"Strike first! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!!"
All Brock saw was a flash of blinding gold. A cataclysmic current erupted from the tiny mouse, transforming into a jagged whip of lightning that lashed against Onix's massive frame.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The explosions were deafening. Even Onix, a beast built to ignore electricity, let out a guttural groan, its rocky body reeling backward.
"What?! An Electric-type move actually worked on Onix?" Brock's brow furrowed. As a Gym Leader who lived by the type-chart, he knew Ground-types should be immune. If Geodude was a fluke, Onix proved that this Pikachu could bypass the fundamental laws of nature.
Is this kid channeling some sort of special power? Brock wondered. Every few years, Viridian Forest birthed a "Child of the Forest." Perhaps Ash possessed some "Anti-Type Force."
Rip!
Caught in the heat of the moment, Brock suddenly tore his shirt off, revealing a physique as rugged as a granite cliff. "This is the iron will of Rock-types! Let's see if your spirit can match mine!"
Ash was nearly blinded by the bronze-skinned powerhouse standing before him. Wait, is taking your clothes off a requirement for Gym challenges? He thought. But Ash's pride was a living thing; he wouldn't let anyone think he was just some scrawny kid from Pallet Town!
Determined to match the intensity, Ash ripped off his jacket and shirt, revealing a lean, surprisingly toned frame and eyes burning with fire.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I'm NOT losing!!"
The two shirtless warriors stood their ground, their sweat and fighting spirit clashing in the arena. The referee, who had been dozing off, snapped awake: I only took a five-minute nap, why did things suddenly get so... 'intense' and shirtless in here?
"Excellent, Ash! I like your fire!" Brock smirked. He respected the "bare-chested brawl" energy, but he wasn't about to go easy. "Onix, show him a real Sandstorm!"
ROAR!
Onix's tail slammed into the stone floor, whipping up a violent vortex of grit and debris. In seconds, the Gym became a howling wasteland. Pikachu was swallowed by the yellow haze, its Thunderbolt fizzling out against the dense sand.
Whoosh! A dark shadow blurred through the dust, slamming into Pikachu and sending it tumbling across the field.
"Pika...!" Pikachu struggled to its feet, ears twitching as it tried to locate its foe in the zero-visibility storm.
Ash recalled a battle strategy he'd seen on TV and roared, "Pikachu, calm down! Use your heart to sense him!"
Pikachu stared back blankly: Do I look like a Zen master to you?
"I mean your ears! Listen for him!" Ash corrected quickly.
Pikachu was a prodigy. It closed its eyes, its long ears flicking through the roar of the sand. Suddenly, it leaped. A split-second later, a massive shadow crushed the spot it had just occupied, leaving a crater in the floor.
"Now! Ride him!" Ash commanded, flexing his bắp tay.
Pikachu flipped through the air and landed squarely on Onix's back. If the sand blocked the current, they'd just strike from zero distance! Ash gave a thumbs-up: "Thunderbolt! Point-blank!!"
Gold lightning erupted again, blasting directly into Onix's hide. The battle became a test of pure endurance. Despite Onix's frantic thrashing, Pikachu held on, unleashing wave after wave of electricity until the sheer pressure cleared the Sandstorm itself.
Finally, Pikachu was thrown off, but Onix was in bad shape—charred, smoking, and barely able to hold its head up.
"Finish it with Slam!"
Pikachu spiraled through the air, tucking its tail beneath it. For a fraction of a second, the tip of its tail shimmered with a faint, metallic luster—unnoticed by everyone—before slamming into Onix's forehead.
CRASH! The massive rock snake collapsed like a fallen monument.
"Onix is unable to battle! The winner is Ash of Pallet Town!"
Brock stood in stunned silence. He had actually lost to a rookie. After the match, Pikachu padded over to the fallen Onix and patted its head, seemingly saying: "You won't be the last giant I ride, but you were the first. Be proud."
With the battle over, Ash received the Stone Badge, hoisting it high with infectious enthusiasm. His journey had truly begun. Just then, Flint (Brock's father) stepped out of the shadows, revealing his identity and offering to take back the Gym so Brock could follow his dreams. After a tearful family reunion, Brock officially joined the party.
"Ash, can I travel with you guys?"
"The more the merrier! Welcome aboard!" Ash replied with a grin. He was too busy calculating when Misty's "salted fish" bike would become a high-priced antique so he could clear his debt.
Brock glanced at Misty and did a double-take. "Wait, aren't you from the Cerulean Gym..."
Misty frantically signaled for him to zip it. Brock, ever the gentleman, winked and kept the secret. But internally, he was thrilled. I'm definitely sticking with this crew. Not for her, but for a chance to meet her three beautiful sisters!