CH7: The First Gym Challenge

The path to the first Gym took Alex and his Pokémon through a rugged, rocky landscape, with craggy hills and steep cliffs rising on either side of the narrow dirt trail. The air was cooler here, with the wind carrying the dry, earthy scent of the mountains. As they approached the town where the Rock-type Gym was located, Alex felt a mixture of excitement and nerves. This was it—the first real test on his journey, and the first step toward the Pokémon League.

Sparkyx trotted beside him, full of energy as usual, its tail crackling with small bursts of electricity. Ironux followed close behind, its red eyes scanning the area with its usual calm and focused demeanor. Alex could feel the tension between them—his Pokémon knew that a big challenge was ahead, but they were ready. They had trained hard over the past few days, and now it was time to put that training to the test.

The town that housed the Rock-type Gym was small, nestled in the shadow of the surrounding mountains. The buildings were made of stone and wood, blending into the rugged landscape. The streets were quiet, but there was a sense of anticipation in the air—this was a place where trainers came to test their strength, and everyone in the town knew that the Gym was a focal point of excitement and challenge.

As Alex entered the town, his eyes were immediately drawn to the Gym itself, a large, imposing building made entirely of stone. The front was adorned with carvings of various Rock-type Pokémon, giving it the appearance of an ancient temple dedicated to power and endurance. Alex took a deep breath as he approached the entrance. This was it—his first Gym challenge.

Before entering, Alex took a moment to review his plan. Sparkyx, as an Electric-type, wouldn't have an advantage here—Rock-types were typically strong against Electric moves, and Sparkyx's speed might not be enough on its own. Ironux, with its Steel typing, would be his key to victory. Its strong defenses would allow it to hold its ground against the Rock-type Pokémon, and its Iron Punch would deliver heavy damage if they could get in close. The plan was simple: wear down the opponent's defenses with Ironux, and then use Sparkyx's speed to finish the battle if needed.

With a final nod to himself, Alex pushed open the heavy stone doors of the Gym and stepped inside.

The interior of the Gym was just as imposing as the exterior—massive stone pillars lined the walls, and the floor was made of uneven slabs of rock, creating a battlefield that would favor bulky, defensive Pokémon. At the far end of the room, standing behind a raised platform, was the Gym Leader—a tall, muscular man with a chiseled jawline and short, dark hair. His presence was commanding, and it was clear from the way he stood that he was used to winning.

But what caught Alex's eye wasn't just the Gym Leader—it was the young boy standing next to him. The boy couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen, with a mischievous grin on his face and a confident stance. He was wearing a bright red jacket and a pair of oversized sunglasses perched on his head. There was something familiar about him, though Alex couldn't quite place it.

"Welcome, challenger," the Gym Leader called out, his voice booming across the stone hall. "I am Brick, the Rock-type Gym Leader of this town. You've come to prove your strength, haven't you?"

Alex stepped forward, his heart pounding with anticipation. "Yes," he said, his voice steady despite the nerves coursing through him. "I'm here to challenge you."

Brick nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Good. We always welcome new challengers who seek to test themselves against the power of Rock-type Pokémon. But don't expect this to be an easy battle—my team is tough, and only the strongest trainers walk out of here with a badge."

The young boy standing beside Brick laughed, crossing his arms. "Yeah, don't think you're gonna breeze through this one. Dad's Pokémon are solid as stone—literally."

Alex raised an eyebrow at the boy, intrigued by his bold attitude. "Your son?" he asked, glancing at Brick.

Brick chuckled. "That's right. This is my son, Young Brock. He's a trainer in the making, and he's been learning the ropes here at the Gym. Someday, he'll be the one challenging trainers like you."

Young Brock gave Alex a cocky grin. "You better be ready, because I'll be watching to see if you've got what it takes."

Alex smirked. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

As the banter ended, Brick stepped down from the platform and motioned to the battlefield in the center of the room. "Let's get started then, shall we? This will be a one-on-one battle. You can use two Pokémon, and I'll use two of my own. The battle will be over when both of one trainer's Pokémon are unable to continue."

Alex nodded and took his place on the opposite side of the battlefield, his heart pounding in his chest. Sparkyx and Ironux stood beside him, both of them ready for the fight. This was it—the first Gym battle.

Brick reached for a Poké Ball attached to his belt and tossed it into the air. "Let's show them the power of Rock! Go, Geodude!"

In a flash of light, a large, round Geodude appeared on the battlefield, its rocky arms flexing as it floated just above the ground. The Geodude's stony face was set in a determined expression, and it cracked its knuckles as if preparing for a tough fight.

