Ash is usually quite gentle and polite.
But if someone wants to show off in front of him,
Then he'll have to teach them what it really means to "bump into a wall."
The whole gym battle had just begun.
What? You want to act arrogant?
Sure, I'm a Rookie Trainer — but if you think I'm just an ordinary rookie,
Then you're totally wrong!
After two failed verbal exchanges,
Brock finally understood that the young man standing before him had quite the sharp tongue.
It seemed that only a real battle could settle this!
Soon after, Brock, the Gym Leader and part-time referee, introduced the official rules of the match to Ash.
Then he took out his first Pokémon.
"Go! Geodude!"
A rock-like Pokémon appeared on the field, arms crossed and full of confidence.
Ash quickly checked its data through his system.
Two decent entries and a normal advanced level.
For a regular Rookie Trainer, that would already be a huge challenge.
But facing him…
Heh.
"Pika Pika!!"
Hearing that a battle was about to start, Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder with excitement!
Train your soldiers for a thousand days — and use them for a single moment!
It was finally Pikachu's turn to shine in an official gym battle!
"Come back, Pikachu. Let me practice this one."
"Pi…ka???"
Pikachu turned his head, eyes wide with confusion.
What the heck?! Didn't you just let me go?
"When," Ash said calmly, "did I ever say you could battle?"
From start to finish, only Brock assumed Ash would use Pikachu.
Even though Pikachu's Iron Tail could counter Rock-types,
Pikachu was simply too strong.
To be blunt — he and Geodude weren't even on the same level.
If he used Pikachu now, the battle would end in a single hit.
This was a rare chance to battle a Gym Leader properly.
Ash wanted to see how far his command ability had grown.
So…
For this battle, Froakie would take the stage.
Even dogs wouldn't play with inverse attributes!
"Be good," Ash patted Pikachu's head, "you can fight in the next gym battle."
"Pika…pi…"
Pikachu reluctantly stepped back, sulking.
Ash then tossed out another Poké Ball.
In a flash of light, Froakie appeared on the field, full of fighting spirit!
At this point, the battlefield had already shifted into a rocky terrain suitable for Brock's style.
Seeing the unfamiliar Pokémon before him, Brock's eyes — though half closed — gleamed sharply.
"Judging from its appearance, it looks like a frog Pokémon."
"And that sky-blue color… likely a Water-type."
He paused for a moment, realizing something.
"He knows about type matchups. This kid isn't an ordinary rookie… maybe he's not a rookie at all."
While Brock analyzed, he decided to test Ash with words.
"Very good. It seems you understand type restraint."
"Facing my Rock-type Geodude, you sent out a Water-type Pokémon."
"But this Pokémon doesn't seem native to the Kanto Region."
Ash smiled. "That's right. He's a starter Pokémon from the Kalos Region — Froakie!"
"Froakie, Water Gun!"
The moment he finished speaking, Froakie fired a concentrated jet of water!
A thick blue stream, strong enough to crush stone, shot forward like a bullet!
It slammed directly into Geodude, who hadn't even reacted yet!
"YAAHHH!!"
Geodude let out a painful cry and was blown several meters back!
"Geodude!!"
Brock shouted in shock.
He never expected Ash to attack that fast!
No greetings, no countdown — just straight to the offensive!
No mercy!
Sure, official gym matches allowed any opening move,
But attacking without warning like that?
That was a bit too ruthless!
Geodude staggered but didn't faint.
It barely managed to brace itself with both fists and stay upright.
Ash raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Still standing?"
He had to admit, he was a little surprised.
Geodude's Rock and Ground typing meant it was four times weak to Water!
Even though real-life battles weren't exactly like the games,
At such a low level, a Water Gun should've been enough for a one-shot knockout.
Then he remembered the opponent's ability was Sturdy.
Ah, that explained it.
"Very good, Geodude! Fight back with Sand Attack!" Brock commanded.
"Geo—!"
Geodude slammed its fists into the ground!
Dust and grit exploded outward, forming a blinding sandstorm aimed straight at Froakie!
Then Brock gave his next command.
"Now! Rollout!"
Geodude curled up and began to spin rapidly,
Trying to strike Froakie while the dust blocked its vision!
The move would reduce Froakie's accuracy and make up for Geodude's slow speed.
Ash didn't panic.
"Froakie! Water Gun!"
The Water-type Pokémon fired immediately.
A blast of water pierced straight through the swirling sand!
"Keep it up! Water Gun! Water Gun! Water Gun!!"
Each jet of water tore through the sandstorm, turning it into a muddy mess!
The soaked battlefield quickly became slick and unstable.
As Geodude rolled forward, the ground beneath it turned slippery.
Its spinning Rollout lost traction —
And it began to spin in place awkwardly like a rock on ice!
Brock's face darkened.
Was this kid seriously going to use 'nothing but Water Gun'?
Ash didn't hesitate.
"Froakie! Finish it — Water Gun!"
"Froa!!"
The final jet of water hit Geodude dead on!
The Rock Pokémon's eyes spun into spirals, and it collapsed with a thud.
"Geodude is unable to battle!"
In the first match, Ash achieved a flawless victory — not a single scratch!
(End of the chapter)