The Goldenrod Gym was located in the central area of Goldenrod City, featuring a rather unique architecture. The entire exterior of the Gym looked just like a huge pink Miltank, with a roly-poly body and four stubby legs.
However, this appearance could only be appreciated from a distance. Up close, the Goldenrod Gym was still quite magnificent and grand.
Because the Battle Pyramid had settled in Goldenrod City, the number of challengers at the Goldenrod Gym wasn't very large. In fact, if it weren't for the huge surge in popularity from the Silver Conference, with the Battle Pyramid present in Goldenrod City, the Goldenrod Gym might not have had a single challenger at all.
Actually, this might not necessarily be a bad thing for the Gym Leader. This way, the Gym Leader could instead take a break. Even if they won against a few more challengers, the Gym Leader's salary wouldn't increase.
Of course, for those ambitious Gym Leaders who wanted to reach higher levels and become stronger, battles were the best encouragement and reward.
Whitney, the Gym Leader of Goldenrod City, used Normal-type Pokémon. The most famous of which was her Miltank, rumored to possess matchless strength, capable of effortlessly steamrolling a host of challengers.
Ash had already confirmed Whitney's information last night. She was a pretty strong Gym Leader, but not to the extent of being an out-of-bounds Gym Leader.
What was "out-of-bounds"? Giovanni, Sabrina, and Blaine were out-of-bounds Gym Leaders.
So although Whitney was powerful, she hadn't reached the out-of-bounds stage. Facing her, Ash could also bring out some long-absent Pokémon to use.
"This is it." Ash looked up at the building sign, confirming he hadn't gone to the wrong place.
"We're finally here." Misty stretched lazily. She had slept very well last night and was in good shape mentally. "But Ash, is your body really okay? You only fainted yesterday."
"I've been fine for a long time!" Ash rolled his shoulders, making cracking sounds. "Look, just like usual."
"Pika pika."
Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder, did a few stretching movements, and wagged his tail with loud snaps.
Ash and his group stepped across the threshold, and the view suddenly opened up. There was no corridor or entryway at the entrance, leading directly to the Gym's battle field. The field was larger than imagined, surrounded by a few rows of simple spectator seats, where quite a few people were sitting and watching the match.
Rows of white lights shone on the ceiling, illuminating the entire space brightly. The painted lines at the edge of the field were still very new, looking as though they had been recently renovated.
At this moment, two people were standing in the center of the field. One was a referee wearing a black uniform, and the other was a young girl with pink twin-tails. She wore a white short-sleeved jacket with a few red lines, paired with denim shorts on her lower body. At this moment, she was recalling her Poké Ball, with a relaxed smile hanging at the corner of her mouth.
Meanwhile, the challenger opposite her, a boy who looked like a newcomer, was dejectedly recalling his fallen Pokémon and sneaking away from the field.
"Next." The referee looked up toward the entrance, his gaze landing on Ash and his group.
The pink twin-tailed girl also turned around, her large eyes meeting Ash's gaze.
At that very moment, a black shadow rushed out from behind the group with incredible speed, flashing in front of Whitney in the blink of an eye. It was Brock.
He had already rushed to the center of the field at some point, gently holding Whitney's hands, kneeling on one knee on the ground, wearing a deeply affectionate expression.
"You must be Miss Whitney, the Gym Leader of the Goldenrod Gym! You're truly as beautiful and moving as the rumors say! No, a ten thousand times more beautiful than the rumors!" Brock's voice carried a tremble. "I am Brock, a Trainer and Breeder from Pewter City! It was love at first sight for me! Please allow me to..."
Before he could finish speaking, a slender yet powerful hand grabbed him by the collar from behind.
"Get back here!" Misty erupted with terrifying strength, directly dragging Brock back in one yank.
This guy really couldn't be left alone for a single second. The moment she wasn't paying attention, he'd actually run off. The previous challenger hadn't even left yet, and there were spectators around. This was deeply embarrassing.
Ash shook his head helplessly, ignoring Brock's "performance," and walked straight onto the field.
