Me: It's time for our first gym battle
Ash: Yes this is gonna be awesome!
Alex: Isn't this the one where you set off the sprinklers and only won because-
Ash: Sssssh! Start the episode! Start the episode!
Misty: Chapter 3-Showdown in Pewter City!
Team Rocket are busy digging a pit.
"Hurry up. They should be passing through here soon." Meowth yells at the others.
"I think this is deep enough." James says.
"Then let's cover it up." Jessie replies.
They get to work disguising their trap.
"It will be covered up so well you'll never be able to tell it's a trap." Meowth says," There done."
They look around at the road.
"Aaaah!" James yells out, "I forgot where the trap is!"
The three of them start walking around the path trying to remember where they placed their trap.
"We covered it up too well." Meowth says.
"It has to be around here somewhere. Just keep an eye ou-" Jessie was saying before the ground beneath them gives way. The three of them scream as they fall down into their own pit. They are then quickly buried alive. A few minutes later and Ash,Alex,Misty and Pikachu come strolling out of Viridian Forest and right past the incident.
"Huh. The ground seems different here." Alex mumbles before carrying on without a care.
"Look there's Pewter City!" Ash points ahead. The group are overlooking Pewter City. Ash takes a seat on a giant rock.
"Finally." Misty says. Ash lets out a sigh.
"For a while there I thought we were going to be in that forest for the rest of our lives."
"Pewter City is grey. The colour of stone. This town has always been famous for stone." A deep voice comes from below them. Ash, Misty and Pikachu look down and see a bearded man who is wearing a red beanie is leaning against the cliff.
"Hello. Who are you?" Ash asks him confused.
"The name's Flint. And you're sitting on my merchandise." Ash immediately hops off the rock.
"Sorry!" He starts patting the rock. Misty looks around and sees some shelves set up next to Flint. There are rocks and stones on them with price tags next to them.
"You sell rocks?" Misty asks confused.
"They're souvenirs for tourists. You want to buy any?" Flint asks.
"Uh no thanks." Misty replies.
"The three of us are travellers trying to become Pokemon trainers." Ash tells Flint who looks around confused.
"Well unless you're counting your Pikachu, I only see two of you." Flint replies. Ash and Misty look confused only to notice Alex has disappeared.
"Wha...where did he go?" Misty says shocked. Ash just sighs annoyed.
"He always does this. He just vanishes sometimes."
"Your Pikachu looks worn out. Follow me. I'll show you to the Pokemon Centre." Flints gets to his feet and starts walking away.
"He seems like a nice guy." Ash tells Misty.
"By the way that will be 2 dollars for sitting on my merchandise."
Ash almost trips.
Alex is standing outside Pewter Gym. His Charmander is standing next to him,his Eevee is resting ontop of his head, and his Beedrill is buzzing behind him.
"This will be our first challenge. Are you guys ready?"
Charmander nods dutifully while Eevee just cries out happily. Beedrill remains silent.
"Alright let's go." He pushes the doors open and they head inside. There is a Battle arena inside, with some stands around it. At the opposite side of the arena, sitting on a giant rock, is the gym leader. Alex approaches him.
"Are you here to challenge the gym?"
"Yes. My name is Alex from Pallet Town and I'm here for my first badge."
"Pallet Town? You're the third person to come from there this week."
"And I won't be the last." Alex replies. The gym leader gets to his feet.
"I'm Brock Harrison and I accept your challenge."
The two of them are standing on their respective sides of the arena,Alex having returned all his Pokemon.
"This will be a two-on-two Pokemon battle! You may make substitutions while I cannot. The first trainer to eliminate all of his opponent's Pokemon will be declared the winner! As Gym leader I must pick my Pokemon first. Go Onix!" Brock tosses his pokeball and Onix pops out from it. It lets out a mighty roar. Alex stares up at it.
"Woah. That is much bigger in person."
