After a short rest, the three arrived at the Vermilion Gym.
The road leading to the Gym had previously been blocked by piles of dead trees and branches.
This was a small trial set up by the Gym Leader for challengers—testing whether they could use their own abilities to clear the path and reach the entrance.
Unfortunately, Vermilion City had recently gained an unnamed lumberjack maniac who chopped down any tree he saw.
He didn't just clear the road—he stripped Vermilion City of all deadwood, exposing the Gym entrance completely.
Vermilion's news media immediately seized the opportunity and loudly promoted a new slogan:
"If you want to get rich, start by chopping trees!"
—A bold take on "green, sustainable development."
"Rattata—hang in there! Don't die! You've always been my best friend!!!"
At that moment, a rookie-looking Trainer came sprinting out of the Gym entrance.
His face twisted with panic, rage, and regret as he screamed while running.
Cradled in his arms was a Rattata that had clearly fainted—charred on the outside, tender on the inside, giving off an unmistakable overcooked vibe.
He didn't even notice Ash and the others, focusing only on encouraging his Rattata as he rushed past them and vanished down the road.
"Just hold on until the Pokémon Center! That way I can save one Revive!"
His voice echoed faintly in the distance.
The three stared at the Rattata's miserable condition and collectively swallowed.
It was the textbook definition of fainted—and then beaten several more times for good measure.
"Ash… this Gym Leader probably isn't a nice guy."
"He's definitely more brutal than the last two Gyms."
Hearing that, Ash didn't dare slack off. He took a deep breath and pushed open the Vermilion Gym's doors.
As the future Pokémon Master, he feared nothing!
The moment he stepped inside, a blinding spotlight shone straight into his eyes, forcing him to squint—just like Brock beside him.
Small eyes had their advantages.
A deep, rough male voice echoed from within, muttering complaints to himself.
"Why do people keep challenging me…"
"Ever since someone chopped down my trees, every random idiot thinks they can take me on…"
"Damn it."
As the light faded, Ash and the others regained their vision.
Unlike the previous Gyms—with their rock fields and giant pools—
Vermilion Gym was a standard, spacious battle arena, complete with spectator seats around the edges.
Standing before them was a rugged man whose skin tone sat somewhere between Ash's and Brock's.
He was massively built, nearly two meters tall, like a walking mountain.
"!"
His shadow loomed over Ash, the oppressive presence making him instinctively step back.
"Hahaha! Another newbie kid, huh?" the man laughed arrogantly.
"Go beat those weak Gyms in Cerulean City and Pewter City first, then come challenge me! I won't hold back! Ahahaha!"
Brock & Misty: "!"
…That was personal.
They slammed their hands down on Ash's shoulders, voices low and serious.
"Ash, don't show him mercy."
"Ash, hurry up and borrow your friend's Charizard and teach him a lesson!!"
Ash: "…"
He brushed their hands aside, tugged his cap down slightly, and met the man's gaze head-on.
"This is my battle. I won't rely on anyone else's power!"
Red might be powerful—but in the end, that was borrowed strength.
Those Pokémon weren't his.
Maybe once he successfully possessed Red someday, he'd consider using them.
Red: "…"
Or if Red ever got peacefully exorcised by a monk, Ash could inherit everything fair and square.
Maybe he should start deliberately bumping into monks in the future?
Wasn't Johto full of them?
Red: "?"
Could you at least wait until I'm asleep before planning this?
Ash lifted his head.
The man before him had short blond hair, a buzz cut, and wore a dark green military-style uniform.
Do Trainers double as soldiers now?
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town, future Pokémon Master!
And I'm here to challenge you!"
Ash declared boldly.
The man nodded slightly, acknowledging Ash's courage.
"At least you've got more guts than the last cowards. Since you're here to challenge—"
He froze mid-sentence.
His eyes locked onto the Pokémon at Ash's feet.
"…Let me see that."
He stared at Pikachu as if beholding a rare beast.
"Smooth fur, well-developed electric sacs, and that tail—perfect four-step zigzag!
You've raised this Pikachu exceptionally well!"
"…Though it's a bit chubby. With that body, can it even still use Tackle?"
Ash immediately bristled.
He lifted Pikachu slightly, trying to prove it wasn't that heavy—
Only for his arms to dip a little.
…Okay. It was heavier.
But that wasn't the point.
"My Pikachu is incredibly fast! Even Quick Attack is faster than anyone else's!"
He hurriedly defended.
"Pika!"
Pikachu nodded enthusiastically and threw a tiny punch.
"Good, good. I approve of you."
The man extended his massive hand.
"My name is Lt. Surge. I'm an honorary member of the Vermilion Pokémon Fan Club—Electric Mouse Division!"
Ash blinked.
He had seen a Pokémon Fan Club near the Pokémon Center.
He'd assumed it was run by Team Rocket or something.
…When did burly tough guys start having such soft hobbies?
"Since that's the case," Lt. Surge continued,
"Let's settle this with an Electric Mouse breeding showdown."
Ash: "?"
Why did the plot suddenly take a strange turn?
Lt. Surge threw out his Poké Ball.
Pop!
Out came an Electric Mouse Pokémon several times larger than Pikachu.
Its yellow-and-black fur looked tough and coarse, and its once-stubby lightning-bolt tail had become long and sharp.
Aggressive. Eager to fight.
"Beep. Raichu.
The evolved form of Pikachu.
Physical strength and electrical power increase, but appearance decreases.
Ranked Top 3 on this year's 'Pokémon That Make You Want to De-Evolve Immediately After Evolving' list."
Ash's Pokédex announced automatically.
Lt. Surge: "?"
Raichu: "?"
Ash instantly stuffed the Pokédex back into his pocket.
"Haha—this Pokédex is ancient. It says weird stuff sometimes. Don't mind it!"
He was genuinely afraid someone would dismantle it one day.
Though… Raichu did look a bit less cute.
Ash involuntarily imagined Pikachu evolving via a Thunder Stone, becoming Raichu, and crushing his shoulder under its weight.
…Yeah. No evolution.
Thunder Stones were officially banned.
Lt. Surge hurriedly defended himself.
"Ahem! Sure, Vermilion City's official account did rank Raichu Top 3 on that list—but that's just bitter haters leaving bad reviews! Plenty of people love Raichu!"
Ash frowned.
So that list actually existed.
He made a mental note to research it later—
No accidental evolution disasters allowed.
"Pika pika…"
Pikachu noticed Raichu too.
It squinted, pointed at Raichu with one finger, and laughed so hard it bent over.
That Electric Mouse is huge!
Even fatter than me!
And darker too!
"Pika—pika—!"
Ash crouched down and covered Pikachu's mouth.
That's Raichu's standard build, okay?
Don't judge others by Pikachu standards!
Farfetch'd damn it—
Why is everyone in this world so good at trash talk?!
(End of Chapter)
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