Autumn was giving way to winter and yet the sun still shone bright over Vermillion City. Ash looked out of his room in the pokémon center and at the port city beyond.

Wingulls cried overhead as people went about their business. A calm ocean glimmered under the late autumn sun and the sea breeze carried salt tinged air throughout the town. There were no skyscrapers in sight but there were still more people gathered together than Ash had seen in a very long time.

Ash tugged on his new jacket. During the weeks of travel between Lin-Yi Pokémon Center and the city, Ash had managed to stop by a small village and replace his destroyed clothing and sleeping bag. It had been a relief not to have to borrow things from Brock and Misty anymore.

Ah, civilization! Pikachu exclaimed while he was lying back Ash's bed. How I've missed it! How good it is to return to the joys of television and free electricity!

You better not have been chewing on any wires, Ash warned. I don't have the money to pay for damages.

Don't worry, Pikachu waved away his trainer's concerns. I know how to not get caught.

Didn't we meet because Professor Oak caught you chewing on his wires? And didn't you say that people usually captured and released you away from them?

Okay, maybe I've made the occasional mistake and gotten caught, Pikachu admitted, sitting up. But come on, there's so many places to get a quick shock in a city like this!

No! Ash scolded, wagging a finger at Pikachu.

Spoilsport, Pikachu muttered, crossing his forepaws and turning his back to Ash.

Look, Ash sighed, the gym here specializes in electric types. Maybe after I get my advancement, we can ask them about legal ways to let you eat electricity or something.

Fine, Pikachu sighed as well, turning around to face his trainer. We're doing that later today, right?

Yep! Ash replied. I need the funds. But first, we need to get everyone fed.

The two of them left their room (the pokémon center had enough vacancies for Brock, Misty, and Ash to each get a separate room) and then stopped by the cafeteria to grab a bag of pokéchow to go. Food in hand, Ash ventured out of the pokémon center and into the city.

He pulled his jacket tighter as the cool breeze washed over him. Ash sighed, knowing that winter wasn't far off. He recalled the winters in Lavender Town, where none of the local pokémon were active and there was nothing to do but sit in a cave and struggle to study.

They found a mostly deserted park. Ash let the rest of his team out of their pokéballs and then divvied up the food.

Winter's coming and I don't need to fatten up, Pidgeotto sighed as she pecked at her food. If I had known that being a trained pokémon would so nice then I would have gotten caught years ago.

Meh, food can be found just about anywhere if you know where to look, Bulbasaur said between mouthfuls.

And maybe it takes too much energy to look, thank you very much, Pidgeotto shot back.

There's always food in dumpsters and the like, Pikachu said. I mean it's not good, but if you feel like eating something after snacking on electricity and don't feel like going back to the forest, it's convenient.

That's gross, Ash and Charmander said in unison.

I know humans don't have the best diets, but it wasn't that bad!

I can't tell if I like this stuff or not, Squirtle said as he picked at his pokéchow. I mean it's filling, but it just doesn't taste exciting…..

I know what you mean! Butterfree replied, flapping his wings. And the texture is strange too! Nothing like leaves!

Everyone continued to chatter as the team ate. Once they were done, everyone huddled around Ash.

Okay, so later today we're going to fight a gym battle. Hopefully we'll get a badge and some money out of it. Ash told his assembled team. They're supposed to specialize in electric types.

I'm sitting this one out, Pidgeotto said without hesitation. I get shocked enough by the yellow menace on the team.

Hey! Pikachu protested, shooting a glare at Pidgeotto.

Ugh, electric types, Squirtle groaned. Me and the squad never tried to fight them if we could help it. Do you mind if I just listen to how you handle them?

Sure, Ash nodded. Does anyone else want to sit the gym out?

Buttefree, Charmander, Pikachu, and Bulbasaur all shook their heads.

You sure Butterfree? Ash asked. They'll have type advantage on you.

That's okay, Butterfree replied. That just means I'll just have to not get hit.

Okay, Ash nodded and then turned to address the team as a whole. You've all trained against Pikachu so you should have some idea of what to do. Don't wait for my instructions, just dodge right away.

I've never trained against Pikachu, Pikachu said with a smirk. Whatever shall I do?

