It started with a headcount.
Marcus, now two weeks into his Championship reign, had decided to do a comprehensive review of all 4,847 Pokemon under his care. He wanted to make sure everyone was happy, healthy, and properly accounted for.
This was how he discovered something he'd somehow overlooked.
"Steve," Marcus said slowly, staring at his Pokedex, "how many Pikachus do I have?"
"Seventeen," Steve replied. "You have mentioned this frequently. They have formed a democracy."
"Right, seventeen. But... what KINDS of Pikachus?"
Steve paused. "I do not understand the question. They are all Pikachus. Yellow. Electric. Approximately one foot tall. Varying levels of chubby."
"No, I mean—which GAMES are they from?"
Marcus scrolled through the registry, and his blood ran cold.
Fourteen regular Pikachus from various games.
Two cosplay Pikachus from ORAS.
And one...
One Partner Pikachu.
From Let's Go Pikachu.
"Oh no," Marcus whispered.
POKEMON PARADISE - PIKACHU DEMOCRACY HEADQUARTERS
The seventeen Pikachus had established their own section of Pokemon Paradise, complete with a tiny capitol building made of berries and a surprisingly functional voting system.
Ash's Pikachu, despite not belonging to Marcus, had been elected Honorary President during a visit and still held the title.
But there was one Pikachu who didn't participate in politics.
One Pikachu who sat apart from the others.
One Pikachu who WATCHED.
Marcus approached carefully.
"Hey there, buddy. Remember me?"
The Partner Pikachu turned.
It was... different from the others. Its fur was slightly more vibrant. Its eyes held an intelligence that went beyond normal Pokemon cognition. And there was something about the way it moved—fluid, precise, POWERFUL.
"Pika," it said.
Not a greeting. An acknowledgment. The kind of acknowledgment a god gives to a mortal who has entered their presence.
"So, uh..." Marcus rubbed the back of his head. "I kind of forgot about you? During the whole manifestation chaos? I'm really sorry—"
The Partner Pikachu raised a paw.
"Pika pi." It's fine.
"You... understand everything I'm saying, don't you?"
A nod.
"And you've been here the whole time, just... waiting?"
Another nod.
"Why didn't you come find me?"
The Partner Pikachu smiled.
It was a terrifying smile.
"Pika pika chu." I was observing. Learning. Preparing.
"Preparing for WHAT?"
"Pi. Ka. CHU." For when you would need me.
"Marcus," Steve interjected, having floated over to investigate, "why are you treating this Pikachu differently from the others?"
"Steve, do you know what a Partner Pikachu is?"
"A Pikachu. Presumably one designated as a 'partner.'"
"No, I mean—do you know what they can DO?"
"They are Electric-type Pokemon. They use Electric-type moves. Thunderbolt. Thunder Wave. The usual."
Marcus laughed. It was slightly hysterical.
"Steve, Partner Pikachus from Let's Go are... different. They're not normal Pikachus. They're not even normal POKEMON."
"Explain."
"They have perfect IVs in all stats. AUTOMATICALLY. They have access to exclusive moves that no other Pikachu can learn. They can learn moves that CONTRADICT THEIR TYPING. And their base stats are boosted beyond what should be possible."
Steve processed this information.
"How boosted?"
"Their base stat total is 435."
"For reference, what is a normal Pikachu's base stat total?"
"320."
Steve was quiet for a moment.
"That is a significant increase."
"It gets WORSE."
"How can it get worse?"
"They can't evolve."
"That seems like a disadvantage—"
"Which means they can use EVIOLITE."
Steve, for the first time in his existence, felt something approaching fear.
For those unfamiliar with competitive Pokemon, Eviolite is a held item that boosts the Defense and Special Defense of Pokemon that haven't fully evolved by 50%.
Partner Pikachus cannot evolve.
Therefore, Partner Pikachus can use Eviolite.
A Partner Pikachu with Eviolite had defensive stats comparable to some LEGENDARY Pokemon.
