The two stood in silence for a moment, their eyes locked.
Ash was the first to speak. "Hello, Mr. Steven. I'm Ash from Pallet Town. It's a pleasure to meet you here."
"Oh? You know me?" Steven was a little surprised.
"Of course, you're Steven Stone, the Champion of the Hoenn League and a Steel-type Pokémon Master. I've watched your battle videos."
Ash wasn't lying. In the ten years after he transmigrated, he did a lot of research on battles. But back then, it was mostly out of interest, and he never thought he would actually embark on the path of a Pokémon trainer.
"Thank you," Steven nodded, then continued, "You're very special. I can feel the unique emotional bond between you and these two little guys..."
"Are you interested in a battle?"
"Hmm?" Ash was a little surprised. Aren't you all about digging for rocks? Why the sudden interest in a battle?
But he didn't refuse. A chance to battle a Champion was a valuable experience for him.
A moment later, the two of them arrived at the Pokémon Center's battle facility.
"Metagross, is he really that strong?" Steven whispered to Metagross.
"Gross..." The big lump of steel nodded slightly. It could sense the powerful psychic energy on Ash. Although it was still very weak, it was incredibly resilient.
It was Metagross's hint that had made Steven interested in Ash.
The last person to receive such an appraisal from Metagross was the current Sootopolis City Gym Leader, Wallace.
Wallace was also Steven's good buddy and a future Champion.
Combined with Ash's special aura, Steven couldn't help but make the request.
"Mr. Steven, you're not planning to use your Champion-level Metagross against me, are you?" Ash asked, looking at the shiny steel lump beside him.
Steven could tell that Pikachu and Eevee were only at an advanced level. He shook his head slightly. "Since you're planning to challenge the Pewter Gym, why don't we have a battle with this guy?"
Saying that, he threw out a Poké Ball.
A huge figure wrapped in a blue shell appeared on the field.
Armaldo lv42 (Elite, Low-tier)
"This is Armaldo, a partner I just revived from a fossil. It's a Rock type, and the others aren't a good fit."
Ash's mouth twitched. Did he really just say that?
What he meant was, "This is my weakest one, and I can spare some time to train with you..."
But Ash didn't mind. After thinking for a moment, he looked at his left shoulder. "Pikachu, you take this one."
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded. She was so much stronger now than she used to be. She was sure she could win this for Ash!
After this period of dual cultivation and training, Pikachu's level had reached 34. Her mastery of her ability and various moves had also improved significantly.
"You can have the first move."
Steven touched the ring on his hand, his expression becoming slightly more serious.
For some reason, the moment Pikachu stepped onto the field, he had a feeling that they were evenly matched.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Ash didn't hold back, starting with the classic Thunderbolt.
A ring of electricity spread out from Pikachu's body. The light yellow aura instantly enveloped the entire field.
Electron Engine activated, and the Electric Terrain was triggered!
This was the result of Pikachu's recent special training—she could now use her ability at will.
"Pikachu—!"
With the double boost from her ability and the terrain, this Thunderbolt had the power of an Elite-level move!
"Metal Claw and close in!" Steven frowned.
He hadn't expected Pikachu to be able to use a move at the same time as releasing the terrain.
"Bang!"
The next moment, a thick bolt of lightning exploded in front of Armaldo, immediately halting its advance.
Steven was a little surprised. How could an Advanced-level Pokémon cause this much damage?
And a Pikachu, at that?
In his estimation, Armaldo should have been able to use Metal Claw to cut through the lightning with its hard shell.
Before he could think more, Ash's next attack was already here. "Quick Attack to increase the distance, then keep using Electro Ball!"
Steven no longer dared to take it head-on. He immediately used Rock Blast to clash with Electro Ball, but he was forced into a passive defensive state.
As more and more rocks were shattered by Electro Ball, the visibility on the field began to decrease.
"Use the debris and start a Sandstorm!"
Steven was a Champion after all. Under the level suppression, Pikachu wouldn't easily use a close-range physical attack. By starting a Sandstorm, he could use the Rock-type's boosted Special Defense to block Ash's offensive.
But he overlooked one thing: Pikachu's speed and Ash's control of the situation!
"Quick Attack, followed by Iron Tail to interrupt!"
"X-Scissor!"
Forced to act, Steven could only use X-Scissor to block the super-effective Iron Tail, which also interrupted the Sandstorm.
"Clang!" Armaldo's hard claws clashed with Iron Tail, making a crisp sound.
Steven's eyes lit up. "Now! Stomp!"
The opponent's attack was a full-power strike, but he still had a move he could use.
Stomp was not only a Ground-type move that was super-effective against Pikachu, but it also lowered her speed. It was a two-for-one.
"Ka!"
Pikachu was caught off guard and sent flying far away, falling at Ash's feet.
"Pikachu!" Ash cried out in worry.
"Pika..." Pikachu endured the pain and stood up. She had to win this battle for Ash!
"Pi...ka...chu—!"
Lightning swirled from her feet, instantly rising over three meters high. The sky gradually darkened, as if thunderclouds were gathering!
The next moment, tiny raindrops began to fall from the sky. It was starting to rain.
"Is that... Rain Dance?!" Steven was stunned.
Pikachu could indeed learn Rain Dance, but a weather move was a huge burden for a low-level Pokémon because it consumed a massive amount of stamina...
And looking at Ash's surprised face, this was clearly a brand-new move!
Could he be that much of a prodigy?!
Ash, meanwhile, looked at the figure on the field and was deeply moved.
The unique bond between him and Pikachu made him very clear on what she was thinking. Her dream, her pursuit, was to get Ash what he wanted.
It was that simple and pure.
So as long as he wanted to win, she would give her all, even if it meant risking everything!
It was this emotion that made her potential burst forth at this moment. The rain was her home field! The effects of her electric moves would be enhanced, and her Thunder would become a guaranteed hit.
"Pika!" She looked back at Ash, waiting for his command.
Ash's eyes sparkled. The emotions in his heart were deeply buried and settled.
If the old Pikachu was a partner he liked, a little girlfriend he cherished, then now, she was his battle comrade, his lover, faithful to the death.
"Use, Thunder!!"
"Armaldo, Protect!"
Steven immediately commanded him to defend. But under that thunderous, water-barrel-thick lightning, even the field was blown into a huge crater, let alone Armaldo...
"Rumble—"
After the violent explosion, it fell with a crash.
Seeing that her opponent had lost the ability to battle, Pikachu leaped into Ash's arms with a cheer.
"Pika~!" She was so happy. Although she was very tired, she had successfully won the battle for Ash.
"Thank you, Pikachu..." Ash gently kissed her forehead, his heart feeling warm.
Steven smiled and shook his head. "I can't believe I lost... That was a truly magnificent battle."