"Quick Attack," Red said softly.
Under Sparky's shocked gaze, Red's Pikachu suddenly vanished from its original position, leaving only afterimages from its explosive speed.
Just as Sparky wondered about Red's Pikachu's disappearance, it discovered the next instant that Red's Pikachu had materialized directly before it, ramming into its body at devastating velocity.
The Quick Attack's tremendous force drove Sparky backward several meters, nearly causing it to lose footing and collapse awkwardly.
"Pikachu can really be this powerful?" Misty said incredulously.
"Because that's Red's Pikachu!" Leaf stated solemnly.
"Sparky, we'll also use Quick Attack! Don't give up!" Richie shouted, encouraging his partner.
Sparky struggled to its feet. After catching its breath and adjusting its battle state, it charged rapidly at Red's Pikachu, attempting Quick Attack.
"Brick Break."
Red's Pikachu locked its gaze firmly on the charging Sparky. Sensing its approach, it swiftly swung its tail to leap slightly before delivering a descending hand chop that struck Sparky's head with Brick Break.
Sparky collapsed powerlessly with eyes rolled back.
"Sparky is unable to battle! Therefore, the winner of this match is contestant Red," Brock announced.
"Red's Pikachu easily defeated Richie's in just a few moves," Professor Oak sighed with amazement.
Although Partner Pikachu possessed superior base stats compared to ordinary specimens, this couldn't diminish Red's meticulous cultivation efforts.
"Richie, are you okay?" Ash asked worriedly.
"Not at all. In fact, I'm very happy," Richie said joyfully while cradling Sparky.
Red's decision not to deliberately suppress his strength made Richie grateful. This represented respectful etiquette toward opponents.
"Attention! All competing contestants, the tournament committee has a very important decision to announce. Please immediately bring all your Poké Balls to the venue."
After brief rest, when Red's group departed the Pokémon Center and Leaf and Richie separately left, a broadcast van drove past, notifying surrounding contestants of the Indigo League's supposed latest decision.
"That familiar voice. Those idiots are asking for trouble again," Red muttered. He recognized Jessie and James's voices immediately.
Moments later...
Most contestants gathered at the drawing venue arranged by Team Rocket, glancing at each other puzzledly, not understanding why the League would suddenly arrange this gathering without prior notice.
Many held skeptical attitudes. Contestants located farther away simply chose not to attend, ignoring the summons entirely.
Red only gathered here because of Ash.
Ash unexpectedly spotted Richie and immediately went over to greet him.
"We're now conducting Pokémon health checks. When you approach, please hand over all injured Poké Balls," Jessie and James in disguise announced officially through megaphones.
Their professional appearance convinced most contestants this was legitimate, leaving Red speechless.
Don't these people check the Indigo League's official announcements?
Perhaps out of caution, Leaf and Gary hadn't gathered here, probably doubting whether this assembly was genuinely League-arranged.
"Health check," Ash murmured uncertainly.
"We didn't hear about this at the Pokémon Center," Richie said, puzzled.
Sensing most contestants' doubts, the disguised Jessie deployed her trump card, announcing through the megaphone, "If you don't participate in this health check, you'll lose your competition eligibility."
After hearing Jessie's warning with its threatening undertone, some hesitant contestants obediently withdrew their Poké Balls, placing them into James's collection bag.
But a dramatic turn occurred. Just as Jessie and James smugly carried the bag collecting Poké Balls, Red's figure suddenly entered their view.
The terrifying boss?! Jessie and James instantly froze, their brains failing to process how to handle this catastrophic situation.
"What? My Pikachu also really needs your 'careful care,'" Red said mockingly.
His Poké Ball suddenly activated independently. Red's Pikachu immediately emerged and, following Red's meaningful glance, released mild electricity toward Jessie and James.
Although Red's Pikachu deliberately suppressed the current's damage, its power still charred Jessie and James's bodies, making them collapse.
"Who exactly are you?!" Ash immediately sensed something was wrong. His brother would never harm others without reason.
The charred Jessie and James miraculously revived and stood, removing their disguises to reveal white Team Rocket uniforms before reciting their notorious motto.
"Since you ask so sincerely, we'll tell you mercifully! To prevent the world from devastation! To protect the world from desolation! To denounce the evils of truth and love! To extend our reach to the stars above! Jessie! James! We're Team Rocket, blasting through the galaxy! White hole! A white tomorrow awaits us! That's right, meowth!"
After hearing the familiar summons, Meowth popped its head from the broadcast van's driver seat.
"Team Rocket, so it's you again!" Although surprised by Team Rocket's long-absent appearance, Ash still displayed obvious displeasure at witnessing them causing trouble.
I'm so foolish. I actually missed them slightly.
"Weezing, quickly use Smokescreen!" James desperately commanded, fearing Red would suddenly order his Pikachu to attack mercilessly.
James's speculation proved correct.
"Pikachu, use Electro Ball," Red stated calmly, ignoring the Team Rocket trio's terrified expressions.
Red's Pikachu leaped effortlessly, gathering electricity on its tail before transforming it into an electric sphere, then swinging to strike the airborne Weezing.
Weezing struck by Electro Ball instantly plummeted, twitching from electrical shock multiple times before losing consciousness.
"We're finished!" the trio exclaimed in unison.
Team Rocket stared fearfully at Red's Pikachu, not expecting its strength to be so devastating.
"Ash, let me test Pikachu's current Thunderbolt power," Red suggested playfully.
"I understand, big brother." Ash instantly comprehended Red's intention, commanding his Pikachu to prepare Thunderbolt.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" both commanded simultaneously.
Red's and Ash's Pikachu released high-voltage electricity from their bodies, deploying double Thunderbolt to strike Team Rocket's trio directly. The devastating electrical assault destroyed even their hard-earned rented broadcast van, blasting them skyward as a twinkling shooting star.