Spot Inspection
Chapter 9
-Ash-
Head held high; Ash walked into Vermillion City alongside Jane. "Center first?" Ash asked they entered the city proper, Pikachu vibrating eagerly on his shoulder for the next gym battle.
"Yeah, I want to check how Sis is handling the messes we kept finding on our way here." Jane grimaces at just how many weird things they found on their way from Cerulean. Grinning at his girlfriend, Ash took her hand as they walked, seeing the bustling port city seemed in high spirits.
"I wonder what has everyone so excited?" Ash mused as they finally spotted the center in the distance.
"I don't know." Jane frowned as she looked about at the near festival levels of excitement that filled the air, seeing the place was filled with more trainers than one would expect for just a gym visit to be here at the same time.
"Might be something to-" Ash began as they walked inside the center only to hastily pull Jane out of the way of a kid barreling past with a Ratatta on a stretcher.
"Oh dear, that's the fifteenth one this month." The Nurse Joy behind the counter frowned as the small Pokémon was wheeled back.
"Fifteenth one?" Jane raised an eyebrow as they approached the counter, handing over their Pokémon to get checked up.
"Lt. Surge has been on a winning streak with his latest group of Raichu." The Nurse shook her head, "He hasn't lost a single battle with them since their evolution so trainer after trainer has to bring their Pokémon here to recover." Ash shared a look with Jane, at least it seemed this Gym leader actually battled trainers unlike the last ones.
"Well, I'm here to battle him as well so I'll be careful." Ash nodded, not wanting to let his guard down if this Gym leader was actually competent. Maybe Jane's prayer would get answered?
"Well, I wish you luck then." The Joy looked skeptical at his chances but took the Pokémon back to get checked up on anyway.
"I'm gonna go call my sister." Jane leaned up to peck his cheek before heading over to the phones, leaving Ash to browse the Center lobby and see what all there was to see. He found brochures about the upcoming league match, advertisements for shows and events, and flyer talking about a big three-day event on the S.S. Anne. Flipping through the brochure about the last one, he walked by one of the large windows to see what Pokémon were in recovery after battling surge. Alongside the Ratatta he saw get rushed in earlier he noted a caterpie, an Oddish, and a Sandshrew. All of them were rather on the small side and were getting patched up.
"Using a Caterpie?" Ash muttered to himself baffled "And a Ratatta? Against a Gym leader on a winning streak? At least Oddish and Sandshrew have a defensive edge against electricity but come on." He was almost surprised he didn't see a pidgey in there at this rate.
"I'm back." Jane grinned as she walked over to him, seeing the same Pokémon he did recovering from Gym Battles "…Seriously?"
"I guess people battle with who they work best with." Ash shrugged before handing over the brochure he'd been reading, "Found out why the town was so packed. There's a big event on the S.S. Anne. Wanna try to get tickets to go? We've been making good time so we can have some fun and do training on the ship if it has all these battle events."
"Oooooh, that does sound fun." Jane grinned as she flipped through the pamphlet, "Yeah, I think-" she was cut off by the PA system dinging, signaling them that their Pokémon were ready to be picked up.
"Whelp, gym time." Ash grinned at her as Jane gave him one back, the two collecting their pokeballs as they set out.
"So, how's your sister handling the messes by the way?" Ash asked as they walked to the Gym by the Port.
"Doing good." Jane nodded, "That AJ guy was the easiest as he wasn't malicious, he was just an idiot. He has talent for designing training regiments, but he doesn't have the experience to know what boundaries are safe yet. Not to mention he never really thought things through with that stupid whip. He's getting a fine, community service, and has to go back to trainer school to focus on those areas he was trying to specialize in. Charmander's old trainer and the lady with the traps are probably going to be in prison for a good while though."
"Good to know." Ash nodded as they reached the Gym, the doors sliding open to let them in.
"Well, looky here." Ash's head turned to the source of the voice as he saw an absolutely massive blond man approaching, "Another little baby trainer here to battle. You ready to lose little baby?"
Ash couldn't help it, "…Someone ate their Wheaties." He could hear Jane facepalm loudly behind him while Surge seemed surprised for a moment before laughing.
"Well little baby, you ready to battle? How many badges you have with you?" Surge asked, a couple Gym Trainers moving into Referee positions.
"I'm Ash Ketchum, and I have two badges." Ash showed his case as Surge nodded, going to a pokeball rack on the wall and selecting one.
"Then I'll use this Raichu." Surge declared as he sent out the large mouse Pokémon.
