The True Thunder God—Pikachu!**
[Ash: So that's how it works! Now I get it! Next time this happens, I'll know exactly what to do!]
[Cynthia: Remember to keep studying seriously. Becoming a Pokémon Master requires real knowledge too.]
[Caitlin: Ah! Ouch~ Ash, you must listen to Cynthia. Only by studying properly can you become a Pokémon Master everyone admires.]
…Hold up.
What kind of sound was that?
Something feels off!
[Ash: I will! Starting now, I'll study seriously with Red! I want to become a well-rounded trainer!]
Audience: You really don't need to go that far!
Especially those who've been beaten up by Red before.
Ash was already absurd enough.
If he adds Red's experience on top of that—
What kind of monster would that create?!
No one dared imagine it.
They were honestly afraid Ash would start doing "five-minute champion speedruns" on them.
(Blue: Are you implying something!?)
…
On-screen—
Seeing Ash's vacant eyes, Chloe sighed helplessly.
She repeated her earlier theory again—this time as simply as possible.
Finally, Ash snapped out of it.
He slapped his fist into his palm, a metaphorical lightbulb turning on above his head.
"So that's it! With your explanation I understand now!
That means Zapdos must've already left the area—that's why the thundercloud disappeared!"
"That's right."
"Thank you so much, Chloe! Otherwise I'd still be stressing about where to look for Zapdos!"
"No need to thank me. Just make sure you finish the homework I assign you next ti—"
But before she could even finish her sentence…
Ash had already whipped out his Rotom Phone, scanning the area for an energy reading.
If it was Zapdos…
Then it would contain an enormous amount of electrical energy.
Meaning the energy reading would be sky-high.
Track the energy → find Zapdos.
"Pika~!"
Pikachu waved at Chloe from Ash's shoulder.
She could only sigh and follow them.
The clouds were gone, yes—
but Ash was sure Zapdos was still somewhere nearby.
The surrounding energy was way too strong.
And why?
Because Pikachu's cheek sacs were sparking uncontrollably.
Pikachu Radar—activated!
Zapdos…
Ash slowed his steps.
His fingers slid subconsciously across the Rotom Phone.
He'd encountered Zapdos before.
And now—
a flash of memory sparked in his mind.
Ash immediately pulled up the map and searched nearby structures.
Sure enough—
Not far from here was an abandoned Power Plant.
Ash turned excitedly to the panting Chloe.
She opened her mouth to speak—
But Ash had already grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the Power Plant.
果然——
Inside the abandoned facility, in the central hall—
A massive golden bird stood with its feathers bursting outward like explosive lightning.
The very figure Ash had been searching for.
The Lightning God of the Orange Islands—
Zapdos!
"I knew it! Zapdos is here!"
Ash announced triumphantly.
Chloe was completely out of breath.
Her throat felt like smoke was coming out—she couldn't even speak.
But she still forced herself to look closely.
This was Zapdos.
A legendary Pokémon.
But Ash wasn't in "scientific observation mode."
He walked right up to Zapdos, pointed a finger at it, and declared:
"Battle me, Zapdos!"
Classic Ash!
"Chuuuu!"
Zapdos scoffed.
This arrogant child needed a lesson.
It would show him what a legendary Pokémon truly was.
Facing Zapdos's overwhelming aura, Ash felt every cell in his body tremble.
Yes.
Yes!
This was exactly the feeling he loved!
"Alright! Pikachu—let's go!"
Against the mighty Zapdos, Ash chose his strongest partner.
Using an Electric-type to fight the Thunder God itself—
Perfectly logical!
"Pika-pika!!"
Pikachu leapt from his shoulder.
Golden arcs crackled from its cheeks.
It was charged.
Pikachu vowed right then and there—
today it would show this spiky-feathered impostor who the real king of electricity was!
The title of Thunder God—
only Pikachu deserved it!
Zapdos froze.
A Pikachu?
Normal trainers came at it with Dragonite or other pseudo-legendaries.
Who used a Pikachu against it!?
This… this was a new level of ridiculous.
"Chuu?"
Boy, are you sure about this?
Zapdos knew Pikachu well—
Kanto had so many that rumors said wild Pikachu outnumbered stray dogs.
Yet this boy wanted to use one to challenge a local legendary?
Bold.
Very bold.
Fine.
It would teach him divine power was not to be mocked.
"Ash, now! Let it see our bond! Pikachu—Thunderbolt!"
Classic opening move: Thunderbolt!
Chloe wisely stepped back.
In her view, Pikachu's electricity gathered—
brighter, tighter—
Condensing into a shining golden current.
"Pika——CHU!!!"
With a roar like a coiling dragon, the lightning erupted from Pikachu—
And engulfed Zapdos instantly.
"GyaAAA!!!"
Zapdos screamed.
It realized—far too late—
Something was wrong.
As an Electric-type deity, Zapdos understood electricity better than anyone.
And this…
this Thunderbolt…
was not normal.
But for the sake of pride—
it had taken the attack head-on.
A terrible mistake.
Zapdos's Ability was not Lightning Rod.
It could not nullify Electric damage.
Pikachu's Thunderbolt hit it clean.
When the light faded—
Zapdos looked… well…
Originally its feathers already looked spiky and explosive.
But now?
Now Zapdos resembled Steven Stone's hairstyle after waking up in a windstorm—
a round golden fluffball, edges singed black, the faint smell of burnt feathers lingering.