Hmmm….. Ash hummed, walking to behind Pikachu. I'm told that TICKLING- He bent over and his hands darted forward to catch Pikachu, his fingers digging into the pokémon's sides- is a good strategy to use against pikachus!

Hey! Pikachu managed to choke out between fits of laughter as his trainer tortured him. Stop that!

Never! Ash grinned.

Why you- Pikachu scrunched his cheeks in preparation for an attack, but Ash saw what was happening. He let go of Pikachu and darted around the yellow pokémon, letting the sudden shock pass through the space he had previously occupied and then resumed tickling his starter.

You're getting predictable, Ash grinned.

Fine! I surrender! Pikachu cried out as he squirmed. Ash quit tickling him.

Gah, I hate you so much, Pikachu muttered as he got back up.

The rest of Ash's team started laughing at that statement. Pikachu glared at them all.

What is this, pick on Pikachu day? He asked, crossing his arms and pouting.

No, Ash said, reaching down to rub the top of the electric type's head. But it is 'get a little payback' day.

Oh, fine, Pikachu muttered. Let's just go deal with this gym.

Ash stopped back by the pokémon center, meeting up with Brock and Misty, and then heading to the gym with the other two humans.

"So, Aaron," Brock said, his voice not quite sounding as casual as he probably intended, "where have you been today?"

Ash sighed. Ever since they left the Yin-Li Pokémon Center, Brock had been almost hovering over him. It had been hard to get a moment of privacy for the first week after they had resumed travelling. Ash couldn't figure out what the gym leader's problem had been, but thankfully Brock had toned it down after a week. He still had the tendency to try and track Ash's movements and he got testy when Ash went off without telling him about it first, but at least Ash could train in private.

"I fed my pokémon at the park," Ash replied, rolling his eyes.

"Okay." Brock said, his voice still pseudo-casual. "Uh, maybe in the future you can let someone know ahead of time before you go somewhere like that? Just so it's easier to find you if we need you?"

"Sure," Ash rolled his eyes again.

"Smell that sea air! Ah, now this is a proper port city," Misty said, staring out at the ocean as they passed by some docks. "It's so nice to be able to just walk from the pokémon center to the ocean."

"Couldn't you do that at your home?" Ash asked.

"No," Misty groaned. "It was a long walk to the river from the gym and you had to commute to port town if you wanted to get to the ocean. If I wanted to go to there, I needed to take the bus or ask my sisters for a ride." She shuddered while saying the last part.

Misty hadn't treated him much differently since they left the Yin-Li Pokémon Center. The only strange thing that Ash noticed about her was that she occasionally watched him, looking concerned. It might have been his imagination, but he thought it seemed to happen most often the mornings after he had a nightmare.

It was weird, but whatever was happening with her was less annoying than what was happening with Brock, so Ash just ignored it.

"Was it really so bad?" Brock asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes!" Misty exclaimed, hands up in a gesture of frustration. "They kept talking about romance and asking if I've met anyone, or if I wanted to take up acting, or synchronized swimming, or commit to underwater dancing. Ugh! No matter how many times I told them I want to focus on pokémon training, they wouldn't listen!"

"Well-"

"And don't you try any of that 'they care about you' older sibling crap!" Misty growled, wagging her finger under Brock's nose. "It doesn't change how annoying they were!"

"Okay," Brock said, palms up in surrender and then turned to Ash. "So, Aaron, do you have a strategy in mind for the gym?"

"Maybe," Ash shrugged. "It depends on what they have me do."

"You don't have a general strategy for dealing with electric types?" Brock asked.

He alternates between insulting them, making them worry, and tickling them, Pikachu huffed from Ash's shoulder.

"I guess? I've told my pokémon to do whatever they do against Pikachu at first," Ash told Brock. "I'll just tell them to do other stuff later."

"Well, if it works, it works." Brock shrugged.

They came to the Vermillion City Gym. It looked like a warehouse at first glance; squat, old, scuffed, and utilitarian. But someone had decorated the exterior with plaster yellow lightning bolts that crossed under the sign announcing that the building was the gym.

A few dejected looking people loitered outside.

"Is there a line?" Ash asked one of them.

