Chapter 10: He's on the Surface Level, but I'm on the Second Layer
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
Pewter Gym.
On the Rock Platform, a youth with squinted eyes, dark skin, and a serious expression was standing.
He was a man as steadfast as rock.
Gym Leader, Brock.
"Rookie Trainer, are you here for your second challenge?"
His eyes opened a sliver as Brock slowly asked:
"Each Gym only allows three challenges. If you fail all three times, you won't be able to challenge this Gym again for a year. I suggest you go back and do some more training."
After all, how much progress can one make in a single night?
Ash's eyes were bright, and he replied without a trace of fear:
"I've decided to challenge you. The Pikachu I have now is a completely new Pikachu!"
"Pika!"
First thing in the morning, he had brought Pikachu here for the Gym Challenge.
Brock's gaze shifted down to Ash's side.
Although he couldn't detect anything unusual, this Electric Mouse Pokémon seemed to have gained something more.
"Then I accept your challenge!"
*I'll be a little more serious this time.*
"Go, Geodude!"
A Pokemon with a single, round, rocky head appeared in the Battle Arena, waving two strong, rock fists on either side of its head.
"Pokedex Beep. Geodude, the Rock Pokémon. Its entire body is made of rock. It is classified as dry waste. Please sort carefully."
The Pokedex announced automatically.
Brock: "..."
He felt offended.
Having lost once already, Ash didn't dare to be the least bit careless. Since his opponent didn't lead with Onix like yesterday, he decided not to use his Ace just yet.
"I choose you, Pidgeotto!"
Looking at the small brown bird, Brock's expression remained unchanged.
Pewter City was situated right next to Viridian Forest, so most of the Challengers he faced used Pokémon like Pidgey, Pidgeotto, or Caterpie.
The battle begins!
"Geodude, use Rock Throw!"
Several pieces of fossil gravel materialized out of thin air above its floating body. Geodude swung its arms and hurled them all out with a series of "swooshes."
Ash quickly shouted, "Pidgeotto, dodge it!"
Pidgeotto's speed was not slow. It flapped its wings and took flight, its agile body weaving back and forth through the gaps between the fossil gravel, appearing completely at ease.
"Now, use Quick Attack!"
"Pidgeoo!!"
With a loud cry, Pidgeotto's body was enveloped in a white light. It dashed forward the moment it cleared the Rubble Pile, its sharp beak aimed straight for the target.
Brock calmly said, "Block it with Defense Curl!"
Geodude protected its front with its hands, forming a ball.
The next second, its body glowed with the signature light of increased Defense, planning to tank the hit.
Clang!
In the smoke and dust, after the strike, Geodude stood unmoved.
But Pidgeotto was sent flying back several meters, its beak even knocked crooked by a few inches.
"A Move like that doesn't have much effect on my Pokemon, you know."
Brock couldn't help but smile and commanded again:
"Use Rollout!"
"Geodude!!"
Geodude curled its body up, transforming into a rolling rock and began to spin wildly across the ground. As its speed increased, the power of the Rollout also grew.
"Pidgeotto, block it with Gust!"
A storm kicked up, but no matter how strong a whirlwind Pidgeotto whipped up, it couldn't stop Rollout's advance.
Type Effectiveness was like an insurmountable chasm.
Facing the incoming stone chariot, Ash hastily shouted the ultimate move.
"Dodge it, quick!"
*When you don't know what to shout, just yelling 'dodge it' is the answer.*
Relying on its Speed, Pidgeotto barely managed to evade the formidable Rollout.
"Pidgeo..."
It was already covered in sweat, though.
A rookie Pokemon without long-term training obviously couldn't fight for long. After just a few turns, it was nearly exhausted.
"I have to find a way to break its offensive..."
Ash brainstormed, and suddenly, his eyes lit up and the corners of his mouth turned up.
He had thought of a countermeasure.
"Pidgeotto, use Sand Attack!"
This time, Ash took the initiative to attack.
Pidgeotto landed, turned around, and began digging frantically like a dog, kicking up a large amount of sand and dirt that covered Geodude's eyes.
"That move is useless against me."
Brock said nonchalantly.
