Pewter City.
Pewter City was in the northwestern Kanto Region, nestled at the foot of a massive rocky mountain between Viridian Forest and Mt. Moon.
Because it sat at the foot of a rocky mountain, rocks were everywhere.
Of course, that had also given rise to some scammers who used rocks to swindle people.
The Leader of the Pewter Gym was Brock, a man whose resolve was as firm as stone. Defeating him earned challengers a Boulder Badge.
Since Brock had run off to travel with Ash, his younger brother Jiro was currently serving as acting Gym Leader.
To give Jiro the full Gym Leader experience,
Brock had left his ace Tyranitar, Steelix, Kabutops, and his other main Pokémon at the Gym.
However, since the Pewter Gym was a beginner Gym visited by a great many novice Trainers, Jiro had only used Tyranitar a handful of times.
Today, Li Wei, Brock, and Ash had arrived here.
Last night, Li Wei had spoken with Professor Oak and been forced to accept an unavoidable reality.
Given the choice, Li Wei would have gone home without hesitation.
After all, Li Wei believed Ash could handle it himself.
But what could he do?
He had already promised Professor Oak, so he couldn't really leave Brock and Ash to go on their own.
On a personal level, Li Wei was friends with Ash and Brock,
and on principle, he had given Professor Oak his word.
If he really abandoned Ash and Brock and ran off to Blackthorn City alone, his conscience would never let him rest.
Fortunately, Li Wei had put out a call for help in the group chat, asking whether anyone was free.
Red happened to have gone to Cinnabar Island to soak in the hot springs, and Yellow had gone with him.