Author: What's up guys? I appreciate the new reviews and follows and this is going to be a big chapter. I know some are a bit concerned about Ash's childish nature, but don't worry. In this story, Ash actually ages so he'll get more mature without the story. I just it seemed to OOC for Ash to act all serious and smart early. Throughout this story, Ash and his Pokemon will all gain serious development, so I hope y'all enjoy.
Our heroes have finally reached Pewter City, and Ash could not be more excited for his gym battle.
"Oh yeah! Pewter City!" Ash said excitedly.
"Ash, I know you're excited and all, but can we take a rest first? I'm so tired!" Misty complained.
"Alright fine, let's take a rest on those rocks over there." Ash said. The duo sat down on the rocks, only to be approached by a strange man in a yellow sleeveless shirt, red hat covering his eyes, and a spiky beard.
"Why are you kids here in Pewter City?" The man asked.
"I'm here to take on the gym!" Ash said excitedly. .
"You think you can defeat the gym leader with a puny Pokemon like that?" Flint asks.
Ash now angry, snaps back, "Hey! I'll show you, we'll defeat this gym!"
"Yeah, we'll show the gym leader who's boss!" Pikachu chimes in.
"Good luck kid, the gym leader is one of the strongest in Kanto." The man replies.
"Who even are you anyway?" Misty asks.
"I'm Flint, I sell rocks." Flint introduces himself.
"Sell rocks?" Ash, Misty, and Pikachu all said at the same time.
"Yes, I make a good sum of money, and those are my rocks you all are sitting on. Two dollars." Flint said.
Ash and Misty then fell down anime-style and reluctantly paid Flint before moving on to find the Pokemon Center.
Ash and Misty explored through Pewter City, a small town with only a few buildings of note.
They did eventually find the Pokemon Center and decided to take a small rest there before moving onto the gym.
"Ash, do you really think you'll beat the gym leader? Gym leaders are really strong." Misty warns.
"I know we can do it!" Ash said confidently.
"Ash? Misty? Your Pokemon are all ready to go!" Nurse Joy calls from the counter.
The duo collect their Pokemon and thank Nurse Joy and then make their way to the gym.
The Pewter City Gym is a moderately sized building that looked like a massive boulder with two double doors.
Ash barged in and the lights turned on instantly.
"I'm Ash Ketchum! I challenge the Pewter City Gym Leader to a battle!" Ash announced. Misty and Psyduck walked over to the bleachers towards the side.
The interior of the Pewter City Gym was a battlefield filled with rocks, sand dirt, and moderate sized pillars of stone. There were some bleachers to the sides as well. There was a person sitting down on a rock on the other side of the battlefield.
The Gym Leader in question was a teenager wearing a green vest, orange shirt, and brown pants.
"I'm Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader! I accept your challenge!" Brock introduced.
"This will be a two on two. You can substitute however I cannot. Geodude let's go!" Brock said, releasing a boulder-like Pokemon with two arms.
"Pidgeotto I choose you!" Ash said, sending out his Pidgeotto.
"Pidgeotto, start with Quick Attack!" Ash said. Pidgeotto glowed with a blue tint and flew towards Geodude.
"Geodude, grab Pidgeotto!" Brock commands. Right before Pidgeotto made contact, Geodude grabbed Pidgeotto's wing with one of its arms.
"Now use Mega Punch!" Brock followed. Geodude's other hand glowed and punched Pidgeotto incredibly hard, sending him flying back into a rock.
"Pidgeotto, can you keep going?" Ash asked. Pidgeotto, wounded, stumbled back up and spread her wings.
"Rock Throw!" Brock said next. Geodude's arms glowed and it summoned rocks that were then launched at Pidgeotto.
"Dodge it!" Ash said quickly. Pidgeotto got into the air and tried to evade all the rocks, but one of them clipped her wing, causing her to fall to the ground.
"End it with another Mega Punch!"
Geodude's fist glowed again and flew up to Pidgeotto, and punched her again. Pidgeotto was knocked into a wall, knocked out.
"Pidgeotto is unable to battle. Send out your next Pokemon." Brock said calmly.
Ash gritted his teeth and returned Pidgeotto, thanking it for trying its best.
"Pikachu, you're up." Ash said to his partner.
Pikachu grinned and jumped off Ash's shoulder.
"Pikachu, use Shock Wave!" Ash commanded.
Pikachu let out a blue wave of electricity towards Geodude, but Geodude stood there and tanked the attack with no damage.
"But how?" Ash asked, confused why his attack didn't work.
