Early morning, on the way to Vermilion City, Paul and Ash and his party were travelling together again.
Except...
Ash gave Paul a sideways glance. "Paul, don't bring the mood down, okay? It makes me lose my energy."
Paul sighed dramatically. "Oh, the first day away from Cynthia, I miss her."
Everyone internally: * Get a grip! *
Early this morning, Cynthia had left Paul a letter and already departed for the excavation site in the Grand Canyon. From the sounds of it, she would return to Sinnoh after finishing her work there.
Paul was devastated, and with a clouded face, he set off with Ash's group.
"Okay Paul, cheer up. Didn't Miss Cynthia leave a letter for you? You will see her again when you return to Sinnoh," Melanie comforted Paul from the side.
"Oh, I know," Paul sighed.
"Okay! We're going to Vermilion City soon! Let's go, turn left!" Ash tried to get Paul's attention.
"Turning left leads back into the forest, Ash. Are you trying to get me lost so you can inherit my stuff?" Paul walked towards the only road to Vermilion City without looking back, shoulders slumped.
Misty sighed on the side: "Men, really useless."
Brock looked sympathetic. "I can understand him. What is this thing called love, that makes people act this way?"
"Crack!" With a familiar sound, Gible appeared uninvited, latched onto Paul's head, and began to gnaw affectionately.
"Gib?" Gible looked at Paul suspiciously. * Why didn't you resist? If you don't resist, it's no fun! *
"Gible... Garchomp... Cynthia..." Paul pulled Gible off his head, hugged the little land shark, and started a new wave of moping.
"Gib Gib Gib!" Gible waved its little hand, and a post-it note slapped onto Paul's face.
"Huh?" Paul took it down suspiciously.
The elegant handwriting was clearly Cynthia's, but it had been crossed out with two lines after being written.
But the content could still be vaguely seen: "Little Paul, I had a great time these few days. Keep it up! I'll be waiting for you in Sinnoh..."
"Huh?!!" Paul regained his energy instantly. * I knew it! * How could Cynthia only leave a very official farewell letter? It turned out that what she wanted to say was difficult to express; she wrote it and then tried to obliterate it. * Unexpectedly, Gible had kept it hidden, and now it was stuck to Paul's head, seeing the light of day again! *
"Alright!!" Paul cheered up suddenly. * That's right, self pity won't help. All I can do now is become stronger! Become strong enough to stand alongside Cynthia! *
"That's it, Gible! You've made a contribution, and you'll be rewarded with the chance to challenge the Vermilion Gym. When we arrive in Vermilion City, start special training immediately!!"
Gible looked panicked: * I'm still a baby! *
The group didn't understand why Paul suddenly got fired up, but they were very happy to see him cheer up.
Without Ash leading the way, the group marched smoothly and saw the sign board for Vermilion City within the morning.
"Oh my god, we're here? This time, I didn't get lost!! Hooray!!" Misty rejoiced.
Ash: "What? Impossible! My sense of direction isn't wrong!"
Paul: "* Kid, give it up. Finding the way isn't for you. You can't handle it. Leave it to the experts! *"
All in all, they had arrived!
"Hurry up and go to the Vermilion Gym!!" Ash shouted passionately.
Grabbing Ash, who wanted to charge off immediately, Brock said helplessly, "We've been walking all morning, the Pokémon must be hungry."
"Besides, after so many days in the wild, we should first get the Pokémon checked and restore their strength," Paul added reasonably.
"Darn it! You guys, how could you give in to hunger?!" Ash struggled frantically.
Then, grrrrowl, a thunderous sound came from Ash's stomach...
Ash smiled awkwardly: "Hahaha... Or, let's go to the Pokémon Center first."
"You guys go first. I'll take Melanie to the airport first, and then go to the Pokémon Center," Paul said, taking Melanie to separate from Ash's group temporarily.
First, they went to the shopping street to buy some local souvenirs and some snacks for the road. Paul carefully helped Melanie straighten her appearance.
After buying the ticket, Paul saw Melanie off onto the plane to Sinnoh at the Vermilion Airport.
"Be careful on the road. My brother will pick you up at the airport. I hope you can start a new life in Sinnoh," Paul sincerely blessed.
"Thank you Paul. Reggie and I are waiting for you to come home to Sinnoh," Melanie had already settled comfortably into the 'sister-in-law' dynamic these past few days and was adept at interacting with Paul.
Saying goodbye to Melanie, Paul let out a long breath. * Brother, it's up to you now. *
After finishing these trivial matters, Paul casually headed to the Pokémon Center. * Whoa, so lively? *
There was a long queue of young trainers waiting to see Nurse Joy, holding Pokémon that looked like they had just crawled out of a coal mine.
"Tsk, Lt. Surge really isn't merciless when battling kids." Paul shook his head and looked around for Ash.
Honestly, Paul didn't sympathize much with these trainers. Why? As a city in the middle of the Kanto region, the Vermilion City Gym Leader had obviously increased his strength level.
