"Tapu Koko!"
Something's wrong!
This isn't right at all!
It had just watched Pikachu's battle with Venusaur moments ago.
But what it was seeing now—was completely different!
Was a Thunderbolt this powerful something Pikachu could just toss out at will?
No! Impossible!
This yellow rodent wasn't right!
Even Tapu Koko, normally composed, had a herd of galloping llamas raging through its mind at this moment.
So that straight-laced Pikachu had actually been acting all along?
They had battled before.
But never—never like this.
It, an Island Guardian deity, was actually being suppressed by Pikachu.
Otherwise, Tapu Koko would never have rushed in so recklessly with Dazzling Gleam earlier.
"Tapu Koko! Use Steel Wing!"
Down below, Professor Professor Kukui finally snapped out of his daze.
He had noticed Tapu Koko's hesitation, how it froze mid-battle.
"Tapu Koko!"
Hearing his voice, Tapu Koko finally jolted back to reality—it was still battling Ash!
It had thought Naganadel, the Ultra Beast, would be its toughest opponent.
But unexpectedly, Pikachu was the real hidden boss.
And now—Iron Tail was already descending with terrifying force.
Tapu Koko crossed its arms, forming a shield.
Metallic light flashed—Steel Wing formed!
Clang!
The ring of steel-on-steel echoed through the air.
But instead of a stalemate—
Pikachu's Iron Tail smashed Tapu Koko straight out of the sky and into the ground.
Yes. You saw that correctly.
A god—was just struck down by Pikachu!
And not even in a close fight—Tapu Koko was overwhelmed, without the slightest chance to resist!
[Professor Professor Kukui: Holy crap! Ash, is your Pikachu really this strong?!]
[Brock: I just tugged Pikachu's fur earlier… you think it'll fry me for that?]
[Misty: Honestly, Brock, you deserve it.]
[Lance: Even though I'd mentally prepared myself, seeing this outcome in reality still shocks me. Tapu Koko winning wouldn't be surprising, but Ash beating Tapu Koko? That's staggering.]
[Aaron: Let's be clear—this doesn't mean Pikachu's strike took Tapu Koko out entirely.]
[Ash: Pikachu… have you been acting all this time?!]
"Pikaa~"
Uh oh. Busted.
Back in Pallet Town, Pikachu tilted its head cutely, trying to bluff its way out.
It really had been holding back before.
Two whole regions' worth of journeys had taught it one thing—
Carrying baby teammates was exhausting.
Better to let them grow on their own!
It wasn't slacking off. Really, it wasn't!
The livestream audience reeled between shock at Pikachu's power and laughter at its acting.
Some were entertained.
Others saw themselves reflected.
Like one Gym Leader, staring at the boy in the cap on screen…
That figure reminded him so much of another boy in red.
Could they be… related?
On screen—
"Now's our chance, Pikachu—use Electroweb!"
Ash didn't let the opening slip.
He knew Pikachu wasn't acting anymore.
But the battle was still dangerous—he had to press the advantage!
"Pikachu!"
In midair, Pikachu's tail sparked with energy—
then snapped down, weaving a massive web of electricity around Tapu Koko.
"Nature's Madness!"
Professor Kukui called out in haste.
"Tapu!!"
Snapping back to focus, Tapu Koko spread magenta thorns that sprouted rapidly, forming a barrier around itself.
The electrified web snagged on the thorns instead of wrapping Tapu Koko.
"Don't give it space—Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Pikachu!"
Landing lightly, Pikachu unleashed a devastating Thunderbolt without hesitation—
bolts crashed straight into the giant web, surging toward Tapu Koko.
"Discharge!" Professor Kukui barked.
Tapu Koko's eyes gleamed with excitement—
Finally, a worthy enemy!
Electric Terrain surged, boosting not only Pikachu's Thunderbolt but also Tapu Koko's Discharge.
In an instant, Nature's Madness receded.
The Electroweb dropped—
but Tapu Koko was already bursting with golden current.
Zap!
Thunderbolt and Discharge collided.
Golden light clashed against golden light.
The crackle was so loud the front rows covered their ears in pain.
