Ash stepped out of the Pokémon Center and into the sunlight. After spending the night in the center, he was ready to start training for his first Gym battle. Though he knew there was a Gym in Viridian City; he also knew that it had been closed for at least a couple months. He had learned from Nurse Joy that the closest, open gym, was in Pewter City, and that it specialized in Rock types. Ash headed to the training field behind the center and released his Pokémon from their Poké Balls. Charmander, Pidgey and Beedrill all appeared in a flash of white. As he looked over his current party of Pokémon, Ash noticed a glaring flaw in his team. They were all weak against Rock types, and had no way to combat them. He sat down on a nearby bench and began to think of a strategy.

Ash looked through the Trainer's guide book he had received from the Pokémon Center and studied the information on the surrounding areas of Viridian City. He saw that Route 22, west of the city, was home to Pokémon known as Nidoran. He looked them up in his Pokédex, and was surprised to learn that their appearance and strengths differed depending on the gender. The male was purple with spikes and a horn on its head, while the female was a pale blue with whiskers and no horn. Ash noted that Nidoran could learn Double-Kick, a Fighting type move which would be super-effective against the Rock types in Pewter. Ash was so deep in thought, that he didn't even notice Misty sitting beside him. When she greeted him, she startled him, causing him to jump out of his skin (or more accurately, his seat).

"Sorry, Ash" she apologised to the boy, who was getting up of the ground.

"It's fine, Misty" he assured the redhead, "I was just thinking about my strategy for the Pewter Gym" he informed her. "My whole team is weak against Rock Pokémon" Ash explained.

Misty thought for a moment, "You could borrow one of my Water types" she offered. Ash considered the offer for a moment but decided to decline.

"No thanks, I'd rather use my own Pokémon" he replied.

"Then what are you gonna do?" she inquired. The boy showed his new friend the trainer's guide.

"I plan on going to Route 22, and attempt to catch a Nidoran" he explained. Misty knew why he wanted one, she stood up.

"Let's go then!" she exclaimed. Ash was a little puzzled at first, for why she would want to go with him, but didn't really question it.

"Okay, everyone return!" he ordered, holding up his three Poké Balls, recalling his Pokémon. The duo headed west, towards Route 22.

As the two teens arrived on Route 22, Ash released Pidgey and Beedrill to search for the Poison Pin Pokémon he was seeking. Pikachu began to pick up the scent of a Nidoran, but he had no luck. After about 8 minutes of searching, Beedrill returned, pointing his stinger in the direction of where he came.

Ash turned to Misty, "Come on, Beedrill found something!" He informed her, and ran after his Pokémon. Misty hesitated for a moment, fearing Ash's Bug type, but realised Ash wouldn't let Beedrill hurt her. She ran after Ash, not wanting to be left behind. After a few minutes of following Beedrill, the bee Pokémon stopped, and pointed towards a bush. The two trainers peered over the plant to see a group of blue and purple rabbit-like Pokémon. Ash immediately recognised them as Nidoran of both genders, and began examining them from a distance; trying to locate the one he wanted the most. Eventually, he spotted a male Nidoran sitting alone on a rock, Ash felt kind of sorry for it; he could tell it was the loner of the pack. Ash began approaching the Nidoran, and asked it for a battle. The poison type looked up at Ash before getting up, prepared for battle.

Ash recalled Beedrill, and released his fire lizard. Charmander's tail flame flared up, indicating it was ready for battle. Nidoran charged at his opponent with his horn glowing purple, and jabbed into Charmander's stomach, he flinched in pain as it received the blow. A purple hue appeared on his face, just above his nose. Ash recognised it as the poison status effect.

"You okay, Charmander?" he asked his starter.

"Char!" the lizard called back, a little weaker than normal, but still fine to battle.

Ash grinned, "Okay, use Ember!" Ash ordered, Charmander opened his mouth and launched a fury of small fireballs at Nidoran. It attempted to dodge, but was to slow, and flew backwards in pain, before recovering and sending a ball of water straight at Charmander.

"What!?" Ash cried out in confusion, not expecting the poison type to know any water attacks. "Quick, dodge it!" he ordered. Charmander managed to avoid the attack completely, and was ready to continue; he suddenly flinched in pain as the poison took effect, draining Charmander's health away. Ash knew Charmander was getting weak, but he also knew Charmander wouldn't give up until he couldn't continue.

"Use Headbutt!" Ash ordered, Charmander charged at Nidoran, ramming his head into Nidoran. The purple Pokémon flew backwards into a tree, and fell to the ground. Ash new it was time, and threw his empty Poké Ball at the unconscious Nidoran and it was sucked inside. The ball wobbled a few times, and stopped on about the tenth wobble, the ball dinged and three stars flashed above the ball, and then disappeared. Charmander ran over to pick up the Poké Ball, and returned to his trainer. Just as the lizard handed the ball to Ash, it collapsed in exhaustion. Ash thanked Charmander for the good job and returned him to his Poké Ball. The two trainers turned back in the direction from which they came, and headed back to Viridian City.

