"Pika!"
"Rai~chu~~"
Pikachu and Raichu.
One, the unevolved form. The other, its evolved counterpart.
"Wow, I'm so hyped! What kind of battle will it be between Pikachu and Raichu? Ash's Pikachu is seriously powerful."
"Piplup-pip!"
Piplup nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly with Dawn.
But Flint didn't say a word.
His expression had become solemn, his eyes filled with disbelief as he stared at Ash's Pikachu stepping onto the battlefield.
"This Pikachu…"
He murmured quietly.
Just that presence… it sent a chill down his spine.
Volkner was equally focused. He didn't underestimate Pikachu just because it hadn't evolved—on the contrary, he could tell this one wasn't ordinary at all.
"Pikachu, use Electro Ball!"
"Mega Punch! Smash it right back!"
The two Pokémon attacked simultaneously.
Pikachu's tail snapped upright, crackling with electricity. A concentrated sphere of electric energy formed at its tip—Electro Ball! Pikachu hurled it straight at Raichu.
Raichu, with force surging into its clenched fist, met the ball head-on with Mega Punch.
BOOM!
But the outcome Volkner expected never happened. The Electro Ball didn't get punched away—it exploded the moment it made contact.
Raichu was blasted backward, crashing hard to the ground. It got back up quickly, but it was clearly hurt.
Ash's Pikachu was over level 80—Tier 3 Legendary-level strength!
It hadn't even used full power. And since it was an Electric-type move hitting another Electric-type Pokémon, the damage was reduced.
Still, sweat was now beading on Volkner's forehead.
Just one exchange had revealed the truth.
This Pikachu… wasn't just strong. It was Champion-level strong.
Though Volkner didn't dare assume Tier-3 deity level—it was already clear this battle was on an entirely different plane.
He didn't cower. Not even close.
Back when he and Flint started as Trainers, they had clawed their way up from nothing—facing stronger opponents, failing, improving, and challenging again. That's what it meant to be a Trainer.
That heat—that spirit—burned in his heart once more!
"Raichu! You remember those days, don't you? When we challenged one powerhouse after another?"
"Rai~~chu!"
Raichu nodded fiercely. Never did it imagine the day would come when it would be utterly outmatched by a Pikachu.
"Alright then! Raichu, Iron Tail!"
"Pikachu, let's go—Iron Tail too!"
"Pika!"
Once again, the two Pokémon charged in.
Their tails transformed—gleaming with steel—and clashed with thunderous clangs.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three exchanges.
And with each clash, Raichu was pushed further back.
By the third strike, Pikachu's tail smashed Raichu hard enough to send it flying, crashing deep into the ground and leaving behind a crater.
"Rai!"
Raichu gritted its teeth and struggled to stand. Determined not to lose.
Volkner felt that fighting spirit and responded immediately.
"Raichu, Calm Mind!"
Raichu closed its eyes, beginning to meditate and center itself.
Pikachu watched quietly. It didn't interfere.
Neither did Ash.
Raichu had been completely suppressed so far. Flint's gaze was fixed on Pikachu.
He was a certified Elite Four member—stronger than most—and had even battled Cynthia's Pokémon.
And during Pikachu's previous moves… the casual confidence it showed, the way it moved, the sheer aura it exuded…
"I can't believe it… It's stronger than a Champion…"
He didn't say it out loud—just whispered it to himself.
Could Ash really challenge Cynthia at this rate?
The Calm Mind boost completed.
"Raichu, Thunder!"
"Let's finish this—Pikachu, Thunder as well!"
Pikachu nodded.
Two massive bolts of thunder cracked down on the field, colliding with explosive power!
Raichu was still standing.
But it had lost the ability to battle.
Pikachu hadn't even used its full power—otherwise, Raichu wouldn't have survived a single blow.
"Raichu is unable to battle. Pikachu wins! The victory goes to Ash!"
The automated referee declared the result.
Volkner walked over slowly, scooping up his Raichu, who stood proudly despite being unable to fight.
"It's been so long since we fought with everything we had… and still lost. Looks like we're still not strong enough, huh?"
"Rai~~…"
Raichu nodded in agreement. A true Elite-level Pokémon like itself could recover quickly as long as it wasn't a serious injury.
Volkner may have lost, but it was a loss that reinvigorated him.
A reminder: You're not done growing. You're not at the top yet.
Tenfold Experience Boost Card!
Ding! Congratulations, host! Pikachu has defeated Raichu. Tenfold EXP card successfully activated—356,000 battle EXP gained!
Level 84!
Level 85!
Pikachu leveled up twice.
It was already close to leveling up at 83, and with over 350,000 EXP, two levels made sense.
The higher the level, the more EXP required to level up.
"Ash," Volkner said, "you're right. I need to continue my training. Maybe challenge some retired Elite Four members, or even old Champions. That would help me a lot."
Volkner was undeniably the strongest Gym Leader in Sinnoh.
His Raichu wasn't just Elite—it was well into the tier, already at Level 65.
"I'll definitely consider your advice. Thank you, Ash. You reminded me and my Pokémon of something we'd forgotten."
Volkner walked up and smiled, extending his hand with the Beacon Badge.
Ash accepted it, raising it high with a triumphant grin.
"That's all eight Sinnoh Gym Badges. With the Beacon Badge, I'm now qualified to enter the Lily of the Valley Conference!"
"Pika!"
"Tor~terra!"
"Metagross!"
Pikachu, Torterra, and Metagross all cheered in unison.
"You're really something, Ash," Flint said with a grin. "The Lily of the Valley Conference is just one month away on Lily of the Valley Island. Volkner and I will definitely be there to watch you compete!"
He was sincerely grateful to Ash—for reigniting Volkner's passion for battling.
At this moment, Flint even felt like he could take on Cynthia herself!
Though… whether that was real or just a hopeful illusion would only be known in battle.
Author's Note:
I know some of the moves and mechanics written here may differ from the games. But this is a novel, not a game. In this fictional world, potential (aptitude) isn't just for show—it's real and has meaning. It doesn't limit a Pokémon's max level but affects learning capabilities. Stronger potential means mastering moves others normally can't. I believe that's a reasonable take.
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T/N:
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P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals