The trump card Pokémon used by an average Gym Trainer is usually around professional level.
Only top Gym Leaders possess true gym-level Pokémon that can stand against elites.
So when a Trainer actually has a professional-tier Pokémon, that alone already places them among the strongest in the world.
Of course, the number of people in that range still reaches tens of thousands.
After all, there are countless Trainers scattered across the entire Pokémon world.
To even rank within the top ten thousand globally is already a remarkable achievement.
So when a Pokémon steps into the professional tier, it is considered to have reached the upper threshold of its potential.
Beyond that, the next stages—Elite and Champion—belong to an entirely different realm, one only a few can ever touch.
Naturally, Ash's dream was far beyond the professional level.
Even the gym and elite levels weren't his final destination.
At the very least, he aimed to become a Champion.
And deep down, part of him even wanted to glimpse the unreachable domain of the divine.
Of course, it was far too early to speak of such things now.
Aside from Pikachu and Dragonite, he didn't even have a third Pokémon close to Elite rank.
Let alone anything nearing divine-tier power.
After a long journey through the mountains and forests, Ash and his two companions finally arrived in Vermilion City.
From Bill's Lighthouse to Vermilion, it had taken them only three days without getting lost—a record time by their standards.
It had been a pleasant trip, too.
There were delicious meals along the way, clean rivers, beautiful scenery, and even some mountain and water sports.
Ash had even crafted a makeshift bathroom so they could travel comfortably.
So despite trekking across long distances, none of them looked exhausted—just a little dusty.
"Alright, let's go to the Pokémon Center first. We'll heal our Pokémon, take a good shower, and change before heading to the gym."
"Hmm!" Misty and Serena both nodded energetically.
...
At the Pokémon Center, the three of them had already changed into fresh clothes.
Ash had swapped his usual outfit for a white shirt and khaki pants.
The new look made him appear older, almost fifteen or sixteen, not the ten-year-old he actually was.
Misty wore a blue-and-white sleeveless top that revealed her slender waist.
Ash couldn't help but glance twice at her fair skin under the light.
She paired the outfit with short denim pants that showcased her long, toned legs.
Though Misty's figure wasn't quite as developed as Serena's, her legs alone could easily turn heads—especially for someone her age.
Not that Ash noticed that kind of thing, ahem, not really...
Serena, meanwhile, had chosen a white lace dress, exchanging her usual stockings for a pair of white sneakers.
She looked cleaner and softer than usual—less flirtatious, more angelic.
She had avoided wearing this dress earlier during the journey through the mountains, afraid of staining it.
If it got dirty, she'd probably cry.
Now that the group could finally rest, they sat together at the Pokémon Center café, sipping drinks while reviewing the information they had gathered.
"According to Nurse Joy," Ash said while scanning the data sheet in front of him, "the Vermilion Gym Leader is a veteran, and he doesn't go easy on challengers. No matter who he faces, he always uses his ace Pokémon—Raichu. Its strength is estimated to be around Elite peak level. He's a very strong opponent."
Misty frowned slightly at that.
"Are you sure, Ash? Normal gym leaders should have professional-level Pokémon at least. Are you saying his ace Raichu is only at Elite level?"
It wasn't that Misty was underestimating the Elite tier.
She simply didn't want the information to be misleading.
If the opponent's strength truly stopped at Elite, Ash might handle it without even needing Pikachu.
She trusted his command skills completely.
But if the opponent was at the professional level, that would be a different story altogether—one that couldn't be solved by tactics alone.
"It's definitely Elite," Ash replied confidently.
"Normally, a gym leader can't apply for the position without owning at least a professional-ranked Pokémon. But since he's a veteran, the Alliance made an exception. Nurse Joy's data confirms it."
Hearing that, Misty finally relaxed a little.
Even so, facing an Elite-tier Pokémon was no easy challenge.
At present, aside from Pikachu, Ash's strongest Pokémon was Frogadier, who had only just reached the advanced peak level.
Elite peak was still a full stage higher.
"Don't worry, Misty," Ash said with a grin. "You know me—fighting above my level is kind of my thing. But Serena…"
He turned to the blonde girl sitting beside him, his tone softening slightly.
"This time, don't rush into a real battle. The opponent doesn't know how to hold back. Braixen isn't at the same level as Raichu, so I'll ask the Gym Leader—Lt. Surge—to arrange a Trial Rookie battle for you after our match."
He continued explaining, "The Alliance rules say that any Trainer who has been traveling for less than a year can apply for a Trial-level match, and the Gym Leader must accept it. Most people don't read the rules, so they end up challenging full-power Gym matches and getting crushed."
Serena listened quietly and nodded.
She understood perfectly well what Ash meant.
A Gym Leader's battle sense was far sharper than hers.
Crossing two or three levels to challenge such an opponent wasn't just reckless—it was self-destructive.
Losing was fine, but being completely overwhelmed would only scar her confidence.
She glanced around the Pokémon Center, noticing several Trainers with their Pokémon lying injured on stretchers.
Her hands tightened into small fists.
So this was the result of those "ruthless" Gym challenges Nurse Joy mentioned earlier.
Some Pokémon were bandaged all over, others unconscious and barely breathing.
"Isn't a Gym Leader supposed to guide challengers?" Serena muttered under her breath. "Why would he hurt their Pokémon so badly?"
Misty's face hardened too.
If this was the kind of opponent Ash was about to face, it was clear that the Vermilion Gym was nothing like the friendly Gyms they'd seen before.
Ash simply smiled faintly and clenched his fist.
"All the better," he said quietly. "It'll be good training for both Pikachu and me."
***
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