After healing his Pokémon, he returned to the training field. Ash was about to release his Pokémon once more, when he heard a voice from behind him.

"Hey there, Ashy-Boy". Ash recognised the voice and turned around to be face to face, with his childhood friend and rival, Gary Oak.

"What do you want Gary?!" Ash questioned obvious annoyance in his voice.

Gary smirked, "What's with the attitude, Ash?" he taunted, "Can't I talk to my rival or something?".

Ash's started to turn red with anger, "Let's battle Gary!" he demanded, he had taken enough insults from Gary over the last few years, and now that he was a trainer, he was ready for payback.

"Fine by me, Ash" Gary accepted, "but don't be sad when you lose!" he teased. Ash could feel his anger building up inside him. The two trainers took their places on the battle field, and drew their Poké Balls.

"How does two on two sound?" Gary asked.

"Fine by me!" Ash answered back. Gary released his first Pokémon, it was a Spearow. Ash drew his Pokédex to scan the bird Pokémon.

"Spearow, the Tiny Bird Pokémon. Unlike Pidgey, Spearow has a terrible attitude. It is very wild and will sometimes attack other Pokémon and humans." Spearow glared angrily at Ash, growling at him. Ash released Pidgey from her Poké Ball, she was ready for battle the moment she saw the other bird Pokémon.

Gary made the first move, "Spearow, use Peck attack!" he ordered. Spearow took flight and flew right towards Pidgey.

"Pidgey! Defend yourself with Gust!" ordered Ash, Pidgey flapped her wings creating a surprisingly powerful gust of wind, catching Spearow off guard, sending it flying backwards. Gary immediately ordered Spearow to retaliate with a Fury Attack. It once again charged at Pidgey once more, this time however, it was a lot faster and it pecked Pidgey multiple times. Ash's bird fell to the ground, obviously weakened from the previous attack.

Gary was ready to finish this match, "Spearow, use Pe…" he stopped mid-sentence as he saw Pidgey push herself back up and begun glowing a blue light. It took Ash a moment to realise what was happening, but when he did, he grinned. Pidgey began to grow larger; her crest grew longer, as well as her tail. Her wings also grew larger. The glow ended, revealing Pidgeotto, she was now much larger and her crest was a pinkish-red. Pidgeotto let out a battle cry and turned her attention back to Spearow. Spearow had begun to sweat a little, but didn't back down.

"Congratulations Pidgeotto!" Ash praised, "Let's win this!".

Pidgeotto nodded to her trainer, "Pidgeoh!" she cried.

"Alright, Pidgeotto, use Wing Attack!" Ash ordered. The bird's wings glowed white, as she flew at Spearow much faster than before she evolved. Spearow didn't have time to avoid it, and was hit by the attack and fell to the ground. Gary wasn't expecting to lose a single Pokémon in this battle; he couldn't have foreseen Pidgey evolving. He returned Spearow, and released his next Pokémon, Squirtle.

'So Gary chose Squirtle…' Ash thought to himself, knowing the weakness of the water type, Ash made the smart choice.

"Pidgeotto, take a break" he told his newly evolved partner, holding out her Poké Ball. The bird became red energy and was sucked back into her ball. Ash turned to Pikachu, who was sitting on his shoulder.

"You ready buddy?" he asked.

"Pika!" he replied and jumped of off Ash's shoulder and raced onto the battle field. Pikachu's cheeks began sparking. Gary was annoyed by Ash's decision, not expecting him to be as smart as he was.

"Squirtle, Water Gun!" He ordered. Squirtle opened its mouth, releasing a torrent of water, aiming straight for Pikachu.

"Pikachu dodge with Quick Attack, and then follow up with Thunder Shock!" Ash instructed, Pikachu, sped out of the way of the Water Gun, and sent a bolt of electricity at the blue turtle Pokémon. Squirtle wasn't the fasted Pokémon in the world, but Gary had a plan.

"Squirtle, avoid it with Rapid Spin!" Gary ordered. As fast as it could, Squirtle pulled in its limbs, head and tail into its shell and spun away from the bolt. This surprised Ash, not expecting Squirtle to know Rapid Spin at such a low level, but immediately snapped out of his surprise and ordered another Thunder Shock, this time it hit Squirtle and it collapsed on the ground, unable to get back up.

"WHAT!?" Gary cried out in confusion, he couldn't believe, Ash of all people, had beaten him.

Ash ran up and hugged Pikachu, "You did it!" he exclaimed, holding his partner in the air. Gary recalled Squirtle, and started walking to the Pokémon Center. Misty, annoyed by the fact he hadn't congratulated Ash, started storming towards Ash's rival.

To her surprise, Ash had stopped her, "Leave him" he told her, "He's never been the type to congratulate anyone…" he continued. Misty was still annoyed, but followed Ash's advice. Ash had won today and that was all that mattered to him.

Ash turned to Pikachu, "Alright Pikachu, ready to get training?" he asked his yellow friend.

"Pika!" Pikachu replied with a nod, and train they did.