At Professor Oak's lab:
A spiky-haired boy stared intently at the screen in front of him.
It was Gary Oak—Ash's greatest rival.
He'd been watching every highlight featuring Ash.
Even he hadn't expected Ash to grow to such heights in the future.
From childhood, the two had competed endlessly.
No one knew Ash's potential better than Gary.
If the world had "Ash fanboys," then he was surely the number one!
He'd always belittled Ash with his words, yet treated him seriously with his actions.
That's why in the very first betting round, Gary had been one of the few not to bet against Ash.
But this third battle…
Honestly, after seeing that "special highlight," even Gary wasn't confident in Ash anymore.
Still, when he thought about Pikachu's potential, he clenched his fist and decided—
"One thousand points on Ash! Let's gamble!"
"Ash… don't make me regret believing in you for once!"
…
"Ash, are you betting on yourself this time too?"
"Of course! Even if Pikachu sometimes acts… well, a little too 'theatrical,' I know that in a true decisive moment, he'll unleash incredible power!"
"How much are you putting in?"
"Thirty thousand!"
Ash actually wanted to bet everything.
But Brock had handed him a long list—ingredients, herbs, supplements for training Pokémon.
Ash had no choice but to keep some points aside for supplies.
Between the three of them, they had 120,000 points.
After deducting expenses, Ash could only put down 30,000.
Brock and Misty exchanged glances—then each added 10,000 themselves.
They chose to believe in him.
"Togepi~"
Togepi chirped, not really understanding, but feeling the intensity.
…
"Should we bet on the twerp again, meow?"
"Of course! It's Pikachu—the ultimate Pokémon we've been chasing all this time! It won't let us down!"
"So… all in?"
"Duh!"
Under Jessie's urging, James slammed down their last 10,000 points.
Why only 10,000?
Because the rest had already gone into buying durable metals—materials for their newest Pikachu-catching machine!
…
Soon, the results came in: 82% vs 18%!
This time, far more people backed Ash than before.
After all, the memory of Pikachu's first god-slaying battle was too vivid.
Even if the "special highlight" had shown him acting like an Oscar-winning actor, it couldn't erase that initial brilliance.
The bets locked in, the second round of the highlight reel began.
The screen showed a man named Tobias, and before him floated a Pokémon shaped like a jet.
Its streamlined body gleamed; its rear half was blue.
Jet-like wings stretched wide, fin-like legs tapered below, and a crimson triangle marked its chest.
It was the Eon Pokémon—Latios!
Across from it… Ash's field was empty.
A large screen stood in the center, showing the battle results so far.
But that screen—
[Lorelei: Wait, why is it censored?!]
[Caitlin: Maybe… to build suspense?]
Caitlin, the Psychic Elite Four of Unova, had stayed quiet until now.
But with Latios—a Psychic-type—on the field, her interest was piqued.
[Leon: It's starting!]
Everyone turned their eyes to the arena.
Ash's side was empty.
Was it the start of the match… or had his team already been crushed?
"Swellow, I choose you!!"
"SWEEEEEH!!"
A dark-blue swallow burst into the sky.
[Steven: Huh? That's our region's starter bird! But wait… wasn't this supposed to be Pikachu's battle? Why's Swellow here?]
The fight began.
Swellow darted and twisted through the air, chasing an opening.
Ash called for Aerial Ace.
But Latios turned in an instant—its maw glowing pink.
Luster Purge!!
The beam erupted before Swellow could land its hit.
It struck square-on.
When the smoke cleared, Swellow lay motionless on the ground.
One hit.
Just one move—and it was over.
[Steven: Terrifying power… it feels stronger than even Brandon's Regice!]
[Lance: With my eyes, I can say that Swellow was well-trained. And Swellow is known for its fighting spirit. Yet it too fell in a single blow… this Latios's strength is unfathomable.]
The referee declared Swellow down.
A commentator's voice rang out:
"Oh my! Tobias's Latios has displayed overwhelming might! Challenger Ash is now down to his last Pokémon! How will he respond?!"
Last Pokémon…?
Which meant Ash was cornered already.
Latios hadn't even taken a scratch.
While Ash… only had one left.
And given the title, that last one could only be—Pikachu.
[Aaron: What a pity… it looks like Ash's League journey ends here.]
Even Tobias echoed the thought:
"It seems… this will be the final match."
Ash gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and recalled Swellow.
In the stands, Brock, Dawn, and the others shouted their support.
Ash lifted his head again.
"You did great, Swellow… but we haven't lost yet!"
"This isn't the end!"
His cap turned backwards—his signal of utmost seriousness.
"Pikachu, it's all on you now! We won't fall here!!"
"Pika—Pikaaa!!"
Split-screen:
Ash on one side, Pikachu on the other.
In both pairs of eyes, the same fire still burned.
…
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