[Cynthia: Pikachu's true nature has been unleashed!]
[Volkner: Unrivaled power? A hidden ability? A unique gift? What does this have to do with Pikachu's massive power increase?]
Static Electricity—a 30% chance to paralyze the opponent upon contact. Lightning Rod, which absorbs Electric-type moves to boost one's own Special Attack.
But just now, facing Zapdos's Discharge, Pikachu dodged. Even if he did have Lightning Rod, he didn't absorb any electricity! As for Static Electricity… Electric-types can't be paralyzed at all.
Even if they could, how would that help Pikachu's power?
So… what exactly is this unique aspect Cynthia is talking about?
[Cynthia: Isn't it simply Pikachu's special nature—that all his attributes soar when he faces a Legendary Pokémon?]
[Brandon: Holy cow! You're absolutely right! Cynthia's championship analysis is spot on! I almost forgot about Pikachu's unique history!]
[Brandon: Think back to the last time—Pikachu, alongside Latios and Rayquaza, stepped up to block the full power of seven Legendary Pokémon!]
[Brandon: Pikachu's strength seems to scale according to the hostility of the Legendary Pokémon he faces! That Thunderbolt was likely amplified to an invincible level, surpassing even the Divine Beasts! That's how he blocked the other side's attack!]
Champions: …You're so full of it and yet so good at hyping this up! Your Regice is also a Legendary Pokémon, isn't it? Aren't you basically saying you almost killed Pikachu back then?
It makes sense that the gods are good at hyping! Otherwise, how can you explain how, last time, two second-level Legendary Pokémon plus one first-level one blocked the attacks of seven first-level gods? Subtracting the power of those three, isn't the remaining power Pikachu's?
[Volkner: Ahem. So Miss Cynthia means Pikachu's power temporarily spiked after meeting Zapdos?]
[Elesa: Actually, I can also feel that after Pikachu met Zapdos, the light emanating from him became even brighter! So what Miss Cynthia and Mr. Brandon said holds some truth.]
[Cynthia: After all, he is Ash's Pikachu! It's only natural that his trait becomes that of a god-slayer, isn't it?]
God-slayers… the name was vivid—almost too fitting. It reminded everyone of the history shown at the beginning of the Heavenly Dao.
A mortal body with the power of a god. In those first three god-tier battles, Pikachu claimed all three victories. The title "god-slayer" was more than deserved.
...
Oak Laboratory backyard:
Ash and Pikachu stared at each other, wide-eyed.
"Do you still have this ability? I haven't met a single god yet… or will you take me to meet one?"
"Where can I even find one? Mewtwo? Do you want to be turned to sand? Let's take a long-term view."
At that, the silent exchange between boy and Pokémon came to an end. The idea of experimenting with gods was abandoned just as quickly as it appeared.
Right now, the only Legendary they could possibly find were two Mewtwo. Fighting Mewtwo… even if Pikachu were twice as strong, it would still be useless. Pure sand.
Better to stay smart. Stay cautious.
...
In the Footage—
After striking Zapdos with a Quick Attack, Pikachu used the recoil to bounce back to Ash's side. Zapdos took a full second to recover. His gaze toward Pikachu had turned solemn.
This electric mouse… it was no ordinary creature. No—it was something greater. A gift from the gods. At the very least, this mouse's strength was no longer beneath his. Perhaps… it had already surpassed him.
"WHOOSH!!"
Zapdos let out a sharp cry as brilliant golden light burst from his body.
Discharge.
The entire unmanned power plant was flooded with blinding electricity. The attack spread indiscriminately, covering every inch of the facility. There would be no room for Pikachu's agility now.
Yet as the golden light slowly faded, a vast golden net appeared before Zapdos. It stretched from floor to ceiling, intercepting every volt of electricity.
Pikachu's signature move—Electroweb. The perfect Electric-type defense.
Zapdos's voltage wasn't enough to break through.
