After arriving in the bustling port city of Vermilion City, Ash and his group first headed to the Pokémon Center, planning to let their Pokémon recover to peak condition before challenging the Gym.
However, the moment they stepped inside, they sensed an unusually heavy atmosphere. There were far more Trainers waiting for treatment than usual, and many Pokémon bore obvious scorch marks, looking exhausted and dispirited. Nurse Joy and Chansey hurried back and forth, their faces marked with fatigue and a hint of helplessness.
"What happened here…? Why are there so many injured Pokémon?" Misty asked in shock.
A Trainer waiting nearby replied dejectedly, "It's all because of Lt. Surge, the Vermilion Gym Leader… His Electric-type Pokémon are too strong, and his battle style is extremely… brutal. He doesn't hold back at all."
Another Trainer, cradling his injured Sandshrew, said bitterly, "My Sandshrew was just a little too slow, and it got hit by Raichu's Thunderbolt… sigh."
Ash frowned as he took in the scene.
Through his aura, he could clearly feel the Pokémon's pain and the Trainers' frustration. This was completely different from the Gym battle atmospheres he had experienced at Pewter Gym and Cerulean Gym—those were meant to test and guide, not to crush.
Brock's expression was grave. "It seems this Lt. Surge treats Gym battles like real military combat."
Misty said angrily, "This is going too far! Gym battles are supposed to evaluate Trainers and help them improve. How can he hurt Pokémon like this?!"
Ash fell silent for a moment, but his gaze only grew firmer.
He walked up to Nurse Joy and handed over his Poké Balls. "Nurse Joy, please. I'm counting on you to restore my Pokémon to their best condition."
Nurse Joy looked at Ash and kindly reminded him, "You're planning to challenge the Vermilion Gym as well? Please be very careful. Gym Leader Surge… is extremely powerful."
"Thank you for the warning, Nurse Joy," Ash nodded. "That's exactly why I have to challenge him. I'll show him that true strength is not built on wantonly hurting your opponent."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable conviction that made several dispirited Trainers nearby look up at him.
Once the Pokémon had fully recovered, Ash and his companions headed to the Vermilion Gym. The interior was filled with cold metallic tones, like a combat arena, with electric fences decorating the surroundings, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
"Wow… this place feels really intense," Misty couldn't help saying.
"Looks like this will be a tough fight," Brock said, feeling the pressure as well.
At that moment, Lt. Surge stepped out—tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a pilot jacket, his short blond hair gleaming, his presence overwhelming.
At his side stood a powerfully built, exceptionally well-trained Raichu, its eyes fierce and aggressive.
"Oh? A new challenger?" Lt. Surge's booming voice carried a hint of scorn. "You saw all those losers at the Pokémon Center, didn't you? That's the fate of anyone who challenges my Vermilion Gym! One-on-one rules—beat my Raichu, and the Thunder Badge is yours! But judging by your Pikachu, I doubt it'll even last a minute!"
Lt. Surge's arrogance, combined with everything Ash had seen earlier, completely ignited Ash's anger.
Yet instead of lashing out, he calmed himself and stepped forward, speaking evenly. "I'm Ash from Pallet Town. Lt. Surge, the purpose of a Gym battle is to guide Trainers' growth—not to flaunt power or injure Pokémon. Today, my Pikachu and I will prove that to you."
"Hmph, you sure talk big! Come on, then!" Lt. Surge scoffed.
"Pikachu, this battle isn't just for the badge!" Ash sent Pikachu out.
"Pika!" Pikachu leapt onto the field, its expression more serious than ever—it could feel its Trainer's resolve.
"Ash, his Raichu is an evolved form. Its electricity is extremely strong—be careful," Brock warned.
"Pikachu, this is a tough fight. I'm counting on you!" Ash called out again.
"Pika!" Pikachu landed in the arena, its sharp eyes locked onto the Raichu opposite it.
"Pikachu? Interesting—challenging without evolving?" Lt. Surge raised an eyebrow. "Raichu, let the little guy experience the power of evolution! Use Thunder Shock!"
Raichu unleashed a powerful electric attack, charging straight at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, don't take it head-on—use Quick Attack to dodge!" Ash ordered.
Pikachu instantly turned into a streak of yellow lightning, effortlessly evading the attack.
