The ride on the Kalova was so fast, Nils, Tana, Dean, Ren, Firenze and Gunter had arrived in Pallet Town the next morning as they were told while most boats would have taken two days. After getting off of the Kalova, the six trainers thanked the family of sailors and then walked through Pallet Town.

"Well now that we're here," said Gunter, "I'm gonna go train for the Pokemon League at a nearby cave called Dekabu Cave." "And I know I'm gonna need that training."

"I'm going to Cerulean City because I promised my mom that I would get my final badge from her," said Dean.

"Well," said Nils, "Tana and I are gonna challenge the Pewter Gym."

"I hope you both can handle that," said Dean, "By the wa Nils, I heard you have your best man but am I gonna be one of the groomsmen at the wedding?"

"Of course," answered Nils.

"Thanks," said Dean and he then left for Cerulean City.

"I'll see you guys later," said Gunter and he left for Dekabu cave.

"You have some interesting friends Nils," said a voice who turned out to be Rex.

"Hi Rex," said Nils.

"Hello Rex," said Tana, "Nils told me what happened after our battle." "I'm sorry for what happened if it was my fault."

"It's ok," said Rex, "I kind of deserved it because I misunderstood my dad's advice." "He told me to become strong by battling and I thought it was best to battle only strong trainers when battling any trainer would work better."

"That is the better way," said a man with light blue hair that was tied into a tiny ponytail, had a small mustache, and was wearing a gray sweater who walked over to the trainers, "I'm happy that you finally know that Rex."

"Thanks Dad," said Rex to the man.

"Wait a minute," said Firenze, "I know you." "You're Tony of the Elite Four."

"And you must be the Cinnabar Gym Leader," said Tony to Firenze, "I've heard you were on a journey to improve yourself as Gym Leader.

"I am," said Firenze.

"Wait a minute," said Nils, "You're the son of one of the Elite Four Rex," asked Nils.

"I am," answered Rex, "And I'm proud of that."

"Rex has told me about you Nils," said Tony, "He's told me you are a trainer of great interest and is just as strong as him." "And you must be the daughter of the great hero, Ash," Tony said to Tana, "I can see easily that you will one day be as strong as your dad."

"Thanks," said Tana.

"Anyway Dad," said Rex, "Can we have a battle?"

"Sure thing," answered Tony, "I should see how strong you've gotten during your journey." "Let's have a four on four battle." "I also suggest we use Prof Oak's battlefield for this battle," and the group of six went to Prof Oak's lab.

"Well if it isn't Rex, Tana and Nils," said Prof Oak once the group arrived at the lab.

"Hi Prof Oak," said Nils, Tana and Rex in unison.

"Hey Gary," said Tony, "I was wondering if we could borrow your battlefield so I could have a battle with my son."

"I guess I can let you do that as long as I watch the battle," said Prof Oak and everyone then went to the battlefield.

"The battle between Tony and Rex will now begin," said one of Prof Oak's' assistants who was acting as referee, "Each trainer will use four Pokemon and the winner will be decided if all four of a trainer's Pokemon are unable to battle.

"Go Aggron," said Tony and an Aggron appeared on the battlefield.

"Go Banette," said Rex and a Banette was sent out. "Use Shadow Ball," and Banette started to use the move of choice.

"Jump to dodge," said Tony and Aggron jumped really high by using its tail which allowed Aggron to dodge the Shadow Ball. "Use Iron Head," and Aggron used the move of choice while falling towards Banette.

"Use Will-O-Wisp before you get hit," said Rex who knew he had no choice and Banette successfully burned Aggron with Will-O-Wisp before getting hit by Iron Head.

"Use Iron Tail," said Tony and Aggron hit Banette with Iron Tail which knocked out Banette.

"So much for the three move combination of Shadow Ball, Will-O-Wisp and Hex," said Rex as he returned Banette, "Go Kingler," and Kingler was sent out. "Use Crabhammer," and Kingler attacked Aggron while using the move of choice.

"Iron Tail Aggron," said Tony and Aggron hit Kingler with the chosen move right after getting hit by Crabhammer.

"Try Crabhammer again," said Rex and Kingler started to use Crabhammer again.

