with an incredible Speed, appearing before Whitney in the blink of an eye.
It was Brock.
Somehow, he had made it to the center of the arena, lightly clasping Whitney's hands, kneeling on one knee, showing a deeply affectionate demeanor.
"You must be Goldenrod Gym Leader Whitney! As beautiful as the rumors! No, a million times more beautiful than the rumors!" Brock's voice trembled slightly, "I'm Brock, a Trainer and Breeder from Pewter City! I'm love-struck at first sight! Please allow me—"
Before he could finish, a slender but strong hand seized his collar from behind.
"Get back here!!!" Misty unleashed terrifying Gigan Strength, pulling Brock straight back!
This guy just can't catch a break; the moment you're not watching, he runs off, even though the previous challenger hasn't left yet and there are still some spectators around. What a huge embarrassment!
Ash shook his head helplessly, ignoring Brock's "performance," and headed straight to the arena.
"Sorry about that, Whitney. My friend is a bit impulsive, so I hope you won't mind his earlier behavior." Ash didn't expect to be apologizing for Brock's actions one day.
Whitney wasn't angry; rather, she seemed interested in the earlier antics. She shook her head and said, "It's all right; it's just that your friend praised me embarrassingly. I take it you're the challenger?"
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town. Nice to meet you." Ash stood on the command platform and nodded to her.
Whitney's eyes suddenly widened, as if recalling something: "Wait—Ash? Ash from Pallet Town?! The Quartz Conference Champion? The Ash who defeated Elite Lorelei?!"
"Uh, that's me." Ash scratched his head.
Whitney took a brisk step forward, looking at Ash from all angles as if he were a rare treasure.
She hadn't looked closely before, but now realized the person was indeed Ash himself!
"Why did you come to challenge my gym? A trainer of your level should be challenging the gyms in the outer regions." Whitney wasn't belittling herself; it's just that the original gyms in the Johto region didn't pose much of a challenge for a trainer like Ash.
If there's any challenge, perhaps the Blackthorn Gym and the Cianwood Gym might offer some, but other than that, there aren't any overly challenging gyms in the Johto region.
"Because I came over to Goldenrod City to challenge the Battle Pyramid, but it's a battle facility and doesn't count as a gym badge. Currently, I only have two badges, so naturally, I go where badges are."
"Hey, Ash!" Serena gently tapped Ash on the back, thinking his words were too blunt!
Wasn't it obvious that challenging the Goldenrod Gym was just a side quest?
"Ah, Miss Whitney, don't misunderstand me. I didn't mean to belittle the Goldenrod Gym. In reality, no matter how strong a trainer is, the path of a trainer is endless. For each gym, I use different Pokémon, so that my level as a trainer can improve."
Ash realized he might have said something wrong, so he hurriedly corrected himself.
Whitney waved her hand casually, "No worries, I'm quite aware of the gap between myself and other gym trainers. But I need to correct you on one point, Ash—the battle symbol from the Battle Pyramid is equivalent to two badges!"
"Uhh... What?!"
Ash, along with his friends and Pikachu, were all incredibly shocked.
They never expected that the battle symbol from the Battle Pyramid could not only be counted as a badge but as two!
Why didn't Mr. Brandon tell them about this?
"You really didn't know, huh? Actually, the Battle Pyramid is special, and its strength is well known. Without reaching the Elite level, anyone who goes there is just cannon fodder. Even those at the Elite level find it challenging.
"So the Johto League specifically issued a directive that the battle symbol from the Battle Pyramid counts as two badges. From what I heard just now, you should have defeated the Battle Pyramid, right?"
Ash nodded woodenly.
"So now you have four badges, huh? So, do you still want to battle me?" Whitney clasped her hands behind her back, her face lit up with a bright smile.
If Ash chose not to battle now, she would understand, though she would feel somewhat disappointed.
After all, she's a gym leader with the dignity that comes with it.
To be treated like a roadside attraction was quite humiliating and hurtful!
"Of course, I want to fight! Didn't I just say, Miss Whitney, I challenge gyms not only for badges, but to improve myself. So I use different Pokémon for each gym. I'm really looking forward to battling you, Miss Whitney!"
Ash waved his fist with a face full of determination.
