Since they had left Bill's Lighthouse together, Red temporarily joined Ash's group. The four of them traveled to Vermilion City, planning to challenge the Vermilion Gym and obtain the Orange Badge.
Unlike in the original story where they often got lost, with Red accompanying them, Ash and the others quickly arrived at Vermilion City.
"So it really was Ash's terrible directions all along!" Misty shifted the blame. In truth, both of them had no sense of direction and often led their journey astray.
"What? Hey, Misty was the one who—" Before Ash could finish complaining, Misty shot him a murderous glare. Ash trembled all over and wisely shut his mouth.
Watching this "heartwarming" scene between Ash and Misty, Red smiled faintly. This was the meaning of traveling companions—being able to bicker happily. It was part of the journey too.
They headed to the Pokémon Center to register for rooms and ask Nurse Joy to treat their Pokémon. However, the Pokémon Center was unexpectedly busy. Trainers kept rushing in with severely injured Pokémon. Most suffered paralysis from electric shocks; the more serious cases were completely charred by electricity, a pitiful sight.
"These were all defeated by Lt. Surge's Raichu at the Vermilion Gym. You don't need to pity them too much. Most of them are unofficial trainers below the League's required age, usually given Pokémon by their parents.
They probably think earning a League Badge is something to brag about, so they recklessly challenge official League Gyms without understanding the consequences. In the end, they just become 'nourishment' for the Vermilion Gym."
Red's words angered all the defeated trainers present. Ash and the others wanted to pull Red away, but a slight glance from Red made the trainers fall silent. They had never seen such a cold gaze—it was more terrifying than the Raichu that had defeated them.
"You don't know how to train Pokémon or even understand type matchups, yet you blindly send your Pokémon to their deaths. Instead of complaining here, you should reflect on your own mistakes!" Red scolded. Lacking even such basic knowledge yet daring to challenge a League Gym—how ridiculous.
After hearing Red's rebuke, most of the trainers lowered their heads in shame…
The announcement called Red and the others to the counter to retrieve their Pokémon. Seeing Pikachu in high spirits, Ash immediately declared his intention to use Pikachu against the Vermilion Gym. Pikachu, who had been happily munching on an apple, saw the severely injured Pokémon and frantically shook its head in refusal.
Pikachu kept crying "Pika Pika!" at Ash, asking if he would still be okay if it ended up like that?!
"That's true… but as long as we win, it'll be fine!" Ash said confidently, grinning as he dragged the unwilling Pikachu toward the Vermilion Gym. Not wanting to be abused, Pikachu decisively gave Ash a shock treatment, but it couldn't stop his determination.
Soon, the four arrived at the Vermilion Gym. Its exterior bore a lightning-crossed design, clearly marking it as an Electric-type League Gym.
As soon as they entered, Lt. Surge's two subordinates approached. Seeing that the challenger was a young rookie trainer around ten years old, they assumed Ash and the others were just more reckless amateurs seeking defeat.
"Gym Leader, another victim has arrived!" one of them mocked.
"Hmph! Let me see which fool has a death wish this time!" Lt. Surge's irritated voice echoed out. He was already fed up with being challenged daily by third-rate trainers. That was one of the reasons he had been especially ruthless lately.
"So strong!" Brock exclaimed. Lt. Surge's tall and imposing build created an overwhelming sense of pressure.
When Ash declared he was here to challenge the Vermilion Gym, the towering Lt. Surge mocked him as a "baby." Noticing the trembling Pikachu at Ash's feet, he laughed without restraint.
"A baby's Pokémon is a baby too! Hahaha!" His two subordinates joined in the ridicule.
"Let me show you what a real Electric-type Pokémon looks like!"
Lt. Surge threw his Poké Ball. A flash of white light faded, revealing Raichu before Pikachu. Raichu was twice Pikachu's size, looking down at it with disdain. That contemptuous expression ignited Pikachu's fighting spirit. Gone was the earlier fear; Pikachu stepped forward boldly and locked eyes with Raichu.
"This is Raichu?!" Ash pulled out his Pokédex to analyze. "Raichu, the Electric-type Mouse Pokémon and the evolved form of Pikachu. Its electric attacks can exceed 100,000 volts!"
