Chapter 15: Ash and Misty

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In the early morning, after a night's rest, Ethan felt refreshed and was about to leave the Pokémon Center when he noticed a boy with a Pikachu and an orange-haired girl in the lobby, arguing in front of a poster on the wall.

The boy wore a baseball cap, a T-shirt, and a blue jacket. Although he looked a bit goofy, he was full of spirit, with a vibrant energy about him. The orange-haired girl, with her hair tied in a side ponytail, was beautiful. She wore shorts and a fitted yellow tank top, revealing her entire midriff, a pair of fair, slender arms, and long, graceful legs. She looked full of youthful vigor and extraordinary vitality.

With just a glance, Ethan recognized their identities.

Isn't that Ash and Misty?! And that yellow rodent by Ash's side, was that the legendary Pikachu, the Electric God, who could always go toe-to-toe with anyone? Seeing the two with their backpacks, looking travel-worn, Ethan couldn't help but sigh, marveling that they had met so quickly and arrived in Pewter City!

Truly astonishing speed…

Misty pointed at the poster and said, "Challenging the Pokémon League Conference isn't as simple as you think, you know. You need to defeat at least eight Gym Leaders and collect their Badges to even qualify for the League Conference."

"That little thing can't stop me," Ash said confidently, his words reflecting the fearlessness of a newborn calf. "Later, I'll challenge the Pewter Gym and show you our true power!"

Hearing their conversation, Ethan couldn't help but step forward and interrupt them.

"You must be Ash?"

Ash turned, only to find an unfamiliar young man speaking. "That's right, I'm Ash. Who are you?"

Ethan looked at him intently and said, "My name is Ethan. A few days ago, when I visited Pallet Town, I happened to hear Professor Oak mention you. I never expected to run into you here today."

"Oh, you know Professor Oak too?" Ash chuckled. "This is my partner, Pikachu, and she…"

Before Ash could finish, Misty interjected, "My name is Misty, and I'm the world's most beautiful girl."

The world's most beautiful girl? Ethan glanced at Misty's chest. Misty was indeed a natural beauty, but her body hadn't fully developed yet. To become the world's most beautiful girl, it seemed she still had a long way to go.

Misty was also sizing up Ethan. Seeing his handsome appearance and the Kirlia accompanying him, she suddenly remembered something.

"You're that Trainer with the Kirlia who defeated my sisters, aren't you!?"

Ethan feigned ignorance and asked, "Oh? Your sisters are…?"

Hearing Ethan's question, Misty remained silent, clearly not wanting others to know about her origins at the Cerulean Gym.

Just then, a middle-aged man with a tall red hat and a large beard walked over. "Are you planning to challenge Brock, the Gym Leader of the Pewter Gym?"

Ash nodded, "Of course! As soon as we leave the Pokémon Center, I'm going to challenge the Pewter Gym and defeat him!"

To their surprise, the middle-aged man burst into laughter upon hearing Ash's words. "Hahahahaha, you, really?" His tone seemed mocking. Without waiting for Ash to speak, he laughed heartily again and then left.

Seeing him exit the Pokémon Center, Ethan couldn't help but ask, "Who was that? Why did he seem to look down on you?"

Misty explained, "His name is Flint. He's a rock seller we met when we first arrived here."

Flint? The rock seller? Ethan paused, then remembered. Isn't that Brock's father, who left home years ago?!

Looking at his retreating back, Ash said angrily, "Hmph, that old man underestimates people too much! Alright, I'm going to the Gym right now and defeat Brock to show him!"

"What a coincidence," Ethan shrugged and chuckled. "I also happen to be going to challenge the Pewter Gym. How about we go together?"

Pewter, the color of stone. It was said that this city had been famous for its stone production since ancient times. However, besides stone and fossils, it had no other distinguishing features, making it a quiet, small northern town. The entire city was surrounded by mountains and farmlands. A wide river divided the city in two, and the Pewter Gym was located in the northwest of the city, adjacent to another famous city landmark—the Pewter Science Museum.

The group arrived at the Pewter Gym. From afar, the Pewter Gym looked like towering layers of huge rocks and steel. But when they got closer, they realized this was just superficial. Those "boulders" were merely thin rock-like panels, deceptively decorated to look real! And once past the panels, one would truly discover that the back of the Pewter Gym was indistinguishable from an ordinary warehouse.

"What a letdown," Misty grumbled. "I thought the whole Gym was made of stone, but it's only this tiny front part that's real stone!"

Pushing open the Gym door, even in broad daylight, it was still incredibly dim inside. Ethan and the others filed in. It wasn't until they reached the center of the Gym that a spotlight suddenly illuminated a corner, revealing a man in a green vest sitting cross-legged.

"Who are you people?" The man's voice was steady, his tone calm, like an enlightened monk in meditation.

"Are you Brock, the Gym Leader?" Ash quickly spoke up. "I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I've come here to challenge you!"

Ethan also said at this point, "I'm Ethan, and I've also come to challenge the Gym."

"As a Gym Leader, I don't mind how many people come to challenge me," Brock said slowly, rising to his feet. "However, only two Pokémon may be used per challenger. Who would like to battle me first?"

Only then did Ethan get a good look at Brock. He had spiky hair, a prematurely serious face, and his eyes were perpetually squinted. Even with a close look, it was hard to tell if they were open or closed.

Ash glanced at Ethan, then stepped forward, eager to begin. "Of course, I'll go first! Bring it on!"

Seeing Ash's enthusiasm, Ethan had no intention of contesting him. He led his Pokémon to the spectator stands. "Go, Ash!" Misty waved to Ash and also joined Ethan.

Watching Ash, Brock snapped his fingers. Instantly, all the lights in the Gym came on, illuminating every corner. And beneath the spectator stands on either side, warehouse doors suddenly opened, and two battlefields made of earth and rock slowly emerged, eventually joining together. As a Rock and Ground-type Trainer, Brock's Gym naturally featured a rock and ground terrain.

Seeing Ash and Pikachu step onto the field, Brock leaped across to the Trainer's command area on the other side. Ash pointed forward and shouted, "Go, Pikachu!"

"Still so young," Brock said, a slight smile on his lips, as he threw his Poké Ball. "Come on out, my Pokémon—Onix!"

The stage is set for Ash's first Gym battle against Brock and his formidable Onix! Ethan and Misty are watching from the sidelines.

How do you think Ash and Pikachu will fare against Brock's Onix, given the type disadvantage?

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