Skylar Johnson: The trainer

Disclaimer: I do not own this CYOA or Pokemon

The next two days passed in a blur of focused, relentless training.

I concentrated primarily on Golbat and Mankey, pushing them harder than ever before. Their gravity training sessions were intensified, increasing the gravitational pull around them to nearly eight times normal gravity. The harshness of the training made every flap of Golbat's wings and every punch from Mankey twice as difficult – but also twice as effective. Sweat dripped down my neck as I trained alongside them, forcing my own body to adapt, even if only a fraction of their growth.

Golbat's flight movements became sharper, faster, and more precise under the crushing pressure, while Mankey's footwork and ground impact turned deadlier with each low kick, scratch, and punch thrown under enhanced gravity. Every night, we returned to the Pokémon Centre utterly drained but stronger than the day before.

Finally, on the third morning, as the dawn light spilled through the window of my rented room, a loud caw echoed from outside. I opened the window to see a majestic Pidgeot swooping down, a leather delivery satchel strapped securely to its chest.

"Right on time," I whispered with a grin.

The Pidgeot landed gracefully in front of me, tilting its head with intelligent amber eyes as it allowed me to retrieve the parcel from its satchel. I scanned the confirmation code with my Pokédex and gave the bird a gentle pat on its feathered crest. With a dignified squawk, it spread its massive wings and soared off into the morning sky.

Inside the package were the five TM discs, each gleaming with a faint technological shimmer under the early sunlight.

Without wasting a moment, I got to work.

Using a TM was straightforward but still felt miraculous. I loaded each disc one by one into my Pokédex, watching as the small screen flickered with digital data streams. Then, holding the Pokéball containing the intended Pokémon, I pressed the scan function.

The Pokéball would glow softly for a few seconds, and with a ding of confirmation, the TM data was transferred directly to the Pokémon inside. It felt almost like gifting them secret knowledge of a powerful move they never knew they could wield.

Once all five TMs had been absorbed, I didn't waste time celebrating. For the next two days, we trained relentlessly, integrating these new techniques into their natural move sets. We ran drills, practiced in different terrains, and sparred against each other under intense gravity training to simulate real battle fatigue and adaptation.

Every move was sharper, every dodge was cleaner, every counterattack was deadlier.

By the end of the fifth day, as I watched my team resting under the dim orange glow of the setting sun, a fierce sense of pride burned within me.

They were ready.

We were ready.

Tomorrow, Lieutenant Surge's electric kingdom would fall before us.

Oooo

I finally found the Vermilion City Gym after wandering around for nearly an hour. It wasn't hidden exactly, but its unassuming exterior belied the fearsome reputation it carried. The real clues to its location weren't the signs on the streets, but the frantic trainers I kept encountering along the way – some running past me with tears in their eyes, clutching their injured Pokémon tightly against their chests, others holding Poké Balls with trembling hands, whispering desperate reassurances to the Pokémon inside.

"Hold on, Butterfree, please hold on…"

Their voices echoed in my ears as I approached the squat, bunker-like building with lightning bolt insignias painted across its steel-gray walls. My heart hammered with anticipation and unease.

I stepped inside.

The air was electric – literally and metaphorically. Bright fluorescent lights reflected off the metallic walls, and the faint scent of ozone lingered. Behind the reception counter sat a woman in a neat navy uniform, typing away at a terminal.

"I'd like to challenge Lt. Surge," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the churn of adrenaline in my veins.

She looked up at me, her red-painted lips curling into a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You're in luck," she replied smoothly, though there was something almost sadistic in the glint of her gaze. "There's an immediate slot open. You can proceed."

"Thank you," I nodded.

Just as I turned to head towards the audience waiting area before being called in, the arena doors burst open with a loud clang.

A girl no older than me stumbled out, her cheeks streaked with tears. In her trembling arms was a Sandslash, its body limp, deep burn marks visible across its tough spiked hide.

"You have to hold on, Sandslash," she sobbed, her voice cracking as she ran past me. "Please, just hold on… I'll get you to the Pokémon Centre, I promise…"

I froze, watching her disappear into the bright sunlit streets, her words lingering in my mind.