"Sorry about that, Miss Whitney. This partner of mine is a bit reckless. I hope you won't hold his actions just now against him." Ash never expected that one day he would have to clean up after Brock's behavior and apologize on his behalf.
Whitney wasn't angry. Instead, she found the whole thing quite amusing. She shook her head and said, "It's fine. Actually, your partner's compliments made me rather flattered. You must be the challenger, right?"
"I am Ash from Pallet Town. Please treat me well." Ash stood on the Trainer's platform and nodded at her.
Whitney's eyes suddenly widened, as if she had remembered something. "Wait, Ash? Ash from Pallet Town? The Champion of the Indigo Conference? The Ash who defeated Elite Four Lorelei?"
"Uh, that's me." Ash scratched the back of his head.
Whitney rushed forward in a single stride, looking Ash up and down from left to right, as if she were looking at a rare treasure. She hadn't noticed it before because she didn't look closely, but this person really was Ash himself.
"Why would you come to challenge my Gym? A Trainer of your level should be challenging those Gyms set up by external regions." Whitney wasn't putting herself down. Rather, the original Gyms in the Johto region really didn't have much challenge for a Trainer of Ash's level.
If one had to name any, perhaps the Blackthorn Gym and Mahogany Gym could still be considered somewhat challenging. Aside from those, there shouldn't be any overpowered Gyms left in Johto.
"Because I came over to Goldenrod City to challenge the Battle Pyramid, but that's a battle facility and doesn't count as a Gym Badge. Currently, I only have two Badges, so naturally I go to whichever city has a Badge."
"Hey, Ash!" Serena gently patted Ash's back. Saying things like that was too blunt!
Wasn't that making it blatantly obvious that coming to challenge the Goldenrod Gym was just a side trip?
"Ah, Miss Whitney, please don't misunderstand. I don't mean to look down on the Goldenrod Gym at all. In fact, no matter how strong a Trainer is, the path of a Trainer is endless. Facing different Gyms, the Pokémon I use will also be different. Only this way can I elevate my level as a Trainer to the next level."
Ash belatedly realized that he seemed to have said something wrong, and quickly corrected himself.
Whitney waved her hand indifferently. "It's fine, I have self-awareness regarding the gap between myself and other Gym Trainers. But there is one thing I want to correct you on, Ash. The Brave Symbol of the Battle Pyramid is equivalent to two Badges, you know."
"Uh. Wait, what?" Ash, along with his companions and Pikachu, all wore extremely shocked expressions.
They never imagined that the Brave Symbol of the Battle Pyramid could not only be treated as a Badge, but could even count as two. Why hadn't Brandon told them about this?
"You really didn't know? Actually, the Battle Pyramid is special, and its strength is well-known. Going there without reaching the Elite Four level is just serving yourself up on a platter. Even if you've reached the Elite Four level, facing the Battle Pyramid is still like a mayfly trying to shake a tree.
That's why the Johto League specially issued a directive stating that the Brave Symbol of the Battle Pyramid can be counted as two Badges. Judging from your tone just now, Ash, you must have defeated the Battle Pyramid, right?"
Ash nodded blankly.
"Then you already have four Badges now, right? In that case, do you still plan to battle me?" Whitney put her hands behind her back, a bright smile blooming on her pretty face.
If Ash chose not to fight now, she could accept it, though her heart would definitely feel more or less disappointed. After all, no matter what, she was still a Gym Leader and had a Gym Leader's dignity. Being treated like some roadside obstacle was somewhat losing face and hurtful.
"Of course we're battling! Didn't I just say so, Whitney? When I challenge a Gym, it's not just for the Badges. More importantly, it's to improve myself. Therefore, facing different Gyms, the Pokémon I choose will also be different. I'm really looking forward to battling you, Whitney!"
Ash waved his fist and said it as a matter of course.
"Well said!" Whitney clapped her hands, and the smile on her face became even brighter. "I acknowledge you! Call me Whitney, then without further ado, let's start the battle! For some reason, my mood is starting to get excited too!"
