The sky above Vermilion City was stained orange by the sunset, and the sea breeze, carrying a salty scent, swept through the streets. Ash stood at the entrance of the Pokémon Center, took a deep breath, and felt the unique vitality of this port city.
"We're finally here!" He clenched his fists, and the Pikachu on his shoulder also excitedly cried "Pika Pika."
Brock checked the map in his hand and pushed up his glasses: "According to the navigation, the Vermilion Gym is near the port, about a fifteen-minute walk."
"I hear Gym Leader Lt. Surge is a formidable opponent," Xiao You said, looking through the information on her rotom phone. "He specializes in Electric-type Pokémon and is known for his aggressive battle style in the Kanto region."
Pikachu's tail gently brushed Ash's cheek, as if expressing its fighting spirit. Ash smiled and patted its head: "Don't worry, we'll definitely win!"
After resting at the Pokémon Center, the trio set off along the seaside avenue towards the Gym. The Vermilion Gym's exterior resembled a giant battleship, its metal walls gleaming in the sunlight, with a lightning-shaped emblem hanging at the entrance.
"Wow," Ash looked up at the building, "It's even grander than I imagined!"
Pushing open the heavy metal doors, the interior space was surprisingly vast. At the center of the Gym was a standard battle arena, with various electrical equipment hanging on the surrounding walls. A burly blonde man in a camouflage vest was adjusting a generator with his back to them.
"Excuse me!" Ash shouted, "I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I'm here to challenge the Vermilion Gym!"
The man slowly turned around, his sharp blue eyes sweeping over the trio, finally resting on the Pikachu on Ash's shoulder. A disdainful smile played on his lips.
"Ha! Another rookie Trainer with a Pikachu," his voice was deep and hoarse, "I'm Lt. Surge, the Gym Leader of Vermilion City. Kid, are you sure you want to challenge me? My Raichu will turn your little mouse into charcoal."
Pikachu's cheek pouches immediately sparked with electricity, but Ash gently held it back. "Pikachu is my partner, not a 'little mouse'." He looked directly into Lt. Surge's eyes, his voice firm, "And we've defeated opponents stronger than Raichu."
Lt. Surge raised an eyebrow, and Pikachu suddenly unleashed a powerful electrical pressure, causing all the lights in the Gym to flicker. The Gym Leader's expression finally became serious.
"Interesting," he walked towards the battle arena, "Then let me see your strength, kid."
A subordinate wearing a similar camouflage uniform stepped forward and stood at the referee's table: "The Vermilion Gym challenge rules are 3v3. The challenger can switch Pokémon, but the Gym Leader cannot. Four systems can be used at any time. When all of one side's Pokémon lose the ability to battle, the other side wins."
"I'm ready!" Ash stood at the challenger's position and took three Poké Balls from his waist.
Lt. Surge grinned and threw out his first Poké Ball: "Come on, Raichu!"
The orange electric mouse appeared on the field, a size larger than Pikachu, its tail powerfully thumping the ground. Ash quickly thought of a strategy and pulled out another Poké Ball.
"Ivysaur, I choose you!"
A blue light flashed, and Ivysaur, with its heavy-petaled flower on its back, stood steadily on the field, facing off against Raichu. Xiao You whispered to Brock, "Grass-type has resistance against Electric-type, this is a wise choice."
"Battle start!" The referee waved the flag.
"Raichu, preemptive strike, Thunderbolt!" Lt. Surge waved his hand.
Dazzling electric light erupted from Raichu's body, striking directly at Ivysaur. Ash was prepared: "Ingrain then Light Screen!"
Ivysaur's four feet rooted deeply into the ground, while a translucent Light Screen unfolded in front of it. The electric light struck the Light Screen, its power greatly weakened, and the remaining current was channeled underground through Ingrain.
"Clever tactic," Lt. Surge nodded, "But can you defend forever? Raichu, Agility to close in then Thunder Punch!"
Raichu's figure instantly blurred, rushing towards Ivysaur with astonishing speed. Sweat beaded on Ash's forehead: "Vine Whip to intercept!"
Two thick Vine Whips shot out from behind Ivysaur, swinging in the air, trying to catch Raichu. But the electric mouse nimbly weaved through them, its right fist, imbued with electricity, aimed directly at Ivysaur's face.
"Bang!" Ivysaur was knocked back a few steps but quickly regained its footing. Ash clenched his fist: "Now, Razor Leaf!"
Dozens of sharp leaves shot out from the flower bud on Ivysaur's back, forming a dense barrage. Raichu hastily retreated but was still scratched by a few leaves.