"This Raichu?" Jane asked confused as ash sent out Pikachu.
"Every gym battler has to battle a Raichu." Surge grinned, "One of 'em saved my life back in the war, so I always have one on my team. But you sure you want to use a Pikachu against my Raichu little baby?"
"Hell yeah." Ash grinned, Pikachu cheering and sparking eagerly.
"Then let's go!" Surge roared, stomping a foot along with his Raichu as the Referee called to begin, "Raichu, use thunder!"
"Quick attack to dodge." Ash called out, the first Pokémon he caught zooming away from the strong bolt of lightning.
"Mega punch da ground." Surge ordered as his Raichu did so, making a makeshift earthquake, this Raichu probably not allowed to know a move like earthquake if it's being used for third badge battles.
"Jump up!" Ash called out, his blood pumping at finally getting a proper gym battle, "And use thunderbolt!"
"PIKA!" his yellow mouse let loose with the lightning that he'd learned was strong enough to even affect ground types like AJ's Sandshrew. But somehow his entire team were abnormally powerful so until he found a professor who wasn't an Oak, he'd just roll with it.
"RAAAAAAAI!" Raichu recoiled from the powerful attack, surprising Surge.
"Huh, looks like you're better than you look." Surge gave a battle junky grin, "Raichu, let's give em all we got! Body slam!"
"Dig." Ash grinned as Pikachu started tunneling to avoid the larger mon, "Like we practiced." Pikachu heard the message given the 'Pika' that came from the tunnel as the little mouse zoomed underground.
"Raichu, use thunder on the ground." Surge called out, demonstrating actual tactical acumen that befit a military officer. The larger mouse let out a roar as it launched the powerful electric move at the ground to open it up and reach Pikachu. Unfortunately for Surge, Pikachu hadn't just been hiding in a hole or making a single tunnel for a surprise hit. Pikachu had been running about, making a tunnel network that, once Raichu struck, collapsed the field.
"Raaaaaaaaaaai!" the startled Raichu started falling into the collapsed hole that had once been a dirt field.
"Quick attack into Iron tail!" Ash called as Pikachu took advantage of the off guard Raichu, landing a powerful uppercut on the larger but slower Pokémon that seemed to have evolved early given the speed issue.
"Raichu is unable to battle, Pikachu and the trainer are the winner!" the ref called as Surge and Raichu both applauded, Raichu being helped up by their trainer.
"Well done, Ash." Surge grinned, finally using his name, "You've certainly proved you're no baby trainer."
"Seriously?" Ash blinked at the gym leader finally using his name, "That's all it took?"
"Kid, every trainer is a baby trainer till they get my badge." Surge laughed, giving him a friendly slap on the back, "Especially given how many people come here for their first or third badge. Trainers tend to start at Old Oak's ranch so most trainers either get a lift home and if it's near Vermillion, they'll battle me first. Those who just walk from Oak's tend to battle Pewter and Cerulean before me and…well let's say I get a lot of cocky trainers expecting an easy win." Surge shrugged, "Plus seeing if they can keep their cool with a bit of light trash talking is a good test. Most trainers hear worst from their opponents at the league than 'little baby'."
"That's…a good point." Ash nodded as he accepted the bag as he looked over at Jane who stepped forward.
"Well, you passed the battle portion." Jane pulled out her badge as Surge's eyes widened, "First one to get this far actually. Now I need to double check the facilities." Ash grinned as Surge showed them about the building. There were residential rooms for gym trainers who stayed at the Gym, training rooms, and more. All perfectly up to code.
"Congratulations Surge, you pass." Jane grinned as she handed Surge his slip, "You can discuss inspections with Pewter and Cerulean but they're the only other ones inspected so far."
"Glad to hear I'm doing my job right." Surge laughed, "But first Ash here ya go." He tossed over a thunder stone "I give these to everyone using a Pikachu. You got talent kid, and I can't wait to see you in the league." Ash grinned; things were looking up.
AN: So yeah, Surge actually did his job right and I never had any issue with him in the show. We see him trash talking Ash, but 'little baby' isn't all that bad. Paul was far more vitriolic from what I remember in the show. Plus, yeah, Surge had a lot of Pokémon sent to Nurse Joy but when Pikachu got sent there in the show, he was out within a day so it seemed the usual. And who is battling a known powerhouse like Surge with a Caterpie and a Ratatta? It seemed stupid. Then once he lost Surge started using Ash's name, congratulated him, and actually applauded Ash and Pikachu's skill as did Raichu. I honestly just never found enough in the show to warrant a failure for the inspection.