Pokémon: The Strongest Trainer (Ash SI)

"Is this the Pewter Gym? The design's really unique!"

After getting their Pokémon healed up, Ash made his way to the Gym—it was going to be his first official battle against a Gym Leader!

The Pewter Gym loomed before him like a massive boulder, clearly carved out of solid rock. According to the intel he'd gathered, the Gym specialized in Rock-type Pokémon.

Ash didn't have a type advantage here. His team was missing a Water-type, and of his current Pokémon, he only had Electric, Fire, Flying, and Rock types. Not exactly ideal.

On top of that, this wasn't just any Gym Leader—this was a former Elite Four-level trainer. And Ash, barely on the cusp of the quasi-Elite level himself, was about to face him. This would be no easy battle.

"Ash, are you sure about this? You're about to challenge a King-level trainer. That kind of badge isn't given away lightly, and you don't even have a Water-type to counter his team. You're at a massive disadvantage," Misty said, her voice filled with concern as she followed him, watching his determined stride.

As the heir to the Cerulean Gym, Misty knew just how strong Elite-level trainers were—her own grandmother had once held such a title. Misty had rarely seen her grandma's Pokémon in action, and when she had, their power was overwhelming.

"I've already decided," Ash said firmly. "Don't underestimate my Pokémon. These ten years of training weren't for nothing."

His eyes locked onto the Gym doors, unwavering.

"Pika!"

Pikachu stood proudly on his shoulder, brimming with fighting spirit. He didn't care about base stats or racial values. He wasn't just another Electric Mouse Pokémon.

Thanks to Ash's intense and unusual training methods, Pikachu had forged his own path. A quasi-Elite Pikachu? You wouldn't find one like that in any region. It had taken years of hardship, but Pikachu endured it all.

Ash mentally reviewed what he knew about Kanto's Rock-types—Onix, Geodude, Graveler, Sandshrew… Based on those possibilities, he began forming strategies and backup plans, hoping to pull off an upset.

"Who are you?"

As Ash and Misty entered the Gym, the room was dim. Suddenly, lights flickered on in the corridor. A boy, a few years older than Ash, stood before them.

"You must be Brock of Pewter City. I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. I've come to challenge the Gym!" Ash said confidently, recognizing the Gym Leader from his earlier research.

"First time challenging a Gym? My advice—give up now. This isn't a playground," Brock said coolly.

"No need to say more. I'm not a rookie," Ash shot back. "And I didn't come here for you—I came for your grandfather, Master Garan."

From Brock's tone, it was clear he saw Ash as just another beginner. But Ash wasn't going to let that get to him.

"You want to battle my grandfather?" Brock's eyes widened. No one had dared to challenge the man in nearly a decade—he was a true Elite.

"You don't need to answer for me, Brock. I'm here," came a slow, heavy voice from the back.

An old man stepped out of the shadows, and Ash felt the air around him grow heavier.

"You must be Mr. Garan… My name is Ash Ketchum. I hope you'll take this seriously," Ash said with respect, feeling the pressure from the veteran trainer.

He had known the gap would be large, but the sheer weight of Garan's presence was beyond what he imagined. Still, Ash held his ground.

"Getting old does a number on the memory… But since you're here to challenge me, I trust you know the rules. Come with me. Brock, you too. You've still got a duty to battle even if your goal is to support the family."

Garan narrowed his eyes at Ash, impressed. Few youngsters could remain composed under such pressure.

Soon, Garan led Ash and the others into the battle arena. The battlefield was massive—at least the size of three football fields. It wasn't overkill. Pokémon battles were dangerous, especially when it came to massive creatures.

What Ash didn't know was that the entire field was under surveillance. In a control room high above, five observers were watching closely: Skye Draconis, Lady kiko, Draco, Lance, and Ash's cousin—Shiro, who had originally planned to review the footage later.

But Skye had other ideas—he insisted on seeing it live. So they had arrived two days early, ready to assess Ash's strength in person.

"A late-stage quasi-Elite…" muttered Lance, stunned as he watched Ash on the monitor. It felt like something had caught in his throat.

"That's my cousin? He's… way stronger than me at his age. What a monster," Shiro said, jaw slack.

"He even has that same air Lance used to have."

"And that old fox Samuel Oak… No wonder he kept dodging questions about Ash's level. The sly bastard was hiding this from us the whole time!"

"I won't repeat the rules—you should know them by now," said Master Garan, standing across the battlefield, his gaze sharp and imposing. "Each trainer may use three Pokémon. You can switch your Pokémon at will, but as the Gym Leader, I won't."

Ash stood silently on his side of the field, focusing intently.

"Go, Rhyperior!"

With a flick of his wrist, Garan tossed a standard Poké Ball into the air. A flash of white light erupted, and a massive, armored Pokémon—Rhyperior—landed with a heavy thud, shaking the arena.

Ash narrowed his eyes. "System, analyze the data!"

Ding~!

Name: Rhyperior

Level: Mid Quasi-Elite

Abilities: Lightning Rod, Rock Head

Type: Ground / Rock

Potential: 100% (56% developed)

"It's even stronger than I expected… This is going to be a tough fight."

Ash quickly ran through the strategies he'd prepared earlier, but the system's scan made it clear—his original plan wouldn't work.

"Looks like we'll have to adapt on the fly… Growlithe, you're up!"

He grabbed a golden-and-white Poké Ball from his belt and threw it high. With a burst of light, a majestic Growlithe appeared, muscles coiled and mane blazing, landing gracefully on the battlefield to face the hulking Rhyperior.

...

TN:

It's an AU, people~! 🔥

Yes, Ash has to battle Brock's grandpa for the Gem version of the badge 💎—and he'll likely face even stronger trainers to earn the other Gem badges! 💥

Stay tuned! ⚔️😊

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