From what Gary had described, the armored Mewtwo didn't seem to fully obey Giovanni's commands.
Using his newly upgraded Psychic Power, Ash could sense that Mewtwo's aura was extremely unstable. For the time being, Giovanni probably wouldn't send it into battle.
Judging roughly from the fluctuations—
It seemed that Mewtwo's escape was approaching.
Ash needed to challenge Giovanni quickly.
Otherwise, by the time they arrived, the opponent might end up being Team Rocket's "two humans and a Meowth."
Sure, that would make obtaining the Earth Badge easier…
But he wouldn't be able to complete the system mission.
And that would be a massive loss.
While talking, the group arrived at the Viridian Gym.
Two guards stood at the entrance, fully armed and on high alert. Their eyes were sharp like hawks as they watched every movement.
The intimidating atmosphere alone was enough to warn challengers:
This Gym would not be easy.
"I'm Ash, a trainer from Pallet Town."
"I'm here to issue an official challenge to the Gym Leader."
Ash presented his Trainer ID.
This Gym strictly checked identification to prevent unrelated people from entering.
Anyone who understood the situation knew the real reason—
Giovanni didn't want outsiders accidentally discovering his secret experiments.
After confirming the credentials, the guards slammed their weapons onto the ground.
The massive doors of Viridian Gym slowly opened.
Ash and the others followed a staff member into the battlefield.
After waiting for a moment—
Giovanni slowly emerged from the shadows.
Under the dim lighting, his tall figure looked even more mysterious. Standing on a high platform, he looked down at Ash and the others with a sharp, cold gaze.
Another trainer from Pallet Town…
The last one who challenged him had nearly disrupted their control over their ultimate weapon.
"I am Giovanni, Leader of the Viridian Gym."
"I accept your challenge."
His deep voice echoed across the arena.
One of the guards standing at the center announced the rules.
"This Gym battle will be three-on-three."
"There is no time limit."
"The winner will be decided when one side's three Pokémon are unable to battle."
"Go—Golem."
Without much enthusiasm, Giovanni released his first Pokémon from the darkness.
Clearly, he didn't take Ash seriously.
Golem's heavy body slammed onto the battlefield, kicking up dust.
[Pokémon: Golem — Lv. 50]
The difficulty spike for the eighth badge was obvious.
Giovanni had opened with a full Gym-level Pokémon.
Winning this badge definitely wouldn't be easy.
According to League regulations, Gym Leaders must select Pokémon at or below Gym-level strength depending on the challenger.
Giovanni followed that rule.
If he used Pokémon that were too strong, it might attract an investigation from the Pokémon League.
"Pikachu, you're up."
Ash considered Golem's likely abilities—Rock Head or its hidden ability Sturdy.
In the original battle against Gary's Nidoking, Golem had been knocked out in a single clash.
But Pikachu's speed far exceeded Golem's.
Golem might not even get a chance to move.
"Iron Tail!"
"Golem, Double-Edge!"
The moment Giovanni gave the order, Golem rolled forward like a boulder, charging straight at Pikachu.
Pikachu leapt high into the air.
Using the momentum of the jump, it dove down with full force—
CRASH!
Its glowing steel tail smashed directly into Golem.
The impact sent Golem flying through the air before it crashed heavily onto the battlefield.
But Pikachu didn't give it any time to recover.
"Pika! Pika!"
Pikachu spun again and struck with Iron Tail once more.
This time—
Golem could no longer endure the damage.
It was knocked away and collapsed on the ground, unable to battle.
The victory came from overwhelming level advantage.
And Giovanni had barely bothered to give commands.
"Quite lively," Giovanni said calmly.
His voice remained emotionless.
He recalled Golem and sent out his next Pokémon.
"Kingler."
A Kingler with two unevenly sized pincers entered the battlefield.
[Pokémon: Kingler — Lv. 55]
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu carried the Light Ball, doubling both its physical and special attack power.
Against a Pokémon weak to Electric-type moves—
One Thunderbolt was more than enough.
