Team Rocket finishes digging a hole trap and disguises it with soil, leaves, and wood, though they fall into it soon after they forget its location. Meanwhile, Ash, Misty, and Pikachu arrive at the outskirts of Pewter City. As Ash takes a rest on some rocks, he and Misty meet a mysterious man named Flint, who sells rocks for a living. Flint escorts the group to the Pokémon Center, where Ash is surprised to encounter Nurse Joy again. She explains that she is the Viridian City Joy’s older sister. She directs Ash’s attention to a poster promoting a tournament called the Pokémon League Championship and he decides to sign up. However, before he can enter, he needs to defeat eight Pokémon Gym Leaders and earn a Gym Badge from each as proof of his victory. Flint walks in at this point and tells Ash about Pewter City’s Gym Leader, Brock. He is openly skeptical of Ash’s chances of winning and laughs scornfully at the very thought of it. Over a meal, Misty warns Ash of Gym Leaders’ prodigious skill and offers him advice. Misty becomes angry when Ash declines her advice, so she choose to walks off, leaving him with the bill.
