Chapter 8: A Gym Battle, A Stubborn Bug, and a Chance Encounter
The sun had begun its slow descent, casting golden rays across the worn forest path. Misty walked just a step behind Kai, arms crossed and face still slightly flushed from the Caterpie's latest "proposal." She grumbled under her breath.
"I swear, that bug has no sense of boundaries."
Ahead of her, Kai stifled a laugh. "You have to admit… it's kind of determined."
"It climbed onto my head, Kai," she snapped. "It used my ponytail as a rope."
Charmander, walking beside them, gave a happy chirp. He clearly found the bug's persistence hilarious.
"I think it likes you," Kai offered.
"I am not interested in any relationship with a worm," she replied flatly. "Especially one that stares at me like it wants to marry me."
As if summoned by the conversation, a rustle came from the nearby bush. Misty froze mid-step, eyes wide. Slowly, a familiar green face with two wide yellow eyes peeked out.
"NOPE!" she shrieked.
The Caterpie inched out slowly, holding up a crumpled flower in its tiny mouth like a proposal gift. Its eyes sparkled with hope.
Kai gently placed a hand on Misty's shoulder as she began to backpedal. "Easy. Don't panic."
"I'M NOT PANICKING—YOU'RE PANICKING!"
Caterpie took another hopeful step forward.
Charmander stepped between them like a tiny orange bouncer, folding his arms. "Char."
The Caterpie lowered its flower and whimpered.
Kai sighed and crouched. "Sorry little guy. She's… not ready for bug love."
Caterpie chirped sadly, then turned and slowly crawled back into the bushes. Misty exhaled in relief, hands still on her chest.
"That thing is going to give me heart attacks," she muttered.
Kai chuckled. "It really does like you though."
"Why can't I attract a cute Pokémon like Vaporeon?" she grumbled.
"Maybe it's fate," Kai said with a grin. "You'll have a future Bug-type gym if this keeps up."
She scowled.
They continued walking, finally leaving the dense trees and emerging into the edges of Pewter City. The towering stone buildings shimmered faintly in the evening sun. The Pokémon Center was just ahead.
"You ready?" Kai asked. "We hit the Gym first thing tomorrow."
Misty nodded. "Just promise me we don't get ambushed by any more romantic caterpillars."
Kai smiled, but as they entered the Pokémon Center, a small notification blinked in front of his eyes.
> [System Notification]
Gym Challenge Approaching: Pewter City Gym
Type: Rock
Difficulty: Normal
Bonus Objective: Win without taking super-effective damage.
Reward: 200 Points
Side Reward Unlocked: Random Wild Pokémon Encounter — High Potential Detected nearby.
Kai's eyes widened slightly. "High potential?"
"What?" Misty asked, noticing his pause.
"Nothing. Just excited for tomorrow."
---
The next morning came quickly. The sun rose behind the tall trees, casting long shadows down the Pewter Gym's stone-paved entrance. Misty stood with her arms crossed, eyes scanning the structure.
"This place looks like a cave."
Kai nodded. "That's probably the vibe."
As they entered, a man in his late teens stood at the far end of the battlefield. His tanned skin and spiky brown hair were unmistakable — Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader.
"Welcome," he called out. "You here to challenge me?"
Kai stepped forward. "Yeah. I'm Kai from Pallet Town."
Brock nodded. "Let's see what you've got."
The battlefield buzzed with tension. The referee gave a simple nod.
"This will be a 2-on-2 battle. Only the challenger can substitute."
Brock tossed his Pokéball. "Let's start strong — Geodude, go!"
The rock-type emerged in a puff of dust, hovering slightly above the ground, arms flexed.
Kai looked to Charmander. "You ready?"
"Char!" the Fire-type cried, hopping forward.
Misty leaned forward from the sidelines, whispering to herself. "He better not use Ember carelessly…"
Kai narrowed his eyes. "Charmander, start with Smokescreen!"
Charmander darted forward and let out a thick cloud of black smoke, obscuring the field.
"Geodude, use Rock Throw!"
A burst of jagged stones came flying through the smoke, but Charmander had already leapt out.
"Now, Ember — but aim at the ground!"
Flames shot forward, causing a burst of dust and broken rock to fly upward from beneath Geodude, unbalancing it.
Kai grinned. "Scratch! Quickly!"
Charmander rushed in and slashed across Geodude's side before it could recover.
"Geodude, Defense Curl!"
Geodude began to glow faintly, its rocky body tightening.
Kai saw the shift. "We don't have time to wear it down…"
He nodded to himself.
"Charmander, Metal Claw — full force!"
Charmander's claw shimmered with steel energy as it slammed into Geodude. The rock-type recoiled, barely hanging on.
"Geodude, Tackle!"
It lunged through the smoke — but Kai was ready.
"Dodge and Ember, now!"
Charmander ducked low and blasted Geodude in the face with fire. Though the attack wasn't very effective, the impact was enough to stagger it back.
Geodude's eyes swirled as it slumped to the ground.
"Geodude is unable to battle!" the referee called.
Brock nodded. "Not bad at all."
He held out a second Pokéball. "Let's raise the stakes. Onix, go!"
The massive rock serpent emerged with a roar, its size causing Misty to take a step back.
"Charmander, you okay?" Kai called.
Charmander nodded, but it was breathing heavier.
Kai clenched his fists. "Let's try something risky."
"Smokescreen!"
The battlefield filled with dark clouds once again.
"Onix, use Bind — sweep the area!"
Onix's massive body whipped across the battlefield. One tail swipe hit Charmander square in the side and sent it tumbling.
"Charmander!" Kai called out.
Charmander struggled to its feet, shaking slightly but not down.
Kai's eyes narrowed. "Metal Claw! Aim for its underbelly!"
Charmander rushed forward, claws glowing. It darted beneath Onix, narrowly dodging a slam, and slashed upward.
Onix roared.
"Again! Metal Claw!"
Charmander struck again and again at the vulnerable segments between boulders.
Brock shouted, "Rock Tomb!"
Onix slammed the ground, causing boulders to shoot upward.
Charmander was flung back, battered.
He landed hard, trembling.
"Charmander is still standing!" the referee called.
Misty's eyes widened. "He's giving everything…"
Kai grit his teeth. "You've done amazing. One more. Metal Claw — to the head!"
Charmander pushed through the pain, sprinted forward, leapt, and with a roar, slammed his claw across Onix's face.
Onix groaned, wavered…
And collapsed.
The entire Gym fell silent.
"Onix is unable to battle. The challenger wins!"
Charmander dropped to one knee, panting but victorious.
Kai rushed forward and picked him up. "You did it!"
"Char…" Charmander murmured with a tired grin.
Brock approached. "That was impressive. You didn't rely on type advantage. You thought ahead. You earned this."
He handed Kai the Boulder Badge.
Kai held it up, the silver badge gleaming in the light.
Misty clapped from the side. "Okay, I'm impressed. You actually know what you're doing."
Kai grinned. "Told you I wasn't just lucky."
As they stepped out of the Gym, the system chimed.
> [System Reward]
Boulder Badge Earned
Bonus Objective: Completed
Total Points Gained: 300
Special Event Unlocked: High Potential Wild Pokémon — Nearby Forest Sector C4
Kai's eyes flickered.
"Misty," he said. "Wanna go explore a bit?"
"Not if there's another Caterpie."
He smiled.
"No… This one's something different."