As Whitney spoke, she skipped back to her position. "But I'll make this clear first. Even if you're a celebrity, even if you have Champion-level strength, I won't hold back! We fight when we fight, and we lose when we lose. Don't expect me to hand you a Badge for free!"
Ash also arrived at the challenger's position, his face likewise showing excitement. "I wouldn't want it any other way. If you held back, the battle would lose all meaning."
Whitney took a Poké Ball from her waist, spun it in her hand. "The rules are three-on-three. The challenger can switch Pokémon, but the Gym Leader cannot. No problem, right?"
"No problem." Ash also took a Poké Ball from his waist.
"My lead is this one. Go, Kangaskhan!" Whitney tossed out her Poké Ball, and a large kangaroo-like Pokémon appeared on the field. Kangaskhan, a Normal-type Pokémon, was known for its formidable physical attack power and outstanding HP.
"I'm going with you, Heracross!" Ash tossed his Poké Ball, a flash of light crossed the field, and a large horned beetle Pokémon covered in dark blue carapace appeared.
Ever since he'd caught Heracross, most of its time had been spent in Professor Oak's backyard, only occasionally being swapped into the team for training. Even so, it had already advanced from its initial Mid level to High Gym level, and its rate of progress was quite impressive. Having powerful talent meant you could do whatever you wanted.
However, the reason Heracross was able to improve to this extent definitely had an inseparable connection with Venusaur's honey. The Tree of Life branch's influence on the backyard had created an abundance of the nutrient-rich sap that Heracross loved, and that had fueled its growth. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for it to span two full major tiers in such a short time.
Although its progress was obvious, the gap between Heracross and Kangaskhan was still significant. If Ash didn't use Aura fusion, this was likely going to be an uphill battle.
"Heracross, the opponent's physical power is very strong, but our speed has the advantage. We need to use agile tactics." Ash reminded.
"Hera!" Heracross nodded, its wings spreading slightly as it entered battle mode.
"Kangaskhan, Fake Out!" Whitney initiated the attack first.
Kangaskhan's figure rushed forward instantly, its massive body bursting with a speed disproportionate to its size. The little Kangaskhan in its pouch also waved its paws along with it, making the scene rather comical. But the power of that palm wasn't comical at all. Kangaskhan's right palm carried the sound of breaking air, slamming fiercely toward Heracross.
Fake Out: if this move was used on the first turn of entering the field, it could cause the opponent to flinch, unable to make any moves.
"Dodge!"
The Fake Out hit directly, and Heracross was instantly rendered immobile. The priority effect carried by Fake Out released on the first turn was even more terrifying than Extreme Speed. Aside from absolute defense moves like Protect and Detect, it was very hard to defend against this move using other methods.
Unless your level far exceeded the opponent's, but the current situation was the reverse. Kangaskhan's level far exceeded Heracross's.
"Heracross!"
Ash's voice resounded across the field, but Heracross's body had already frozen. The effect of Fake Out caused its limbs to temporarily lose control, and its wings couldn't vibrate either, freezing its entire body in place like a locked sculpture.
"Good! Kangaskhan, Mega Punch!" Whitney didn't let this opportunity slip by. Kangaskhan's right fist glowed with a white light, wind howling around it with the sound of breaking air as it blasted toward Heracross.
"Heracross, dodge it!" Ash's voice exploded in Heracross's mind like a clap of thunder.
Heracross's eyes widened sharply. At the very last moment before Mega Punch was about to connect, its body finally regained control. Vibrating its wings frantically, Heracross rolled to the side at the last possible instant, narrowly avoiding the direct hit.
"Heracross, Aerial Ace, now!" Ash's voice rang out again.
Heracross's body flipped in the air, the edges of its wings glowing with a white light, slashing toward Kangaskhan's side like a sharp blade. Kangaskhan's Mega Punch had just been thrown out, and its body was still caught in the momentum of the punch, making it completely unable to dodge.
Aerial Ace struck solidly against Kangaskhan's shoulder, white light bursting forth. Kangaskhan let out a cry of pain as its body staggered two steps to the side.
Under a level disadvantage, Ash had actually taken the upper hand?