Chapter 2: The City of Stone Gray
2 weeks since the trio departed, Ash arrived at the location of his first Gym.
The City of Stone Gray.
Pewter City.
"Can't believe we had to go all the way here for our first Gym badge, right Pikachu?" Ash groaned to his partner.
"Pika…" Pikachu squeaked with a strained smile.
After departing from Pallet Town, Ash managed to catch two new Pokémon to his roster: a Pidgey and a Caterpie.
His Pidgey was a prideful girl and was very pleased with her new Trainer as even if he was a rookie.
He would always train alongside his Pokémon which raised her, as well as his other Pokémon's, respect towards Ash.
This did not change even after she evolved into a Pidgeotto.
Caterpie was rather timid as although he was thankful that Ash saved him from being wild Pidgeys' meal, he was a bit cowardly.
However, as the bug Pokémon evolved into a Butterfree within 2 days, he became more confident and determined to battle.
He would usually express his gratitude for his Trainer, who was patient and never gave up on him.
Charmander shared the same drive for battling as Ash and quickly became adapt in fighting.
A true battle junkie.
His main motivation was at first, to become the strongest, but after Ash told his team about wanting to become a Pokémon Master, he was awestruck at his Trainer's lofty ambitions.
Blazing red eyes that oozed of determination infected the fire lizard.
He then vowed to get even more stronger than he initially wanted, all to see with his own eyes what those crimson red eyes saw.
Beyond the strongest Trainer.
The best like no one ever was.
Pikachu, Ash's ace and first Pokémon, was once an abused and tortured soul.
But after he ran away, he began to see Ash in a new light when he saw his would-be partner protecting him from an onslaught of [Quick Attack] from a certain Ratatta.
After that, the boy told him about his dream to become a Pokémon Master which awed Pikachu.
But the most amazing part of the young Trainer to him was his desire to reunite with the one who gave him his dream.
The electric mouse wanted to meet the person who gave his Trainer purpose and to thank her for leading such a sweet boy into his life.
"Pika-pi, Pikachu!" the mouse squeaked with a determined tone, as if to tell his Trainer that he was ready to battle for him.
The PokéBalls on Ash's belt wiggled as if to share the same sentiment as Pikachu.
"Thanks guys. Well then…"
"Excuse me! I would like to request a Gym battle!" the boy roared with invigorated determination.
A well-toned man turned his head towards the youth and although his eyes were closed, his facial expression was enough to convey his feelings.
Excitement.
"What a passionate roar, young man," the tanned man complimented.
"I am Brock Harrison, Gym Leader of Pewter City," he introduced himself with a firm tone.
"Challenger, may I ask for your name?"
With an excited smirk, Ash introduced himself.
"I am Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town. My dream is to become a Pokémon Master! That's why, I'm going to win that badge!"
Impressed with the boy's answer as well as the fire in his eyes, Brock could not help but be excited.
"Well then, Ash of Pallet Town, let's get down to business."
Ash followed Brock to a sliding door, inside was a huge battlefield with a monitor on the walls used to show information on both battlers.
"Woah, this is awesome…" Ash marvelled at the sight.
Brock let out a hearty chuckle at the boy as he was reminded that he really was just a rookie.
"This is just the standard field. As you visit many more Gyms, you'll find even more awesome looking battlefields."
"Wow! You heard that, Pikachu? It's gonna get even more fun from here!" Ash said to his partner, his body squirming in excitement.
"Pikachu!"
"Say, Ash. Are you 15? You look a bit young to me," Brock asked.
"Nope. I'm 10. I passed Professor Oak's test and got the chance to start early," Ash replied with a grin.
Now Brock was really amazed. He too once took the test at 10 years old but never managed to pass.
Not even his own peers.
To see an actual PokéDex holder in the flesh got him curious and asked the boy for his device to register for the Indigo Grand League.
"Hey, Ash? Why is your Trainer name 'Red' instead of Ash?" Brock asked, confused.
"Oh, that. Red is a nickname by my close friends so we thought it would be cool if our nicknames were to appear as winners of the Grand League," Ash explained.
"Its only for the Indigo Grand League so we'll change it back afterwards. Professor Oak guaranteed."
Brock nodded, satisfied with the boy's answer.
"Alright then, Red. Since this is your first Gym battle, I'll be using my Level One Pokémon against you, understood?"
Every Gym Leader was required to have 3 sets of Pokémon of a certain level to battle the Challengers.
Level One was reserved for Trainers who were beginners.
Level Two, for experienced Trainers.
Level Three, although not typically used, was reserved for those who were considered veterans of battling.
The reason why this Level was rarely used was due to how incredibly rare that someone of an Elite Four tier would challenge the Gym.
Ash understood this from his studies and nodded.
Although a part of him wanted to fight stronger Pokémon, he knew that he would get outclassed in one fell swoop.
He was confident but not to the point where he developed an ego similar to Gary.
Something instilled to him by Serena, who reprimanded him before he went too far back when they were still together.
'Together, huh?' he thought with a sad smile.
"You alright there, Ash?" Brock asked worryingly.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Ash answered immediately to not worry the man.
A referee walked to the side of the battlefield while the two battlers took their place.
"This will be a 2 vs 2 Gym battle between Gym Leader Brock and Challenger Red! Only the Challenger may switch their Pokémon."
"We're ready when you are, Brock!"
The first battle
"Fwahaha! Then show me your best!"
Ignite the flames of victory
"Geodude, go!"
Chapter 2: The City of Stone Gray
"Pikachu, I choose you!"