"You can go inside now," the receptionist's voice snapped me back to reality. Her polite smile remained fixed in place, but this time, I caught the cold edge behind it.

I took a deep breath and pushed the heavy metal door open.

Inside, the gym arena was built like a military training ground – metal flooring reinforced with black hazard lines, concrete blast walls, and flickering overhead lights casting harsh shadows. Electric generators hummed around the perimeter, giving off that sharp ozone scent.

At the far end stood Lt. Surge.

He was massive. Towering. His muscular arms were folded across his broad chest, the sleeves of his dark green military jacket rolled up to reveal thick forearms crisscrossed with faded scars. His spiky blonde hair gleamed under the flickering lights, and a pair of dark sunglasses sat perched on his sharp nose, hiding his eyes. Dog tags clinked faintly against his chest as he moved, his heavy combat boots thudding loudly on the metal floor.

Lt. Surge smirked as I stepped onto the battlefield, his heavy boots thudding against the metal flooring. He adjusted his sunglasses slightly, revealing sharp steel-blue eyes that flicked over me with faint amusement.

"So, you're the fresh meat today," he drawled, voice deep and edged with arrogance. "What's your name, kid?"

"Skylar," I replied firmly, trying not to let his overwhelming presence shake me.

"Skylar, huh?" He chuckled darkly. "Well, Skylar, I only do one-on-one battles. Makes it easier for Nurse Joy when I mop the floor with my opponents."

His grin widened, feral and condescending. "Can't have her working overtime patching up all the sorry excuses for trainers who walk in here."

My jaw tightened, heat rising in my chest, but I forced myself to keep my gaze locked on his. "You'll find I'm not that easy to mop up."

He tilted his head back and laughed, low and rumbling like distant thunder. "I like your spirit, kid. Let's see if your Pokémon can keep up with your mouth."

Electricity sparked across his gloved fingers as he grabbed his Poké Ball .

"Don't disappoint me."

I inhaled sharply, my team's Poké Balls warm against my hip. My heart beat steady and strong. We won't.

Lt. Surge smirked as he tossed his Poké Ball. "Let's end this quick, Raichu."

With a burst of crackling electricity, Raichu landed lightly on its feet, its long tail flicking as arcs of static danced across its orange fur. Its cheeks sparked with building power, eyes narrowed and locked onto Mankey.

"Raichu, Thunder Punch!"

"Focus energy, Mankey!" I shouted.

Raichu dashed forward, its speed almost a blur as electricity coated its fist. Mankey crossed his arms and closed his eyes, his muscles tightening, aura sharpening. Raichu's Thunder Punch slammed into Mankey's chest, sending him skidding backwards on the metal floor, claws screeching against steel.

"Hold on!" I yelled.

Mankey growled, bracing himself, smoke rising from his fur. His eyes snapped open with a wild glint.

"Quick Attack!"

Raichu flickered out of view and reappeared beside Mankey, slamming into his side and knocking him off his feet.

"Get up, Mankey! Use Rock Tomb!"

With a defiant roar, Mankey smashed his fists into the floor. The ground cracked and pillars of jagged stone erupted around Raichu, slamming into it from all sides and pinning it in place with a scream of pain.

"Thundershock, Raichu!"

Raichu grit its teeth, electricity surging in a wave from its cheeks, blasting apart the rocks and surging towards Mankey. Sparks exploded across Mankey's fur, his body convulsing, but he stood his ground, panting heavily.

"Earthquake, NOW!"

Mankey leapt high and crashed his fists down with all his might. The gym floor cracked violently, sending tremors rippling through the arena. Raichu staggered, losing its balance, its tail lashing wildly.

"Thunder!"

Lt. Surge's roar was deafening as Raichu forced its aching body upright and called down a massive column of lightning. The crackling pillar struck Mankey dead-on, engulfing him in blinding white light.

"MAAAANKEY!"

The electricity cleared, smoke rising from the singed floor. I clenched my fists, heart pounding painfully in my chest.

Then, through the smoke, Mankey roared – his fur burnt at the tips, eyes blazing with rage and determination. He charged forward with everything he had left.

"Fury Swipes!"