But Ash revealed a triumphant expression and continued to command:
"Then try this on for size! Pidgeotto, follow up with Gust!"
As Pidgeotto flapped its wings, the countless grains of sand it had kicked up intertwined with the whirlwind and spiraled upwards.
Whoosh!!
It ended up forming a small Sandstorm, its presence intimidating!
Seeing this, Brock frowned.
"A bit interesting, but this move is still useless against me... No, wait, it actually is useful this time."
The Sandstorm weather would increase his Geodude's Defense.
*Such baffling human behavior.*
The prelude was complete. Ash finally revealed his sharp fangs and roared:
"Heh heh! This decides the outcome! Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack!"
"Pidgeoo!"
Pidgeotto let out a loud cry, its body transforming into a brilliant white light as it charged alone into the Sandstorm.
The immense power blasted through all the sand and dust, completely exposing the still-unprepared, blinded Geodude inside.
Obscure its Line of Sight, then get in close for an attack. This was Ash's strategy!
"Clang! Clang!"
In an instant, the terrifying force of the impact struck Geodude head-on.
It sent Geodude flying back several meters, tumbling backward several times and carving a long trail in the ground.
Ash clenched his fists, his blood boiling with excitement.
This was his true strength as a Pokémon Master!
The Referee at the side of the arena quickly made a timely announcement:
"Pidgeotto is Unable to Battle! Geodude is the winner!"
"?"
Ash, who was still striking a Pose, froze.
As the smoke and dust cleared, he quickly focused his gaze.
He saw that the Geodude that had been knocked back was just rubbing its head, looking confused but impressed. The attack had clearly only caused minor damage.
"Pidge...oo..."
Meanwhile, Pidgeotto had fainted on the ground, its beak crooked. It was a miserable sight.
An offensive as fierce as an Incineroar.
And then the bird was gone.
"As expected of a Gym Trainer, what a brilliant method..."
A drop of sweat trickled down Ash's forehead. He silently recalled Pidgeotto, gaining a higher level of understanding of a Gym Trainer's strength.
*Countering every move by not moving at all?*
*Good grief. He thought Brock was on the Surface Level, while he himself was on the Second Layer.*
*He never expected that this squinty-eyed man was actually already standing on The Fifth Layer!*
Brock: "?"
*I've been on the Surface Level the whole time...*
*Why does this Rookie Trainer today seem like he's not all there?*
*Is this a Faked Accident?*
"It's all up to you, Pikachu!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu sprang to his side and bounded into the Battle Arena, clenching its small fists as electricity sparked from its cheeks.
"A Type Disadvantage Strategy again? Hasn't he learned his lesson?"
Brock frowned and, without holding back, launched another attack.
"Geodude, use Rock Throw!"
Instantly, countless pieces of fossil gravel were hurled forward.
But Ash wasn't flustered in the slightest. He roared:
"Pikachu, show them our new power! Use Thunderbolt!!"
Pikachu leaped into the air, letting out a low cry in Mid-air. The Electric Sacs in its cheeks instantly erupted with an Electric Current!
"Pika... CHU!!"
Countless streams of electric current covered its body, and a blinding light illuminated the entire arena.
KRRZZZZZT!!
When its power reached its peak, it transformed into a whistling Electric Snake. The seemingly menacing Rock Throw attack was instantly turned to dust upon contact.
Its momentum unbroken, the Thunderbolt continued onward, striking Geodude's small head.
BOOM!!
The next moment, a terrifying impact, along with a High Voltage Shock, erupted simultaneously, blasting Geodude until it was charred black.
Even the Referee was startled by this attack. It took him a good while to react, and he announced in a stuttering voice:
"Uh... um... Geodude is Unable to Battle! Pikachu is the winner!"
Brock: "..."
*Absurd.*
*To raise its electrical power to a whole new level in a single night... is this youth cheating?*
*It seems I'll have to get serious this time.*
Brock's expression turned grim as he recalled Geodude. This time, he finally sent out his Ace, Onix!
"Pokedex Beep. Onix, the Rock Pokémon. It is said that for every Onix born, ten Geodude lose their lives. No other implications intended."
The Pokedex announced automatically.
Brock: "..."
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