Challenging the Vermilion Gym

In Cerise Park, Xia You and Chloe strolled leisurely side by side.

The surroundings were beautiful. In terms of function, the park was much like the forest behind Professor Oak's Laboratory: both provided a place where Pokémon Trainers could leave their extra Pokémon.

Running water, groves of Berry trees, plentiful sunlight...

After making a circuit, Xia You discovered that the park actually had a complete ecosystem. Left undisturbed by humans, it could be entirely self-sufficient.

As they walked, Xia You couldn't help remarking, "A place this big must have taken Professor Cerise a great deal of effort, right?"

Chloe covered her mouth and smiled. "The park was only fully completed yesterday. Dad said that once it was finished, he wanted you, as a Pokémon Trainer, to be the first to come in and look for any shortcomings."

Xia You shrugged. "That's Professor Cerise for you. He really does think things through."

Beside them, amid Yamper's barking, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Eevee, and Charmander chased one another, having a wonderful time. They clearly loved the surroundings.

Only Kirlia stayed close behind Xia You, never leaving his side.

Seeing this, Xia You called out with a smile, "All right, Bulbasaur, stop fooling around. Remember to save your strength. We've still got something important to do later."

"Something important?" Chloe asked curiously. "What is it?"

"Challenging the Vermilion Gym, of course." In an enticing tone, Xia You suggested, "What do you think? Want to come along and see for yourself? A real Pokémon battle gets your blood pumping far more than anything on television. It's much more thrilling, too!"

A real Pokémon battle?

Chloe lowered her head, clearly tempted. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded gently.

Vermilion was the orange-yellow hue of dusk.

The Vermilion Gym stood on the western coast of Vermilion City. Its exterior was mainly yellow and white, and its shape resembled a large inverted trapezoid, rather like a typical sports arena.

Inside, a staff member was there to greet them. Once Xia You explained why he had come, the staff member led him straight to the gym's battlefield.

"Please wait a moment. Our Gym Leader, Lt. Surge, will be here shortly."

After the staff member left, Xia You looked around. There was nothing on the battlefield's ocher ground, making it a typical standard battle arena.

Outside the battlefield, more than a dozen rows of tiered seats lined all four sides, much like a stadium. By his estimate, they could hold nearly a thousand people at the very least if every seat was filled.

It was Chloe's first time in a place like this, and such a formal, grand setting for a battle inevitably made her a little nervous.

"Relax." Xia You patted her shoulder. "There's nothing to worry about. Just watch from the sidelines."

"All right." Steadying her breathing, Chloe added softly, "Good luck."

After watching Chloe head into the spectator area, Xia You turned and saw several people emerge from the passage opposite him.

The man at their head had spiky blond hair and a powerful, muscular build. He wore an army-green tank top, camouflage trousers, and sunglasses, with military dog tags hanging around his neck. His bearing alone made it clear that he was a tough, decisive man.

He was none other than the Vermilion Gym's Leader-Lt. Surge!

Rumor had it that Lt. Surge had once been an air force major who had fought in numerous wars, piloting a specially designed aircraft powered by Electric-type Pokémon. After leaving the military and moving from place to place, he had eventually become the Vermilion Gym Leader.

His reputation, however, suggested that his fighting style was highly aggressive and his attacks merciless. He often left weaker challengers' Pokémon badly injured.

Standing in the command area, Lt. Surge declared in a booming voice, "You dare come to my Vermilion Gym? Looks like we've got another challenger who doesn't know his limits!"

Unfazed by his trash talk, Xia You took a few steps forward and said, "Gym Leader Lt. Surge, I hereby challenge you for the Orange Badge."

"If you want a Badge, beat me first!" Folding his arms, Lt. Surge said arrogantly, "Plenty of people come here to challenge me every day, but they're all far too weak. To me, they're nothing but a bunch of babies who haven't even grown up yet! So, are you a baby too?"

Hearing his slightly peculiar accent, Xia You couldn't help frowning.

He truly hadn't expected Lt. Surge to be so conceited.

"What are the battle rules here?"

Lt. Surge reached inside his clothing and drew out two Poké Balls between his fingers.

"The rules are simple. There's no time limit. Beat these two Pokémon of mine, and your challenge is successful."

With that, he threw one of the Poké Balls. A flash of blue light revealed a Pokémon on the battlefield that looked somewhat like Pikachu, but was larger, with a longer tail and darker coloring.

So it's Raichu...

The Pokédex announced, "Beep. Raichu, the Mouse Pokémon. Electric-type. The evolved form of Pikachu. Its electric shocks can reach a hundred thousand volts, easily stunning opponents dozens of times its size. As the electricity stored in its body increases, its temperament becomes more aggressive."

"Well then, baby, what Pokémon are you using?"

Xia You glanced behind him, then said, "Kirlia, I'm counting on you."

Kirlia nodded slightly and walked slowly onto the battlefield.

"So it's Kirlia." Being from another region himself, Lt. Surge naturally recognized Kirlia. Even so, he curled his lip and said disdainfully, "None of those Pokémon behind you are fully evolved. They're far too weak. You really are a baby among babies!"

"That's where you're wrong," Xia You said firmly. "There are no weak Pokémon in this world. The only ones who are truly weak are their Pokémon Trainers!"

"Oh? Those words do make me see you in a different light." Lt. Surge's expression hardened, and he shouted, "But talk alone won't get you anywhere. Raichu, let's go! Use Mega Punch!"

The moment Raichu attacked, the battle officially began.

Seeing Raichu move, Xia You shouted, "Kirlia, use Magical Leaf!"

Green magical leaves formed around Kirlia and shot toward the charging Raichu.

Instead of ordering Raichu to dodge, Lt. Surge changed tactics and shouted, "Raichu, use Thunder Shock!"

Dazzling electricity burst from Raichu's body and collided with the magical leaves in midair. Amid a violent explosion, the leaves pierced the electric light and struck Raichu.

--

PS: A player once used six Magikarp to defeat the Elite Four and the Champion, completing the game.