Zapdos was stunned.
What the hell!?
How could a tiny Pikachu have such powerful electricity!?
This wasn't scientific!
It wasn't even Pokémon-istic!
It shook its dazed head.
No more underestimating Pikachu.
Its expression changed completely.
Who is the Thunder God here?
You or me!?
This Pikachu—
was it actually another Zapdos in disguise?
No—
it was even stronger than its Orange Islands predecessor!
Could this be…
the mythical Electric-type true dragon?
[Lt. Surge: WHAT!? Ash—your Pikachu is fake! No way a Pikachu does that to a Zapdos! Even my Raichu can't do that!]
[Elesa: Ash's Pikachu is like the mythical ideal Thunder Dragon—rumored to have "Mega Voltage," multiplying its electricity to absurd levels! Does your Pikachu… have that hidden ability!?]
[Volkner: Look at Zapdos's eyes. It wants to flee.
Pikachu just educated it.
Ash's Pikachu is terrifying now.]
[Bruno: Of course! There are only three kinds of Pikachu in this world—
Ash's Pikachu, Red's Pikachu,
and everyone else's Pikachu!
If I had to choose, I'd pick Ash's Pikachu—he is my master, after all!]
[Red: Well said. I've made breakthroughs in training lately. Bruno, you'll be my first opponent once I return.]
[Bruno: …I've made a huge mistake.]
[Steven: The battle isn't over. Zapdos is still one of the Legendary Birds—it won't go down easily.]
[Sabrina: Relax. Ash isn't a "pop-champagne-at-halftime idiot" like Moltres.]
Moltres: I BEG YOU TO LET THIS GO.
[Lance: I sense this isn't a normal match anymore.
This is a duel for the title of Thunder God.
Will Zapdos defend its divine honor?
Or will Pikachu slay another god and seize the title?
I'm excited just thinking about it!]
The viewers were stunned.
Why was this suddenly so hype!?
They wanted Ash to suffer a little…
but they also desperately wanted Pikachu to successfully slay a god and be crowned the new Thunder God.
A complicated feeling.
Like a VIP at a massage parlor watching a "good girl" fall into temptation.
They wanted to save her—
yet also wanted her to fall.
The viewers were emotionally conflicted.
…
On-screen—
Zapdos shook off its shock.
It was the Thunder God.
It would not break so easily.
To defend its dignity—
it launched its own Thunderbolt at Pikachu.
Golden lightning shot forth.
But Zapdos underestimated Pikachu's agility.
"Avoid it!" Ash shouted.
Pikachu dashed aside, dodging beautifully.
Zapdos had looked down on Ash and Pikachu.
But Ash and Pikachu had never looked down on Zapdos.
Same attack—
completely different attitudes.
As soon as Pikachu dodged the Thunderbolt—
"Ash: Iron Tail!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu sprinted, leaping high—
Its body spinning, tail glowing silver like polished metal.
Zapdos barely had time to blink.
CLANG!
Iron Tail smashed straight onto Zapdos's head.
Zapdos's body was slammed into the floor.
Even though they'd seen Pikachu's absurd Iron Tail many times—
this time it had struck a legendary Pokémon.
It had literally knocked a god off its pedestal.
Pikachu landed elegantly on Ash's shoulder.
Just one still frame—
and viewers could feel two words radiating from Pikachu.
Absolute confidence.
As if defeating Zapdos was simply natural.
[Lt. Surge: PIKACHU PLEASE STOP.
My Raichu is already drawing circles in the corner!!]
[Sabrina: It's probably regretting evolving.]
[Lt. Surge: HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW PIKACHU WAS STRONGER!?]
[Volkner: Same!! Mine is drawing circles too!!]
[Elesa: Maybe you two should propose a research project—"Can Raichu devolve back into Pikachu?"]
[Professor Oak: Actually, that's a fascinating hypothesis.]
[Lt. Surge: Professor Oak—if you pull this off, you'll be my second father!!]
[Blue: HEY. Don't take advantage of my Grandpa!!]
Surge: …I forgot this demon was here.
[Caitlin: I've noticed something… Ash's Pikachu always performs evenly no matter who it faces.
Against Tapu Koko in Alola it was the same.
Against Zapdos now it's the same!]
[Caitlin: This must be the legendary "power still unknown"—
the stronger the opponent, the stronger it becomes!]
The viewers froze.
That… actually made perfect sense.
They recalled previous battles.
Yes.
YES.
It fit perfectly.
Could Pikachu have a hidden trait—
one that boosted its stats when fighting strong opponents?
Chills.
There must be countless secrets about Pikachu still undiscovered.
…
On-screen—
Zapdos rose shakily from the floor.
It beat its wings, lifting into the air.
Its eyes were full of caution.
This Pikachu's electricity was one thing—
but its physical power was terrifying too.
One hit and Zapdos had been swatted down.
It refused to fight close-quarters anymore.
In the air, fluffier than ever—
ignited arcs crackled over Zapdos's body.
It was preparing a move.
Against an unknown threat like Pikachu—
it needed its full power.
"CHUUUU!!!"
A piercing cry echoed—
Electricity burst outward.
Zapdos released massive energy into the sky above.
In an instant—
the once-clear sky turned black.
Thunderclouds formed rapidly.
Zapdos's counterattack began.
One of the strongest Electric-type moves—
Thunder.
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