Abandoned Power Plant
Once upon a time, this place had been a bustling industrial hub.
In a single day, it could generate enough electricity to supply Cerulean City for an entire week.
But over ten years ago, for reasons unknown, it was abandoned by humans.
Even Misty, a native of Cerulean City, couldn't explain why. Ever since she was little, she'd rarely heard anyone mention this power plant.
With humans gone, the area gradually became a natural habitat for wild Pokémon, especially those of the Electric type.
Ash, Brock, and Misty arrived at the entrance.
From the outside, the power plant looked like a massive white cocoon-shaped structure, its walls completely overrun with vines and weeds—clear signs of long neglect.
"Hey… what Pokémon is that?" Misty suddenly asked.
On a grassy field near the entrance stood a plump, pink Pokémon, staring blankly into space.
The most eye-catching feature was its long, wide pink tongue, dangling far out of its mouth.
Beep. Lickitung, the Licking Pokémon.
Its flexible tongue can perform extremely complex movements.
Ranked among this year's Top Ten Popular Pokémon (Female Demographic).
The Pokédex announced automatically.
"Popular…?" Misty scratched her head in confusion.
It looked dumb, slimy, and frankly kind of gross.
Do girls really like this kind of Pokémon?
Ash and Misty were about to ignore it—
When Brock suddenly opened his eyes wide, sharp light flashing within them.
Ash blinked.
"Brock, are you planning to catch Lickitung? It doesn't look very appealing."
"Hmph. You two don't understand," Brock said seriously.
"The human body's most active muscle organ… is the tongue. This is a truly magnificent phenomenon."
He stuck out his tongue, which twisted and contorted into over thirty different shapes in three seconds, leaving Ash dizzy.
Brock raised his voice in admiration.
"This is a Pokémon with a rock-solid will!"
With that, he released a Pokémon he'd once picked up cheaply at Mt. Moon.
"Go! Zubat, use Supersonic!"
"Zuu~bat!"
Zubat let out a strange cry. Invisible sound waves rippled outward, completely enveloping the grazing Lickitung.
Soon, Lickitung began wobbling unsteadily.
"Liiick!"
It grew hostile, lashing its tongue toward Zubat—
But midair, the tongue suddenly twisted direction and—
Smack!
It slapped straight onto Lickitung's own bald head.
Confusion! It hurt itself!
Panicking, Lickitung tried to flee into the bushes—
Brock's eyes sharpened, his expression suddenly villainous.
"Use Mean Look!"
A massive spectral eye appeared in front of Zubat.
Glare—!
Strange light enveloped Lickitung.
It couldn't escape!
Brock thrust his thumb forward.
"Now—Poison Fang!"
Zubat shot forward, nimbly dodging the flailing tongue and sinking its fangs into Lickitung's shoulder.
Thud!
Purple bubbles—the sign of poison—began rising from Lickitung's body.
"Liiick!"
In its confusion, Lickitung lashed out again—
And knocked itself unconscious.
"Now! Poké Ball!"
Brock threw a Poké Ball. Lickitung barely resisted before being pulled inside.
Shake… shake…
Click.
Captured.
Brock extended his steel-like arm, letting Zubat perch there proudly. Against his dark skin, his teeth looked dazzlingly white.
Clap clap clap!
Misty couldn't help applauding.
That smooth, flowing sequence of commands—
It was enough for someone to study for a lifetime.
Dirty? Absolutely dirty.
Just like his skin.
Inside the Power Plant
After the brief detour, the trio officially entered the abandoned facility.
Pushing open the massive doors, they found themselves in an enormous open plaza—so large they couldn't see the far end.
It was nothing like the narrow warehouse they'd imagined.
Strange machinery filled the area, most of it completely overtaken by vines and weeds, showing no signs of operation.
Sensing intruders, several dark figures emerged from behind the machines, staring at them with hostility.
Beep. Magnemite, the Magnet Pokémon.
Features a single eye and a screw on its head.
Ranked in this year's Top Ten Popular Pokémon (Female Demographic).
Beep. Voltorb, the Ball Pokémon.
Said to be transformed from discarded Poké Balls.
Gentle in nature and extremely safe.
The Pokédex chimed in.
Three Magnemite hovered on the left.
Three Voltorb rolled menacingly on the right.
This was clearly not a welcome party.
"ROOOAR!!"
A piercing roar echoed through the hall.
A yellow, man-sized Pokémon leapt forward, lightning patterns carved into its skin. Thick arms swung wildly, antennae on its head crackling with electricity.
Beep. Electabuzz, the Electric Pokémon.
