The Pewter City Gym was nothing like the small building from the anime. It was a huge Rock-type Gym.
The Gym space was open but fully enclosed, lit by soft artificial lights and a faint natural glow from the stone walls.
And the battlefield was made of solid ground mixed with scattered rocks and uneven stone formations, designed specifically for Rock-type battles.
It wasn't chaotic or unstable, just naturally rough terrain that favored strong, grounded Pokémon.
While high above the battlefield, spectator areas were carved into the rock where people could safely watch the matches.
Overall, the Gym felt strong, simple, and grounded, built for raw power battles rather than flashy arenas.
And at the far end of the field stood Brock...
He was an adult: tall, with a solid, well-built frame. Broad shoulders, defined arms, and a strong chest from years of training, but not overly bulky.
Just the right amount of muscle that showed he was no pushover. His eyes were closed in that calm, signature expression, a small confident smile on his face.
Around his neck hung a simple chain holding a glowing Key Stone, probably for his Steelix's Mega Evolution, though I wasn't completely sure.
And as for me, I stood on the challenger's side with Eevee right beside me. She looked up at the battlefield with big, excited eyes, her tail swishing back and forth.
A referee stepped forward and took position between us, standing at the side with his flag raised.
"Challenger Gil Crest is challenging Gym Leader Brock for the Boulder Badge," he announced clearly. "Since Gil has zero badges, this will be a 2-on-2 battle. The challenger can switch Pokémon freely. The Gym Leader cannot switch Pokémon. Mega Evolution and other special powers are not permitted for the Gym Leader, but the challenger may use them. Understood?"
I nodded. "Understood."
Brock's calm smile didn't change. "Ready when you are, Gil."
I took a breath, feeling the weight of the moment. Eevee gave a soft "Vee~" of encouragement beside me, her warm little body pressing briefly against my ankle.
I looked at Brock and gave a small nod.
The instant my head dipped, Brock's voice rang out, steady and full of confidence.
"Golem, let's go!"
He threw the Poké Ball in one smooth, practiced arc. It spun through the air before bursting open in a brilliant flash of white light.
The ground trembled as Golem materialized with a deep, rumbling "Goooolem!"
Its massive boulder-like body landed heavily, shaking the dirt beneath our feet.
Thick, rugged rocky armor covered its powerful frame, and its thick arms and legs stood planted like ancient pillars. The Pokémon looked like a living mountain: slow, unstoppable, and impossibly solid.
I took a steadying breath, heart pounding with a quiet thrill as I stared at the towering Golem. Without hesitation, I pulled out my own Poké Ball and threw it forward.
"Scyther, I choose you!"
The ball spun through the air and burst open in a brilliant flash of light.
Scyther emerged in a graceful, ready stance, her sleek green exoskeleton gleaming under the light.
Her body was lean and built for speed, every movement looking light but sharp.
Her scythe-like arms caught the glow with a dangerous edge, while her wings stayed neatly folded behind her back, ready to burst open at any moment.
She looked fast, fierce, and beautiful in a dangerous way, like a living blade made for battle. Every small movement in her stance showed control, speed, and confidence.
"Scyther!" she cried, her voice sharp and eager, already buzzing with anticipation.
From the sideline, Eevee cheered excitedly, "Vee! Vee!"
Brock didn't waste a second.
"Golem, Defense Curl!" he commanded, his voice calm but firm.
Golem pulled its thick limbs in close. A faint light spread across its rocky body, then slowly faded as its defense tightened, like stone compressing into an even harder shell.
The massive Pokémon seemed even more unbreakable now, like a fortress braced for impact.
I clenched my fists, refusing to fall behind. "Scyther, Quick Attack!"
Scyther shot forward in a vibrant green blur, slicing through the air like a living blade, sharp and unstoppable. Her speed left a faint rush of wind in her path, a high-pitched "Scy!" trailing behind her.
"Rock Slide!" Brock countered.
Golem slammed its heavy fists into the ground with a thunderous "Goooolem!" The arena trembled as sharp stones burst from the ceiling and walls, raining down like a rocky avalanche toward Scyther.
"Double Team!" I shouted quickly.
Scyther split into several shimmering copies with a chorus of overlapping "Scy! Scy! Scy…", darting between the falling boulders with incredible speed. She weaved through the chaos, each copy taking a hit and vanishing in a puff of dust, while the real one closed in on Golem. Rocks smashed into her illusions, exploding into clouds of dust and debris.
Eevee's voice cut through the din. "Ee-vwee!" a cheer, urging her on.
As Scyther closed the distance, I saw my opening.
"Now!" I shouted. "Brick Break!"
Scyther's eyes sharpened instantly.
Her right scythe began to glow with a pale white light as energy gathered along the blade, like it was being sharpened by raw force.
Then…
She burst out of the swirling dust cloud in a green streak, letting out a sharp "Scyyy!"
CLANG.
The moment her scythe hit, a sharp shockwave rippled outward. The rocky surface of Golem's body dented at the point of impact, dust and tiny stone fragments flying off like sparks.
Golem's massive frame jolted with a deep rumble, but it still didn't move even an inch.
Its eyes narrowed.
"Mega Punch!" Brock called, his voice calm and steady.
The moment the command left his lips, Golem surged forward.
It was no longer slow or heavy like before, its entire body shifted with sudden burst-like speed. One massive arm pulled back, the fist tightening as a pale white energy formed around it, wrapping the rock like a compressed shock of force.
Then it came forward.
Fast.
Straight.
Like a hammer made of moving stone.
I reacted instantly.
"Scyther, dodge it!"
But it was already too late.
Scyther had just started to pull back, wings buzzing hard as she tried to slip away with a desperate "Scy…", but Golem closed the gap in an instant.
The glowing stone fist connected.
CRACK…!
It hit like a solid wall of iron crashing into her side.
"Scy…!"
She cried out sharply as the impact tore through her mid-air movement.
Her body jerked violently, as she was thrown backward, spinning through the air before crashing into one of the jagged rock formations rising from the battlefield.
Stone shattered on impact with a sickening crunch, and she dropped down toward the ground below as dust burst into the air.
For a moment, everything went still.
"Scyther!" I yelled, my voice cracking.
Eevee let out a horrified "Vee?!", her tiny form tense as she watched.
Then Scyther's wings twitched once… then again. A weak, shuddering "Scy… ther…" emerged from the dust.
Slowly, she forced herself upright, her legs shaking as she struggled to find her balance.
Dust still clung to her sleek green body, and her breathing came in sharp, strained bursts, each one a faint, broken "Scy… Scy…"
My chest tightened painfully as I watched her push through the pain. I reached for her Poké Ball, ready to call her back.
"Scyther, return…"
But before I could, she shook her head fiercely. Her sharp eyes locked onto mine with pure determination, cutting me off with a strained but firm "Scy…ther!"
She wasn't done. Not yet.
I stopped, my heart caught between pride and worry.
"You sure?" I asked softly.
Scyther gave a firm nod. Despite the visible bruises and damage on her body, her scythe arms lifted again, steady and ready.
Across the field, Brock smiled…
"Impressive spirit," he said.
I nodded back at Scyther, trusting her completely. "Alright… Scyther, let's do this. Start with Quick Attack again…"
Before I could finish, Scyther shot forward in a green blur, a sharp "Scy!" cutting through the air.
"Rock Slide!" Brock ordered.
Golem responded instantly. It rumbled and slammed its fists into the ground.
Sharp stones once again rained down from above.
"Scyther, dodge them and keep moving!" I shouted, my voice tight.
Scyther weaved through the falling rocks, each movement marked by a sharp "Scy! Scy!" Her wings buzzed as she slipped between the attacks, her body a green blur across the battlefield. She avoided all the stones and kept closing in.
"Now, Brick Break!" I yelled.
Scyther brought her scythe down hard with a sharp "Scyther!"
CLANG.
The strike slammed into Golem's rocky armor, sending another grinding shock through its body. This time, the giant Pokémon staggered back a step, a deep "Goooh…" of pain escaping it as it struggled to hold its ground.
Brock stayed composed and said, "Golem, finish it: Mega Punch!"
Golem's heavy fist rocketed forward again, glowing with concentrated power.
But this time, Scyther was ready.
"Dodge left, spin behind it!" I commanded.
She reacted instantly.
Her wings snapped mid-air as she twisted sharply to the side, slipping just past the incoming punch. With a quick spin in the air, she repositioned behind Golem in a smooth, controlled arc.
A confident "Scy!" escaped her as she moved.
"Brick Break again!"
No hesitation.
Scyther drove her scythe down into Golem's exposed side.
CRACK!
The impact landed cleanly, and Golem's massive body jolted forward from the hit, a heavy groan escaping it as it struggled to hold its ground.
"Goooolem!" it roared in frustration, its frame trembling from the repeated blows.
Eevee bounced at the sidelines, voice ringing out with pure excitement. "Eevee! Eevee!"
"Don't let up, keep attacking!" I ordered.
Scyther became a green blur again. "Scy! Scy! Scy!" she called out as she repositioned after each pass, striking again and again with Brick Break on the follow-through.
Each hit forced Golem back a little more, its movements growing slower and heavier. Its breathing turned rough, a strained "Gole… gole…" as it tried to keep up.
Brock's eyes remained calm, but his tone shifted slightly.
"Hold your ground, Golem… don't lose balance," he said steadily. "Mega Punch, now!"
"Double Team!"
Scyther split into several copies in an instant. "Scy! Scy! Scyther!" their voices echoed together, circling and confusing the exhausted Golem.
It swung wildly, but its heavy fists cut through empty air.
The real Scyther slipped through the gap.
"Now, finish it! Brick Break!"
The true Scyther struck with everything she had left, her voice a final, fierce "SCYTHERRR!"
Her scythe slammed into Golem's chest with a thunderous CLANG.
"Gooo…lem…" it groaned, its massive body shuddering.
Then it toppled backward with a heavy, earth-shaking THUD, finally collapsing onto the battlefield.
Silence filled the Gym…
The referee watched for a few seconds, making sure Golem wasn't getting back up. Then his flag shot into the air. "Golem is unable to battle! The winner is Scyther!"
A cheer escaped Eevee immediately. "Veeee!"
While, panting heavily, Scyther stood despite her injuries, wings buzzing faintly in victory. A soft, exhausted "Scy…" escaped her as she looked toward me, eyes shining with pain and pride.
I ran onto the field, Eevee right behind me with a joyful "Vee-vee!"
I caught Scyther as she swayed, carefully supporting her trembling frame. "You were incredible," I whispered. "Absolutely incredible."
She leaned into me, her breathing slowly easing, a quiet "Scy…" vibrating against my chest.
I gently recalled her in a warm red glow. "Rest now. You earned it."
Across the field, Brock finally spoke, his voice calm but approving.
"Good control," he said. "You kept your balance even under pressure."