章 78: Chapter 78: Showdown at Vermilion Gym

As I stepped into the Vermilion City Gym, the faint smell of sweat and electricity clung to the air. The lights buzzed faintly above me, casting flickering shadows on the steel walls. Everything felt charged, like static before a storm. I adjusted the sling bag on my shoulder, hands relaxed, but my mind was calculating.

A broad-shouldered man in military garb stood by the entrance, eyes narrowing as I approached. His stance screamed arrogance. I could see it in the way he crossed his arms and gave me that condescending look—like I was a toddler trying to reach for the top shelf.

"I'm here for the Thunder Badge," I said, my voice calm, measured. Not even a hint of tension.

The guy chuckled, a deep, throaty sound that grated on my nerves. "You think a kid like you can win? Against Surge?" He shook his head like I had just told him I was going to bench-press a Snorlax.

"You'll see," I replied, allowing a slow smile to curl at the corner of my lips. "I'll beat your Gym Leader completely."

His laugh cut off abruptly. "Let's see then, hotshot. Follow me."

The guy turned on his heel and led me deeper into the Gym. My steps were steady, even as the metallic clang of each footfall echoed off the walls. The battlefield loomed ahead, vast and empty, but buzzing with potential. The space crackled with unspoken challenge, as if daring me to step into the arena.

Lt. Surge stood on the opposite side of the field. Tall, built like a tank, and with that same smug expression I'd seen a thousand times on people who thought they couldn't be touched. He stared me down, eyes narrowing as if weighing whether I was worth his time.

"You should've just left, kid," he said, voice low, almost threatening. He cracked his knuckles, the sound amplified by the silent tension in the room. "You're outta your league."

I let out a soft chuckle, sharp and deliberate. "We'll see who should've left by the time we're done here."

His assistant stepped forward, already playing the referee. "This is a one-on-one match. Each of you will use one Pokémon. Introduce yourselves."

Surge didn't hesitate. "I'm Lt. Surge, the Gym Leader of Vermilion City. I'll be using Raichu."

I stood taller, locking eyes with the overconfident brute. "Punit Setia, from Pallet Town. I'll be using Raichu too."

Surge's lips curled into a grin, clearly amused. "Good kid, at least you've got a Raichu. Not like that Ash kid and his tiny Pikachu."

"Even with Pikachu, I'd still win," I shot back casually, meeting his gaze without flinching.

Surge's Raichu, bulky and dangerous, stepped forward. It radiated power, muscles coiled like a spring ready to strike. Surge sneered, already convinced of his victory.

I released my Raichu from its Pokéball. Instantly, my Raichu leapt into my arms, joyfully nuzzling against my chest. He rubbed his cheek against mine with a purr-like hum, completely unbothered by the tension. I could feel the confusion from the onlookers; they didn't expect this lighthearted display.

"Go on," I whispered to Raichu, my voice steady but encouraging. "Win this for us, and I'll let you roam around outside."

Raichu leapt down, his eyes bright with excitement. He bounded into the arena, his energy infectious. Across from us, Surge's Raichu snarled, its muscles rippling as it prepared to pounce.

"Alright, kid," Surge barked, his voice echoing through the gym. "Let's see what your little rodent's got! Raichu, Mega Kick! Then follow up with Thunderbolt!"

His Raichu shot forward like a cannon, foot raised high, aiming straight for mine with brutal precision. The ground trembled beneath its power, and before I could even blink, a crackle of electricity arced from its body.

"Raichu, Double Team!" I commanded, my voice cutting through the chaos. "Then Light Screen!"

In an instant, my Raichu blurred into multiple afterimages, dodging the Mega Kick with grace. Lt. Surge's Raichu kicked straight through an illusion, stumbling as it landed. The Thunderbolt sizzled through the air toward my Raichu, but the shimmering Light Screen dulled its power, reducing it to a mere spark.

Surge clenched his teeth. "Raichu, Body Slam into Thunderbolt!"

His Raichu, undeterred, lunged again. This time, it aimed straight for the real Raichu. The bulk of Surge's Raichu collided with mine, pinning him down and sending a Thunderbolt point-blank into his body.

"Raichu, Agility!" I called, feeling the pulse of energy as my Raichu's body shimmered. "Then Iron Tail!"

Raichu darted out from under the attack just in time, twisting mid-air as his tail gleamed silver. The Iron Tail connected hard with Surge's Raichu's side, sending it skidding back. The impact rattled Surge's Raichu, but it wasn't down yet.

Surge's eyes darkened. "Raichu, Take Down and Mega Punch! Finish this!"

His Raichu charged again, this time with reckless abandon. The force of its Take Down shook the ground as it lunged for mine, ready to crush whatever stood in its way.

"Raichu, Volt Switch!" I ordered.

Raichu zipped forward, evading the Take Down and delivering a sharp jolt of electricity in retaliation. As Surge's Raichu staggered, mine leapt back, covering the field with a crackling Electric Terrain, turning the ground beneath us into a live wire.

"Raichu, Nasty Plot! Electro Ball!" I didn't even flinch as the words left my mouth.

My Raichu closed his eyes for a brief second, calculating. Then, with a jolt of pure electric energy, a massive Electro Ball formed between his paws. The orb crackled, larger than normal thanks to the Electric Terrain. My Raichu hurled it forward, the energy surging toward Surge's Raichu.

The Electro Ball collided, smashing through Lt. Surge's Raichu's Thunderbolt. It exploded on contact, sending his Raichu flying backward. The battlefield fell silent as Surge's Raichu lay still, defeated.

Surge let out a long breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "You got me, kid. Smart battling." He recalled his Raichu, and with a flick of his wrist, tossed me the Thunder Badge. "You train your Raichu better than mine."

I caught the badge with ease, sliding it into my pocket. "Thanks."

Raichu bounded back into my arms, his face bright with joy, nuzzling against me with pure affection. I scratched his head absently as I walked toward the exit. "Don't worry, Ash and his Pikachu will come back Today. Pikachu isn't weak."

With that, I walked out of the gym, Raichu happily clinging to my shoulder, the Thunder Badge feeling like a mere stepping stone in the path to something much greater.