Raichu versus Pikachu.
And not just any Raichu—this one possessed the Lightning Rod ability.
Even though there was a level gap between the two, under normal circumstances, Raichu should have held the advantage.
Unfortunately for Gary and his Raichu—
Their opponents were Ash and Pikachu.
The legendary Raichu Slayer.
And, somehow, also a Metagross Slayer.
Throughout Pikachu's anime career, whenever it faced Raichu or Metagross, it seemed to achieve absurdly high win rates for no apparent reason.
And because the series constantly emphasized Pikachu's choice not to evolve, nearly every season featured an unfortunate Raichu getting defeated by it.
Clearly, even Gary's carefully trained Raichu couldn't escape that fate.
Watching Raichu being steadily pushed back, a bead of sweat rolled down Gary's forehead.
"This isn't right!"
"Was Ash's Pikachu always this strong?!"
Looking at Gary's confusion, Red could only sigh inwardly.
My dear disciple...
I warned you.
You just refused to listen.
"Pikaaaa—CHUUU!"
Accompanied by a powerful Iron Tail, Raichu finally collapsed in despair.
Until the very end, it couldn't understand how it had lost to a pre-evolution.
Gary took a deep breath.
"As expected of you, Ash."
"You always manage to surprise me."
Ash grinned proudly.
"Of course I do!"
But just as Gary had prepared specifically for Charizard—
He had never underestimated Pikachu either.
"Which is why..."
"To repay that surprise, I've prepared a second gift for you."
Gary threw another Poké Ball.
A Pokémon that looked honest and harmless appeared on the battlefield.
Its body was earthy yellow.
At first glance, it resembled a Quagsire.
Yet it was clearly something different.
Seeing Gary's "Quagsire," even the more knowledgeable Ash was completely baffled.
In fact, even the commentator started stammering.
"Th-this..."
"This Quagsire certainly looks... unique."
Just as confusion spread through the stadium—
League Chairman Damalanchi arrived alongside Agatha and Bruno.
The old chairman looked at the Pokémon with visible interest.
"Oh?"
"Is that the special evolution of the Paldean Wooper?"
"Clodsire?"
"Excellent, excellent."
"I never expected to see a Pokémon exclusive to the Paldea region appear here in Kanto."
"That's quite rare indeed."
Clearly, the source of this Clodsire was none other than Professor Oak.
(Image of Clodsire available in the chapter comments.)
Looking at the chubby creature sprawled lazily across the battlefield, Ash felt the limitations of his knowledge for the first time.
Forget knowing its weaknesses.
He didn't even know its typing.
Even his Pokédex had no data on it.
Faced with this completely unknown Pokémon, Ash hesitated before saying:
"Pikachu."
"Use Thunder Shock."
He decided to probe first.
The electricity struck Clodsire—
And did absolutely nothing.
Ash immediately reached a conclusion.
"Clodsire..."
"It's probably a Ground-type."
"Come back, Pikachu!"
Just as Pikachu was about to retreat, Gary gave an order.
"Clodsire!"
"Use Toxic!"
In the next instant, before Pikachu could escape, it was struck by the attack.
The deadly poison immediately began eating away at its stamina.
Combined with the damage it had already taken fighting Raichu, Pikachu's condition rapidly deteriorated.
Within only a few exchanges, Gary had effectively neutralized Ash's two greatest aces.
Pikachu.
And Charizard.
Meanwhile, Gary's own ace, Blastoise, hadn't even entered the battlefield yet.
Even Umbreon and his other Pokémon remained largely unharmed.
At this point, the momentum had clearly begun shifting in Gary's favor.
I'm going to win.
Gary's thoughts drifted back to the first time he'd met Red.
Back then, Red had told him something.
That one day—
He would lose to Ash.
At the time, Gary had found that prediction utterly unacceptable.
But now, standing here today, he understood something.
If he had never become Red's disciple...
If he had remained the arrogant boy he used to be...
Then he truly wouldn't have been Ash's opponent.
Slowly, Gary opened his eyes.
Within them burned a trainer's pure desire for victory.
"But things have changed."
"I, Gary Oak, am no longer the same person I was back then."
"So this time, Master..."
"You were wrong."
"The winner of this battle..."
"Will be me!"
[Ding! Gary Exclusive Quest: Rediscover Your Original Dream +1%]
[Current Progress: 100%]
[Ding! Congratulations! Disciple Gary has completed his exclusive quest: Rediscover Your Original Dream.]
[Final Reward Issued.]
[Obtained: Random Water Starter Mega Stone ×2]
[Obtained: Blastoisinite ×1]
[Obtained: Swampertite ×1]
Looking at Gary, who had finally rediscovered his original passion as a trainer, Red smiled sincerely.
"Congratulations, Gary."
"You've finally found the heart of a true trainer again."
"No matter who wins this battle..."
"You've already won."
"Now fight with everything you've got."
"Blastoise!"
"Use your final Hydro Pump!"
"Pikachu!"
"Hang in there!"
"The winner will definitely be us!"
"Use your final Thunder!"
In this last clash, both Ash and Gary gave everything they had.
No regrets.
No holding back.
But this was still a tournament.
And in the end—
There could only be one victor.
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