Chapter 29: Electric Gym Battle
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Next Day, Vermillion City – Gym]
The next day, the ferry horn blared, a mournful sound that echoed across the Vermillion City harbor. Azure, a young trainer with eyes as blue as the namesake group, stepped onto the dock, his Pikachu over his shoulder.
He walked confidently as he had his Pokémon in their Poke Balls around his waist. Azure breathed, adjusting his backpack as he announced, "Vermillion City. Our third Kanto Gym. Lt. Surge, here we come!"
Azure focused on the challenges ahead of him. He knew the web he was walking into. Lt. Surge, the Lightning American, was a wolf in sheep's clothing. A gruff, charismatic gym leader by day and a ruthless sub-leader of Team Rocket Trio Admin by night.
Alongside Sabrina and Koga, he oversaw operations in Kanto through Vermillion City, a silent menace lurking beneath the surface. Azure's arrival, seemingly a naive trainer eager for a badge, was a welcome distraction. Or so Surge thought.
The Vermillion Gym loomed large, decorated with electric symbols and warnings about "high voltage." Azure took a deep breath and pushed open the doors.
The arena inside was a maze of wires, generators, and sparking metal platforms. At the far end stood Lt. Surge, a towering figure with a permanent scowl etched on his face.
Surge boomed, his voice amplified by the gym's electric current as he looked down saying in an arrogant tone, "So, you're the challenger? Think you can handle the power of lightning, baby?"
Azure stepped forward, his resolve firm. He looked at Lt. Surge as he said bluntly, "I'm Azure Sky, and I'm here for the Thunder Badge!"
Surge chuckled, a low, menacing sound. He grabbed his Poke Ball as he said arrogantly, "Alright, kid. Let's see what you've got. It will be 3v3 since you'll need it, you big baby. Let's go! Voltorb!"
*Pop*
A spherical Pokémon with a mischievous grin bounced onto the field. Azure, using [Observe], saw the level and internally frowned as he thought, 'A Lv.28 Voltorb? I suppose the Gym Leaders under Team Rocket's control can't exactly outpower the trainer with their strongest. But frankly, I know what's coming next…'
Azure glanced at Pikachu as he sent him to the field, "Pikachu, you're up first. Show this guy we mean business!"
Pikachu nodded as he stood at the ready in a fighting position. A referee appeared as he announced, "The match between Lt. Surge vs Azure will now begin!"
Azure gave his swift command, "Zippy Zap!"
*Zooooom*
*BAM*
Pikachu responded instantly, rushing forward and slamming against the Voltorb, showing a golden glow and getting critically hit. The Voltorb was knocked back, but it quickly recovered, albeit barely.
Lt. Surge's eyes narrowed, seeing Pikachu landing a critical hit as he thought, 'He managed to land a critical hit on my Voltorb. Guess he isn't your usual runt. But…'
Expressing a cold glint in his eyes, Lt. Surge commanded his true and best-tried plan using Voltorb in a confident tone, arms crossed, "Not bad, kid. But Voltorb's just warming things up. Use Self-Destruct, Voltorb!"
Yet Azure remained calm, expecting this move as he yelled, "Now! Floaty Float!"
*Shiii*
*KABOOOM*
Pikachu managed to dodge using Floaty Float at the last moment, just as Voltorb detonated in a blinding flash. The smoke cleared, revealing Pikachu okay, landing down gracefully with a confident cry, "Pika! Pikachu! (Ha! Ya missed, Mister Lightning American!)"
Surge muttered, retrieving Voltorb, eyes narrowing as he called out his second Pokémon in a serious tone, "He's tougher than I thought. Alright, Electrode, show him the real power of lightning!"
*Pop*
Electrode zipped onto the field, crackling with raw energy. Pikachu remained ready as Lt. Surge commanded, "Electrode, use Discharge!"
*Buzzz*
The air vibrated with electricity as Electrode unleashed a powerful pulse of lightning that engulfed the battlefield. However, Azure smiled as all the electricity was being pulled in, getting Surge's attention as he frowned, 'Lightning Rod. I know that ability than most would believe when dealing with Electric Types. But…'
*Swooosh*
Electrode was instantly near Pikachu due to its high-speed Stats as Surge ordered coldly, "Hyper Beam."
*PEW*
Azure's eyes widened as Pikachu took the Hyper Beam at point-blank range. He didn't have enough time to relay his order before Pikachu slumped down and fainted.
