--- My Victory of Vermilion City Gym (by Michael Keens/ Exodus) --- After my trip through the Diglett’s Cave, I quickly arrived in Vermilion City. Throughout that trip I met a salesman and bought a Thunder Stone for Pikachi who told me himself that he wanted to evolve. Now he’s a Raichu and his permanent name is Raichi, which I think sounds quite cool. But shortly after his evolution, he’s been getting a little weak, and unable to pull off his Electric attacks. I found that out when I lost a battle, and for the first time, had to give some money away to the winner. I wouldn’t use Raichi again until I found a way to make him better. I checked into the local Pokémon Centre and the nurse there told me that Raichi was suffering from Asphyxtacinia, a known illness for Electric-type Pokémon and only a high level jolt of electricity could cure it. I would head out to the Power Plant near Route 9 straight away after beating this Gym Leader. I hastily arrived at the Gym and entered, there were a few suitcases in the corner. “Hey, Gym Leader, I don’t know what’s going on but I request a match with you!” I hollered. “What?! I knew I shoulda locked da front door!” shouted a big man in army clothes. “Excuse me?” “I’m busy, I’m tryin’ ta go on my first holiday in years and now yuh show up!” “You have to accept my challenge. Its the rules.” “Alright, fine, but I’m making dis quick! Two-on-two battle, Go Voltorb!” he shouted hurriedly. “Go, Dragoon!” “Vol-torb!” “Naaaaiiirrrr...” The Gym Leader picked up a megaphone and spoke quickly, “The challenger is usin’ Dragonair, deadlier Lieutenant Surge, usin’ Voltorb, blah blah blah, Voltorb! Swift attack!” “Dragoon, Thunder Wave!” “Nairrrr...” The electricity came up and blocked the flying stars. “Voltorb! Use yer Self Destruct!” He had resorted to desperate measures quickly, he was out to finish the match as soon as possible. “Dragoon, Agility, keep away from that Voltorb!” He warped past the Voltorb and flew upwards using its small wings. “Go get it Voltorb!” It ricocheted off the walls and came up to its level. “Down!” I shouted. The Voltorb exploded, and Dragoon fell to the floor. The Voltorb fell down a little later, totally blackened. Dragoon was damaged, but not defeated. Still I recalled it, just to be safe. “Good work Voltorb, I’ll treat yuh to an exotic dinner later on. Now, finish it off, Pikachu.” “Pika!” “Raichi, I-” I stopped myself, remembering his condition. “Raichi’s hurt, perhaps my Onix would be best.” “Oh look, ana-der chicken.” “Excuse me?” “I may be in a rush, but not enough to bypass da fact dat people who use Ground-type Pokémon in my Gym are chickens. Dey can’t be hurt by Electric attacks.” “I’ll prove you wrong, Kindle!” “Magmar!” “Dat’s better.” “Kindle, Fire Punch!” “Pikachu! Dun-derbolt!” Both attacks met. The Pikachu was burnt and Kindle got shocked. “Kindle, try your Ember!” “Pikachu, Quick Attack!” He got by the flames and pounced on Kindle. “Yuh have ta be faster dan dat.” “Kindle, Smokescreen!” “Mag-Mar!!!” He swung his flame tail around, and the arena was filled with smoke. “Now, Kindle, Fire Punch!” He made his way through the smoke. “Pikachu, don’t let him get close, Dun-derbolt!” “Pika-CHU!!!” He didn’t hit anything. Kindle was working a great sneak attack. “Swift attack!” “Pika!” The stars connected, and though they didn’t do much damage, they tore through the smoke, and the whole thing was dissipating. “Leer!” The Pikachu looked straight into those evil eyes and froze. “Fire Punch!” I shouted. “Mag!!!” “Pika-” It fell down, immersed in flames. “Now Ember!” “Dun-derbolt!” The fire was counteracted by the electricity. “Yer Fire attacks ain’t powerful enough ta get by my Pikachu’s electricity.” “Not without a distraction.” I muttered, “Kindle, Smog!” “Maggg!!!” he groaned, spitting out a cloud of poisonous gas. “Shock dat gas away!” “Chu!” It didn’t work, the gas went through and the Pikachu started coughing. “Confuse Ray!” “Pika...” “Alright, Kindle, finish it up with Ember!” “Mag-MAR!” he shouted breathing the flames. The Pikachu fell down, defeated. “Pikachu!... Arrr, forget it. I’ll heal ya later.” he said recalling the Pikachu and running up to me, he put two items in my hand. The badge and some keys. “Good job and all dat, here’s yer Dun-der Badge, lock up on yer way out and give dose ta Joy in da Pokémon Centre, gotta go! Wait for me!!!” shouted Surge picking up his bags and running out the doors. I followed and locked up, and saw an old war-brand plane taking off really fast. I chuckled a little, that was strange, but at least I got my badge, and quickly. “The Thunder Badge...” I muttered looking it over, a red centre and eight yellow points. I was halfway through getting entry to the Pokémon League, but I had to keep on battling for money to make the remainder of the needed costs, and then win the million credits in the Indigo Stadium. I saw a new challenger on the way out, a mysterious red-head, but she refused to battle for money. She looked depressed, so I left her to deal with her troubles and took the first boat out. It wasn’t first class or even second or third but I had to limit my spending to someday bring round my sister. I just wish I hadn’t had to sit with the farmyard Pokémon on that boat... --- Scott's Third Gym Battle Rick’s Second Gym Battle Back to the Side Stories Back to the Pokézone