Chapter 41: First Point

"This…"

Ash's mouth hung open in shock. The situation had changed so dramatically in such a short time.

His brother Red had the advantage just moments ago, but now, Blastoise was in serious trouble.

Even though he was still young, Ash understood that the series of blows Blastoise had taken had likely caused severe damage.

"Dylan timed the activation of Toxic perfectly!" Brock exclaimed in amazement.

"When Toxic activates, the excruciating pain causes the Pokémon to stiffen up, and he just happened to catch the timing with Sucker Punch."

He knew the activation time of Toxic all too well. As expected of a Poison-type trainer.

"Blastoise doesn't stand a chance anymore," Leah agreed with Brock. The three-hit combo of Toxic activation, Sucker Punch, and Earthquake was simply overwhelming.

Coupled with the previous damage, it was a wonder Blastoise hadn't already fainted, thanks to its excellent defenses.

But now, Blastoise was barely holding on, in a very poor state.

"Return, Blastoise," Red recalled his heavily injured Blastoise, his gaze full of regret as he looked at the Pokéball.

If it weren't for being poisoned, this situation wouldn't have happened.

But getting poisoned was his responsibility as a trainer.

"You're really strong!" Red's eyes burned with intensity as he returned Blastoise to its Pokéball.

This was the first time—apart from his childhood rival Blue—that he'd been at such a disadvantage in a battle against another trainer his age.

Even though it was the poisoning that caused him to lose, Red didn't see it as an issue. Using poison was just another battle strategy.

Winning with poison was still a victory.

"You're strong too," Dylan responded with a smile. Recognition from a rival, especially one who was evenly matched, was always satisfying.

"Come on, let's continue this battle!" Dylan's spirits were high. The fight had only just begun.

"Pikachu!" Red threw out his second Pokéball.

"Pika~!"

A flash of white light, and a nimble electric mouse landed gracefully in front of Red.

Red didn't choose to use Venusaur. Although Venusaur was immune to poison, it would still struggle against Arbok.

Besides, preventing poison wasn't too difficult.

And Red had great confidence in his Pikachu, which was extremely quick and agile. Landing a Toxic on Pikachu? That was wishful thinking!

"Red's Pikachu!" Ash's eyes lit up. Pikachu was his favorite!

"Pika~Chu!" Ash's own electric mouse also sparkled its big eyes as it tilted its head to watch Red's Pikachu on the battlefield.

'Beep~ Pikachu, Electric-type, Mouse Pokémon.

Ability: Static

Moves: Thunder, Light Screen, Thunderbolt, Discharge, Iron Tail, Agility, Electro Ball, Feint, Volt Tackle…

Description: When several Pikachu gather, their combined electricity can cause lightning to strike.'

Red's Pikachu knows so many moves!

"Oh wow~ Both brothers raised a Pikachu, huh," Leah remarked, her curiosity piqued as she glanced between Red and Ash's Pikachus. No wonder they were siblings!

Actually, Pikachu wasn't a rare Pokémon, and normally, its strength wasn't very high.

Ash was still a beginner trainer, so it was understandable, but Leah was curious why a seasoned trainer like Red would also raise a Pikachu.

She didn't believe Red couldn't find a Thunder Stone to evolve Pikachu.

"Because Pikachu is strong," Ash replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He genuinely believed it.

"Hmm…" Leah smiled but said nothing.

On the battlefield.

"Red's Pikachu…" Dylan looked at the adorable electric mouse with a strange expression.

He remembered the time when he was still young, playing the Gold/Silver games. After finally defeating the Johto Elite Four to become the Champion, he ventured to Mt. Silver.

And there, he encountered a silent, hat-wearing trainer. As soon as the battle started, out popped a Pikachu, and when he checked its level—81!

It was ridiculously high! At that point, his team was only around level 60, and suddenly, an 81-level Pikachu appeared out of nowhere—how could he possibly win?

The game designers sure knew how to surprise.

His reminiscing was cut short as he refocused on the battle with Red.

"As a Gym Leader, not being able to switch Pokémon is a bit of a pain."

Dylan pondered how to handle the battle. Arbok wasn't the best matchup against Pikachu because of Pikachu's small, agile frame.

If it were anyone else's Pikachu, it might be different, but Red and Ash's Pikachus were special.

Even in Gym battles in the games, leaders could freely switch their Pokémon, but in reality, the League rules stated that a Gym Leader couldn't switch Pokémon during a challenger's battle.

