บท 202: Johan's First Unrestricted Battle!
As expected.
Johan revealed an expression that seemed to say, "Of course this was going to happen."
The moment he set out for Vermilion City to meet Lt. Surge, he'd figured this would be unavoidable.
Still, with three Gym Badges already in hand, he had accepted the situation.
Some things just can't be dodged.
If it's a battle he wants, it's a battle he'll get.
Whether he could earn a badge or how many badges he could collect—he would leave it all to fate.
If he did manage to gather all eight badges, entering the League Conference wouldn't be so bad. After all, Gengar and the others had yet to experience a Pokémon League tournament.
Johan had read about Lt. Surge's reputation before.
Alongside Koga and Sabrina, Surge was one of Team Rocket's three main Executives.
Unlike the others, Surge had quickly turned a new leaf after Team Rocket disbanded, even aiding Red and others in major incidents.
Surge's outward appearance—a brawny, rough, temperamental man—often gave the impression of a simple-minded brute.
But how many people achieve the rank of Major in the military without some measure of intellect?
His "on-paper" strength might have been the weakest among the Rocket Executives.
But that only made it more apparent that his position wasn't solely based on raw power.
Lt. Surge specialized in no-holds-barred combat—the kind of fight where lives were on the line.
In the Pokémon Special manga, he had once forced Red into a desperate situation.
That infamous "insulated gloves trick" Red used during his final battle with Giovanni? The gloves were stolen from Lt. Surge during their showdown.
Surge was also known for making Raikou, one of the three Legendary Beasts, charge a maglev train—effectively using it as a battery.
He was likely the first and only person to ever think of something so audacious.
In addition to Raikou, Surge had also commanded Zapdos, one of the Legendary Birds.
A man who had wielded both a Legendary Bird and a Legendary Beast was not to be taken lightly.
Now, standing face-to-face with such a figure, Johan was ready.
If this battle was unavoidable, why hesitate?
He smiled.
"I'd be honored, Lt. Surge."
Surge was slightly taken aback.
He glanced at Johan, who appeared calm and composed.
His earlier opinion of Johan—a delicate-looking man with a cute Vulpix—began to shift.
Surge smirked, crossing his arms.
"In that case, let's make it an unrestricted battle."
Johan froze for a moment before quickly understanding.
This was very much in line with Surge's personality.
"Ka-kah?"
Gengar tilted his head, looking confused.
What's an unrestricted battle? Never heard of it.
A man with a sausage-shaped nose—Tony—stepped forward to explain.
"Unrestricted battles are like regulated street fights. They were popular in earlier Gym matches and tournaments, though they're less common nowadays."
He continued,
"The rules are simple: both Trainers and their Pokémon fight on the field together. Pokémon can be swapped in and out anytime. The first to incapacitate an opponent's Pokémon wins."
Johan nodded.
"I understand. The Pokémon can't attack Trainers directly, but anything else on the battlefield—be it environmental hazards or collateral damage—is fair game."
Tony seemed surprised but impressed by Johan's knowledge.
Unrestricted battles were indeed rare now, but they weren't unheard of.
The Pokémon League tournaments depicted in the Pokémon Special manga? Those were unrestricted battles.
Red's showdown with Giovanni? Same rules.
These battles favored "wandering Trainers" over "academic Trainers" because they required practical experience.
The rules had faded into obscurity partly due to escalating tensions between these two groups.
Some veterans even believed the League's declining influence was tied to the disappearance of unrestricted battles.
Gengar's eyes widened in realization.
"Ohhh! So that's why the fights on those old videos look so wild!"
He remembered watching footage of battles led by an elderly Trainer and now understood the difference.
Surge chuckled.
"Well, if you're familiar with the rules, we don't need to waste time explaining."
"Let's start!"
The excitement in Surge's voice was palpable.
How long had it been since his last unrestricted battle?
As word spread, Gym trainers and staff gathered to watch. Even Bisques, who had just woken up, joined the crowd.
The Vermilion Gym battlefield.
Surge and Johan placed three Poké Balls each on the central pedestal.
Per the rules, the balls were locked to prevent premature release.
The Trainers stepped back to the arena's edges.
Tony raised two flags.
The first phase required both Trainers to sprint to the pedestal and retrieve their Pokémon.
It wasn't uncommon for Trainers to sabotage each other's Poké Balls during this phase.
"Battle..."
Tony slashed the flag downward.
"Begin!"
Surge launched forward like a bullet, his muscles coiled like springs.
Johan, though quick, was no match for Surge's raw speed.
Surge smirked.
Typical. A twiggy Trainer like you doesn't stand a chance.
He reached the pedestal first, grabbing one of his Poké Balls.
At the same time, Surge flung a small knife toward Johan's side of the pedestal, aiming to knock away one of his Poké Balls.
"Go, Magneton!"
As the metallic trio emerged from its ball, Surge barked an order:
"Discharge! Blanket the field!"
But something unexpected happened.
Johan stopped mid-sprint.
What's he doing?
The Poké Ball that Surge had knocked away...
clicked open by itself.
"Ka-kah!"
Gengar burst forth, already holding a massive Shadow Ball over his head.
The energy crackled ominously, its size nearly absurd.
Tony's jaw dropped.
"How did that ball unlock?! And how is that Shadow Ball so big?!"
Simple.
Gengar had been charging the attack inside his mouth the whole time.
Who said Shadow Balls couldn't be stored like snacks?
"Gengar, fire!"
The colossal Shadow Ball streaked across the battlefield.
"Magneton, counterattack!"
The resulting explosion rocked the gym.
When the dust settled, Magneton was battered but still standing.
Surge gritted his teeth.
This guy's no amateur.
He reached for another Poké Ball, only to freeze.
"Ka-kah!"
Gengar smirked, tongue flicking out.
He swallowed all four remaining Poké Balls, including his own teammates'!
The entire crowd gasped.
"Can he do that?!"
Even Surge was momentarily stunned.
The 3v3 battle had instantly turned into a 1v3.
Johan casually called Gengar back.
With the stolen Poké Balls in hand, he released Vulpix next.
"Snow Warning."
Frost filled the arena as the temperature plummeted.
Surge clenched his fists.
"Magneton, Flash!"
The blinding light forced Johan to close his eyes.
In the chaos, Surge charged straight at Johan, fist cocked back.
If I can't win through Pokémon... I'll take him down myself!
But the punch never landed.
Johan sidestepped effortlessly, despite having his eyes closed.
What?!
Johan smirked.
Aura.
With the battlefield clearer than ever in his mind, Johan threw his own punch.
It connected squarely with Surge's jaw.
The audience gasped.
Did Lt. Surge just get punched first?!
Surge stumbled back, clutching his face.
"Dammit... That hurt!"
Meanwhile, Magneton lunged at Vulpix with Gyro Ball, only for Johan to swap her out mid-attack.
Enter Tinkatuff!
The pink goblin smashed Magneton with Brick Break, dislodging two of its magnets.
The result?
Super effective!
At the sidelines, Tony stammered,
"Magneton is unable to battle! The winner is... Johan!"
The crowd fell silent, unable to believe their eyes.
Surge closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
When he opened them again, his expression was serious.
"Congratulations, kid. You beat me fair and square."
For the first time in a while, Lt. Surge felt genuine respect.
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