Chapter 36: Path of the Actor, Level One Trainee
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Raichu, we'll use Thunderbolt too!!"
As the battle began, the two Electric Mouse Pokémon performed their signature move. The two bodies, one large and one small, simultaneously erupted with dazzling lightning.
Transforming into a roaring Electric Snake of thunder, they crashed into each other.
KRAKOOM!!
The Electric Currents faced off in Mid-air, clashing back and forth. Ripples of energy undulated outwards, and for a moment, they seemed evenly matched.
"Impressive power."
Lt. Surge couldn't help but praise.
Even though it hadn't evolved yet, the power of its Thunderbolt was already not far behind his Raichu's.
Ash grinned smugly. Whether it was the boost from 'generating power with love' in Pewter City or Pikachu's own immense talent, the power of its Thunderbolt was second to none!
But Lt. Surge's eyes suddenly glinted fiercely as he roared:
"Then try this on for size! Raichu, use Thunder!!"
This time, Raichu violently swung its arms.
A bolt of lightning suddenly shot up from its body towards the sky, gathering at its peak before violently crashing down from mid-air!
SWOOSH-BOOM!!!
The Electric Current in its cheek's Electric Sacs instantly exploded. Even the color of the lightning on its body deepened several shades as a terrifying pressure enveloped the entire Battle Arena.
The Electric Current from Thunder gushed forth, several times wider than before.
It instantly snuffed out Pikachu's previously aggressive Thunderbolt. Like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot, it was directly overpowered and thrown back.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!
The thick pillar of lightning struck Pikachu dead-on. The physical pain and mental pressure both made it extremely uncomfortable.
Moreover, the powerful pulling force generated by Thunder made it impossible to dodge, forcing it to take the full brunt of the attack.
"Pika..."
When the Thunder dissipated, the small patch of Ground where Pikachu stood had even caved in by several centimeters.
The skin on one side of its body was already slightly scorched black, and it was panting heavily. Clearly, the Damage from that attack was not light.
Cooked to 0.01% doneness.
If it were a common Pokemon like Rattata, its meat would be at least 30% cooked by now.
"See? This is the advantage of Evolution!"
Lt. Surge laughed loudly and suddenly pulled a yellow stone from his pocket.
"How about it? We both raise Electric Mouse Pokémon. How about I give you a Thunder Stone? We can battle again after you've completed its Evolution."
Ash refused without a second thought.
"No thanks. Raichu isn't good-looking enough. I'll never let my Pikachu evolve, not in a million years."
"Pika pika."
Pikachu nodded in agreement. If it really evolved into that dark, chubby fellow opposite them, it would rather just delete its account and start over.
This hasty refusal from both of them clearly enraged the man and mouse on the other side. Lt. Surge's gaze turned cold.
"If that's how it is, Raichu, no more going easy! Use Thunder again!"
"Raichu!"
Feeling offended, Raichu violently swung its arms. Thunder and Lightning crackled once more as a terrifying Electric Current spread across the arena, closing in on Pikachu from all directions.
There's no escape!
"What do I do?!"
A few drops of sweat trickled down Ash's forehead. His eyes scanned the entire arena, his mind racing as he tried to find any Strategy to break the deadlock.
Moves... Types... Abilities...
That's right, its Ability!
Lt. Surge just said it. Pikachu's Ability is either Static or Lightning Rod.
Although he didn't quite understand what it meant, Ash still shouted loudly:
"Pikachu, use Lightning Rod!"
Judging by the name, it should be able to avoid lightning, right?
Across from him, Lt. Surge: "?"
Kid, do you know the difference between an Ability and a Move...?
Surrounded by lightning, Pikachu suddenly twitched its ears. Muscle Memory kicked in, causing it to leap into the air, its feet leaving the ground.
"It's no use! Continue with Thunder!!"
KRA-BOOOM!!
Thunder hit its mark. The lightning once again formed a thick pillar of light and slammed into Pikachu.
The Power was even greater this time. The Ground beneath its feet instantly caved in several more centimeters, clumps of earth shattering!
"Pi-Pika...?"
However, just as Pikachu was about to cry out in pain, it stopped mid-scream, suddenly realizing something wasn't right.
Huh? It doesn't seem to hurt this time?
Even though there was no pain, its Muscle Memory made it subconsciously complete the scream anyway.
"Pika!!"
The figure was unseen, but the utterly tragic-sounding cry from within the lightning made Lt. Surge smug and Ash worried.
Soon, the lightning and the Smoke and Dust dissipated.
"Raichu..."
Raichu was now panting, looking a little drained. Two full-power Thunders had consumed a lot of energy.
On the other side, however, Pikachu was glowing brightly, as if nothing had happened at all.
Its whole body seemed to have been polished by the thunder, and it shone brilliantly.
Its tail was planted on the Ground like a fulcrum, while its four limbs were lifted into the air.
