After Ray Chu's successful battle against the Gym Trainer, Ash finally managed to rally his fired-up Pikagod, facing off against another Gym Trainer's Golem.
Perhaps driven by his colleague's miserable defeat, this Gym Trainer's expression was especially grim, unleashing his full strength from the start. Unfortunately, Ash's current abilities were far from the "Master of Reverse-Type Matchups" level, resulting in a crushing defeat.
"Pikachu!" Ash rushed forward anxiously as Pikachu collapsed in exhaustion. But as he knelt beside his battered Pokémon, he didn't even know where to begin treating the wounds.
At that moment, a hand extended toward him, holding out medicinal herbs.
"These are herbs that Farfetch'd gathered in the wild," Ray Chu gently explained. "You should stop the bleeding before heading to the Pokémon Center."
"Oh! Thank you!" Ash quickly accepted, carefully applying the medicine to Pikachu's injuries. Once the bleeding stopped, he thanked Ray Chu again and hurried toward the Pokémon Center.
"Every young Trainer's growth comes at a cost. Your kindness will only blind him to his real weaknesses." A firm, critical voice spoke beside Ray Chu.
"That Trainer is special," Ray Chu calmly replied, turning to face Brock. "Conventional ideas only limit someone like him. The bond between Ash and his Pikachu isn't something others can question."
"Ha! Well said." Brock smiled thinly, clapping a few times. "But I'm not here to discuss the boy's future. I, Brock, Pewter City's Gym Leader, have decided—I accept your challenge!"
Many Trainers could defeat a Gym's Trainers, but not everyone immediately got a chance at the Gym Leader. Often, challengers had to wait their turn.
Brock's sudden acceptance instantly captured everyone's attention. Whether gathering intel or simply excited to watch, spectators quickly filled the stands, packing in layer upon layer around the arena.
"Is this alright? Shouldn't a Gym Leader keep his signature moves secret?"
"That's just a coward's excuse. True strength doesn't fear any challenge!" Brock declared boldly, throwing a Poké Ball. "Crush them, Onix!"
Ray Chu raised an eyebrow at Brock's theatrical confidence, but considering his reputation, perhaps this style suited him.
Gesturing toward Farfetch'd, Ray Chu announced, "I'll use Farfetch'd for this battle."
Farfetch'd raised its leek and gave a spirited cry in agreement.
Brock's narrowed eyes seemed to squeeze shut even more as he carefully assessed the challenger's Pokémon.
"That Farfetch'd… You're the guardian deity that villagers talk about, aren't you? I've heard about you. Still, Onix is a Rock- and Ground-type, heavily advantageous against Normal- and Flying-types like Farfetch'd. Your Ivysaur from earlier would've been a much better choice."
Ray Chu simply shrugged. "Ivysaur just evolved—your Onix has the level advantage anyway. But more importantly, you've severely underestimated him."
He gestured decisively. "Dapple, [CUT]!"
Before his words even faded, Farfetch'd bolted toward Onix like a streak of lightning. Its leek, already sheathed by its side, was drawn in a dazzling arc and struck precisely against Onix's forehead.
Crack!
Though faint, the sound was unmistakable—a hairline fissure appeared across Onix's rocky brow.
Brock's eyes flashed sharply.
"Onix, use [ROCK SLIDE]!"
Onix slammed its massive body into the arena floor, shattering the ground beneath it. The battle platform crumbled, revealing layers of solid stone beneath. With a mighty heave, Onix hurled giant boulders skyward toward Farfetch'd.
Nimbly weaving through the raining debris, Farfetch'd's leek flashed in elegant arcs, slicing repeatedly into Onix's enormous body, forcing agonized roars from the giant Pokémon.
"This move…" Brock's face twisted in shock.
"That's right—it's consecutive Aerial Aces, guaranteed to hit and nearly impossible to chain together normally," Ray Chu explained lightly. "Thanks to the rocks your Onix threw, Farfetch'd now has perfect platforms to leap and strike continuously."
"I see. Then it's time I get serious!"
Brock's eyes suddenly snapped wide open. With a fierce roar, he tore off his shirt, revealing muscles as sculpted and solid as stone.
"Onix, [ROCK TOMB]!"
Massive stones fell from above, creating an impenetrable enclosure that restricted Farfetch'd's movements. Brock's strategy was clear—slow Farfetch'd down, then finish it.
"Now, whip up a [SANDSTORM], then use [SAND TOMB]!"
With a thunderous roar, Onix circled the arena at blazing speed, whipping up sand and debris into a furious storm. Soon, the entire Gym became enveloped in blinding, howling sand.
The audience watched, stunned. Visibility dropped to zero. No one could even approach the arena as Brock's full might shook the building, leaving them speechless at the Gym Leader's unleashed strength.
"This… is incredible!"
"So this is the legendary weather-based combo? They say only perfectly trained Pokémon can pull it off!"
"That challenger's good, but there's no way he can beat this…"
A timid voice suddenly asked, "Um, excuse me—but does every challenger here have to face moves this intense?"
Awkward silence immediately filled the air.
"Give up," Brock advised solemnly inside the storm. "Under these conditions, my Onix will only get stronger. Your Farfetch'd has no chance."
Facing the swirling dust calmly, Ray Chu smirked faintly.
He'd seen firsthand how powerful Farfetch'd really was. Losing simply wasn't an option.
This Shiny Farfetch'd, Dapple, had taken on three elite Team Rocket members at once. Its strength easily matched two Brocks combined.
Type disadvantages meant nothing to true power.
"Dapple—use your [ULTIMATE HIGH-SPEED INSTANT-KILL COMBO]!"
Out of respect for his Trainer companion's command, Farfetch'd hadn't acted on its own strategy. But the instant Ray Chu gave the order, the duck surged forward with startling speed—Agility activated in a flash.
Simultaneously, a white glow gathered along its leek, indicating Focus Energy had been completed unnoticed. The next strike would decide everything.
"No good! Onix, [DRAGON PULSE]!" Brock quickly changed tactics, cancelling Sand Tomb for a direct counterattack.
"Farfetch'd! Ka-mo!"
Too late. With Dapple's swordsmanship, there was never a chance for Onix to retaliate. The instant Farfetch'd swung its leek, victory was sealed.
[AIR SLASH]
The blade of wind cut through even the sky itself, shattering Onix into scattered boulders. Its colossal body crashed down amidst falling rubble.
Among the scattered stones, the blue-and-white Farfetch'd landed gracefully, posture perfectly composed.