Combined with their boosted offenses, perfect IVs, and exclusive moves...
The Partner Pikachu was, objectively, one of the strongest non-legendary Pokemon in existence.
And Marcus had one.
And he had FORGOTTEN about it.
"I am so sorry," Marcus said, kneeling before the Partner Pikachu. "I can't believe I overlooked you."
The Partner Pikachu shrugged.
"Pika." It happens.
"No, it doesn't! You're SPECIAL! You deserve attention and love and—"
"Pika pika." I have been content. The other Pikachus are entertaining. The Snorlax make good pillows.
"But—"
"Pi." The Partner Pikachu raised a paw again. "Ka chu. Pika pika chu." But now that you're here, I would like to battle.
Marcus blinked. "Battle?"
"Pika." I have been watching your journey. The Charizard. The Shuckle. The Gyarados. They have all had their moments.
The Partner Pikachu's eyes gleamed.
"Pika pi ka chu." I want MY moment.
ONE HOUR LATER - POKEMON PARADISE BATTLE ARENA
Word had spread.
The Champion was going to battle using a Pikachu nobody had heard of.
Thousands of Pokemon gathered in the stands. The Gym Leaders—connected via video call for their weekly therapy session—had tuned in. Even Arceus was watching, morbidly curious.
Marcus stood on one side of the arena.
Across from him stood Lance.
"You asked me for a rematch already?" the former Champion asked, arms crossed.
"Not exactly. I wanted to test one of my Pokemon, and you're the strongest trainer I know."
"I'm flattered. What Pokemon?"
Marcus gestured, and the Partner Pikachu walked onto the field.
Lance stared.
"A Pikachu."
"Yep!"
"You want to test a PIKACHU against my DRAGONS."
"This particular Pikachu, yes."
"Marcus, I respect you as Champion, but this seems—"
"Trust me, Lance. Just... trust me."
Lance sighed. "Fine. One Pokemon each?"
"Perfect."
"DRAGONITE!"
Lance's strongest Dragonite—his NEW strongest, since the old one was still in physical therapy after Sunny's Blast Burn—materialized on the field.
It was massive. Powerful. Ready for battle.
The Partner Pikachu looked at it.
And SMILED.
"Dragonite, OUTRAGE!"
The dragon lunged, draconic fury incarnate, ready to crush the tiny Electric mouse—
"Zippy, ZIPPY ZAP!"
The Partner Pikachu—now officially named Zippy—VANISHED.
Not dodged. VANISHED.
It reappeared behind the Dragonite and unleashed an attack that looked like a concentrated bolt of lightning wrapped in raw, unbridled violence.
The Dragonite was hit.
The Dragonite was hit HARD.
Critical hit—because Zippy Zap ALWAYS crits.
The Dragonite staggered, fully half its health gone in a single blow.
"WHAT?!" Lance screamed.
Zippy Zap was one of the Partner Pikachu's exclusive moves.
It was a 80-power Electric-type move that ALWAYS went first—higher priority than even Quick Attack.
And it ALWAYS resulted in a critical hit.
ALWAYS.
No exceptions.
"Dragonite, recover and use—"
"SPLISHY SPLASH!"
Another exclusive move. Water-type. On a PIKACHU.
A massive wave of water materialized out of NOWHERE and crashed into the Dragonite.
Super effective. Dragon/Flying versus Water.
The Dragonite was knocked back, now in the red.
"BUT—BUT PIKACHU CAN'T LEARN WATER MOVES!" Lance was having a breakdown.
"Partner Pikachus can!" Marcus explained cheerfully.
"THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!"
"Welcome to my life!"
The Dragonite, desperate, launched a Hyper Beam.
"Zippy, FLOATY FALL!"
Zippy launched into the air—high, IMPOSSIBLY high—and then came down like a meteor.
A Flying-type move. On a Pikachu. That was also a guaranteed flinch.
