It’s Decided!

Lt. Surge admired Trainers with guts—those who stood tall and faced challenges head-on.

Even though Johan's tactics in their recent unrestricted battle bordered on absurd, the essence of unrestricted battles was just that: no holds barred.

Apart from a few basic restrictions, it was all about winning—means and methods be damned.

After all, in the wild or during life-and-death skirmishes with enemies, would anyone care about what's fair or ethical?

Thus, Lt. Surge accepted his loss graciously. He personally handed Johan the Thunder Badge from Vermilion Gym.

"This is the Thunder Badge. Congratulations."

The badge, crafted from what looked like a unique gemstone, sparkled like the sun—a clear indication it wasn't cheap.

Johan didn't hesitate. Taking the badge, he replied, "Thank you."

Then, Surge retrieved a Technical Machine (TM).

"This is for the move 'Thunderbolt.'"

However, before he could finish, Johan interjected:

"Could you swap it for another?"

Lt. Surge blinked in surprise.

Nearby, Tony and Bisques stepped back, their eyes wide in shock.

It was the first time they'd seen anyone dare to talk to Lt. Surge like that.

Their instincts screamed: Surge is going to punch him!

To their amazement, Lt. Surge didn't get angry. After a brief moment of confusion, he laughed heartily and pulled out several more TMs.

"Well then, I've got 'Thunder Wave,' 'Charge Beam,' 'Volt Switch,' and 'Thunder.' Take your pick!"

Johan smiled.

"'Thunder' sounds good."

Among those choices, "Thunder" was the priciest and most powerful move—both in terms of damage potential and difficulty to acquire.

"Fine by me."

Without hesitation, Surge handed over the TM for "Thunder."

Tony and Bisques exchanged bewildered glances.

When did Surge become this easygoing?

After taking the TM, Johan glanced at Gengar, who grinned mischievously.

Stretching his hands into the dimensional space of his stomach, Gengar pulled out two Poké Balls.

He then smacked his head as if to say, Oops, I forgot!

"Ka-kah~~"

Returning the Poké Balls containing Raichu and Electabuzz, Gengar grinned sheepishly.

Tony & Bisques: "..."

Was Surge... threatened?!

If so, why didn't he signal us?!

Surge, however, simply laughed, his earlier demeanor replaced with a newfound camaraderie. It almost felt like he was about to declare Johan his brother-in-arms.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot—this is for you from Koga."

Surge handed over a Pink Badge.

A badge from Fuchsia Gym?

Johan blinked in surprise.

Gengar wasted no time, snatching the badge from Surge's hand and comparing it to the Thunder Badge.

The mischievous ghost counted on his fingers.

Two new badges added to three prior ones...

"Ka-kah..."

Five badges in total now!

Gengar grinned as he stared at his five fingers. Perfect—just enough fingers to count!

Johan frowned slightly.

"Is this okay?"

Getting a badge without a battle felt a bit... unearned, like he was imitating Volkner.

Surge waved dismissively.

"Koga said his Koffing got drained once already and took half a month to recover."

Johan: "..."

"Besides," Surge added, "Koga's on a mission, and Fuchsia Gym is currently run by Janine. If you go, she'd probably just hand you the badge anyway."

Johan sighed, rubbing his forehead.

This was starting to make him feel like a bandit.

I didn't come here specifically for badges!

At the Vermilion Gym entrance, Surge extended an invitation to Johan, now clearly respecting him.

"Johan, next time, let's spar—hand-to-hand."

"Let's not."

Johan's eye twitched as he quickly gestured to Bisques.

"Let's go!"

As the Jeep sped off, their next destination was a power plant, which housed numerous Electric-type Pokémon.

Despite its outward appearance, the plant was effectively a training ground for Surge's Electric Army.

As they drove past the fenced area, Johan spotted Voltorb and Electrode scattered inconspicuously along the roadside and hidden in bushes.

He murmured,

"Without Surge's permission, any trespasser here would... experience the art of explosions firsthand."

Bisques, meanwhile, kept a wary eye on Gengar, sitting in the passenger seat beside her.

She was terrified of being put to sleep again.

Fortunately, this time, Gengar behaved—mostly.

But just as Bisques began to relax...

BANG!

A loud explosion rocked the Jeep.

"What was that?!"

The vehicle swerved wildly before Bisques expertly brought it to a controlled stop, narrowly avoiding a tree.

Her face darkened as she stepped out to inspect.

"This shouldn't have happened," she muttered.

The Jeep's tires were designed to handle extreme terrain, making a blowout on flat ground nearly impossible.

"Driii~"

Vulpix tugged Johan's sleeve, signaling him to look behind them.

Closing his eyes, Johan tapped into his Aura.

Through the Aura, the scene became clear:

A mischievous Pichu clung to a tree, its tiny hands covering its mouth as it snickered.

Its pale yellow fur glinted in the sunlight, and its ears, shaped like diamonds, twitched excitedly.

Hopping down from the tree, the Pichu landed lightly on the Jeep's roof, clearly unaware it was being watched.

Its beady eyes darted around as it tiptoed closer.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over it.

"Ka-kah!"

Gengar emerged from seemingly nowhere, pulling a grotesque face as it stuck out its tongue.

The Pichu froze in place, fur standing on end.

"P-Pichu!! Σ(ﾟДﾟ|||)"

Scrambling backward, it tripped and landed on its tiny rear, eyes brimming with tears.

Gengar scratched his head.

Did I overdo it?

Bisques picked up the trembling Pichu, her frustration melting away at its pitiful expression.

"You little troublemaker."

But before Johan could warn her, the Pichu's eyes gleamed with mischief.

"Pi~CHU!"

Electric sparks flew from its cheeks, zapping Bisques with a jolt.

Her hair frizzed out like a wire brush, her face blank with shock.

The Pichu took the opportunity to wiggle free, blowing a raspberry before darting into the tall grass.

Johan chuckled at Bisques' stunned expression.

"Still think you've got it under control?"

Bisques shook off the static, muttering, "Good thing I wore insulated gloves."

Johan sighed, watching the retreating Pichu.

"Well, that settles it."

"Settles what?"

Johan grinned.

"It's decided—that Pichu is perfect."

Its playful antics and spirited personality would make it a standout for the upcoming project.

"Not bad at all," Johan murmured.

Perfect, really.

Now he just needed a sturdy counterpart for the Pichu—perhaps a Meowth resilient enough to handle its mischief.

As the Jeep rolled away, Johan received a message on his phone.

[Who Am I]: You're in Kanto?

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Powerstones?

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