The doors of the Pewter City Gym loomed before him—towering slabs of carved stone that looked like they'd been cut from the mountain itself. The design was simple, but it radiated power. No neon lights. No electronic gates. Just a fortress for those ready to prove themselves.
Skylar stood before it, backpack tight, Gyarados egg secured in its insulated wrap. Misty was beside him, arms crossed, watching silently as the doors creaked open.
A Gym attendant met them with a clipboard.
—"Challenger name?"
—"Skylar."
The attendant nodded and gestured them inside.
The Gym's interior was even more imposing: a wide battlefield of sand and boulders, with stone slabs lining the walls and steel torches casting warm light over the ring. The field was uneven, deliberately designed to favor rugged footing and Rock-types.
And standing at the far end—arms crossed, expression calm and unreadable—was Brock.
He was taller than Skylar expected. Strong, but not in a showy way. Built like someone who'd spent his life climbing cliffs and carrying others forward.
—"You're Skylar?" Brock asked, stepping forward.
—"Yes, sir."
—"I've heard about you. Rejected a Water-type for this match. That true?"
Skylar nodded. "I want to win with the team I've raised. Not with the team that counters yours."
Brock's lips twitched, almost a smile. "Foolish or bold. We'll find out soon enough."
He raised his hand. A judge stepped forward and lifted a flag.
—"This will be a two-on-two Gym match! Pewter Gym Leader Brock versus challenger Skylar of Sinnoh. Begin!"
—"Let's go, Geodude!"
Brock's Poké Ball hit the field with a flash, and the rocky Pokémon landed with a heavy thud, fists pounding the dirt.
Skylar's hand hovered over his belt.
—"Scyther, you're up!"
The mantis burst from his ball with a shriek, wings slicing the air as he landed light on his feet—blades gleaming.
Misty tensed on the sidelines. "This is gonna be rough…"
Skylar didn't flinch.
—"Scyther, use Quick Attack! Move low!"
Scyther darted forward, a blur of speed, zigzagging between rocks before striking Geodude across the arm with a sharp slash.
But Geodude barely flinched.
—"Counter with Rock Throw!"
Chunks of stone rose and launched toward Scyther.
—"Evasion pattern—up and spiral!"
Scyther leapt into the air, wings buzzing as he twisted mid-flight, dodging two boulders—but the third clipped his shoulder and sent him tumbling into the dirt.
Skylar gritted his teeth. "Get up! Regroup!"
Scyther hissed and pushed himself upright, eyes burning.
—"You're fast," Brock said. "But Geodude doesn't need to chase what it can outlast."
—"That's what you think," Skylar said. "Scyther—Focus Energy!"
The mantis closed his eyes for a moment, wings humming at a higher pitch. His entire form tensed, sharpened.
—"Now—Fury Cutter!"
He darted in again, blades glowing green. The first strike hit Geodude's side, a glancing blow. The second—harder. The third—Geodude reeled.
Brock narrowed his eyes.
—"Defense Curl!"
Geodude curled tight, absorbing the next hits with less impact—but Scyther's momentum was building. Each blow landed harder than the last.
Skylar saw the window.
—"Jump back! Air Slash—full power!"
Scyther sprang into the air and crossed his blades, releasing a slicing X-shaped shockwave.
It hit Geodude head-on.
Dust exploded.
When it cleared—Geodude was on its back.
Eyes spinning.
—"Geodude is unable to battle! First round goes to the challenger!"
The audience—few but present—clapped in surprise.
Misty let out a breath. "One down."
Brock recalled Geodude calmly.
—"You've got instinct," he said. "Let's see how you handle real pressure."
He pulled his second Poké Ball.
—"Onix—let's shake the ground."
The Gym rumbled as the massive Rock Snake burst onto the field, its roar echoing through the stone chamber.
Skylar stood firm.
Scyther crouched low, wind swirling around him.
Skylar didn't blink.
—"Let's finish what we started."