Nozomi was summoned, and instantly lifted his head.
Lt. Surge's eyes narrowed the moment he saw Nozomi—but he recovered quickly. He didn't freeze like that earlier receptionist did; instead, he masked his reaction with a booming laugh.
"Baby, you're here to challenge the Vermillion Gym too?" he said.
Nozomi regarded Surge deeply. He was certain he had seen correctly: Lt. Surge recognized him. And there were serious inconsistencies in the previous battle. From Nozomi's perspective, the trainer Surge had just defeated should already have been strong enough to earn the badge. Most gym trainers tend to "go easy" on challengers to let them pass. After all, the League's purpose in establishing Gyms is to test trainers, not stomp on every new challenger.
But Surge still allowed Raichu to beat that trainer. That meant there was something very wrong behind the Vermillion Gym.
Thousands of thoughts swirled in Nozomi's mind.
On the surface, though, he remained composed. He disguised himself as a confident challenger and said, "That's right, I'm here to challenge Vermillion Gym. But as for 'Baby'—I can't agree with that. I'm Nozomi, from Fuchsia City."
As he spoke, he scrutinized Surge and the other Gym staff. Sure enough, upon hearing "Nozomi," subtle unnatural expressions flickered across their faces.
This was getting interesting.
He strode over to the spot where the Charizard trainer had stood earlier. Without ceremony, he remarked, "Shall we start the battle now? Mr. Surge, would you like a moment to rest?"
Lt. Surge stared at the Poké Ball in Nozomi's hand, ready for battle, at a loss for words.
Can your politeness at least be somewhat sincere? Now you look like you're asking me to rest.
But no matter how angry he felt, he couldn't break character. As a Gym Trainer, he had to appear magnanimous toward challengers.
He swallowed his discomfort, put on a hearty smile, and said, "Of course! My Raichu is ready anytime!"
The League rules stipulate that a Gym Trainer, unless for special reasons, cannot refuse a challenger. If a challenger is denied, they may file a complaint with the League's hotline.
"Then let's start right now." Nozomi said.
The referee, seeing both Gym Leader and challenger agree, hurried to the referee stand.
"The match begins! Representing Viridian Gym is Gym Trainer Lt. Surge, and the challenger is Nozomi from Fuchsia City! Trainers, prepare your Pokémon!"
Nozomi and Surge both tightened their grip on their Poké Balls.
"The match begins!"
"Go, Raichu!"
Surge sent out his Raichu.
Nozomi lifted his chin and gave Surge a meaningful smile. "Go, Steelix!"
No probing moves, no flashy preliminaries—Nozomi immediately sent out one of his strongest Pokémon, Steelix.
Roar—
Steelix's massive form slammed into the arena and made the entire Viridian Gym tremble. The roar reverberated through the steel beams forming the battle stadium's outer shell.
"Let me introduce him—this is my Steelix!" Nozomi said with a smile. "Comparatively, your Raichu really seems more like a baby."
Surge froze at Nozomi's words. He glanced at his Raichu, then at the towering Steelix—nearly five or six times Raichu's height—and his face darkened.
"Raichu!"
Surge called to his Raichu.
Raichu turned to Surge, nodded, and showed no trace of fear.
"Then go on—Raichu, Thunderbolt!"
Heeding Surge's command, Raichu planted its feet, leapt upward, and sparks surged from its cheeks. In midair, the electric currents merged and struck toward Steelix.
Large Pokémon have advantages in size and strength—but one weakness is difficulty in evasion. Surge aimed to use Raichu's agility to outmaneuver Steelix.
"Steelix—use Protect!"
But Nozomi didn't flinch at the incoming Thunderbolt.
At his signal, Steelix quickly positioned its tail horizontally in front and a pale green protective aura flickered over its body. The Thunderbolt struck—but was blocked by the thin shield without trouble.
Then Steelix flicked its tail, delivering a Iron Tail strike toward Raichu.
Boom!
The impact was devastating. A crater formed in the battlefield beneath the strike, stones flew, dust rose.
Amid the smoke, Raichu sprang out. Evidently, the Iron Tail had missed. Steelix's attack was powerful—but slow and unwieldy.
"Raichu, use Thunderbolt again!"
Surge persisted. Protect works best only on its first use—each successive try has a lower success rate. Surge didn't believe Steelix could consistently block Thunderbolt.
Raichu—
Another golden arc of electricity surged forth.
"Steelix—Protect again!"
Steelix placed its tail once more in front and again blocked it.
But this time, Steelix didn't follow up with Steel Tail. Instead, it used Rock Slide.
Massive boulders fell from above. Raichu hurriedly dodged, weaving between falling rocks in a narrow escape.
Seizing the moment, Steelix lunged forward, using its hardened head to crash into Raichu.
Between sparks and thunder, Raichu's body glinted with a white flash. It accelerated at the last moment and narrowly evaded the impact.
Steelix slammed headfirst into the ground with a roar.
The ground cracked, debris pelted Raichu's body, and Raichu cried out in pain.
"Raichu—hang in there! Now, use Thunder!"
Lightning shot skyward, forming a dark cloud overhead. Crackling arcs of electricity sizzled. Even Nozomi was stunned—he'd never seen Thunder used indoors before.
"Haha—let Raichu show you its power!" Surge laughed maniacally. He watched Nozomi's astonished expression and felt triumphant.
"Heh," Nozomi replied coldly. As if he were stupid—did Surge really think he wouldn't predict that Thunder is a move that requires charging time?
"Steelix—Dig!"
I'll go underground; I don't believe you can hit me that way.
Amid the rumbling sounds of burrowing, Steelix swiftly vanished into the ground, leaving behind a dark hole in the arena's floor, and the continuous reverberation of subterranean digging.
Surge's face darkened, then paled.
Dark, because Thunder cannot hit into the ground.
Pale, because after Steelix tunnels like that, how much would it cost to repair the arena floor?