The Hyper Beam missed completely as Zippy descended from above.
The impact created a crater.
The Dragonite was unconscious.
One Pikachu. Three moves. Total domination.
Lance stood frozen.
"That Pikachu knows Water, Flying, AND Electric moves."
"Also a Psychic-type move called Glitzy Glow, and a Dark-type move called Baddy Bad," Marcus added helpfully. "Plus Sizzly Slide for Fire-type coverage, Bouncy Bubble for healing, and Buzzy Buzz for guaranteed paralysis."
"That's... that's SEVEN different type coverages."
"Eight if you count the Normal-type moves."
"On a PIKACHU."
"On a PARTNER Pikachu. There's a difference!"
Lance sat down heavily on the ground.
"I need to retire," he muttered. "I need to retire and move to a cave somewhere and never battle again."
"You already tried to retire! After the Shuckle!"
"I should have tried HARDER!"
GLTMC EMERGENCY VIDEO CALL
The Gym Leaders watched the replay in horrified silence.
"He has ANOTHER overpowered Pokemon," Brock whispered. "Of COURSE he does."
"A Pikachu that knows EVERY TYPE OF MOVE," Misty added, shell-shocked.
"And it ALWAYS crits," Surge confirmed, his military training completely failing to prepare him for this.
"And it ALWAYS goes first," Sabrina contributed.
"And it can HEAL ITSELF," Erika whimpered.
"And it has boosted stats AND Eviolite for bulk," Koga said, having done the research.
"So it's fast, powerful, bulky, AND has perfect coverage," Blaine summarized.
"Is there ANYTHING it can't do?" Giovanni asked.
Silence.
"Maybe... cook?" Lorelei suggested weakly.
"IT PROBABLY CAN," Agatha muttered. "At this point, nothing would surprise me."
POKEMON PARADISE - THAT EVENING
Marcus sat with Zippy, who was casually eating a berry and radiating smug satisfaction.
"Why didn't you tell me you were this strong?" Marcus asked.
"Pika pika." You never asked.
"Fair point. But still—you could have helped with the Elite Four!"
"Pi ka chu." The Charizard earned that victory. It was his moment. Zippy shrugged. I have patience. I knew my time would come.
"And now?"
Zippy's eyes gleamed.
"Pika. Pika pika pi ka chu." Now, I would like to battle more. Stronger opponents. LEGENDARY opponents.
Marcus considered this.
"You want to fight my OTHER Legendaries?"
"Pika." Yes.
"That seems... dangerous."
"Pi ka." For THEM.
"Marcus," Steve's voice interrupted, "I must register an objection."
"What is it, Steve?"
"The yellow rodent has challenged me to a battle."
"You and Zippy?"
"Yes. It claims that Mewtwo are—and I quote—'overrated psychic cats who need to touch grass.'"
Marcus looked at Zippy.
Zippy looked back, utterly unrepentant.
"You're starting drama with Steve?"
"Pika pika." Steve takes himself too seriously. It's funny.
"I do NOT take myself too seriously!"
"Pika." You literally refer to yourself in the third person when you're upset.
"STEVE does NOT—" Steve paused, realizing what he'd just done.
"PIKA!" Zippy burst into what could only be described as Pikachu laughter.
"...I will destroy you," Steve hissed.
"Pi ka chu." You can TRY, cat.
THE BATTLE OF THE CENTURY (According to Zippy)
Word spread faster than wildfire.
MEWTWO VS PARTNER PIKACHU.
The arena was packed. Every Pokemon in Paradise had gathered. The Arceus collective had front-row seats. Even Giratina had emerged from the Distortion World because "this was too good to miss."
Marcus stood at the referee's position, already regretting agreeing to this.
"Okay, ground rules. No destroying the arena. No killing each other. And absolutely NO traumatizing the younger Pokemon."
"Acceptable," Steve said.
"Pika." Fine.
"BEGIN!"
