Chapter 63: Crimson Gym
After leaving Gringey City, Ash and the others, after the Diglett incident, arrived in the forest where the Fuchsia Gym is located.
"By the way, is the Fuchsia Gym really in a place like this? This looks like a forest, and there's not even a single person around."
Misty looked at the desolate surroundings.
Brock carefully studied the map and said with some uncertainty, "According to the map's directions, the Fuchsia Gym is indeed here."
"Ash, why don't you use your Psychic to sense it?" Misty suggested.
"You guys wait a moment!"
Ash stopped guiding Primeape and Riolu's training and fully activated his Aura detection. He had always kept his Aura active, but he only used it to detect surrounding Pokemon, never truly focusing on finding the way.
Soon, the surrounding environment formed a 3D topographic map in Ash's mind. Most of the terrain was just trees, but there was one direction where the trees were sparser than others, and there was also a river flowing through it.
He opened a Poké Ball: "Pidgeotto, go in that direction and see if there are any buildings."
"Pidgeotto!"
Pidgeotto received the command and quickly flew into the sky.
Thump!
As soon as Pidgeotto flew away, a Poké Ball on Misty's waist popped open on its own, and a yellow, adorable Psyduck appeared in front of them.
"Psyduck, you get back in your Poké Ball!" Misty said, somewhat angrily.
After catching this Psyduck, her temper had been growing daily. Not only did it pop out of its Poké Ball on its own, but it also had no combat power. Most importantly, despite being a Water-type Pokémon, it couldn't swim.
"Misty, there's no need to be like that with Psyduck. Its ability is actually quite strong; it's just constantly bothered by headaches, preventing it from using its full potential. You can slowly train it, and once it overcomes its headaches, it will be able to freely use its Psychic."
To be fair, Misty's Psyduck is really strong.
"Really? But this guy never listens. I call Starmie, and it just pops out..."
Although Misty trusted Ash completely, when it came to Psyduck, she really couldn't believe it. X﹏X.
"Misty, is there a possibility that Psyduck thinks Starmie is its name?" Brock said.
"That's right, Misty, try telling Psyduck, 'Starmie, use Water Gun,' and see if it reacts." Ash suggested.
"Alright, I'll try."
Misty walked over to Psyduck and shouted, "Starmie, use Water Gun!"
"Gah~"
Psyduck opened its mouth and sprayed out a stream of water.
Hmm... the power was impressive, enough to snap a tree branch three or four centimeters thick.
Seeing Misty find the secret to activating Psyduck, Ash congratulated her: "Congratulations, Misty!"
"Darn it, you're clearly a duck, why do you insist on acting like a Starmie!" Misty said, on the verge of tears.
She wanted a normal Psyduck!
"Pidgeotto!"
Just then, Pidgeotto returned from scouting.
"Let's go, Pidgeotto has found the Fuchsia Gym." Ash called out.
Misty and Brock followed Ash's footsteps, heading towards the Fuchsia Gym.
Before long, the three of them, separated by a canyon about ten meters wide, saw the Fuchsia Gym on the opposite side.
"This Gym is too ridiculous!"
Misty complained, looking at the log bridge less than forty centimeters wide in front of them.
"Indeed, it's ridiculous."
What Ash found ridiculous was Koga, the Gym Leader of the Fuchsia Gym, who was also a member of Team Rockets.
The Gym being built deep in the mountains was likely for easy concealment of his identity, as such a place was sparsely populated. Even with a map, many people couldn't find their way. In the entire Kanto region, the Fuchsia Gym became one of the Gyms with the lowest number of challengers.
After crossing the log bridge, Ash looked towards a bush and said, "Venonat, I know you're there. Please take us to Mr. Koga. I want to challenge the Gym!"
"Wha-le?" (Exposed, when?)
Hearing Ash call its name, Venonat was a bit flustered.
But it still followed Ash's instructions and hurried into the Gym.
Inside the Fuchsia Gym, in a hidden room, Koga had already seen Ash through the surrounding surveillance.
He picked up the phone: "It's me, that kid is here. He probably wants to challenge the Gym. Should I deal with him?"
"No need, handle it according to the Gym rules." A magnetic voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Alright, then I'll test his true level."
With that, Koga hung up the phone.
At this moment, Ash and the others also arrived outside the Gym.
"Ash, aren't we going in?" Misty asked.
"Let's wait for Mr. Koga and them to come out. There are traps everywhere inside." Ash said.
This was, after all, a Team Rockets executive's base, and Ash had a grudge with Team Rockets, so he didn't want to walk into a trap.
Soon, a woman with long dark green hair, dressed in a pink ninja outfit, walked out with that Venonat.
"Beautiful lady, hello, this humble one..."
Seeing the beauty, Brock approached again.
Before Misty could act, Ayame slapped Brock away. She asked Ash, "Hey, Ash, are you the one who wants to challenge the Fuchsia Gym?"
"Yes, is there a problem?"
To be honest, Ash couldn't understand why Koga, who was always mature and steady, would have such an immature younger sister.
"With just your Pikachu and those two Pokémon, you want to challenge? How ridiculous!"
"Venonat, go teach that Pikachu a lesson."
Ayame commanded.
Under Ayame's command, Venonat released Stun Spore.
"Riolu, Aura Sphere, finish it!"
"Lu~"
The dog-like Pokémon conjured an Aura Sphere the size of a soccer ball, and with just one hit, it blasted Venonat away, also affecting Ayame who was standing next to Venonat.
"Mr. Koga, let's stop this boring test!"
No sooner had Ash finished speaking than a Voltorb appeared in front of everyone. Boom! The Voltorb self-destructed, creating a cloud of smoke. Koga, using the smoke as cover, suddenly appeared behind Ayame.
He ignored Ash and said with a reproaching tone, "Ayame, you're truly too immature!"
"Brother, I was too careless."
"You're the ones challenging the Gym, right? Come in!"
Koga's gaze turned to Ash.
"Hello, Mr. Koga!" Ash greeted him expressionlessly.
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