At least for this match, Ash won, and if you give him a bit more time to grow, next time facing Koga, he'll win even more easily!
Of course, this considers Ash's abilities. As for when Ash can win against Elite-level Pokemon without relying on his special abilities... that's still up for discussion.
It'll have to wait until after the Quartz Conference at least.
In two months, his strongest Pokemon reached the Professional Level, far exceeding Professor Oak's predicted progress, but leveling up beyond Professional is not so easy, with the Quartz Conference only four months away.
If in four months Ash can train a Gym Level Pokemon, then it's considered successful.
"But I'm curious, Ash didn't bring me along. Though Charizard and Pikachu haven't completely gone down, they basically can't battle anymore. So who will Ash send for the final match?" Gengar, after 'crying', became serious and asked a genuine question.
That is, which Pokemon will Ash send out last.
Even though he isn't always by Ash's side, he's roughly familiar with Ash's Pokemon.
Besides Charizard, Pikachu, there's only Gardevoir that can keep pace with them.
And while the Gardevoir is strong, it's only as good as Charizard at best, and can't compare with Pikachu.
The reason Charizard won was that it faced the opponent's weakest Pokemon, and it also unleashed that mysterious flame, otherwise, even ten lives wouldn't be enough.
Koga has already lost two Pokemon, and for a sure victory, he might just send out his trump card!
Certainly not someone at Heavenly King Junior Level.
So for Ash to beat Koga, the final Pokemon must be stronger than Charizard and Pikachu!
What kind of Pokemon does Ash have!
Upon hearing this, Professor Oak also fell into contemplation. To say there's a solid ace, besides Gengar, he couldn't think of other possibilities.
But Gengar is now at Oak's Research Institute, there's no way Ash can go halfway through a match and say, wait a minute, let me go to the Pokemon Center and grab a Pokemon, and then continue fighting.
Can you imagine that?!
So what other trump card does Ash have to deal with Elite-level Pokemon?
...
On the streets of Lanyan City —
Exclamations echoed through the streets as Ash unexpectedly defeated another Elite-level Pokemon, and he did it with a Pikachu!
This Pikachu!
Known throughout Kanto as a street-level Pokemon you find around, popular as a pet, but for battles... only a bit more popular than Raticate.
After all, Raticate's appearance and species are hardly better than Pikachu, but at least Pikachu can evolve into Raichu, though the cost is high, requiring a Thunder Stone.
If Pikachu could smoothly evolve, then Pikachu would be popular among both battle enthusiasts and pet lovers.
But now, a Newbie Trainer uses an un-evolved Pikachu to defeat a snake Pokemon known for beating mice with a high Elite-level command, Arbok.
With these stacking debuffs, forget Pikachu, even Raichu would struggle to win!
Yet he won!
No words of admiration can describe the astonishment at this match!
It's unbelievable!
Today Ash's battle with the Fuchsia Gym might go down in League history!
With elite Charizard battling Elite Toxicroak, and professional Pikachu fighting Elite Arbok, both won!
Such absurd results certainly merit being engraved in history, right?
Gary watching Ash on TV with Pikachu in his arms had a complex look in his eyes.
Right now he felt as bitter as eating Chinese honey locust.
The gap... it's just too wide!
Now even to fight Elite-level Pokemon, he must give it his all to barely defeat Erika, while Ash has started battling Elites!
What the heck, were they really traveling together?! Why is the gap between them so big!
Remember the last time they battled, his Wartortle still gave Pikachu some trouble. Although it lost quickly, the gap wasn't nearly this big!
If they were to battle again now, even if Wartortle evolved into Blastoise, it shouldn't withstand even one move from Pikachu.
"Ugh... you, can't you slow down a bit? I've got to give it my all too!"
...
Inside a villa in the Sinnoh Region —
"Mm-hmm, I know, I'm watching it."
"Um, started watching from Pikachu fighting Arbok, that Pikachu really is extraordinary."
"Oh? He's even beaten superpower users with Elite Advanced Pokemon? This final battle is pretty exciting then."
"Fifteen years old, huh... that's way better than me back at that age. Before traveling, I had already raised Garchomp."
"Alright, hang up first. I'll chat after watching the battle."
The woman in casual clothes gently closed the flip phone and placed it beside the sofa.
She has long golden hair naturally flowing, adorned with black butterfly bow decorations, adding a touch of playfulness.
Her precise brows and eyes, light gray eyes holding a hint of weariness and calm, long lashes, soft facial lines, fair skin fine under the light.
Her slender legs naturally resting on the table in front, like alabaster, they glow softly under the light.
This is Cynthia, the youngest champion hailed as the Sinnoh Valkyrie!
Cynthia originally lounging at home enjoying a leisurely holiday was suddenly called by Lorelei to turn on the TV and watch the Kanto official broadcast live.
Confused, Cynthia turned on the TV and saw Ash send out Pikachu to battle Arbok.
With keen eyes, even through the TV she could see Pikachu was only Professional Junior Level, while Arbok was Elite Intermediate.
Such a vast level gap can't be covered by strategy.
Moreover, Ash's young appearance suggests perhaps less than a year of traveling, compared to Koga, a contending Elite, his training level might not even be in the same league.
Theoretically, Ash should be losing this match no doubt.
When Cynthia first started watching the livestream, she didn't understand why such a one-sided match would appear on Kanto League's official channel, and why Koga faced a newbie trainer with such a serious expression. Why did Lorelei call her to watch?
Until the battle began, all her doubts were instantly answered.
Goodness, a Professional-level versus Elite-level fighting evenly... no, not evenly, completely suppressing Arbok!
The moves used by Pikachu were unheard of, things like Zippy Zap, Floaty Fall... never heard of those.
And the most ridiculous thing was a Professional-level Pikachu having such strong attack power, absurdly quick responses, matched with those bizarre moves, Koga and Arbok were completely lost.
Cynthia has seen many high-level matches, been part of many herself, but none have been as interesting as what's playing on the TV now.
Ash's name was deeply etched in her heart.