"Depends, are you here to challenge the gym or are you here to use the pokémon center that's attached to the gym?" a glum young woman asked, arms crossed and staring down at her shoes.

"There's a pokémon center attached to the gym?" Ash inquired.

"Yeah," the woman said. "I'm waiting for my pokémon now. Surge doesn't really believe in holding back."

"I heard some gossip about that," Brock commented, stroking his chin. "Surge believes in tough love. An attached pokémon center means he can be even tougher."

"He needs to learn to hold back, that's what he needs to learn," the woman said and then sighed. "My poor Sudowoodo."

"But is there a line to challenge the gym?" Ash asked again.

"No, but I imagine you'll be in this line soon," the young woman said darkly.

"Okay! Thanks!" Ash said smiling and giving her a wave before he rushed into the gym.

Ash gave his trainer's license to the receptionist at the front desk, who entered his information, gave him back his card, and waved him on. Ash thanked her and almost ran through the door.

He entered into a large dark room. The pokéraised child looked around, trying to figure out where he should go from there.

"Hello!?" Ash cupped his hands around his mouth and called out into the darkness. "Is anyone there?"

Lights clicked and flickered on, revealing an industrial looking stadium consisting of sparse brown concrete walls and floors. There were two clear dividers, with some small sliding panels, one on either side of the room. Ash recognized them as the trainer safety barriers.

On the other side of the room stood three men, lounging about, leaning on walls and pillars. They were all wearing dark green uniforms that looked like military uniforms from out of Ash's old textbooks. One had dark brown hair, one had bluish black hair, and the third one, a giant of a man, had spiky blond hair.

"Well, well, well, a tyke has come to play!" The blonde man boomed. "Awww, he brought his widdle baby pokémon too!"

Keep talking bub, Pikachu muttered from Ash's shoulder. I will enjoy making you choke on those words.

"I like their dramatic reveal," Ash heard Brock mutter behind him.

"Didn't you used to have one too?" Misty asked quietly.

"Yeah. I'd wait at the back of the gym, standing on a platform with the lights off," Brock replied.

"What is with you gym leaders and your dramatic reveals? I really don't see the appeal."

"Oh, you will after you take over the Cerulean Gym."

"I'm here for the badge!" Ash shouted back at the gym leader, ignoring the whispering behind him. "Who do I have to fight to get it!?"

"Spunky ain't ya!" The blonde man shouted, walking around the divider and towards Ash. "Well, if you want the badge- " He stopped in the middle of his sentence when he got close enough to see Ash's companions. "Brock!? Misty!? What are you two doing here?"

"Hi Surge!" Misty said, waving at the man.

"Hello Lieutenant," Brock said. "Don't mind us, we're just tagging along with Aaron here."

"Why would you be doing that now?" Lieutenant Surge asked, walking up to the group.

"It's a long story," Brock said, shaking the gym leader's hand. "For now, I'll just say that Aaron is a trouble magnet!"

"Hey!"

"Oh, go four months without a major event and then you can protest," Misty said, crossing her arms and turning her head away from Ash.

She's right, you know, Pikachu muttered from on Ash's shoulder.

"I- I'll -" Ash sputtered, trying to defend himself. "Sometimes these things happen in different years!"

"I hope you're better at battling than you are at helping your case, otherwise this is going to be a very boring match," Surge said, smirking and looking down at Ash.

"Hey! No one asked you!" Ash shouted, turning to Surge. "Can we just battle?"

"Straight to the point, eh?" Surge continued to smirk. "How many badges do ya got?"

"I've got two!" Ash shouted back. "Boulder and Cascade!"

"And you've also got a trainer from one of those gyms and the leader from the other following you." Surge quirked an eyebrow at Brock and Misty.

"For reasons completely unrelated to the badges," Brock replied. "It's part of that long story. We'll explain after his match."

"Can't wait to hear that story," Surge smirked before turning back to Ash. "Alright, here's the rules. You'll be battling the three of us here. Three matches, one on one each time. You need two wins to get the badge."

"Do I get anything for beating all three?" Ash asked eagerly.

"Getting pretty far ahead of yourself there. You probably ain't gonna win a single match, let alone all three. And, no, there's no extra prize for winning all three."