Alex quickly assessed the situation. Geodude was a pure Rock-type, which meant it had high defense and could take a lot of physical hits. He knew that Sparkyx's Electric-type moves wouldn't be very effective here, so he decided to lead with Ironux.

"Ironux, you're up!" Alex called, stepping back as his steel-type partner moved onto the battlefield.

Ironux's red eyes gleamed with determination as it faced down Geodude, its massive fists clenched and ready for action.

"Geodude, start things off with Rock Throw!" Brick commanded.

Geodude flexed its arms and ripped a chunk of rock from the ground, hurling it straight at Ironux with impressive speed. The rock sailed through the air, but Ironux was ready.

"Ironux, block it with Iron Defense!" Alex ordered.

Ironux's metallic body gleamed as it crossed its arms in front of it, the steel plates along its arms and chest hardening as the Rock Throw hit. The rock shattered on impact, sending small fragments scattering across the battlefield, but Ironux remained unscathed.

"Nice work, Ironux!" Alex called. "Now, let's go on the offensive! Use Iron Punch!"

Ironux's fists began to glow with a bright metallic sheen as it charged forward, its movements quick despite its bulky frame. It closed the distance between itself and Geodude in a matter of seconds, its fist raised to strike.

"Geodude, Defense Curl!" Brick commanded.

Geodude curled its body into a tight ball, its rocky exterior becoming even more solid as Ironux's Iron Punch connected. The impact sent Geodude rolling backward, but its Defense Curl had significantly reduced the damage.

Alex gritted his teeth. Geodude was tough, and its defensive moves were making it difficult to land a solid hit. He needed a different approach.

"Ironux, don't let up! Keep using Iron Punch, but this time, aim for its weak spots!"

Ironux nodded and charged at Geodude again, its fists glowing as it prepared another Iron Punch. This time, Alex could see Ironux's movements were more precise, targeting the areas of Geodude's body that weren't as well-protected.

"Ironux, now!" Alex shouted.

With a swift strike, Ironux's glowing fist slammed into Geodude's side, catching the Rock-type off guard. The impact sent Geodude skidding across the battlefield, and Alex could tell that the hit had done significant damage.

Brick's expression remained calm, though his eyes narrowed slightly. "Geodude, get up and use Rock Polish!"

Geodude uncurled itself and began to glow with a faint, silver light. Its rocky exterior smoothed out as it polished its body, increasing its speed dramatically.

"Geodude's faster now," Alex muttered to himself. "But we can still win this. Ironux, be ready for its next move."

"Geodude, use Rollout!" Brick ordered, his voice filled with confidence.

Geodude curled back into a ball and began spinning rapidly, its newly polished body allowing it to move across the battlefield with incredible speed. The spinning Rock-type barreled toward Ironux like a boulder rolling downhill.

"Ironux, block it again!" Alex shouted.

Ironux crossed its arms once more, bracing itself as the spinning Geodude slammed into it with tremendous force. The impact sent Ironux skidding back, but it held its ground, the metallic plates on its arms absorbing the brunt of the attack.

"Now's our chance!" Alex called. "Ironux, use Iron Punch while it's spinning!"

Ironux's fists glowed again as it lashed out with a powerful punch, timing its strike perfectly to catch Geodude mid-roll. The force of the punch stopped Geodude's momentum cold, sending it crashing to the ground, its spinning attack completely disrupted.

Geodude groaned in pain, clearly struggling to get back up after the combined force of Ironux's punches. Alex could see that the battle was taking its toll on the Geodude. The repeated blows from Ironux's Iron Punch were starting to wear it down, but Alex knew he couldn't let up just yet.

"Finish it, Ironux!" Alex shouted. "Use one more Iron Punch, full force!"

Ironux's fists glowed with a bright metallic sheen as it charged toward the weakened Geodude. With a final, powerful strike, Ironux's fist slammed into Geodude's body, sending it flying across the battlefield. Geodude hit the ground hard, tumbling over the rocky terrain before coming to a stop.

There was a moment of tense silence as Alex waited for Geodude to get back up, but it didn't move. The Gym's referee, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, raised a flag.

"Geodude is unable to battle!" the referee announced. "The round goes to the challenger, Alex!"

Alex let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His heart was pounding, but he allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. Ironux had performed brilliantly, just as he had hoped. The strategy of focusing on precision and targeting Geodude's weak points had paid off.

Ironux straightened up, its red eyes glowing with determination as it turned to face Alex. The steel-type Pokémon had taken some hits, but it still looked strong and ready for more.

