14 Electric Showdown At Vermilion Gym

Ashlyn and her friends were staring at a sign, beaming with happiness. It said; Vermilion City.

"Finally after two whole weeks of traveling, we have finally made it." Misty cheered.

During those two weeks, Ashlyn had trained with her Pokémon and four of them had evolved. Her female shiny Eevee finally evolved into Sylveon which she named Parisa, her male shiny Eevee into an Umbreon which she named Mani, her female Eevee into an Espeon, and her Sandshrew evolved into Sandslash.

Right now they've finally arrived in Vermilion City.

"Now I can finally take a nice hot bath and sleep in a real bed!" Misty smiled.

"And I can finally do some laundry." Brock said.

"Let's also get some food and rest for our Pokémon and us." Ashlyn decided when she noticed how exhausted Tesla and Lucario were.

So the group headed to the Pokémon Center.

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"We'll fix them right up," Nurse Joy said kindly as she took the tray that contained Ashlyn's Pokéballs, Misty and Brock staring at the Joy blankly while Ashlyn sighed and leaned on the counter.

"I know why you're surprised," Nurse Joy smiled when noticing their stares. "I look like all the other nurses, don't I? My first cousin works at Pewter City and my second cousin works in Viridian City. I think I'm the prettiest one, don't you?" She said with that same kind, gentle smile and giggle all Nurse Joys wore and used. Ashlyn and Misty just blinked at her while Brock just smiled and agreed.

"Yeah." Brock easily agreed with a blush, whatever else he was planning to say interrupted by the center doors opening and a boy's shout.

"Hurry!" The boy cried, calling attention to the rolling cot with a severely hurt Rattata on it. "You'll be okay, Rattata," the boy murmured sounding on the verge of tears as the Chansey rushed the cart through the lobby. "Hurry!"

"That Rattata is in rough shape," Brock noted, face serious. "I wonder what happened."

Nurse Joy stood then, hands on hips in disapproval. "Oh! It's the fifteenth one brought in this month!" She frowned.

"This month?!" Ashlyn repeated, deep seated disapproval of her own settling in her chest as Nurse Joy wordlessly led them to a room full of occupied beds holding various injured Pokémon.

"This is terrible." Brock muttered as he took them all in.

"They all lost to Lt. Surge, the Vermillion City gym leader." Nurse Joy informed, upset.

Ashlyn looked at all of the trainers with their injured Pokémon with pity. She couldn't understand why Lt. Surge had to be some brutal to all these Pokémon. She knew that you didn't need to so badly hurt the opponent's weaker Pokémon if you were experienced and knew your Pokémon well, two things a gym leader of all things should be. Ashlyn did not like how this Lt. Surge was so readily destroying his weaker opponents, especially considering most of them are so young and inexperienced.

A ding sound was heard nearby which meant that her Pokémon were healed.

"Oh? That signal means your other Pokémon have recovered." Nurse Joy happily led the trio out into the lobby where Ashlyn's pokéballs were waiting on a tray with a content Tesla and Lucario sitting by them, finishing a small apple.

"Hey guys!" Ashlyn cried, getting an enthusiastic reply back as Tesla leapt into her waiting arms and Lucario hugged. They nuzzled their soft cheeks against hers. "Glad you're back to one hundred percent!" Ashlyn cooed.

"Rai-chuu!" Tesla cooed back.

Lucario smiled, "(I feel refreshed)."

The two enjoying their trainer's attention. Their sweet reunion was interrupted by yet another cart wheeling by.

"Please hurry!" The boy trainer cried as he ran along the cot holding his injured Pidgey. "Just hold on, Pidgey!"

Ashlyn frowned as the kid was younger and obviously far more inexperienced if he went to an electric type gym with a flying type Pokémon. That did not, however, excuse the gym leader so brutally defeating his opponents.

Tesla and Lucario stared at the Pidgey trainer with sadness and horror. They didn't think that a gym leader would be so cruel to such a small Pokémon. Tesla made a decision at that moment.

"I think it's past time someone took this Surge down a peg or two, don't you think, Tesla?" Ashlyn asked calmly as she watched the cot disappear around the corner.

"Rai-chu (He's going down)." She growled lowly in agreement, cheeks crackling with a bit of electricity.

"(His brutal ways end now)." Lucario declared.

