The Heavenly Record'ss first battle had ended.
And since there was a first, naturally there would be a second!
By now, neither the Pokémon League nor the villainous groups like Team Rocket cared much about who was behind this mysterious phenomenon. Whoever had such overwhelming power could probably wipe out the world with a flick of the wrist.
Speculating was pointless.
Far better to think about how to reap the actual benefits—
things like betting points… or even making it onto the rankings!
After all, just look at Pikachu's Light Ball. The Heavenly Record clearly gave out customized rewards. If someone's name appeared, they could walk away with a unique prize!
The Champions, the Elite Four, even villainous bosses all began to dream.
They hadn't fought Legendaries yet—but in the future? Who could say?
If a ten-year-old boy could do it, why not them?
It wasn't even noon yet. Surely the Heavenly Record wouldn't show just one battle a day, right?
And then, from the skies above, that ethereal voice returned—
"The first God-Slaying Battle has ended. Before the second begins, a special highlight will be shown!"
Special highlight?
What could be so unique as to deserve that label?
"Special Highlight: An Actor's Self-Cultivation!"
[Diantha: Wait—what? An actor's self-cultivation? Is it about me?!]
Her heart skipped a beat.
In the Pokémon world, most people devoted themselves to training and battling.
The only one truly worthy of the "actor" title was Diantha—an actress first, Champion second.
The title fit her perfectly! Could this mean… a reward?
What would the Heavenly Record give her?
Excitement surged—until the giant screen showed the next words.
[Special highlights use only the buzz-in format. No betting. No victor's reward.]
Diantha froze.
What?! WHAT?!
So this wasn't for her after all? Just a setup?
She wanted to storm into the sky itself and demand a duel!
Her hopes of easy riches shattered instantly.
[Cynthia: Don't worry, Diantha. What's meant to be yours will still come. Just answer quickly when the time comes.]
[Charles Goodshow: A quiz? Hah! Who could outmatch my knowledge?]
Charles Goodshow—the ceremonial flame keeper of the League, honorary chairman, and walking encyclopedia. His beard alone testified to a lifetime of experience.
[Professor Oak: I cannot pretend I didn't see that.]
One by one, Professors from every region popped up.
Sure, they couldn't match Champions in battle (Oak being the exception).
But when it comes to knowledge? Why did they think they were called Professors in the first place?
…
The screen flickered.
The scene: an outdoor battlefield beside a familiar building.
[Professor Juniper: That's… the field outside my lab!]
She recognized it instantly—this was the Unova region.
The camera zoomed in on two trainers.
On one side: a boy in an orange jacket with light brown hair. Almost nobody recognized him. Unlike Ash, who had ties to Oak and various Gym Leaders, this boy had no audience recognition.
On the other side stood the now-familiar figure: Ash Ketchum.
This time, his outfit was a blue-and-white jacket, topped with a new red-and-white cap.
He looked older, more mature—clearly post-Regice battle Ash.
[Diantha: Wait, what's going on? Wasn't this supposed to be about an actor? Why is it Ash again?]
[Brandon: Someone just had their "actor" title stolen. I won't say who.]
[Diantha: ##]
Brandon wasted no time dragging someone else down.
If he had to be humiliated, no way was he going down alone!
The match began. The brown-haired boy sent out a Pokémon—
a green serpent with wide, gleaming eyes.
Snivy. One of Unova's starters.
Ash, with all the confidence in the world, threw his arm forward.
"Pikachu, I choose you!!"
The world: !!!
What the—?!
Ash, are you serious?!
This was clearly a new trainer's starter.
And you're sending out the same Pikachu that just slain a god?!
Isn't that overkill to the point of cruelty?!
[Lance: Ahem. I thought Brandon's ruthlessness was unmatched. Never expected Ash to be even worse!]
[Cynthia: Mmm… compared to Pikachu vs. Regice, this is even more brutal. A god-slayer Pikachu against a brand-new Snivy?]
[Alder: Heh, maybe after being stomped by Brandon's level advantage, Ash wanted to try a level-crush of his own.]
[Brandon: …You just can't let it go, can you?]
Brandon could only sigh.
After all, he had lost, despite going all out, to a rookie trainer and his Pikachu.
Nothing could erase that stain.
Unless… Pikachu truly was absurd beyond reason.
The footage froze as soon as Pikachu appeared.
A buzzer button materialized in front of every eligible commentator.
A question flashed across the screen:
[Question: Of the four contestants present, who is the real "Actor"?]
A: Pikachu
B: Trip
C: Ash
D: Snivy
[Each person has only one chance. Correct = reward. Wrong = punishment.]
[After sixty seconds, the first to hit their button gets the answer slot.]
Voices rose immediately.
"Hey, hey, what's going on?! Why don't I have a button?!"
"Me neither! My friends don't have one either! What is this scam?!"
All across the world, ordinary people cried out in protest.
No chance to comment, no chance to answer… were they just here to watch a movie?!
The Heavenly Record ignored them.
The countdown began…
…
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