"Good counterattack," Lt. Surge sneered, "But the speed advantage of Electric-type Pokémon won't change. Raichu, Thunder Punch again!"
Raichu charged again, but this time Ash didn't choose to defend: "Take the hit, then use Sleep Powder!"
Ivysaur endured the impact of Thunder Punch head-on, while the flower bud on its back released a puff of pale green powder. Raichu was caught off guard, inhaled some of the powder, and its movements immediately became sluggish.
"Oh no!" Lt. Surge's expression changed.
"Now, Solar Beam!" Ash shouted.
The petals on Ivysaur's back fully opened, beginning to absorb the surrounding solar energy. Raichu shook its head, trying to stay awake, but the Sleep Powder's effect made it drowsy.
"Raichu, quickly interrupt it! Use Electro Ball!" Lt. Surge commanded anxiously.
Raichu barely managed to condense an Electro Ball and threw it at Ivysaur, but Ash was prepared: "Hit it away with Vine Whip!"
Two Vine Whips precisely intercepted the Electro Ball, sending it flying into the air where it exploded. At this moment, the Solar Beam's charge was complete.
"Fire!"
A blinding beam of light shot out from Ivysaur's flower bud, directly hitting the sluggish Raichu. After the smoke of the explosion cleared, Raichu was lying on the ground, its eyes spiraling.
"Raichu is unable to battle!" the referee announced.
Lt. Surge recalled Raichu, a look of appreciation on his face: "Not bad, kid, it seems I underestimated you." He took out his second Poké Ball, "Next up is this one—Electivire!"
A tall, orange and black Pokémon appeared on the field, its arm cables crackling. Ash considered for a moment, then recalled Ivysaur.
"Gardevoir, I'm counting on you!"
"Electivire, Thunder Punch!" Lt. Surge made the first move.
Electivire's massive body was surprisingly agile, rushing in front of Gardevoir in an instant. But Gardevoir's figure suddenly vanished, reappearing at the other end of the field.
"Teleport combined with Dazzling Gleam!" Ash quickly ordered.
Gardevoir's hands condensed dazzling light, and a powerful wave of magical energy swept across the entire field. Electivire painfully squinted its eyes but quickly recovered.
"Don't let it escape, Discharge!" Lt. Surge roared.
Rampant electricity erupted from Electivire's body, covering the entire battle arena. Gardevoir had nowhere to hide, and after being struck by the electricity, it let out a pained groan.
"Gardevoir!" Ash cried out in distress, but quickly calmed down, "Use Heal Pulse to recover, then Psychic!"
Pink healing energy enveloped Gardevoir, alleviating the damage from the electric shock. Immediately after, a powerful Psychic wave struck Electivire, slamming it hard against the wall.
"Electivire, don't give up!" Lt. Surge shouted, "Use Wild Charge!"
Electivire's entire body burst with blinding electric light, charging towards Gardevoir in a suicidal rush. Ash knew the power of this attack: "Protect!"
A translucent barrier unfolded in front of Gardevoir, but the impact of Wild Charge was so great that cracks quickly appeared in the barrier. Eventually, the barrier shattered, and Gardevoir was knocked back by the aftershock.
"Now's the chance," Ash seized the opportunity, "Future Sight!"
A blue light flashed in Gardevoir's eyes, and then a strange energy was released, disappearing into the air. Lt. Surge frowned: "What trick is this? Electivire, give it the final blow, Thunder Punch!"
Electivire's fist, again wreathed in electricity, came crashing down, but Gardevoir suddenly vanished from its spot, reappearing behind Electivire.
"Dazzling Gleam!"
The close-range burst of magical energy made Electivire howl in pain. Just then, the Future Sight energy released earlier suddenly descended from above, accurately hitting Electivire's head.
Under the double attack, Electivire crashed to the ground.
"Electivire is unable to battle!" the referee announced.
Lt. Surge silently recalled Electivire, his expression becoming extremely serious. "Kid, you really have some tricks up your sleeve." He pulled out an Electric-type symbol embedded with a Key Stone from his pocket, "But next, let me show you true power."
He threw out his last Poké Ball: "Manectric, come on out!"
A majestic Manectric appeared on the field, electric sparks dancing in its blue fur. Ash took a deep breath and recalled the exhausted Gardevoir.
"Lucario, the final battle is up to you!"
Lucario stood steadily on the field, blue Aura energy flowing around its body. Ash closed his eyes and whispered: "Aura is with me."