Before leaving, Ashlyn sent her Shiny Sylveon, Clefable, and Sandslash back to Oak's lab for some rest. Then she and her friends headed towards the Vermilion gym.

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The group stood outside the building that was the Vermilion City gym. It looked like a warehouse with yellow lightning bolts all over it.

"So this is the Vermillion City gym." Ashlyn muttered, tapping her lips in thought as she eyed the building.

"Kind of gaudy, isn't it?" Misty commented, making Ashlyn sweat-drop as she thought of Misty's own gym.

"(You do know that your gym has a Dewgong on the front right)?" Lucario commented.

Misty rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, "Fair point."

Then the doors creaked open ominously to greeting darkness and two adults dressed in punk rock and exercise clothes, male and female respectively.

"Yo, I'm here for a Pokémon battle," Ashlyn greeted casually with a half raised hand, "You know, to earn a Thunder Badge?"

The leather jacket wearing punk only smirked and looked behind him, arms crossed. "Hey, boss! Another victim for the emergency room," he announced in his nasally voice.

A shadowed figure walked up between the two in a deeper, more gravelly tone. "Which one?" He asked as his heavy footfalls thundered against the floor.

Ashlyn thought that such an entrance would unnerved a lot of kids, especially when they got a good look at how large and muscled the man was. They were probably only used to dealing with kids their own age or a bit older and none as intimidating looking as this guy. Of course Ashlyn herself didn't react beyond simply blinking half in boredom and half in expectancy as she waited for the moment they could actually start to battle.

"Whoa! He's huge!" Brock helpfully observed.

"Is he the gym leader you have to beat?" Misty whispered.

Both Brock and Misty leaned back when the man spread his arms out wide, towering over the three of them.

"Welcome to Vermillion gym!" He greeted jovially, giving poor, shocked Misty a bear hug, who let out a startled yelp at the action. The man pulled back, but kept his hands on her arms as he leaned over a bit to be more level with her height. "Oh! My next challenge is a cute one! Don't think I'll go easy on ya!"

Ashlyn scoffed, smirking as she and Lucario gently pulled Misty out of his hands and stepped in front of her. "Don't worry, meathead, I won't need you to go easy on me."

Tesla growled as sparks came off her cheeks as Lucario glared at St. Surge.

"You?" He blinked at Ashlyn's figure before giving another grin. "Ah, even cuter than your friend here! Okay, baby!" He chuckled in agreement.

"I'm no baby of yours," Ashlyn retorted. "The name's Ashlyn Ketchum, meathead."

"Ha! Relax, I call everyone who loses to me baby!" He announced with fists on hips as if it was something to be proud of.

Ashlyn only sweat-dropped. What was he, five? Of course, that was when the man noticed Tesla and Lucario standing protectively, half in front of her, glaring up at him and Tesla's cheeks still sparking threateningly.

"A Raichu, huh?" Lt. Surge grinned, "At least it's not an unevolved Pikachu."

"What do you mean?" Ashlyn asked, confused.

"Well, I'll show you why," he said ominously as he took out a Pokéball and enlarged it. "Go, Pokéball!" He threw it so the Pokémon was released right in front of them, the fading light revealing an arrogant but tough looking Raichu.

"Rai!" The evolved mouse type called out, a dark smirk on his face.

"I don't like going against baby Pokémon. Too weak to fight my Raichu here." Lt. Surge retorted.

"You do know that your Pikachu was a baby from the start, right?" Ashlyn questioned.

"True, but I turned mine into a Raichu as soon as I caught him." Lt. Surge stated.

The gangs' eyes widened slightly at Lt. Surge's words.

"You're quite annoying, you know that? Just like a certain someone I really dislike." Ashlyn smirked.

"Well then, let's just see which Raichu is the strongest." Lt. Surge taunted.

"You're on." Ashlyn narrowed her eyes at him.

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The lights flickered on to illuminate the field, the referee's voice echoing in the metallic, high ceiling room.

"The Pokémon battle will now begin. Only one Pokémon may be used. The gym leader, Lt. Surge, has chosen Raichu. The challenger, Ashlyn Ketchum, has chosen Raichu. No time limit. Let the battle begin."

"Go Raichu!" Lt. Surge shouted.

"Quick attack, Tesla!" Ashlyn called.

"Give it a Mega Punch, Raichu!" Surge smirked, only to frown when Ashlyn did the same.