"Ash, Geodude is a ground-type! Electric attacks don't work on it!" Misty called.
"Shit/Shit!" Both Ash and Pikachu said simultaneously.
"Geodude, use Bulldoze!" Brock said.
Geodude's hands glowed and bashed them against the ground, creating a shockwave that blasted Pikachu back.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" Ash said, not giving up. Pikachu glowed with a familiar blue tint and ran towards Geodude.
"Geodude, end it with Rock Blast." Brock said plainly.
Geodude's fists glowed orange and it started to shoot small boulders from its arms, hitting Pikachu and knocking him out.
"Pikachu!" Ash said, running over to his partner.
"You are weak and inexperienced. Train harder and then come and see if you're ready to challenge the Pokemon League." Brock said harshly, returning Geodude.
Ash picked Pikachu up and ran out of the gym. Misty and Psyduck ran after him, knowing his pride had been wounded.
Ash ran over to the Pokemon Center as fast as he could.
"Nurse Joy! Nurse Joy! Can you please heal my Pokemon!" Ash pleaded. The pink-haired woman smiled, and took Pikachu from Ash's arms. Ash also gave her Pidgeotto's pokeball.
After about 5 minutes, Misty caught up to her friend.
"Ash? Are you alright?" Misty asked. Ash looked at her seriously.
"No. I'm going to train. I underestimated the gym leader and my Pokemon paid for it. I'll win next time!" Ash said, determined.
Misty smiled, "There's the Ash I know!"
"Ash? Your Pokemon are ready!" Nurse Joy called. Ash walked over and collected his Pokemon, and then walked out of the Pokemon Center.
"Misty I'll be back in the morning, stay at the Pokemon Center for now." Ash said.
Misty nodded, respecting Ash's wishes and walked over to book a room.
(30 minutes later)
Ash has now arrived at the Pewter City Museum, hoping to find a certain someone.
Ash walked in, looking around. There were exhibits on fossils, Pokemon evolution, and a lot more. Ash kept looking until he found the person he was looking for at an exhibit about Aerodactyl.
"Hmm, it used to be a predator of the skies…" the person said.
"Leaf! Hey!" Ash called. The person turned around, revealing to be Leaf.
"Oh hey Ash! How's your journey going?" Leaf asked.
"It's going good! The only problem is I just lost to Brock. Badly." Ash said, disappointment clear in his voice.
"Yeah, Brock's a toughie! So what's your plan for the rematch?" Leaf asked.
"I'm gonna train with my Pokemon! I actually came here for some advice on how to beat Rock type Pokemon!" Ash replied.
Leaf smiled, "Well, let's see here, Rock types are weak to Grass, Water, Steel, Ground, and Fighting type moves."
"What does your team look like Ash?" Leaf asked.
"Pikachu, Pidgeotto, and Butterfree." Ash replied.
"What's up pretty girl?" Pikachu squeaked from Ash's shoulder.
"Aww, he gets cuter every time I see him!" Leaf gushed, hugging Pikachu.
"Leaf! You're supposed to be helping me!" Ash chided. Leaf blushed and then let go of Pikachu.
"Okay, Pikachu, Pidgeotto, and Butterfree. Try using moves like Steel Wing, Iron Tail, Mega Drain, and Dig. Those are some powerful moves good against Rock types!" Leaf said.
"Also, when trying to learn new moves, your Pokemon have to channel certain types of energy. For example, when using a move like Thief, you channel dark type energy into the respective part. So for steel-type moves, channel steel-type energy! Another thing, while Rock types have a lot of physical defense, their special defense is lacking, so use special moves!" Leaf added.
Ash nodded, "Thanks Leaf! I think I'm ready to go train!" Ash said. "I've got to hurry up, I don't want to keep Misty waiting for too long!" Ash said as he ran out of the museum.
"Good luck Ashy! Wait, who's Misty?"
An hour later, Ash was in the middle of an intense training session with his Pokemon on the battlefield near the back of the Pokemon Center.
Pikachu had rocks tied to his tail as he flexed it up and down.
Pidgeotto also had rocks tied to her wings and flexed those up and down.
Butterfree was trying to learn Mega Drain, so he's concentrating on focusing grass-type energy in his body and repelling it outward.
Ash himself was doing pushups and sit-ups to get himself stronger. After another about 30 minutes, Pikachu's tail and Pidgeotto's wings started to glow.
"Awesome job guys!" Ash said happily.
"Ok Pikachu, use Iron Tail on the ground!" Ash followed.
Pikachu's tail glowed, and struck the ground with tremendous force, causing a small shockwave.