"Fine! Let's get started then!" Ash said, looking around the gym. He saw some white paint on the floor and a circle by the center of one of the clear dividers. "I stand there, right?"

"Yep." Surge nodded and then turned to the two men on the other side of the room and shouted. "Baily, you're up first!"

"On it boss," the man with bluish black hair nodded. He stepped forward, opened one of the panels, and threw a pokéball. White light shone and an electrode stood on the field.

I love it when we go first, the electrode sighed. It means we get to mess up this nice clean arena….

Ash grabbed a pokéball from his belt, slid open a panel, and threw his own pokéball.

"Go, Charmander!" He cried, Charmander appearing in a flash of light. "Do your best!"

You can do it Charmander! Pikachu added his own cheer, pumping his clenched forepaws in excitement.

Sure Ash! Sure Pikachu! Charmander exclaimed. He looked at the electrode and fidgeted. Umm…. You never taught me what to say to my opponent before a fight now that I think of it…..

"Alright, standard rules apply here," Surge said, walking around the arena to get a better vantage point. "You fight until one pokémon can't fight any longer. Non-lethal attacks only. Understand?"

"Yes," Ash nodded.

"Then what are you two waiting for!" Surge boomed. "Get started!"

"Charmander, dodge and Ember!" Ash ordered, not wasting a second.

Charmander jumped to the side, opening his mouth and letting loose a stream of small scarlet-orange flames. At the same time, without prompting from its trainer, the electrode blasted through the space where Charmander had been standing with a powerful bolt of electricity. The bolt missed and the electrode was pelted with fire and left covered in small burns.

Ash was too focused on the fight to see Surge nod approvingly at the exchange.

"Rollnold, Sonic Storm!" Baily shouted.

The electrode, Rollnold, began to spin in place and small shockwaves boomed through the air towards Charmander, making the space between them look like the clearest of rippling water. The small fire type tried to dodge, but there were too many attacks. Charmander squeaked in pain as he was pelted by the waves and sent rolling across the arena floor.

"Charmander, duck, dodge, and weave!" Ash shouted. "Like we practiced! And when you see a chance, then use Dragonbreath!"

Charmander picked himself up just as the stream of shockwaves tracked to his new location, tearing up the arena floor and battering the safety barrier as they sought the small orange pokémon. Ash's pokémon ducked under the attacks and ran to the side. The waves tracked him again and the fire type jumped over them, a faint yellow-green glow growing in his mouth.

A misty pale beam of the same color spewed forth from Charamnder's jaws, speeding towards Rollnold. It was intercepted by yet more shockwaves that tore into the center of the beam and cut it to ribbons. Charmander was once again blasted by the attack.

He took several straight to his open mouth and was sent flying into the safety barriers. There was a loud thud that made Ash's teeth hurt and the entire barrier vibrated. Charmander was left stuck to the barrier like a bird that had hit a window, before gravity's hold slowly peeled him off. He fell limp to the ground.

Ouch, Pikachu winced in sympathy.

I don't, I don't- Charmander muttered something while he tried to push himself back to his feet, but his trembling limbs wouldn't support him. He collapsed flat on the ground.

"And the firebug's down," Surge's booming voice announced. "Match one for my guys."

Ash recalled Charmander while Bailey recalled Rollnold.

You did good, the pokéraised child quietly told the fire-type in his ball. Rest now.

"Aww, giving your widdle baby pokémon a pep talk?" Surge smirked at Ash. "Maybe you should spend your time working on that glass jaw of his instead!"

Ash grit his teeth and clenched his fists. He put Charmander's pokéball back on his belt and turned to face the arena.

He knew that he should be taking a deep breath, that he should be trying to calm down. But Ash wasn't really in the mood for that. The pokéraised boy just wanted to wipe that smirk off the gym leader's face and make him quit trash-talking his team.

"I'm ready for the next one!" Ash shouted, glaring at Surge and grabbing a pokéball from his belt. "Quit talking and send them out!"

"Dwayne, it's your turn," Surge said, still smirking. The other gym trainer, the one with dark brown hair, stepped forward, pokéball in hand.

"Go Chinchou!"

"Go Bulbasaur!"

