But the stubborn Pikachu didn't choose to give up, using lightning-fast speed to aim Iron Tail at Marowak's head, intending to hit Marowak's vital point.
Seeing this scene, Marowak disdainfully chose not to dodge, directly using its skull to withstand Pikachu's attack, then smoothly grabbed Pikachu's tail with one hand and slammed it back and forth on the ground.
With the Battle Armor ability, Marowak would absolutely never be hit in a vital point by any move, even moves that guaranteed critical hits couldn't take effect.
"Pikachu, do I now have the qualifications to become your trainer?" Red asked, signaling with his eyes for Marowak to let go.
As soon as it was released, Pikachu immediately used Iron Tail, wanting to hit Marowak's body, but was easily blocked by Marowak with its bone club.
Using the leverage, Pikachu smoothly distanced itself from Marowak, its cautious gaze locked on Marowak, who was preparing to attack.
"Pikachu, I want to understand your past, and even more, I want to heal the wounds in your heart, so... join my team and travel with me!"
This time Red's words made Pikachu hesitate for a moment, because the Viridian Power that Red released could briefly soothe Pikachu's heart, allowing Pikachu to enjoy rare warmth. This was something Pikachu had never dared to hope for.
But Pikachu also didn't want to easily bow its head to Red. This was Pikachu's pride, not simple stubbornness.
After perceiving Pikachu's conflicted thoughts, Red decided to have Marowak and Pikachu engage in a final duel.
"Marowak, use Skull Bash!"
Marowak naturally understood Red's intention, abandoning the bone club in its hand and casually placing it aside, then extending its head and charging straight toward Pikachu's direction.
"Pika..."
The intelligent Pikachu immediately understood Red's intention, smiled faintly and shook its head, not expecting to receive such special treatment.
Pikachu also immediately rushed in front of Marowak, its silver-glowing tail swinging forcefully toward Marowak's head.
"BANG!"
After a brief struggle, under Pikachu's 'contemptuous' smile and Marowak's puzzled gaze.
Marowak's Skull Bash sent Pikachu flying to the wall corner, smashing out a spider web-shaped crater.
Seeing Pikachu lying motionless and unconscious on the ground, Red silently threw a Poké Ball to capture Pikachu.
The Poké Ball didn't move at all. Pikachu was perfectly captured.
"Come out, Pikachu."
The white light faded, and the newly awakened Pikachu proudly held its head high, refusing to accept Red's petting.
Ding! Successfully added Lightning Rod ability to Pikachu!
Pokémon: Pikachu - Partner
Type: Electric
First Ability: Static (When attacked by contact moves, there's a 30% chance of paralyzing the opponent.)
Second Ability: Lightning Rod
Moves: Quick Attack, Electro Ball, Thunder Shock, Agility, Slam, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Iron Tail, Volt Tackle...
Personality: Loves freedom, enjoys sweets, has a painful past
Background: A Partner Pikachu born in Viridian Forest. Due to having to compete with many Bug and Flying-type Pokémon for berries, it would always end up covered in wounds, yet would feed the hard-earned berries to its twin brother bite by bite. It barely ate any itself, nearly causing malnutrition. During one rainy day when it was starving, for survival and due to accumulated pain, it finally heartlessly abandoned its unconscious twin brother, hoping the other could grow independently. But Pikachu quickly regretted it, yet due to a sudden battle, couldn't return in time. Until now, Pikachu has been wandering in inner guilt and can't extricate itself, using the thrill of daily theft to briefly numb its heart.
"Pikachu, I want to heal the pain in your heart so you no longer need to use the thrill of theft to numb your inner self."
Red said softly, ignoring Pikachu's surface resistance and refusal, forcibly pulling Pikachu into his embrace, continuously stroking Pikachu's fur that was trembling from inner unease.
"You know what? My twin brother also has a Pikachu. I can let you meet it. Maybe it'll make your heart feel better."
"Pika!"
Pikachu looked up in shock at Red's gentle smile. At this moment, Pikachu fell into panicked unease because it no longer had the courage to communicate with any of its own kind.
"It's okay, everything will pass. I believe fate guided me to meet you, and I also believe fate can open your... heart knot."
After speaking, Red looked up at the sky, where the dark clouds were gradually dispersing, and moonlight fell to the ground, shining on Red and Pikachu's faces.
Marowak and Dratini nearby tactfully retreated to the side, not disturbing them.
Partner Pikachu was definitely not common. If Red's guess was correct, Ash's Pikachu was also definitely a Partner Pikachu; otherwise, it wouldn't possess electrical current stronger than ordinary Pikachu.
"Don't worry, I will definitely open your heart knot..." Red said, letting Pikachu lean on his shoulder, soothing Pikachu's restless and uneasy heart.
The next day
"What?! You're saying this cute Pikachu was actually the city thief!"
After a blissful night's sleep, Officer Jenny looked at the Pikachu on Red's shoulder with shock after hearing Red's explanation.
She had just recently bought some candy out of kindness for this 'well-behaved and cute' Pikachu, never imagining that the thief she'd been trying to apprehend had been appearing before her eyes all along.
Since Red had captured Pikachu, Officer Jenny had no reason to forcibly take it from Red's hands. She could only have Red take out his wallet to compensate the Pewter City merchants for their losses from Pikachu's thefts.
Officer Jenny also witnessed Red's financial power up close at this moment, as he even paid multiple times the compensation to the merchants, praising their 'care' for Pikachu during this recent period.
Initially the merchants wanted to scold Pikachu, but upon seeing the doubled compensation, they immediately smiled and said they welcomed it, even wanting this 'fortune god' Pikachu to stay in their shops for a while longer.
Pikachu couldn't help but snort, feeling disdain for these hypocritical people. If Red hadn't compensated for the damages, they probably would have called people to beat it up.
Though somewhat comedic, Red still accepted the honorary medal from Officer Jenny, recognizing his good deed of eliminating evil for the people of Pewter City.
Only the Pikachu on Red's shoulder was obviously displeased, thinking it was mocking it.
'I was doing you a favor by patronizing your shops. I don't even bother with the bad-tasting ones. Be grateful, you foolish humans!'
Viridian Forest was located between Viridian City and Pewter City, on Route 2.
Various trees densely formed a natural maze where many people had gotten lost. The thick foliage made it difficult for light to penetrate, making the entire forest interior somewhat dim.
Because of this, the most common Pokémon in the forest were Bug and Flying types, and most trainers wandering here were Bug Catchers.
So before entering Viridian Forest, experienced trainers would advise passersby to prepare plenty of Antidotes and Paralyz Heals, just in case.
"Pika pi!"
Despite having painful memories, Pikachu returning to its hometown still showed a slight joyful smile, because this time it was no longer alone.