Chapter 169: The Key to Strength is Rage
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"By the way, what's the lowest ranking you can get at the Indigo Plateau Conference?"
As the Spiky-Haired Big Brother turned his head, Ash cautiously whispered the question to Brock.
"Fun fact. It used to be the Top 128, but now the lowest is the Top 64," Brock whispered back.
Ash: "..."
So I was just a small fry all along.
Unexpectedly, the Spiky-Haired Big Brother seemed to overhear this, and his gaze toward Ash turned rather hostile.
In truth, making it to the Top 64 wasn't that weak; plenty of people couldn't even challenge all eight Gyms. But what angered the Spiky-Haired Big Brother was that both of his younger brothers had achieved the excellent result of Top 32 in the Indigo Plateau Conference, which was rather embarrassing for him as the eldest brother.
"In short, the fastest possible evolution is the best way to raise a Pokémon, especially for Pokémon that evolve with stones!"
He spoke with some exasperation, pointing a finger at the Pikachu on Ash's shoulder.
"Without evolving, it's just an unremarkable Electric Mouse."
Ash didn't like the sound of that. Just as he was about to defend his Pikachu, the Spiky-Haired Big Brother tossed out a Poké Ball.
A flash of red light revealed a dark, brownish-yellow Pokémon. It had a round belly and bore a 0.1% resemblance to Pikachu. It was an evolved form, a Raichu.
"This Raichu of mine was evolved with a Thunder Stone right after it hatched from its egg. Its strength is outstanding. If it weren't for a bit of bad luck back in the day, it would now be an honored Top 32 Pokémon of the Indigo Plateau Conference."
The Spiky-Haired Big Brother and his Raichu puffed out their chests, looking at Ash with a hint of provocation.
"How about it? Want to have a match with my Raichu? I'll show you the difference between our two Electric Mice!"
Ash: "..."
"Pika."
After a moment's hesitation, Pikachu nodded, signaling that it had eaten a lot today and could use some exercise to teach this fat mouse a lesson.
Seeing that the two Electric Mice from the same evolution chain were about to battle, the surrounding passersby gathered around. Even the fourth brother, Taiichi, who was holding an Eevee, came closer curiously, looking at Ash and Pikachu with a puzzled expression.
Evolution equals getting stronger—this was the idea that had been instilled in him since he was a child.
But he actually didn't want his Eevee to evolve, or rather, he hoped it would only evolve after extensive battle training.
This clearly went against his three older brothers' philosophy of evolving their Pokémon right away. Today, he was even being forced to choose an evolution stone to evolve his Eevee. That was why he had hidden his Eevee in the Forest for two days, leaving it with water and food, intending to wait for things to blow over.
Unexpectedly, his plans were ruined by these three meddling passersby, so Taiichi hadn't given them a friendly look.
"Still, can this Pikachu defeat a Raichu?"
At this moment, Taiichi's heart filled with anticipation, hoping this unremarkable Pikachu would give him a surprise.
"Listen up! After a Raichu evolves, all its physical stats receive a significant increase. So for the first contest, we'll compete in just one of them: Speed!"
The Spiky-Haired Big Brother waved his hand, marking out a nearly hundred-meter track on the Lawn Plaza. He and his Raichu were already at the starting line.
"The winner is the one who runs from here to the finish line and back first. I'll show you the benefits of evolution!" As he spoke, the Spiky-Haired Big Brother even tossed out a Thunder Stone.
"This is the prize for this battle."
Seeing there was a prize, Ash's and Pikachu's eyes lit up instantly. The latter jumped directly to the starting line.
*Bang!*
With the sound of a starting gun, the two portly Electric Mice took off at the same time. However, Raichu quickly gained the upper hand, leaving Pikachu far behind.
"See that? According to data from the Pokémon League, a Raichu's Speed stat is 110, while a Pikachu's is only 90. Based on this point alone, Pikachu's speed is no good!" the Spiky-Haired Big Brother laughed smugly.
In just a few seconds, Raichu was already on its way back. Seeing how far it had left Pikachu behind, its expression was full of disdain.
*Is that all you've got?*
But just as it was about 50 meters from the finish line, it suddenly felt a strong gust of wind from its side. Raichu subconsciously turned its head to look.
In its line of sight, a yellow Electric Mouse was keeping pace with it, in a state of relative stillness, as a physics textbook would say. Its two small eyes were sizing it up.
"Is *that* all you've got?"
Perhaps due to their shared lineage, it understood Pikachu's body language.
*Swoosh.*
Pikachu instantly accelerated. In a single breath, it left Raichu behind and crossed the finish line.
The strong gust blasted the Spiky-Haired Big Brother and Raichu full in the face. He couldn't help but let his jaw drop, exclaiming in astonishment, "Impossible! How could a Pikachu's speed surpass my Raichu's!?"
"Was that fast? Compared to the speed Pikachu uses to grab food, it's about three Agility moves slower."
Ash grinned as he accepted the Thunder Stone from the man's hand. He'd heard these things were quite expensive. A good haul.
Pikachu did a leg stretch on the spot, thinking to itself that Ash had underestimated things. The real difference was at least five Agility moves.
Soon, the Spiky-Haired Big Brother shook his head, pulling himself together, and led the group to a Rock Platform.
"After a Pikachu evolves, its strength also gets a significant increase. So for our second contest, we'll compete in strength!"
He led the two Electric Mice to opposite sides of the high platform. The Spiky-Haired Big Brother had them clasp hands, then set their elbows on the stone platform.
"That's right! The sport that best demonstrates a difference in strength—arm wrestling!"
"This is the prize for this battle!"
The Red-Haired Second Brother standing nearby took out a Fire Stone, silently cheering his big brother on.
Speed can be improved with training, but strength depends on physique. Judging by their builds alone, Pikachu had already lost!
*Bang!!*
As the starting gun fired again, the two Electric Mice exerted their strength simultaneously, trying to pin the other's wrist.
"Pika..."
"Rai..."
This time, the difference wasn't as stark as in the last round. Raichu's strength was surprisingly similar to Pikachu's, even seeming to have a slight edge as they were locked in a dead stalemate.
"Pikachu! The key to strength is anger! Get angry, now!!"
Ash suddenly shouted, his words baffling everyone.
Anger?
What kind of metaphysical command was that?
But following his vocal buff, veins bulged on Pikachu's forehead. A burst of yellow energy erupted from around its small body, surging outwards.
The golden fur on its head stood on end as if it had entered some kind of state. This time, a wave of golden energy blasted everyone in the face.
"PIKA!!"
With a low roar, Pikachu suddenly unleashed its power. To Raichu's utterly bewildered expression, it slammed its opponent's wrist down hard onto the stone platform.
*BOOM!*
The force was so great that even the supporting stone platform was crushed into countless pieces of rubble!
Afterward, the two Electric Mice separated.
Only after Pikachu took several deep breaths did the golden energy wave dissipate, and the fur on its head slowly settled back down.
Spiky-Haired Big Brother: "?"
Did that Electric Mouse just transform?!
(end of chapter)