The next day after we'd all gotten some rest, I decided to head south. I wasn't expecting what I would find.

There was a policeman guarding the entrance to Saffron City. I came up to him.

"Uh, would I be able to get through?" I asked though I thought I knew the answer.

"No." he said bluntly.

"Okay, can I ask why?"

He narrowed his eyes at me."There's been a series of…uh…robberies. I can't let anyone into the city until we catch the perpetrator."

I didn't know if I believed him. "Why would you need to keep people out if you're trying to catch someone in the city? That doesn't make any sense." I said.

"Look kid, my point is I can't let anyone in. So unless you have a good reason to be here, scram!" he huffed.

"I just came from Cerulean! I need to get to the next gym!"

He gave an annoyed sigh and pointed to the entrance behind me.

"Go through the underground path to Vermilion City. There's a gym there. Now, will you please leave?"

"Okay, okay. You could have just said so from the beginning." I said rolling my eyes.

As I neared the entrance I glanced back at the gate. It was weird, but I could have sworn I saw the policeman talking to someone. When I glanced back they were gone. Huh.

The underground path was just a long, dimly lit corridor. If I had a bike I could have just zipped across, but I obviously didn't have one. I vaguely remembered seeing a sign for a bike shop when I was leaving Cerulean. I'd have to check it out if I ever went back.

Once again stepping out of the dark into the sunlight hurt my eyes a bit, but I was getting used to it by now. I walked along the path a bit until I saw buildings in the distance and a sign that said, "Welcome to Vermilion City."

Stepping into town, I saw a huge cruise ship at the end of the pier. The words S.S. Anne were painted across the hull. I remembered the ticket Bill had given me though I didn't really want to bother with some fancy party. Really, I just wanted to head straight to the gym.

I found it without much difficulty.

In front of the building was a girl with her hair in a ponytail with an Eevee on her shoulder. She must have heard me walk up because she turned when I approached.

"Oh, hey. You looking for the gym leader?" she asked, smiling.

"Yeah," I said. "Is he available to battle?"

"No, he's at the party on the S.S. Anne. He won't be back until tonight."

Of course. Why would this be easy?

I guess she saw the look of annoyance on my face because she quickly added, "Oh, don't worry! There's plenty of stuff to do until he gets back. Why don't you hang out with my brother and I?"

"I mean…" I began, but she was already dragging me somewhere. I guess I'd have to go along with this girl for a little while.

When we finally got to her house on the outskirts of town, there was someone waiting for us.

"Oh, hey! You're the kid I met at Bill's house. Hi!" the boy with the Pikachu called.

"Uh, hey. What did you say your name was?"

"Huh? Oh, right. I'm Chase. I take it you already met my sister, Elaine?"

I looked over at the girl with the ponytail. "Is that her name? Uh, nice to meet you two."

Elaine giggled. "He was going to challenge the gym."

"Ah," Chase looked at me thoughtfully. "You better be careful. You're gonna have to work for that badge."

"Are you going to train me?" I asked.

Chase shook his head. "Elaine and I don't really battle. We prefer to collect."

"Oh, so you're Pokemaniacs then?"

"Not exactly."

Chase got up as his Pikachu jumped off his shoulder.

"Pika, Vee, go play while we teach him." he said.

Chase walked over to the table behind him and grabbed a binder. When he came back he opened it up to reveal page upon page of card sleeves.

"You know the Silph Co. Official Pokemon Trading Card Game? We've been collecting them for years now."

Elaine leaned in close. "You wouldn't believe how protective he is over his holographic Charizard. It's not even that good of a card anymore!"

Chase frowned. "What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing, except with how much more powerful cards have become. It's puny compared to things like the V Max cards. The game has such bad power creep that older cards just can't keep up."

Chase gave her a look. "It's got sentimental value."

"Wait, I'm confused." I said. "Why are you showing me this?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Elaine said. "We're gonna teach you how to play!"

I stared at them blankly. Were they serious?

"Look, as much as I appreciate how enthusiastic you two are, I don't think this is for me. I'd rather just go challenge the gym."

Elaine looked hurt. "But…it's a really fun game!"

"I mean…I'd rather do something that will help me in the long run so…"

"Oh, I see." Chase said. "You're afraid we're gonna kick your butt."

"What?!"

"Yeah, you're too scared we're gonna beat you to a pulp, so you don't even want to try."

"Why you-"

Elaine joined in. "It's for the best, Chase. He could never beat us."

I slammed my hands on the table. "I'll show both of you I can beat you with one hand tied behind my back! Let's go! What are the rules?"

