Chapter 4: Pewter City Challenge
After a long day of walking through the Viridian Forest, Gilbert and his Pokémon finally made it to Pewter City. "There it is, team. Pewter City." Gilbert said as he stared out at the city. "Bulba!" "Spin!" "Spee!" "Hoot!" The Pokémon cheered. Gilbert took a deep inhale. "Ah, smell that rich Pewter air. It's quite refreshing." He said as he sighed. Just then, the Pokémon sighed as they dropped to their knees out of exhaustion. "Yeah, I get it. It's been a long walk for all of us. But don't worry, guys. Once we get to the Pokémon Center, you guys can get some rest while you're being treated." Gilbert said.
Once he entered the city and reached the Pokémon Center, Gilbert returned his Pokémon to their PokéBalls and presented them to Nurse Joy on a tray. "Please, restore my Pokémon." He said. "Right away, Gilbert." Nurse Joy said. "Say, you aren't by chance related to Nurse Joy in Viridian City, are you?" Gilbert asked. "Why yes. She's actually my little sister. She's informed the rest of us across the Kanto region about you competing for the Pokémon League. She's said nice things about you. Very nice." Nurse Joy explained. "Oh. Thank you." Gilbert said. "Now why don't you sit down and relax? I'll beep for you when your Pokémon are done." Nurse Joy said as she took the tray to heal the Pokémon.
Gilbert sat down at the couch to relax. He looked over to a series of magazines on the table. He picked up the one with the article on the Silver Conference in the Johto region and began to read it. As he looked through the article, he caught whiff of a certain boy wearing a cap from Kanto who participated. He had a Pikachu on his shoulder. The article read that he used both a Lugia and a Celebi during the tournament. "This must be the kid from back home with the Pikachu. He must be quite the trainer to have captured a Lugia and a Celebi." He said. Then he began to wonder if he might be able to capture a Legendary Pokémon. Just then, there was a ding. "Mr. Gilbert? Your Pokémon have all been healed. Please come up to the front desk." Nurse Joy called over the P.A. Gilbert set down the magazine and walked over to the front desk. "Great news, Gilbert. Your Pokémon are all healed and in excellent condition." Nurse Joy said as she handed Gilbert back his Pokémon. "Thank you very much, Nurse Joy." Gilbert said.
After getting them back, Gilbert released his Pokémon from their PokéBalls. "Okay, gang, listen up. We need to prepare ourselves. This will be our first gym battle challenge on our journey." He explained. "Now each gym specializes in different types. So, we'll need to strategize for each gym." Bulbasaur, Spinarak, Beedrill and Hoothoot listened carefully. "Now, since the Pewter Gym specializes in Rock-types, I'll need your help, Bulbasaur." "Bulba! Bulba!" Bulbasaur cheered. "But since I'll need 2 Pokémon to battle with, I'll need one of you guys to help. And to do that, I'll need to examine each of your moves." Gilbert brought out his Pokédex and scanned each of the Pokémon to examine their moves.
Bulbasaur: Male. Moves: Tackle, Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, Leech Seed, Sweet Scent, Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Poison Powder, Solar Beam.
Spinarak: Female. Moves: String Shot, Poison Sting, Bug Buzz, Night Shade, Sticky Web, Sludge Bomb, Poison Jab, Cross Poison, X-Scissor.
Beedrill: Male. Moves: Fury Attack, Twineedle, Poison Sting, Fury Cutter, Focus Energy, Rock Smash, Pin Missile, Poison Jab.
Hoothoot: Male. Moves: Hypnosis, Peck, Air Slash, Confusion, Echoed Voice.
