The gang happily stared at a sign. It said, Vermilion City.
"After traveling across the region for two weeks, we finally made it here." Misty said.
"And we caught some great new Pokemon." Ash said.
"I'm going to take a nice bubble bath." Misty said.
"I'm heading over to the laundromat." Brock told them. "We haven't washed our clothes in a while."
"Yeah and I would like to take a nap and get some food in my belly." Ash said.
"Don't forget that our Pokemon need healing at the Pokemon Center." Misty reminded the others.
They all agreed to head to the Pokemon Center immediately.
While their Pokemon were being looked over by Nurse Joy, the gang took nice long bubble baths and their clothes were being cleaned in the laundry room. Ash and Brock went to their room first after their bath and they got their clothes back.
"I needed that." Ash said, as he laid down on the bed. "I felt all grubby and dirty."
"Yeah me too." Brock agreed. "Not to mention our clothes started to smell a bit."
"I'm going to take a nice nap." Ash said, placing his head on the pillow.
"You do that." Brock said. "I'm going to stock up on more supplies. We're nearly out of medicine."
Brock then went shopping.
After refreshing themselves and their Pokemon, Ash, Brock and Misty remained in the Pokemon Center discussing Ash's third gym battle.
"So have you made a decision yet?" Misty asked.
"Yeah." Ash replied. "I'm going to use Sandshrew in this battle."
"Good idea." Brock thought it was a great idea.
Just then they saw a trainer rush into the Pokemon Center, carrying a seriously injured Rattata.
"Help please!" The trainer shouted. "My Rattata needs help."
Nurse Joy rushed over.
"Oh no not another one." She said. "Chansey bring a stretcher immediately."
A Chansey brought out a stretcher at once and had the Rattata placed on it, then rushed it into the operating room.
"This the fifteenth Pokemon this month." Nurse Joy sighed. "And they're all from the Vermilion Gym."
When Ash heard that, he figured that this was going to be a tough battle. The gang took a look at the other victims. There was an Oddish, Sandshrew, Caterpie and Pidgey along with Rattata.
"Okay." Ash whispered. "Who's bright idea was it to use a flying type Pokemon against a electric type gym."
Misty and Brock agreed that this wasn't a good idea.
To find out more about the Vermilion Gym, Ash asked the trainers about all their battles.
"Well Lt. Surge the gym leader is very strong." Rattata's trainer said.
"Yeah and his Raichu is no joke." Pidgey's trainer added.
'So I'm going up against a Raichu.' Ash thought, thinking about his own Raichu.
"What attacks did Raichu use?" He asked.
"Thunderbolt, Body Slam, Mega Kick and Mega Punch." Sandshrew's trainer answered.
"Were there any attacks involving speed like Quick Attack or Agility?" Ash asked.
"No." Oddish's trainer answered.
Ash thanked the trainers for the information and picked his Pokemon up.
"Are you going to be okay Ash?" Misty asked as they walked to the gym.
"Yeah." Ash responded. "After everything I learned from those trainers, I'll be just fine."
They soon reached the Vermilion Gym. It was a big warehouse with yellow lightning bolts all over it.
"Here goes nothing." Ash said, opening the gym doors. "I'm here for a gym battle."
"Ah more victims for the Pokemon Center." A female voice said.
Two figures revealed themselves; it was a man and a woman that resembled army soldiers with street punk makeup on.
"Follow us." The man and woman said at the same time.
The man and woman led the gang to what looked like a boxing ring.
"This is where you will battle our gym leader." The woman said.
"Lt. Surge, sir!" The man shouted. "A trainer wishes to battle you."
"Another one huh?" A male voice asked.
It was a big muscular man, with spiky hair dressed like a real army soldier. He had a Raichu next to him.
Ash looked at it on the Pokedex.
"Raichu, the Mouse Pokemon and the evolved form of Pikachu. It's long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from it's own high voltage power."
"Who's my opponent?" Lt. Surge asked.
"Me." Ash said.
Lt. Surge took one look at Ash and Pikachu who was out of his Poke Ball, then smirked.
"So I'm battling a bunch of babies." He said.
