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In the early morning, after a night's rest, Kai was full of energy and was about to leave the Pokémon Center when he noticed a boy with a Pikachu and an orange-haired girl arguing in front of a poster on the wall in the lobby.
The boy wore a cap, a T-shirt, and a blue jacket. Despite looking a bit silly, he was energetic, with a lively expression brimming with enthusiasm.
The orange-haired girl had a side ponytail and a beautiful appearance. She wore shorts and a close-fitting yellow tank top that revealed her midriff, along with a pair of white, delicate arms and long, slender legs. She looked youthful and exuded vitality.
With just one glance, Kai recognized who they were.
Isn't that Ash and Misty?
And the yellow mouse next to Ash isn't that the legendary Pikachu?
Seeing the two of them with backpacks and looking travel-worn, Kai couldn't help but think to himself, I didn't expect to run into them so soon. They've already arrived in Pewter City!
He overheard Misty pointing to the poster as she said, "Challenging the Pokémon League isn't as simple as you think. You need to defeat at least eight Gym Leaders and earn their badges to qualify for the League Conference."
"That's nothing I can't handle," Ash replied confidently, with the bravado of someone who doesn't know the challenges ahead. "I'm going to challenge the Pewter Gym soon, and you'll see our true strength!"
Misty: "Ash, are you sure you're ready for the first Gym? You only just started your journey! Gym battles aren't like the battles you've had with wild Pokémon."
Ash: "I know that, Misty! But I've already got Pikachu, and we've trained together. How hard can one Gym be?"
Misty: "Ash, the first Gym Leader specializes in Rock-types, and your Pikachu doesn't have the advantage. Rock types are strong against Electric moves. You need a better plan."
Ash: "Pikachu and I are strong together, type advantage or not. I can just push through! I'll figure something out when I'm there."
Misty: (shaking her head) "That's exactly the problem, Ash. You can't just go in hoping things will work out. The Gym Leaders are tough, and they know their Pokémon inside out."
Ash: "So what, I'm supposed to just skip it? I'll never be a Pokémon Master if I avoid every challenge just because it's hard."
Misty: "I'm not saying to skip it! I'm saying be prepared. Maybe catch another Pokémons first. Think about your team, not just charging ahead with Pikachu."
Ash: "If I start worrying about every battle before it happens, I'll never get anywhere! I'm taking on the Gym my way."
Hearing their conversation, Kai couldn't resist stepping forward and interrupting.
"Are you Ash?"
Ash turned, realizing the voice came from a young man he didn't know.
"Yeah, that's me! And who are you?"
Looking at him, Kai replied, "My name is Kai. When I was in Pallet Town a few days ago, I overheard Professor Oak talking about you. I didn't expect to meet you here today."
"Oh, so you know Professor Oak too?" Ash said with a smile. "This is my partner, Pikachu, and she—"
Before he could finish, Misty interjected, "I'm Misty, the most beautiful girl in the world!"
The most beautiful girl in the world?
Kai glanced at Misty's appearance. She was indeed attractive, but her features were still youthful.
It seemed she still had a long way to go to become "the most beautiful girl in the world." her sisters are more attractive.
Misty, meanwhile, was observing Kai, noting his handsome appearance and the Kirlia at his side. Suddenly, she remembered something.
"So, you're the trainer with the Kirlia who defeated my sister?"
Kai faked surprise and asked, "Oh? Who is your sister?"
But Misty fell silent, clearly reluctant to reveal she was from Cerulean Gym.
At that moment, a middle-aged man with a red cap and a large beard approached them.
"Are you here to challenge Brock, the Pewter Gym Leader?"
Ash nodded confidently. "Of course! As soon as we leave the Pokémon Center, I'm heading to the Pewter Gym to take him on!"
Upon hearing Ash's words, the man burst into laughter.
"Haha! Just you?"
His tone sounded mocking. Before Ash could respond, the man laughed again and walked out.
As the man left the Pokémon Center, Kai couldn't help but ask, "Who was that guy? Why does it seem like he doesn't take you seriously?"
Misty explained, "That's Flint. We met him when we arrived in town. He sells stones around here."
Flint? The stone seller?
Kai paused, realizing that Flint was Brock's long-absent father.
Watching the man leave, Ash said indignantly, "Hmph, he's underestimating me! Fine, I'll head to the Gym and show him I can beat Brock!"
"What a coincidence," Kai said with a smile. "I'm also planning to challenge the Pewter Gym. Why don't we go together?"
Pewter City, named after its stone-grey colour, is known for its abundance of rocks and fossils but not much else.
It's a quiet, small city in the northern region, surrounded by mountains and farmland.
A wide river divides the city, with the Pewter Gym located in the northwest.
Nearby, across the street, is another of the city's landmarks the Pewter Museum of Science.
The group made their way to the Pewter Gym.
From afar, the Gym appeared to be made of layers of massive boulders reinforced with steel.
But up close, they realized that the stones were merely a façade thin slabs decorated as doors.
Behind this façade, the actual structure of the Pewter Gym looked more like an ordinary warehouse.
"What?" Misty murmured. "I thought the whole Gym was made of solid stone, but only the front is real stone!"
Pushing open the Gym's doors, the inside was dim, even in daylight.
Kai and the others filed in, and as they reached the centre of the Gym, a spotlight switched on, illuminating a corner where a man in a green vest sat cross-legged.
"Who are you?"
The man's voice was steady, with a calm and authoritative tone.
"Are you Brock, the Gym Leader?" Ash asked. "I'm Ash from Pallet Town, here to challenge you!"
Kai added, "I'm Kai, also here to challenge the Gym."
"As the Gym Leader, I don't mind how many people challenge me," Brock said as he stood, his tone composed. "However, each match will be two Pokémon each. Which one of you would like to go first?"
It was only at this point that Kai got a clear look at Brock's appearance. His hair was spiky, his face prematurely stern, and his eyes perpetually squinted, making it hard to tell if they were open or closed.
Ash, brimming with excitement, stepped forward. "I'll go first. Bring it on!"
Seeing Ash's eagerness, Kai chose to stand back and took a seat in the stands.
"Good luck, Ash!" Misty called out, joining Kai in the audience.
Brock snapped his fingers, and instantly, the Gym's lights switched on, illuminating every corner.
From beneath the stands, the warehouse doors opened, and two rocky battlefields emerged and locked into place, forming a single large arena.
As a Rock and Ground-type specialist, Brock's Gym naturally had a rock-strewn terrain.
Seeing Ash take his place with Pikachu on the field, Brock leapt to the other side of the arena, ready to battle.
Ash pointed forward and shouted, "Go, Pikachu!"
"You're inexperienced," Brock said, smiling. He tossed a Poké Ball into the air. "Come out, Onix!"
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