"Okay. I've made my decision. Beedrill, you will be my second Pokémon in my gym battle." Gilbert said. "Spee?" Beedrill asked in shock. "Since you apparently know Rock Smash, a Fighting-type move, that makes you able to help." Gilbert said. "Spee." Beedrill said with an unsure tone. "Hey, Gilbert." A familiar voice greeted. Gilbert turned to see Arata. "Hey, Arata. Never thought I'd see you here." He said. "Well, I saw you and I figured I'd say hello." Arata said. "Well, we're just preparing to go challenge the gym." Gilbert said. "Funny. I already won at the gym yesterday." Arata said, showing Gilbert his Boulder Badge. "Wow. Congratulations." Gilbert said. "And I see you captured a Beedrill and a Hoothoot." Arata said. "Yep. I caught them in the Viridian Forest." Gilbert said. Arata then noticed the look on Beedrill's face. "What's wrong with Beedrill?" He asked. "Oh. I guess Beedrill's a little nervous about being in his first gym battle. We haven't had much practice since I captured him." Gilbert explained. "How did you capture Beedrill?" Arata asked. "Well, there was this really bad trainer named Jimbo. He used a Fire-type to try and capture Beedrill. But he only managed to slightly burn Beedrill, scaring him away. He then came up to me and I managed to capture him. Jimbo then said some bad stuffs about Beedrill." Gilbert explained. Arata looked sorrowful at Beedrill. "Here, let me talk to Beedrill. I have a gift for understanding Pokémon." He offered. "Sure. Go ahead." Gilbert said.
Arata walked up to Beedrill and knelt down in front of it. "You're nervous because it's your first battle?" He asked. "Spee." Beedrill said sadly. "And you're afraid you'll disappoint Gilbert if you lose?" Arata asked. "Spee." Beedrill said sadly. "I know that this Jimbo guy said some bad things about you that makes you discouraged." Arata said. "Spee." Beedrill said sadly. "But let me give you some words of wisdom. You can't let the words of one single bad trainer get you down. You have to focus on the trainer you have now. You and Gilbert and the rest of his Pokémon can make a great team when you battle together." Arata explained. Beedrill put all of this to thought. "Spee." He said. "Does that mean you're ready to help me in my gym battle, Beedrill?" Gilbert asked. "Spee." Beedrill said with a nod. "That's great. Good to see you're up for the task, buddy." Gilbert said. "Say, can I come and watch you're match, Gilbert?" Arata asked. "Sure, Arata. I'm more than happy to have the extra support." Gilbert said. "Thanks." Arata said.
Later, the boys arrived at the Pewter Gym. "So, this is it, huh?" Gilbert asked. "Yep. There's no other place like it." Arata said. "Alright." Gilbert said. "Excuse me?" A voice called. Gilbert and Arata turned to see a girl around their age and a Koffing walk right up to them. "Hey, Yolanda." Arata greeted. "Hi, Arata. Back so soon? You already won your badge." The girl, Yolanda, said. "Oh no. I'm not here for another badge. I'm here to support my friend here." Arata said. "I'm Gilbert from Pallet Town." Gilbert introduced. "Nice to meet you. I'm Yolanda." Yolanda introduced, shaking Gilbert's hand. "Koffing!" Koffing exclaimed happily. "Oh! And this is my partner, Koffing." Yolanda introduced. "Nice to meet you both. So, do you know the gym leader?" Gilbert asked. "Oh, I don't just know him. The gym leader's my brother." Yolanda revealed. "Your brother?!" Gilbert asked in shock.
A while later, Yolanda explained her family's entire relation to the Pewter City gym. "I see now. So, after Brock left with that Ash kid and left the gym to your father, your other brother's been practicing to become the new gym leader?" Gilbert asked. "Yes. And Forrest has been getting pretty good. Even with the help of Brock's Pokémon." Yolanda explained. "Though when I challenged the gym, it was the father I was battling. And I had to say, his Golem put up quite a fight." Arata said. Gilbert put a lot of this to thought, wondering who he might be battling. The father or the son? Then he stood up. "Okay. I'm ready to challenge the gym." He said.
