You do!

In response to Brock's opening gambit, you send out the Butterfree Rick so graciously traded to you.

"Hmm, that's new." Brock observes, thinking of how to adapt his battle strategies to counter this new Pokémon.

"So is this!" You pronounce. Giving the order, you have Butterfree blanket the battlefield with sleep-inducing pollen. It seems to be too much for even a hardy specimen like Geodude. Pretty soon, the rock monster's going under, slumping down to the ground.

"It's not over yet, Red!" Brock insists, trying to think of some method with which to revive his slumbering Pokémon.

While Geodude's helpless, you recall Butterfree, thanking her for a job well done, and send out Mankey.

"Mankey, kick that ugly rock a new one!" You cheer. Giving you a screech of approval, the violent little primate launches a brutal-looking flying kick, striking Geodude directly in the face.

The poor thing is woken up in the worst possible way, sent careening against the wall of the Gym. When he hits it, he's practically broken up into pebbles. Brock is left with **** but to recall his wounded Pokémon.

Affectionately stroking Mankey's shaggy fur, you do the same, deciding to give Bulbasaur his moment in the sun.

"Okay, time to get serious!" Brock exclaims, sending out his second and final Pokémon.

At over 20 feet, Onix is by far the largest Pokémon you've ever seen with your own eyes. It's honestly intimidating, the way the rocky snake-like Pokémon looms over not only Bulbasaur, but you as well.

"Don't lose your nerve, Bulbasaur." You say. "Try using your vines!"

Just like he did with Sandshrew, Bulbasaur lashes out with his vines. They connect, and eventually wrap around one of the rocky upper sections of Onix's body.

Of course, it's more of a struggle to keep a 20 foot monster in place than it is a Sandshrew. Bulbasaur, with his recently increased strength, does his best, but you can tell it's a losing battle.

"Bulbasaur, use your leaves again!" You suggest. Straining against Onix's resistance, it takes your starter a good few seconds to work on your order. When he does, peppering Onix with a rain of razor leaves, you're glad he did.

Wounded, Onix thrashes about. The brute moves hard enough to swing Bulbasaur into the air. As the vines he just created are ripped and snapped, Bulbasaur is sent careening into the wall of the gym, in a painful-looking wipeout.

You're pretty sure that's it for the little guy. After all, Brock's Geodude couldn't take such a hit. And yet, scant moments later, you see Bulbasaur staggering to his feet.

"Attaboy!" You cheer, jumping on the spot. "Finish him off."

Obedient as always, Bulbasaur obliges, firing another volley of deadly leaves that take Onix out of commission.

Brock can only whistle as he recalls his fallen Pokémon.

"Okay," He begins, only to be cut off by a flash of light from the opposite end of the arena.

Clearly, his performance in this battle has been enough to push Bulbasaur into his species' next evolutionary stage. You watch, dazzled, as he evolves before your very eyes. He gains some height and weight. The colour of his skin slowly morphs from a bright green to a less welcoming dark turqoise. A pair of fangs sprout from his mouth. Finally, the bulb on his back begins to flower, several glossy ferns sprouting from it.

Congratulations, your Bulbasaur has evolved into Ivysaur!

"Okay, you may be a better Trainer than I gave you credit for." Brock admits.

"Maybe I had an incentive not to lose. Didn't want to have to see your ugly mug again."

"At any rate, I believe you've earned these." Brock hands over your prize money, a TM and of course, your very first League Badge.

You admire the grey, octagonal shape of the Badge, before pinning it to your bag.

"You know, there's another reward we Gym Leaders offer to certain select victors..." Brock leans in, whispering his secret.

Your eyes light up as you hear it. This you've gotta do!

-

A little while later...

With one last stroke of the needle, Brock finishes up your new tattoo. He lets the ink dry for just a moment, before tenderly dabbing away the blood.

"Here." The Gym Leader notes, holding up a mirror behind you.

Glancing over your shoulder, you get a good look at your new ink. Inked into the skin of your lower back is a 2D representation of the Boulder Badge.

Brock's left plenty of room for more body art, putting your tattoo in the upper left corner of your lower back. At this rate, once you're ready to challenge the Elite Four, you'll have a tramp stamp to be jealous of.

"Well, good luck to you, Red." Brock says, as you hop off his chair and make for the door. "If you ask me, you should head to Cerulean to try and win a Cascade Badge tattoo off of Misty. After all, she's the one who came up with the idea."

You just might, you think, resisting the urge to rub your sore skin. You just might.