"Nice job Pikachu!"
"Naturally!" Pikachu bragged.
"Ok, Pidgeotto try Steel Wing on the ground!" Ash said next. Pidgeotto's wings glowed and she struck the ground as well, causing another small shockwave
"Yeah Pidgeotto!" Ash said, happy with his Pokemon's new strength. Butterfree, was still struggling a bit with Mega Drain, he's able to get the green orbs of energy out of his body, but is having trouble aiming them.
"Look's like Butterfree's having some trouble learning Mega Drain. Ok, Pikachu, practice on Trailblaze by running across the grass as fast as you can, the point is to learn to channel grass-type energy from your paws." Ash said. "Pidgeotto, work on Hidden Power. I just learned from Dexter that you have a water-type Hidden Power so try and focus on channeling water-type energy."
Ash walked over to Butterfree, who had frustration clear on his face.
"Calm down Butterfree we just have to keep trying. Just focus." Ash instructed.
"I'm trying really hard Ash! I can't get it!" Butterfree said. Ash then closed his eyes, and touched Butterfree's forehead. Ash felt a weird surge of energy flow through his body. It felt ominous, but still positive.
Butterfree, now feeling rejuvenated all of a sudden, tried Mega Drain. This time, the orbs came out bigger and faster then ever, and hit the target Ash set up dead on.
"Looks like you had it inside you all along." Ash said, grinning. Butterfree, now also feeling accomplished, flew over to tell his teammates about his new move.
After 3 long and grueling hours of training, the team had become faster, stronger, and learned new moves.
"Alright guys! I'm gonna scan you guys with Dexter so I can see what you guys picked up on!" Ash said, scanning his three Pokemon.
Pikachu
Nature: Jolly
Moves: Thundershock, Quick Attack, Growl, Shock Wave, Iron Tail, Trailblaze, Hidden Power(Ice), Double Team
Pidgeotto
Nature: Bold
Moves: Quick Attack, Gust, Sand attack, Aerial Ace, Steel Wing, Air Cutter, Hidden Power(Water)
Butterfree
Nature: Quirky
Moves: Tackle, Gust, Bug Bite, Harden, Air Cutter, Mega Drain, Confusion, Psybeam, Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Poison Powder.
"Alright guys! You all have gotten really strong!" Ash said happily. "I think we're ready to take down Brock!"
Pikachu, Butterfree, and Pidgeotto all let out a cheer.
"But we'll do that tomorrow. Rest up guys, and good job today!" Ash said as he returned Pidgeotto and Butterfree and then picked up Pikachu and put him on his shoulder, also scratching him behind the ears as well.
The duo then made their way back to the Pokemon Center and got the room number from Nurse Joy. He went up to the room and saw Misty on the bed, studying on a laptop intensely.
"Whoa, looks like Misty's studying pretty hard. She looks really cute when she's focused- WAIT! WHAT AM I SAYING? Misty's a friend! And nothing more!" Ash thought, blushing. He then started slapping the sides of his head, trying to get his romantic thoughts out of his head.
However, all the noise Ash made startled Misty, who in turn then yelped and almost dropped the laptop.
"Arceus Ash! You scared me!" Misty scolded. Ash rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah Sorry Mist. I just finished training and I'm gonna challenge Brock again tomorrow." Ash said.
"Wait, did you just call me Mist?" Misty asked curiously.
Ash blushed again and rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah I just thought it was a cute nickname."
Misty smiled, it really was hard to stay mad at her traveling companion. "You're not the only one who's been getting stronger! I got some money by battling some trainers on Route 3, so I'm buying some TMs!"
"Really? What are you gonna buy?" Ash said excitedly, jumping on the bed and looking on the laptop.
"Hey, don't bring your dirty body onto the bed! You need to shower mister!" Misty said sternly. Ash reluctantly got off the bed and went into the bathroom to shower.
20 minutes later, Ash came out the bathroom in a t-shirt and shorts and jumped onto the bed.
On Misty's laptop, Ash saw some different colored discs with words on them.
"Okay, let's see here….." Misty pondered.
"I have 50 thousand poke dollars to work with. I can buy Water Pulse for 10,000, Icy Wind for 30,000, and Ice Beam for 50,000." Misty said.
"Let's go for Water Pulse and Icy Wind! And we'll still have 10,000 poke dollars left over!" Ash said.
Misty smiled, "That's a good idea Ash! I'll head down to the Pokemart tomorrow!"
Ash grinned, "Okay, where am I going to sleep?"