But look at what Pokémon these challengers were using? * Oh, Rattata? Oddish? Caterpie? Pidgey? Are you kidding me? *
* If you don't have the tactical strength, don't challenge the dignity of established Gym Leaders, okay? *
* However, if I used a Rattata with a Focus Sash to guarantee survival, maybe I could pull off a F.E.A.R. strategy? * Paul rubbed his chin, his mind filled with unconventional tactics. (F.E.A.R.: Rattata, Focus Sash, Endeavor, Quick Attack. Figure out the rest.)
"Paul, here, here!" Paul looked back, and Ash, who was buried in his food, waved his hands vigorously.
Coming over to Ash and sitting down, Paul looked at him curiously. "You didn't challenge?"
Ash almost choked. "I... I'm going! Um, I'll go after eating!"
Misty covered her mouth and laughed secretly. "He must be scared. After all, Lt. Surge hits so hard."
"Who said that!!" Ash slapped the table. * Calling me cowardly? I'm the number one reckless kid from Pallet Town, you say I'm cowardly! *
"Okay, let's eat first. Rice grains are spraying out, hey!" Paul tilted his head to avoid Ash's unintentional rice spray, comforting them helplessly.
"What about you Paul, don't you want to challenge?" Brock asked.
"I'm going, but I need to complete Gible's training first." After speaking, Paul patted Ash, turned, and went to the backyard of the Pokémon Center.
Finding a quiet training ground, Paul released all the Pokémon in his pocket.
"Today, everyone, train by yourselves first. Gible, come here." Paul grabbed Gible, who wanted to run off and play, and stared at it.
"Gib~gibble~" Gible wrung its hands and looked at Paul nervously.
Ignoring Gible's attempts to look cute, Paul opened his Pokédex and carefully scanned Gible's status.
It had been half a month since Gible hatched, and after proper feeding by Paul, the little guy's energy base had reached level 25. He had left the infancy stage and reached the elite level.
The moves learned were: Sandstorm, Bite, Dragon Rage, Slam, Dig, Sand Tomb. And, specially taught by Cynthia's Garchomp: Draco Meteor!
* Well, the moves should be enough for tactics, combined with its Sand Veil ability. No problem! * Paul grabbed Gible with both hands, showing a terrifying smile.
Gible looked scared: * Don't come here! *
"Gible, look!" Paul took out the Dragon Scale from the giant Dragonite. The rich dragon energy made Gible salivate.
"Gib Gib Gib!" * I want it, give it to me! *
"If you want it, just win the Vermilion Gym battle, and it will be yours," Paul tempted.
"Gib Gib!" Gible jumped three feet high, slapping its chest confidently. * Leave it to me! I was born to battle the Vermilion Gym! *
"Okay, then start the special training. You have to do this, that, and that..."
Gible's eyes became brighter and brighter, and it nodded repeatedly. * Got to hand it to the trainer... Not bad, not bad at all! *
"Come on, try it!" Paul clapped his hands and said.
"Crack!" Gible's two small claws suddenly kicked up violent wind and sand, then it plunged into the ground like a Diglett, popping in and out, constantly changing its position.
The corner of Paul's mouth lifted. * Lt. Surge, just you wait. *
Two hours later...
"Paul, are you still training?" Brock's voice came.
"Oh, you guys are back?" Paul looked at Brock and Misty.
"Where's Ash? How did the gym battle go?"
"A total defeat," Misty said, a little disappointed. Ash's loss also indirectly reflected poorly on the Cerulean Gym.
"Ash is with Pikachu in the treatment room. I'm afraid this time it was a big blow to Pikachu," Brock also said in a low tone.
"Well, it's okay." Paul shrugged, then looked at Gible in the swirling sandstorm. "Gible, it's over, come back."
Recalling Gible, Paul got up to find Nurse Joy to restore his Pokémon. Before leaving, he turned to look at Brock and Misty.
"There is nothing to worry about. He is Ash. I believe he will use his own way to overcome difficulties and get the badge. He is the most unexpected person from Pallet Town. Ash who never takes the usual path. He will overcome this challenge and keep going, never stopping!"
Leaving the backyard, Paul restored his Pokémon's strength, and then walked briskly to his destination: the Vermilion Gym.
The golden thunderbolt logo shone brightly. The rich metal, the tough, muscular style, and the aura of raw power gushed out. This was the Vermilion Gym!
When he reached the gate of the gymnasium, Paul paused, then raised his leg and kicked the gate open.
Boom! Amidst the loud sound of the door breaking, Paul entered the gymnasium confidently.
The two gym apprentices guarding the entrance looked at Paul viciously. One man and one woman, the two rough looking trainers resembled street delinquents.
In fact, they were delinquents, but the delinquents in Vermilion City were all fans of Lt. Surge, so the local law and order was surprisingly good.
"You've got some nerve! Do you know where this is?" the man in leather with a shaved head and earrings shouted.
"Vermilion Gym, isn't it? I'm here to challenge the gym," Paul spread his hands indifferently.
"You?" The woman with wavy hair in a sleeveless sports top folded her arms, looking proud. She reported into the gym: "Master, there is another victim."