The group entered the gym. Flint and Forrest were out in the middle of the battle field. Flint was giving Forrest notes on how a gym leader battles. "Dad! I have a new challenger for you!" Yolanda called. "Ah, a new challenger, eh? And just who might that be?" Flint asked. "That would be me. I'm Gilbert from Pallet Town." Gilbert introduced. "Another trainer from Pallet Town? Well, aren't we popular." Forrest said. "So, is this your first gym match, son?" Flint asked. "Yes, sir." Gilbert said. "Just so you know, gym matches are different from other battles. Though you're already authorized to challenge for the Pokémon League, this match will test you if you're qualified to participate. For we will use 2 Pokémon each." Flint explained. "Yes. I'm aware of that." Gilbert said. "Now then, let's get started." Flint said.
Gilbert took position on the rock podium at the end. Arata, Yolanda and Koffing watched from the rafters. "Oh. Come on out, Pidgey." Arata said, releasing Pidgey from its PokéBall. "Pidge?" Pidgey cooed. "Let's watch how Gilbert does in this match." Arata said. Suddenly, Gilbert noticed that Flint wasn't on the other podium, but on the referee's spot. "Hey, why are you acting as referee? Aren't you supposed to be the gym leader?" Gilbert asked. "I might be the gym leader. But I thought I'd give Forrest the opportunity to test out his new battling skills for when he becomes gym leader." Flint said as Forrest took position on the other rock podium. "So, you ready for your first gym match, Gilbert?" Forrest asked. "Ready when you are." Gilbert said. "Now then, the battle between Gilbert the challenger and Forrest the acting gym leader will now begin! 2 Pokémon per side! The battle will be over when both Pokémon on either side are unable to battle! Let the match begin!" Flint announced.
"Geodude, I choose you!" Forrest called, releasing his first Pokémon, Geodude. "Geo!" Geodude exclaimed. "A Geodude?" Gilbert asked, checking out Geodude on his Pokédex.
Geodude, the Rock Pokémon. A Rock and Ground-type. Its highly defensive power makes it resistant to any physical attacks. They are often found on mountain roads. They get angry if stepped on.
"Okay. Since he's using a Rock-type, Bulbasaur, I choose you!" Gilbert called, releasing Bulbasaur from his PokéBall. "Bulba!" Bulbasaur exclaimed. "A Grass-type? Figures. Trainers always try to make quite an advantage. But Pokémon types aren't enough to win a match." Forrest said. "I know. But you never know until you try." Gilbert said. "Bulba." Bulbasaur agreed. "Then let's see what you got." Forrest said. "Okay. Let's go! Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!" Gilbert called. "Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur fired hundreds of sharp leaves from its bulb. "Geodude, deflect it with Rollout!" Forrest called. Geodude started spinning super-fast. The Razor Leaf struck Geodude's body, but the Rollout deflected the leaves. "Now let it rip, Geodude!" Forrest called. Geodude rolled towards Bulbasaur and struck him hard. "Bulbasaur!" Gilbert cried.
Arata was shocked by this. "Wow. I never expected that from a Rock-type." He said. "Forrest spent a lot of time training his Pokémon with Brock's so he can come up with different battle strategies. Just like now with that Rollout." Yolanda explained.
"Now, Geodude, use Rock Smash!" Forrest called. "Geo…" Geodude said as his fist glowed orange. "Quick, Bulbasaur, slow it down with Sweet Scent!" Gilbert called. "Bulb!" Bulbasaur released Sweet Scent from its bulb. Geodude stopped in its tracks as soon as it caught whiff of the sweet smell of Sweet Scent. "Uh oh." Forrest said with worry. "Now use Vine Whip!" Gilbert called. "Bulba!" Bulbasaur lashed at Geodude with Vine Whip, dealing a super effective hit. "Geodude, are you okay?" Forrest asked in concern. "Geo…" Geodude struggled to say as it tried to get up. But the damage from the Grass-type move was too much. Geodude fainted on the spot. "Geodude is unable to battle! Bulbasaur wins!" Flint announced. "Alright!" Gilbert cheered. "Bulba!" Bulbasaur cheered. "Way to go, Gilbert!" Arata cheered. "Pidgey!" Pidgey cheered. "Wow. That was impressive." Yolanda said. "Koffing." Koffing agreed.