"You did great, Ironux," Alex said, nodding to his partner. "Take a breather for now—we're not done yet."

Brick returned his Geodude to its Poké Ball with a calm, almost stoic expression. Despite the loss, he didn't seem rattled. In fact, there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he prepared to send out his second Pokémon.

"Impressive," Brick said, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "You've got a solid strategy, and Ironux is a tough opponent. But let's see how you handle my next Pokémon."

He reached for another Poké Ball and tossed it into the air. "Go, Onix!"

A massive Onix materialized in the center of the battlefield, towering over both Ironux and Sparkyx. Its serpentine body was made of huge boulders, and its eyes gleamed with a fierce, intimidating presence. The ground rumbled as Onix shifted its weight, and Alex could feel the raw power radiating from the Rock-type Pokémon.

Alex swallowed hard, his earlier confidence wavering slightly. Onix was an entirely different beast from Geodude—faster, stronger, and far more dangerous. He'd have to think carefully about his next move.

Ironux had taken a few hits already, and while it was still standing strong, Alex wasn't sure it could hold up against the sheer power of Onix. Sparkyx, on the other hand, had the advantage of speed, but its Electric-type moves wouldn't be very effective against a Rock- and Ground-type like Onix.

"Ironux, come back," Alex said, returning his steel-type to its Poké Ball. "Sparkyx, it's your turn!"

Sparkyx bounced onto the battlefield, its bright yellow scales gleaming in the sunlight, and its tail crackling with small bursts of electricity. The little electric Pokémon was brimming with energy, and Alex could tell it was eager to prove itself.

"You ready, Sparkyx?" Alex asked, his voice steady despite the pressure of the moment.

Sparkyx chirped enthusiastically, its tail flicking with excitement.

"Let's see what you've got, challenger," Brick said, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Onix, start things off with Rock Tomb!"

Onix roared, and the ground around Sparkyx began to shake. Massive chunks of rock rose from the earth, surrounding Sparkyx on all sides. The rocks were heavy and fast, threatening to crush the smaller Pokémon beneath their weight.

"Sparkyx, dodge it with Quick Attack!" Alex shouted.

In a blur of motion, Sparkyx darted out of the way just as the rocks came crashing down. The Quick Attack allowed it to move faster than the eye could follow, zipping around the battlefield and avoiding the falling stones.

"Good job, Sparkyx!" Alex called. "Now, use Spark and hit it with everything you've got!"

Sparkyx's body crackled with electricity as it charged forward, aiming straight for Onix's massive body. The little Pokémon was a blur of yellow and blue as it collided with Onix, sending a jolt of electric energy through the Rock-type's body.

Unfortunately, as Alex had anticipated, the attack wasn't very effective. Onix barely flinched from the impact, its natural resistance to Electric-type moves reducing the damage.

Brick didn't seem phased at all. "Onix, counter with Bind!"

Onix's massive tail swung around with surprising speed, wrapping tightly around Sparkyx's small body. The electric Pokémon let out a startled chirp as it was squeezed by the powerful tail, struggling to free itself from Onix's grasp.

"Sparkyx, hang in there!" Alex shouted, his heart pounding in his chest. He needed to come up with a plan—fast. Sparkyx was in trouble, and its electric attacks weren't doing enough damage. If it stayed in Onix's grip for too long, it would be over.

"Use Quick Attack to escape!" Alex called.

Sparkyx's body glowed as it used its speed to wriggle free from Onix's bind, darting out of the large Pokémon's grasp and landing a few feet away, panting but still ready for battle.

"That's it, Sparkyx!" Alex said, relief flooding through him. "Now, let's try something different. Use your speed and get close again, but this time, focus all your energy into a single Spark!"

Sparkyx nodded, determination shining in its bright eyes. It dashed forward again, this time with even more speed, zigzagging around Onix's body as it searched for an opening. When it found its moment, Sparkyx unleashed a powerful Spark, focusing all of its electric energy into one spot on Onix's body—the vulnerable gap between its rocky segments.

The attack landed, and Alex could see Onix flinch slightly as the electricity surged through the weaker spot in its defenses.

"Onix, shake it off and use Rock Slide!" Brick commanded, his voice calm and composed.

Onix roared and slammed its tail into the ground, sending a barrage of rocks tumbling down from above. The massive boulders rained down on the battlefield, and Sparkyx's eyes widened in alarm as it tried to dodge the incoming attack.

"Sparkyx, Quick Attack again!" Alex shouted.

