The looming stone gates of Pewter City rose before Kael and Serena like ancient sentinels. Kael stared at them, unmoved, while Serena adjusted her bag and looked over the city below. Pewter was quieter than most cities in Kanto, nestled at the foot of Mt. Moon, its architecture carved from the very rock it stood on. Solid. Simple. Old.
Yet behind that simplicity lay Kael's next challenge—the first Gym.
"Brock," Serena murmured as they walked. "He's famous for his defense-based tactics. Rock-types. Iron walls."
Kael's crimson eyes narrowed. "Then I'll be the earthquake."
Pewter Pokémon Center – Evening
Serena spent her time inside checking her Pokémon's condition, planning strategies. Kael, however, stood outside in the courtyard. Alone. Shirt off, bandages from the Scyther fight now gone, his torso exposed to the cool night air.
He shadowboxed, not with imagined enemies but with the echoes of battles past—Pinsir, Beedrill, Scyther.
[Origin Engine Active] [Sync Rate: 13.7%] [Micro-Adaptation Achieved: Frictionless Step Boost]
His feet danced across the cobblestones silently.
He was becoming something else. No. He already was.
Next Morning – Pewter Gym
The gym loomed like a fortress. Walls of layered stone, banners of earthy brown, and torches that still burned despite the modern world. Brock stood at its center, arms crossed, flanked by two towering Geodudes.
"You're Kael Drakar?" Brock asked as Kael entered.
"I am."
"You came without a Pokémon."
"I am the Pokémon."
The gym spectators stirred. Whispers echoed. Brock raised an eyebrow. "Bold."
"I'm not here to impress. I'm here to evolve."
Brock nodded. "Very well. One-on-one. My strongest. You vs. Onix."
The floor rumbled as Brock summoned the massive serpent. Over 30 feet of stone segments coiled and hissed, its roar shaking the stands.
Kael didn't blink.
[Analyzing Threat… Battle Mode: Unleashed] [Estimated Output Needed: 32% Combat Limiters Released]
Gym Battle: Kael vs. Onix
The battle began with Onix diving forward, stone crashing into stone. Kael met the charge with a crouch, then rolled under it, his fist slamming into a weak joint between segments.
Onix recoiled but came back around, tail lashing. Kael ducked, grabbed the tail, and with a grunt, hurled the beast across the battlefield. The crowd gasped.
Brock called out, "Iron Tail!"
Onix responded instantly, the glowing tail crashing toward Kael. This time, Kael didn't dodge.
He activated Shock Pulse.
The moment the tail struck, the absorbed energy detonated outward. A crimson shockwave reversed the force, cracking Onix's rocky hide.
Kael dashed in, fist glowing red.
He struck with everything he had.
Stone exploded.
Onix collapsed.
Silence.
Then cheers.
Brock walked forward. "I've seen people battle with their minds. With their teams. But you… You battle with existence itself."
He handed Kael the Boulder Badge.
"You'll change this world, Kael. I don't know if for better or worse."
Kael looked down at the badge. "I don't care about the world's opinion. Only the path forward."
Later That Night – Pewter Inn
Serena sat beside him on the balcony.
"You scared them today."
"I meant to."
"You scared me."
He turned. "Do you regret coming with me?"
"No," she said, voice firm. "But I want to remind you that you're not a weapon. You're still Kael."
Kael looked out at the mountains. "What if Kael is the weapon?"
Serena leaned in, head resting on his shoulder. "Then I'll be your anchor."
He said nothing, but for the first time, his expression softened.
Origin Engine Log
Sync Rate: 15.1% Adaptive Traits: Chitin Boost, Frictionless Step, Shock Pulse Gym 1: Complete Psychological Stability: Holding Emotional Link Detected: Serena - Stable
To be continued in Chapter 5: Shadows of Mt. Moon