A strange blue light connected Ash and Lucario, and Lucario's power visibly increased. Lt. Surge's eyes flashed with surprise at this sight.
"Interesting, an Aura Guardian?" He pressed the Key Stone onto the symbol, "Manectric, Mega Evolution!"
In a dazzling light, Manectric's form changed, its mane becoming denser, and its horns longer and sharper. Mega Manectric let out a deafening roar.
Ash didn't hesitate, gripping the azure flute around his neck, resonating with the Mega Stone on Lucario's glove: "Lucario, Mega Evolution!"
In an equally intense evolutionary light, Lucario's form also changed, its head tendrils extending, and the fur on its chest becoming fluffier. The two Mega Evolved Pokémon faced each other on the field, powerful energy fluctuations shaking the entire Gym.
"Manectric, Thunder Fang!" Lt. Surge initiated the attack.
Mega Manectric pounced towards Lucario with astonishing speed, savage electric light condensing in its mouth. Ash reacted quickly: "Bone Rush defense!"
Lucario condensed a blue bone staff, precisely blocking Manectric's sharp fangs. The two forces collided, erupting in blinding sparks.
"Don't give it a moment to breathe," Lt. Surge roared, "Wild Charge!"
Manectric's entire body again burst with intense electric light, charging towards Lucario with even greater momentum. Ash knew this attack couldn't be taken head-on: "Detect then use Extreme Speed to dodge!"
A blue light flashed in Lucario's eyes, predicting Manectric's attack trajectory, and at the last moment, it dodged with Extreme Speed. Manectric's charge missed, crashing into the wall at the edge of the field.
"Good opportunity!" Ash seized the moment, "Aura Sphere!"
Lucario condensed a giant blue Energy Ball between its hands and hurled it at Manectric. But Manectric quickly turned around and scattered the Aura Sphere with an Iron Tail.
"Don't underestimate my Manectric!" Lt. Surge laughed, "Thunder!"
The lights at the top of the Gym suddenly all went out, and a thick bolt of lightning struck down from the ceiling. Lucario couldn't fully dodge and was hit by part of the electricity, painfully kneeling on one knee.
"Lucario!" Ash cried out in distress, but quickly calmed down, "Use Calm Mind to strengthen, then prepare the final Aura Sphere!"
Lucario closed its eyes, blue energy flowing around its body, and its injuries somewhat alleviated. But Manectric wouldn't give it much time, pouncing again.
"Thunder Fang!"
Just as Manectric was about to bite Lucario, Ash shouted: "Now, Close Combat!"
Lucario suddenly opened its eyes, meeting Manectric with astonishing speed, its fists and feet raining down on its opponent. Manectric was repeatedly pushed back by this sudden counterattack.
"Don't back down!" Lt. Surge shouted, "Wild Charge!"
Manectric endured the pain and charged again. Ash knew this was the decisive moment: "Lucario, full power Aura Sphere!"
Lucario condensed an unprecedentedly huge Energy Ball between its hands, the light of Aura illuminating the entire Gym. Manectric's Wild Charge and the Aura Sphere collided head-on, triggering a colossal explosion.
After the smoke cleared, both Pokémon stood in place, motionless. Suddenly, Manectric's body swayed and then crashed to the ground.
"Manectric is unable to battle! The winner is Ash!" the referee announced loudly.
Lt. Surge silently recalled Manectric and walked in front of Ash. The Gym lights came back on, illuminating the complex expression on his face.
"Kid... no, Ash," he handed over an orange badge, "You are an excellent Trainer. This Vermilion Badge is well-deserved."
Ash took the badge, smiling tiredly but contentedly: "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Lt. Surge. That was an amazing battle."
Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder, happily rubbing against his cheek. Xiao You and Brock also came forward to congratulate him.
On the way back to the Pokémon Center, the sun had completely set below the horizon. Ash took out his badge case and placed the Vermilion Badge alongside his previous Blue Badge and Orange Badge.
"Three badges now," he whispered, "One step closer to the Indigo League."
Brock patted his shoulder: "Today's battle was spectacular, especially Lucario's performance at the end."
"Lt. Surge's strength was indeed formidable," Xiao You added, "But your command was even better."
Pikachu also agreed with a "Pika Pika." Ash smiled at his companions: "This is all the result of everyone's hard work together. Tomorrow we'll continue our journey, heading towards the next Gym!"
The lights of the Pokémon Center were warm and bright, reflecting on the hopeful face of the young boy. New adventures still awaited ahead.