Before the stunned bird could react, a streak of yellow flashed through the air. Pikachu struck him head-on. Another Quick Attack—faster, stronger—landing precisely where the last blow had hit. The pain in Zapdos's abdomen intensified sharply.
Pikachu prepared to bounce back once more—but this time, Zapdos endured the pain. His sharp, thorned wings snapped forward, grabbing Pikachu mid-motion. Then, with a powerful beat, he burst straight through the ceiling of the power plant!
"PIKACHU!!"
Ash shouted, leaping instantly into action. Using the surrounding walls as footholds, he scaled upward and launched himself through the opening.
The sequence stunned audiences around the world.
...
"The Super True Newcomer has appeared again! He's actually chasing a stunned bird!"
"Careful what you say—what if the God of Thunder hears you?"
"Wait… is someone near me? I just heard thunder!"
"We're getting sidetracked again! Why are we so used to Ash's insane moves?"
"Used to it? Speak for yourself! No matter how many times I watch, I still think… how is this even humanly possible?"
"Wake up—Ash isn't an ordinary human. He's a Super True Newcomer!"
"Exactly. Comparing someone who can wrestle Legendary Pokémon to normal humans is just unfair!"
...
Even though it wasn't the first—or second—time Ash had displayed such superhuman feats, each occurrence still ignited heated global discussion. Repetitive or not, people couldn't help but marvel.
...
In the Footage—
Ash landed atop the power plant roof. There, he saw Pikachu still trapped in Zapdos's grasp, massive currents of electricity surging into him.
Zapdos had finally captured his elusive opponent. There was no way he would waste this opportunity.
"Pikachu, don't lose to him! Break free with Iron Tail!" Ash called.
Pikachu gritted through the pain. His tail gleamed with a metallic sheen as energy condensed within it. Then—
CRASH!
The Iron Tail struck Zapdos's wings, forcing him to release his grip. Without hesitation, Pikachu spun mid-air and slammed the same attack onto Zapdos's head.
"PIKACHU—PI!"
BOOM!
Zapdos was driven straight into the rooftop, cracks spiderwebbing across the surface.
"Well done, Pikachu! One hundred thousand volts again!"
"PIKA! CHUUU—!!"
Golden light erupted once more, engulfing Zapdos before he could rise. Another charred mark appeared on his body. His wings trembled… then drooped weakly.
"Now's our chance! Go, Poké Ball!"
Ash seized the moment and threw the Poké Ball. It struck Zapdos squarely.
Under Ash's tense gaze, the ball shook once… twice…
Just as it was about to shake a third time—
BOOM!
A bolt of lightning descended from the sky, smashing the Poké Ball to pieces. Zapdos burst free.
Capture… failed.
...
[Goodshow: What a pity. I thought Ash would succeed, but this is a Legendary Pokémon after all. It was never going to be easy.]
[Volkner: That last bolt of lightning likely came from the thunderclouds Zapdos created. He was preparing to use Thunder, but it accidentally destroyed the Poké Ball. Otherwise…]
[Lance: One thing must be said—this Zapdos seems somewhat weak. His attack power and speed don't match that of a true second-level god. He hasn't even reached Champion level… Could it be that he's not fully matured?]
[Cynthia: Or perhaps… he's injured?]
[Wallace: That's right! When Ash first entered the plant, wasn't Zapdos absorbing electricity from the equipment? He must be recovering from injuries!]
[Volkner: Even so, I doubt he'd stand a chance against Pikachu. After all… this is Pikachu—a god-tier Pokémon!]
As the Champions debated, the battle continued.
...
In the Footage—
Watching Zapdos escape, Ash sighed lightly.
So close…
"Pikachu, Thunder!"
"PIKA—CHUUU!!!"
The thunderclouds above—originally summoned by Zapdos—were seized by Ash. After all, natural thunderclouds belonged to no one.
From the pitch-black sky, bolts of golden lightning as thick as pillars came crashing down.
Zapdos moved.
His wings blurred, his body turning into a phantom as he evaded the strikes with astonishing speed.
The Thunder missed.
"That was… Extreme Speed?"
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