Ash and the gym trainer shouted simultaneously as they threw their respective pokéballs onto the field. White light flared and both trainers caught the pokéballs when they bounced back.

Bulbasaur faced down a small blue pokémon with large yellow eyes, and two long thin antennas that ended in yellow bulbs. Neither of them said anything.

"Begin!" Surge shouted.

Bulbasaur immediately dodged without prompting as Ash whipped out his pokédex and scanned the other pokémon as it blasted at Bulbasaur with a Thunderbolt attack. Ash read that it was a chinchou, an electric/water type.

"Razor Leaf Storm!" Ash shouted. Bulbasaur began to launch a hail of sharp greenery into the air, some leafy blades hurtling towards Chinchou and some arcing upwards, filling the air with a flurry of plant life.

"Spark Shield!" Dwayne called out. Electricity crackled and buzzed in front of the chinchou, forming a quarter dome of sparking yellow power that incinerated the Razor Leaves that were headed straight towards it.

I wonder if we could work on a move like that? Pikachu muttered.

Perhaps, Ash whispered. But I think you'll do better if you focus on dodging. Maybe we could make a temporary barrier?

The leaves that had arced upward curved back down and converged on Chinchou. The gym pokémon rolled back and forth, twisting and turning to try and catch as many of the attacks as it could on its shield. It flinched as a few leaves made it passed its guard, their blunted edges slamming into its soft flesh, secreting painful chemicals and sucking up vital moisture. But it kept the shield up.

While it was distracted, Bulbasaur's vines crept out and his eyes tracked a single slowly falling leaf. He waited until the Chinchou was twisted away from him and then there was a tremendous crack as his vines whipped the leaf, blasting it at the Chinchou.

The electric/water type's back was to Bulbasaur when he had launched the attack. It attempted to turn, but couldn't move fast enough. The blunted leaf crashed into its side and the pokémon folded around the point of impact as it was sent hurtling through the air.

Like Charmander had previously done, the pokémon slammed into the safety barrier hard enough to rattle it and stuck there for a moment before being peeled off by gravity. It fell to the ground, twitched, and didn't get up.

"Chinchou is unable to continue," Surge was still smirking much to Ash's disappointment. "This match goes to the challenger."

Dwayne recalled his pokémon in a flash of red light.

Ya know, I take what I said about that combo back, Bulbasaur said, looking over his shoulder at Ash. It can work if they can't block it all at once.

"Good job Bulbasaur!" Ash cheered.

Teach this gym who's boss! Pikachu shouted.

Ash smiled at Pikachu before turning to glare at the gym leader.

"What?" Surge asked.

"Aren't you going to be mean to my pokémon?" Ash said, still glaring.

"Not really," Surge shrugged. "That bulbasaur seems strong enough. Or is it your only pokémon who's not a baby?"

"Quit calling them that!" Ash clenched his fist.

"Then toughen them up!" Surge shouted, walking over to the battler's spot on his side of the arena. "Dwayne, you're the ref for this match."

Dwayne nodded and hurried over to the point between the challenger's side of the arena and the gym's side. While he was doing that, Ash recalled Bulbasaur. Surge slid open his panel on the safety barrier and threw a pokéball. There was a burst of white light and an orange pokémon with a white-grey belly, and a long, thin black tail ending in a lightning shape, a raichu stood in the arena.

My turn! Pikachu said, perking up.

Huh? Ash turned his head to look at Pikachu.

I got dibs on beating up any raichu we run into, Pikachu explained, giving the gym pokémon a dangerous smile. The raichu returned the expression and made a beckoning motion with its forepaws.

Ash thought about it for a moment, staring at the raichu.

You know what, Ash eventually whispered. Part of the reason we're here is to pick up on some tricks for electric types, so it might be best if you're the one to fight the raichu.

Yes! Pikachu hissed, hopping off Ash's shoulder.

"I choose you, Pikachu!" Ash shouted, sliding open the panel. Pikachu jumped up to the opening and squirmed through.

"You're really sending out that baby pokémon to take on my raichu?" Surge raised an eyebrow. "You're either an idiot-"

He is! Pikachu piped up from the arena. But you don't get to call him that you jerk!

Hey! You don't get to insult my trainer either you pipsqueak! Surge's raichu protested.

