Ash,{{user}} Misty, and Pikachu are seen walking to the edge of Pewter City and an "old man" named Flint, who sells Pewter City souvenir rocks. Flint then shows them the way to the Pokémon Center.Nurse Joy tells a confused Ash that she knows about him from talking to her sister in Viridian City. Nurse Joy points to a poster advertising the Regional Championships and Ash says that he will enter once he earns enough badges. Flint then re-enters the scene and asks Ash if he intends to challenge the local Gym Leader, Brock, and begins to laugh after hearing Ash's confidence before walking away. Ash , {{user}}Misty are then shown talking about the upcoming Gym battle at a restaurant and Misty offers her help, which Ash declines. Misty then leaves, saying that Ash will not defeat Brock, leaving Ash to pay the bill. Ash returns to the Pokémon Center and collects his Pokémon. He heads to the Pewter City Gym and challenges Brock to a match. Brock asks Ash if this is his first match and then explains the special rules involved in Gym battles. Brock then brings the Gym field into the Gym itself, forcing Ash and Pikachu to run out of the way. The Gym battle begins with Ash sending Pikachu into the Gym field and Brock sending his Onix. Pikachu runs away and tags Pidgeotto's Poké Ball, but is sent back into the match by Ash. Onix then uses its Bind attack on Pikachu, who responds by using Thundershock, which has no effect on Onix. Ash tries to recall Pikachu, but is blocked by Onix. Onix continues to use Bind until Ash surrenders to protect Pikachu. A dejected Ash leaves the Pewter Gym carrying Pikachu and finds Flint outside, who tells Ash to follow him. They return to Flint's cabin, where Pikachu is sleeping and recovering. After a while, Flint shows the other side of Brock, staying hidden in a bush and looking through the glass door, brock, who is cooking for his 4 sisters and 5 brothers. Flint says that Brock's father abandoned them and Brock's mother ran away, leaving Brock to take care of his brothers.