—On screen—
Darkrai's trainer, Tobias, looked at the panting Pikachu. In his mind, the battle was already decided.
He raised his voice:
"Let this boy's League journey come to an end! Latios, use Luster Purge!"
"Wooooh!"
"I won't fall here! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Pika—Chuuu!!!"
Luster Purge, Latios' signature move, had already proven its terrifying strength earlier—instantly knocking out Ash's well-trained Swellow.
And now Ash had chosen to meet that same power head-on with Thunderbolt.
For a Pikachu already worn thin, this was not a wise decision.
[Volkner: He should have Pikachu dodge! If it loses another clash like this… there'll be no chance left!]
Golden electricity and pink energy beams collided.
For a moment, the two powers were deadlocked.
Then—BOOM!
A massive explosion shook the battlefield. Smoke and dust swallowed everything.
To everyone's surprise, Pikachu, after all the damage it had taken, still held such strength!
Even Tobias was startled, though he quickly dismissed it as nothing but a dying struggle.
"Latios, rise above the smoke! Use Psychic to scatter it!"
So long as Latios claimed the skies, defeat was impossible.
"Woooooh!"
Latios soared upward, but—clinging to its back was Pikachu!
"What?! When did it—!"
"Perfect! Pikachu, now—Thunder!"
Thunder was far more destructive than Thunderbolt, but slow to channel and locked to a single strike point.
Unlike Thunderbolt, it couldn't be aimed at will.
Yet, riding Latios itself, Pikachu became the lightning rod.
That meant Thunder would land without fail!
(The author chuckles: no silly four-move limit here—if Pikachu's learned it, it can use it!)
The skies darkened. Clouds rolled in, blotting out the sun.
For the first time, Tobias' voice wavered.
"Throw it off—now!"
"Hold on, Pikachu!"
"Pika!!"
Pikachu's tiny paws dug into Latios' fur, refusing to let go.
Luckily, Latios' coat was thick and firm—otherwise Pikachu would've been flung away long ago!
RUMBLE!!!
Seconds later, Latios still hadn't shaken Pikachu free. The heavens roared, and a pillar of lightning as thick as a tree trunk came crashing down!
Straight into Pikachu—and Latios beneath it.
As the conduit, Pikachu took no real harm.
But Latios screamed in pain—this was the first time it had been struck since entering the field!
"Thunderbolt!"
Ash knew Thunder took time to recharge. Pikachu couldn't cling to Latios' back forever.
So he made a snap call, choosing the fast, accurate Thunderbolt!
"Pika—Chuuu!!"
Golden electricity surged, sparking across Latios' body.
Sexy Pikachu—live electrotherapy session!
[Bruno: Whoa—what a chance he found!]
[Cynthia: So this is Ash… an unpredictable fighter!]
[Lance: Even so, Pikachu's stamina is nearly gone. One more solid hit, and it's finished. The situation's still dire!]
[Lorelei: Lance, why do you always jinx Pikachu? Did you bet on Tobias?]
[Lance: Nonsense! I'm just being realistic, alright?! As if I'd care about six hundred measly betting points!]
[Leon: Let's stay rational. At least now Pikachu has a path to victory. All it needs is to endure!]
[Gardenia: Haven't you noticed? Pikachu's glowing brighter!]
[Alder: cough Let me translate Gardenia's words—Pikachu's electrical output is rising!]
As the Champion of Unova, Alder was familiar with his Gym Leaders' eccentric phrasing.
And sure enough, with his reminder, spectators worldwide realized it too—
Pikachu's power seemed to be climbing steadily!
"Damn, Pikachu only goes all-out when it matters, huh?"
"Meek against newbie Snivy, ruthless against a legendary god!"
"Crush it, Pikachu!!"
"Light Screen!"
"Wooooh!"
Tobias ordered swiftly. A shining barrier shimmered before Latios.
With Light Screen active, Pikachu's Thunderbolt would only deal a quarter of its damage.
Even if it hit, it would barely tickle!
"Pikachu, again—Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaaa—Chuuu!!"
Golden lightning lanced forth once more. But this time, its effect was negligible.
Even boosted, Thunderbolt could hardly scratch a Latios shielded by Light Screen.
"Latios, Spin Attack—throw it off!"
"Woooooh!!"
Latios glowed white, tucked its wings, and spun wildly through the air!
In mere seconds it looped around five times. Pikachu's tiny body wobbled, dizzy.
Its grip on Latios' fur began to slip…
"Don't give up! Another Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaa—CHU!!!"
The fight turned into a test of endurance.
Would Pikachu's electricity overwhelm Latios first—
or would Latios' spinning finally fling Pikachu away?
Onlookers across the globe—Champions, Elites, and ordinary Trainers alike—watched breathless, fists clenched.
After three, four more Thunderbolts, the battlefield finally shifted…
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