He takes out his Pokedex and scans Onix
Onix the Rock Snake Pokemon. A Rock/Ground type. This chain of immense stones resembles a giant serpent. Tremors shake the earth above as it burrows deep beneath the ground, feeding on boulders as it goes. Onix evolves into Steelix. This Onix is Male
"A Rock/Ground type huh. That may be tough."
"Are you scared?" Brock asks.
"No way. I know just what to do. Go Beedrill!" Alex tosses his pokeball and Beedrill pops out.
Buzz Buzz
"Beedrill? An interesting choice." Brock says.
"Alright Beedrill listen up. One hit from that Onix will very likely take you out of this battle so I need you to be fast!" Alex yells at Beedrill who starts buzzing even quicker in response.
"It doesn't matter how fast your Beedrill can fly. Onix will still get! Use Rock Throw!" Brock yells. Onix slams it's tail against the ground and rips some small rocks out. It tosses them at Beedrill.
"Beedrill dodge and use Poison Sting!"
Beedrill flies past the rocks and heads straight to Onix.
"Onix try and slam it with your tail!"
Onix swings it's tail at Beedrill who dodges out of the way and stabs the Rock Snake with it's stingers. It doesn't do much to it. Onix again attempts to hit it but Beedrill flies out of the way.
"Poison Sting again! All over!"
"Onix do whatever it takes to ground that Beedrill!" Brock yells at Onix. The two Pokemon start attacking in a pattern. With Onix constantly trying to knock Beedrill out of the sky and Beedrill constantly dodging and stabbing Onix. Despite Beedrill's attacks seemingly not doing anything, Onix is noticeably starting to get slower and weaker.
"Just keep it up Beedrill!" Alex yells supportingly
"Enough! Onix finish this with Rock Tomb!"
Onix suddenly rips out a massive boulder from the ground and tosses it at Beedrill
"Beedrill look out!"
However Beedrill isn't quick enough to dodge and is hit dead on by the boulder. Beedrill slams into the ground hard having fainted immediately.
"Beedrill return!"
"Send out your last Pokemon." Brock tells Alex who clutches his pokeball.
"Alright buddy hopefully my plan is paying off. Let's go Charmander!" Alex tosses his pokeball.
Charmander!
"A Charmander? First you used a Bug/Poison type and now you are using a Fire type? Do you not understand how type advantages work?" Brock asks Alex.
"No I understand. I'm just short of options." Alex replies.
"That makes me feel a bit bad." Brock replies, "Onix use Bind!"
Onix starts dashing towards Charmander when it suddenly stops and roars in pain
"Onix what's wrong!" Brock shouts confused. Onix collapses to the ground and faints
"Yes! It worked!"
Brock's eyes widen in realization
"You poisoned Onix."
"Yep. It was a gamble I admit. Trying to get Beedrill's poison through that rock skin but it paid off. Then all I had to do was wear Onix down and let the poison do the rest."
Brock returns Onix.
"I'm impressed. However you will not be able to pull off the same strategy this time. Go Geodude!"
Geodude!
Alex scans Geodude
Geodude the Rock Pokemon. A Rock/Ground type. It uses its arms to steadily climb steep mountain paths. It swings its fists around if angered.
Geodude evolves into Graveler. This Geodude is Male
"Do you not own any other kinds of Pokemon?" Alex asks annoyed.
"Well this is the Rock gym." Brock replies.
"Goodpoint. CharmanderuseSmokescreen!" Alex practically screams
Charmander breathes out a lot of smoke filling up the room and hiding it from view.
"You're only delaying the inevitable. Geodude use Rollout! Feel free to go crazy."
Even though they can't see, they can hear Geodude rolling around the arena, smashing into things.
"Charmander if Geodude gets close to you then use Ember!" Alex yells out.
They hear a cry of pain from Geodude and then a loud smash. The smoke finally clears revealing that Geodude has slammed into one of the stands and is now laying upside down. It's eyes are clenched shut.
"Geodude what happened!" Brock yells out at it.
"Did you burn it's eyes?" Alex asks Charmander who just nods proudly. "Well now's our chance! Use Metal Claw!"