"Oh? Let me see." Lt. Surge, who looked close to two meters tall, wearing a camouflage jacket over his muscular body, walked forward with his bare chest showing impressive abs.
"I am Paul from Veilstone City, and I wish to challenge the Vermilion Gym!" Facing the Gym Leader, Paul still maintained a degree of courtesy towards the strong.
"Oh, baby! Welcome to Vermilion City!" Contrary to expectations, the towering man walked up and hugged Paul enthusiastically.
Paul looked shocked and uncomfortable: * No need! *
In the end, he shook hands with Lt. Surge, and Paul felt a cold sweat. * This guy is huge! Scary! *
"Although you are still a baby, I will not show mercy," Lt. Surge said politely, but his tone still slightly underestimated Paul.
"Tch, you're the baby, muscle baby!" Paul replied rudely.
"No, no, no. Those who lose to me are called babies," Lt. Surge said solemnly.
"Then come on! Whoever loses is the baby!" Paul took out a Poké Ball and looked at Lt. Surge.
"Okay, let's go!" Lt. Surge waved his hand, and his apprentices hurriedly cleared the area, opening up the battlefield.
The lights of the arena shone brightly, and an official referee began to introduce the rules. "Starting now, the Vermilion City Gym battle! The rules of the Vermilion Gym are one on one. Please have the Gym Leader send out his Pokémon first."
Paul stood firmly at the challenger's position. After battling in gyms for so long, he finally encountered one with complete facilities and an official referee!
"Come on, baby! Let me show you my ace! Go, Raichu!!!" Lt. Surge threw out his Poké Ball and released his favorite Pokémon, Raichu!
* Sure enough, it was Raichu *, Paul smiled inwardly.
"Next, please have the challenger send out their Pokémon," the referee's voice sounded.
"Ready for battle! Gible!" Paul waved his hand, and Gible stepped onto the battlefield.
"The battle begins!!"
Lt. Surge sneered. "A baby's Pokémon is indeed a baby. Don't be scared and cry."
Paul: "You won't be laughing soon. Gible, Sandstorm!!"
Gible nodded seriously, and with a wave of its small paw, a violent sandstorm kicked up dust across the field! Along with the swirling sand, Gible's figure gradually faded and disappeared.
"What?" Lt. Surge was surprised. * Disappeared? *
"Raichu, use Thunderbolt to disperse the dust!" Lt. Surge commanded.
Raichu unleashed ferocious electrical bursts.
Boom! After the explosion, the sandstorm in the field remained.
The corner of Paul's mouth curled up. "The power of Sandstorm cannot be negated by Electric type moves."
"Damn! What a tricky baby. Raichu, defend your position! When the opponent shows up, use Mega Punch!" Lt. Surge clearly had experience, but would Paul let him dictate the battle?
"Gible, Sand Tomb and immediately use Dig!"
The little land shark smirked, quickly moved to Raichu's side, and slapped the ground near Raichu's feet. The ground sank instantly, trapping Raichu firmly in the swirling sand.
Then, before Raichu could swing its fist, Gible plunged into the ground, leaving only a hole, much to Raichu's dismay.
The harsh sandstorm slapped Raichu's face, while the quicksand below mixed with the dirt. Raichu looked at Lt. Surge, almost wanting to cry.
"Raichu, break free!!" Lt. Surge commanded, getting frustrated. If this continued, Raichu would lose without even landing a hit.
Raichu, receiving the instruction, began to twist its body vigorously in an attempt to get rid of the Sand Tomb's grip.
"Don't be in a hurry, we'll play some more," Paul ordered calmly while looking at his fingernails. "Gible, Bite!"
"Crack!" Gible suddenly erupted from the quicksand right under Raichu and clamped its jaws onto Raichu's head...
Raichu looked terrified!!
"Okay, let's end it! Draco Meteor!"
Gible lifted Raichu towards the sky with its powerful jaws, and immense dragon energy slowly formed in its belly. Finally, boom!! It spewed forth, launching a massive energy meteorite into the air along with Raichu. The meteorite then fragmented into smaller burning meteors that scattered downwards.
Boom... Accompanied by the sound of impacts, Raichu closed its eyes, defeated.
"The match is over! Raichu is unable to battle!" The referee's voice declared the outcome!
"Crack!" Gible stretched out its small paw, holding up two little fingers triumphantly. * I won! *
Recalling their Pokémon, Lt. Surge walked freely in front of Paul and offered a handshake.
"Congratulations. This is proof you defeated me: the Thunder Badge."
After receiving the badge, Paul carefully put it away and bowed slightly. "Thank you for the battle."
"It was a pleasure, Paul! I look forward to seeing your performance in the Indigo League!" Lt. Surge led his apprentices in giving Paul sincere applause.
"Thank you everyone." Paul hugged Gible and smiled. * These people are actually not bad. *
Paul's strength had earned Lt. Surge's recognition.
After bidding farewell to Lt. Surge, Paul's task in Vermilion City was basically completed.
Paul looked at the sky. * Let's rest in Vermilion City today. Let's sleep and think about which city to head to next. *