He slashed Raichu across the chest once, twice, three times, sparks flying with each strike before Raichu's legs finally gave out and it collapsed unconscious.

The gym fell silent except for my ragged breathing. I blinked rapidly as Lt. Surge stared, his sunglasses slipping down his nose in shock.

"We… we won…" I whispered.

Mankey stumbled forward, breathing heavily. Then his body was enveloped in a radiant white glow, his muscles expanding, his form growing taller and bulkier. The glow shattered, revealing a towering Primeape. He pounded his chest and let out an earth-shaking battle cry that echoed through the metal arena.

"Primeape…" I whispered in awe, feeling my chest tighten with pride and relief. "You did it. Couldn't you do it while we were battling."

Lt. Surge returned Raichu with a resigned sigh, a small, respectful smile on his lips. "Looks like I underestimated you, kid."

Primeape turned, eyes wild with pride and burning with the promise of every victory yet to come.

Lt. Surge let out a sharp laugh as he returned his fainted Raichu. "Well, damn kid… didn't think you'd actually pull it off."

I was still staring at Primeape in shock, his broad chest heaving with each powerful breath, adrenaline radiating off him like heat waves. He glanced back at me, eyes fierce but filled with pride. My lips curled into a shaky smile.

"Primeape… you were amazing."

Surge walked across the ruined, cracked floor, heavy boots thudding with authority. "I gotta say," he continued, tossing Raichu's Poké Ball lightly before hooking it back on his belt, "you're the first rookie I've seen take a Thunder straight on and still stand. You and your Primeape… got guts."

I swallowed down the lump in my throat as he pulled something from his pocket – a shining golden badge shaped like a jagged lightning bolt. "Here. This is proof you beat me. The Thunder Badge."

I reached out with trembling fingers, taking the badge from him. It was warm against my palm, and I closed my fingers around it tightly.

Surge also handed over a small envelope and a metallic disc. "And this is your prize money – three thousand Pokédollars. Plus, a TM for Shock Wave. It never misses. Teach it to your Pokémon, and they'll hit fast and hard."

"Thank you, Lt. Surge," I said quietly, tucking the envelope away safely and inspecting the TM with awe.

Surge smirked, crossing his arms as he looked me up and down. "Don't thank me, kid. You earned it. But let me give you one piece of advice." He leaned down so we were eye level, his eyes narrowing behind those dark shades. "Keep training. Keep pushing. Because out there," he jerked his head towards the gym door, "no one's gonna go easy on you. The world's tough, but if you're tougher… you'll survive."

I nodded firmly. "I will. I'll become the strongest trainer there ever was."

Surge chuckled, straightening up to his full, towering height. "That's what I like to hear. Now get outta here before I decide to challenge you again."

I laughed, calling Primeape back into his Poké Ball. As I stepped out of the gym into the cool evening air, badge clutched tightly in my hand, a wave of fierce determination surged through me.

Three badges down… five more to go.

Name- Skylar Johnson

Age- 14

Home- Kanto

Pokedollars- 90,426

Pokemon owned- 5

Badges- Boulder Badge, Cascade Badge, Thunder Badge

Golbat – The Bat Pokémon

Type: Poison/Flying

Gender: Male

Height: 5'3"

Ability: Inner Focus

Known Moves: Supersonic, Absorb, Astonish, Mean Look, Poison Fang, Air cutter, Double team

Dratini – The Dragon Pokémon

Gender: Female

Height: 5'3"

Ability: Shed Skin

Known Moves: Dragon Breath, Wrap, Twister, Leer, thunder wave, water pulse, Agility

Ivysaur- the seed pokemon

Gender: Male

Height: 3'4"

Ability: Overgrow

Moves: Tackle, Vine Whip, Growth, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, seed bomb, Leaf storm

Jigglypuff- the balloon Pokemon

Gender: Female

Height: 1'8"

Ability: Cute charm

Moves: Sing, Gravity, Disarming voice, Echoed voice, Charm, Disable, Calm Mind

PrimeApe- The monkey Pokemon,

Gender: male

Height: 3'9"

Ability: Vital Spirit

Moves: Scratch, leer, furry swipes, focus energy, Rock Tomb, Earthquake