"Um, this was the only room they had, so we had no choice. I-I can sleep on the floor if you want." Misty stuttered.
"I-it's fine, we can share if you want. We'll just stay on our sides." Ash said nervously.
Nervously, both trainers went onto the bed and stuck to their sides. Despite being nervous about sharing a bed with a girl, Ash was still out like a light after a couple minutes. Misty was knocked out shortly after.
"Alright Psyduck! They're finally asleep! Now we can raid the mini fridge!" Pikachu squeaked.
"Psy?" Psyduck quacked, confused as always.
From Ash's backpack, two pokeballs opened, sending out Butterfree and Pidgeotto.
"What are you up to now Pikachu?" Pidgeotto yawned.
"Are you trying to raid the room for food again?" Butterfree asked annoyed.
"The last time Pikachu tried that, he almost got us kicked out of the Viridian City Pokemon center.
Pidgeotto said to his fellow flying type.
"Damn it! Well Psyduck, we've been found out! Time to fight! We won't be denied our food!" Pikachu chanted.
Butterfree rolled his eyes and used Sleep Powder, putting Pikachu into a sleepy state.
"Damn it *yawn*. We won't *yawn* give in to the ma-masses" Pikachu said, falling asleep mid-sentence.
Butterfree and Pidgeotto nodded to each other and then went back into their pokeballs.
(The Next Morning, 8:00 A.M.)
"Alright Ash! Time for Pewter City gym!" Ash shouted out.
"Damn it Ash let me sleep!" Misty said annoyed.
"Pikachu, come on let's head to the gym!" Ash said.
"H-hm? I was just trying to lead Psyduck into a mini fridge revolution, and now I'm here. Gym? Oh yeah sure Ash." Pikachu said.
Ash picked Pikachu up and put him on his shoulder, and then left the hotel room to go and get breakfast before his gym battle.
30 minutes later, Misty decided to get out of bed and go to watch Ash's gym battle. She woke up and changed out of her pajamas before taking a quick shower and heading down with Psyduck. Misty went to the cafeteria to see Ash downing a massive plate filled with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and French toast. Pikachu was right next to him downing multiple ketchup packets..
Misty facepalmed, she forgot how much her traveling companion eats.
"Hunh? Oh hey there Misty." Ash said with a mouth full of food.
Misty sighed and sat across from him, simply ordering an omelet and toast.
"Are you ready for you gym battle Ash?" Misty asked.
"Yeah, I'm gonna beat Brock this time!" Ash said.
Misty smiled, Ash seemed really determined to win his first gym badge.
After eating, both trainers made their way to Pewter Gym. Ash sighed, and opened the double doors.
"Brock! I, Ash Ketchum challenge you to a rematch!" Ash exclaimed. Misty wished him luck and headed to the bleachers.
"I accept Ash! The rules are the same as last time!" Brock said.
"Butterfree go!" Ash said, releasing his butterfly Pokemon.
"Geodude you're up!" Brock said.
"Butterfree, let's start with Psybeam!" Ash started. Butterfree's eyes glowed and released a dark pink bream toward Geodude, knocking it back.
"Geodude, Rock Blast!" Borck commanded.
Geodude's arms glowed and started shooting rocks towards Butterfree.
"Butterfree, use Confusion and send the rocks back at Geodude!"
Butterfree's eyes glowed blue and the rocks started to glow, and were redirected towards Geodude, doing a bit more damage.
"It seems you've improved." Brock smiled. "But we're not done yet, Rock Throw!"
Geodude's arms glowed again and sent rocks flying toward Butterfree, but the rocks were bigger and fired at a faster rate.
This time, Butterfree got hit, and was knocked down to the ground.
"Geodude let's end it with Mega Punch!" Brock said. Geodude's fist glowed and flew toward Butterfree.
"Butterfree, use Mega Drain!" Ash said quickly. Butterfree was covered in a green aura, and sent out spheres of energy toward Geodude, connecting and knocking out Geodude, also seeping Geodude's energy and healing Butterfree.
Butterfree, still injured, but now a bit rejuvenated, flew back up.
Brock returned Geodude and thanked it.
"Alright! Good job Butterfree!" Ash sad excitedly.
"Good job Ash!" Misty called from the bleachers.
"You've gotten better Ash! But time for my next Pokemon! Onix go!" Brock said, releasing a massive snake-like Pokemon made out of boulders. The Pokemon also had a big spike on its head. It let out a massive roar and entered a battle stance.
"Don't be intimidated Butterfree! Go for a Psybeam!" Ash commanded. Butterfree's eyes glowed and let out another Psybeam.
