Ash's plan was good — but he forgot one very important thing.
In the Kanto region, Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon are practically inseparable. Most Ground-types also have Rock as a secondary type.
And this time, Ash was about to learn that lesson the hard way.
Facing Giovanni's Golem, Parallel World Ash's Pidgeotto performed almost exactly as Original World Ash's had during his Pewter Gym challenge — retreating without making any impact.
"If your strength is only this much, then I'm truly disappointed." Giovanni's eyelids lowered slightly, losing interest in the battle.
He had thought he'd met an interesting young man… but it turned out to be just another hotheaded rookie. How disappointing.
[Guzma: Is this the monster Professor Oak was talking about? Don't tell me the old man's gone senile!]
[Professor Kukui: Guzma, what nonsense are you spouting? Pidgeotto is just a Pokémon Ash caught recently. Losing to Giovanni's Golem is completely normal.]
[Guzma: Tch. You really think Ash can turn this around? Don't forget — his only Pokémon left is Pikachu.]
[Will: I agree with Guzma. This time, Parallel World Ash is going to suffer a crushing defeat.]
Will's tone carried an unmistakable sense of gloating satisfaction.
After being proven wrong so many times, it was finally his turn to laugh.
[Cynthia: Calm down. Professor Oak's judgment is still reliable. If he calls Parallel World Ash a 'monster,' there must be a reason. If you want to mock him, wait until the battle ends.]
[Guzma: Hmph. Fine then — let's see how your "monster" proves me wrong.]
Ash calmly recalled Pidgeotto into its Poké Ball, completely unfazed by Giovanni's taunts.
Pidgeotto's defeat was something he had already anticipated. The only thing that surprised him was how utterly it had lost.
But it wasn't Pidgeotto's fault — the type disadvantage and level gap were too great. Losing was inevitable.
"It's your turn, Pikachu."
Pikachu leapt off Ash's shoulder, landing lightly on the arena floor.
Giovanni laughed in disbelief, "You're joking, right?"
First Pidgeotto, and now a Pikachu? What was next — that Ralts he caught the other day? Did this kid think he was battling the Cerulean Sisters?
"Golem, Rollout!" Giovanni's voice thundered across the Gym, carrying a dangerous edge.
Sensing its Trainer's fury, Golem didn't hold back.
Curling into a ball, it spun forward at incredible speed — like a boulder rolling down a mountain or a car speeding down a highway.
If Pikachu was hit by that, there would be only one result: total destruction.
Calm — frighteningly calm.
Both Ash and Pikachu stood motionless in the center of the battlefield, their eyes unblinking as the massive Golem rushed toward them.
[Guzma: What's wrong? Scared stiff? Our so-called monster's frozen in fear?]
Watching Guzma's reckless mockery in the chat, Professor Kukui nearly exploded.
Was this guy trying to pick a fight with everyone today?
Provoking Professor Oak was one thing — but publicly mocking him like this? If Oak turned against him, Kukui's plan to bring Alola into the Pokémon League would be finished.
Just as Kukui was about to scold him again, the battle on the screen suddenly changed.
As Golem was about to collide with Pikachu, Pikachu suddenly plunged its lightning-shaped tail deep into the ground.
Then, using the tail for support, it lifted its body upright — standing like a Sentret on alert.
Startled by the sudden change, Golem adjusted its target mid-roll, aiming for Pikachu's tail instead.
It expected to smash Pikachu aside like a bowling pin — but to everyone's shock, Pikachu didn't budge an inch.
That tail, driven into the earth, was like an unshakable pillar holding up the sky.
A barrier Golem could not cross.
"Now it's our turn to attack."
Ash's faint smile returned. "Pikachu, bounce it away."
"Pika—Pika!"
Pikachu's tail bent slightly, compressing like a steel spring. Then, with a sharp crack, it straightened — the recoil launching Golem high into the air.
Golem crashed hard into the first-floor battle area, shaking the entire Gym. Even Giovanni, seated on the second floor, felt the tremor.
[Lt. Surge: Can anyone explain what the hell just happened?]
[Cynthia: I have no idea — but that was incredible.]
[Lt. Surge: Pikachu's tail is just insane. Even my Raichu couldn't pull that off.]
[President Goodshow: So this is the Pokémon that earned Professor Oak's "monster" evaluation? It certainly lives up to the name.]
[Lance: Professor Oak's judgment really is unmatched. I'm convinced — completely convinced.]
[Professor Kukui: Guzma, got anything else to say?]
Guzma fell silent.
For once, the loudmouthed troublemaker had nothing to say.