The morning sun gleamed across the city skyline as Akira, Ame, and William stood before the grand electric-type gym—a structure pulsing with blue neon lights and electric coils humming across its roof. The energy in the air was palpable, like lightning before a storm.
Akira clenched his fists, excitement burning in his chest. "Alright, guys, time to face Volt."
"Ready when you are," Ame said, adjusting her cap.
"You've got this," William added with a calm nod.
The trio stepped into the gym, greeted by a buzz of machines and electric currents coursing through transparent cables embedded in the walls. A trainer at the entrance raised an eyebrow and said, "Who's here to challenge the gym?"
Akira stepped forward confidently. "I am."
The trainer smirked. "Then go to the battlefield. I'll call the Gym Leader."
As Akira made his way to the wide battle arena with glowing lines, Ame and William took seats in the observation area above. The stadium lights dimmed before flickering back on dramatically. Heavy footsteps echoed as a tall man with spiked yellow hair, dark glasses, and a long black-and-yellow coat walked in.
"I am Volt," he announced. "The electric current of this city flows through me. And you must be… Akira?"
Akira nodded. "That's me."
Volt glanced up at the stands and spotted William. "So, you two are friends, huh?"
"Yeah, since childhood," Akira confirmed.
Volt chuckled. "Then give me a battle as intense as his. Let's see what you've got."
Without delay, Volt threw his first Poké Ball. "Go, Electros!"
A flash of light revealed a floating eel-like Pokémon with glowing fangs and a charged aura.
Akira smirked and sent out Gible, the little land shark growling with determination.
Both Pokémon took their positions.
"Battle begin!" shouted the referee.
"Electros, Thunderbolt!" Volt commanded.
"Gible, dodge and use Dragon Claw!"
Gible dashed to the side, narrowly dodging the electric surge before slashing forward with glowing claws. The move hit, but Electros barely flinched.
"Gible's ground moves are useless against Electros because of Levitate," Ame noted.
"Yeah," William said. "Akira knows. He always starts like this—rushing in. But he's got a trick coming. He always does."
Ame smiled. "You two know each other well."
"We grew up together," William said. "Ray, Akira, and me. I was always following behind them. They've both been strong since day one."
She looked at him curiously. "So what's your goal?"
William's eyes shone. "I want to be an electric-type Gym Leader. It's not about being Champion—it's about finding my own spark."
Ame nodded. "I like that."
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Electros was dominating. Gible was getting knocked back by wave after wave of electric and water-based attacks.
Volt smirked. "Is that all you've got? You're already at your limit."
Akira wiped sweat from his brow. "Limits? We don't believe in limits—right, Gible?"
With a roar, Gible's body began to glow. A surge of light erupted as his form shifted and grew larger.
"Gible… evolved!" Ame gasped.
Gabite stood proudly in Gible's place, sharper and faster.
Akira grinned. "Now it's time to really battle. Let's end this, Gabite!"
Volt's eyes gleamed. "So your Pokémon evolved mid-battle. Not bad."
Gabite lunged with Dragon Claw, and Electros struck back with Charge and Aqua Tail. The battlefield shook with the collision of attacks.
But this time, Gabite was faster, stronger, smarter. In a flash, Electros was overwhelmed and fell to the ground, defeated.
Akira clenched his fist. "That's our power!"
"Wow," Ame said. "I thought he was done for."
William smiled. "That's Akira. Always has a surprise up his sleeve."
Volt returned Electros and sent out his ace. "Now it gets serious. Electivire—let's end this!"
The muscular electric Pokémon stomped the ground, sparks flying from its tails.
Akira stepped forward. "Let's see what you've got!"
The battle erupted again—Electivire and Gabite trading powerful blows, Dragon Rush meeting Ice Punch in mid-air. Gabite gave it his all, but Electivire's speed and super-effective attacks eventually took their toll. With one last Ice Punch, Gabite went down.
Volt crossed his arms. "That's one down. You've still got more?"
Akira returned Gabite and looked to his final hope. "Charmeleon, I choose you!"
Ame gasped. "Can Charmeleon win this?"
William stayed quiet, eyes locked on the field.
"Charmeleon, use Flamethrower!"
Electivire countered with Thunderbolt, then rushed in with Thunder Punch. The attacks landed, knocking Charmeleon back. He growled, eyes burning with determination.
"Now use Dragon Claw!" Akira shouted.
The clash of Dragon Claw and Thunder Punch was fierce—neither holding back.
"Electivire, Discharge!"
Electricity surged across the battlefield, paralyzing and damaging Charmeleon.
Volt pointed. "Finish this with Dynamic Punch!"
The blow hit, nearly taking Charmeleon out. Smoke covered the field.
"Charmeleon…" Akira whispered.
A surge of energy stirred inside him—his eyes glowed red. Charmeleon's eyes mirrored his. Their bond ignited.
A burst of fire erupted from Charmeleon. Blaze had activated.
"Now!" Akira roared. "Use Fire Blast!"
Volt smirked. "Thunder!"
The two devastating moves collided, creating a massive explosion. Smoke clouded everything.
When the dust settled, Electivire was barely standing. Charmeleon was nowhere to be seen.
Then—
Charmeleon burst from underground, flames wrapped around his claw, and struck with Fire Punch!
BOOM!
Electivire crashed to the ground—defeated.
The stadium fell silent.
Akira exhaled, smiling. "We did it."
Ame blinked. "He… won."
William chuckled. "Still unpredictable after all these years."
Volt walked up, returning Electivire. "Impressive. That underground move—you planned that mid-battle?"
Akira grinned. "Right in the middle of the fight."
Volt laughed. "You're unpredictable, Akira. I like that."
They shook hands.
After receiving his second badge, Akira walked out with his friends.
William patted his back. "Two badges. I've got to catch up."
Akira smirked. "Let's see who gets the third first."
But William shook his head. "I'm going back. I'm challenging Droid instead."
Akira paused, then understood. "Alright… then we'll meet at the League."
The trio spent the night at the Pokémon Center. The next morning, they said their goodbyes.
Akira and Ame headed toward the next city. William turned back toward his challenge.
As Akira and Ame crossed through a thick forest path, their attention was drawn to several cloaked figures moving through the trees.
"Team Darkness…" Ame said, narrowing her eyes. "What are they doing here?"
Akira's expression hardened.
"This time," Ame said, "I'll defeat them. For my father."
To be continued...