Looking at the overcrowded Pokémon Center in front of them, Roy's trio looked at each other.
"Isn't this a bit too much?" Misty stood on her tiptoes to peer inside. "Can Nurse Joy and the others even handle this?"
Delia was also a bit worried. "Let's line up first; Pikachu and the others need to recover their strength too."
Roy nodded and led the two girls to the end of the line.
While waiting, they carefully observed the situation of the nearby Trainers.
The more they looked, the more alarmed they became.
Those injured Pokémon almost all bore the heavy marks of Electric-type moves!
Charred fur, broken scales, trembling bodies... some with severe injuries even needed Chansey to push them into the treatment room on stretchers.
And their owners, those Trainers, had even more complex expressions on their faces.
There was dejection, unwillingness, and even more of an... unspeakable frustration and anger?
Roy noticed a detail.
Among the crowd in line, the proportion of female Trainers was unusually high!
By a rough estimate, they accounted for at least seventy percent!
Moreover, many of these female Trainers had red, swollen eyes, listless expressions, and were even acting somewhat timid.
It didn't look like they were sad simply because their Pokémon had lost a battle.
"Roy..." Delia gently pulled his sleeve, her voice filled with worry, "I heard the Trainers over there talking. It seems they just finished a Gym challenge. Is the Gym Leader of Vermilion City too ruthless? You're going to challenge him tomorrow; will you be..."
Roy took Delia's soft hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Don't worry," he said in a low voice. "I'm confident."
As he spoke, he looked at the Pikachu on his shoulder.
Sensing its master's gaze, Pikachu puffed out its chest and clenched its small fists.
Pika-pi! (Leave it to me!)
After several days of special training, not only had Pikachu's level soared, but its combat experience had also grown significantly.
More importantly, the tactics Roy had devised for it were specifically targeted at the Electric Gym!
He had confidence!
Only... the abnormal situation before him made him feel a faint sense of unease.
"Let's go, it's our turn."
The line moved very quickly, or rather, Joy and the Chanseys were working extremely efficiently.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the front desk.
The Joy of Vermilion City had the signature long pink hair and a gentle smile, but at this moment, her pretty face was etched with exhaustion.
She was busy giving emergency treatment to a charred Butterfree.
"Chansey, use the Electric Injury Spray first!"
"Lucky!"
Chansey operated skillfully.
After a while, Joy finally looked up. Seeing Roy's trio, she gave a professional smile. "Welcome to the Vermilion City Pokémon Center. How can I help you?"
"We need to restore our Pokémon's stamina," Roy said, handing over his Poké Balls and pokédex.
"Alright, please wait a moment... Huh?"
When Joy took the pokédex, her gaze lingered on Roy's face for a split second.
For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to this young man.
The 10 points of general favorability for the Joy Family were taking effect.
Joy's attitude clearly became a bit softer.
"Are you also Trainers here to challenge the Vermilion Gym?" she asked casually while registering them.
"Yes, I plan to go tomorrow," Roy nodded. "Nurse Joy, may I ask... are all these Trainers outside those who failed the Vermilion Gym challenge?"
Upon hearing this, a flash of helplessness and worry crossed Joy's face.
"Sigh, yes," she sighed. "Lately, there have been a lot of challengers at the Vermilion Gym, and... the injuries have been particularly severe."
She lowered her voice, glanced at the busy hall, and continued:
"If it were a normal Gym battle, we would understand the Pokémon getting injured. But Gym Leader Lt. Surge has been... far too heavy-handed lately."
Misty couldn't help but cry out, "That's too much! Even for an Intermediate Gym, he shouldn't be beating them half to death!"
Delia also frowned. "And I see many of the Trainers are girls... they look so pitiful."
Hearing this, the worry on Joy's face deepened.
She hesitated for a moment, likely because of the favorability, and said a few more words:
"Actually... we can treat the Pokémon's injuries here. But what worries me are the Trainers themselves."
"Quite a few female Trainers have been crying non-stop since they came out of the Vermilion Gym."
"At first, I thought they were sad because their Pokémon were hurt, but strangely, even after the Pokémon were treated, they still looked like they were about to cry."
Joy pointed toward the corner of the hall, where two young girls were huddled in chairs with terrified expressions.
"Like those two girls. Their eyes were swollen from crying when they first arrived. They've stopped crying now, but look at them..."