Thunderbolt vs. Discharge!
Everyone thought Tapu Koko would push back with a desperate counter.
But instead—
Even boosted by Electric Terrain, its Discharge couldn't overpower Pikachu's Thunderbolt combined with the Electroweb!
Pikachu's attack held it pinned, like claws gripping prey.
"What… impossible!" Professor Kukui gasped.
Iron Tail might've been luck.
But this—this was undeniable proof of Pikachu's overwhelming strength.
And worse—
it was outshining Tapu Koko in its own element.
Two Electric-types.
Voltage against voltage.
And Pikachu was winning.
[Bea: Pikachu's really this strong?! It's overpowering Tapu Koko head-on!]
[Lt. Surge: …kinda regret evolving my Pikachu into Raichu now. Maybe Pikachu has hidden potential! No wonder mine always lost to Ash's!]
[Denji: Raichu, I'm sorry. It's not you—it's that Pikachu's just too good.]
[Gardenia: Figures. Electric-types are just like playboys. Always chasing the next spark!]
[Bruno: …Gardenia, that came out very wrong.]
[Ash: Pikachu! Did you see that? This is the level we'll reach together!]
[Jessie: I knew it! That Pikachu's power—we were right to target it! We'll take it someday!]
[James: Jessie! You just said that out loud in chat! Giovanni's gonna kill us!]
[Honchkrow: Heh. Your yearly budget's cut to zero. Also—Meowth, your food allowance is gone.]
"Noooooo!"
In Pallet Town, Meowth collapsed.
It wasn't his fault!
Why was he punished?
"My fish snacks! My canned tuna!"
"Jessie!!"
Meowth launched into a furious Fury Swipes attack.
Back in the arena—
Pikachu's Thunderbolt overwhelmed Tapu Koko, forcing it back.
"Kapuuuu!!"
For the first time, Tapu Koko admitted it—
It was losing.
But then—
Electric Terrain surged again.
Power from the ground flooded into Tapu Koko's body, multiplying its strength.
Its Discharge flared, shoving back Pikachu's current.
Cheating? Maybe.
But Tapu Koko understood something now.
If your opponent hacks—
you hack too.
Only by using every advantage could it keep up.
The currents collided—
and finally canceled each other out, exploding into sparks across the stadium.
Tapu Koko burst free of the web, landing hard.
"Pikachu—Quick Attack!"
Ash pressed forward.
White light streaked across the field—Pikachu vanished in a blur, closing in faster than Tapu Koko could track.
A flash.
A strike to the gut.
Tapu Koko staggered back, shocked.
This Pikachu was monstrous!
[Tobias: …Forget legendaries. Maybe I should just catch a Pikachu.]
[Paul: I'm in. If Ash can train it that far, it must have huge potential.]
[Lt. Surge: Just remember—don't let it touch a Thunder Stone. Or it'll evolve.]
[Tobias: Relax. I'm not that dumb.]
[Lt. Surge: ???]
[Reggie: Honestly, Tapu Koko's looking outclassed.]
[Professor Kukui: Hey! Don't underestimate an Island Guardian. You think it only has this much power?]
Even Professor Kukui, awed as he was, couldn't let his homeland's god be disrespected.
So he kept his faith.
On screen—
Pikachu landed gracefully after slamming Tapu Koko back.
It glanced at the stunned deity with smug satisfaction.
Please. I've slain plenty of gods before.
You really thought you were the first?
Tapu Koko steadied itself, eyes burning.
"Tapu!!"
The warm-up was over.
The true fight was only just beginning.
"Dazzling Gleam!" Professor Kukui commanded.
This time, Tapu Koko didn't disperse the light—it focused it into a concentrated beam, hurling it straight at Pikachu.
"Dodge it, quick!"
Ash knew this one couldn't be taken head-on.
"Volt Tackle!"
"Pikachu!"
Pikachu surged with golden light, darting clear of the beam and charging forward in its signature move.
The battlefield erupted with lightning.
And in that storm, Tapu Koko finally made its decision.
If it couldn't win with standard moves—
Then it would unleash Alola's proudest tradition.
A Z-Move.
This battle was about to reach its climax.
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