"BOOM!"
The collision of the two moves produced a violent sound, energy surging forth explosively, nearly causing considerable destructive power.
Fortunately, Red used his psychic powers in time, creating a psychic barrier around the surrounding area to prevent the aftermath of the two Pokémon's battle from destroying the surrounding environment.
Red didn't want to wake up the citizens who had entered dreamland late at night. If he 'inadvertently' woke everyone up, he'd probably be drowned in angry complaints.
The blue dragon was devoured by high-voltage electricity, and Dratini's figure, under Red's gaze, rapidly retreated backward, crashing hard into the wall, nearly knocking its head unconscious.
Pikachu panted with difficulty, its body trembling slightly, having received recoil damage from the Volt Tackle move.
But seeing Dratini in such a sorry state, Pikachu couldn't help but smugly raise its head toward Dratini, signaling that Dratini shouldn't underestimate it. Don't think that just having size could defeat it.
Actually, Pikachu didn't understand one thing: despite Dratini's excellent physical development, it was probably only a few months old in actual age, having just hatched when Red arrived in Saffron City. Still a little baby.
Red didn't dare let his companions train Dratini extensively. At the very least, he had to wait until Dratini evolved into Dragonair and its body matured further.
"Bzzt bzzt bzzt..."
Dratini's body suddenly showed a slight electrical current, its body falling into a paralyzed state due to Pikachu's Volt Tackle.
Just as Pikachu was congratulating itself on its luck, Dratini changed again. Dratini's purple scales began to shine with light, and because it was late at night, this shimmering light was particularly dazzling in the dark environment, making Pikachu's eyes feel uncomfortable.
Due to falling into an abnormal status condition, Dratini also triggered its ability. Marvel Scale, increasing its Defense by 1.5 times.
"Pika pi!"
Although unclear about what changes had occurred to Dratini, Pikachu decisively used Thunderbolt, planning to further deplete Dratini's stamina.
High-voltage electricity transformed into a lightning snake, rapidly approaching Dratini's position.
"Dratini, use Dragon Pulse!"
Dratini opened its mouth wide, preparing to gather its dragon breath, wanting to use Dragon Pulse to neutralize the approaching Thunderbolt.
At this moment, Dratini, preparing to use Dragon Pulse, suddenly found its body stiffening, with slight electrical current spreading throughout its body.
Briefly falling into paralysis and unable to move, Dratini was forced to endure damage from the Thunderbolt.
"Mini!"
Dratini cried out in pain, panting and showing fatigue, obviously running low on stamina and unable to continue battling the agile Pikachu.
Pikachu obviously understood this, which was why it had decisively used its strongest move, Volt Tackle, defeating Dratini in one blow and leaving it severely injured.
"Come back for now, Dratini."
Seeing this scene, Red thought for a moment, then decided to let Dratini return to his side to rest.
After all, Dratini was the youngest on Red's team, though its bloodline talent was extremely superior.
But ultimately its mentality wasn't mature enough, inevitably being too childish. Even with good physical development now, it ultimately wasn't a match for Pikachu, who excelled in actual combat.
Red wouldn't foolishly think that a Pikachu that could survive in a big city and hadn't been captured by passing trainers would be a simple opponent.
After hearing Red's words, Dratini inevitably showed a wronged expression, pouting angrily as it came to Red's side, continuously nuzzling Red's chest, wanting Red to comfort it properly to vent its inner dissatisfaction.
"Alright, alright, I was just worried about you," Red smiled helplessly, stroking Dratini's head, telling this little troublemaker not to look so wronged anymore.
After all, it was still a child. After feeling Red's apologetic stroking, Dratini immediately changed its expression, secretly delighted as it stuck out its tongue to lick Red's cheek, not forgetting to smugly glance at Pikachu.
'I have a master who loves me, do you?'
Pikachu glared displeasedly at Red, who had been so nice to it just now, yet turned around to comfort Dratini.
What Pikachu didn't know was that the next opponent it would face wouldn't be as easy as Dratini, whom it could easily provoke.
After all, the latter had experienced childhood tragedy and the madness of personally defeating its enemy...
After comforting Dratini's hurt feelings, Red threw another Poké Ball, sending out a Ground-type Pokémon specifically to counter Pikachu.
As for why he didn't send out the massive Steelix, it was partly due to environmental reasons and partly because Red didn't want to bully Pikachu too much, lest he crush Pikachu's fragile spirit.
"I'm counting on you, Marowak!"
The white light faded, and Marowak appeared, holding a thick bone club.
Seeing Pikachu panting from time to time, Red immediately released his Viridian Power to heal Pikachu's injuries and restore its full stamina, allowing Pikachu to face the incoming Marowak in optimal condition.
"Pika?"
Pikachu looked up at Red in confusion, not understanding why Red was going through this trouble. Wouldn't it be better to just have Marowak defeat it directly?
After all, the trainers Pikachu had encountered before all used this method, though unfortunately their skills were too poor, unable to defeat Pikachu even with numbers.
"I already have the absolute advantage. I don't want you to suffer too much, and I don't want you to become my companion with hatred," Red said teasingly.
After understanding Red's words, Pikachu slapped its cheeks, making the electric sacs on its cheeks store electricity.
Marowak immediately locked its gaze on Pikachu. After understanding that its opponent was Pikachu, it immediately stepped forward to Pikachu's front, unleashing terrifying killing intent, continuously swinging and spinning its bone club, planning to use Bone Rush on Pikachu.
Seeing Marowak's murderous aura, Pikachu was frightened and quickly used Iron Tail, wanting to use this to counter Marowak's powerful Bone Rush.
"BANG!"
Pikachu gritted its teeth with difficulty. In moments, the thick bone club pressed directly toward Pikachu's face. Obviously Pikachu hadn't expected Marowak's ferocity, using pure brute force to forcibly suppress Pikachu in place.
Although both had initially been child roles in the team, Marowak and Dratini were qualitatively different. The former had experienced cruel reality, while the latter had grown up with a golden spoon and hadn't yet matured.
"Pika pi!"
Pikachu released Thunderbolt at close range, wanting to use this to deplete Marowak's stamina, only to find that Marowak just smiled contemptuously, ignoring the high-voltage electricity it had released.
The high-voltage electricity hit Marowak's body but was easily conducted into the ground. Only then did Pikachu realize that Marowak was a Ground-type Pokémon Red had specifically sent out to counter it. No wonder he had been so 'kind' to restore its stamina.
"Marowak, use Brick Break!"
Red ignored Pikachu's speechless gaze and decisively gave the command.
Marowak's left hand, glowing white, became a knife-hand that struck violently at Pikachu's waist. The impact nearly made Pikachu faint on the spot.