Night deepened.
Inside the Pokémon Center room, only Ash and Pikachu remained.
A notebook lay open on the desk, filled with hastily drawn tactical sketches.
"Partner, tomorrow's tough battle all comes down to you."
Ash gently stroked Pikachu's forehead. "Lt. Surge's Raichu has far more power and electricity than normal. We have no chance in a head-on fight."
That was true, even with the key piece of intel from Nurse Joy that the Raichu Lt. Surge used against challengers wasn't skilled in speed.
The level gap was real.
...Even if it wasn't his main Pokémon, this Raichu's level was off the charts.
"Pika..." Pikachu nodded seriously, clenching its small paws as a faint spark flashed from its cheek pouches.
"We have to play to our strengths and avoid its... your advantage is your agility and speed, which are far superior to Raichu's." Ash's pen tapped on one of the sketches, which depicted Pikachu's trajectory using Quick Attack to constantly change position.
Barring any surprises, they were sure to win.
But to secure the win, they had to control the tempo and not get carried away.
All's fair in war.
The key to victory was deception.
"More importantly... your Lightning Rod ability."
Ash emphatically circled the ability's name.
This was the key to victory.
"This is our greatest asset."
"It can channel electric energy into the ground, but the prerequisite is..."
Ash looked at Pikachu's lightning-bolt-shaped tail.
"Your tail must remain in constant contact with the ground, acting as that 'lightning rod' to redirect Raichu's powerful electricity into the earth."
"We need to use this action to mask our true purpose... only then can our final counterattack be unexpected."
"It will be tough, and you might even get hurt, but it's the only way we can wear it down and ultimately win."
The cards in his hand were limited.
Combining those cards in the optimal way was his only chance of victory.
The formula for victory was already in his hands!
There was no hesitation in Pikachu's eyes.
It jumped off the desk, solemnly pressed the tip of its tail to the floor, and cried out with its head held high:
"Pikachu!" (Leave it to me!)
Ash had already explained the entire battle plan and arranged all the tactics.
Pikachu was now very confident.
After all, if they adopted a kiting strategy... Pikachu couldn't imagine how it would lose.
"I'm counting on you, partner." Ash reached out and stroked Pikachu's head.
His eyes turned to the system interface.
--Partner Pikachu--
Nickname: Partner
Level: 26
Nature: Bashful
Ability: Lightning Rod
Moves: Volt Tackle LV1, Zippy Zap LV2, Thunder Shock LV4, Growl LV1, Tail Whip
LV1, Thunder Wave LV2, Quick Attack LV2, Double Team LV2, Double Kick LV2, Electro Ball
LV1, Feint LV1, Protect LV2, Swift LV2, Dig LV1
Held Item: Light Ball LV30 (Doubles Special Attack and Attack if under level 30)
----
In this battle against Raichu.
The most useful moves would be Quick Attack, Dig, Double Kick, and Swift.
Since Raichu isn't skilled in speed, they could use speed to create distance and bombard it from afar with Swift.
Therefore, Double Kick probably wouldn't be necessary.
After all, engaging in close combat would also give Raichu a chance to hit Pikachu.
From a tactical standpoint, they should avoid close-quarters fighting.
Raichu's speed definitely couldn't keep up with Pikachu's, so if Raichu wanted to hit Pikachu, it would have to use ranged Electric-type moves.
And as long as Pikachu kept its tail on the ground, it could use its Lightning Rod ability to channel the electricity away.
This would create a situation where 'I can hit you, but you can't hit me.'
The only question was whether this Raichu knew a move similar to Swift.
After all, Pokémon have many moves, and different Pokémon make different choices when learning them.
Officer Jenny's comment that this Raichu was definitely not Lt. Surge's main was also a very important piece of information.
Because if it were his main, it definitely wouldn't have such a critical weakness as a lack of speed.
Nor would it lose all its ranged combat capability if its electric attacks were nullified.
How could a veteran Gym Trainer leave himself with such a vulnerability?
"Electricity, lightning... a magnetic field?"
"I see how Lt. Surge compensates for his weaknesses now," Ash mused.
"Pika?" Pikachu was a little confused.
"We'll train for that later. It's a bit too early for you right now~"
"Perhaps speed isn't Lt. Surge's weakness. Maybe he's actually quite skilled with it~~"
...
The next morning, Ash, Brock, Misty, and an insistent A.J. stood together before the Vermilion Gym.
It was a massive, factory-like complex.
A striking yellow lightning bolt symbol was spray-painted on its towering walls, exuding a sense of industrial power.
They walked into the spacious hall.
The receptionist seemed to have been notified in advance. Upon seeing Ash, an imperceptible flash of pity crossed her eyes.
"Gym Leader Surge is waiting for you at the main battlefield."
Her tone was flat, yet it somehow conveyed a 'good luck' sentiment.
Following the directions, they pushed open a massive, heavy blast door.
The scene behind the door left them slightly stunned.
The battlefield before them was standard and spacious, but what was different was that the surrounding spectator seats were sparsely filled with trainers.
When they saw Ash enter, their expressions were complex—a mix of curiosity, scrutiny, and mostly, sympathy.
"These are all trainers waiting in line to challenge, or are still observing," Brock whispered.
Misty added, her tone filled with dissatisfaction, "Is he trying to make an example of him in front of everyone?"
"...I heard... I don't know where the rumor came from, but they say Gym Leader Surge will decide the standard for future matches based on Ash's battle," A.J. said at that moment.
It was a rumor circulating privately among the trainers.
The source of the information was unknown.
Ash didn't respond. There had been quite a few onlookers during the situation at the Cerise Laboratory.
Considering it wasn't exactly a secret that couldn't be spread... he let it go.
His gaze had already passed over the field, settling on the tall figure on the opposite side.
Lt. Surge stood in the trainer's command area with his arms crossed, his signature wild grin plastered on his face.
The camouflage tank top he wore today seemed even tighter, accentuating his knotted muscles.
"Boy~ you're finally here!" Lt. Surge's voice echoed through the empty arena, resounding like thunder. "I thought you'd run off with your tail between your legs!"
"Looks like you've got more guts than those weaklings!"
He opened his arms, as if embracing the gaze of the entire audience:
"Perfect!"
"Let everyone see what real power is!"
"And what it takes to deserve the Orange Badge!"
Although Lt. Surge had decided to test Ash, he actually thought Ash could win.
If he fell here, how could he be worthy of Giovanni's attention?
Someone Giovanni had his eye on couldn't possibly be at this level!
A spotlight hit the center of the field.
The atmosphere instantly became charged with tension.
Ash took a deep breath and, under everyone's gaze, walked step by step to his command area.
Pikachu leaped from his shoulder, landing steadily on the field.
The tip of its tail subconsciously tapped the ground lightly.
The battle was about to begin.
____
New Story: Stardew Valley: What Do You Mean They All Became My Servants
✅ Read 40 chapters ahead on all series.
✅ Get exclusive content and updates.
Help us hit our targets:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 free chapter for all
🚀 180 MEMBERS = +5 bonus chapters (all stories)!
👻 P - Walnutchan