The two of them were huddled close together, their eyes darting around, instinctively shrinking back whenever someone approached.
It was as if they had been startled by something.
"I've been so busy treating Pokémon lately that I haven't had time to properly check on them," Joy rubbed her temples. "But I always feel... like they have something on their minds."
Misty, bursting with a sense of justice, immediately stepped forward!
"Nurse Joy, let me help you!"
She puffed out her chest with a serious look. "I'm best at comforting people! And given the situation, it definitely has something to do with that Vermilion Gym!"
"Huh? You?"
Roy voiced his doubt.
He pulled Misty to his side and whispered into her ear:
"My little ancestor, are you sure you're going to 'comfort' them and not just scare them even more?"
Roy couldn't imagine Misty's fiery brand of comfort.
"W-Why wouldn't I be able to!" Misty puffed out her cheeks in protest. "I'm very gentle, okay!"
"Yes, yes, you're gentle," Roy dismissively ruffled her hair, then turned to look at Delia.
"Delia, why don't you go with Misty?"
His tone became serious. "Keep an eye on her so she doesn't end up 'reverse-comforting' them."
Delia chuckled, covering her mouth, and nodded. "Alright, I'll take good care of Misty."
Only with her accompanying Misty could Roy feel at ease.
"What about you?" Delia asked. "Aren't you coming with us?"
Roy looked out the window in the direction of the Vermilion Gym.
"I'm going to scout out the Vermilion Gym," he said calmly. "I'll check the situation in advance to be prepared."
"But all your Pokémon have been handed over to Nurse Joy for treatment," Delia said, grabbing his hand worriedly. "What if you run into trouble..."
"Don't worry," Roy smiled, a faint blue light flashing in his eyes. "I have my own ways of protecting myself."
Psychic Constitution, plus Aura Power.
Even without Pokémon on him, he was by no means defenseless!
Seeing his confident expression, Delia stopped trying to dissuade him and only softly urged, "Then be careful. Don't act impulsively if you run into trouble; come back and find us first."
"I know," Roy gave her a light kiss on the forehead. "Wait for me to come back."
He then pinched Misty's cheek. "You too, don't do anything reckless."
"Hmph, I won't!" Misty protested with her mouth, but her eyes were full of concern. "Make sure you come back quickly."
Roy nodded, handed all his Poké Balls to Joy, and turned to leave the Pokémon Center... The Vermilion Gym was located in the eastern district of the city, with a very rugged architectural style.
A massive lightning bolt symbol hung over the entrance, and the metal doors were wide open.
When Roy arrived at the Gym, he found a few Trainers standing at the entrance, seemingly hesitating whether to go in.
"Are they still open today?" Roy glanced at the sky.
It was already evening; usually, Gyms should be closed by this time.
He approached quietly and heard the Trainers whispering.
"Hey, did you hear? That girl who went in this morning ran out crying..."
"Is Gym Leader Lt. Surge really that ruthless? He made her cry?"
...Roy's brow furrowed.
He didn't linger and walked straight into the Gym.
At this time, two people were actually standing at the entrance to the battlefield!
A man and a woman, wearing Vermilion Gym uniforms, stood like gatekeepers at the entrance.
They had serious expressions and were scanning the surroundings warily.
"No entry."
Seeing Roy approach, the male staff member spoke coldly, "The Gym Leader is battling inside. Go to the hall and wait for your number to be called."
Roy glanced at the interior of the battlefield, where the lights were still on.
He could faintly hear sounds coming from inside!
"Sorry, I'm in the wrong place. I just came to visit the Gym."
He gave an apologetic smile on the surface and turned to retreat.
But in his heart, he was already certain that something fishy was going on inside!
Taking a detour, Roy came to a wall on the side of the Gym.
This place was relatively secluded and had no surveillance.
He closed his eyes, and a faint cool sensation emerged at his brow.
Psychic Constitution, activate!
At the same time, his Aura Power also quietly spread out!
With the support of both powers, Roy's entire presence instantly vanished, as if he had merged into the environment.
He took a few steps back, took a running start, and kicked off the wall!
His body flipped lightly over the wall and landed soundlessly.
The entire process was smooth as flowing water, without making a single sound.
This was the preliminary application of the Psychic Constitution—fine control over his body and presence!
Roy crouched low and scanned the area.
Soon, he locked onto a ventilation window on the upper side of the battlefield.
The window was half-open, just enough to see the situation inside!