"Or you've got some guts," Surge finished. "I guess it's time to find out."

Who you callin' a pipsqueak you big lout! Pikachu shot back at his opponent.

I'm about to beat you so bad you yellow brat…..

"Ready!" Dwayne called out from the referee spot.

"I think that you do a bunch of talking but I don't think your pokémon are that good!" Ash countered.

"You mean you think that I can't put my money where my mouth is?" Surge's smirk grew even more infuriating. "Kid, you really need to learn how to properly trash talk."

"Set!" Dwayne called out again.

"You stink!" Ash shouted across the field.

"Way to live down to my expectations kid."

"Go!" Dwayne announced and then the fight was on.

Before Surge said anything and before Ash could say anything there was a blinding yellow flare and the sound of electric buzzing and crackling echoed off the walls of arena. When Ash was able to see again there was a cloud of dust and smoke where Pikachu had been standing.

The cloud faded to reveal Pikachu standing with his forelegs crossed by a crater in the arena floor, tapping one of his feet.

Oh, like I didn't just see this gym use that strategy before, Pikachu said, rolling his eyes. Surge's raichu glared at Pikachu and growled.

"Pikachu, Speed Burst!" Ash shouted, keeping an eye on Pikachu and the raichu as he gave his orders. As a consequence of that, he missed Surge nodding at Pikachu, a look of approval on his face.

Pikachu began to race about the arena at Ash's command. He became a yellow blur, zooming in circles around Raichu.

"Lightning Hammer!" Surge ordered. Once again there was the deafening crackling buzz of electricity and a flare of blinding yellow light. A bolt of electric power arced up from Surge's raichu and slammed down at Pikachu, blasting up a cloud of smoke and dust while Pikachu sped away.

Missed me! Pikachu taunted as he continued to run circles around the raichu.

"Quick Attacks!" Ash ordered.

He had been observing how the raichu fought. Thus far the enemy electric type had stood still while launching powerful ranged attacks. Ash figured that the raichu was probably an artillery type pokémon and maybe it would be vulnerable to quick, close range, physical attacks.

Ash decided that they were definitely going to get a training manual for Iron Tail after he got an advancement. Pikachu could use another physical move besides Quick Attack.

Ash's starter turned and began zig zagging towards raichu. Electricity arced up and blasted down again, running another section of the arena floor, while Pikachu wove around the blast. He moved fast enough to disappear from Ash's sight. Pikachu reappeared with his head slammed into the raichu's midsection, eliciting a grunt from Surge's pokémon.

Pikachu bounced off, avoiding the retaliatory blast of power, and then blurred away again and reappeared hammering into the raichu's back. Ash's eyes narrowed as he focused on the raichu, trying to figure out what it was going to do next, and once more missed an approving nod from Surge.

"Armor and trap!" Surge shouted.

His raichu was enveloped by a yellow shine that cast long shadows over the arena and the assembled trainers. A low buzz filled the large room. Pikachu impacted into the gym pokémon again but this time there was a flash of light and Pikachu was sent flying back with a cry of pain.

Surge's raichu turned and let loose a large spark that flew at Pikachu. The spark grew as it sped towards Ash's pokémon and then it exploded into a web of crackling electricity.

"Pikachu, make a hole in it!" Ash shouted before his pokémon had even landed. Pikachu skidded to a stop on all fours as the electric web drew closer. His brow furrowed in concentration

Two strands of crackling electricity moved apart and Pikachu jumped through the opening. Ash grinned and pumped his fist in triumph, missing Surge raising an eyebrow and looking impressed.

"Speed Burst again!" Ash shouted, knowing that the raichu was probably about to use a devastatingly powerful electric attack. His prediction was proven true when another Lightning Hammer attack shattered the floor where Pikachu had been.

"Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted, trying to make sure he could be heard over the din of battle. "And don't stop dodging!"

I didn't- Pikachu shouted back as he wove around shining crackling blasts from the raichu, I'm not stupid enough to stop dodging now, unlike a certain someone I could mention!

Pikachu lashed out at Surge's pokémon in midjump. The Thunderbolt attack lanced at the shining pokémon and shattered on the electric armor, turning into tiny streams and sparks that passed all around the raichu.

