Chapter 17: The Second Badge, the Boulder Badge

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"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"

Bulbasaur shook the dust from its body, extended two vines from its bulb, reaching forward to strike Geodude heavily. Geodude took a few whips, its expression pained. Seeing it at a disadvantage, Brock quickly shouted, "This won't do! Geodude, close the distance quickly! Use Rollout!"

Geodude pulled in its fists and spun rapidly, turning its body into a stone ball, rolling towards Bulbasaur at extreme speed.

Is it trying to get close to avoid Bulbasaur's Razor Leaf? Ethan decisively ordered, "Don't let it succeed! Entangle it with Vine Whip!"

However, Geodude's Rollout was too fast. After dodging a few Vine Whips, it eventually crashed into Bulbasaur. Unfortunately, Rollout is a Rock-type move, and the collision only inflicted limited damage on Bulbasaur.

When Rollout stopped, Bulbasaur seized the opportunity, using Vine Whip to lift Geodude high and bind it in mid-air.

"It's time to end the match! Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf!"

At such close range, being hit fully by Razor Leaf again, Geodude completely lost its ability to battle. It dropped to the ground like a stone sinking into the sea, unable to make another ripple.

Recalling Geodude, Brock's expression was grave. He knew that neither in strength nor type advantage did he have the upper hand.

"From the battle just now, it's clear you're quite strategic," Brock praised, nodding. "However, to earn the Boulder Badge, you'll still need to defeat this fellow. Come on out, Onix!"

Seeing Onix return to battle, Ethan recalled Bulbasaur and sent out Squirtle.

"It's all up to you, Squirtle."

"Squirtle, Squirtle!"

Perhaps having learned from the previous lesson, when the battle began, Brock immediately shouted, "Onix, use Rock Tomb!" Onix raised its body, opened its massive maw, and instantly, countless huge rocks materialized and fell from mid-air, crashing down on Squirtle.

"Squirtle, use Withdraw!"

Hearing Ethan's words, Squirtle quickly pulled its head and limbs into its shell. The next second, the rocks fell, only to bounce off its sturdy shell.

"Good opportunity!" Brock's eyes gleamed as he shouted, "Onix, now! Use Bind!"

While Squirtle was still retracted, Onix rapidly approached, using the same move it used against Pikachu, wrapping its tail around Squirtle and clamping down tightly. The force was so immense that it even made frightening cracking sounds as it squeezed the shell.

In the stands, Misty's heart pounded, and Ash's eyes widened, curious to see how Ethan would respond to the same move.

In the command area, Ethan calmly said, "Squirtle, use Rapid Spin!"

Squirtle's shell vibrated continuously, then more and more violently, grinding against Onix's body. Finally, it spun at high speed like a top, forcefully repelling Onix. Rapid Spin, a Normal-type physical move, not only damages the opponent but also frees the user from binding or Leech Seed status!

Taking advantage of Onix being rigid from the impact, Ethan continued, "Squirtle, use Water Gun!"

A brief moment of surprise caused Brock to miss the optimal timing for his command. By the time he reacted, it was too late to have Onix use a move.

Facing the thick Water Gun, Onix instinctively tried to dodge, but due to its massive size, it was hit directly.

Water beats Rock and Ground, super effective!

Hearing Onix's pained roar, Brock ordered, "Onix, quickly use Dig!"

In the battle arena, if one hadn't seen it with their own eyes, who would have thought that Onix's massive body could, using the stone horn on its head, dig through the earth and skillfully burrow underground?

In the quiet battle arena, Squirtle's gaze scanned back and forth, cautiously guarding against any unusual movement. Just as it turned, the ground beneath its feet suddenly split open, and a colossal creature emerged.

However, Ethan was already prepared for this. He knew that the purpose of Dig was to hide oneself while waiting for an opportunity. Now, seeing Onix emerge precisely as he expected, choosing to appear beneath Squirtle, he shouted, "Squirtle, use Bubble!"

A large cluster of bubbles shot from Squirtle's mouth, rapidly expanding. These bubbles not only confused Onix's eyes but also inflicted continuous Water-type damage.

Ethan extended his right hand forward and shouted, "Now! Let's end this match! Squirtle, use Water Gun!"

Squirtle looked up at the behemoth, which was dozens of times its size, with no fear in its eyes. It opened its mouth, and a stream of Water Gun sprayed onto Onix. With a thunderous crash as it fell, Onix was utterly defeated!

Clap, clap, clap!

Applause erupted. Brock returned the unconscious Onix to its Poké Ball, walked up to Ethan, and sincerely said, "You are truly amazing. I admit defeat wholeheartedly in this match."

"Not at all, not at all," Ethan quickly waved his hand, humbly. "I merely had a type advantage. If it were other Pokémon, I wouldn't have won so easily."

In truth, Brock's strength wasn't particularly outstanding among the many Gym Leaders. Because his parents had successively left home, he, still a minor, was responsible for raising his nine younger siblings. Doing laundry and cooking every day meant his Pokémon received less training. While he was much stronger than an average Trainer, he wasn't overly difficult to defeat.

Just then, Brock walked aside, took a Badge from a box, and handed it to Ethan.

"This is the Boulder Badge. As a reward for your successful challenge, I present it to you now."

The Boulder Badge, shaped like a cut diamond, was dark gray but still reflected brilliant light under the illumination.

The second Badge of the Indigo League was finally in his hands!

Placing the Badge into his Badge Case, Ethan first praised his two Pokémon, then turned to look for Misty and Ash, only to find that Ash and Pikachu had already disappeared. Only Misty remained, waiting for him.

"Huh? Where's Ash?"

Misty spread her hands, helplessly. "You won the battle so easily just now, perhaps he felt provoked. He ran off without a word or a glance back. I don't know where he went."

Shaking his head, Ethan said, "Never mind him for now. Given his personality, he's probably secretly undergoing some special training somewhere again. I think even if we don't go looking for him now, he'll quickly pick himself up and come back to challenge this Gym."

Ethan has successfully obtained his second Gym Badge, the Boulder Badge, after a strategic victory against Brock's Geodude and Onix! His keen understanding of type advantages and battle tactics, combined with the skills of his Pokémon, is proving to be a winning combination. Ash, seemingly inspired (or perhaps frustrated) by Ethan's easy victory, has disappeared, likely off to train.

What do you think Ethan's next move will be now that he has two Gym Badges? Where will his journey take him next in the Kanto region?

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