After that, Ash didn't catch any more Pokémon. He had everything he needed to begin his journey and face the upcoming Gym battles.
The next step wasn't about capturing new partners, but about training the ones he already had.
Three more days passed. A somewhat disheveled Misty and Ash finally stood at the edge of Viridian Forest.
Seven days, seven whole days in the forest! By now, they felt like wild people.
If Ash hadn't carried Misty on his back more than once, with her stamina they probably would've been stuck in the forest for another two or three days.
In all that time, Misty had only managed two quick wipe-downs by a pond. The water had been freezing, and even with the blazing sun, plunging into cold water wasn't something she was about to do. For a girl, it was unbearable.
So the very first thing Misty thought of upon reaching Pewter City was simple: a shower. A long, hot shower. Otherwise, she was going to lose her mind.
Ash, on the other hand, wanted to march straight to the Gym. He was itching to test the training results from their week in the forest.
But at Misty's urging, he made a quick stop at the Pokémon Center first. Pikachu and the others needed rest and recovery, and Ash himself took a hot shower to wash off the fatigue of their travels. Even if Ash felt fine, his Pokémon certainly needed the break.
Misty had spent the whole forest trek in awe of Ash's stamina. His physical and mental endurance were beyond human, he was like a monster compared to most Trainers.
By afternoon, the two of them stood at the looming entrance of Pewter Gym.
Ash rubbed his palms together, excitement glowing in his eyes. "Alright… June 17th will be the day I win my first Badge!"
Misty rolled her eyes behind him.
'If you lose, I'm definitely going to say June 17th was the day you failed your first Gym battle.'
Whether this day became a running joke or the start of Ash's rise would all depend on the battle ahead.
As they stepped inside, the overhead lights flicked on one by one, illuminating the rocky battlefield until the whole Gym was aglow.
At the far end, standing tall with arms folded, was a young man with tanned skin and spiky black hair.
"That's Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader," Misty explained softly.
"Brock, huh…" Ash muttered. "He looks really serious."
Brock's stern gaze fixed on them. "Are you the challengers?"
Ash stepped forward, thumb to his chest. "That's me! Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town! I've come to challenge Pewter Gym!" Pikachu echoed him with an enthusiastic cry from his shoulder.
"From Pallet Town? A rookie Trainer, then?"
Ash scratched his cheek. "Well, counting today, I've only been traveling nine days."
"Nine days…" Brock nodded slightly. "Normally, I'd tell any newcomer with so little experience not to challenge a Gym so soon. A Gym battle isn't child's play. But Pallet Town is different."
Ash blinked. "Different? Why?"
"Because before you, another boy from Pallet Town came to challenge me. He won the beginner's-level match beautifully. His commands, his Pokémon's strength… they didn't seem like a rookie's at all. Since you're also from Pallet, I doubt you're ordinary either."
Ash's eyes narrowed. 'Gary.'
Who else could it be? Always one step ahead, driving his flashy sports car, even through Viridian Forest somehow. Ash clenched his fists. "I'm not like him. I'll beat you even faster and cleaner!"
"Oh?" Brock's expression didn't change. "I'll be looking forward to it." His gaze shifted past Ash, to the redhead standing a few paces back. "By the way… the girl behind you looks familiar."
Misty stiffened, her head tilted as if she weren't paying attention. Then she blurted out in a rush, "Nope! Absolutely not! You must be mistaken! A world-class beauty like me is one of a kind. You've never met me before, so it's impossible!"
"Is that so?" Brock's eyes, perpetually squinted, betrayed nothing. His tone was unreadable.
Misty forced a laugh, a bead of sweat rolling down her cheek.
The truth was simple: Gym Leaders knew of one another, even if they hadn't met in person. Brock may not have exposed her identity, but Misty could tell, he probably knew exactly who she was.
"Then the rules of the challenge are two-on-two," Brock announced firmly. "The side whose Pokémon are all unable to battle first loses. Since you've been traveling less than ten days and don't yet have a badge, this will be the lowest difficulty Gym challenge. Any questions?"
Ash shook his head. "Nope, I got it."
"Good. Then let's begin."
Brock pulled out a small remote and pressed a button. With a deep rumble, the side walls of the Gym opened up. Heavy slabs of rock slid forward and locked into place with a grinding thunk.
The once-flat battlefield transformed into a rugged rock arena, jagged boulders dotting the field like a miniature canyon.
"Whoa!" Ash gasped, his eyes sparkling. "That's amazing, it changed the battlefield in an instant!"
"As the Gym Leader, I'll send out my Pokémon first," Brock continued, voice steady. "And I won't be switching during the match. My first Pokémon is… Geodude, go!"
With a flash of red light, a squat, rocky Pokémon appeared. Its massive arms flexed as it floated above the ground, eyes narrowing with determination.
Ash quickly scanned it with his Pokédex.
[Geodude, the Rock Pokémon. Its body is made of rock. With strong resistance to physical attacks, it can withstand most blows without flinching.]
Ash's Insight Eye also confirmed the data: incredible physical defense, this was no ordinary opponent.
"Alright then," Ash said, plucking a Poké Ball from his belt. "Time for our first battle partner! Go, Butterfree!"
"Free~~!"
With a glittering flash, a butterfly Pokémon with delicate, patterned wings fluttered into the air, gracefully hovering above the rocky terrain.