Mark, Misty and Brock stared at a sign that read 'Vermilion City'
"We finally made it to Vermilion City." Misty said.
"It just took two weeks." Mark muttered in annoyance. Getting to Vermilion City was quite the ordeal.
"I'm looking forward to a nice bubble bath." Misty sighed.
"I'm going to do some laundry." Brock declared. "We haven't washed our clothes in a while."
"My goal is to take a nap and get something to eat." Mark continued.
"Our Pokemon need to heal as well." Misty reminded them.
With a destination in mind, they went to the Pokemon Center.
After refreshing themselves and their Pokemon, the gang stayed in the Pokemon Center to discuss Mark's third gym battle.
"Still using Sandshrew?" Misty asked.
"Yep." Mark nodded.
"I like your idea." Brock said.
Just then, a trainer ran into the Pokemon Center with a Rattata in their arms.
"My Rattata needs help." The trainer cried out.
Nurse Joy rushed over.
"Not again." She groaned. "Chansey, bring a stretcher immediately."
A Chansey quickly brought out a stretcher and placed Rattata on it, then rushed to the operating room.
"There have been fifteen Pokemon brought here this month." Nurse Joy sighed. "They all came here from the Vermilion Gym."
"Well, this is going to be hard." Mark rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn't expecting the battle to be a walk in the park.
They took a look at some more injured Pokemon. There was a Oddish, Sandshrew, Caterpie and Pidgey along with Rattata.
"Who in their right mind would bring a flying type Pokemon to a electric type gym." Mark sweat dropped.
"If you ask me, it's not a very good idea." Misty also thought it wasn't smart.
Mark approached the trainers to get more information on the Vermilion Gym.
"I'd like to hear how your battles went." He told the trainers.
"Lt. Surge is a really strong gym leader." Rattata's trainer informed him.
"His Raichu's no laughing matter." Pidgey's trainer added.
'Lt Surge had a Raichu on his team.' Mark thought.
"What was Raichu's move set?" He asked.
"Thunderbolt, Body Slam, Mega Kick and Mega Punch." Sandshrew's trainer said.
"Anything else?" Mark questioned.
"No." Oddish's trainer answered.
"Alright then, thanks for the head up." Mark then got his Pokemon.
"Will you be alright?" Misty asked, concerned as they walked to the gym.
"Yeah, I learned everything I could from those other trainers." Mark responded.
They soon reached the Vermilion Gym. It resembled a warehouse with yellow lightning bolts all over it.
"Time to get the Thunder Badge." Mark said to himself.
"I'm here for a gym battle." He announced.
"Ah, more victims for the Pokemon Center." A female voice said.
Mark looked at a man and woman that were dressed like army soldiers with street punk makeup on.
"Follow us." The man and woman said in unison.
The man and woman led the group to what looked like a boxing ring.
"This is where you will battle the gym leader." The woman explained.
"Lt. Surge, sir!" The man shouted. "A trainer wishes to battle you sir."
"Another one, huh?" A male voice asked.
It was a big, muscular man with spiky hair and he looked like a real army soldier. He had a Raichu next to him.
"Who's my opponent?" Lt. Surge asked.
"That would be me." Mark pointed to himself.
Lt. Surge took a good look at him and then smirked.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"You." Lt. Surge responded. "I'm up against a little kid. I evolved Pikachu into Raichu right after capturing it."
'Lt. Surge is a idiot for doing that.' Mark thought to himself.
"You won't be smirking when I'm done with you." Mark promised.
"You're on, kid." Lt. Surge said.
Lt. Surge and Mark got ready for their battle.
"This gym battle is between Lt. Surge the gym leader and Mark the challenger." The man said. "This is a one on one battle and whoever defeats the opponent's Pokemon will be the winner."
"Go, Sandshrew!" Mark released Sandshrew from it's Poke Ball.
Sandshrew was ready for battle.
"Raichu, front and center." Lt. Surge commanded.
Lt. Surge's Raichu sparked it's cheeks, also ready for battle.
"Let's get this battle over with." Lt. Surge said. "Raichu, Thunderbolt."
Raichu fired a lightning bolt at Sandshrew.
"Dodge it." Mark ordered.
Sandshrew ran to the side and avoided Thunderbolt.
"Use Thunderbolt again!" Lt. Surge commanded.
"Run away to avoid it." Mark ordered.
Sandshrew evaded Thunderbolt a second time.
Raichu had no idea where Sandshrew would appear next so it braced itself.
"Mega Kick!" Lt. Surge commanded.
The attack hit Sandshrew.
"Use Agility and run around the ring."
"Body Slam." Lt. Surge commanded.
Raichu tried to body slam Sandshrew, but kept missing.
"What's happening?" Lt. Surge asked.
"You evolved your Pikachu way too early. When a Pokemon undergoes a stone evolution, they no longer learn any level up moves." Mark informed Lt. Surge.
Misty and Brock were happy he knew that.
"He really is a smart trainer." Misty said.
"I agree." Brock added.
"You're quite the trainer." Lt. Surge commented. "But it ends here."
"That's where you're wrong." Mark countered.
"Sandshrew, Tackle." Sandshrew rammed into Raichu.
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.
"What's wrong with Raichu is that it used up all of it's electricity during the battle. Now Sandshrew, use Scratch." Sandshrew scratched Raichu really hard.
Raichu then fainted with swirls in it's eyes. Mark won the gym battle.
He picked his Sandshrew up.
"Good job." He said with a smile.
"Sand." Sandshrew cheered happily.
Lt. Surge picked up his tired Raichu and walked over to Mark.
"Congratulations." He told him. "That was a great battle."
He extended his hand out to Mark.
"I also considered it a great battle." Mark gave his hand to Lt. Surge. "It was very shocking though."
Lt. Surge chuckled and handed out a yellow and orange star shaped badge.
"This is the Thunder Badge." He said, giving it to Mark. "You deserve it."
He took the badge and inspected it, before placing it in his badge case.
After obtaining the Thunder Badge, the gang decided to sight see around Vermilion City before leaving.