Boulder Badge?
As Ash's fingertips grazed the cold, rocky surface of the Boulder Badge, the pale blue System interface in the corner of his vision pulsed silently.
[Achievement: First Gym Challenge - Completed]
[Reward Acquired: Ability Capsule x1]
[Effect: Can change the current Ability of a Pokémon with dual Abilities to its other Ability.]
An Ability Capsule?
Ash's thoughts instantly drifted far away—Togepi... Togekiss... Serene Grace and Hustle... That Togepi egg in the future... I have to save this!
If it turns out to have Hustle, I'll switch it to Serene Grace.
If it's Serene Grace, then no need to change it.
It would be even better if it had the Hidden Ability: Super Luck.
You ask why?
Because this isn't a game, obviously.
Boosting the luck stat is totally OP, okay?
Ash suppressed the urge to immediately investigate the reward and gripped the badge tightly in his palm.
As soon as the badge was obtained, the System interface refreshed again.
A new sub-interface, [Badge], quietly emerged, displaying eight recessed slots.
And now, in one of those slots, a gray badge pattern symbolizing rock appeared.
Hmm... The System interface and reality are still separate; I can't take things out of it or put things in.
[Pewter Gym - Boulder Badge]
[Effect: Slight increase in Trainer's Rock-type affinity (Energy Sensing/Resistance), slight enhancement of basic physical fitness.]
An extremely faint yet clearly discernible warm current seemed to seep from the palm holding the badge, instantly flowing through his limbs and bones.
His body felt somewhat lighter, and his "tactile sense" of the rocky terrain beneath his feet gained a strange familiarity.
This badge... can actually directly strengthen the Trainer themselves?
Eh?!
Could it be that I'm really developing in the direction of a Super Pallet Town?!
Ash suppressed the stormy waves in his heart and calmly pinned the badge on the inside of his jacket, closest to his chest.
The cold rock pressed tight against his skin. He wondered if losing the badge would affect the System.
Probably not, after all, this was an achievement.
"Pika?" Pikachu keenly sensed the subtle change in his Trainer's aura and tilted his head in confusion.
"Congratulations." Brock's steady voice interrupted Ash's thoughts.
He had already withdrawn his Graveler and walked over.
Brock's face, usually cold and hard as rock, now bore an unprecedented solemnity as he extended his hand: "Ash, your strength and willpower are worthy of this badge, and even more worthy of the rock's acknowledgment."
"Thank you." Ash shook his hand firmly, feeling the roughness and power in the other's palm. "It was a thrilling battle."
As for the injuries sustained by both sides' Pokémon, that wasn't really an issue.
What battle didn't involve injuries?
Misty also ran over from the corridor entrance, her orange ponytail swaying, her face flushed with excitement. "Hey! That move Pikachu just used... that was too exaggerated! How did you do that?!"
Misty was curious, super curious, actually~
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu raised his little head proudly.
This had nothing to do with Ash; Pikachu did it himself.
"Luck, it was all luck," Ash replied with a practiced deflection.
How did Pikachu do it?
Ash didn't know either.
He'd have to wait and chat with Pikachu later to carefully analyze that move.
And then perfect it as much as possible.
Brock's gaze swept over the spot on Ash's chest where the unassuming badge lay, then fell on Pikachu, before finally settling on Ash's face.
His eyes, which were always squinted shut, opened slightly at this moment.
"Ash."
Brock's voice was deep and clear. "Going forward, please allow me to travel with you."
The air went instantly silent.
"Huh?" Misty's mouth dropped open in surprise.
Ash was also stunned. "Travel together? You're the Gym Leader of Pewter Gym..."
"Father and Mother will manage the Gym's affairs," Brock said without a hint of hesitation. "Rock needs grinding to become tougher. Staying trapped in one place, one can only ever see the patch of stone beneath their feet."
He paused, his gaze burning intensely. "But you, Ash, and your Pikachu... you've shown me scenery from a higher vantage point."
"I want to witness with my own eyes just how far you can go."
Brock was only fifteen, after all; he really wanted to go out and play too, okay?
And now that he had a suitable excuse to dump the burden off his shoulders, why wouldn't he run?
There was so much work in the Gym; better to leave it to his useless dad.
Mom would watch him anyway.
That was what Brock thought—such a simple, unadorned reason.
"This..." Ash was just about to speak.
"Hahaha! Well said!" Flint's hearty laughter came from the corridor.
He slapped Brock heavily on the shoulder, making Brock sway. "You brat, finally said something decent! Go! A good man's ambitions lie in all four corners of the world! What kind of skill is it to just guard a Gym!"
Flint had done this sort of thing back in the day, too.
It was a pity he really couldn't get past the Elite Four stage.
Let alone becoming the League Champion—he couldn't even become an Elite Four member, so he could only barely scrape by as a Gym Trainer.
Lola smiled, her gaze sweeping softly over Ash and Misty before landing on her son. "Brock, you've grown up."
"Since you've decided, then go."
"As for the Gym, your father and I are here, so don't worry." She paused, implying something more. "On the road... be careful, and learn much."
Misty looked at Brock, then at Flint and Lola, and finally cast a complicated look at Ash, muttering softly, "Hey... isn't this guy's team getting more and more ridiculous..."
Misty knew very well that she was also one of the Gym Trainers.
Adding Brock to the mix.
Two Gym Trainers accompanying a rookie on his journey?
Isn't this lineup a bit too luxurious?
Ash looked at the family before him.
The determination in Brock's eyes, the support beneath Flint's boisterous smile, the deep meaning in Lola's gentle words...
I see.
Is this the Professor's "arrangement"?
Is that why Brock's parents are pushing the boat with the current?
Are they about to make a move against Team Rocket?
Ash took a deep breath, suppressing the thoughts churning in his mind.
"Welcome aboard, Brock!"
"Please guide us on the journey ahead!"
A pure smile, belonging to a fifteen-year-old boy, finally appeared on Brock's face.
He reached out, and his hand clasped heavily with Ash's.
Perhaps the adults behind the scenes had their various schemes.
But for these youths, it didn't really matter much.
Let the adults worry about adult matters.
As children, it was enough for them to currently focus on working hard to grow stronger.
"Pika!" Pikachu hopped onto Ash's shoulder, his cheeks emitting a few "zzt-zzt" sparks of welcome.
The heavy gates of the Pewter Gym slowly opened, letting in the light from the outside world.
Although the decision had been made, they weren't in a rush to set off.
Staying here to play for a day or two was actually fine; after all, there was no hurry.
Besides, Gyarados was injured, so it was better to let it rest and recover properly.
Incidentally, Ash would also guide Gyarados through some rehabilitation training to help it further master its own body.
A few days later.
Ash, Misty, and Brock stepped onto the road leading to the next city, facing the sunlight.
"Dear, I think their journey is going to be quite troublesome," Lola said.
"The news about that Golden Gyarados leaked out after all... They might be targeted by those Pokémon Hunters, Team Rocket, and the like," Flint said, rubbing his chin.
"But both Misty and Brock have Gym Trainer-level aces to protect them... and that Ash kid isn't weak either... There shouldn't be any major problems."
After all...
It's not like they're going to provoke an Elite Four member? Or a Champion? Or a Legendary Pokémon? Right?
_____
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