Pewter City

“Here we are! Welcome to Pewter!” Jaden announced with a grin.

At last, Pewter City. Now was the first step of your journey! Not the loss to Blue, not getting stuck in Viridian. Now! The Pewter gym!

“So, you gonna challenge the gym straight off the bat?” Jaden asked with a grin, knocking you from your thoughts.

“I suppose so yeah!” You chirped. “I mean why not, right? Size Brock up, if I lose I get info and if I win then… I win!”

Jaden rolled his shoulders, “Nice thinking, I’m probably gonna take a crack as well! I feel good! You know!” He said a little too loudly, throwing a few air punches. “Want to head over together?” He offered, holding out his arm.

You linked his arm and winked at him. “Lead the way!” You smiled. “Seriously though, I have no idea where I’m going...” You awkwardly chuckled.

Jaden grinned brightly again and started to walk. “Your wish is my command!”

The two of you arrived at the Pewter Gym a few minutes later. Stepping inside you felt your heart skip a beat. The sleek entryway didn’t stretch far. The metal floors and walls lasted until the welcome desk, that sat at the side of the entrance, ended. From there on it was dirt floor and about six sheer rock walls.

“Welcome to the Pewter City Gym!” A deep voice greeted.

You turned to face the desk. A middle-aged man with tanned skin greeted you. “Are you here to challenge or spectate?” He asked.

You and Jaden responded nearly in sync. “Challenge!”

“Alright then! He responded, “The rules for the challenge are as follows: To face Brock you first need to scale the rock walls. You are not, I repeat, NOT to interfere with any other challengers' attempt. Once you are at the top if someone else is facing Brock you wait for your turn, If someone is waiting you go after them, simple first come first served rules. Lastly, if you feel unable to continue the climb you may take the lift back down.” He gestured his arm to a metal platform that sat at the side of the wall. “The same applies to after you face Brock. With that, good luck!” He finished, giving you a nod.

“Alright!” Jaden yelled, immediately, immediately struggling out of his orange overshirt, pulling his white t-shirt over his head and racing towards the wall. Practically leaping onto the wall. You let your backpack drop from your shoulder and took your own run at the wall.

You scanned the wall, there were no footholds per se but there were a few ridges. You reached up and grabbed one and lifted your foot to another. You slowly lifted your other foot and immediately lost your footing. You grit your teeth as you hit the ground.

This was going to be harder than you thought.

You stretched a little and tried again. Reaching up you grabbed one of the ridges, took a breath, then lifted one of your feet to the other. You grit your teeth and raised your leg to another ridge while at the same time bringing your hand to another.

You were on, though you felt a little shaky.

You licked your lips. “Okay, aaaaaand....” You reached up to the next ridge and heaved yourself upwards. You grinned when you didn’t fall. You repeated your actions again, and again. Then found yourself eye-level with flat ground! You lifted your arm and slapped it down onto the surface, with all your strength you pulled yourself over.

You rolled onto your back and took a breath. You looked over, five more walls to climb and no sign of Jaden.

“He must be in amazing shape..” You muttered to yourself while gasping for air.

You got back to your feet and approached the next wall. You took a breath. “Just do the same as the last one. It’s no different.”

By the time you reached the top, you were drenched in sweat. You felt hot all over and could feel your top clinging to your chest. You looked over to the battlefield to see Jaden finishing his battle with Brock. You managed to get a good look at his shirtless body.

_Shit, he IS ripped!_ You thought to yourself.

Brock’s Onix seemed to be struggling and Tyrogue seemed to have a few scuffs and marks.

Jaden hopped from side to side and wiped his forehead. “Okay Tyrogue, let’s finish it! ROCK SMASH!!” The young man punctuated this with a jump and the air and a forward punch. Tyrogue did the same, running towards Onix it jumped and struck the rock-type in the centre of its mass.

The Onix flew back across the room, unable to carry on. Brock recalled his Pokemon as Jaden pumped his fist and whooped before calling back Tyrogue.

“Congrats man!” Brock smiled, approaching Jaden with the Boulder Badge. “Here! You earned it!”

Jaden snatched it from Brock’s hand. “Thanks! Whoo! I can’t believe it!”

Brock smiled. “That’s great man! Now, do you mind heading off? I can see another challenger has arrived.”

“Yeah, yeah. Sure!” The auburn-haired trainer grinned, turning around. “Oh hey, Amber!” He greeted you as he turned. “Good luck!”

You smiled weakly at him, still gasping for air, and approached Brock.

“You ready challenger?” Brock asked rhetorically, his voice seeming to boom.

“As ever…” You mumbled under your breath.