"Geodude, return." Forrest said, returning Geodude to its PokéBall. "Thank you. Take a good rest." He put the PokéBall back on his belt. "That was rather impressive, Gilbert. Slowing Geodude down with Sweet Scent and then striking with Vine Whip. Very clever." "Thanks. It comes with preparation for battle." Gilbert said. "Well then, let's see if you're prepare for this. Rhydon, I choose you!" Forrest called, releasing his second Pokémon, Rhydon. It gave a loud roar. "Whoa. A Rhydon." Gilbert said as he checked out Rhydon on his Pokédex.
Rhydon, the Drill Pokémon. The evolved for of Rhyhorn. A Rock and Ground-type. It uses its drill to drill through thick stone walls and deliver intense attacks.
"We'd better be careful of that horn, Bulbasaur." Gilbert said. "Bulba." Bulbasaur understood. "Alright. Use Razor Leaf!" Gilbert called. "Bulba!" Bulbasaur fired hundreds of sharp leaves from its bulb. "Knock them down with Rock Blast!" Forrest called. Rhydon roared as it fired Rock Blast from its mouth. The rocks and leaves collided with each other, canceling each other out. "Now, Rhydon, use Dig!" Forrest called. Rhydon dug its way underground. "Bulba?" Bulbasaur said with confusion. "Be careful, Bulbasaur! Rhydon will try to attack from underground!" Gilbert called. "Bulba!" Bulbasaur got ready for wherever Rhydon will come up. Just then, Rhydon came up from underneath Bulbasaur, striking him hard. "Bulbasaur, quick, use Sleep Powder!" Gilbert called. "Bulb! Bulba!" As Bulbasaur landed, he released Sleep Powder from its bulb. "Oh no, you don't. Rhydon, Sandstorm!" Forrest called. Rhydon roared as it slammed its fist into the ground, creating Sandstorm. It blew away the Sleep Powder and struck Bulbasaur. "And now use Horn Drill!" Forrest called. Rhydon's horn glowed gold and started spinning super-fast. Then it charged through the Sandstorm and struck Bulbasaur. Poor Bulbasaur was knocked out with a single hit. "Bulbasaur is unable to battle! Rhydon's the winner!" Flint announced.
"Oh man. Bulbasaur lost." Arata said. "That's my brother's Rhydon for you. Those 2 are quite the team." Yolanda said. "Koffing." Koffing agreed. "Really?" Arata asked. "Yeah. Rhydon was Forrest's first Pokémon." Yolanda said. "Wow. I had no idea." Arata said. "Pidgey." Pidgey cooed.
"Bulbasaur, return." Gilbert said, returning Bulbasaur to his Pokémon. "You did a great job, Bulbasaur. Thank you. Now get a good rest." "So, how do you like the power of my Rhydon, Gilbert?" Forrest asked. "You're Rhydon is quite impressive. I can tell you've raised it well." Gilbert said. "Of course, I did. I had tons of practice from my big brother, Brock. Especially since Rhydon was my very first Pokémon." Forrest said. "Really?" Gilbert asked. "Yep. I remember like it was yesterday." Forrest said.
[Flashback]
"I was out cleaning the sidewalk when this very tired Rhyhorn walked right up to the gym." Forrest was sweeping up the sidewalk. Suddenly, there was a loud grunt. Forrest looked ahead to see a tired-looking Rhyhorn walk right up to the gym. Then it collapsed from exhaustion. "I couldn't just leave it there. So, I called Dad, and we brought it inside the gym."
Inside the gym, Flint helped Rhyhorn recover and eat. Forrest just kept looking at Rhyhorn with interest. "Sometimes at night, I slept beside Rhyhorn to keep it company." During the night, Forrest slept beside Rhyhorn. "After Rhyhorn began to recover, it actually grew attached to my company. Dad watched as Rhyhorn and I bonded with each other." Flint watched from afar with a smile as Forrest and Rhyhorn bonded with each other. "And it was then that Dad decided that Rhyhorn should be my first Pokemon. And ever since then, Rhyhorn and I have made quite the team. Even after Rhyhorn evolved into Rhydon." Forrest and Rhyhorn battled together, winning battle after battle. Rhyhorn even evolved into Rhydon.