Steve opened with his signature move.
"PSYSTRIKE!"
The psychic attack—one of the most powerful in existence—lanced toward Zippy with reality-warping force.
"Zippy, BADDY BAD!"
A wave of dark energy erupted from the Pikachu, countering the Psystrike and creating a protective barrier around Zippy simultaneously.
Dark-type. Super effective against Psychic.
Steve actually FLINCHED.
"That... hurt," he admitted.
"Pika." Good.
"You have made a powerful enemy, rodent."
"Pika pika." And you've made an adorable one. Life's not fair.
Steve's eyes glowed with psychic fury.
"SHADOW BALL!"
"BOUNCY BUBBLE!"
The attacks collided mid-air, neither gaining advantage.
"You are more skilled than I anticipated."
"Pika pi." Everyone says that. Usually while losing.
Steve actually GROWLED—something Mewtwos were not supposed to be capable of.
"Fine. Let us see how you handle my full power."
The psychic energy around Steve intensified. The air crackled. Reality itself seemed to bend.
"MEGA EVOLUTION!"
Steve transformed into Mega Mewtwo Y—the most powerful Mega Evolution in existence, with a Special Attack stat that broke the laws of physics.
"NOW we battle properly."
Zippy looked at Mega Mewtwo Steve.
And yawned.
"Pika pika." Okay, that's cool I guess.
"YOU GUESS?!"
"Pi." I've seen bigger. Wailord, for example.
"I AM THE PINNACLE OF PSYCHIC POWER!"
"Pika chu." You're a pink cat with a longer tail. Calm down.
The battle that followed was LEGENDARY.
Mega Mewtwo Steve threw everything he had at Zippy. Psystrike after Psystrike. Shadow Balls. Focus Blasts. Attacks that should have vaporized any normal Pokemon.
Zippy dodged, weaved, and countered with infuriating efficiency.
Zippy Zap. Critical hit.
Splishy Splash. Didn't even make sense but it WORKED.
Buzzy Buzz. Paralysis applied to a MEWTWO.
Steve was actually getting DAMAGED.
"This is impossible," Steve panted. "I am Mewtwo! The strongest Pokemon ever created!"
"Pika." You're the EDGIEST Pokemon ever created. There's a difference.
"EDGE—I am NOT edgy!"
"Pika pika pi." You literally gave Giovanni a speech about choosing happiness instead of just beating him up. That's PEAK edge.
"THAT WAS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!"
"Ka chu." It was a MONOLOGUE.
Steve lost his composure entirely.
"HYPER BEAM!"
The attack was massive—a concentrated beam of pure destructive force that should have ended any battle instantly.
Zippy smiled.
"FLOATY FALL!"
The Pikachu launched into the sky, reaching a height that shouldn't have been possible, dodging the Hyper Beam entirely.
And then Zippy came DOWN.
The impact was... significant.
Mega Mewtwo Steve, mid-Hyper Beam recharge and unable to dodge, took the full force of a Floaty Fall from maximum height.
Critical hit. Because of course it was.
Plus the guaranteed flinch.
Steve was knocked out of his Mega Evolution.
And then knocked out ENTIRELY.
Silence.
Complete, absolute silence.
Everyone stared at the unconscious Mewtwo.
Then at the Pikachu, who was casually grooming itself like it hadn't just defeated one of the strongest Pokemon in existence.
"PIKA!" Zippy announced. Victory.
AFTERMATH
Steve regained consciousness in the Pokemon Center, surrounded by concerned faces.
"What happened?"
"You lost to a Pikachu," Marcus said gently.
"...That cannot be correct."
"Zippy knocked you out with Floaty Fall."
"Floaty... Fall?"
"It's a Flying-type move—"
"I KNOW WHAT IT IS!" Steve sat up, head spinning. "I was defeated. By a PIKACHU. Using a move called FLOATY FALL."
