They arrived in Pewter City early the next morning, tired to the bone. Chira had insisted they ride through the night. "We can rest when we get there and get the Boulder Badge," were her words.

Cami was game, running at a good pace for the most part. Occasionally, she had to slow to a walk, but they had made good time, especially with all the challenges they had gotten from wild pokemon along the way. The last one had been from a relatively weak caterpie, so Chira had let Insight battle it. She had managed to win, but was incredibly tired now. Chira shifted her hold on the sleeping dog as they entered the city.

"So this is Pewter," she said, looking all around her. "I wonder where the gym is located."

"You're looking for the gym, you say?" A voice startled both who were awake. They swung around to their left looking for the owner. "That means you're also looking for the Gym Leader."

"Yeah," Chira said, finally spotting who was talking. "We are."

"Well, the Gym Leader isn't going to be at the Gym this time of day, and I'm not too sure he'll be at the Gym at all today. He's getting ready to go to Indigo Plateau for that big competition." The speaker was an old man who was apparently on his way home with groceries. He had thinning grey hair that used to be brown, judging by the streaks through his hair that weren't grey.

"Oh, but I have to battle him!" Chira told him. "I only started my trainer's journey a few days ago, and I need the Boulder Badge!"

"Well, why aren't you headed to Indigo like the rest of Kanto's trainers? Even the new ones who can't participate are going to try to learn something from the more experienced trainers."

Chira bit her lip. "Can't he just take a break and battle me? I'm already here…"

"Well, come with me. Your ponyta is tuckered out, even if you can battle him, there's no way you'll win with your pokemon that tired. While you eat and rest, I'll see what I can do for you."

"Oh, thank-you so much!" Chira slipped off of Cami, accidentally waking up Insight. They followed him through the streets, finally coming to a small house on the outskirts of town. The man, Flint he had told her on the way, pushed open the door and walked in.

"Brock! We have a guest."

A younger version of Flint stuck his head out of a doorway, a cooking spoon in hand. "Hello," he said. Then he spotted Cami outside the door, "You're a pokemon trainer?"

Chira nodded as Flint said, "She came to challenge the Gym Leader. Put up an argument when I told her he might not be able to battle her today. Her pokemon, though, were falling asleep where they stood. It appears they rode all night to get here."

"I just had to get here before the Gym Leader left!" Chira said.

"Why?" Brock asked.
Chira faltered. "I-I'm not… Well, I'm here anyway, might as well get the Boulder Badge, right?"

Brock raised his eyebrows at Flint. "A convincing argument?" he asked skeptically.

Flint shrugged. "I never said it was convincing, I just said it was an argument."

Chira started to pick up on what they weren't saying. She realized, not even sure how, that this Brock was the Gym Leader. "Please!" she said. "Oh, please battle me! A Gym Leader can't turn down a challenge from a trainer, right? Well, I challenge you to a battle for a Boulder Badge."

They stared at her. "How did you…" Brock began, but was interrupted by a young woman coming in the door behind Chira.

"Whose ponyta is that out there?" she asked before spotting Chira. "Oh," was all she said.

Flint sighed. "She has a point, Brock. You can't turn down her challenge."

"Well, I can refuse to battle her until her pokemon are ready, at least." Brock went back into the kitchen.

The girl looked from one to the other. "What's going on, Dad?" she finally asked Flint.

He's started to explain what was happening, and Chira went back out to Cami.

"Well, Cami," she said. "This journey thing isn't turning out at all like I planned."

Cami shook her head. "Life is full of surprises."

Chira rested her head against Cami's shoulder and sighed. "Yeah, I guess it is."

"What's wrong, Chira," Insight whined. "You're not just upset because of this badge thing, are you?"

Chira smiled. "I guess I know why your mother called you Insight."

Insight smiled.

"So you came to challenge my brother." The girl who had arrived mid discussion was standing outside, watching her. "I'm Susie." She extended her hand. Chira shook it. "My brother is trying to finish getting ready to go to Indigo, but you were right when you said he couldn't refuse your challenge."

Chira felt bad. "I don't want him to get there late, but…"

"Don't worry, we all understand. My brother and father were both in your position before, they don't begrudge you your enthusiasm for your first badge."

"Thanks," Chira said, smiling. "I appreciate that."

"Now why don't you come inside. Breakfast is almost ready, and after we eat, you and Brock will battle."

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Okay, so this chapter isn't the one with her first Gym battle, but the next one will be!