Ash squinted, looking for any change in the electric armor surrounding the raichu. He didn't see any. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

The raichu was an artillery type pokémon, but it was on a different level from the electabuzz his team had previously fought. It had a powerful defensive move to complement its powerful long-range attacks. Pikachu wouldn't be able to rely on his speed to attack it this time.

Ash had an idea though…..

"Hey, Pikachu, do what Metapod did to that tyranitar's face to that armor and then use Thunder!" Ash ordered, hoping that Surge wouldn't cotton on to what he was planning.

I hope you mean what I think you mean! Pikachu called back as he dashed around the arena. 'Cause Pidgeotto isn't here to help with the other thing!

"You really should try making a code instead," Surge's voice boomed across the arena. "It would be a lot less awkward than trying to make your baby pokémon understand your references."

"You be quiet!" Ash shouted back, bristling in indignation.

Pikachu blurred to a stop behind Surge's raichu, his brows furrowing again. Raichu's armor began to crackle more loudly and sparks flew from the spot that Pikachu was staring at. Both of Surge's eyebrows had risen and he watched Pikachu with a fascinated look.

You are way too young to think of doing that! Surge's raichu growled as his own brows furrowed in concentration. More sparks began to fly from the spot where Pikachu was staring and Ash figured that both pokémon were actively fighting for control there.

I'm not young, you're just ancient! Pikachu shot back, growling. The intensity of the sparks increased again and Ash thought that the armor was starting to part. And no raichu gets to tell me what I can or can't do!

A burst of sparks filled the air and for the briefest of moments Ash could clearly see a gap in the armor. Pikachu wasted no time in exploiting it.

Taaaaaaake this! Pikachu howled as he shone with his own electric power. A solid column of electricity formed around Pikachu, a mass of blindingly bright yellow light, his attack crackling louder than the raichu's armor.

It engulfed the raichu, ripping into the gap and then tearing away the electric armor, leaving Surge's pokémon little more than a dark shape in the light. Pikachu screamed as he threw everything into his attack and then it exploded.

Ash had to shield his eyes from the radiance. When he was able to lower his hand, Pikachu was standing in front of a cloud of dust and smoke. Ash's pokémon was panting, but steady on his feet.

That stung, little pikachu, Surge's raichu said, stepping out of the smoke. It was mussed and there were tiny burn marks scattered around its body, but it was steady on its feet, and gave no indication that Pikachu's attack had done anything than make it look scruffy. It smirked down at Pikachu, like its trainer had been doing to Ash.

Well, that's a start at least, Pikachu growled back between pants. And don't you worry, I've got plenty left in me. I'll wipe that smirk right off your face!

Oh, you will now will-

"I've seen enough!" Surge suddenly shouted. "This match is over!"

What!? Pikachu cried out, turning to look at the gym leader.

Ugh, the raichu sighed. Sometimes I miss the days where winning the battle was all I had to be concerned about.

"Wait, what!?" Ash exclaimed. "We can still fight!? We didn't do anything wrong!" He turned to look back at Brock and Misty. "Did we?" He asked his human companions.

For some reason they both rolled their eyes at him.

"Wow, you can be really slow for someone who just put on such a battle," Surge said, recalling his raichu through the sliding panel. "Kid, I'm calling it off 'cause I decided you earned the badge."

"But I thought that I needed to win two matches!" Ash said, confused.

"I changed my mind," Surge said with a shrug. "Gym leader's prerogative and all that."

"Don't tell me that everyone gets so horribly arbitrary when they become a gym leader," Ash heard Misty say to Brock.

"I am sworn to silence," Brock muttered back.

"But- but-" Ash and Pikachu looked at each other, communicating the shared understanding that they had wanted to win the battle a more than they had wanted to win the badge.

Surge took one look at them and starting laughing.

"You are so damned young!" Surge said in his booming voice, between laughs. "By Thundurus, I remember when I was that stupid."

"Hey!" Ash protested as Pikachu jumped through the opening in the safety barrier.

Yeah! You don't get to call him stupid! Pikachu also protested. He didn't even act stupid around you today!

"Here's a free lesson," Surge said, making his way around the arena. "Learn to appreciate getting what you need, not what you want."