As they got the game set up, I could have sworn I saw the two of them fist bumping.

"And that's another win for Elaine!" Chase announced some time later. It had been a couple of hours and I had yet to get a win.

"This wouldn't be so hard if I had better cards…" I grumbled.

Elaine laughed. "Maybe, but if you can come up with a good strategy and can adapt on the fly you can probably make it out of any bind."

"What do you mean?"

"Think of it like this. When you're battling a strong opponent you have to be ready for anything, right?"

"I guess."

Chase cut in. "Well, it's true for both pokemon battles and card matches. You gotta be ready for whatever your opponent throws at you. Even if they have the advantage you can still overcome them with enough strategy. And trust us when we say, the gym leader of this town is no pushover."

"What's that got to do with-" I stopped. Oh.

"You were trying to get me ready for the gym battle, huh?"

"And have a little fun along the way." Chase said. "Trust me, we can see that card games aren't your strong point, but we can hope you'll give us a battle we'll never forget."

I sighed. "So, what now?"

"Now," Elaine said. "You should go meet the gym leader on board the S.S. Anne. Ask him for a battle."

"I thought you said he wouldn't be back until later."

"Well, you'll just have to convince him to come back."

Well, it seemed like a long shot, but I might as well try.

The party was full of who I assumed were important people though I couldn't place who they were. After some asking around I was pointed in the direction of a bulky, blonde man with dog tags. He seemed to be talking to-

"Red! This is a private party! Were you even invited?" Blue sneered.

"I could ask the same to you." I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

"My Gramps has all sorts of connections! You think I wouldn't be here?"

The man with the dog tags looked me over, sizing me up. "Who's this?"

I looked up at him. "I take it you're the gym leader?"

He laughed. "Only the Surge-intor himself. Lt. Surge, kid. Whatcha need?"

"I heard from Chase and Elaine that you'd be here. I'm here to request a gym battle."

"Yeah, I figured that was coming. I tell ya, those kids are a handful. How about this? You show me you're worth my time by battling Blue over here and I'll give you a gym battle that will knock your socks off. We have a deal?"

As much as I didn't like it, it was the only way I'd be getting that gym badge anytime soon.

"Fine." I said dejectedly. "Clear some room. We'll battle on the dance floor."

A crowd had gathered around us to watch the match.

Blue looked as smug as ever, tossing his pokeball in his hand.

"Alright Red, let's see if you've gotten any better from last time." he said, tossing the pokeball onto the floor. It opened in a flash of light as a Weepinbell came out. I guess his Bellsprout had evolved.

"Okay, let's go, Charmeleon!" I yelled, sending it out.

I narrowed my eyes at Blue. "I'm not gonna let you pull the same stunt as last time."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Blue said, smirking.

We stood for a moment as the crowd looked on, then we both seemed to yell out our commands at once.

"Weepinbell, Bullet Seed!"

"Charmeleon, Ember!"

Seeds were flying everywhere, but Charmeleon just kept dodging them while throwing fireball after fireball at Weepinbell who could barely dodge.

"Switch to Razor Leaf!" Blue yelled, but that was his downfall. In the moment Weepinbell tried to switch attacks, I saw my chance. Charmeleon put all its might into its next attack and stopped Weepinbell dead in its tracks. As the rush of fire subsided, I could see Weepinbell struggling to get up.

"Don't push yourself, Weepinbell." Blue said returning it to its pokeball. "You get some rest." He then sent out Wartortle.

"Use Bubblebeam!" he yelled before I could react. Charmeleon was hit square in the face and stumbled. I quickly switched to Raticate.

"Okay Raticate, Iron Tail!"

Wartortle quickly retreated into its shell, but it was no use. I could hear its yelp of pain as the attack connected. Wartortle's shell was left cracked from the impact.

"You're gonna pay for that, Red!" Blue screamed at me as Wartortle sent an intense jet of water at us, pummeling Raticate and slamming it against the wall.

"Hang in there, Raticate! Finish it off with Rock Smash!"

Raticate ran forward and went in for a blow that could shatter rocks. A moment later, I saw that Wartortle was down.

I returned Raticate to its pokeball. To be honest I wasn't sure if Charmeleon had enough strength left to take on both of Blue's remaining pokemon, but I could at least hope it could take out his Weepinbell.

Blue looked smug as he sent out his Pidgeotto. I guessed I would have to beat that first.

"Okay, Charmeleon. Let's do this right!" I yelled, sending Charmeleon back out.