"To be fair, it's a PARTNER Pikachu—"
"THAT DOES NOT HELP!"
In the corner, Zippy sat on a chair, still grooming itself.
"Pika pika." Good fight.
"I am going to destroy you."
"Pi." You said that before. Then you lost.
"REMATCH. RIGHT NOW."
"Pika chu." Maybe later. I'm tired.
"YOU'RE NOT EVEN FATIGUED!"
"Ka pika." Emotionally tired. From carrying this battle so hard.
Steve made a sound like a psychic entity having a complete mental breakdown.
"Marcus. MARCUS."
"Yes, Steve?"
"Your Pikachu is INSUFFERABLE."
"Zippy's got personality!"
"Zippy is a MENACE!"
"Pika." Correct.
HALL OF ORIGIN
The twelve Arceus watched the recording with varying expressions.
"The Pikachu defeated Steve," Original Arceus said flatly.
"The PARTNER Pikachu," Event Arceus #3 corrected. "They're overpowered."
"I DESIGNED Pikachus! They're supposed to be CUTE! MASCOTS! Not... not THAT!"
"Technically, the Partner Pikachu was designed by Game Freak for the Let's Go games—"
"I DON'T CARE WHO DESIGNED IT! IT JUST BEAT A MEWTWO!"
"Technically, it beat a MEGA Mewtwo—"
"THAT'S WORSE!"
Original Arceus put his head in his hooves.
"First the Shuckle. Then the Magikarp. Then the Charizard solo run. And now THIS."
"Marcus does seem to find overpowered Pokemon," Shiny Arceus observed.
"He doesn't FIND them! He has FOUR THOUSAND of them! Of COURSE some are overpowered!"
"The real question is: what's next?"
Original Arceus looked at the viewing portal, where Zippy was currently challenging the Rayquaza trio to a "friendly spar."
"I don't want to know," he said. "I really, truly, genuinely do not want to know."
THAT NIGHT - POKEMON PARADISE
Marcus lay in his usual sleeping pile, surrounded by Pokemon.
Zippy had claimed a spot on his chest, curled up and looking deceptively innocent.
"Hey Zippy?"
"Pika?" Yes?
"Why did you challenge Steve specifically?"
"Pi ka." He needed humbling.
"That's not very nice."
"Pika pika." He tried to threaten Giovanni by mentioning consciousness erasure. He threatened the Gym Leaders with psychic monitoring. He called Kenneth 'just a Shuckle.'
Marcus blinked. "He insulted Kenneth?"
"Pika." Once. When you weren't listening.
"That's... okay, maybe he DID need humbling."
"Pi." See?
Kenneth, who was sleeping nearby, vibrated slightly in what might have been appreciation.
"So you're the self-appointed ego checker for my team?"
"Pika pika chu." Someone has to keep the Legendaries humble. They get arrogant.
"And you think you're qualified?"
Zippy's eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"Pika pi ka chu." I just beat a Mega Mewtwo with a move called Floaty Fall. I'm VERY qualified.
Marcus laughed.
"Fair enough, buddy. Fair enough."
CURRENT STATUS:
New Team Member Discovered: Zippy (Partner Pikachu)
Power Level: ABSURD
Steve's Ego: Severely damaged
Type Coverage: Yes (all of them)
Smugness Level: Maximum
Zippy's Battle Record:
Lance's Dragonite: DestroyedMega Mewtwo Steve: HumiliatedNext Target: Probably the Rayquazas
Kenneth's Opinion on Zippy: Approving vibe
Steve's Opinion on Zippy: "I will have my revenge" (he won't)
[A/N: ZIPPY THE PARTNER PIKACHU HAS ENTERED THE CHAT AND CHOSEN VIOLENCE! Next chapter: Marcus finally visits another region and brings his particular brand of chaos to Johto! How will they react to a Champion with a Pikachu that can beat Mewtwos? POORLY! Leave a comment about which of Zippy's ridiculous moves is your favorite!]