He prowled over like a cat and crouched in the shadows beneath the window.
He cast his gaze inside the arena.
With just one look, Roy's eyes turned cold!
...Inside the battlefield.
A young girl was standing there, her face pale.
Her Nidoran♀ had collapsed on the ground, covered in charred scars, having lost its ability to battle.
And on top of the Nidoran♀, a burly Raichu was stepping on it, flaunting its power!
"Tsk, another rookie who can't take a hit."
A tall figure walked over from the opposite side.
The man had short blond hair, wore a camouflage vest and military pants, and had bulging muscles with a roguish smile on his face.
It was none other than the Vermilion Gym Leader—Lt. Surge!
He walked up to the girl and looked down at her.
"Your Nidoran♀ is too weak."
Lt. Surge grinned and suddenly reached out, placing his hand directly on the girl's shoulder!
"Ah!" The girl trembled in fear and tried to back away, but she was held firmly by Lt. Surge.
"What are you hiding for?" Lt. Surge's smile widened as his large hand slid down the girl's shoulder, and then... directly reached under her skirt!
He gave it a hard squeeze!
"W-What are you doing!" The girl was both ashamed and terrified, her voice trembling.
"Heh, not a bad feel." Lt. Surge didn't let go; instead, he intensified his actions. "Little sister, with this kind of strength, you still want to get the orange badge?"
He leaned into the girl's ear and lowered his voice:
"How about... you come to the Vermilion Gym as an apprentice? I'll personally 'tutor' you, and I guarantee your strength will soar. What do you think?"
The implication in his words couldn't be clearer!
"N-No!" The girl struggled desperately. "Let me go! I want to leave!"
"Leave?" Lt. Surge's smile turned cold, and he applied force with his hand!
The girl cried out in pain and didn't dare move again.
"Do you still want your Nidoran♀?" Lt. Surge threatened. "Raichu!"
"Raichu!"
Raichu understood, and sparks flickered on its tail as a weak Thunder Shock hit the Nidoran♀!
"Ni... Nidor..." Nidoran♀ twitched in pain.
"No! Stop shocking it!" The girl burst into tears. "Please..."
"That's a good girl." Lt. Surge smiled with satisfaction.
As he continued his actions, he said:
"Little sister, I am the official Gym Leader of Vermilion City. In this city, I call the shots."
"Don't go around talking about what happened today, you hear me?"
"Otherwise... your Nidoran♀, and your future career as a Trainer..."
He didn't finish, but the threat was unmistakable.
Tears streamed down the girl's face as she could only nod helplessly.
Seeing this, Lt. Surge's smile became even more wanton.
Those filthy hands of his actually began to...
Outside the window.
Roy's gaze had become icy to the extreme!
"Damn! This is too much!"
He cursed in a low voice and put away the pokédex that had recorded Lt. Surge's evil deeds... "...That's more like it. Enjoy the Leader's 'guidance' and come back often..."
Lt. Surge was still spewing foul language.
After Roy put away the pokédex.
Then, his gaze swept across the field.
Psychic concentration!
His mind locked onto a wooden stick in the corner.
Using his Psychic power, he lifted it slightly and then slammed it heavily onto the ground!
"Bang!"
The dull thud was exceptionally clear in the empty arena!
"Who's there?"
Lt. Surge's expression changed. He snapped his hand back and looked warily toward the source of the sound!
Taking the opportunity, the girl pushed him away, tearfully recalled her Nidoran♀, and rushed out of the battlefield without looking back!
"Stop!" Lt. Surge wanted to give chase, but he was worried about someone being in the shadows.
He stood there with a dark face, his eyes scanning the surroundings sinisterly.
At this time, the male and female staff members guarding the entrance heard the commotion and ran in.
"Leader, what happened?"
"A rat snuck in," Lt. Surge said coldly. "You two, go patrol the area immediately! If you find anyone suspicious, bring them directly to me!"
"Yes, sir!"
The two didn't dare ask more and hurried out.
Lt. Surge waited on the spot for a moment longer, and after confirming there were no more sounds, he left the arena grumbling.
"Damn it, don't let me find out who it was..."
And at this moment.
Roy had already flipped back over the wall, his figure merging into the crowd on the street.
Using Aura Power to probe the surroundings and Psychic power to suppress his presence.
With both powers active, he easily escaped the Gym's vicinity like a ghost.