"Geh!" Ash managed to choke down his retort and even managed to stop himself from growling at the man. He didn't know how much longer he could control himself if he had to keep putting up with Surge's personality.

"You're still an ass I see," Brock said, walking up to stand next to Ash.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you and Giovanni give me lip because you both think that type advantage will protect you," Surge rolled his eyes.

"My sisters don't have type advantage and they still give you lip," Misty told the gym leader, standing at Ash's other side.

"Your sisters have a tendency to give everyone lip, I just don't think they realize it," Surge replied. "Some might say that's its endearing, but it's really just annoying."

"Unlike you who's just a model of congeniality," Brock smirked at the other gym leader.

"What's con-congen-congeniality?" Ash asked.

"Getting along with people," Brock said, briefly glancing at Ash.

"Well, he sucks at that!" Ash said, pointing an accusing finger at the gym leader. "Who let him be in charge of a gym!?"

Yeah!

"Oh, please, I was one of the first gym leaders. There was no one to stop me." Surge dug into his jacket and took something out. He held out his large hand, palm up. Resting on his palm was a trinket, a red jewel set on a something that was either a yellow flower or star, the Thunder Badge. "And this is yours kid. Yours and your baby pokémon's."

Hey!

"Hey!"

"Do you want the advancement as cash, check, or direct deposit?" Surge asked.

"Cash!" Ash said. "And fast, so I don't have to stay here much longer."

Surge laughed at that and motioned at the gym trainers, who left, presumably to fetch the cash.

"Hurry up!" Ash shouted after them, before turning to glare at Surge. The gym leader evidently found that funny and started laughing even harder.

Misty sighed and nudged Ash with her shoulder.

"Weren't you going to ask him some questions? You know, about electric pokémon?" Misty asked, rolling her eyes. "Like Pikachu?"

Ash winced and then growled. The Vermillion Gym had been his next stop because he wanted to pick up on some tips and tricks for electric pokémon. But it had all flown out the window after dealing with Surge's attitude.

"You," he said, pointing at the gym leader. "What- Do you- Can you- Look, just tell me about electric pokémon."

"They shoot electricity at other pokémon." Surge deadpanned.

"Something about training them," Ash said through gritted teeth.

"Ya have them practice shooting electricity," Surge's deadpan didn't change.

"I hate you."

"I know," Surge grinned at Ash. Ash's glare grew more intense and Surge laughed again.

"To give ya an actual answer," Surge said after he was done laughing, "it really depends on what you're trying to do with your pokémon." He peered closely at Pikachu. Pikachu glared back at him.

"Judgin' by our battle, it looks like your raising this pikachu to be a mid-range attacker," Surge said. "You're thinking of using this thing's speed as his main defense."

"I guess," Ash said, voice carefully neutral. He had been thinking about using Pikachu's speed for defense, but he had never thought about Pikachu's range, not exactly.

"Mid-range and short-range actually," Surge corrected himself, still giving Pikachu an appraising look. "At least judging by the Quick Attacks. So, my first piece of advice is that Double Team won't help here. It's too easy to figure out what's real when it comes to electric attacks."

"Okay," Ash nodded. Pikachu had already decided that he didn't want to learn that move, so nothing was lost there.

"You're going to need to really focus on burst damage too," Surge continued. "Like you tried to do with Raichu there, you need to hit them as hard as you can at just the right moment."

"And finally, one thing to watch out for is that your pikachu is going to be best at fighting one on one," Surge finished. "You two might be able to handle groups, but it won't be your strong point."

"Just means we'll have to be smart," Ash replied confidently.

You mean I'll have to be smart, Pikachu muttered from Ash's shoulder. You can just be you.

Ash forced his expression to remain the same, while wishing he had some way to quip back at Pikachu.

"I've got to say kid, you can be quick on your feet, but you ain't smart," Surge chuckled. "Still, ya got some promise. I hope I hear good things about you in the future. Also, Brock, Misty, you owe me a story."

AN: I'd like to thank blackcatspecialist for beta reading.

I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed/commented!

And here's another rendition of Surge and his gym battle. I imagine that there's quite a few of these by now.

Not too much to say this time.

Don't forget to review!