With an ominous sense of foreboding, Lt. Surge rushed back to Vermilion Gym.
However, before he even stepped inside, he already sensed something was wrong.
"Where are the guards?"
Before leaving, he had specifically stationed some of his most capable subordinates at the entrance.
Now, the doorway stood completely empty.
His unease deepened. Taking a deep breath, he exchanged a gnce with Electabuzz before stepping inside.
The gym was pitch bck—all the lights had been shut off.
Just as he was about to head toward the command room, a faint glow and hushed, indistinct noises came from the direction of the battle arena.
"Something’s off…"
Gripping a Poké Ball tightly, Lt. Surge advanced cautiously.
This was his turf—yet, for some reason, he felt like an intruder sneaking in.
The contrast was infuriating.
Reaching the battle arena’s entrance, he carefully avoided the traps he had set and pushed the door open.
The moment he stepped inside—
Snap!
Every light in the battle arena suddenly shut off.
Before he could react, three spotlights flickered on, converging directly onto him, making him the center of attention.
But since this was his gym, being put under the lights didn’t faze him.
Instead, his eyes went straight to his seat at the arena.
Sitting there was a man.
And that man—
Looked exactly like him.
Seeing Lt. Surge’s stunned expression, August let out a hearty ugh and stood up.
"Hello, Baby! I’m Lt. Surge! Welcome to my Vermilion Gym! Are you today’s challenger?"
Lt. Surge’s face darkened.
"So, the Masked Corps all have a habit of stealing other people’s faces to live?"
His mood soured even further.
The fact that his doppelg?nger was sitting there so boldly meant one thing—
The remaining Rocket grunts inside the gym had already been dealt with.
"No, no, no, I’m the real Lt. Surge!" August wagged a finger at him.
"Listen to my way of speaking—do you think anyone but the real Lt. Surge could talk like this?"
Even Giovanni himself wouldn’t dare cim that August wasn’t Lt. Surge.
"Fuck! I’M the real Lt. Surge, you bastard!"
Lt. Surge snapped.
He had no patience for this nonsense.
With a wave of his hand, he ordered, "Electabuzz! [Thunderbolt]! Fry that damn imposter!"
But August immediately shouted back, "My electrifying Electabuzz! Don’t be fooled! I’m your true master!"
Electabuzz, just about to attack, hesitated.
It looked back and forth between the two Trainers—one was its longtime master, but the other… the way he spoke… sounded so much more like him.
For a moment, it was genuinely confused.
Seeing this, Lt. Surge’s blood pressure spiked.
He wasn’t angry that someone was impersonating him—he knew he was the real one.
But the fact that his own Pokémon had doubted for even a second?
That was what pissed him off the most.
Fortunately, Electabuzz quickly came to its senses. Sniffing the air, it caught Lt. Surge’s familiar scent and immediately turned back to August—before unleashing a powerful [Thunderbolt] straight at him.
Only then did Lt. Surge feel slightly better.
"Too bad," August sighed.
He had almost fooled Electabuzz. Damn Pokémon noses were too sharp.
"You’re heartless, Electabuzz."
Even as he said this, he swiftly signaled to Gardevoir.
Swish!
A shimmering [Light Screen] materialized in front of him, deflecting the incoming [Thunderbolt].
"Heh, so you’ve finally dropped the act?" Lt. Surge sneered.
His gaze fell on the Gardevoir beside August, and he quickly searched his memory for a match.
Then, he locked onto a name.
"The Demon Ranger, August?"
"Busted? Guess Gardevoir’s too recognizable…" August shrugged.
There was only one Shiny Gardevoir known in Kanto. If he brought her out, there was no hiding his identity.
Wiping his face, he dropped the disguise and revealed his true appearance.
Lt. Surge’s mind raced as he recalled August’s history. "Heard you were once a legendary League Ranger. Never thought you’d betray the League and join the Masked Corps!"
"As a Vermilion Gym Leader, I’ll bring you to justice today!"
If he was fighting the Masked Corps, he didn’t need Team Rocket’s power—he could just use the League’s authority.
Hearing Lt. Surge still keeping up the act, August cpped his hands, impressed.
If he really had been a Masked Corps member, he might’ve fallen for it.
Unfortunately for Lt. Surge—
August had evidence.
"Cut the crap, Lt. Surge. Your subordinates have already confessed."
"Not to mention the mountains of Team Rocket uniforms and equipment sitting in your underground storage. Go ahead, try expining that to the League—see if they believe you’re not with Team Rocket."
Lt. Surge fell silent.
There was no talking his way out of this one.
He had been too careless, leaving behind way too much evidence.
But—
"You’re in no position to judge me, Masked Corps scum."
"I’ve never even heard of your little organization. No way you’re League-sanctioned."
"So go ahead—report me to the League! Let’s see if they believe a Gym Leader like me, or a guy who resigned from the League long ago!"
Lt. Surge was fearless.
He had built deep connections in Vermilion City over the years.
With Team Rocket backing him in the shadows, unless someone from the League itself obtained direct evidence, he could still worm his way out of trouble.
That was why Lance had always been wary of making a move against him.
But unfortunately for him—
"Lt. Surge… how dare you assume my identity?" August asked coldly.
Lt. Surge chuckled darkly, but as he met August’s steady gaze, a sense of unease crept in.
Wait.
No way…
The next second, August calmly lifted his badge and search warrant.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is August, currently serving as an officer in the Kanto Division of the International Police."
"Based on the evidence at hand, you are suspected of colluding with Team Rocket. The proof is undeniable."
"Now then, Lt. Surge—come with me."
Lt. Surge’s response—
Was a wild, manic ugh.
"You fool! Did you think I was stalling for nothing?!"
As he roared, several tiny Voltorb hidden around August silently rolled closer—
Then fshed with a blinding light.