Sparkyx darted out of the way just in time, avoiding the worst of the Rock Slide. But one of the smaller rocks clipped its leg, sending it tumbling across the battlefield. Sparkyx let out a pained cry as it struggled to get back to its feet.

Alex's heart sank. Sparkyx was tough, but Onix was relentless. The battle was starting to take its toll, and Alex knew he had to think fast if he wanted to win.

"Come on, Sparkyx, you can do this!" Alex called, his voice filled with encouragement. "Get back up and give it one more shot!"

Sparkyx wobbled on its feet, but it managed to stand, its eyes burning with determination. Despite the pain, it was ready to keep fighting.

"We've got one more chance," Alex muttered to himself. "Sparkyx is fast, and we've been hitting Onix's weak spots… Maybe if we can land one more critical hit…"

Brick watched the battlefield with a calm, calculating gaze. "Onix, finish it with another Rock Tomb."

Once again, the ground around Sparkyx began to rumble as massive chunks of rock rose from the earth, preparing to crash down on the small electric Pokémon.

"Sparkyx, Quick Attack—now!" Alex shouted.

Sparkyx's body glowed with light as it dashed forward, moving faster than ever before. It zigzagged between the falling rocks, narrowly avoiding each one as it raced toward Onix.

"Now, use Spark!" Alex commanded, his voice filled with urgency.

Sparkyx's body crackled with electricity as it launched itself at Onix, aiming once again for the weak spot between its rocky segments. The little Pokémon collided with Onix, unleashing a surge of electric energy directly into the vulnerable area.

Onix let out a roar of pain as the electricity surged through its body, and for a moment, it looked as though it might recover. But then, with a low groan, Onix's massive body swayed, and it collapsed to the ground with a resounding thud.

The Gym was silent for a moment, and then the referee raised his flag.

"Onix is unable to battle! The match goes to the challenger, Alex!"

Alex stood frozen for a moment, barely able to believe it. He had won. Sparkyx had done it.

A grin spread across Alex's face as he rushed forward to meet Sparkyx. "You did it, Sparkyx! That was amazing!"

Sparkyx chirped weakly, clearly exhausted from the battle, but there was a look of pride in its eyes as it nuzzled against Alex's leg.

Ironux watched from the sidelines, its red eyes glowing with approval as Alex knelt down to check on Sparkyx. "You both did great," Alex said, his voice filled with admiration. "We're one step closer to the League."

Brick recalled his fallen Onix and stepped forward, a satisfied smile

on his face. Despite the defeat, he seemed genuinely impressed by Alex's performance.

"Well done, challenger," Brick said, his voice carrying a tone of respect. "It's not often we see someone come in here and take down my Onix on their first try. You've got a good head on your shoulders, and your Pokémon are strong. I can see you've trained them well."

Alex stood up, holding Sparkyx in his arms, the little Pokémon still exhausted but clearly proud of its victory. "Thanks," Alex replied, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him. "It was a tough battle, but I couldn't have done it without Sparkyx and Ironux."

Brick nodded in agreement. "You and your team worked well together. That's the mark of a good trainer—knowing when to push, and when to support. You're going to go far if you keep it up."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, shining object—the Gym Badge. It was shaped like a rough, jagged stone, a symbol of the strength and resilience of Rock-type Pokémon. Brick held it out to Alex with a proud smile.

"This is the Boulder Badge," Brick said. "You've earned it."

Alex took the badge, his heart swelling with pride as he looked at the gleaming symbol of his first victory. He had done it—his first step toward the Pokémon League. He glanced at Sparkyx and Ironux, both of whom had given their all in the battle. This badge wasn't just his—it was theirs, too.

"Thanks, Brick," Alex said, pocketing the badge. "This means a lot."

"You've earned it," Brick repeated with a firm nod. "But remember, this is just the beginning. The other Gym Leaders won't be easy to beat. Each one of them is going to test you in different ways, and the challenges will only get tougher from here."

Alex smiled, feeling the weight of Brick's words, but also the thrill of what was to come. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but he was ready. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the battle."

As Alex turned to leave, Young Brock, who had been watching the entire match from the sidelines, stepped forward, his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.

"Not bad," Young Brock said, looking Alex up and down. "You're better than I thought you'd be. But don't think that just because you beat my dad, you're ready for what's next. The Kanto region's Gym Leaders are no joke."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Kanto region?"

Young Brock's smirk widened. "Yeah, the Kanto region. Didn't you know where you were? The Gym Leaders here are some of the toughest in the world. You'll be facing challenges that'll push you and your Pokémon to the limit. If you're serious about taking on the Pokémon League, you'd better be prepared for some serious battles."