[Flashback End]
"And that's why with Rhydon's help, I'll be able to surpass Dad and become the full-time gym leader here at the Pewter Gym." Forrest finished. Rhydon roared in agreement. Yolanda smiled at her brother's story as Arata looked like he was about to cry. Even Flint smiled, knowing that Forrest would make an excellent gym leader at the gym. "That's a really sweet story, Forrest. But you have a long way to go to become a gym leader. Like every other one of us who have long ways to go to become who we want to become." Gilbert said. "Oh, I know. Now bring on your last Pokémon and let's end this." Forrest said.
Gilbert took out a PokéBall and stared at it. "It's time. Beedrill, I choose you!" He called, releasing Beedrill from the PokéBall. Flint, Forrest and Yolanda were surprised by this. "A Bug-type? But why? Bug-type moves don't have much effect on Rock-types." Yolanda said. "Just wait and see." Arata said. Yolanda was confused, but decided to watch.
"You must be desperate to win if you're using a Bug-type to try and beat my Rhydon. So, let's see what you got." Forrest said. "Spee." Beedrill started feeling unsure about this. "Remember what Arata said, Beedrill. When we battle together, we will always be able to win." Gilbert said. "Spee? Spee!" Beedrill nodded and prepared to battle. "Alright, Beedrill, Pin Missile!" Gilbert called. "Spee!" Beedrill fired Pin Missile from his stingers. But they didn't even pierce through Rhydon's thick armor. "Spee?!" Beedrill was surprised that his attack didn't even tickle it. "Can't you tell that Rhydon can't be hurt by a simple Bug-type attack?" Forrest asked. "I know. But I believe that Beedrill and I can beat your Rhydon when we battle together." Gilbert said. "Spee!" Beedrill agreed. "Alright then. Let's give it to them, Rhydon! Hammer Arm!" Forrest called. Rhydon roared as its arm glowed white and charged towards Beedrill. "Quick, dodge it, Beedrill!" Gilbert called. "Spee!" Beedrill quickly dodged Rhydon's Hammer Arm by flying away. "Now use Pin Missile again!" Gilbert called. "Spee!" Beedrill fired another Pin Missile. But like before, the attack didn't pierce its armor. "You can use Bug-type moves all you want. It's not gonna get through Rhydon's armor." Forrest said. Gilbert just smiled. Even Beedrill knew the plan.
"I don't know what Gilbert's planning, but Beedrill's not gonna get through Rhydon's armor." Yolanda said. "I think I know." Arata said. "You do? Then please explain." Yolanda said. "What? And spoil the surprise? Not my style." Arata said. "Well, you're no fun." Yolanda said as she frowned.
"Rhydon, Sandstorm!" Forrest called. Rhydon roared as it slammed its fist into the ground and conjured another Sandstorm. 'There must be a way to get through Rhydon's armor. Oh! And I think I have a way to do so.' Gilbert thought, thinking of a plan. "Now, Beedrill, dive into the Sandstorm!" He called. "Speee!" Beedrill dived into the Sandstorm towards Rhydon, much to everyone's shock. "It dived right in?!" Flint asked in shock. "Now, use Twineedle!" Gilbert exclaimed. "Spee!" Beedrill's needles glowed white as it started piercing Rhydon in its armpits. Rhydon actually felt tickle it. Rhydon started laughing from all the piercing from Beedrill. Everyone was shocked by this. "Even if Beedrill's attack isn't effective, it can still tickle even the most armored of Pokémon like Rhydon." Gilbert explained. Forrest was stunned by such a way to use a Bug-type attack. With Rhydon distracted by the tickling, the Sandstorm subdued. "Now, Beedrill, Focus Energy!" Gilbert called. Beedrill's body glowed orange as it powered up. "Now, Rock Smash!" Gilbert called. "Spee!" Beedrill's stinger glowed orange as he slammed it into Rhydon's head. With the added strength from Focus Energy, the Rock Smash dealt a critical hit. Rhydon fainted from suffering such an amount of damage from the Fighting-type move. "Rhydon!" Forrest exclaimed in shock. "Rhydon is unable to battle! Beedrill wins! And that means the winner of the match is the challenger, Gilbert!" Flint announced.