"Agility then Tackle!" Tesla easily dodged the punch with a smirk, attacking at Raichu's now vulnerable back.

"What the-" Surge stammered in shock.

"The problem with evolving a Pokémon too early...is losing basic support moves that enhance things like speed." Ashlyn informed, still smirking.

"Grr, it don't matter! Raichu, Body Slam!" Surge growled.

"Double Team around him, Tesla." Ashlyn said calmly.

The Raichu hit the dirt, dispelling one illusion, only to get dizzy whipping his head to see all the Tesla's surrounding him.

"Argh, that's it! Raichu, give 'em a Thunderbolt! Shut it down!" Surge shouted.

Raichu angrily complied, frustrated at the moving target, going full power and breaking the glass windows and ground beneath him.

"The end of da match!" He boasted.

Ashlyn only raised a hand to shield her eyes, blinking once and grinning victoriously at seeing Tesla who was perfectly fine.

"Huh...what." Surge deadpanned.

"Alright, way to go! She used her tail as a lightning rod and absorbed the electric attack!" Brock helpfully informed.

"(Great thinking, Tesla)!" Lucario cheered.

"Raichu, give it another Thunderbolt!" Surge directed, now nervous. Raichu attempted to comply, once then again, only to come up with nothing but some weak static from his cheeks, confusing both Pokémon and trainer. "Do somethin'!" He urged in shock.

"It's over," Brock smiled. "Raichu ran out of electricity."

"Alright! Go for it, Ashlyn!" Misty cheered.

"Quick attack, Tesla!" Ashlyn grinned.

"Raichu, Take Down, now!" Surge ordered hastily, still too slow as Tesla landed a solid hit straight to Raichu's middle followed by an electric charged tail whip to the face that guaranteed a knock out.

Surge gripped his head, shocked. "Unbelievable!"

"You did it, Tesla!" Ashlyn enthused.

"(Well done)!" Lucario cheered.

"Way to go!" Brock congratulated.

"Good job, Tesla!" Misty jumped up in joy.

"Rai-chu!" Tesla smiled and held up a peace sign with one paw, the other on her waist; a victory pose.

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"Congratulations," Surge amiably shook Ashlyn's hand. "Nice job Ashlyn, Tesla! As proof of your victory, a Thunder Badge!" He presented her a yellow and orange sunflower badge, placing it in her open palm.

"Thank you very much!" Ashlyn beamed, grinning widely at the glittering pin.

"You should be proud! You and your Raichu really fight good together." Surge complimented.

"Awesome, Tesla! We've got a Thunder Badge!" Ashlyn pumped her fist in the air, Tesla jumping to her shoulder and joining her celebration, another peace sign on her paw Lucario roped them into a group hug.

"Rai-Raichu!" She cheered, the gym members all clapping in congrats and smiling sincerely.

"Nice victory, Ashlyn! You're no baby!" Surge declared.

"Congratulations, Ashlyn!" Brock clapped.

"Already three badges! Way to go, Ashlyn!" Misty enthused.

"Rai-rai-rai~!" Even Raichu clapped sincerely for his opponent, making Tesla bashfully scratch the back of her head.

"Rai~!"

"It's all thanks to you, Tesla!" Ashlyn gushed, nuzzling her cheek with Tesla's, cuddling her in her arms.

Lucario smiled, joining the nuzzling, "(You're a very strong Raichu, Tesla)."

"Raichu~!" Tesla cooed approvingly, nuzzling between Ashlyn and Lucario's cheeks happily.

"They're quite a team." Misty smiled.

"Yes, indeed." Brock agreed easily, arms crossed and nodding.

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Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Lucario (M), Rockruff (M), Pidgeot (F), Shiny Suicune (Azure)(F), Bulbasaur (M), Shiny Charmander (Natsu)(M), Squirtle (M), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M)

Prof. Oak's Lab:

Boltund (M), Scyther (F), Nidoran (M), Nidoran (F), Butterfree (M), Mienfoo (F), Glaceon (F), Leafon (F), Shiny Rapidash (Comet)(M), Scorbunny (M), Gengar (M), Fennekin (F), Krabby (M), Eevee (F), Eevee (M), Eevee (F), Shiny Sylveon (Parisa)(F), Shiny Umbreon (Mani)(M), Espeon (F), Clefable (F), Sandslash (M)