"Chapter 17- The Lightning Loser!"

By: Agent Baron

"Alright, it appears that my next opponent is Lieutenant Surge," said Von Stupor, observing a nearby map of Vermilion city.

Baron Von Stupor walked into the gym after healing his pokémon at the pokécenter and noticed something very peculiar about its layout. He couldn't help but notice that everything, being the walls, floor, and ceiling were lined with plastic.

What in the world? he couldn't help but wonder to himself.

"Hey, you!" called a deep voice from ahead.

Von Stupor looked up to see a hugely built man standing further down the walk, amidst a few other surly-looking people.

"What are you here for?" asked the man. The others snickered.

"I am Baron Von Stupor, and I have come to challenge the leader of this gym!" he replied, sounding as brave as he could.

"Well, you're looking at him," he said, and stepped forth, smiling. "They call me Lieutenant Surge! Kid, I've seen wars come and I've seen them go, and some have even called me the Lightning American! Do you really think you got what it takes to take me on?"

"...Why are you living in Japan?"

Lt. Surge stared at him for a moment and spoke, "That's none of your concern. ...Hey kid, what's this coat on your back for? You some kind of superhero or something with that hooky-kooky mask of yours?"

"That is none of your concern."

"Touché. You're pretty quick in the thinking, kid. I like that! What's your name, huh?"

"...I am Baron Von Stupor! That has always been my name!"

"What kinda name is that to give your child? You're very interesting, kid. I'll give you that. Well, if you wanna challenge me, then that's fine and dandy, but few trainers ever get past me, and I've faced countless numbers of them."

"I must try my best! Running from my battles will only lead me in circles."

"I like your attitude, kid. Fine then, you convinced me!"

Lt. Surge walked over to the other end of the room and announced, "Our pokémon battles consist of battling two-on-two, one round! You lose both of your pokémon, you lose!"

"I shall accept those conditions," Von Stupor agreed, contemplating what his team will be for the impending battle.

"Fine, then! With that, I'll send out Voltorb and Raichu!"

Lt. Surge tossed out his two pokéballs and the respective pokémon emerged.

"I shall choose Bellsprout and Sandshrew!" Von Stupor responded, tossing out their respective pokéballs.

"Crap! Where did you get those! ...Raichu, use Thunderbolt on the bellsprout and Voltorb, use Thunderwave on the sandshrew!"

"Bellsprout, dodge it and use Wrap on Raichu! Sandshrew, use Headbutt on the Voltorb!"

The bellsprout, not quick enough, was struck by Raichu's erupting thunder. However, the effect was null on Bellsprout's insulated body. Sandshrew, struck by the thunder wave, was unaffected and charged right through it at Voltorb.

"Voltorb!" Lt. Surge bellowed. "Dodge it, and try to Tackle!"

Voltorb easily rolled out of Sandshrew's way with its blazing speed and came around to return a blow.

"Sandshrew," said Von Stupor, trying not to laugh. "Use Sand-Attack!"

Sandshrew looked around for dirt, but seeing none, pulled up a sheet of plastic and folded it backward, toward the Voltorb. The Voltorb crashed straight into it and flopped backward a bit, stunned.

"Raichu, use Mega Kick on Sandshrew-- Raichu, no!"

To Lt. Surge's dismay, Riachu was already caught in Bellsprout's Wrap attack. Bellsprout continued to squeeze as Raichu struggled for freedom. Looking back toward the voltorb, he saw that Sandshrew had dug a hole and rolled the voltorb into it, rendering it completely immobile.

With Raichu incapacitated and Voltorb unable to move, much less fight due to overwhelming type advantage for the opposition, he had no other choice but to call back both of his pokémon.

"...I won?" Von Stupor thought out loud, confused.

"I hate it!" Lt. Surge yelled at nothing in particular. "I hate it when all they ever use is supereffective types against my electric pokémon! It's such a cheap trick to use, and they use it all the time!"

"They had type advantage? I was unaware!"

"Shut up, kid! Take your damned badge and just get out of here!" Lt. Surge commanded, throwing the badge at him.

Von Stupor giddily picked up his third badge.

"Thank you very much!" he gloated. "...And stop calling me kid, I'm 20 years old!"

"He's 20?" Lt. Surge wondered as Von Stupor exited the building.