"We…we won. We won, Beedrill! We did it!" Gilbert cheered. "Spee!" Beedrill cheered as he lunged for Gilbert with a big hug. "I guess Arata's advice worked well for us both, huh, Beedrill?" Gilbert asked. "Spee. Spee." Beedrill said. "And we'll continue to work as a team. All of us." Gilbert said. "Spee." Beedrill agreed. Arata and Yolanda were quite impressed. "I never expected Beedrill to use a Fighting-type move." Yolanda said. "Truth be told, I was a little surprised myself." Arata said. "Pidg." Pidgey cooed. "Koffing." Koffing said. Forrest walked over to Rhydon and comforted it. "You put up a great fight, Rhydon. Thanks so much." He said. Rhydon grumbled softly.
Later, Forrest and Flint presented Gilbert with the Boulder Badge. "This your proof that you've beaten the Pewter City Gym, Gilbert. The Boulder Badge." Forrest said. "Thanks so much, Forrest." Gilbert said as he accepted the badge. "We did it, gang! Our first gym badge!" He cheered as he held up the badge. "Bulba!" "Spee!" Bulbasaur and Beedrill cheered. "Congratulations, Gilbert. You've earned that badge." Yolanda said. "And you even followed through with my advice." Arata said. "Oh, it was nothing." Gilbert said, scratching the back of his head.
Later, outside the Pokémon Center, Arata was saying his goodbyes to Gilbert while he waited for Bulbasaur and Beedrill to be healed. "So, you're leaving already?" Gilbert asked. "Yep. I gotta meet back up with Aubrina in Cerulean City for my second gym match there." Arata said. "Okay. You sure you don't wanna travel there together?" Gilbert asked. "Thanks, but I think me and Aubrina are better off on our own for a while." Arata said. "Okay then. Next time we meet, let's battle." Gilbert said. "You got it." Arata said as he shook hands with Gilbert.
After Arata left, Gilbert picked up Bulbasaur and Beedrill from Nurse Joy. "Good news, Gilbert. Bulbasaur and Beedrill are all healed." Nurse Joy said. "Thank you, Nurse Joy." Gilbert said as he took back his Pokémon. But as he exited the Pokémon Center, he was greeted by Yolanda. "Oh. Hey, Yolanda. What're you doing here?" He asked. "I'm coming with you on your journey." Yolanda said. That surprised Gilbert. "You see, I'm actually old enough to go out and start my own adventures. But Koffing and I haven't exactly found the right travelling companion to travel with. Until we saw you during your battle." Yolanda explained. "After watching your battle today, I decided that I want to join you on your journey. If you'll have me." Gilbert thought about it and smiled. "But of course. You're welcome to come along. Adventures are always better with friends." He said. "Really?! Oh, thank you, Gilbert!" Yolanda exclaimed happily. "No problem. Let's go out their and achieve our dreams together, whatever they may be." Gilbert said, holding out his hand. "Right. Together." Yolanda said, shaking Gilbert's hand. So, Yolanda joins Gilbert on his journey into the Pokémon World as they set off from Pewter City.
Major Events:
Gilbert reaches Pewter City.
Gilbert meets up with Arata again.
Gilbert challenges the Pewter City Gym.
Gilbert meets Yolanda.
Gilbert battles Forrest and wins.
Gilbert earns the Boulder Badge.
Arata leaves for Cerulean City.
Yolanda joins Gilbert on his journey.
AN: The bit I place in about Ash owning Lugia and Celebi is referenced from lovecartoonandanime's Ash's Pokemon Journey. A really good story. I hope you don't mind lovecartoonandanime.