"Negate it with Screech!" Brock said. Onix let out another, much stronger roar, but it was a high-pitched screeching noise that blocked Psybeam and disoriented Butterfree.
"Use Dragon Tail!" Brock followed.
Onix's tail glowed green and smacked Butterfree out of the air with a direct hit. Butterfree tried its best to get up, but it fell down again, knocked out.
"Thanks Butterfree, you did good." Ash said, returning his butterfly Pokemon.
"Alright buddy, you're up." Pikachu grinned and jumped off Ash's shoulder, ready for a great fight.
"Pikachu, Double Team!" Ash commanded. Pikachu concentrated and made afterimages of himself as they all ran around Onix.
"Onix, use Bulldoze!" Brock countered. Onix glowed with ground-type energy and slammed its tail into the ground, creating a shockwave that wiped out Pikachu's afterimages.
"Pikachu jump!" Ash said. Before the shockwave hit Pikachu, he jumped high into air.
"Knock it down with Dragon Tail!" Brock commanded. Onix's tail glowed green again and went to hit Pikachu.
"Counter with Iron Tail!" Ash said. Pikachu's tail glowed and the two collided, with Onix being the winner and knocking down Pikachu.
"Follow up with Headbutt!" Brock continued.
Onix slithered towards Pikachu and rammed its head into him, knocking him back.
"You ok Pikachu?" Ash asked.
"Y-yeah I'm fine Ash. I can keep going!" Pikachu said, clearly determined.
"There we go! Ok, let's do this! Trailblaze!" Ash said.
Pikachu's paws glowed green and with lightning fast speed he ran towards Ash, crashing into the Rock Snake Pokemon.
"Now use the momentum of the impact and jump into the air!" Ash continued. Pikachu used the impact's brunt force as well as his heightened speed and leaped up incredibly high.
"Alright, now hit him with a falling Iron Tail!" Ash said.
Pikachu's tail glowed and descended down on Onix.
"Counter with Dragon Tail again Onix!" Brock said. Onix's tail glowed and went for another Dragon Tail. However, this time, with the momentum, Pikachu overpowered Onix and landed a massive Iron Tail right on Onix's head.
Onix let out a cry of pain before falling to the ground, knocked out with swirls in its eyes.
Ash stood there in awe for a bit, wondering what just happened. Soon, he let out a massive smile, realizing he just won.
"OH YEAH!" Ash shouted.
"Pikachu we did it! We won We won We won!" Ash exclaimed happily.
Brock walked over to his defeated Pokemon and patted it on the head.
"Good job Onix, you fought hard today." Brock said as he returned it.
Brock then walked over to Ash and pulled out a small gray badge with small spikes on it.
"Congratulations Ash, you earned this. The Boulder Badge." Brock said, handing the badge to Ash.
Ash grinned and pinned the badge to the inside of his jacket.
"You know, I wonder what it would be like go on a journey. You're lucky Ash." Brock said.
"Well why don't you go on a journey then Brock?" Ash asked.
"I can't. Ever since my father left, I've had to watch my siblings." Brock said sadly.
"And that's because of me." A voice said from the door. To the group's surprise, it was Flint.
"Flint? What are you doing here?" Ash asked.
"My father." Brock said, a bit of anger clear in his voice.
"What? So you're the good for nothing father that left home and never came back?" Ash said.
Flint sweat-dropped and then proceeded to explain how he left to go on a journey to take on the Pokemon League, but ended up failing. He left Brock to watch his siblings while he went on his journey.
"But now, Brock, you need to go on a journey to find your true passion. I'll watch the kids and the gym. You should go and follow your dreams." Flint said.
"Ok. Thanks Dad. But in that case, Cindy cuts her dresses a lot so learn how to sew, Tommy likes cold spaghetti for breakfast and warm cereal for dinner, Suzie's scared of the dark so you have to lay down with her at night and…." Brock continued to ramble on about all of his siblings issues as Flint desperately tried to write them all down.
"Um, Ok! I think I have everything! Now go Brock! Follow your dreams!" Flint said. Brock smiled and grabbed his backpack.
"Ash, is it alright if I go along with you and Misty? You're a good trainer and the more the merrier right!" Brock asked.
Ash smiled, "Yeah! The more the merrier! You good with that Misty?"
"Yeah! Welcome aboard Brock!" Misty said.
And with a new friend in tow, the heroes went along their way and continued on their journey.
Author: Holy shit that was long. This was probably the most influential chapter yet so I hope y'all enjoyed! I'll see you guys next time!