"Oh? Pretty fast, huh! Raichu, use Body Slam!"
Raichu's massive body leaped into the air and came crashing down toward Pikachu's position.
"Double Team!" Ash responded calmly.
Several Pikachu figures instantly appeared across the field, and Raichu's Body Slam hit nothing but empty space.
"Hmph, cheap tricks! Raichu, use Thunder—hit them with a wide-area attack!" Lt. Surge tried to break through the clones with a large-scale move.
"Pikachu, the real one—circle behind it and use Iron Tail!" Ash's command was precise and concise.
The real Pikachu used its speed to slip behind Raichu and slammed its Iron Tail down onto Raichu's back!
"What?!" Both Lt. Surge and Raichu were caught off guard—they hadn't expected Pikachu's power to be anything to scoff at!
Raichu cried out in pain and spun around, glaring furiously at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, keep using Quick Attack to harass it—don't give it a chance to lock onto you!" Ash switched to a guerrilla tactic.
Relying on speed and agility far superior to Raichu's, Pikachu darted nonstop across the field—sometimes crashing in with Quick Attack, sometimes sneaking in Iron Tail strikes, sometimes confusing its opponent with Double Team.
Raichu possessed tremendous raw power, yet it was like punching cotton—completely unable to land a solid hit. It was toyed with until it began panting heavily.
"Damn it! Kid, all you do is dodge?!" Lt. Surge was starting to lose his composure.
"A battle isn't about who's stronger," Ash said with a faint smile. "Pikachu, that's enough. Show it something real—use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu stopped, gathered its electricity, and unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt straight at Raichu!
"It's useless! Raichu, use Thunderbolt too!" Lt. Surge roared, utterly confident that an evolved Raichu's power would overwhelm Pikachu.
Two massive torrents of electricity collided in midair!
To Lt. Surge's shock, Pikachu's Thunderbolt was not inferior in the slightest—if anything, it was gradually overpowering Raichu's! Golden lightning and orange lightning clashed violently, locked in a deafening stalemate!
"How is this possible?! A Pikachu's electricity can actually match my Raichu's?!" Lt. Surge was stunned.
The corner of Ash's mouth lifted. He knew this was the result of Pikachu's own potential, its intense training, and the long-term nourishment of the Light Ball!
"Pikachu—now! Release all your power!" Ash shouted.
"Pika—CHU!!!"
Brilliant lightning erupted from Pikachu's entire body. The power of Thunderbolt surged explosively, instantly overwhelming Raichu's current and slamming into it head-on!
"Raichu!!" Lt. Surge cried out.
Engulfed by the ferocious electricity, Raichu let out a painful scream and collapsed to the ground, its body scorched black—completely unable to battle.
The entire Gym fell silent.
Lt. Surge stared in disbelief at the fallen Raichu, then at Pikachu, which was panting heavily yet still standing tall.
"…Unbelievable." Lt. Surge took a deep breath, stepped forward, recalled Raichu, and solemnly held out an orange badge to Ash. "You win, Ash. You and your Pikachu… are truly special. This Thunder Badge is an honor you've earned. I accept this defeat completely."
Ash accepted the badge, feeling its solid weight in his hand. "Thank you, Lt. Surge. That was an excellent battle."
Pikachu hopped back onto Ash's shoulder and affectionately rubbed its cheek against his.
Ash then looked at Lt. Surge and spoke earnestly. "Lt. Surge, did you see it? Great power can be used to crush opponents—but it can also be used to protect yourself and earn respect. Your Raichu is very strong, but if your battle style showed a bit more consideration for your opponents, you might become even stronger… and far more respected."
[Ding! Host has defeated Vermilion Gym Leader Lt. Surge and obtained the Thunder Badge. Reward: 400 World Points.]
[Ding! Host has prompted Lt. Surge to reflect on his battle philosophy through a fair and upright battle. Reward: 200 World Points.]
[Current World Points: 7600.]
With the badge in hand, Ash had not only won a victory—he might also have quietly changed a Gym Leader's understanding of what it truly meant to be "strong."
As they left the Gym, Ash thought to himself that perhaps, from now on, there would be fewer injured Pokémon at the Pokémon Center.
A/N: This time, I didn't use game mechanics—so Lt. Surge isn't really a villain. At most, he's just overly strict.