Dust swirled behind them.
Arcanine sprinted across Route 6 like a bolt of living fire, his paws barely touching the ground as the world blurred around him.
On his back, Skylar leaned forward, eyes focused, adrenaline pulsing.
Behind him, Misty clung tight, wind in her hair and excitement in her voice.
—"We're already passing Saffron?!"
Skylar grinned. "We'll be in Vermilion in ten minutes!"
She laughed. "This is insane!"
Arcanine barked proudly as they raced southward, tearing through grassy hills and narrow paths, barely slowing even to jump across small rivers.
He had one goal:
Badge number three.
They arrived in Vermilion City just as the sun reached its peak.
The port buzzed with life—sailors shouting, Wingull soaring above the docked ships, and the salty breeze of the ocean blending with the scent of grilled Magikarp skewers sold by the boardwalk.
But Skylar didn't stop to sightsee.
He headed straight for the Vermilion Gym—a massive steel structure humming with electric energy. Thunder-like rumbles echoed from within, shaking the bolts that lined the entrance gate.
Outside, a Gym Assistant looked up, startled.
—"Whoa—you here for a challenge?"
Skylar dismounted Arcanine, Misty landing beside him with grace.
He nodded. "Skylar of Twinleaf. Two badges. I'm here for the third."
The assistant blinked. "Most people book a day in advance."
Skylar simply stepped forward, Arcanine growling behind him, mane blazing in the heat.
The assistant smiled. "Okay then. You've got spirit. I'll tell Lt. Surge."
Inside, the gym was pure metal—grids, wires, and large battery cells sparking along the walls. The battlefield was elevated, with magnetic rails running beneath it. Overhead, arcs of electricity pulsed through coils.
Lt. Surge stood waiting in the center—tall, broad-shouldered, sunglasses gleaming even indoors.
—"So. You're the Mega kid."
Skylar raised an eyebrow. "Word travels fast."
Surge cracked his knuckles. "You want the Thunder Badge, you better come at me like lightning."
Skylar smiled. "I brought something faster."
He nodded at Arcanine.
The Gym's announcer voice rang out overhead.
"Official challenge initiated: 2-on-2 battle! Challenger Skylar vs. Vermilion Leader Lt. Surge!"
"Let the match… begin!"
Surge didn't waste time.
He tossed his Poké Ball. "Electrode! You're up!"
The white-and-red orb Pokémon burst out with a humming buzz, electricity already crackling around it.
Skylar pointed forward.
—"Arcanine—let's go!"
The fire-type bounded into the arena with a roar, tail flaring and paws stomping into the metal floor.
Surge smirked. "Let's see how fast he really is."
"Electrode—Thunder Wave!"
Skylar countered instantly.
—"Extreme Speed! Dodge—then Flame Charge!"
Electrode sparked and fired off a paralyzing bolt—but Arcanine vanished in a streak of motion, appearing to the left and slamming full-force into Electrode with a burst of flame.
The speed of the blow sent Electrode rolling like a bowling ball across the floor—slamming into a wall.
It sparked wildly, twitching.
"Electrode is unable to battle!"
Surge whistled. "Well damn. Guess we're skipping warm-up."
He returned the fainted Pokémon and pulled another Poké Ball.
—"Raichu. Time to light it up!"
A blur of yellow fur and coiled power burst onto the field.
Raichu's cheeks glowed immediately.
Surge snapped his fingers.
"Thunderbolt—now!"
The lightning bolt blasted toward Arcanine with frightening speed.
Skylar yelled, "Dig!"
Arcanine vanished underground a split second before impact—the electricity exploding on the surface.
Surge narrowed his eyes. "Not bad."
Then the floor cracked beneath Raichu—
Arcanine shot upward in a column of dirt and fire, slamming into Raichu with a direct hit.
Raichu flipped backward—but landed.
Still standing.
Surge grinned. "Good. This one's got grit."
"Raichu, Double Team! Then Volt Tackle!"
Raichu blurred—multiplying into illusions as sparks danced across the field. One of the copies lunged forward, trailing a full-speed lightning streak.
Skylar pointed ahead. "Flare Blitz! Match him head-on!"
Arcanine roared, charging up in a full-body flame burst. He launched forward—
The two attacks collided mid-field in an explosion of fire and light.
Smoke filled the gym.
The ground rumbled.
Then—
Silence.
When the smoke cleared, Arcanine stood panting, flames flickering around his paws.
Raichu lay on its back, knocked out cold.
"Raichu is unable to battle!"
"Victory to the challenger—Skylar!"
Surge walked across the battlefield, returning Raichu with a grin.
"Fast. Sharp. Confident. You've got a hell of a future, kid."
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a badge shaped like a golden lightning bolt.
—"Thunder Badge. You earned it."
Skylar accepted it, breath still heavy from the fast-paced battle.
He looked at Arcanine, who wagged his tail with pride.
Misty joined him at the edge of the field.
"Three badges," she said. "You're on fire."
Skylar smiled, tucking the badge into his case.
—"Let's see how far that fire can carry us."