"Well said!" Whitney clapped her hands, her smile growing even brighter, "I accept you! You can call me Whitney. Well then, let's not delay any further. Let's start the battle! For some reason, I'm feeling excited!"
Whitney said as she hopped back to her position, "But let me be clear—as a renowned figure and even with Champion level strength, I won't go easy on you! We'll fight as we should, and if you lose, you lose. Don't expect me to hand you a badge!"
Ash walked to the challenger's position, showing the same excitement, "I'd want nothing less! If you went easy, the battle wouldn't have any meaning!"
Whitney took out a Pokeball from her waist and spun it on her hand, "The rules are three-on-three. The challenger can switch Pokémon, but the gym leader cannot. Is that okay?"
"No problem." Ash also took the Pokeball from his waist.
"My first Pokémon is this one, go Kangaskhan!" Whitney threw the Pokeball, and a large kangaroo-like Pokémon appeared on the field.
Kangaskhan, a Normal-type Pokémon, is known for its strong physical attack power and excellent stamina. Ash wasn't seeing this Pokémon for the first time.
This Kangaskhan was just a Gym Beginner Level, but the one Ash battled against was an Elite Four Level!
However, times have changed, and Ash was not using Lucario against Kangaskhan this time but another Fighting Type Pokémon.
"It's decided, it's you, Heracross!" Ash threw the Pokeball in his hand, and with a flash of light, a large, dark blue beetle-like Pokémon appeared on the field.
Since capturing Heracross, it had spent most of its time in the backyard of Oak's Research Institute, only occasionally being swapped into the team for training.
Even so, it had progressed from its initial Intermediate level to Professional Senior Level, a remarkable pace of improvement.
Strong talent really allows you to do as you please!
But Heracross's advancement to such a degree was definitely not unrelated to Venusaur's nectar.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to jump more than two whole levels in such a short time!
Despite the obvious progress, the gap between Heracross and Kangaskhan was still substantial. If Aura Fusion wasn't used, this would likely be a tough battle.
"Heracross, the opponent is very strong, but we have the speed advantage, so use agile tactics," Ash advised.
"Hera!" Heracross nodded, spreading its wings slightly as it entered battle mode.
"Kangaskhan, use Fake Out!" Whitney initiated the attack.
Kangaskhan lunged forward instantly, its huge body bursting with speed unmatchable to its size, and the little Kangaskhan in its pouch waved its tiny paws, making quite the amusing spectacle.
But the power of its slap was anything but amusing—the right palm of Kangaskhan, accompanied by the sound of air being split, slammed down hard on Heracross!
Fake Out, used in the first turn, can cause the opponent to flinch, unable to take any action!
"Dodge!"
"Slap!" Fake Out hit directly, and Heracross was instantly paralyzed.
The priority effect of Fake Out, when used in the first turn, is even more terrifying than Extreme Speed!
Besides using Protect or Detect, any other methods are nearly impossible to defend against this move.
Unless your level far exceeds the opponent, which is another story. But in this case, Kangaskhan's level far surpasses Heracross!
"Heracross!" Ash's voice echoed in the field, but Heracross's body was already frozen.
The effect of Fake Out caused its limbs to temporarily lose control, and even its wings couldn't beat, leaving its body as stiff as a statue.
"Great! Kangaskhan, use Mega Punch!" Whitney seized the opportunity.
Kangaskhan's right fist glowed white, the punch wind roaring as it aimed at Heracross!
"Heracross, move aside!!!" Ash's voice was like a clap of thunder, exploding in Heracross's mind.
Heracross's eyes widened suddenly, and just before the Mega Punch was about to hit, it finally regained control of its body!
Its wings vibrated wildly, and Heracross managed to roll to the side at the last second, narrowly dodging the direct impact of Mega Punch!
"Heracross, use Aerial Ace now!" Ash's voice rang out again.
Heracross's body flipped in mid-air, the edge of its wings shining white like a blade, slashing toward Kangaskhan's side!
Kangaskhan had just thrown the Mega Punch, and its body was still caught in the momentum of the punch, unable to dodge!
"Bang!"
The blade-like Aerial Ace struck solidly on Kangaskhan's shoulder, the white light exploding, causing Kangaskhan to stagger sideways with a cry of pain.
Despite the level disadvantage, Ash had gained the upper hand?!
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