Daisy and I made our way out of Saffron City and into Route Six. A few trainers were battling, and there were some wild Pokémon in the area. A few Poliwag were swimming in the pond in the center of the route.

On the other end of the trail, I could see the entrance to Vermilion City. The waterfront city had a compelling warmth to it, and I could see the ocean in the distance. A massive cruise liner with the letters S. S. Anne plastered on its side sat in the port.

We hurried through the route, as I was eager to get to Vermilion before the day was over. The sun was beginning to set, casting its golden light onto the waters.

"The Gym Leader of Vermilion is a former Lieutenant," Daisy commented. "I bet that means he knows all sorts of strategies for battles."

I tilted my head. What's the point of a Lieutenant? We don't have any wars. I let that thought hang as we entered the city.

Vermilion City was home to various buildings of interest. Most of the houses had orange-roofed buildings, while the pathways were slate grey. There was a large construction site in the corner of the city, and I was unsure what they were building.

The sounds of waves crashing into the coastline calmed my mind. "This place is so peaceful," I nodded and signed to Daisy that we should stay at the Pokémon Center for the night.

We went off to the building, eying the Pokémon Gym in the south of the city. Lieutenant Surge was famous for being a tough Gym Leader and requiring trainers to use most of their Pokémon. The leader only allowed both sides to use one Pokémon.

I would have to focus, and make sure I didn't get too cocky. While I had managed to win my rematch against Misty, it had still been a close match.

Daisy and I arrived at the Pokémon Center and arranged rooms to stay in for the night. Then, we sat down at one of the tables in the building and talked strategy. "He's an Electric-Type trainer and usually uses a strong Pokémon like Electrode and Raichu. You need to watch out for Paralysis, and keep in mind that he probably knows the battlefield better than you."

I closed my eyes and tried to think of which of my Pokémon I should use. Pikachu would resist the attacks, but the last time I used him he got overwhelmed. We needed a Pokémon that was flexible, and so I realized Bulbasaur was my best bet.

Daisy and I turned in for the night, and the next day it was time to take on the gym. We met up and left the Pokémon Center, traveling down to the orange-roofed building. There was a small sampling growing in the path that we walked around, and then we entered the building.

Inside the gym was a giant metal floor. Multiple poles were scattered around the square floor, there seemed to be electricity burgeoning from each one. I wasn't sure what that would mean for the battle, but I suppose I'd have to wait and see.

The lieutenant was standing on a slightly raised metal platform at the other side of the gym, a Raichu at his side. The man was dressed in a green tank top and camo shorts. He had sunglasses covering his eyes and a smug grin.

The orange mouse leered at me and rubbed his paws together. The Pokémon's tail had a lightning bolt on the end, and it began to sway back and forth. It was the largest Raichu I had seen, standing at half of its trainer's height.

"Welcome to the Vermilion City gym!" The leader's voice was gruff. "The only way I'm accepting any challenges is if you have two or more badges! I responded to his demand by showing him my badge case.

He crossed his arms, showing off the muscles on them. "The name's Lieutenant Surge! Me and Raichu will be your next Gym Battle, kid. You're gonna have your strategy and your Pokémon tested in this match. Choose your Pokémon." I noticed the lack of a referee, though I supposed it was unnecessary.

I threw out Bulbasaur. He landed on the metal field and looked up at the opposing Pokémon, which towered over him.

"Ha! Nice baby Pokémon!" He laughed. I narrowed my eyes at the older man. "Alright, let's battle!" His Raichu jumped onto the field and Lieutenant Surge pressed a button on the side of the wall. Suddenly, the poles sent out waves of electricity in between them.

The poles linked together with walls of electricity, creating a giant maze out of the interlinking currents. I wasn't sure, but I got the feeling that we didn't want to make contact with those barriers.

Lieutenant Surge snapped his fingers. "Now Raichu, Mega Punch!" Raichu dashed forward running on all four of its limbs, weaving around the barriers. The barriers clicked away, and in an instant, new ones appeared. The shifting maze forced Raichu to change his route.

I don't see why he's doing this, it's just preventing both of us from attacking. Whatever, Bulbasaur send up a cloud of Poison Powder! Bulbasaur launched a cloud of purple specks from his bulb, which infested the air around Raichu.

"Give 'em your Thunderbolt!" Surge ordered. Raichu blasted a powerful jolt of electricity, disintegrating all the specks. "See trainer, in a war everything is unpredictable. Which is why I have these barriers. Not every battle is just running around attacking each other. Now use Thunder Punch on the ground!"

Surge's Pokemon's fist was enveloped in electricity. The Raichu slammed his fist into the ground, sending waves of electricity through the metal floor.

Hang in there Bulbasaur! I told the Pokémon encouragingly, Bulbasaur gritted his teeth as the wave of electricity slammed into him. Then, the barriers changed again. This time, they penned in my Pokémon.

"Raichu, Mega Kick!" Raichu jumped up, facing Bulbasaur. The opposing Pokémon swung his leg at my Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip to throw yourself into the air! My Pokémon  extended his vines and slammed them into the ground, propelling himself into the air.

Raichu crashed into the ground, stumbling and falling into the electric barrier. The Pokémon was then electrocuted before the barrier switched away.

Raichu forced himself up and looked at Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur, look out! "Mega Punch!" The lieutenant's voice rang out, and his Pokémon ascended into the air. Raichu slammed his fist into Bulbasuar's body, launching my Pokémon into the ground.

Bulbasaur crashed onto the battlefield. He shook his body and got back to his feet. "Now use Mega Kick!" My opponent shouted. His Pokémon started to fall towards Bulbasaur, readying his foot for another strike. Bulbasaur use Poison Powder and then jump to the side!