Charmander's claws turn metallic and it leaps at Geodude. It slashes Geodude across the face.
Geodude!
The pokemon faints
"Geodude!"
"We did it Charmander we won!"
Charmander and Alex high five.
"We owe Beedrill alot too. I doubt we could have taken Onix out otherwise."
"Return Geodude. You did great pal."
Brock approaches Alex. He takes out a gym badge and offers it to Alex.
"Congratulations Alex. I hereby present to you the Boulder Badge."
Alex takes the badge. "Thank you."
"That was a unique battle. I've never lost to anyone who didn't use either a Water or Grass type before." Brock tells Alex. "This was a good learning experience."
"Glad I could help."
"Before you leave I wanted to ask you something. Your Beedrill, you haven't been with it long right?"
"No I just caught it yesterday actually. How did you know?"
"I'm studying to be a Pokemon breeder." Brock replies.
"Really? Then how come you're running a Pokemon gym? I thought you would be out travelling, trying to learn more about Pokemon."
"I want to, but unfortunately I can't. I need to stay here and look after my family." Brock replies sadly.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I hope one day you get to fulfill your dream."
The two shakes hands before Alex leaves.
Meanwhile Ash,Misty and Pikachu are at the Museum.
"Come on Misty. This is boring." Ash moans.
"I can't believe I'm about to say this but I agree. The pamplet made this place sound so fun but it's just a bunch of old bones and rocks." Misty replies.
Pikachu examines a small rock on display. It is very dark and sparkles occasionally.
Pikapi! Pikachupi!
The two head over to him.
"What is it Pikachu?" Ash reads the sign. "This is called a 'Moonstone'."
"I've heard of those. If you give one of those to certain Pokemon it will make them evolve." Misty tells Ash.
"Really?" Ash pulls out his Pokedex and types something into it
A Moon Stone is a peculiar stone that can make Nidorina,Nidorino,Clefairy,Jigglypuff,Skitty and Munna evolve. No one knows where these mysterious stones come from but it is speculated to come from outerspace.
"From outerspace? That sounds so romantic." Misty says.
"Uh sure. Can we go to the gym now?" Ash asks.
"Fine. Led the way mr Pokemon Master."
"Closed!" Ash yells out in frustration. Misty reads the sign posted on the door.
"The gym will be closed for the rest of the day. Well that's bad luck."
Ash has slumped over and is moping. Pikachu pats him on the back.
"It's not fair..."
"Cheer up Ash. This just means you have more time to plan out a battle strategy."
"I guess so..."
The two of them are eating at a restaurant. Pikachu is sitting next to Ash playing with the ketchup bottle.
"So Ash do you know anything about the Pewter City gym leader?"
"I know they use Rock types and is apparently very tough, but otherwise no." Ash replies. Pikachu manages to open the bottle and licks a bit of ketchup. His eyes widen and he starts drinking out of the bottle.
"Well Rock Pokemon are weak to Water types so if you ask really nicely I'll let you use some of mine."
"No thanks."
"No thanks? What does that mean?" Misty asks offended
"I want to win using my own Pokemon. How can I become a Pokemon master if I have to use other people's Pokemon to win my battles for me?" Ash asks.
"That's admirable and all Ash but you don't exactly have the best lineup. Both Butterfree and Pidgeotto are weak to rock types. Your only reason option is Pikachu, and if this gym leader has any Ground types then you're in trouble."
"I'll figure it out. I believe in my Pokemon. Isn't that right Pika-Pikachu!"
Ash pulls the now practically empty ketchup bottle away from Pikachu who starts desperately trying to snatch it back.
The three of them exit the restaurant. The sun is starting to set. Flint is waiting for them outside.
"Oh hi Flint." Ash says.
"Ash I'd like to discuss something with you. Do you mind following me?"
"Sure. I'll see you later Misty." Ash and Pikachu head off with Flint.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"I heard you were planning on challenging Brock in the Pewter Gym."
