"It's over! We're done for! Onix really used Earthquake. That guy upstairs jinxed it!"
"Pichu! My poor little Pichu!"
"I'm out, guys. Can't bear to watch little Pichu get brutally crushed by Onix."
"Streamer, you deserve what's coming!!!"
...
The live chat was filled with wails of despair. Many viewers' goodwill toward Caster plummeted to rock bottom; some even turned from fans to haters and started cursing him out.
Only Caster remained completely confident. He'd obviously anticipated this scenario long ago.
"Pichu, climb onto Onix's body!"
Caster quickly gave the command.
"Roarrr~"
On the opposite side of the field, Onix began swinging its tail and pounding the ground, but the small, agile Pichu was one step ahead, already scrambling up Onix's body.
BOOM!
Earthquake waves began radiating outward, engulfing the entire battlefield.
But the epicenter where Onix stood was the exception. Though Earthquake was an area-of-effect attack, it exempted the user.
The key point was that Onix, lacking hands or feet, couldn't shake off the tiny Pichu no matter how hard it twisted and writhed.
This was also Gyarados's weakness!
Caster made a mental note and seized the opportunity to counterattack: "Now! Use Draining Kiss!"
"Pichu~"
Perched on Onix's neck, Pichu planted a kiss on the rock-like surface. Fairy-type energy surged out wildly.
Mwah!
Onix shuddered, its body instantly going rigid.
"Roar~"
Then Onix let out a cry of pain, while Pichu began glowing with a hazy light.
Before everyone's eyes, the small, adorable Pichu became radiant and full of energy.
In contrast, the massive, powerfully built Onix began panting heavily, its body swaying unsteadily.
"Pichu~"
Watching Onix collapse, unable to get up, Pichu could hardly believe it.
I'm this strong?
"This Pichu actually knows Draining Kiss?"
Hiding in the shadows, Clair [the visiting Dragon-type expert] was shocked.
As a Dragon-type specialist, she naturally had some knowledge of her type's nemesis, Fairy types.
But the more powerful a move, the harder it was to learn, especially off-type moves.
Yet this Pichu had already demonstrated two Fairy-type moves so far: Sweet Kiss and Draining Kiss.
"Could this guy really be a move-tutor master?"
Clair looked at Caster with burning interest.
That might also explain why his Magikarp could use Bounce.
Meanwhile, the live chat exploded.
"Pichu's so strong! Just one kiss and it brought Onix to its knees!"
"That's because Onix is famous for its strong physical defense, but its special defense is pathetically weak.
And Draining Kiss happens to be a special attack, hitting Onix right in its weak spot."
"The weak spot is one thing, but I think this Pichu's special attack stat is exceptionally high too.
Otherwise, a Fairy-type Draining Kiss doesn't even have type advantage against Onix; it wouldn't produce this kind of effect."
"So this was the streamer and Pichu's trump card all along? Nice!"
...
In the live chat, Caster's damaged reputation began to recover.
On the battlefield, Onix tried to escape by digging underground, but Caster gave it no chance.
Mwah!
With another kiss from Pichu, Onix looked completely drained, its eyes spinning as it collapsed to the ground.
"What? Onix?!"
Flint's face was full of surprise; his perpetually squinting eyes seemed about to open.
He'd expected a one-sided victory, not to be the one getting crushed.
"Pi~"
Having defeated Onix with just two kisses, Pichu got excited. Sparks flew from its cheeks, and its eyes were full of eagerness.
I can take on ten more!
Meanwhile, in Caster's live chat...
The viewers were stunned by this scene, but after the shock wore off, they turned back into their usual chaotic selves.
The chat exploded with comments, the atmosphere full of joy.
Only Onix's reputation took a hit!
...
After defeating Onix, everyone's confidence in Caster and Pichu was restored. As a result, Caster's stream viewership kept climbing, becoming quite lively.
"You did well, Onix."
After recalling Onix, Flint took a deep breath and threw out his second Poké Ball with all his might.
"Gooom~"
Accompanied by a dull roar, a Pokémon appeared that looked like a large ball covered in rock, somewhat resembling a turtle but with thick, powerful limbs.
When this Pokémon landed, the entire rocky field trembled.
It was a Rock/Ground-type Pokémon: Golem!
"What's going on? I remember Pewter Gym's signature Pokémon are Onix and Geodude. Why is he bringing out Golem this time?"
"Flint, can't handle losing? You're using a fully evolved Pokémon like Golem against little Pichu? You trying to bully the weak?!"
"Exactly! That gym trainer is totally picking on someone! Streamer, I suggest you hit back hard.
Send out Gyarados and use Waterfall to grind that Golem into the dirt!"
...
The live chat erupted with righteous indignation.
Only Caster remained calm, smiling at the camera: "Golem? Actually, I think Pichu can handle it!"
But the viewers didn't believe him.
"Streamer, for real?"
"Streamer, stop messing around! Golem's different from Onix. It's round all over with nowhere to grip; Pichu can't cling to it to avoid Earthquake.
If Earthquake hits, little Pichu's gonna be toast."
"Pichu: My whole life has been walking on thin ice, trembling with every step. Can I really make it to the other side?"
"Hold on, everyone. The streamer might have another trick up his sleeve."
"Agreed! The streamer's such a schemer!"
...
Some viewers had already caught on to Caster's patterns.
Though they didn't know what his trump card was, they kept an open mind.
"Golem, use Rock Slide!"
Flint continued his offensive.
"Gooom~"
Golem cried out, Rock-type energy surging from its body. Soon, several millstone-sized rocks formed above the field and came crashing down, aimed straight at Pichu.
Watching the boulders that were even bigger than Pichu itself, Caster quickly shouted: "Agility, then charge forward!"
Since this was the final battle, Caster saw no need to hold back anymore.
The only issue was that Pichu's Surf move had limited power and range; to guarantee a hit, they needed to close the distance.
After all, point-blank shots don't miss!
"Pi~"
White light flashed around Pichu as its body suddenly became lighter.
With nimble movements and a small frame, Pichu not only easily dodged all the falling rocks while running and jumping but also noticeably increased its speed, rapidly closing the distance to Golem.
"It knows Agility too?"
Clair was shocked again.
So far, Pichu had demonstrated Flash, Sweet Kiss, Agility, and Draining Kiss; four moves, all off-type for Pichu.
But how young was this Pichu?
Rather than believing Pichu had learned all these moves on its own, Clair was more inclined to think Caster had taught them.
"This kid's definitely a move-tutor master!"
Clair's eyes gleamed as she made her assessment.
Seeing all the rocks dodged, Flint grew anxious and shouted: "Golem, Earthquake!"
After all, he'd been on the defensive this entire battle, with no chance to shine.
"It's over! Little Pichu's done for! Point-blank Earthquake; how do you deal with that?"
In the live chat, viewers were shaking their heads.