Highly aggressive and extremely powerful.
Using Electric-type attacks on it may produce unexpected results.
The Pokédex added.
"Looks like their leader?" Misty murmured.
Ash's fighting spirit ignited.
He needed battle right now—to vent the grief of losing his rival.
"Come out! Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirt—"
He threw three Poké Balls at once.
Years of traveling had taught him something important:
Sure, it's not legal… but only an idiot insists on 1v1 when a brawl is needed.
"Squirt…?"
Surrounded by crackling electricity, Squirtle instinctively scratched its head.
"…Oh! My hand slipped. You can come back, Squirtle."
Ash immediately recalled it.
Squirtle (inside the Poké Ball): "?"
That was confusing…
Battle Begins
Electabuzz waved its arm. One Magnemite fired off a bolt of lightning.
"Charmander, use Flamethrower!"
WHOOSH—!!
The flames surged forward, instantly overpowering the lightning and exploding against Magnemite.
It's super effective!
"ROOOAR!"
Electabuzz roared and commanded its subordinates.
All five remaining Pokémon attacked at once—yellow and blue lightning intertwining as they surged forward.
Ash's eyes lit up.
"Perfect! Charmander—Fire Spin!"
Charmander exhaled a rotating pillar of flame. The fire twisted into a blazing spiral, completely wrapping the incoming lightning.
WHOOOSH—!
With a flick of its head, Charmander redirected the fiery vortex—dragging the lightning along with it—
And smashed it into a nearby machine.
BOOM!
Every attack missed.
"Char!"
Charmander smugly tossed its head, sparks of flame dancing at its mouth.
They're all trash!
Why do I feel like I'm getting stronger every day?!
Wait… if I'm this strong… why do I even need a Trainer?
Its flames flared wildly as rebellious thoughts stirred.
The Magnemite and Voltorb instinctively retreated.
But Electabuzz's pressure forced them to step forward again.
Seeing their wavering morale, Ash changed tactics.
Perfect time to try this move!
"Bulbasaur—use Stun Spore!"
Bulbasaur inhaled deeply, its body swelling.
The bulb on its back erupted—
A massive cloud of yellow powder burst forth.
FWOOOSH—!
Using sheer lung power, Bulbasaur blasted the spores outward, instantly engulfing the lesser Pokémon.
No escape!
"Para…"
Magnemite and Voltorb collapsed, completely paralyzed.
This was still an era where Electric-types could be paralyzed.
"ROAR…?"
Seeing its minions defeated so easily, Electabuzz finally stepped forward.
It bypassed Charmander and Bulbasaur entirely—
And beckoned directly at Pikachu on Ash's shoulder.
Electric-types didn't usually have strong rivalry instincts…
But Electabuzz was an exception.
It despised those decorative Pikachu that sucked up human praise.
Pikachu bristled.
"Pika!"
It leapt forward, electricity crackling fiercely.
This wasn't a mere underling.
Ash swallowed nervously and asked internally:
"Brother Red… is this what you meant by 'alright'?"
"Compared to 'alright,' this thing's just a weasel," Red replied casually.
Ash: "…"
What the heck is a weasel?
Whatever—charge!
Ash focused on Electabuzz, recalling the Pokédex entry.
Using Electric attacks may yield unexpected results…
He pointed decisively.
"Pikachu—Thunderbolt!"
If electricity gives rewards,
then Thunderbolt should give me massive rewards!
"I've got this!"
Pikachu slapped its cheeks.
"PI-KA—CHUUU!!"
A blazing bolt of lightning struck Electabuzz head-on.
Electabuzz didn't dodge.
CRACKLE—BOOM!!
The electricity didn't damage it at all—instead, it flowed into its body.
The next second—
Electabuzz's arms began spinning like motors.
Electricity surged through its antennae, yellow energy coating its body.
It looked… faster.
"Ash! That's the Ability Motor Drive!" Brock shouted.
"When hit by an Electric-type move, its Speed increases!"
"But Electabuzz isn't supposed to have Motor Drive…" Brock muttered.
He glanced around thoughtfully.
"Could the power plant's residual energy be acting like an Electirizer, temporarily altering its Ability?"
Electabuzz evolves via Electirizer—and after evolution, its Ability can change from Static to Motor Drive.
This broken facility might be replicating that effect—
Without triggering evolution.
Brock quickly pieced together the theory.
Ash: "…"
Hey—stop explaining mechanics!
Is this really the 'unexpected reward' the Pokédex was talking about?!
Wait…
Technically, the Pokédex wasn't wrong…
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