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"Everything's been completely repaired here!"
Entering the Pokémon Center, Misty looked around the lobby with a nostalgic expression on her face.
"Yeah, it has!"
Ash nodded slightly in agreement. This was where he had first battled Team Rocket. Many places had been damaged during that fight, but it seemed they had all been repaired long ago.
As they walked toward the front desk, Nurse Joy stood up as usual to greet them.
"Welcome to the Pokémon Cen... huh? Ash? Misty?"
However, when she looked up and saw who it was, she paused in surprise. She recognized Ash and Misty immediately.
Many Trainers passed through the Pokémon Center every day, but not everyone left such a memorable impression on Nurse Joy.
"Long time no see, Nurse Joy!" Misty came forward to greet her enthusiastically.
"You're back?!"
Nurse Joy was genuinely surprised. Ash had registered for the Kanto League competition here before. If he was returning now, it meant his journey must have been going smoothly.
"Yes! We heard that a Gym has been established in Viridian City, and I just need one more Badge!" Ash responded with a slight nod.
"I see. I haven't been there myself, but I've heard that the Gym Leader at Viridian Gym is extremely powerful. So far, no one has managed to defeat them in a challenge! It might be a really tough battle, Ash!"
Listening to Ash's words, Nurse Joy wasn't surprised. She knew a Gym had opened in the city.
That Gym had actually been built quite some time ago, but it had only recently opened to challengers.
"I understand. That's why I'd like you to check on my Pokémon's condition, please!" Ash took out his Poké Balls and handed them over along with Pikachu and Jigglypuff to Nurse Joy.
"Of course, no problem! I'll take excellent care of them," Nurse Joy responded warmly after accepting the Poké Balls and Pokémon.
"Beautiful Nurse Joy, please take care of me too! After seeing you, my heart won't stop racing!"
At that moment, Brock's old habits kicked in. He had encountered Nurse Joy in every city along their journey, but he had never met the Nurse Joy of Viridian City before!
"Uh..." Nurse Joy looked a bit taken aback by the sudden declaration.
"Alright, alright! Don't bother Nurse Joy! I'm sorry about him, Nurse Joy. You don't need to pay any attention to what he says!"
Seeing this, Misty glanced apologetically at Nurse Joy, then grabbed Brock by the ear and dragged him away.
Nurse Joy smiled awkwardly before heading to the back room with Ash's Poké Balls and Pikachu.
The three of them then sat in the café area of the Pokémon Center for a while. They didn't have to wait very long since the Pokémon were all in good condition and hadn't been injured recently.
Simple care was enough to help the Pokémon relax and prepare them better for upcoming battles.
Soon, the front desk called for Ash, and the three of them went to retrieve his Pokémon. Pikachu and Jigglypuff immediately jumped back onto Ash's shoulders.
"Thank you so much, Nurse Joy!"
"You're very welcome! Good luck with your Gym challenge!" Nurse Joy responded with an encouraging smile.
After collecting their Pokémon, the three of them left the Pokémon Center and headed directly toward Viridian Gym.
The most prominent building in the city wasn't difficult to find. They just asked for directions and learned its location—only about twenty minutes away from the Pokémon Center.
Soon, the three of them arrived outside Viridian Gym. Ash knew this was Team Rocket's Gym, but there was no one standing guard outside.
Just as he was about to enter, the Gym door opened and a figure walked out. Ash paused slightly when he saw who it was.
The figure who emerged was momentarily surprised to see Ash, then walked down the steps in front of the Gym with a proud smile on his face.
"Took you long enough, Ash!" It was none other than Gary.
Ash was a little surprised to see Gary, and even more surprised to see him safe and sound.
Ash felt confused. If he remembered correctly, according to what he knew, Gary should have encountered Mewtwo at Viridian Gym and failed his challenge because of it.
But looking at him now, it seemed he hadn't met Mewtwo at all. Judging from his proud expression, it appeared he had actually succeeded in his challenge.
"Did you get the Badge?" Ash asked directly.
"Of course I did! I'm a genius, after all. It's the strongest Gym in the Kanto Region, but that's nothing special for me!"
Gary said, then opened his hand and casually tossed the green leaf-shaped Badge up and caught it again.
"Congratulations!" Ash's tone remained calm as ever, completely ignoring Gary's boasting.
"You're still... forget it. Go ahead and challenge him while he's just finished battling me!"
Gary gritted his teeth in frustration at Ash's reaction, but quickly regained his composure and spoke with a hint of mockery in his voice.
Both Brock and Misty sounded a bit annoyed by that comment. Wasn't he basically suggesting that Ash would only win by taking advantage of the Gym Leader being tired?
"Thanks for the tip, then!"
Ash didn't seem bothered at all and walked past Gary calmly. Even if the Gym Leader was tired, it would only be his Pokémon that were tired. But for the leader of Team Rocket, who likely had an endless supply of Pokémon at his disposal, there was no real advantage to be gained.
Ash walked toward the Gym entrance while Misty and Brock quickly followed behind him. Gary watched as Ash walked away.
Originally, he had been planning to leave, but when he saw Ash heading toward the Gym, he stopped in his tracks.
Once Ash earned this Badge, he would have eight Badges total and qualify to compete in the Pokémon League. Gary actually wanted to see where Ash's current strength really stood.
After standing there in silence for a moment, Gary turned around and walked back in the direction of the Gym.
Meanwhile, Ash was unaware of what Gary was thinking and approached the Gym entrance. The door opened automatically, and Ash walked in first.
Misty and Brock followed immediately behind him. Once inside, they found themselves in a long corridor. The lights were dim, and along both sides of the hallway stood guards wearing black uniforms, positioned every few meters.
The entire Gym gave off an oppressive atmosphere that was completely different from other Gyms they'd visited. Both Misty and Brock felt somewhat uncomfortable in this environment.