After a while I headed over towards the Pokemon League so I could kick Taco's butt again. By this time Charmander was level 12 and he defeated Taco's level 9 Pidgey and level 8 Squirtle with ease. I considered purchasing a Pokeball at this point to go get a Pidgey as a Fly slave, but realized that none of the Pokemon I can get right now in Red that can learn Fly learn any other HMs, and since it'd be a while before I even need Cut it isn't worth it.
Went through Viridian Forest and burned it down. Found an Antidote, a Potion, and a Pokeball, didn't use any of them, and beat all the trainers there with ease. By the end of it Charmander was level 15 (ALREADY!), and Pewter Gym looked like it was gonna be a piece of cake.
I stopped by the Pokemon Center in Pewter before I went to the Gym, where I felt awkward only have one Pokemon for Nurse Joy to look at. Still, afterward I went immediately to the Gym and kicked the Jr. Trainer's butt. I now suspect he is gay, because he mentioned something about Brock being hot after I beat him. He's also incredibly stupid, EVERYONE knows that lightyears are a unit of distance, not time. Charmander took the opportunity to hit level 16 and try to evolve. I said no, of course.
Still, the Jr. Trainer did a number on me with his Diglett. I wasn't expecting it to be so damn fast. But after another visit to Nurse Joy, Charmander was ready to face Brock. And face him we did. Geodude just sat there using Defense Curl while I shot fireballs at him and went down after about four hits. Onix was even easier. He got a couple Screeches out, but he kept getting burned so Brock had to keep wasting turns on Full Heals. I was actually a little depressed I didn't get to try out my Growl when Onix uses Bide strategy.
After finishing my battle with Brock, I of course got the Bide TM and the Boulderbadge, and then I went back to the Pokemon Center to recover my pp before my trip to Mt Moon. Still haven't bought anything, but I'm contemplating some Escape Rope. Mt Moon is kinda big, and I don't know if there'll be enough of them in there. However, I do plan on catching a Clefairy or Jigglypuff. I need a Flash-slave. It'll probably be in my PC for a while, but I'd rather pick one up now than find something more local when I get to Rock Tunnel.