"Hahahaha—"
"I'll be waiting for you at the Vermilion Gym~"
"boy~"
"Show me your power!"
The communication screen went dark, but Lt. Surge's oppressive laughter seemed to still echo in the room.
Professor Cerise turned, patted Ash's shoulder, and his voice was gentle but laced with a hint of concern:
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Ash."
"That's just how Lt. Surge's personality is... aggressive, even a bit perverse."
"He's using reverse psychology, putting you on the spot."
"Honestly, for a retired soldier and an active Gym Leader... to use such tactics on you."
Thinking of this, Professor Cerise was also a bit speechless.
—I wonder if the Professor will call him about this?
Professor Oak used to be a formidable fighter in his day.
After so many years of cultivating his character... he probably won't take action himself, right?
"I know, Professor Cerise." Ash's eyes were exceptionally clear, showing no sign of being provoked. Instead, he seemed to be calmly analyzing tactics.
"He wants to force me to challenge him as soon as possible, and I have to show a level of strength that will 'satisfy' him."
"That was my goal for this trip anyway."
Ash was definitely going to get the Orange Badge. He was planning to collect the eight mainstream Gym Badges, not any others.
"It's good that you can think that way." Professor Cerise nodded in relief.
"Come on, I'll give you a brief tour of the lab. Although it was just recently established, some of the equipment is quite interesting."
"Perhaps it will help you relax and think differently."
Professor Cerise wasn't too concerned about whether Ash won or lost. Winning would be great. Losing would just be that. How can one go through life without experiencing failure?
For Pokémon Professors, research failure is a common occurrence. Ninety percent of research plans will fail.
For the next half hour, Professor Cerise led Ash and his two companions on a tour of the laboratory, showing them some of the non-confidential research equipment and projects.
Parker followed excitedly, asking questions about everything.
Chloe quietly held her doll, occasionally whispering a few words to Pikachu.
As for Goh, he trailed at the very back with a gloomy expression, his gaze occasionally darting toward Ash's back, as if plotting something.
After the tour, Ash and his group took their leave.
The moment they stepped out of the laboratory's main gate.
Misty couldn't help but exclaim, "That Lt. Surge is just awful!"
"It's clearly his own problem, yet he's shifting the blame onto you!"
If she didn't know she couldn't win, Misty would be ready to march over and teach Lt. Surge a lesson right now.
"It's a form of pressure and psychological warfare," Brock said, crossing his arms and analyzing calmly.
"He wants to make Ash feel uneasy during the challenge, making it easier for him to reveal weaknesses."
"However, he's underestimated Ash's resilience."
Brock had complete faith in Ash.
As for the reason?
There was no reason.
If he had to say... it was just a feeling, a feeling that inspired confidence.
Some people are born with a strong, charismatic personality.
Ash smiled and didn't say much, just quickening his pace. "Let's head back to the Pokémon Center first. We need to let A.J. know about this."
At least there was one piece of good news: he had introduced A.J. to Professor Cerise, right?
Inside the Pokémon Center.
A.J. was feeding his Sandshrew, whose condition had stabilized, though the gloom on his face hadn't completely lifted.
When he heard Ash recount the communication with Lt. Surge and the promise to 'stop if his performance was satisfactory,' he shot his head up, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"He... How could he do that!" A.J. clenched his fists, feeling both anger towards Lt. Surge and guilt towards Ash.
"Doesn't this mean all the pressure is on you? It's all because of me..."
"No, this has nothing to do with you," Ash interrupted him, his tone firm. "Even without you, I would have challenged him. It's just that now I have one more reason to win in a more spectacular fashion."
"But his Raichu is too strong..." A.J. recalled the terrifying power, still shaken. "My Sandshrew couldn't even take a single hit..."
"That's why we need to come up with a strategy." Ash's gaze swept over his partners.
The Pikachu on his shoulder had a sharp look in its eyes, and in the Poké Balls at his waist were his reliable Gyarados and Pidgeotto.
"Lt. Surge believes in the supremacy of evolution. His Raichu's power and voltage far exceed that of a normal Raichu. A head-on clash would be very disadvantageous."
If Lt. Surge were to use one of his main Pokémon, then it would be impossible for Ash to win.
He hadn't been on his journey for very long. No matter how rapidly he progressed, to beat Lt. Surge's main team... would he have to rely on a cheat?
Unfortunately, his cheat wasn't that powerful.
Based on his current progress, Ash felt that only after winning the Indigo League and becoming an Ace Trainer would he be qualified to face a regular Gym Leader's main team head-on.
The Indigo League Champion is on par with a regular Gym Leader, not the League Champion.
Conference Champion ≈ Gym Leader
Just as the group was huddled together, intensely discussing how to use Pikachu's speed, the Lightning Rod ability, and potential environmental factors against Raichu, a gentle voice interjected.
"Perhaps... this might be of some help to you."
The group turned their heads. Nurse Joy had walked over at some point.
In her hands, she held a small, exquisite box. When she opened it, inside was a yellow stone flashing with a dazzling electric light—a Thunder Stone!
"Nurse Joy?" Ash was a little surprised.
Nurse Joy wore her usual gentle smile, but her eyes held a rare sharpness:
"Gym Leader Surge's recent actions have indeed brought a lot of unnecessary burden and pain to the Pokémon Center and the trainers."
"As a Joy, we hope to see trainers and Pokémon grow together, not have their confidence mercilessly crushed."
She offered the box to Ash. "This Thunder Stone is of no use to me here."
"Pikachu is a very special Pokémon; evolution isn't their only option."
"However, the right to choose should be in your hands."
"Or perhaps, it could become part of your strategy?"
Nurse Joy continued, "If you can... I hope that during the Gym battle, you'll teach that arrogant and conceited guy a good, hard lesson on my behalf, and on behalf of all these injured trainers and Pokémon!"
"Make him understand that the meaning of a Pokémon's existence isn't to mercilessly crush others, but to protect and guide!"
Just as Professor Cerise had said, Nurse Joy was indeed a bit unhappy with Lt. Surge for increasing her workload.
Ordinary Pokémon evolution stones aren't particularly expensive, but the one Nurse Joy brought out was clearly of exceptionally high quality.
Ash looked at the Thunder Stone, which pulsed with energy, then at the determined Pikachu on his shoulder, who clearly had no interest in the evolution stone, and his mind cleared.
He solemnly accepted the box—after all, it was free.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy."
"We'll make good use of this stone."
A confident smile played on Ash's lips.
"As for the lesson... don't worry. I'll include everyone's share and give him a truly 'memorable' battle!"
That's easy to say, but how would he actually handle Lt. Surge?
...Although he had to make good use of the [Lightning Rod] ability, that alone wasn't enough to win.
"Then here's a little tip for you~~" Seeing Ash accept the evolution stone, Nurse Joy was clearly very satisfied.
"Lt. Surge won't use his original main team against a rookie."
"But apart from his main team, his other Raichu aren't very skilled in speed."
"All of Lt. Surge's Pikachu evolved into Raichu far too early."
____
New Story: Stardew Valley: What Do You Mean They All Became My Servants
✅ Gain early access to 40 chapters for all stories.
✅ Enjoy exclusive content and special announcements.
We have set new community milestones:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for all readers
🚀 180 MEMBERS = +5 additional chapters for all series!
👻 P - Walnutchan