"Stop it with Iron Head," said Tony and Aggron used the move of choice which not only stopped Crabhammer, but also made Kingler flinch. "Now use Stone Edge," and Aggron used the move that was chosen which did more damage to Kingler than usual because the earlier Iron Tail lowered Kingler's defense and Kingler was knocked out.

"You did what you could Kingler," said Rex as he returned his Kingler, "Go Electivire," and an Electivire was sent out.

"That must be the Elekid we met at Thunder Canyon," said Nils who remembered when Rex caught Elekid.

"Electivire use Low Sweep," said Rex and Electivire hit Aggron with the move that was selected which was super effective.

"Use Flamethrower Aggron," said Tony and Aggron hit Electivire with the selected attack which burned Electivire.

"Use Thunder Punch and get away," said Rex who realized it was too dangerous to battle Aggron from up close and Electivire did as Instructed.

"Use Flamethrower again," said Tony and Aggron started to use Flamethrower for the second time.

"Try to stop it with Discharge," said Rex and Electivire used Discharge which crashed into the Flamethrower but was unable to stop it and Electivire got hit by Aggron's attack.

"Stone Edge," said Tony and Aggron used the move of choice which knocked out Electivire.

"Nice job Electivire," said Rex as he returned his Electivire, "Go Charizard," and a Charizard appeared.

"Charmeleon must have evolved too," said Firenze just after Charizard appeared.

"Use Flamethrower," said Rex and Charizard started to use the move that was chosen.

"Use your Flamethrower," said Tony and Aggron stopped Charizard's Flamethrower with its own.

"Use Iron Tail," said Rex and Charizard hit Aggron with Iron Tail.

"Knock it back with your own Iron Tail," said Tony and Aggron did as instructed.

"Try Air Slash," said Rex who was hoping to make Aggron flinch but when Charizard hit Aggron, it didn't flinch.

"End this battle with Stone Edge," said Tony and Aggron attacked Charizard with stone edge and Charizard was knocked out.

"The winner of this battle is Tony," said the assistant.

"Good as always Charizard," said Rex as he returned his Charizard."

"You may have been unable to defeat Aggron," said Tony as he walked over to his son, "But you didn't do bad at all."

"Thanks Dad," said Rex with a smile.

"Now that that's out of the way," said Tana, "I think we should all rest for the night and leave for Pewter City tomorrow."

"You're going to Pewter City as well," asked Rex.

"We are," answered Nils, "Tana and I believe we are ready."

"Well I'm going there too," said Rex, "After getting seven badges and battling my dad, I know I'm ready."

"Wait, I just realized something," said Firenze, "In order to go to Pewter City, we have to go through Viridian Forest again," "I can't go back there after being chased by those Beedrill the first time."

"There are two other ways you can get to Pewter City," explained Tony, "You can either travel through Dekabu Cave, which has an exit that leads to Mt. Moon and from there you can get to Pewter City," "Or you can go to mine and Rex's home town, Gruse Town, and from there, you will travel past a waterfall called Ongo Falls and after that, you will reach Pewter City." "The only reason most people don't take either route is because it's too dangerous for trainers that start from Pallet Town

"Well," said Tana, "Since our group is big, we should travel in two different groups and each group should take a different route." "I'll go through Dekabu Cave."

"I think I will go to Gruse Town and Ongo Falls," said Nils."

"I think I should go with Tana this time," said Firenze who thought it would be a good idea.

"I would like to visit my hometown," said Rex.

"I have traveled this whole time with Nils," said Ren, "I want to see what it's like to travel without him."

"Well then," said Tana, "Now that we've all decided what to do next, why don't we visit my grandma, who lives here in Pallet Town, and ask if we can sleep at her house."

After Tana's suggestion, the five trainers went to Delia's house and asked her if they could spend the night at her place.

"I'd be happy to let you and your friends sleep here Tana," said Delia to her granddaughter.

"Thanks Grandma," said Tana.

After that, the five trainers spent the next few hours training their Pokemon until it was time for dinner. After dinner, the trainers all went to two guest room and the boys slept in one while the girls slept in the other. As they slept, Nils, Tana and Rex were thinking of how to defeat the Pewter Gym Leader who was said to be the strongest of all Gym Leaders in Kanto.