After finishing breakfast, feeling well-rested, the group packed their bags and headed to the Vermilion City Gym entrance.
The Vermilion Gym was an Electric-type Gym, and its decor reflected that. Above the building, two lightning bolt symbols intertwined, making the entire Gym appear very flamboyant. It was clear the Gym Leader was also such a person.
"Excuse me, please move aside!!"
Just then, the Gym's automatic doors opened, and a trainer boy rushed out, holding a charred Pidgey, shouting in a panic as he saw Ash and his two companions.
The three instinctively made way. The boy left with his Pidgey. Misty and Brock couldn't help but frown, seeing this scene.
It was clearly another victim. Ash didn't pay much attention. That's why he said, don't be fooled by how many people participate in the League; those who can become top trainers are very few.
"Let's go in!" Without saying much to Misty, he walked directly inside. The doors automatically opened, and he quickly entered the reversed building.
"Is anyone here?" Ash called out inside the somewhat dim Gym.
From the shadows, a man and a woman emerged. Both were dressed in unconventional fashion, giving off the impression of delinquents.
"Hmm? Who are you?" The man with the buzz cut asked the three.
"I'm here to challenge the Gym," Ash said to the two in front of him. He knew they weren't the Gym Leader, but still stated his purpose.
"Hehe! Boss, another casualty has arrived." The man and woman simultaneously laughed upon hearing this, then turned to look behind them.
Behind them, looking closely, on the stairs not far away, a figure was seated, slowly rising. The moment he stood up, it was clear his height was significantly taller than the man and woman in front of them.
As for Ash, Misty, and the others, they appeared even smaller in front of him. The dark figure slowly walked forward, emerging from the shadows.
The man in front had short golden hair and an appearance similar to a Western face from Ash's previous life. Although this world was only divided into regions and had no national borders, it still seemed to have different types of people.
He wore a green military uniform, only the jacket, which was unbuttoned, revealing his sturdy chest and abdominal muscles. The entire person was like a human beast.
"Ah!! So... so strong!" Brock couldn't help but exclaim. As expected of someone from special forces.
"Is this the Gym Leader?" Misty also asked in surprise. This person's style was completely different from Brock's and their Cerulean Gym's trainers.
Ash, however, knew very well that the man in front of him was the Vermilion Gym Leader, Lt. Surge.
"Hmm? Let me see, haha! Welcome to the Vermilion Gym, oh my! This time's challenger is really cute!"
At this moment, Lt. Surge's gaze swept over the three of them, then fell on Misty. He then spread his arms and walked over.
"Ah!!"
Although Lt. Surge was smiling, his burly appearance and physique startled Misty. She immediately hid behind Ash.
Lt. Surge stopped upon seeing this and looked down at Ash.
"She's not the challenger. The one here to challenge the Gym is me," Ash said calmly, standing in front of Misty and looking up at Lt. Surge.
"Hmm?? It's you, huh? Hehe!"
Lt. Surge heard this, then put his hands down. He then reached out towards Ash. His hand was huge, making Ash's head look a bit small.
Seeing this, Ash frowned slightly. He didn't dodge. He subtly raised his hand, blocking Lt. Surge's hand, then said coldly.
"Don't touch my head!"
"Hmm??"
Lt. Surge didn't use much force, but seeing Ash's movement, his expression also changed slightly. It had been a long time. Some previous trainers would be too scared to speak just by seeing him.
This young man in front of him wasn't afraid at all. Furthermore, hearing the change in his tone, he actually made him genuinely dare not easily reach out again. It felt like facing a formidable enemy on the battlefield.
"Hmph! You're quite a spirited baby, aren't you!"
He put his hand down. It was his first time encountering a child like this. Lt. Surge felt somewhat displeased, but the smile on his lips grew wider.
"Baby? Baby??" Hearing this, Misty, standing behind Ash, felt a bit confused. This nickname was too... that, wasn't it!
"That's right! I call everyone weaker than me 'baby'!" Lt. Surge said proudly, hands on his hips.
Ash's eyes flashed when he heard this. He didn't care about the nickname; what he cared about was the condescending tone.
"Hmm? Pikachu? Hahahaha! See! The Pokémon the baby uses is indeed a baby too!"
Ash hadn't spoken yet. Lt. Surge noticed Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, and the disdainful smile on his face grew wider.
"Pika!!!"
Pikachu also frowned upon hearing this, its voice drawn out, glaring fiercely at Lt. Surge. It clearly disliked being underestimated.
"Have you talked enough nonsense? We're in a hurry. Can we start?" Ash said expressionlessly to Lt. Surge.
"Hmm? Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish."
Lt. Surge hadn't expected this young man to ignore him repeatedly. Although his personality was reckless and fiery, he wasn't a fool.
As a former special forces soldier, he could still sense the unusualness of the young man before him. His previous words were just to disrupt the opponent, but it seemed this young man wasn't affected. His expression also began to turn serious.
Snap!
Lt. Surge snapped his fingers. The ground behind him opened, and then the battle arena rose from the ground. The ground trembled slightly, and soon the battle arena appeared before them. The Vermilion Gym's arena was relatively flat compared to Pewter City and Cerulean City.
It was straightforward, without many fancy elements, which also reflected Lt. Surge's personality.
"The Pokémon used for battle will be two. You shouldn't have a problem with that, baby, right?" Lt. Surge walked to the opposite side of the arena, looking at Ash with a confident smile. Although he felt Ash was unusual, he hadn't lost his confidence.
"Whatever!" The match's conditions had changed from the anime, but Ash responded indifferently.
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