Filled with fighting spirit, Raichu took a large step forward and curled its body. It began exerting its strength to generate electricity, causing countless currents to surge wildly around its frame.
Sizzle!
"Raichu!"
The currents converged at Raichu's head like crawling insects before being violently fired toward Heracross.
A pillar of lightning shot out. Based on the buildup and the intensity of the discharge, it was clear this Raichu was no pushover. Eichi judged that its mastery of Thunderbolt had reached at least the Skilled level.
Seeing the lightning strike toward it, Heracross didn't stay idle. Its body glowed as energy covered its entire form. One became two, two became four, until it manifested numerous clones standing in an orderly, imposing line.
It vibrated its wings and charged toward Raichu. The incoming lightning struck the clones one by one from right to left, but none of them were the real one.
"Heracross, counterattack with Bullet Seed," Eichi commanded.
While charging, Heracross quickly puffed out its cheeks and spat out black seeds like bullets. They moved with extreme speed, leaving no trace behind. Raichu was caught off guard.
It only had time to shield its body with its arms as countless seeds pelted its form. Seeing Raichu get hit, Lt. Surge was slightly surprised, but the excitement in his eyes grew even stronger.
"Raichu, Quick Attack!"
"Raichu!"
Raichu grit its teeth, enduring the pain, and suddenly dodged the incoming seeds. It then sprinted toward Heracross, easily weaving through the seeds fired along the way.
It quickly closed the distance to Heracross. Just as it arrived, the duration of the clones expired, and they vanished into thin air one by one.
"Raichu, Iron Tail!"
"Raichu!"
When it was only a meter away from Heracross, its tail emitted a white light that enveloped the entire length. Raichu's tail was lightning-shaped and significantly longer than a Pikachu's.
Raichu suddenly kicked off the ground, displaying amazing jumping ability as its body flipped mid-air. Using its waist to drive the force, it moved with such speed that its tail seemed to whistle through the air.
"Heracross, Brick Break!"
Only a few people could clearly see Heracross's movements. In an instant, its hands glowed white as they shot out to block the front. Its speed was far greater than Raichu's.
Bang!
The sound wasn't that of a strike to the face, but of a solid block.
"What?" Lt. Surge stammered.
"Raichu?" even the Pokémon was stunned.
So fast? Lt. Surge was shocked; that speed was almost unbelievable.
"You're too slow," Eichi remarked expressionlessly.
Watching from the stands, Ryuichi muttered to himself, "Total show-off."
Despite his words, he was inwardly astonished by Heracross's strength. He had originally thought Scizor was Eichi's strongest Pokémon, but now there was this Heracross. Furthermore, he knew Eichi was only ten years old. Back when Ryuichi was that age, his strongest Pokémon was only at the Experienced (Early) level.
Blocking the hit wasn't the end of it. Heracross swept its arms out, pushing Raichu away. Then, it lunged forward, striking Raichu with its hands in quick succession.
Bang! Bang!
Two moves accurately struck Raichu.
"Raichu!"
Raichu was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground and leaving a skid mark. After being knocked down, it scrambled back up. One could clearly see dirt and injuries covering its body, especially where Heracross had landed its hits.
Eichi could sense that Raichu's injuries were quite severe. If it took two more hits from Heracross, it would definitely lose its ability to battle.
Seeing Raichu knocked down didn't make Lt. Surge angry; instead, he seemed pleased. The fighting spirit on his face intensified.
"Eichi, was it? Your Heracross is truly impressive."
"Is that so? Thank you for the compliment, but I won't be showing any mercy," Eichi replied. "Heracross, Horn Attack!"
"Yakkuru!"
Heracross vibrated its wings rapidly, aiming its large horn at Raichu as it charged.
"This guy!" Lt. Surge exclaimed. "Raichu, Double Team!"
"Raichu!"
Raichu stood up straight. The previous exchange clearly hadn't affected its resolve too much. Just like its trainer, it possessed a strong heart.
Instantly, Raichu split into numerous clones, forming a spectacular line in front of Heracross.
"Raichu, Thunder!"
Lt. Surge wanted to use the strongest Electric-type move while Heracross was busy searching for the real body. Although no dark clouds appeared in the sky, countless currents could be seen erupting from one of the Raichu.
Crackle!
As the electricity surged wildly, Eichi could feel the Electric energy particles in the air gathering toward Raichu. The energy around it felt exceptionally violent.
However, the same rule applied: Lt. Surge was still underestimating Eichi.
Heracross wasn't intimidated. It immediately activated its perception, which flowed toward the Raichu clones like water. Very quickly, it realized which one was the real body.
It charged directly toward a specific Raichu.
Raichu had no time to worry about Heracross. Its body was already covered in countless currents. Then, Raichu released them all at once.
A massive pillar of lightning accompanied by a roar struck directly at Heracross. Simultaneously, Heracross had reached the real Raichu.
"Oh no! How did Heracross find the real one?"
Perhaps Lt. Surge had been too focused on Raichu's move, as he hadn't even noticed Heracross reaching his Pokémon's face. Heracross came on strong, slamming directly into Raichu.
Bang!
The target didn't disappear; there was an impact. This was indeed the real one.
The hit Raichu let out a scream and was sent flying. The other clones began to vanish the moment Heracross made contact.
However, Thunder had already been unleashed. After Heracross struck Raichu, it was also hit by the lightning.
"Yakkuru!"
Heracross cried out in pain, but it didn't last long. Unfortunately for Lt. Surge, Raichu failed to one-shot Heracross, which meant it was doomed.
"Heracross, Pin Missile!"
Enduring the pain, Heracross formed countless glowing needles behind its back and fired them at Raichu, who was struggling to get up on the ground.
"Not good! Raichu, dodge quickly!"
But it was too late. Countless needles struck Raichu. After being hit by an unknown number of needles, Raichu finally reached its limit.
"Raichu..."
With a weak cry, it collapsed to the ground, covered in wounds.
Thud.
"Raichu is unable to battle! Heracross wins!"