Azure cursed mentally as Electrode laughed in a serious tone, 'Fuck!! Despite Pikachu's speed, when compared to Electrode's speed, it outclasses him by a lot. Here I thought I could sweep with Pikachu against Lt. Surge, but guess not…'
Surge's grin widened, revealing his teeth as he openly mocked Azure in an arrogant tone, looking down at him flexing, "That's the power of the Vermillion Gym Leader, kid. Raw, untamed, and unstoppable!"
Azure's anger flared. This wasn't just a gym battle anymore. He could feel the arrogance emanating from Surge, the underlying cruelty hidden beneath the façade of a tough gym leader.
With Pikachu's state, he recalled him back. Azure gritted his teeth, refusing to give up as he brought his second Pokémon out in a determined tone, "I'm not done yet, Surge. Growlithe, I choose you!"
*Pop*
The Poke Ball opened, releasing Growlithe in a burst of light. The magnificent Fire-type Pokémon landed on the battlefield with a confident roar, its fiery determination illuminating the dimly lit gym, "RAOWWR!!"
Surge's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly recovered. His Electrode not so much as it stayed still, needing to recharge after the Hyper Beam, as Surge thought cautiously, 'I didn't think this baby had this at the ready. Was he saving this as his trump card, fighting fire against my Electric Pokémon? Regardless, though, I can't take this one lightly.'
Surge, hiding his thoughts, responded with an arrogant expression as he said mockingly to Azure, "A Fire-type, eh? Do you think you can beat Electric with Fire? That's laughable! Electrode – "
Before he could give a command, Azure commanded, "Raging Fury! Strong Style!"
*Swooosh*
*CRUNCH*
Instantly, Growlithe lunged and vanished, alarming Surge with the sudden speed. But his eyes landed on the sound of something crunching.
Alarmed, his eyes found the source as Growlithe bit down hard on Electrode like a chew toy, moving its head ferociously as the fire around its mouth turned blue, not letting go of the Ball Pokémon as it cried in pain, being torn and burnt. Not only that, thanks to being engulfed in flames using Raging Fury, it activated Growlithe Flash Fire, increasing its Fire-type move damage by 50%.
Surge gritted his teeth as his Pokémon fainted as Growlithe tossed it to the side as he carefully thinks his next plan recalling it back into its Poke Ball, 'Fuck! He is treating my Electrode as a chew toy! This fucking brat. But I know my Electrode Def and HP stats aren't bad, but… that attack is too strong to be normal…'
But Surge narrowed his eyes, realizing Azure was proving to be more trouble than he had anticipated. Surge roared, throwing another Poké Ball, "Raichu, go!"
*Pop*
Raichu, Surge's signature Pokémon, appeared on the field, crackling with intense static electricity. Raichu is a bipedal, rodent-like Pokémon. Raichu is covered in dark orange fur with a white belly. Its bifurcated ears are brown on the outside, yellow on the inside, and end in a distinctive curl.
There is a circular yellow marking on each cheek where its electric sacs are, and it has a triangular, dark brown nose. Its arms and feet have patches of brown fur at the end, and the soles of its long feet are tan with a circular orange pad in the center. On its back are two horizontal brown stripes. Its long, thin tail has a lightning bolt-shaped end.
Azure frowned as Surge commanded his Raichu, "Raichu, use Thunderbolt!"
*BUZZZZ*
A bolt of pure energy shot from Raichu's cheeks, striking Growlithe head-on. The Puppy Pokémon cried out in pain, struggling to stay up.
Azure eyes narrowed as Growlithe stood up, no doubt, Surge would always strike first with his Electric Pokémon, outspending him. He only got lucky interrupting Surge with his Electrode after his Hyper Beam attack, but that same mistake won't happen twice, leaving his Pokémon undefended.
However, he commanded calmly, seeing Growlithe brush off the Thunderbolt thanks to its Eviolite, "Growlithe! Flame Wheel!"
*Brrr*
Surge frowned, seeing Growlithe charging ahead, activating its Flash Fire ability, and being engulfed in flames. Surge tried to find where the Flame Pokémon was located as he commanded, "Discharge!!"
*BOLT*
Bolts of electricity were discharged around the area, hitting everything in sight. Then, one of the stray bolts of electricity grazed Growlithe as the fire dispersed to reveal that it got close to Raichu.
Surge harshly called out, "Hit'em with a Thunder Punch!"
*SMASH*
Raichu slammed its fist onto Growlithe's face, uppercutting him and forcing the Puppy Pokémon off. Growlithe flinched, trying to adjust its sight as Azure commanded, "Quick move away and use – "
Surge commanded Raichu as it followed his words, "Hit'em with a Thunder!"
