Ash followed Serena's gaze and saw the Pokémon lying on the hospital beds, sighing softly in his heart.
He stood up, walked over to Serena, and gently patted her head.
She spoke in a low voice, "Do you think the gym leader was too harsh?"
"There's nothing we can do about it. We already agreed before taking the challenge that there could be unexpected situations."
"After all, gym battles aren't child's play or just ordinary Pokémon matches."
"But the Vermilion Gym Leader's actions were too much."
"Come on," Ash said, his tone firm. "Let's go teach him a lesson."
This wasn't the first time Ash had given a gym leader a lesson.
How a gym leader treats challengers is his choice, yes—
but as a gym leader, he also has responsibilities.
To harm Pokémon like that,
what kind of lesson could that possibly teach Trainers?
Should they learn to run away when facing stronger opponents?
How ridiculous.
Since he doesn't know what a gym leader should do, Ash decided to teach him himself.
He looked determinedly toward the Vermilion Gym in the distance.
…
The three of them arrived at the doors of the Vermilion Gym.
After Ash stated his intent to challenge, the large steel gates slowly opened.
Inside stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with short yellow hair and muscles that bulged through his military vest.
Lt. Surge looked at the group with a smirk.
"Hey, are you the challenger? Heh, this challenger looks pretty cute."
As he said that, his gaze shifted toward the two girls beside Ash.
He took a few steps closer to Serena, clearly intending to greet her with a hug.
But before he could move further, Ash had already stepped in front of her.
He raised a hand and said calmly, "Sorry, my partner doesn't have the habit of hugging strangers."
Lt. Surge paused for a moment, then straightened up with a grin.
"Haha, looks like your relationship isn't exactly ordinary."
Serena's cheeks turned pink at that, but she didn't hide behind Ash despite Lt. Surge's intimidating height.
She had promised to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ash and face anything together.
So even though she felt nervous about Lt. Surge's aggressive attitude, she stood tall beside Ash.
"We're here to challenge the gym!" she said firmly. "Are you the gym leader?"
"Yeah," Lt. Surge replied, crossing his arms. "Name's Lt. Surge, the Vermilion Gym Leader. So, which of you wants to battle?"
"The two of us," Ash replied.
"Pika pika!"
Pikachu echoed with a confident cry.
Lt. Surge froze for a second, then burst out laughing.
"Kid, you've gotta be joking. You brought a Pikachu to challenge me? This is a gym, not a playground for children!"
Pikachu: ?
Hold on, what did I do to you?
How dare you mock me like that!
"What's wrong? Not convinced?" Lt. Surge sneered. "All right, I'll show you what a real Pokémon looks like."
He threw out a Poké Ball, and a large, muscular Raichu appeared, electricity crackling around it.
Lt. Surge's Raichu stood with its arms crossed, mirroring its Trainer's arrogant grin as it glared at Pikachu.
Pikachu's cheeks sparked with anger.
"Pika!! Pikachu!!" he shouted, jumping down from Ash's shoulder, ready for battle.
Ash watched Lt. Surge's Raichu, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
Buddy, you just provoked a monster.
Truth be told, if Ash used Pikachu to fight a gym without even Elite-level Pokémon, it would be bullying.
He had planned to use Frogadier instead.
Even though Frogadier's level was lower, their bond power and Ash's wave aura could easily overcome that gap.
But since Raichu had taunted Pikachu, and Pikachu himself insisted on fighting, Ash had no reason to refuse.
After all, Pikachu had always refused to evolve into Raichu.
Now, being mocked by an evolved version of himself was something he couldn't tolerate.
Lt. Surge opened his mouth to taunt again, but Ash was already walking past him into the battle arena.
As he strode forward, Ash said evenly, "Save your trash talk. Let's get started."
"After I defeat you, I have one request besides the Thunder Badge," he added. "When battling Serena afterward, I want you to follow the official Rookie Trainer rule and use beginner-level Pokémon."
"The League clearly states that Trainers who have traveled for less than a year can choose the challenge difficulty. Even a veteran like you can't break that rule without reason."
"You—" Lt. Surge began, but then stopped.
Ash turned slightly, his eyes glowing faintly blue.
For an instant, the older man froze.
That look… it sent a chill down his spine.
He, a seasoned soldier and Gym Leader, had actually flinched from the gaze of a young challenger.
It didn't make sense—yet he couldn't deny what he felt.
Furious at his own reaction, Lt. Surge's face hardened.
He gritted his teeth and gestured toward the deeper part of the gym, motioning Raichu to follow him.
…
"The rules are simple: one-on-one battle. The first Pokémon unable to continue is declared the loser. Gym Leader, please send out your Pokémon first!"
A male referee announced the rules loudly.
Lt. Surge smirked and waved his hand. "Go, Raichu! Show that baby what you're made of!"
Although part of him still remembered that unsettling look Ash had given him,
he convinced himself it had just been an illusion.
How could a kid like Ash intimidate a Gym Leader like him?
"It's your turn, Pikachu!" Ash shouted.
"Pika!!"
Pikachu dashed forward, landing on the field as golden sparks danced fiercely around his cheeks.
Underestimating Pikachu? Big mistake.
Ash clenched his fist. "Let's show him how strong a Pokémon can be, even without evolving!"
Pikachu's electricity flared brighter in response.
This wasn't just another gym challenge.
This was personal.
(End of the chapter 46)
***
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