Blue smirked. "Hit it with Wing Attack, Pidgeotto!"

Pidgeotto quickly swooped in and began slapping Charmeleon over and over with its wing. Finally Charmeleon had enough.

I could see its eyes blazing with anger and immediately knew what to do.

"Charmeleon, Rage!" I screamed and it starting pummeling Pidgeotto with strike after strike. I guess all that damage had raised its attack power.

"Retreat! Retreat!" Blue yelled in a panic.

Eventually, Pidgeotto found an opening, but instead of retreating it went in for a Quick Attack, knocking Charmeleon down. As it struggled to get up Pidgeotto flew up high and made a sharp slash at the air with its wings. An Air Cutter, not good.

"Get up, Charmeleon!" I pleaded, but it was too late. Charmeleon was already down.

I grumbled as I sent Raticate back out. Blue was making this really hard. At least Pidgeotto was heavily weakened.

"Raticate, use Hyper Fang!"

Raticate leaped into the air and caught Pidgeotto in its fangs. Pidgeotto yelped in pain as it tried to break free. It struggled for a moment before Raticate finally let go.

Before anyone knew what was happening, Raticate went in for another Iron Tail knocking Pidgeotto out.

"Yeah! Nice one, Raticate!" I cheered. Blue then sent out Weepinbell.

"Go ahead. Take your best shot." he said, which sounded a bit weird to me. Oh well.

"Raticate, use Fury Swipes!"

It barely took a second for Weepinbell to go down.

"Yes! We won!"

"Not quite." Blue said, a crafty smile on his face. He pulled out a fourth pokeball and threw it out, sending out a Drowzee.

"You've gotta be kidding me…" I grumbled.

"You wanna give up now, Red?" Blue taunted. "There's no shame in losing!"

"Not in your life, Blue!" I yelled back. "Raticate, use Bite!"

Raticate came dashing towards Drowzee fangs bared. Drowzee was quick to dodge but Raticate was even quicker as its jaw closed in. Drowzee, as it struggled to get free, started waving its hands around rhythmically.

I wasn't sure what was happening until I saw Raticate loosen its grip and curl up on the ground. Hypnosis.

Before I could yell out, Drowzee went in for a Confusion attack. I could see this wasn't going anywhere in my favor.

All I had left was Nidoran though. Would it be able to stand up to Drowzee's super effective, psychic type attacks? Maybe not, but I'd have to hope for the best.

I sent out Nidoran as Blue gave one last smug smile. "You really think you can win with that wimpy pokemon? Don't make me laugh."

I gritted my teeth. "Nidoran, Poison Sting!"

It began firing off its poisonous quills in all directions as Drowzee struggled to dodge. A minute later I could see them sticking out of several places on Drowzee's body.

"Alright," Blue said. "Enough fooling around. Drowzee! Let's take it out with Psychic!"

"No!" I exclaimed as it went in for the attack.

The next few moments went by too quickly for me to react. One minute Nidoran went charging toward Drowzee like it had abandoned all reason, the next it was ramming its horn into Drowzee's stomach causing it to lose it's focus.

As Drowzee hunched over in pain, Nidoran turned its head towards me as if seeking approval. I was so caught off guard, I started laughing.

"Nice job, buddy!" I managed through the laughs. Nidoran gave a yip of happiness.

I could tell Blue was frustrated. "Try again, Drowzee!" he yelled.

"Not this time, Blue!" I yelled back. "Nidoran, go for a Double Edge!"

Nidoran charged too fast for me to see. Though the attack connected, no one could see through all the dust that had been kicked up. When the dust finally settled, there lay Drowzee unconscious on the ground. Nidoran, though still standing, looked like it was about to collapse from the effort.

"Yes!" I yelled, practically jumping with glee. "You did it, Nidoran!"

Blue returned Drowzee to its pokeball. "I'll admit, you've definitely gotten better. I suppose that's to be expected. It looks like your pokemon has grown too."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you-"

I looked down. Nidoran was glowing with a white light. Its body seemed to be growing and shifting until the light was shed and a Nidorino stood before me.

"Nice one, buddy." I said, reaching down to stroke Nidorino's head. It nuzzled my leg in response.

"Well," a voice came from behind me. "After a battle like that, I think you're more then worthy at a chance at the Thunder Badge."

Lt. Surge stood with his arms crossed, an impressed smile on his face. "Give me some time to prepare and I'll be ready by tonight. Don't keep me waiting, kid."

"I won't, sir." I said as I returned Nidorino to its pokeball and headed out to the pokemon center.