*KABOOOM*
A formation of thunder clouds appeared as a pillar of a thunderbolt landed over Growlithe as he slumped down. Azure flinched, seeing his Growlithe about to go down, but then saw a text screen pop up, surprising him that Growlithe had learned a new move in this dramatic moment.
[Growlithe toughed it so you wouldn't feel sad! Learned the move [Endure]!]
*TMP*
Stomping its foot down, Growlithe, with a sliver of HP left remaining, stood back up again, glaring at the Raichu. Panting from near exhaustion, startling Surge with his eyes widening as he thought in a startled tone, 'What!! How the heck is that pup still standing after surviving a Thunder!'
Growlithe growled at the Mouse Pokémon as Azure smirked and commanded, "Do it! Strong Style Raging Fury!"
*BRRR*
Growlithe smirked as its Flash Fire ability kicked in. A red fiery aura appeared along with him opening his mouth, concentrating blue fire. In an instant, Growlithe opened its maw, unleashing a searing fire directed at Raichu, chomping down on its body.
*CHOMP*
*Sssss*
The attack landed on the Raichu cried out in pain. Surge called out, "Quick! Swift!"
*Shinng*
*BOOOOM*
Sending out a star-shaped energy attack at Growlithe, it landed, finally knocking out the Puppy Pokémon as it slumped down. Raichu emerged from the fire looking worse to wear as Azure recalled his Growlithe, which had a smug expression on its face.
Surge clenched his fist, seeing Raichu's condition as Azure noticed the burn status on it, mentally smirking, 'Heh. That's my Pokémon.'
Recalling Growlithe, Azure switched him out after thanking his Pokémon kindly, "Thanks for fighting till the very end. I'm glad you're my last Pokémon... Go! Dratini!"
*Pop*
Dratini appeared, glaring at Raichu as Surge's frown deepened as he thought, seeing another hurdle to get past, 'So he kept his true trump card to the very end. Didn't think a baby like him owned a Dragon-Type Pokémon. That just means it's resistant to my Electric Attacks.'
Frowning, Surge realizes defeat is inevitable for him, seeing that his Raichu had less than its HP while Dratini was in perfect condition. He gave out a command, "Raichu Thunder Wave!"
*Buzzz*
Raichu sent out a bolt of electricity to stop Dratini. However, Surge was stunned listening to Azure's command, "Dratini Extreme Speed and Dragon Tail."
*Swoooosh*
Dratini, turning into a blur, alarmed Surge as he thought through gritted teeth, 'What! How the hell does this pipsqueak know Extreme Speed at its early stage?!'
*Shinng*
*SMASH*
*Thud*
Raichu was struck over the head by Dratini using Extreme Speed and Iron Tail, causing the electric Pokémon to collapse, defeated. Surge stood there, stunned.
His signature Pokémon fell just like that. Defeated.
He recalled Raichu, his face a mask of barely contained fury. He snarled reluctantly, handed Azure the Thunder Badge and his rewards, "I... I underestimated you, kid. But this isn't over! You may have won this battle, but you haven't seen the last of Lt. Surge! Take these and get out of here!"
Azure took it, his gaze unwavering. He knew Surge's words were a promise, a threat. Azure replied, his voice low but firm, "We'll be ready."
Azure received his reward of 4100 Poke Dollars from Surge. Not only that, he also received the Thunder Badge and TM Thunderbolt as he left the Gym with a smug smile on his face, away from Surge.
[Item: TM Thunderbolt
Rarity Item: -
Type: Technical Machine
Description: A Technical Machine used to grant memory knowledge of how to perform the move [Thunderbolt].]
[Item: Thunder Badge
Rarity Item: A+
Type: Badge
Description: A Gym Badge, commonly referred to as simply a badge, is an item that serves as proof of a Pokémon Trainer's victory in a battle against a Gym Leader at a Pokémon Gym. With this badge, Electric-Type Moves are increased by 12.5%, and control Pokémon is easier for the Trainer to command.]
Their journey had just begun, and the shadows of Team Rocket were already lengthening in their path. And Azure, fueled by a burning sense of adventure and fiercely loyal companions, was ready to face them, no matter the cost.
Filled with determination, Azure clenched his fist as he thought confidently, 'Badge 3 in the bag. 5 more to go.'
/////
A/N: Hey guys, your author here wanting to ask you guys real quick. Do you think I should make future Gym Battle Chapters like this, fast-paced but short for a gym challenge, or do you prefer longer chapters for them?
Oh, and do you guys know the MC has the friendship mechanic? Because yeah, he does, but it won't always show, just like he has his high bond with Partner Pikachu, got one shot by a Hyper Beam, it doesn't mean he'll get the Friendship Mechanic during battle a lot.