After a short while, Red arrived outside the Pewter Gym. The Pewter Gym was decorated entirely with rocks; anyone with a discerning eye could tell at a glance what type of Gym it was.
Gently pushing the door open, he found the interior pitch-black. Brock, sitting on a rock, hadn't noticed Red's arrival and was still muttering to himself,
"Should I pursue the warm and kind Nurse Joy? Or the valiant and dashing Officer Jenny? Ah~ It's really hard to choose~"
Seeing Brock's clownish behavior, even his father, Flint, felt so embarrassed that he covered his face and shook his head. But it wasn't entirely Brock's fault. Ever since his mother left, the warmth he longed for had subconsciously shaped his ideal partner into a mature older sister type.
"Ahem. I'm Red from Pallet Town, here to challenge the Pewter Gym."
Red's words instantly startled Brock awake. Only then did he realize someone had entered the Gym—which meant his earlier antics had been witnessed from beginning to end.
"Ahem! A Gym challenge is an official League match. It's different from battles on the roadside—it has rules!" Brock explained with forced composure, putting on a serious expression, completely unlike his earlier infatuated demeanor.
"Don't worry. I won't lose."
Seeing Red's confident expression, Brock gave up on trying to dissuade him.
When Red nodded, Brock snapped his fingers. The surrounding darkness was illuminated, and the rolling doors on both sides extended to form a battlefield, creating a rocky arena.
"The match format is 2 VS 2. The side whose Pokémon are all unable to battle loses. During the match, the challenger may switch Pokémon! My first Pokémon is this—come out, Geodude!"
Brock threw his Poké Ball, and a Geodude appeared on the rocky field.
"Go, Pidgey." Red also threw his Poké Ball. The golden Pidgey startled Brock for a moment, but he quickly frowned.
"Don't tell me you don't even understand basic type matchups?"
Although shiny Pokémon possessed strength beyond their kind, Brock still couldn't understand Red sending out Pidgey.
"Not necessarily. Underestimating your opponent is quite dangerous. Pidgey, use Steel Wing!"
Pidgey swiftly descended, its wings glowing white as it struck Geodude before it could react.
"Geodude!" Brock called out anxiously, regretting his earlier underestimation. He hadn't expected this Pidgey to have mastered Steel Wing, a move that countered him.
To counter the Pewter Gym, Red had trained Charmander and Pidgey in Viridian Forest, allowing them to master Iron Tail and Steel Wing respectively.
"I apologize for earlier. Geodude, use Rollout!"
With its remaining stamina, Geodude curled into a ball and used the advantage of the rocky terrain to build momentum, aiming to slam into the airborne Pidgey.
"Gust, then use Steel Wing!"
Pidgey flapped its wings to disrupt Geodude's speed, then seized an opening and finished it off with another Steel Wing.
"I didn't expect this young Trainer to be so formidable. No wonder he was so confident," Flint muttered from the shadows as he watched.
"I underestimated you. I didn't expect you to be even stronger than Gary. But it won't be so certain from here on. I'm counting on you, Onix!"
Brock recalled the unconscious Geodude and sent out his starter Pokémon, Onix.
At that moment, the victorious Pidgey glowed with white light in excitement, its body changing shape. When the light faded, a well-developed, 1.4-meter-tall golden Pidgeotto stood on the rocky field. Compared to its former appearance, Pidgeotto now carried a fiercer aura, like a golden raptor. Curious about its transformation, it occasionally preened its feathers with its beak.
"As expected, it evolved," Red said happily. The training in Viridian Forest had already brought Pidgeotto to the brink of evolution, and this Gym battle had provided the final push.
"Pokémon: Pidgeotto (Shiny: Gold)
Type: Normal + Flying
First Ability: Keen Eye
Second Ability: Big Pecks
Moves: Quick Attack, Gust, Agility, Aerial Ace, Wing Attack, Steel Wing…
Personality: Somewhat fierce, though occasionally unusually childish; takes pleasure in tormenting its rival Spearow.
