Chapter 22: Precision-Guided Thunder
At Cerulean Gym's aquatic battlefield, Ash won against the two bikini sisters effortlessly and without taking any damage.
"Uuuh… my poor Goldeen…"
The bikini girl held her fainted Goldeen, crying dramatically.
Ash lowered the brim of his cap. Standing beside him was his elegant Pidgeotto.
This time, it definitely wouldn't take until the end of the Indigo League to evolve.
Pidgeotto swept through four opponents in a row—
a clean four-win streak of overwhelming dominance.
To be honest, even though two of the opponents were Goldeen, there had also been a Poliwag and a Psyduck.
So… that was a pretty "strong" lineup, wasn't it?
"Ash, go for it! Pidgeotto is CRAZY COOL!"
Verity cheered loudly from the poolside, hyped up.
Pidgeotto had used Aerial Ace to one-shot two Goldeen in a row.
It was… absurd.
Sorrel nodded approvingly.
"For a beginner, Ash is incredibly skilled.
He seems to read the opponent's movements in advance.
That's the 'prediction' skill only highly experienced trainers can handle.
He feels like… a championship racer taking the driver's test in an ordinary car—effortless."
"Pidgeotto, great work. Take a rest for now."
Ash gently patted Pidgeotto's head.
"Pidgeo~"
Pidgeotto chirped happily, nuzzled Ash's hand, and returned to its Poké Ball.
Ash then lifted his head and walked past the bikini trainers until he stood before Misty.
"You're really strong, Ash."
Misty retrieved two Poké Balls from a hidden tray behind the diving platform.
"Let me see… I'll use these second-string partners against you."
Ash raised a brow.
His intuition told him—
This girl had just increased the difficulty.
But then again,
he had done the same.
So who cared?
"Please take care of me."
Ash stepped forward—then froze for a moment.
She'd matured, but the brows and eyes still carried traces of the girl he remembered.
You've really become a dependable Water-type trainer, Misty.
"My first one—Seaking!"
Misty sent out her first Pokémon.
Its horn was a drill-like spike capable of rotating at high speed.
Its body was twice the size of a regular Goldeen.
As a Water-type, Seaking wasn't weak at all.
Ash put aside his emotions and got serious.
"Seaking, huh? Pikachu, you're up first!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu nodded and leapt from Ash's shoulder—
Splash!
—straight into the pool.
"Pika!! Σ(°△°|||)!"
Pikachu frantically paddled, scrambling onto the floating board.
[TL: Behind The Scenes (BTS) -->
Pikachu frantically paddled doggy-style, scrambling onto the floating board.
...I removed the doggy-style.]
"Ahem… Pikachu, be careful."
Ash turned away and pinched his cheek hard—
barely suppressing his laughter.
"Pika… pika… (ಠ_ಠ)"
Pikachu locked its glare on Seaking.
You're laughing at me, aren't you?
"Gulu gulu…"
Floating on the water, Seaking spat a string of bubbles, equally baffled.
I didn't do anything??
The referee took her position and swung her arm.
"Battle begin!"
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
Ash nodded.
Pikachu, I get you.
Go ahead and take out your frustration on Seaking…
"Piiika—CHU!!"
Pikachu leapt high, sparks bursting from its cheeks as brilliant lightning surged across its whole body.
Misty's face stiffened.
"That power—Seaking, dive!"
Water conducted electricity, yes—
—but in a pool this large, normal electricity would disperse instantly, greatly reducing power.
Ash clenched his fist and smiled.
"My Pikachu… is a big battery!"
BOOOOM!!
A bucket-thick bolt exploded into the pool, blasting up a cloud of white vapor!
This was the electrolysis reaction caused by a powerful current meeting water at high intensity!
"Seaking, Drill Run!"
Misty's voice cut through the mist.
BANG!
Seaking's red body burst out of the fog, ramming toward the falling Pikachu.
Though heavily damaged, the pool had cushioned it enough for Seaking to survive the opening strike.
Its horn spun wildly—
Drill Run was a devastating, potentially one-hit knockout move.
"Pikachu—Electroweb!"
Ash shouted, fist clenched.