"Brock? Yeah I am. I'm planning on beating him too!"
"Brock is tough. I would not get overconfident." Flint tells him.
They stop outside a house. Flint points at a window. A bunch of kids can be seen inside. In the background someone is doing dishes
"Watch."
"You're not some kind of pervert are you?" Ash asks genuinely worried. Pikachu starts sparking it's cheeks.
"What? Ofcourse not! Just pay attention."
One of the younger girls runs over to the person doing the dishes and grabs their leg. She is crying.
"I tore my skirt." She says. The person turns to look at her. It's Brock.
"Alright I'll sew it up." He tells her kindly.
"Who is that?" Ash asks Flint.
"That's Brock."
"What!"
Flint gestures for Ash to follow and they keep walking.
"Brock has nine little brothers and sisters he needs to take care of. If it wasn't for them then he would have left Pewter City long ago to pursue his own dreams." Flints tells Ash.
"But what about their parents?" Ash asks
Flint stares down at the ground
"Brock's no good father ran off years ago to become a powerful Pokemon trainer and they never heard from him again. His mother eventually couldn't carry on with the burden and left to pursue her own dreams as well."
"That sounds awful." Ash says sadly.
Pikachu...
"Yes. Brock deserved much better than the hand he was dealt."
"But why are you telling me all these things though?" Ash asks confused.
"I have my reasons. Perhaps it may help you to understand your opponent tomorrow. Or perhaps not. I felt I had to tell you though."
Flint has led them back to the Pokemon Centre
"You better get some rest. Brock won't be an easy opponent to beat."
Flint walks away. Ash glances at Pikachu
"That was weird right?"
Pikachu
They enter their room in the Pokemon Centre. Alex and Misty are already asleep.
"Now he shows up." Ash mumbles softly
"Come on. Just give me a hint." Ash is nagging Alex as they make their way towards Brock's gym
"No. It wouldn't be fair." Alex replies
"I'd do it for you." Ash tells him
Alex sighs, "Alright fine. Both his Pokemon are Rock/Ground types."
"They are? That's alright! We can handle it!"
"The offer's still available Ash." Misty chimes in.
"What offer?" Alex asks confused.
"No thanks Misty. Butterfree,Pidgeotto,Pikachu and I got this."
They arrive outside the Pewter Gym. Ash takes a deep breath.
"You ready Pikachu?"
Pika!
Ash pushes the doors open and they head inside. Brock has taken his place on his rock. He notices Alex.
"Alex."
"Brock."
"Who are your friends?"
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town and I'm here to challenge you!"
Brock looks at Ash's Pikachu.
"Your Pikachu is in it's cutest stage."
Pikachu smiles happily at that.
"It cannot win."
Pikachu falls over.
"Worry about your own Pokemon!"
Alex and Misty are sitting on one of the stands. Ash and Brock have taken their places on opposite sides of the arena.
"This will be a two-on-two Pokemon battle! You may make substitutions while I cannot!. The first trainer to eliminate all of his opponent's Pokemon will be declared the winner! As Gym Leader I must send out my Pokemon first! Go Geodude!"
Geodude!
Ash scans Geodude.
"Ok. Butterfree I choose you!"
Free freee
"This is gonna be tough." Misty says.
"I'm sure Ash can pull it off." Alex tells her.
"You have more confidence in him than I do."
"Geodude use Tackle!"
Geodude leaps towards Butterfree
"Butterfree dodge and use Sleep Powder!"
Butterfree dodges Geodude's attack and sprinkles sleep powder over him. Geodude falls asleep
"That won't keep Geodude down for long. Unless you can take him out soon it won't help you."
Ash smirks.
"Butterfree use Rain Dance!"
"What!" Brock yells out shocked.
"What!" Misty yells out shocked
"Huh impressive." Alex admits.
Butterfree's eyes glow and storm clouds appear in the gym. They start raining causing the sleeping Geodude pain
"Alright Butterfree return!" Ash yells. "You're up Pikachu!"
Pikachu hops onto the field.