"Who are you calling babies?" Ash demanded, angry at the comment.
"Simple, you two." Lt. Surge replied, pointing to them. "A little kid and a Pikachu. I evolved my Pikachu into Raichu right after I caught it."
Ash was in disbelief. Evolving your Pokemon right away wasn't a smart move.
"Well, we're going to see who the baby is after our battle." Ash said.
"You're on kid." Lt. Surge challenged back.
Lt. Surge and Ash got ready for their battle in the arena.
"This gym battle is between Lt. Surge the gym leader and Ash Ketchum the challenger." The man said. "This is a one on one battle and whoever defeats the opponent's Pokemon first wins. Let the match begin."
"Sandshrew I choose you!" Ash shouted. His Sandshrew was ready to battle.
"Raichu, front and center." Lt. Surge commanded. Lt. Surge's Raichu's cheeks sparked. It was also ready for battle.
"Let's get this battle over with." Lt. Surge said. "Raichu Thunderbolt!"
Raichu fired a bolt of electricity at Sandshrew.
"Sandshrew, counter with Swift." White stars collided with Raichu's Thunderbolt and stopped it from reaching him.
"Use Thunderbolt again." Lt. Surge commanded.
"Dig." Ash said.
Sandshrew tunneled under the ground before the thunderbolt could hit him. Raichu had no idea where Sandshrew was so it braced itself.
"Attack now." Ash ordered.
Sandshrew burst out of the ground and hit Raichu really hard.
"Mega Kick." Lt. Surge commanded.
Sandshrew was hit by the attack and squeaked in pain.
'Time to execute my plan.' Ash thought. "Sandshrew Rollout and keep on rolling."
Sandshrew rolled and rolled.
"Raichu, Body Slam." Lt. Surge commanded, but Raichu kept missing.
"How is this possible?" Lt. Surge asked.
"It's really quite simple. You were impatient and evolved your Pikachu right off the bat. Raichu doesn't learn any moves by level up. You should have waited after Pikachu learned Quick Attack or Agility."
Misty and Brock were amazed Ash thought of that.
"Ash sure is something." Misty said.
"I agree." Brock added.
"You're quite a trainer." Lt. Surge admitted. "But it ends now."
"That's where you're wrong." Ash said. "Ready Sandshrew?"
Sandshrew squeaked in response to his trainer. Sandshrew then started to glow. Everyone watched in amazement as Sandshrew grew and changed shape. When it faded a new Pokemon was in Sandshrew's place.
Ash looked it up.
"Sandslash, the Mouse Pokemon and the evolved form of Sandshrew. Curls up into a spiny ball when threatened. It can roll while curled up to attack or escape."
Lt. Surge was getting annoyed.
"Just because your Sandshrew evolved." He said. "Don't think you'll win this battle. Raichu Thunderbolt full power."
Raichu sent bolts of thunder all over the arena.
"Sandslash, Earthquake." Ash said.
The earthquake dispersed the thunderbolt and struck Raichu really hard. Raichu was now panting heavily.
"Use Thunderbolt again." Lt. Surge said.
Raichu charged it's cheeks but nothing happened.
"What's wrong?" Lt. Surge asked his Raichu.
"This battle is over." Ash informed him. "Raichu used up all it's electricity. Sandslash, Slash." Sandslash slashed Raichu really hard and Raichu fainted with swirling eyes. Ash was victorious.
Ash then hugged his Sandslash for a job well done.
"Thank you Sandslash." He said. "You were amazing."
Sandslash loved the hug he was receiving from his trainer. Lt. Surge picked his exhausted Raichu up and walked over to Ash.
"I congratulate you Ash." He said. "You gave me a wonderful battle."
He extended his hand out to Ash.
"I enjoyed this battle as well." Ash said, extending his hand out to Lt. Surge. "Although this was a very shocking battle."
Lt. Surge chuckled and handed out a yellow and orange eight pointed star shaped badge.
"This is the Thunder Badge." He said giving it to Ash. "You deserve this."
Ash accepted it and everyone clapped for him.
After receiving the Thunder Badge, the gang decided to sight-see around Vermilion City before their journey continued.