[Result: Pikachu vs. Latios — Pikachu wins!]
[All who bet on Latios lose their points.]
That ethereal voice echoed again, cold and merciless like a whisper from the underworld.
Groans filled the world. Eighty percent of viewers' points had just been wiped to zero.
But those who bet on Ash? Their winnings multiplied tenfold!
True, the odds weren't as high as at the very beginning, but ×10 still wasn't small!
Ash alone had earned 30,000 points. Misty and Brock got 10,000 each. Even Team Rocket had 10,000!
Together, Ash's group now had a staggering 550,000 points (since none of their old points had been spent).
And the Rocket trio? 100,000 points in their pockets.
What's this called? Overnight riches.
Correction: less than an hour to riches!
"Wow, Brock, Misty—we've got so many points! What should we buy first?!"
Ash was already bouncing around the shop menu like a kid in a candy store.
Half the items he couldn't even recognize, his eyes sparkling brighter with every click.
For a ten-year-old boy, the lure of new and shiny things was irresistible.
And Ash was still just a boy.
"Pika, pika!!" Pikachu waved his little arms.
After all, he had carried the last two matches—surely he deserved a cut!
Tomato-flavored Poké Puffs, tomato-flavored Pokéblocks, maybe even a Pikachu-sized bicycle—
the Teacher Pikachu demanded tribute!
"Hold up, Ash. Let's start with something practical."
Brock tapped on a listing. Ash and Misty leaned over curiously.
[Large Spatial Backpack]
Indestructible
Holds up to 100,000 cubic meters
Can be bound to up to three people with unique imprint
Bound users alone can access it freely
Imprint allows the user to sense the backpack's exact location—preventing theft
Layout of internal space can be customized at will
Anything non-living can be stored
[Price: 300,000 points]
"Wooooah! They sell stuff like this?!"
Ash and Misty's eyes sparkled.
Yes, the Pokémon world had spatial technology—that was how Poké Balls and transfer systems worked.
But in everyday life? "Space backpacks" barely existed, and those only held about a cubic meter.
Even then, they were rare, expensive, and often stolen.
Compared to this… the Large Spatial Backpack was godlike!
"Pika?" Pikachu tilted his head. What's so special about that?
"This means we can stash all your favorite toys and snacks inside!" Misty explained.
"Pika?! Pika pika!!"
Buy it!!
Only Ash had the 300,000 required, so naturally, he paid.
But Brock and Misty reassured him: if Ash wanted anything else, their points were his too.
After so long traveling together, trust among the trio was absolute.
"Alright—purchased!"
Just as Ash confirmed the exchange, the ethereal voice returned.
[Bonus reward: Pikachu, as the victor, shall receive an additional gift!]
[New skills learned: Volt Tackle, Electroweb, Electro Ball, Iron Tail, Thunder Wave, Zap Cannon.]
A seven-colored light descended from the heavens, wrapping Pikachu in its glow.
Ash and the others squeezed their eyes shut.
When they opened them again, the glow was gone—
but sparks still crackled from Pikachu's cheeks, brighter than before.
"Pikachu—you learned all those moves from the footage?!"
Ash's jaw dropped. He had dreamed of Pikachu mastering them,
but never knew how to teach them.
Now, the Heavenly Record had simply handed them over!
"Pika pika!" Pikachu puffed his chest proudly—of course he could!
"Good! Then show me—use Volt Tackle on me!"
Misty and Brock: ???
When I type a question mark, it's not that I'm confused—it's that you're insane, Ash.
"Pika!!"
Obedient to command, Pikachu backed up, body wreathed in a savage golden aura.
"H-hey, Ash, wait a second—"
"Go, Pikachu!!"
"PIKAAA!!!"
Like a lightning-charged cannonball, Pikachu sprinted forward and slammed straight into Ash's chest.
BOOM!
Ash went flying dozens of meters, smoke trailing behind him.
The thunderous crash caught the attention of everyone nearby.
"…Wait, is that—Ash?!"
"No way—that is Ash! From the Heavenly Record!"
"And that must be Pikachu?! I want to pet him!!"
Their cover was blown.
At this point, Ash and Pikachu were more famous than most Champions.
Ash staggered upright, clutching his stomach, clothes singed black around the belly.
Yet somehow, he was grinning.
"Not bad, Pikachu! Great power! …Huh? You guys… know me?"
Misty and Brock exchanged a look.
Aside from a bit of charred cloth, Ash was completely unharmed.
They silently bumped him up into a new category in their minds: monster.
So this… was the power of the Super Rookie from Pallet Town.
They had just witnessed it firsthand.
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