Pikachu launches himself forward, a brilliant yellow streak. He unleashes a focused Thunderbolt. Golden electricity arcs directly at Electro.
Pika...CHUUUUUUU!
Electro throws his head back, a smug laugh vibrating through the air. He extends his hands. The bolts hit him square in the chest. He absorbs the energy. His body flares brighter, crackling with renewed power.
"You really think a little zap is going to hurt me? I'm made of this stuff! That was a stupid move!"
Orion's smile holds a calm, knowing edge. He keeps his gaze steady.
"On the contrary. That was simply a test."
He nods toward Pikachu, whose eyes gleam with a mischievous spark.
"Pikachu possesses a rather diverse move set, as you will soon discover. Its abilities extend beyond simple Electric-type attacks."
Electro, visibly annoyed, shot another concentrated blast of electricity at Pikachu. The blue-white energy streaked across the space, heading directly for the small Pokémon. Pikachu braced himself, his body glowing faintly as the attack connected. The electricity, instead of harming him, seemed to simply flow into his form.
ZZZZZT!
Pikachu pulsed with a stronger golden aura, his cheeks sparking with renewed vigor. Electro's jaw dropped. A confused scowl twisted his face.
"What in the world was that? That's not supposed to happen! I just gave you enough juice to power a small city!" Electro yelled, his voice laced with genuine disbelief. His hair crackled even more furiously, reflecting his rising frustration. He stomped a foot, causing sparks to fly off the asphalt. "Nobody just absorbs my lightning like that!"
Pikachu possesses the unique ability Lightning Rod. This power allows it to draw in any Electric-type attack, negating the damage and instead boosting its own Special Attack. Trainers often use this surprising ability to deceive unsuspecting opponents, tricking them into overcharging Pikachu and inadvertently making it stronger. This strategy relies on an opponent's overconfidence, causing them to believe they are weakening Pikachu when, in fact, they are empowering it. Pikachu becomes a living conduit, absorbing electrical energy and channeling it into its own attacks, often leading to spectacular and unexpected turnarounds in battle. The absorbed electricity amplifies its aura, making its subsequent attacks far more potent.
"Every surge you feed Pikachu only makes it stronger," Orion adds, his voice even and calm.
Orion gave Pikachu a subtle nod. The small Pokémon launched himself forward. He became a blur of motion, a vibrant yellow streak darting across the cracked pavement. Pikachu zipped past Electro's flailing arms, effortlessly evading the arcing lightning blasts.
Whoosh!
Pikachu performed a low sweep with his tail. The tail connected with Electro's ankle. Electro yelped, stumbling sideways as sparks flew from the impact point. Pikachu immediately followed up, bouncing off a shattered lamppost. He used the momentum to deliver a quick Quick Attack to Electro's exposed back.
Electro roared, a raw sound of pure indignation, and spun around, unleashing a wild, unfocused burst of electricity. Pikachu was already gone, a fleeting shadow. He wove through the electrified air with impossible grace. His movements created an illusion of aerial dance. Despite being a grounded Pokémon, Pikachu's exceptional agility and the incredible speed of his Quick Attack allowed him to create blurs of movement. This made him appear to defy gravity, momentarily hovering and dancing through the air. This optical trick constantly confounded Electro, who could only lash out at empty space.
"Hold still, you little rodent!" Electro screamed, his voice cracking with rising frustration. He stomped his foot, causing the ground to crackle and fizz. "I'll turn you into a crispy critter!"
Pikachu responded with a precise Iron Tail. His tail, gleaming with metallic energy, swung in a tight arc. It connected with Electro's elbow. Electro staggered back, his arm momentarily numb, sparks showering from the impact. He looked bewildered.
"This is impossible! My lightning should be hitting you! You can't just... not be there!"
Spider-Man watched, a web line still dangling from his hand. His jaw hung slightly open beneath his mask.
"Okay, this is… this is way cooler than I expected," Spider-Man said, his voice a surprised whisper. "He's like a tiny, electrified ninja!"
Batgirl, standing ready with her escrima sticks, chuckled. A grin spread across her face.
"He's certainly got style. Electro looks like he's about to short-circuit from sheer annoyance."
Batgirl watched the display of coordination, her tactical mind absorbing every subtle cue. Orion's relaxed posture and brief nods communicated precise instructions. Pikachu, in turn, anticipated and executed complex maneuvers with fluid grace. She mentally cataloged Orion's non-verbal cues and Pikachu's responsive actions. This bond-driven command system offered immense potential. She considered how such a system could be applied to her own combat strategies with Froakie. The precision, the evasion, the way Pikachu turned Electro's own power against him—it was a masterclass in unconventional combat. Froakie's agility and strategic capabilities could mirror this effectiveness.