"Even with your Rain Dance, Pikachu's electric atttacks won't effect Geodude." Brock tells Ash
"Pikachu has other attacks! Use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu speeds forward and slams into Geodude. Thanks to the rain it takes more damage than normal
"Geodude wake up!"
Geodude slowly starts waking up
"Pikachu return!"
Pikachu rushes back to Ash who tosses Butterfree's pokeball out again
"Butterfree another Sleep Powder!"
Butterfree puts Geodude right back to sleep
"Now use Gust to blow Geodude into one of those boulders!"
Butterfree flaps it's wings forcefully blowing Geodude through the air. The pokemon slams into one of the boulders. Brock watches with his jaw clenched.
"Return Butterfree! Finish it off Pikachu with another Quick Attack!"
Pikachu speeds forward and slams into Geodude. The Rock Pokemon faints
"Wow. I didn't think that would work." Misty admits
"Return Geodude. I underestimated your Pikachu. However it won't be any match for Onix!"
Rarrrrrr!
Pikachu's eyes widen in fear at the Onix and it automatically fires a Thundershock which does nothing to Onix and also strikes the ceiling setting fire to it
"No Pikachu! Onix is immune to Electricity! Return!"
Pikachu rushes back to Ash who tosses out Butterfree again. The Rain Dance has since cleared up.
"That was a good trick you pulled off Ash. But I won't let it happen again. Onix use Rock Throw!"
"Butterfree dodge and use Sleep Powder!"
Butterfree manages to dodge the rocks but as it flies close to Onix, the Rock Snake suddenly grabs it with it's tail
"Aaah!"
Freee!
"Use Bind Onix!"
Onix starts crushing Butterfree with it's tail. Butterfree tries to release the Sleep Powder but can't
Freeee! Free...
Butterfree faints and Onix drops it
"Butterfree return!"
"Oh no Butterfree is out. What's Ash gonna do now?" Misty asks worried
"It's all up to Pikachu now."
"Send out your Pikachu Ash and let's finish this match."
"You good buddy?" Ash asks Pikachu who nods and hops into the arena. "Ok we're gonna have to wing this."
At that moment, the small fire on the ceiling which has slowly been spreading reaches the gym's sprinklers setting them off
"What?" Ash looks around confused. Onix starts roaring in pain.
"Oh no!" Brock yells out
"Ash Pikachu's attack from earlier set off the sprinklers!" Misty yells at him
"You're right! Ok Pikachu Onix is weakened! Use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu speeds forward and slams into Onix. The Rock Snake Pokemon hunches over still in pain
"Onix try to fight through it!"
"Another Quick Attack Pikachu!"
Pikachu hits Onix again forcing the Pokemon to the ground
"Come on Onix!"
"Ok Pikachu just one more! Use-"
Ash suddenly imagines all of Brock's siblings holding onto him
"I can't! My conscience is imaging Brock's siblings stopping me from beating the one person they love!"
"Ignore it!" Alex yells at him
"But-"
"Attack already!"
"Pikachu Quick Attack!"
Pikachu rushes forward and slams into Onix's head. The Pokemon roars in pain before fainting
"Onix no!"
Everyone just kind of stares in shock for awhile
"He won!" Misty yells out
"I always had faith in him."
Pikachu!
Brock returns Onix. He looks up at the sprinklers and shakes his head
"Beaten by my own safety regulations."
He approaches Ash who stares down at the ground. Pikachu looks up at him concerned
Pikapi?
"Congratulations on your win Ash. I hereby present to you the Boulder Badge."
"I don't deserve it." Ash says sadly
"What do you mean?" Brock asks confused
"I didn't win fairly. I cheated."
"You didn't cheat. Using the environment to your advantage is a completely viable tactic. The sprinklers were part of the environment and therefore fair to be used against me."
"But I didn't even intentionally set them off. It was a complete accident..."
"Which shows how talented you are. You were able to take advantage of an unplanned accident and allow you to win a tough battle. You commanded your Pokemon, you used the environment to aid you, and you showed impressive improvisational skills. You more than earned this badge Ash."