Raichu swung his leg to hit Bulbasaur, who spewed purple powder into the opposing Pokémon's face. Then, Bulbasaur jumped to the side right as Raichu tried to strike. The lieutenant's Pokémon landed on the ground with a crash.

Raichu got up. His face was twisted into a snarl, and there was a faint purple hue under his eyes. He growled at Bulbasaur, but an electric barrier separated the two. The barriers seemed to have exclusively been helping me.

Lieutenant Surge took off his sunglasses. "Don't let this baby give you the runaround, Raichu! Use Thunderbolt!" Raichu jumped high into the air and unleashed a surge of electricity. The electric power slammed into Bulbasaur, blowing him back into a barrier.

The combination electrocuted my Pokémon from all ends. "BULBASAUR!" He cried in pain. The barrier switched away, allowing Bulbasaur to fall onto the ground.

"What's wrong? Is your baby ready to tap out?" Lieutenant Surge taunted. I glared at him, and then my eyes fell on Bulbasaur. He had been severely worn down by the attacks, but I could tell he wasn't done yet. Come on Bulbasaur. Let's show him! Bulbasaur's smile was gone, and he forced himself back up.

A grin crossed both Raichu's and its trainer's faces. The Pokémon shuddered as it took some poison damage, and then pounded his fists together. "Use Mega Punch!" Raichu raised his fist and ran in to attack.

Bulbasaur, duck under it, and use Tackle! Bulbasaur charged forward to meet the opposing Pokémon. My Pokémon ducked under the strike and then threw his body into Raichu. Now run back and use Razor Leaf! Bulbasaur scrambled away from Raichu, flinging leaves from his bulb.

Lieutenant Surge made a fist with his hand. "Thunder Punch on the ground!" Raichu's fist exploded with electric power and crashed into the ground. A wave of electricity erupted from the impact point, charging towards my Pokémon and frying the incoming leaves.

The electricity slammed into Bulbasaur, knocking him into the air. My eyes fell on one of the metal poles and I formed my next plan. Bulbasaur, grab onto that pole with Vine Whip and swing towards Raichu! Then use Vine Whip to attack! Bulbasaur's vines launched out from his sides, wrapping around the metal rod.

He pulled himself forward, swinging upwards and flipping in midair. The Pokémon then swung his vines down at Raichu. The vines made contact, but Raichu grinned. "Grab 'em and throw him!" Raichu's paws grabbed hold of Bulbasaur's vines, pulling the Pokémon down.

The opposing Pokémon swung the vines over his head, and Bulbasaur went soaring into the ground. "Thunderbolt!" The goliath unleashed a surge of electricity into the vines, bringing it right into my Pokémon. I winced as he took on the hit and fell over.

Raichu still seemed to have some fight left in him, shaking off the poison damage. "That all for your baby?"

I glared at Lieutenant Surge. Bulbasaur was giving it his all. How were we supposed to deal with a Pokémon like this? I looked at the barriers and began to notice that the layout was familiar. They were cycling through a set of options.

Bulbasaur, can you still battle? I asked. Bulbasaur's eyes flickered open, and the Pokémon nodded at me. He got to his feet, wincing as he did. I've got a plan. Lure him in! Bulbasaur cried out in Poké-Speak, seeming to goad Raichu.

Raichu charged in at Bulbasaur, weaving around the barriers to get in close. Only a few more seconds, then it would be time. Bulbasaur, run around that pole! I gestured with my head to an inactive rod.

Bulbasaur beelined for the spot, trying to outrun the approaching mouse. This was it. "You can't run forever! Raichu, finish this with Thunderbolt!" Lieutenant Surge's Pokémon came to a stop and fired a blast of electricity at Bulbasaur.

I narrowed my eyes. Use Vine Whip, swing around that pole, and then into Raichu! Bulbasaur's vines lashed out and wrapped around the pole. Bulbasaur then pulled his body in, flying around the pole as the electric attack missed. Bulbasaur slingshot himself around, striking Raichu from behind.

My opponent's Pokémon was launched forward. Just then, a barrier activated where Raichu had landed. He winced as the energy swarmed his body. Bulbasaur, finish this with Vine Whip! Bulbasaur surged with green energy. His vines raced out from either side and smashed into Raichu.

The attack was far more impactful this time. Bulbasaur's Overgrow had powered up the Vine Whip. Giving it enough punch to send Raichu flying back. Finally, the Pokémon fainted from the force of the blow.

Bulbasaur ran up to me as the barriers faded away, and I picked up the Pokémon to embrace him. Bulbasaur, you were incredible! You're amazing! I commended the Pokémon.

Lieutenant surged returned his Pokémon and sighed. "You got me, kid. I know when I'm beaten. You have some pretty nice moves, for a newbie at least. And your Pokémon has a lot of gumption. Here's your gym badge. Congratulations. And also take this TM for Thunderbolt." He said, handing me a badge that looked like a sun, and a disk.

"Good luck, Kid. I'm interested in seeing how strong you get!" He gave me a respectful smile, and we nodded at each other.

I turned my attention to Daisy. The girl immediately started patting Bulbasaur on the head. "What a trooper you are! Great work out there buddy! You two were amazing, seriously."

We started to stroll out of the gym. "He's pretty intense, huh?" Daisy commented. I felt a wave of relief now that I was out of that building. I think that's probably why there's not much of a military anymore. I looked down at Bulbasaur, who had fallen asleep in my arms.

If he was capable of that much, I had to be sure not to let him down as his trainer.