Pikachu darted around Electro one last time. He moved with a speed that left afterimages. He delivered a quick Quick Attack to Electro's knee. Electro buckled, letting out a frustrated gasp. Pikachu then spun, his tail glowing with stored energy. He delivered a powerful Iron Tail to Electro's back.
Thwack!
Electro staggered forward, his electricity flickering wildly, and then he collapsed to the ground. He lay motionless, a faint electric hum still emanating from his form, but the battle was undeniably over. Pikachu stood perfectly still, not a single scratch on his yellow fur, his cheeks sparking triumphantly.
"Wow," Spider-Man breathed, his voice filled with awe. "Just… wow. He took down Electro without even getting zapped. That's insane."
Batgirl lowered her escrima sticks, a satisfied smile touching her lips.
"That's what happens when you underestimate a Pokémon, especially one with a Trainer like Orion."
Orion approached the fallen Electro, Pikachu at his heels. The villain lay sparking faintly on the shattered pavement, his suit still humming with residual energy.
"That was quite the light show, Max," Orion said, his voice firm and even. "However, my establishment and the surrounding infrastructure have suffered significant damages. You will be held responsible for all repairs."
Electro groaned, trying to push himself up.
"You can't… you can't charge me for this!" he mumbled, his voice weak. "I was just… doing a job!"
"A job that involved illegal entry and property destruction," Orion countered, Pikachu sparking his cheeks in agreement. "Expect a hefty bill, Mr. Dillon. Failure to comply will result in further… convincing from my partner here."
Pikachu emitted a small, threatening crackle.
Orion then turned to Latias, who had gracefully landed nearby.
"Latias, if you please, a quick scan of his recent thoughts. I believe we have an interested party orchestrating this chaos."
Latias nodded, her golden eyes softening as a faint, ethereal glow emanated from her. She gently placed a hand on Electro's forehead, her psychic energy delving into his fragmented memories. Electro twitched slightly, a confused expression on his face.
Latias sifted through Electro's recent past. She saw glimpses of a lavish office, dark wood, and a hulking, impeccably dressed man. Kingpin's voice echoed, calm and devoid of emotion, outlining the contract. Five million upfront, double upon delivery of the Pokémon. Electro's motivations were simple: money and the attention a successful heist would bring. Kingpin's directives were clear: acquire the Pokémon, avoid unnecessary collateral damage, and ensure discretion. There was no personal vendetta, only a cold, corporate transaction. Kingpin viewed villains as assets, their destructive tendencies merely a cost of doing business, meticulously factored into his empire's ledger. The memories showed a man who saw chaos as an inefficiency, a problem to be managed and profited from.
Latias withdrew her hand, her golden eyes returning to their usual calm.
"Kingpin," Latias communicated telepathically to Orion, her voice soft but clear in his mind. "He arranged this. Electro's memories are of a purely transactional agreement. Kingpin offered a large sum for the Pokémon, viewing them as valuable assets for his… operations."
Orion's expression tightened. "Just as I suspected," he murmured, his gaze hardening toward the unconscious villain. The sirens grew louder, their wails cutting through the lingering hum of electricity in the air. Police cars screeched to a halt, their flashing lights painting the scene in hues of red and blue. Officers quickly moved in, securing the area. They approached Electro cautiously, their weapons drawn.
"Looks like he's all yours," Spider-Man called out, pointing a web line at Electro. "He put on quite a show, but the Pokémon handler here finished the encore."
"Well, that was certainly a wild ride, wasn't it?" Orion commented, a small smile playing on his lips. "You two make quite the team."
Spider-Man landed lightly next to them, attaching a web to a nearby building.
"Thanks, I try," he said, adjusting his mask. "And hey, my biggest fan, a little girl named May, she's gonna be so thrilled when she hears about Pokémon Home. She's really into all the Pokémon stuff."
"That's wonderful to hear," Orion replied warmly. "We always welcome new friends."
"I'd love to visit the Sanctuary sometime, really, but my schedule is pretty packed," Spider-Man confessed, a hint of weariness in his voice. "And frankly, a hero's pay doesn't exactly cover... well, anything, usually."
"The Sanctuary is always open when you find the time," Orion assured him. "There's no rush to find a partner."
"I appreciate that," Spider-Man said. "This friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will definitely keep an eye out for anything else that comes your way." With a quick wave, he swung off, disappearing into the city skyline.
Batgirl stepped forward, her escrima sticks retracting with a soft click. "I'll be looking into Kingpin's involvement. It seems he's taking a particular interest in your Pokémon."
"I would greatly appreciate that, Batgirl," Orion said, a serious note in his voice. "He's a formidable opponent, and discretion is often the best weapon against him."
Batgirl nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "You can count on it." She launched her grappling hook, soaring away into the twilight.
Orion watched them go, a quiet sense of purpose settling over him. He turned and headed back into Pokémon Home, Latias and Pikachu at his side, as the city around them slowly began to mend itself, promising new challenges and new alliances.
***
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