Boulder Badge

It took some time, but Ash and Misty eventually made it out of Viridian Forest. In the process, Kakuna and Metapod evolved into Beedrill and Butterfree.

By the time the two made it to Pewter City, they were exhausted.

"Whew." Ash sighed. "I thought we would never get out of Viridian Forest."

"Me too, I'm glad we're finally out though." Misty said. They immediately headed to the Pokemon Center to get some rest.

Ash handed his Pokemon to Nurse Joy right away, to make sure they were one hundred percent for the gym battle.

"Thank you Nurse Joy." He said.

"Think nothing of it, Ash." Nurse Joy replied.

"Hold on a second, how do you know who I am?" Ash asked her, confused. "We're not in Viridian City."

"My sister told me about you." She explained. "She also mentioned your encounter with Team Rocket. By the way, there's something you might want to take a look at." A poster on the Indigo League is being held this year."

"I'm definitely competing in that." Ash said.

While his Pokemon were recovering, Ash and Misty got some food at a nearby cafe.

"So, you intend to compete in the Indigo League?" Misty asked him.

"Yes." Ash answered. "That's always been a goal of mine, so now's the best time."

"Will you be alright?" Misty asked, concerned. "You have to obtain eight badges and the gym leaders are very strong."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Ash said reassuringly. Misty smiled, impressed. Ash was turning out to be a lot smarter than she expected.

"So what's your plan to deal with the gym?" Misty asked.

"You'll just have to wait and see." Ash replied, with a smile. He had no intention of sharing his strategy with Misty until they arrived at the gym.

After finishing up at the cafe, Ash and Misty headed to the Pewter Gym. It was a building made of stone.

"Here goes nothing." Ash said, pushing the door open.

"Who goes there?" A voice from inside the gym asked.

"My name's Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town." Ash introduced himself. "And I'm here to obtain your gym badge."

"Very well." The voice said. "I'm the gym leader Brock. Consider your challenge accepted."

He led Ash to the battlefield; it was a sandy floor with big pointy rocks on it. Misty walked over to the sidelines to watch.

"This battle is between Brock the Pewter Gym leader and Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town." The referee announced. Brock introduced his younger brother Forrest. "Both challengers are permitted to use two Pokemon each. Whoever defeats two Pokemon first will win. Let the battle begin."

"All right, I choose you Pikachu!" Ash shouted.

'Pikachu?' Brock thought. 'But Geodude's part Ground type and Electric type moves are not effective against it.'

"I choose Geodude!" He shouted.

Ash scanned it with the Pokedex.

"Geodude, the Rock Pokemon. Found in fields and mountains. Mistaking them for boulders, people often step or trip on them."

"Geodude, Rock Throw!" Brock ordered. Geodude punches the ground, making rocks fly at the opponent.

"Pikachu, dodge them!" Ash ordered. Pikachu easily avoided the rocks thrown in his direction.

"Bombard it with Iron Tail." After being hit by Iron Tail Geodude fainted.

"Geodude is unable to battle." Forrest said. "This battle goes to Pikachu."

Brock was amazed, to say the least.

'So he taught Pikachu a Steel type move.' He thought. 'Very impressive.'

"Geodude, return." Brock said. "Go, Onix!"

Ash also checked out Onix.

"Onix, the Rock Snake Pokemon. As it grows, the stone portions of its body harden to become similar to a diamond, but colored black."

"Pikachu, return." Ash said. "Charmander, I choose you!"

Brock knew that fire types were also weak to rock, but after that battle with Pikachu knew better than to underestimate his opponent.

"Onix, Tackle!" Brock ordered.

"Dodge it!" Ash ordered.

"Grab Charmander with Bind." Brock told Onix. Charmander was squeezed really hard.

"Break free with Growl!" Charmander opened it's mouth to let out a loud cry that released white shock waves which calmed Onix down, and once free proceeded to run up it's body.

"Brick Break, full power!" Ash shouted. Charmander slammed it's glowing arm down on Onix as hard as it could. Onix cried out in pain after being struck.

"Finish it off with Metal Claw!" Ash shouted. Charmander's hands glow white and he slashed Onix across the chest. This knocked it out.

"Onix is unable to continue battling." Forrest announced. "Charmander is the victor. Therefore Ash wins the gym battle."

"We won Charmander!" Ash cheered.

"Char!" Charmander exclaimed, hugging him.

"Pika!" Pikachu shouted.

"That was a great battle Ash." Brock congratulated him. "Typically Water or Grass Type Pokemon are used to defeat me. What made you decide to use non Water or Grass type Pokemon?"

"I know that Steel and Fighting type moves are strong against Rock type Pokemon as well, so I had Pikachu and Charmander learn some."

"You certainly know your stuff." Brock said. "Therefore you've earned the Boulder Badge." The Boulder Badge was a gray colored badge shaped like a octagon.

"Yes I got the Boulder Badge!" Ash cheered.

"Char!/Pika!" Charmander and Pikachu exclaimed.

After having Charmander and Pikachu checked out at the Pokemon Center, Ash and Misty thought it would be a good time to leave Pewter City for his next gym battle.

"I was impressed with your battle Ash." Misty said. "Honestly, I expected the gym to give you a hard time. Having Pikachu and Charmander learn Iron Tail and Brick Break was genius."

"I did tell you I was prepared to face the gym leader, didn't I." Ash said. "That sort of thing is important while traveling after all."

"Absolutely." Misty agreed, with a smile. Ash seemed a lot smarter than Misty was expecting.

They were about to leave when a voice stopped them.

"Hey guys, wait up!" Brock was running towards them.

"Brock, what are you doing here?" Ash asked.

"I'm going to travel with you guys, that's what." Brock answered.

"What about the gym though?" Misty asked him.

"Don't worry, my dad has it covered." Brock said. "So, may I travel with you?

"Welcome to the group." They said at the same time.

It was settled. Ash, Brock and Misty would be traveling together.