"Really?" Ash asks
"Yes." Brock hands Ash the badge
"Alright. I won the Boulder Badge!"
Pikachu!
"I also uh...heard what you said about my brothers and sisters."
"Oh you did?"
"They wouldn't be upset if I lost, it has happened before. But the fact you were worried about that shows that you are a good person."
"I uh heard about what happened to your parents. I'm sorry Brock."
Brock nods
"Truthfully Ash I get more pleasure from raising Pokemon than from making them battle. I don't care about being a great Pokemon trainer, I want to be the world's best Pokemon breeder. But I can't leave here because I have to take care of my siblings."
"It's not fair."
Brock smiles sadly
"Ash I want you to go out there and fulfill your dream."
"I will."
The gym doors suddenly open and Flint enters
"Brock. You go out there and fulfill your dreams come true."
Brock's eyes widen. Ash looks confused
"Flint? What are you doing here?"
"Fixing my mistakes."
Flints pulls off his fake beard and takes off his beanie revealing that he looks like an older version of Brock
"My father."
"What!" Ash yells out shocked.
"I didn't see that coming." Misty says
"I'm confused. Who is that guy?" Alex asks
"Wait so you're the good for nothing father who left home and never came back!"
"Yes. I failed to become a powerful Pokemon trainer and I was too ashamed to face my family so I ran away like a coward. It's time I stop running though and take responsibility. Brock you go out there and live your life."
"First there are some things I need to tell you." Brock reaches into his pocket
"I understand. After all this time you must have alot of hatred towards me. Get everything off your chest and-" Brock suddenly hands him a pen and a small notebook, "Huh?"
"Suzie always rips her dresses so you better learn how to sew and Timmy only eats cold spaghetti for breakfast Tommy likes corn flakes"
"Slow down I can't write that fast!" Flint pleads
"Cindy sleepwalks so you need to tie a bell on her wrist the twins never want to take a bath so you have to-"
Ash,Alex,Brock and Pikachu are heading out of Pewter City
"Are you sure you don't mind me tagging along?" Brock asks
"Ofcourse not. The more the merrier I say!" Ash tells him
"I don't mind." Alex shrugs
"And what about that girl that's following you?" Brock asks and glances back at Misty who is following behind them
"Don't forget about my bike Ash Ketchum! I'm gonna follow you till you pay me back!" Misty yells at him
"I know. I know. Quick let's try to lose her!" Ash yells and takes off running. Pikachu chases after him
"Wait Ash!" Brock chases after them
"Don't even think about it!" Misty yells and chases after them. Alex just rolls his eyes
"Children."
Team Rocket burst out through a hole
"See I told you I could get us out." James says
Then Ash tramples over them, followed by Brock, then Misty, forcing them right back down the hole
TBC
Me: And that finishes that episode. Honestly I had a bit of trouble writing this one. Brock's gym battles were the main issues, ironically it was more Alex's one I had problems with than Ash's. One other thing, I'm thinking of doing away with the six Pokemon limit, mainly because if I keep it then Ash's team will almost always only consist of whichever six Pokemon he caught in the Anime. I also however don't want them to be carrying around like twenty Pokemon so if I do get rid of it they still won't keep too many Pokemon on them.
Pokemon:
Ash Ketchum:
Pikachu(Male)(Electric)
Butterfree(Male)(Bug/Flying)
Pidgeotto(Male)(Normal/Flying)
Alex Martin:
Charmander(Male)(Fire)
Eevee(Female)(Normal)
Beedrill(Female)(Bug/Poison)
Misty Waterflower:
Goldeen(Female)(Water)
Staryu(Water)
Starmie(Water/Psychic)
Brock Harrison:
Onix(Male)(Rock/Ground)
Geodude(Male)(Rock/Ground)
Team Rocket:
Meowth(Male)(Normal)
Ekans(Male)(Poison)
Koffing(Male)(Poison)