"Did Pikachu's tail form a lightning rod...?"
Brock, at the side, analyzed with a profound look in his eyes.
As the saying goes, with both feet off the ground, the current can't travel up. A sharp intellect has once again claimed the high ground.
But if there was no Damage, what was the deal with that hoarse Wail of Pain from before?
"The Path of the Actor...?"
Brock and Misty exchanged a glance, suddenly remembering an Achievement the Pokedex had unlocked for Pikachu the other day.
Path of the Actor, Level One Trainee?
Damn, what a Veteran Actor (Archetype)...
"Great job, Pikachu! Now it's our turn to attack!"
Ash, still not quite getting it, waved his hand forward and commanded:
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu's four limbs landed back on the ground. Cloaked in White Light, its form moved like a phantom as it began to run circles around Raichu.
Raichu's dizzy and bewildered appearance led Ash to a quiet conclusion.
Because of its premature Evolution, while Raichu's Strength had seen a Significant Increase, its Speed hadn't undergone the same Training as it would have in its Pikachu stage. After evolving, it had actually decreased.
But this was his chance!
Lt. Surge was no Novice Trainer. He was also aware of this drawback in his Raichu and instructed with an unchanging expression:
"Raichu, brace yourself!"
Pikachu left a trail of Afterimages on the Ground. In an instant, it suddenly dashed behind Raichu, attacking from a blind spot.
"Now, use Thunderbolt!!"
Lightning crackled, instantly forming an Electric Snake that aimed right for the small of Raichu's back.
Seeing this, Lt. Surge's eyes lit up. It seemed he had been waiting for this very move. He roared at the top of his lungs:
"I was waiting for that! Raichu, use Thunder Punch to draw in the Thunderbolt!"
On Raichu's short, stubby fists, a layer of lightning had already formed at some point.
With a violent swing of its arm, it forcibly changed the trajectory of the Thunderbolt, drawing all of it into its fist.
"Zzz-zzz-zzz..."
At this moment, the Electric Current on its fist exploded!
"Raichu!!"
Raichu's gaze focused, and it seized the momentum to swing its powerfully charged Thunder Punch!
To everyone's surprise, Raichu didn't turn to attack Pikachu, which was in its move cooldown. Instead, it bent down and smashed its fist straight into the Ground beneath it.
KABOOOOM!!
The terrifying Electric Current, carrying an incomparably tyrannical punching force, caused the ground to crack outwards in layers from the epicenter.
Shattered rock spread out like ripples. The tens-of-meters-wide field was instantly broken and ruined.
True, its Speed had decreased.
But both its electrical power and its Physical Strength had increased manifold!
"Raichu...!"
Having landed a successful blow, Raichu lifted its head, a smug grin playing on its lips. The entire Arena had been smashed to pieces by it.
It didn't matter. Any damage to the Gym facilities caused by a Trainer's challenge could be reimbursed by the Pokemon League.
But the now uneven field, full of peaks and valleys, made Pikachu hesitant to act.
Its agile movements were severely restricted by the terrain, making it difficult to move.
"Finish it! Use Body Slam!!"
Following Lt. Surge's great roar, Raichu took a flying leap. With its huge belly leading the way, its body descended like a Wailord.
"Pika..."
Pikachu was stuck awkwardly in place, trying to use Thunderbolt to block.
But the Electric Current simply dissipated upon hitting its opponent's belly, failing to hinder its movement in the slightest.
It was about to be crushed.
"Damn it, are there any other Moves?"
Cold sweat poured down Ash's back. He was as frantic as a Bulbasaur on a hot tin roof.
Thunderbolt is useless, and I can't use Quick Attack with no room to move...
"Screw it! Pikachu, use Slam!"
He could only choose his last Move.
Hearing this, Pikachu had no choice but to try and extend its stepped tail, swinging it violently in a sweeping blow at the approaching Raichu's face.
Smack...!
It was like a light scratch.
And at this moment, Raichu was about to come crashing down.
"Pika!"
At this life-or-death moment, Pikachu's gaze suddenly focused, and the Aura around its body abruptly changed.
It was as if some kind of Switch had been flipped inside it.
Ash's eyes widened.
"This is..."
This feeling reminded Ash of his first meeting with Pikachu. It was the same strange sensation from back then, when it had used a massive thunderbolt to drive away the flock of Spearow.
"Path of the Actor...?"
For no reason, Ash also remembered that Achievement...
In the Battle Arena, the tail Pikachu had just used for Slam suddenly whipped back around, sweeping towards Raichu's face once more.
WHOOSH!
But this time, its tail was shining with a rich, metallic luster. It looked indestructible, carrying with it an immense and powerful presence.
This was a Move that Pikachu had already practiced countless times!
Ash understood instantly and roared in sync with the action:
"Now's the time! Pikachu, use Iron Tail!!"
——
(2nd update!!)
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