The electricity erupted instantly.
A near–Elite Four-level Pikachu…?
Giovanni's eyes flickered.
The two trainers from Pallet Town he had faced recently were certainly not ordinary.
Behind Ash, the two Gym Leaders watching the battle were completely focused.
Misty had watched Pikachu grow stronger over their journey.
But seeing Pikachu defeat Golem so quickly was still shocking.
Brock felt it even more intensely.
The Poké Balls containing his Graveler and Onix trembled slightly—
As if sensing danger.
Meanwhile, Togepi cheered excitedly for Pikachu.
At that moment, several arcs of lightning burst from Pikachu's body and struck Kingler directly.
Kingler tried to counter with Water Gun—
But it was too late.
The electric current surged through its body.
Moments later, Kingler collapsed—its body scorched black.
It had lost the ability to battle.
"Ash! Pikachu! That was amazing!"
Misty cheered enthusiastically.
Her voice wasn't as loud as Gary's group of cheerleaders—
But it was far more pleasant.
Brock joined in as well.
Only one Pokémon remained.
But a question lingered in his mind.
Gary had also reached the third round.
So what was that mysterious third Pokémon that defeated him?
Even the Pokédex couldn't identify it.
Suddenly—
A strange metallic sound echoed from deeper within the Gym.
It sounded like steel being forged.
At that moment, Persian suddenly stood up and vanished into the shadows.
"Machamp."
Giovanni frowned slightly as he turned back.
He decided not to deploy the unstable ultimate weapon.
The last Pallet Town trainer had nearly caused Mewtwo to escape after their battle.
To be safe—
He would stick to ordinary Gym-level Pokémon.
Although judging by the situation—
The Earth Badge would likely have to be handed over.
This young trainer's strength was probably near Elite Four level.
His Pokémon were even stronger than Giovanni's Gym team.
When did Professor Oak cultivate a trainer this powerful…?
[Pokémon: Machamp — Lv. 57]
Machamp stepped forward.
Its four muscular arms radiated strength, and a championship-style belt hung around its waist.
Its sharp gaze locked onto Pikachu.
"Just Machamp?"
Misty and Brock were stunned.
The Pokédex clearly contained data about Machamp.
Had Gary exaggerated earlier to scare Ash?
"Pikachu, return."
Ash decided not to force Pikachu to continue.
Machamp would be a tough opponent.
Better to let Gastly handle this one.
Pikachu happily ran back to Ash's side and greeted Togepi.
"Gastly, you're up."
Ash threw a Poké Ball from his belt.
He deliberately chose Gastly, whose Levitate ability allowed it to float freely.
A Fighting-type opponent, huh?
Let's see you try hitting a Ghost-type.
Giovanni pressed his lips together.
This match was clearly slipping out of his hands.
"Hehehe…"
Gastly let out a mischievous laugh, completely ignoring Machamp.
"Fighting-type moves are useless against Ghost-types."
"Looks like Ash has the Earth Badge secured," Brock said confidently.
His eyes turned toward Giovanni on the platform.
Strangely enough, this Gym Leader didn't seem very invested in the battle.
Machamp charged at Gastly again and again.
But every attack passed straight through its ghostly body.
Instead, Gastly toyed with it effortlessly.
Back and forth they went—
Neither trainer even bothered giving commands.
Then—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A far louder explosion echoed from deep within the facility.
Giovanni immediately stood up.
He recalled Machamp.
Mewtwo is about to break free…
Ash's newly enhanced psychic senses also picked up the disturbance.
He could feel Mewtwo's aura surging violently inside the laboratory.
"You win."
Giovanni left behind a single sentence before turning and walking away from the platform.
"This is the Earth Badge."
One of the guards stepped forward and handed the badge to Ash.
Ash took it.
But he knew this place wasn't safe to linger.
"Let's go."
Ash quickly led his companions out of the Viridian Gym.
The real chaos—
Was about to begin.
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
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