"Man, I'm stuffed. The food at the Los Pollos Hermanos Restaurant really is the best."
After finishing their meal, Misty and Flint sat there with protruding bellies, completely satisfied. Ash, meanwhile, was busy writing something down. The manager standing beside him was breaking into a cold sweat as he watched his boss.
Once finished, Ash handed the paper to the manager and said firmly, "Replace our tomato supplier. Their flavor has gone off, and Pikachu isn't happy with the ketchup this time."
Beside him, Pikachu—whose belly had doubled in size—held up two tiny fingers and chirped, "Pika-pi!"
"Yeah, the tomatoes used for the ketchup weren't the freshest when they arrived..."
As they left the restaurant, Misty looked at Ash, a bit speechless. "You're really strict, Ash."
Ash shook his head. "It's not about being strict; it's a matter of integrity. I don't think a supplier like that makes for a good long-term partner. Anyway, let's head to the Pokémon Center. I still need to register for the Pokémon League."
"Right."
The group headed to the Pokémon Center first. After handing over their round-bellied Pokémon to Nurse Joy for a check-up, Ash started the registration process.
"Are you entering the League, Ash?" Nurse Joy asked, looking a bit surprised.
"Yeah. It'll be a good way to hone my skills. I've just started my journey, and while there are definitely strong trainers on the road, there will be far more at the League. I want to challenge them and see where I stand."
"Haha, well, whatever makes you happy..." Nurse Joy didn't quite know what to say. As part of the Joy family, she was responsible for healing Ash's team and knew exactly what they were capable of.
Setting aside the newcomers like Growlithe, Ralts, and Charmander, she knew the true strength of his original companions like Meowth. Meowth and Chansey were already at Elite Four level, for heaven's sake. Those two alone were enough to steamroll the rookies at the League. And then there was Ash's Pikachu...
If anyone ever found out the true power of that Pikachu, heads would roll.
*
Once the Pokémon were rested and ready, Ash and Misty arrived at the Pewter Gym. The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by the sound of loud wailing.
"Waaaaahhh!!!! Why?! Why is Miss Elesa getting married?! Whyyyyy?!"
Looking at the guy crying his eyes out over the news report, Ash muttered, "Heartbreak is a scary thing..."
A young boy walked up to them and said, "Sorry about that. My brother Brock has been like this ever since he heard that a girl named Elesa got engaged. You should probably wait a bit."
"Alright, thanks. Misty, let's wait a moment."
Misty looked at the sobbing Brock and nodded. "Sure."
During the wait, Ash decided to make a few calls to his friends.
"Hey, Steven? Yeah, I'm out on my journey. Oh, come on, you know Pikachu and the others can handle themselves."
"Hey, Elesa. Nothing special, just wanted to call you."
"Daisy, please, have mercy!"
"Diantha, Ralts is doing great, don't worry."
By the time Ash finished catching up with his high-level social circle, Brock had finally finished his crying session.
"My apologies. I've been feeling a bit... emotional lately."
Brock looked at Ash and Misty, feeling a bit embarrassed for making them wait. Ash was sympathetic. "I get it. Your goddess is off the market, after all."
"I'm glad you understand! But why?! Why did Miss Elesa have to get engaged?! Damn it! Who is that lucky bastard anyway?!"
Looking at the grieving, frantic Brock, Ash just smiled and stayed quiet. He wasn't about to tell him that he was the lucky bastard in question.
"Sorry, I got worked up again. Let's begin! This is an official Gym battle! We'll use two Pokémon each. The match is over when either side's Pokémon are unable to battle. As the Gym Leader, I'll go first. Go, Geodude!"
"Geodude!"
Seeing the Rock-type, Ash pulled out Charmander's Luxury Ball. "Go, Charmander. This is a battle against the odds."
Brock was stunned to see a Charmander. "Do you not know anything about type advantages?"
Ash shook his head. "I do. But for Charmander, fighting at a disadvantage is something he'll have to face sooner or later. Might as well get him used to it now. Charmander, don't let him land a hit. If you get caught, it's going to hurt."
"Char!"
Charmander nodded, staring intensely at Geodude.
"If you're that confident, I won't hold back! Geodude, use Rollout!"
Under Brock's command, Geodude curled into a ball and charged. Charmander stood his ground, waiting for Ash's order.
"Catch it."
"Char!"
As Geodude slammed into him, Charmander reached out and caught the spinning rock in a firm grip.
"What?! I knew your Charmander looked sturdy, but catching a Rollout mid-spin?!"
Ash didn't bother explaining. "Just like we practiced! Seismic Toss, let's go!"
"Char!"
Charmander leaped high into the air with Geodude in his arms, looped once, and slammed the rock into the ground. Geodude's eyes turned into swirls instantly.
"One hit?! ...Return, Geodude."
Recalling his Pokémon, Brock looked at Ash with newfound seriousness. "I underestimated you. But can you handle this? Go, Onix!"
As the massive stone snake emerged, Ash turned to Charmander. "Come back. You can't handle this one yet."
"Char." Charmander obediently returned. Ash then turned to the Ralts holding his hand. "Your turn, Ralts."
"Ralts!"
Brock was surprised to see a Ralts, but he wasn't going to pull any punches. "Onix, use Bind!"
"Roar!"
Onix lunged forward, attempting to crush the tiny Pokémon with its massive body. Ralts stared back, unfazed.
"Stop him with Confusion."
"Ralts!"
As Ralts unleashed its psychic power, Onix's massive body froze mid-air. Brock sighed. "I knew it... Psychic types are a nightmare to deal with."
"Magical Leaf."
Homing leaves infused with psychic energy swirled around, battering Onix relentlessly.
"Break free, Onix!"
"Roar!"
Onix tried to thrash, but it was no use. Ralts might act like Ash's little girl when they're together, but he had trained her hard. Her psychic grip wasn't something a physical brute could just shake off. Seeing Onix was near its limit, Ash commanded, "Ralts, throw him!"
"Ralts!"
With a burst of psychic energy, Onix was slammed into the ground, completely incapacitated.
"The battle is over! The winner is Ash from Pallet Town!"
Brock recalled Onix and walked over with the Boulder Badge. "That was incredible. Your Pokémon are exceptionally strong. Here, the Boulder Badge is yours."
"Thanks. That's the first one down."