Alex blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He hadn't realized where he was, not fully. The idea that he was in a region known for having some of the toughest Gym Leaders in the world filled him with both excitement and trepidation.

"I guess I have a lot to learn about this region," Alex said, more to himself than to Young Brock.

Young Brock shrugged. "You'll figure it out. Just don't let it go to your head. You won today, but the real challenges are still ahead."

Alex nodded. "Thanks for the heads-up."

With that, Young Brock gave him a final grin before turning back to join his father, who was already preparing for the next trainer. Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with the young trainer-in-the-making. It was clear that Young Brock had big ambitions, and one day, he would probably be a Gym Leader in his own right.

As Alex stepped out of the Gym and back into the warm afternoon sun, he looked down at Sparkyx, who had now recovered enough to hop out of his arms and trot beside him. Ironux walked on his other side, its calm, stoic presence as reassuring as ever.

"We did it," Alex said, glancing at his two partners. "Our first Gym Badge."

Sparkyx chirped happily, its tail flicking with small sparks of electricity, while Ironux gave a slow nod of acknowledgment. They had worked hard, and it had paid off. But Alex knew that this was just the beginning. The battle with Brick had been tough, but the challenges ahead would be even greater. He needed to keep training, keep improving if he wanted to make it through the Kanto region's Pokémon League.

The revelation that he was in the Kanto region added a new layer of intensity to his journey. This was no ordinary place—this was a region where the best of the best competed. If he wanted to make a name for himself and uncover the truth about the strange phenomenon affecting Pokémon, he'd have to prove himself here, among some of the world's strongest trainers.

As Alex walked through the town, heading toward the Pokémon Center to heal his team, his mind was already racing with thoughts of what was to come. The next Gym Leader would be even tougher than Brick, and Alex knew he had to be ready. He couldn't afford to be caught off guard again—he needed to be smarter, faster, and stronger.

But for now, he allowed himself a moment to enjoy the victory. He had earned his first Gym Badge, and that was something worth celebrating. He had proven to himself that he could handle the pressure, that he could rise to the challenge, and that his bond with Sparkyx and Ironux was strong enough to carry them through.

As they entered the Pokémon Center, the familiar, welcoming scent of clean air and the soft hum of the healing machines greeted them. Alex walked up to the counter, where the nurse from earlier smiled as she saw him approach.

"Congratulations on your first Gym victory," the nurse said kindly. "I take it your Pokémon need some healing?"

Alex nodded, handing over Sparkyx and Ironux's Poké Balls. "Yeah, they fought hard today. They deserve a good rest."

The nurse took the Poké Balls and placed them into the healing machine. "It'll just take a moment."

As Alex waited, he found himself reflecting on the day's events. He had been so focused on the battle that he hadn't had much time to think about the bigger picture—the mysterious phenomenon that had caused Pokémon to disappear after fainting, the strange undercurrent of tension that seemed to pervade the region.

But now that the adrenaline from the battle had faded, those thoughts came rushing back. Something was happening in the Kanto region, something that was affecting Pokémon in ways that no one seemed to fully understand. And Alex had a feeling that his journey through the Pokémon League would bring him closer to the truth.

His reverie was interrupted by the nurse, who returned with Sparkyx and Ironux's Poké Balls. "Your Pokémon are fully healed," she said with a warm smile.

"Thanks," Alex said, taking the Poké Balls and attaching them to his belt. "I appreciate it."

As he stepped out of the Pokémon Center, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden light over the town. Alex found a quiet spot near the edge of town, where he could sit with his Pokémon and watch the sun dip below the horizon.

He released Sparkyx and Ironux from their Poké Balls, letting them enjoy the peaceful evening air. Sparkyx immediately began bounding around, full of energy once again, while Ironux stood silently, watching over the landscape with its usual calm vigilance.

Alex smiled as he watched his partners. He felt a deep sense of pride and gratitude for the bond they had formed, and he knew that, no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

"We've got a long road ahead," Alex said quietly, more to himself than to his Pokémon. "But I know we can do this. We're going to make it through the Pokémon League, and we're going to find out what's really going on in this region."

Sparkyx chirped in agreement, its tail flicking with sparks, while Ironux gave a slow nod of approval.

As the stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky, Alex felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was ready for whatever the Kanye region had to throw at him. With Sparkyx and Ironux by his side, he knew that they could overcome any obstacle.

The journey had only just begun.

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