This was the moment to test the synchronization between trainer and Pokémon!
"Chuu—Pika!!"
Pikachu twisted midair. Electricity surged from its body into its tail—
Snap!
A massive electric net expanded in midair.
Seaking charged straight into it!
ZRRRRT!!
Electricity blasted through its body.
Its eyes rolled white as it crashed back into the pool.
"Pika…"
Pikachu landed steadily and breathed deeply.
Ash exhaled as well, cold sweat running down his back.
Misty—
you never used to be this ruthless…
"Not bad."
Misty recalled Seaking, lips quirked in satisfaction.
"Then how will you deal with this one?"
"Come out—my beautiful blue darling… Gyarados!"
Ash's eyelid twitched.
I KNEW IT.
As Misty's future Mega Evolution ace, of course it would be part of her regular lineup.
"Huh? Gyarados? Isn't that thing super weak to electricity?"
Verity looked to Souji.
Sorrel nodded, explaining:
"Gym trainers typically specialize in one type.
For challengers, learning to counter a single-typed team is essential.
And for gym trainers, learning to overcome type disadvantage is equally important.
Gym battles are dual-sided challenges—
both for challengers and for gym leaders."
"I see…"
Akiko nodded thoughtfully.
Ash lowered the brim of his hat calmly.
"Pikachu, come back and rest."
"Pika!"
Pikachu obediently trotted back to Ash's feet.
"Ivysaur—your turn!"
Ash tightened his grip and threw the Poké Ball.
"Going grass-type this time, Ivysaur~"
Misty put her hands on her hips.
"You've definitely caught my attention, Ash~"
Ash's expression hardened.
He stood ready.
"Begin!"
"Gyarados—Flamethrower!"
Misty attacked aggressively.
Here it comes—
Ash felt his scalp go numb.
FOOOOM!!
Gyarados opened its jaws, unleashing a roaring stream of fire straight at Ivysaur.
Ash reacted instantly.
"Ivysaur—jump into the water!"
"Ivysaur!"
Ivysaur dove headfirst into the pool without hesitation.
Steam exploded skyward—
everyone was stunned.
"You told Ivysaur to jump into the water?! Can it even swim?!"
Verity cried out.
Sorrel's eyes narrowed.
"That… I'm not sure.
But it can definitely drink plenty, at least."
"Ivysaur—Petal Dance!"
Ash smiled confidently.
"I believe in Ivysaur!"
ROOOOAR!!
A swirling column of petal-filled water shot upward—
forming a massive whirlpool that swallowed Gyarados whole!
"Ivysaur!"
Ivysaur emerged confidently from the center of the whirlpool, vines snapping onto the floating board as it vaulted back up.
"That kind of damage can't defeat Gyarados."
Misty warned with a frown.
"I know. But holding it for a few seconds is enough."
Ash smiled faintly.
Snap!
Pikachu's tail high-fived Ivysaur's vines.
Ash looked toward the referee.
"Pokémon switch!"
The referee nodded.
"Switch confirmed."
"Pika!!"
Pikachu charged straight toward the whirlpool—
and leapt into it.
"What are you doing?! Are you trying to lose on purpose?!"
Misty shouted in shock.
"No—
This is the only way to guarantee the big move won't miss!"
Ash thrust out his arm.
"Pikachu—THUNDER!!"
KRA-KOOOOOM!!!
A bolt of lightning as thick as a tree trunk split the sky—
tearing straight through the water tornado.
BANG!!
A blinding flash—
and the whirlpool detonated!
"Pikaaa!!"
Pikachu appeared in midair, completely unharmed, electric currents still shimmering around its tail.
Below it—
was the fainted, white-eyed Gyarados.
"To use Pikachu as the lightning rod to precision-guide Thunder…
What a genius idea!"
Sorrel clapped wildly.
The referee raised her hand firmly.
"Gyarados is unable to battle!
Therefore, the winner is—Ash from Pallet Town!"
Misty stood frozen for several seconds before muttering:
"What a reckless trainer…
But… kind of cool, actually…"
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
Every 100 powerstones = 2 bonus ch.
Every 2 review after 100 ps = 1 bonus ch.