Background: Lives along Route 1. Abandoned by its parents due to its unusual coloration, it survived alone there. Knowing it was destined to endure, it trained rigorously from a young age. After once having its food stolen by a Spearow, it developed the bad habit of enjoying tormenting Spearow."
"Come back, Pidgeotto. This time, it's up to you, Charmander."
Red recalled Pidgeotto and sent out Charmander. The moment it appeared, it glared fiercely at Onix without the slightest fear. After all, its companion—the giant Onix—was far more imposing than the one before it.
"Your Pokémon are each more special than the last!"
Aspiring to become a Breeder, Brock noticed Charmander's differences and had Onix stay alert.
"Onix, use Tackle!"
"Dodge it, then use Iron Tail!"
Charmander nimbly evaded the attack. Consecutive Iron Tails shattered Onix's defenses, causing it to cry out in pain. When Onix tried to grab Charmander, a Dragon Breath interrupted it.
Seeing Charmander use Dragon Breath left Brock astonished.
The battle lasted only a few minutes before Onix collapsed. Victorious, Charmander stood atop Onix, raising its arms triumphantly in celebration.
Then the excited Charmander glowed with white light, its body gradually changing. A magnificently developed Charmeleon appeared on the rocky field, raising its arms in exhilaration. Flames burst from its mouth, its thick tail smashing rocks apart, scattering debris that it shredded with its sharp claws. The blazing fire on its tail symbolized its power.
"Pokémon: Charmeleon
Type: Fire
First Ability: Blaze
Second Ability: Solar Power
Moves: Flamethrower, Dragon Breath, Iron Tail, Outrage, Fire Fang, Fire Punch, Mega Punch, Dragon Claw, Brick Break…
Personality: Extremely battle-loving; fearless even against powerful opponents. Enjoys sunbathing.
Background: Raised at the Kanto League breeding facility as one of the starter trio, it is exceptional among the exceptional. Its combative nature and extraordinary talent often give the staff headaches, as they must daily treat other starters it injures. Its parent is a mysterious pseudo-legendary Dragon-type Pokémon, and dragon blood yet to awaken flows within it."
To ensure his Pokémon developed well, Red spared no expense on premium Pokémon feed, combined with proper training. At this moment, Charmeleon stood 1.6 meters tall, nearly matching its evolved form Charizard's 1.7-meter height.
"Red, congratulations on obtaining the Gray Badge. I didn't expect I'd become your 'nourishment,'" Brock joked, celebrating Red's victory and clearly acknowledging his strength as a Trainer.
"Brock…"
Watching his eldest son's defeat, Flint's expression was complicated. Just as he prepared to leave, he unexpectedly saw his other children gathered in the stands, tearfully staring at Red holding the Gray Badge.
"How could this be! How could he lose!"
Unable to accept Brock's defeat, they began crying one after another, which prompted a stern look from Brock. He opened his mouth to speak but paused. Unable to scold them, he could only look apologetically at the calm Red.
"Defeat isn't something to regret. Your Brock defended the dignity of the Pewter Gym. You should be proud of Brock!" Red praised, not angered by their fussing.
"This young man truly has a broad mind…" Flint murmured. Most Trainers would have lost their temper at such behavior, yet Red remained completely calm.
"Brock, I know your difficulties and understand your helplessness. My father is also an irresponsible man. I truly empathize with you!" Red said with a complicated expression. "After this, you can pursue your dream together with my younger brother Ash. I believe before long, your father will return."
As he spoke, Red glanced toward the shadows where Flint was hiding. He had known of his presence from the very beginning.
"Is that so? Thank you for your blessing!" Brock exhaled deeply, seemingly harboring little hope for his father's return. Hidden in the shadows, Flint felt his heart ache—this was never what he wanted.
"Farewell, Brock."
With the Gray Badge in hand, Red waved goodbye and departed.
Seeing his siblings still upset, Brock pulled a silly face.
"Don't be sad! Now I finally have an excuse to visit Nurse Joy. I couldn't be happier!"
Brock's antics amused his siblings, and the Pewter Gym once again returned to its usual cheerfulness.