Chapter 31: Vermilion Gym
Clatter—!
Early in the morning, Ash dreamed that apples were falling from the sky.
Bonk!
A crisp thud struck Ash right on the forehead.
"Eh? So it wasn't a dream!"
Ash sat up, rubbing his head.
"Pika pika~"
Pikachu had already dodged to the side long ago. Seeing Ash's confused expression, it burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"Geh geh geh (●'皿'●)..."
Gengar floated beside Ash, mouth stretched wide, laughing right along with Pikachu.
"Hehe, Ash, looks like Gengar really does like you."
Dressed and refreshed early as usual, Verity and Piplup stood at the doorway, already used to Gengar's presence over the past two days, watching the lively scene with amusement.
"Alright, alright~"
Ash laughed helplessly. "Let me get up and make breakfast."
He rolled out of bed, and Pikachu followed as they washed up together.
Gengar drifted after Ash, tailing him through the room like a drifting purple balloon.
Sorrel had already toasted the bread. All that was left for breakfast was to fry some eggs and bacon and toss together a simple salad.
Soon, breakfast was ready, and the three fed their Pokémon as well.
Naturally, Gengar plopped itself down beside Pikachu and the others to eat, too.
After spending the past two days together, Pikachu and the rest had grown used to this mischievous purple lump and treated him like part of the family.
Sorrel sipped his coffee and peeked over the newspaper.
"Ash, what's the plan for today? Heading to the park to look for battles again?"
"Heh, today I'm first! Bellsprout and I are going to secure ten victories in a row!"
Verity declared with fiery passion.
Bellsprout, still eating: (:3ゝ∠)
… Look at my tiny arms and legs…
"Poka poka~"
Piplup patted Bellsprout sympathetically.
Finally, someone to share the suffering. Hang in there, Bellsprout!
Ash chewed his bread and looked up in thought.
"Today… I want to check out the Vermilion Gym first. I'm guessing Lt. Surge is back. If we fight the Vermilion Gym… it's probably going to be a tough one."
"That military Gym Leader, huh~"
Sorrel nodded. "Based on what trainers at the Pokémon Center said, his battle style is extremely intense. Most who lose end up hospitalized…"
"That's terrifying…"
Verity stuck out her tongue. "That guy's either a Spartan or a total psycho. That Flareon we saw yesterday was practically charred black!"
Ash nodded.
"Pure overwhelming force. Lt. Surge is a Gym Leader who values brute power. We need to prepare for everything."
He turned to Gengar, eyes filled with expectation.
"Buddy, I may need your strength today. So—have you decided? Want to come with me?"
"Gengaa!"
Without a hint of hesitation, Gengar whipped out its long scarlet tongue and slapped Ash right across the face.
"Ahem… looks like he agreed. Ash, you okay?"
Sorrel laughed awkwardly.
"No problem~"
Ash calmly wiped his face and took a sip of Acia-herb juice.
"After all the times I've rubbed cheeks with Pikachu, I'm basically immune to paralysis moves by now…"
"Pika!]"
"Gengaa!"
Pikachu and Gengar exchanged a knowing grin.
Training Ash's body and spirit was absolutely their responsibility…
Ash pulled out a Poké Ball, tossed it lightly, and Gengar hopped up to meet it, letting itself be captured effortlessly.
"Squirtle squirtle! (I'm going home to train for a while.)"
Ash had already discussed it with Squirtle. After breakfast, the shiny-headed little guy put on his sunglasses, waved goodbye, and entered his Poké Ball to be transferred back to Professor Oak's lab.
And just like that, Gengar officially joined Ash's battle roster.
"Alright then, preparations complete. Let's go meet Lt. Surge."
Ash stood up.
Verity and Sorrel nodded, packed their things, and checked out of the villa.
As for the house… no one knew if it would one day become the Cerise Laboratory again—but at least Gengar had a home now.
The massive building at Vermilion City's port—Lt. Surge's Vermilion Gym—was one of the largest and strongest Gyms in all of Kanto.
Staring at the heavy-metal lightning bolt sign and the neon-colored, punk-haired guards at the entrance, Ash couldn't help but think…
Lt. Surge really was a decent guy.
These thuggish-looking guards weren't core Gym members at all.
They were delinquents from around Vermilion City whom Lt. Surge had rounded up after taking office… to give them a path to reform.
And if they misbehaved?
That was no concern. Lt. Surge and his core squad ran strict military-style management—guaranteed to make these punks cry in rhythm.
Perhaps only a man like Lt. Surge could earn such complete respect from street hooligans.
"Halt! No entry without permission to Vermilion Gym!"
As Ash's group approached, two rainbow-colored rooster-heads blocked their way.
A girl in a leather jacket and mini-skirt, lip piercing glinting, stepped forward.
"State your purpose!"
Ash took a confident step forward.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I'm here to challenge Vermilion Gym!"
"Pika Pikachu!"
Pikachu pumped a tiny fist in determination.
"Pfft! You? Challenge Lt. Surge? With that Pikachu?"
One of the punks snorted.
The ringleader girl shook her head with a mocking smile.
"You guys should quit while you can. Don't embarrass yourselves."
"Pika? ?????～"
Pikachu was instantly offended. Who were they looking down on?!
Even Sorrel and Verity frowned.
This hospitality was seriously unpleasant.
Ash, however, wasn't angry at all.
"Whether we can do it or not… we'll only know after the battle. I don't think it's your place to stop us."
"Hey! You picking a fight, kid?"
The rooster-head on the right stormed up and tried to shove Ash.
Ash didn't dodge.
He just smiled and stared at the punk.
Come on, go ahead, hit me.
If you touch me, it'll count as self-defense.
And then I'll snap your arm like a celery stick~
Ash thought excitedly…
"Wait!"
A deep voice cut through the tension.
The three punks instantly stiffened and lined up straight.
"Deputy Captain Tony!"
A towering, nearly two-meter-tall man with sunglasses and sausage-thick lips stepped out.
Ash sighed in disappointment—his attempt at getting sucker-punched failed.
Tony lifted a brow.
"You've got courage. You're here for a challenge?"
Ash nodded.
"That's right!"
"Then follow me."
Tony turned around.
On his way past the punks—
Smack! Smack!
He slapped the two men across their heads.
"How many times have I told you? We serve the people. Are your ears stuffed with mule hair?!"
"Sorry!"
The three bowed their heads immediately.
Tony looked at the girl.
"You're lucky you're a girl. Otherwise I'd have hit you too. Remember this."
Then he turned back to Ash's group, expression switching to polite friendliness.
"Sorry you had to see that. Come, follow me."
Ash, Verity, and Sorrel exchanged a look, then followed Tony inside the Gym.
"This is the real staff of the Vermilion Gym… definitely military style."
Sorrel murmured.
"Ash, be careful."
Verity whispered.
"No worries~ I'm a certified iron-blooded tough guy. Watch me shine."
Ash grinned brightly.
This Vermilion Gym… was far more interesting than the one he challenged before.
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
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