Chapter 6: Off to a rocky start

The triplets reached the end of Viridian Forest. They stepped out into the sunshine and looked at what lay before them. Instead of the sprawling metropolis they expected to see, they saw a group of rocks.

“According to my Town Map, that’s Pewter City,” said Alexis. As they got closer to the “group of rocks” they found that the “rocks” were actually large boulders, with houses embedded inside them. In the middle was a gigantic rock statue, built in the shape of a giant Golem that was partially buried in the soil.

“Alexis, Why is there a giant Golem statue?” asked Alexander.

“That’s Pewter City’s Impenetrable Defence Robot. Its skill in battle is legendary. When the IDR itself isn’t battling, the battlefield inside functions as the Pewter City Gym. All the cities that didn’t get destroyed by the evil teams have some sort of defence, like the ring of mountains around Pallet town and the IDR in Pewter city” explained Alexis.

“So let’s just scurry along over to that gym shall we?” interrupted Alexander.

“You might want to borrow Squirtle though, since Charmander will be a lousy matchup against a rock-type,” said Alexis.

A few minutes later, they stood in front of the Pewter City gym. They entered, and were immediately greeted by a very enthusiastic girl.

“Welcome. I’m Tilly Harrison. Which one of you is the challenger? Or are all of you challenging the gym? Come on, my brother won’t wait forever. He prefers enthusiastic challengers,” she said in one breath.

“I’m the challenger. My name is Alexander, and I’m from Pallet town,” said Alexander calmly.

Soon, it was time for the gym battle.

“The Battle between the Pewter City Gym leader, Billy Harrison and the challenger, Alexander of Pallet town will now begin. Both trainers can use two Pokémon each but only the challenger will be allowed substitutions. Let the battle begin,” said Tilly, who was refereeing the battle.

“Geodude, time to crush the enemy,” said Billy, sending out his first pokémon.

“Charmander, brace yourself for battle,” said Alexander.

“A Fire-type? You don’t know your type matchups do you? Rock type attacks deal double damage against fire types,” said Billy.

“Really? That’s news to me,” said Alexander sarcastically. “Charmander, use tackle.”

“Geodude, use rock throw when it comes close,” said Billy. Just as Charmander was about to tackle, Geodude picked up a rock from the ground and threw it at Charmander, who went flying.

“Charmander, use ember,” ordered Alexander. Orange embers shot out of Charmander’s mouth and sent Geodude flying into a rock.

“Geodude, use Rock Throw,” said Billy.

“Charmander, use ember,” commanded Alexander. The rock and the embers collided, but Charmander’s ember was stronger, and pushed the rock back at Geodude. Geodude was pushed back into another rock and crushed between them, knocking it out.

“Geodude is unable to battle,” said Tilly.

“That was a fluke. Onix, bind that Charmander,” said Billy, throwing a Poké ball, from which a giant rock snake came out. Onix wrapped it self around Charmander.

“Charmander, use ember,” said Alexander. But Charmander’s ember wasn’t enough to save it from being knocked out.

“Charmander is unable to battle,” said Tilly.

“Alexis, Thank you for lending me your Squirtle. You showed your faith in me. I won’t let you down. Squirtle, destroy it with a bubble,” said Alexander. Squirtle burst out of its Poké ball and sent a mass of bubbles towards Onix, dealing massive damage to it.

“Onix, use rock throw,” ordered Billy.

“Counter it with bubble,” said Alexander. Like Charmander’s ember before it, Squirtle’s bubble reflected the rock throw back at the opponent. This time though, Onix survived the attack, but only just. Then it got hit by the mass of bubbles that Squirtle had sent at it in the first place. It couldn’t survive the onslaught of such a powerful attack and fainted.

“Onix is unable to battle. The victory in this match goes to Alexander of Pallet town,” said Tilly.

Later, outside the gym, Billy presented the Boulder badge to an ecstatic Alexander.

“The Boulder badge is proof of your victory here at the Pewter City gym. Eight badges will allow you to enter the Indigo conference. I suggest that you go west to Cerulean City and challenge the water type gym there. It’s run by one of my sister-in-laws,” said Billy. “Oh and say hello to my brother Brock if you see him in Mount Moon.”

“I will,” said Alexander. He struck a pose, “I got a Boulder badge!”