"Hear that? If you want to run, now's your chance!" Lt. Surge sneered, though he cast a serious glance at the silent Red beside them. From Red, he sensed the aura of a true powerhouse.
"Don't underestimate my Pikachu!" Ash declared. Pikachu crackled with electricity in defiance.
"If you wanted to become a Pokémon Master, you should've evolved it the day you caught it!" Lt. Surge laughed, patting Raichu's head proudly.
"Oh? So this Raichu doesn't have Pikachu's speed anymore?" Red remarked casually.
Lt. Surge froze slightly. The comment also awakened something in Ash.
"Evolution doesn't equal training! Pikachu and I will defeat you with speed!" Ash's passionate words reignited Pikachu's battle spirit. Pikachu stepped forward eagerly to challenge Raichu.
"How rare—Pikachu actually wants to fight voluntarily!" Brock remarked.
"Of course!" Misty understood Pikachu's frustration at being belittled by Raichu, just as she had been teased by her three older sisters since childhood.
"If I don't shock you numb, you won't understand the terror of electricity!" Lt. Surge declared, accepting the challenge.
"The Gym Trainer battle will now begin. Each side may use one Pokémon. Gym Leader Lt. Surge will use Raichu. Challenger Ash will use Pikachu. There is no time limit. Begin!" the referee announced, ringing the bell.
"Go, Raichu!"
"Go, Pikachu!"
The two Pokémon charged at each other.
"Pikachu, use Thunder Shock!"
Electricity burst from Pikachu's body, but Raichu didn't dodge and endured it directly.
"Raichu, show it what real electricity looks like—use Thunderbolt!"
Raichu unleashed a far more powerful Thunderbolt. The attack struck Pikachu directly. Even as an Electric-type, Pikachu couldn't withstand Raichu's overwhelming current and was instantly shocked unconscious.
(Ash was still too reckless. If he had relied on speed, there might have been a chance.)
Red glanced at the battlefield. Pikachu was no match for Raichu and hadn't even mastered Thunderbolt yet.
"Pikachu, come back!"
Heartbroken, Ash listened to Misty and Brock and called Pikachu to withdraw. But Pikachu stubbornly shook its head and charged at Raichu again, determined to defeat it personally.
"A pet is still just a pet. A normal move is enough. Raichu, use Mega Punch!" Lt. Surge ordered, intending to end it in one blow.
Raichu's left fist glowed white as it struck Pikachu back. Under Lt. Surge's command, it followed with Mega Kick. After two heavy blows, Pikachu nearly collapsed.
"Pikachu's been flattened… That Raichu is really strong!" Team Rocket, watching from the shadows, were astonished. The Pikachu that always defeated them was in such a sorry state.
"Pikachu, this isn't like you! Fight back!" Team Rocket cheered. After all, Pikachu was their long-time target. If it were defeated so easily, it would trample on Team Rocket's ideals as well.
"Finish it with Thunderbolt!" Lt. Surge decided to deal the final blow, wanting to teach Ash and Pikachu a harsh lesson. Not just any amateur could challenge the Vermilion Gym.
"Beedrill!"
Red's icy voice echoed through the Vermilion Gym. The Poké Ball at his waist activated automatically. Beedrill appeared and effortlessly neutralized Thunderbolt. With a single glare, it frightened Raichu into weak-kneed submission.
"Even if you're constantly provoked, as a Gym Leader you cannot go this far. Do you still remember your responsibility as a Gym Leader?!" Red said coldly. His icy gaze left Lt. Surge momentarily speechless. He hadn't expected Red's Beedrill to be so powerful, intimidating Raichu so easily.
"As expected of the big boss! That Lt. Surge is way too arrogant!" Team Rocket muttered.
"That's right! Pikachu was already unable to battle, yet as a Gym Leader you still ordered Raichu to use Thunderbolt. You've completely betrayed the Gym Leader's original mission!"
Brock, himself a Gym Leader, angrily rebuked him. A Gym Leader's duty was to temper challengers—not to beat them down and crush their yearning for League Badges.
"I'm sick of being bothered every day by reckless fools like them. I try giving guidance nicely, but next time they still send small fry to challenge the Gym. It's a waste of my time!"
Lt. Surge snapped irritably, showing no remorse. This only angered Red further.
"In that case, your next challenger is me!" Red said coldly, his left eye already turning crimson.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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