Chapitre 77: Chapter 77: Surge's Challenge
Standing outside the hotel, the midday sun beat down on us, casting long shadows on the pavement. Erin stood beside me, cradling the Pokémon egg in her arms like it might shatter any second. I glanced at her, barely a flicker of expression crossing her face. She was as calm as ever, her emerald silk shirt catching the light as if she hadn't a care in the world.
"Let's go to the Pokémon Center," I said, my voice relaxed, though my mind was already calculating my next steps. Vermilion City's Gym wasn't going to be a cakewalk, especially with Lt. Surge's Raichu waiting for me inside.
Erin nodded, wordless as usual, and followed as I started walking down the busy street. The egg she carried had been mine for a while now, and though she never showed it, I knew she was terrified of it—terrified of whatever Pokémon might hatch. But for some reason, she never let it go.
The Pokémon Center loomed ahead, a large, red-roofed building buzzing with activity. Inside, the atmosphere was chaotic. Trainers were rushing about, their Pokémon limping or barely conscious in their arms. A few looked like they'd been through some kind of war. I could tell these Pokémon weren't just regular battlers—they'd seen action.
I walked straight to Nurse Joy, who sat behind the counter, looking remarkably calm for someone handling this mess. She glanced up, a smile stretching across her face.
"Nurse Joy," I said, still in that easy tone, "can you check my Pokémon?"
She nodded without a word. I turned to Erin, whose calmness had begun to border on eerie. I reached into her bag, pulling out her two Pokémon—Bulbasaur and Pidgey—and and mine pokeballs from my bag to handed them to Nurse Joy. They went into the machine with a soft hum, lights blinking as it worked.
Nurse Joy's eyes twinkled as she looked between Erin and me. "Are you both a couple?"
"Yes," Erin said, her voice flat, betraying no emotion.
I couldn't help but smirk. "Nurse Joy, is Ash here?"
Her playful tone returned. "Yes, he's in the special room. His Pikachu's not right after that battle with Lt. Surge."
I didn't react much. Just nodded and leaned against the counter. Waiting was always the worst part, but after what felt like an eternity, Nurse Joy called us back over. Our Pokémon were fully healed. I grabbed the Poké Balls, and Erin adjusted the egg in her arms as we headed toward the room where Ash was.
As we approached, I spotted Ash, Misty, and Brock standing outside. They were talking in low tones, but Misty's sharp eyes caught me just before I could sneak up. I stepped closer to her, my voice barely a whisper as I leaned in near her ear.
"Did you miss me, Misty?"
She jumped, startled, her shout echoing through the hallway. "Why do you always do that?!"
"Because," I said with a smirk, "it's fun to see your reaction."
Ash turned, giving me his usual half-smile. I asked "Hey bro, how's our little Pikachu?"
Brock, always calm, chimed in. "He's resting."
Ash scratched the back of his head, looking more thoughtful than usual. "You should be careful. Lt. Surge… he has a Raichu."
Brock crossed his arms. "Are you going for the battle now?"
"Yeah," I said, still relaxed, the tension that filled the room sliding right off me. "I'm going."
Behind me, Erin was already chatting with Misty about something, though her hands remained tight around the egg. She wasn't letting that thing go anytime soon.
Ash raised an eyebrow. "Which Pokémon are you going to use?"
"Raichu," I said simply.
"Why?"
I shrugged. "Gyarados can't use. My other Pokémon won't have challenged enough, so Raichu should get some experience fighting something like him. It'll teach him how to handle his own kind."
Brock nodded, understanding the strategy without me having to explain further. He always did.
"How long have you guys been here?" I asked, watching Erin out of the corner of my eye.
Misty folded her arms. "We've been waiting a while."
"I'm headed to the Gym for my badge," I said, more to myself than anyone else. "Erin will stay with you. She's way too attached to Raichu to see him get hurt."
"Give me Raichu," Erin said suddenly, her voice calm but insistent.
I blinked at her, then smirked again. "He'll get angry if you try that. Don't forget—he loves me more."
Erin pouted, her lips forming a thin line, but she said nothing. I placed a hand on her shoulder. "Take care of the egg," I said, though I knew she would.
Leaving the Pokémon Center behind, I took out my Pokégear and started hunting down the Gym. Vermilion City stretched out in front of me, the sea breeze cool against my skin, but my focus was on one thing: Surge.
When I finally found the Gym, I stood outside for a moment, taking it all in. My fingers brushed against Raichu's Poké Ball, and I could almost feel the energy pulsing inside it, ready for battle.
Time to show Surge who's really in charge.
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