The Team Rocket trio were ecstatic seeing their scheme succeed.
This time, not only would they capture the group of Bulbasaur,
They might even take down the brat's Pikachu along with them.
Ash and Pikachu were already badly wounded.
At that moment, Ash couldn't help but regret not bringing along more of his partners.
All his other Pokémon were resting in Professor Oak's backyard.
The only one at his side was Pikachu!
"This victory belongs to Team Rocket!"
After making their triumphant declaration, the Team Rocket trio ordered Gyarados and Tyranitar to unleash their attacks on Ash and Pikachu.
Over years of clashing with Ash, they had learned one important truth—
Always make sure to finish the job!
And now, for the first time, they were truly practicing their long-held motto.
Hard work always pays off.
The Bulbasaur that Ash had desperately saved were also responding with their own strength.
The Ivysaur glanced at one another—Ash was truly protecting them!
Naturally, they couldn't let him down.
At that moment, the Ivysaur encircled Ash and Pikachu, shielding them, their backs soaking in the sunlight.
Then—together, all of them fired Solarbeam, intercepting the attacks of Gyarados and Tyranitar!
"Brat, you're finished this time! Pikachu and those Bulbasaur will all be ours!" Jessie shouted.
"Gyarados, Tyranitar, use Hyper Beam!"
The Team Rocket trio looked smug. With Ash and Pikachu in such a state, they couldn't imagine how they could possibly lose.
Golden light gathered in the maws of both Pokémon.
The involvement of the Ivysaur only provoked their ferocity further.
After all, neither Gyarados nor Tyranitar were gentle Pokémon!
As the destructive energy built up, Koharu was overwhelmed with fear.
It was just like years ago, when her powerless younger self faced a rampaging Nidoking.
Would someone come to save her this time?
Or… would Ash flee, just as Goh once did?
Panic and dread spread in her chest.
The Ivysaur were no match for Gyarados and Tyranitar, and Ash and Pikachu were already badly hurt.
Koharu clenched her fists, but her legs felt like lead—she couldn't move.
"Ash, run!"
"I'll never run."
Ash turned, flashing her a brilliant smile.
Then his expression hardened, and he swung the brim of his cap backward.
"Forget it—I won't let you hurt them!"
His aura surged like a champion basking in the sunlight.
"Pikachu—Thunderbolt!"
Ash thrust his finger toward Team Rocket.
The bond between him and Pikachu spoke for itself.
Not even Gyarados and Tyranitar could force them into despair.
It had been… far too long since they'd fought like this.
"Pika…"
"…chu!"
The sight stunned Koharu.
Pikachu had looked completely spent—
So why, after Ash's encouragement, had it suddenly returned to full strength?
Pikachu… were you acting all along?
[Misty: This really feels familiar. Wasn't Pikachu in the same state back when we first got to Johto?]
[Jessie: Brat, you did this on purpose! Just to make us look like fools!]
[James: Jessie's right! Such a conniving little brat!]
[Korrina: Incredible talent! Pikachu, have you considered a career in showbiz? You'd become a world-class star like me!]
[Ash: Impossible. Pikachu fights with me because of our bond. There's no "acting."]
"Pikachu!"
In Pallet Town, Pikachu nuzzled against Ash's cheek affectionately.
Damn it. All these years, and its acting still hadn't improved.
And now it had slipped up in front of everyone!
How was it supposed to slack off after this?
…
On screen—
Pikachu was unleashed, golden sparks dancing wildly over its body.
Thunderbolt was Thunderbolt—
Not a single volt less!
Golden lightning surged forth, then condensed into a dazzling blade of energy,
Piercing straight toward Team Rocket.
Ash stood tall at Pikachu's side.
Together, they held their ground, protecting the Bulbasaur, the Ivysaur, and Koharu behind them.
Tears welled in Koharu's eyes.
Ash had kept his promise.
He wouldn't abandon her.
Her broken childhood heart was being healed by Ash's actions.
A human, just like her,
Yet willing to put his own body on the line to protect his friends—
To protect her.
Even though he was her age,
Ash stood like a giant, shielding everything with his chest.
Ash truly possessed the noblest of spirits.
Goh… a person like him couldn't even be compared to Ash.
To put them side by side was an insult to Ash!
"…Ash, I think I'm starting to like you," Koharu whispered to herself.
She had never been afraid of Pokémon—
What she feared was people like Goh.
The kind of scum who, for their own selfish desires, would abandon their companions to danger.
The golden lightning clashed against the Hyper Beams of Gyarados and Tyranitar.
"Give it everything you've got!"
"Pika—!"
Ash's final shout was like a buff, powering Pikachu further.
The surging electricity completely scattered the Hyper Beams.
Team Rocket, along with their Pokémon, were blasted into the sky by the Thunderbolt.
"The brat's still as strong as ever."
"That's right, Meowth!"
"Blasting off again~ What a terrible feeling~"
The audience watching the stream was dumbfounded.
What were these Team Rocket people made of?
That was Thunderbolt!
Even Ash, when struck, would end up charred black.
Yet all it did to Team Rocket was send them flying, without a scratch!
Were they even human?
[Denji: Does everyone in the Kanto League have maxed-out electricity resistance? No wonder Professor Oak gave Ash a Pikachu as a starter—so that's the reason!]
[Lt. Surge: Heh, you just don't understand Pikachu's charm in Kanto. Who wouldn't want one?]
[Sabrina: Hmph. And you've got the nerve to talk? You evolved your cute Pikachu into a Raichu.]
[Steven: No wonder Team Rocket is considered the world's #1 organization. Of course—it's because they're from Kanto! With resistance like that, how could any other syndicate compete?]
[Lance: I think we need to propose raising Team Rocket's danger level within the League.]
In Viridian Gym—
Giovanni slammed his fist heavily onto the desk.
Archer, who had just come in to report, stood stiffly like a grunt.
The Boss was furious this time!
After repeated setbacks, Team Rocket's growth was already difficult.
Many branches had even switched to… logistics work.
They had no choice—the League's crackdowns had been relentless.
Giovanni had thought the League simply wanted to prevent Team Rocket's expansion.
But he hadn't expected these three blockheads to be the cause of so much trouble!
"Huuhhh…" Giovanni let out a long breath.
He couldn't afford to be angry.
One was the orphan of an old subordinate, the other the son of their most important financial backer.
Neither could be expelled.
Then…
"Archer, starting today, cut Meowth's food rations by seventy percent."
"Yes, Boss!"
…
As for Ash's age, I've adjusted it a bit.
Traveling through six Leagues at only ten years old really is too absurd.
Around fifteen during his journey years makes more sense—six Leagues in about five years feels reasonable!