Unless both parties agreed beforehand. Leah hadn't mentioned this rule, but as a competent Gym Leader, Dylan imposed it on himself anyway.

But it wasn't a big deal.

First, he needed to gauge this electric mouse's strength.

"Pikachu, Electro Ball!" Red initiated the attack this time.

Pikachu's energetic cry was adorable as it jumped high, forming a ball of electrical energy on its lightning-shaped tail.

An Electric-type Electro Ball! The move's power increased the greater the speed difference between the two Pokémon.

"Sucker Punch!"

Arbok's eyes flashed darkly, and its long body swiftly darted towards Pikachu, easily dodging the incoming Electro Ball with the added speed from Sucker Punch.

Sucker Punch was a priority move. Usually, such moves had lower power, but Sucker Punch was an exception because it required the opponent to attack first, so it had decent power as well.

With Sucker Punch, Arbok quickly closed the distance and lunged at Pikachu.

"Iron Tail!"

Pikachu's tail shimmered with a metallic sheen before it swung it hard at the approaching Arbok.

Bang!

Iron Tail collided heavily with Sucker Punch, and both Pokémon were knocked back from the impact.

A strong physical attack.

Dylan raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed with how well Red had trained his Pikachu. Its level must be quite high.

If only this were a simulation world, Dylan would love to see exactly what level this Pikachu was.

"Thunderbolt!"

As Pikachu was pushed back, its cheeks sparked with electricity.

An Electric-type Thunderbolt!

"Sludge Bomb!" Dylan commanded Arbok to counter.

Arbok opened its mouth, a purple glow forming inside.

But before it could launch the Sludge Bomb, Pikachu's Thunderbolt struck, catching Arbok mid-air before it could dodge, electrocuting it with intense crackling.

Boom!

The Thunderbolt exploded, sending Arbok flying.

"Thunder!" Red's offense was swift and relentless, completely different from the earlier battle with Blastoise.

Of course, Pikachu was all about high-speed, fast attacks.

Pikachu's low growl rumbled as it sped towards Arbok, golden lightning crackling once more.

A massive bolt of lightning descended, striking down towards Arbok.

An Electric-type Thunder attack!

"Dig!"

Dylan quickly ordered Arbok.

If Pikachu continued its onslaught, another Thunderbolt after this Thunder would surely knock Arbok out.

Arbok, gritting its teeth against the pain of the earlier Thunderbolt, plunged into the ground.

The Thunder attack hit the ground with explosive force, but it was just a moment too late.

"Pikachu, stay alert and observe," Red's red eyes remained calm and focused.

Pikachu didn't have a great way to counter Dig. It could try using Thunderbolt at the hole's entrance, but what if Arbok was waiting right there?

That would be too risky. It was better to wait and watch, and Red trusted his Pikachu's ability to react quickly to avoid a Dig attack.

"He didn't go for a follow-up, how cautious," Dylan noted with a hint of disappointment. If Red had commanded Pikachu to use Thunderbolt at the hole, it would've been perfect.

Yes, Arbok was indeed lying in wait at the hole.

But no matter.

"Toxic Spikes!" With Blastoise out of the picture, there was no need to worry about Toxic Spikes.

"Hmm?" Red frowned slightly.

From the hole, Arbok's head emerged, a deep purple Toxic Spikes ball forming at its mouth.

"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"

"Pika~!"

Pikachu acted quickly, launching a swift Thunderbolt at Arbok.

Boom!

Thunderbolt struck Arbok once again, causing it to cry out in pain, its condition deteriorating rapidly.

But the Toxic Spikes had already been released into the air.

"Electro Ball!"

Pikachu leaped into the air, sending another crackling Electro Ball hurtling toward Arbok.

Boom!

The Electro Ball exploded, sending up a cloud of dust.

High above, the Toxic Spikes burst like fireworks, scattering strange purple fluid that seeped into the ground.

The entire battlefield seemed to glow with an eerie purple light before returning to normal.

When the dust settled, Arbok lay at the entrance of the hole, its eyes swirling, unconscious.

Red furrowed his brow, recalling what he knew about Toxic Spikes.

"Arbok is unable to battle. Pikachu wins," Leah, acting as the referee, did her job well. She quickly checked on Arbok, confirmed its condition, and announced the result.

"Yay~ Pikachu is amazing! We scored the first point!" Ash cheered excitedly. Even though Blastoise had been heavily injured, it was a great start for Pikachu.