[Caitlin: Judging from how things are going, it's still too early for Black Ash to challenge the Elite Four.]
[Volkner: Yeah. Right now, Black Ash is completely being toyed with by Koga. Arbok only took some residual damage from that Iron Tail quake, and it's already boosted both its attack and defense!]
[Volkner: Meanwhile, Pikachu got hit by Poison Sting, is now poisoned, and—most importantly—there's a clear gap in tactical skill and battle command. As this continues, Pikachu will only fall further behind… until defeat is inevitable.]
[Serena: I believe in Ash! He'll never give up that easily! Whether it's our world's Ash or that one… I believe in both of them!]
[Ash: Thank you, Serena… I believe in my other self too! Experience and disadvantage—none of that matters! I'll make up for it with the bond between me and Pikachu—and with our fighting spirit!]
[Ash: Though… if it were the old me, I would've said that. But the other me has taught me something—In moments like this, you have to stay calm, analyze, and find a way to turn the tables. As long as you wait for the right moment, you'll always see the light of victory!]
[Gary: !!!]
What the—?!Is that really the same thick-headed Ash I know?! Did someone swap him out with Black Ash?!When did this guy start talking like a philosopher?!Just from watching a livestream, he's suddenly a strategist now?!Meanwhile, I've been watching like it's a movie and learned nothing!
Beside him, Misty and Brock were staring at Ash as though they'd just seen a ghost. They looked utterly stunned, both secretly wondering—Did someone switch him out for another Ash?! "Wh–Why are you two looking at me like that?" Ash noticed their intense gazes and waved his hands defensively. "I've been watching the other me for so long—of course I realized my old methods don't work." "Things like bond and fighting spirit… in the end, those are just praying for miracles."
"Maybe sometimes that works, maybe it can even turn a battle around—but that's just luck! The other me would never put his hopes on something so uncertain." "Careful planning. Observing the opponent's movements. Spotting weaknesses. That's what a real battle is about!" Ash clenched his fist, determination shining in his eyes. Watching Black Ash fight had shown him—he could become someone like that too. All it would take was… just a bit of effort.
In the Black World—
The blazing sun beat down, and sweat glistened on Ash's forehead. The situation was utterly against him. Poison wasn't just steady damage over time—it crippled a Pokémon's entire state. Speed, strength, reflexes…
Pikachu's condition had dropped below Arbok's across the board. And with the gap in battle experience between trainers, a normal strategy would never win this fight. He had to gamble. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt! Blanket the whole field!" "Pika—CHUUU!!" Golden lightning exploded skyward from Pikachu's body—then burst apart in midair! A rain of crackling golden bolts fell across the entire arena, locking down every direction with pure electric fury. "Heh… far too naive. Arbok, use Haze."
Koga chuckled, thinking Ash was going for an all-out area attack to limit Arbok's movement. A futile struggle. At his command, Arbok spewed out a thick black mist, shrouding itself completely from view. With its vision blocked, even a blanket attack like Thunderbolt couldn't reliably hit its target. But the moment Ash saw Arbok use Haze, his eyes gleamed. "There it is… just as I guessed. That Arbok does use Haze."
"Pikachu—charge into the mist and use Rain Dance!" Koga: ??? Hold up—what?! Rain Dance?!Your Pikachu knows Rain Dance?! Is that even legal?! Before Koga could react, Pikachu darted straight into the black mist. The move didn't discriminate between friend or foe. Inside that haze, Pikachu couldn't see Arbok—but Arbok couldn't see Pikachu either! That gave Pikachu the perfect window to cast Rain Dance. Rain Dance was a Water-type technique that called upon the power of nature itself. Even though Pikachu could perform it, it wasn't instantaneous—and standing still that long usually made him an easy target. But this time… the Haze gave him cover.
Inside the darkness, Pikachu closed his eyes, focusing deeply as he channeled his energy into the skies above. He called upon the rhythm of nature, converting part of his own strength into water-type resonance. Seconds later, the scorching sunlight dimmed. Dark clouds rolled in, and thunder rumbled faintly overhead. Koga's face darkened.
He already understood Pikachu's plan. Even if Pikachu wasn't a Water-type and couldn't benefit from Rain Dance's water boost, rain amplified electricity—especially its accuracy. Water was an excellent conductor, after all… And the rain would dissipate the black mist completely. Even if Arbok used Haze again, it wouldn't last more than a few seconds. This time, Koga realized—he'd walked straight into Ash's trap.
His own Haze had bought Pikachu the time he needed to change the weather. Otherwise, there would've been no chance to pull off Rain Dance! "Heh… got me there, didn't you, kid? Fine then. Let's go head-to-head!" Originally, Koga had planned to keep using Haze and Coil, slowly stacking his defenses while Arbok wore Pikachu down. Gradually, the gap would widen until victory was certain.
But this Rain Dance forced his hand—he'd have to face Pikachu directly. Still, as expected of an Elite Four, even when he held the advantage, he hadn't grown careless. He had been planning to grind Pikachu down methodically. Maybe that was just Koga's poison-type nature—always cunning, always calculating. But that didn't mean he feared a direct clash. On the contrary, he thought to himself— "Young man… all you've done is hasten Pikachu's defeat!" Ash just grinned. "We'll see about that. Better to go down swinging than get dragged to death!"
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