By the time Officer Jenny had finished gathering information from the three trainers on the scene, Paul and Dick were straightforward. However, when it came to Red…
Officer Jenny: "May I have your name, Trainer?"
Red: "…"
Officer Jenny: "Where are you from?"
Red: "…"
Officer Jenny: "Can you describe what just happened?"
Red: "…"
Officer Jenny: "Can you even speak?"
Red: "…"
Officer Jenny: "Could you at least—"
Red: "…"
As the questioning continued, the situation devolved into a long, awkward silence.
Officer Jenny: "…"
Red: "…"
The two stared at each other in deadpan silence, locked in an absurd standoff of mutual wordlessness.
Fortunately, Dick, the local, stepped in and saved the day. Taking full responsibility for the explanation, he was soon escorted to the police station for further questioning, while the others remained at the scene.
Once everything was settled, Paul took the initiative and issued a battle challenge to Red, under the watchful eyes of the gathered Pokémon.
"I'm Paul from Veilstone City. I challenge you to a battle."
At this moment, both Red and his Pokémon had improved significantly from their earlier battle against Regigigas. Even the likes of Flint or the other Elite Four members would struggle against them now.
Still, Paul had no intention of backing down.
Battling stronger opponents—even if it meant getting crushed or defeated instantly—was the best way to awaken a Pokémon's fighting spirit.
Red stared at Paul for a few seconds, then turned to the Pikachu resting on his shoulder and gave it a small nod.
"Pika?"
The round-faced Pikachu blinked in surprise, then leaped off Red's shoulder, sparks crackling from its cheeks. With eyes full of determination, it got into a battle stance, ready for combat.
It was as if it were preparing to face an overwhelmingly powerful opponent.
"Electivire, prepare for battle!"
Understanding Red's silent agreement, Paul immediately sent out his ace—Electivire.
"Viree!"
Electivire stepped forward, fully aware of how dangerous this electric rodent was. It wasn't about to take this lightly.
"Charge!"
Right at the start, Paul initiated his self-motivation battle strategy—ordering Electivire to use Charge, increasing its Special Defense while boosting the power of its next Electric-type move.
"Pika!"
Pikachu's expression remained confident, but it was also highly cautious. It didn't move, allowing Electivire the time to charge.
"Quick Attack!"
The moment Electivire finished charging, Pikachu's figure vanished, transforming into a streak of golden lightning as it slammed straight into Electivire's chest.
A seemingly simple and straightforward attack—yet Electivire's vision went black for a second, and the impact even knocked the wind out of it.
"Grab it!"
Paul's command snapped Electivire back to focus. It reached out with both hands to grab Pikachu while its twin tails moved into position.
"Pika!"
Pikachu's agility allowed it to evade Electivire's grasp easily, but it failed to anticipate the sudden movement of its twin tails.
In an instant, Electivire had successfully trapped Pikachu between its tails.
Without hesitation, it immediately unleashed Thunder!
Enhanced by Charge, the attack's power doubled. The amplified Thunder surged through Electivire's tails, electrocuting Pikachu at point-blank range.
"Pikaaaaaa!"
Pikachu let out a sharp cry as it was struck by the devastating electric attack.
"Brick Break!"
"Iron Tail!"
Electivire's right hand glowed white as it swung down with Brick Break.
But despite the intense pain, Pikachu refused to go down. Its eyes flashed and with a sharp twist of its body, its tail transformed into gleaming steel—Iron Tail—as it lashed out in response.
BAM!
The two attacks collided midair, neither side gaining the upper hand.
"Quick Attack!"
The moment their clash ended, Pikachu's body surged with electricity once more. It kicked off the air with incredible speed—mid-air acceleration—and slammed into Electivire's head.
BAM!
Electivire staggered backward, momentarily dazed from the direct hit.
"Viree~!"
As it regained focus, it looked up—only to see Pikachu floating in midair, staring down at it with burning fighting spirit.
"Pika!"
While this Pikachu's bond with Red might not be as deep as Ash's Pikachu, in terms of raw power and talent, it was leagues ahead.
Previously, Pikachu could not fly—but after witnessing Electivire's Electromagnetic Levitation in an earlier battle, it had instinctively grasped the concept.
It had self-taught itself the Electromagnetic Levitation technique!
And just now—it had used it in battle for the first time.
Now that Pikachu had mastered levitation, its power had skyrocketed to the level of Champions!
"Focus Blast!"
Electivire's reaction was a mix of shock, excitement, and frustration. It immediately gathered energy and hurled a Focus Blast at Pikachu, following up with another Brick Break at full power.
"Brick Break!"
The round-faced Pikachu, with its exceptional evasion skills, showed no fear. As it landed, it dashed straight toward Electivire, twisting its body ever so slightly to evade the Focus Blast. Its tail gleamed white as it came slashing down.
BOOM!
Two simultaneous Brick Breaks clashed mid-air, sending shockwaves in all directions.
"Viree~"
Catching sight of the round-faced Pikachu with its back turned midair, Electivire's eyes flashed with determination. Without hesitation, it swung its other fist—another Brick Break—viciously toward its opponent.
A classic moment was unfolding!
Electivire had two fists, while Pikachu only had its single tail.
By all logic, Pikachu should have taken the hit.
And yet, the situation was entirely different.
Rather than panic at Electivire's sudden assault, Pikachu remained composed. A delicate little fist radiated white energy as it swung straight toward Electivire in response.
Brick Break!
BOOM!
The two attacks collided. Pikachu was sent flying, but it quickly adjusted itself midair using Magnet Rise, landing safely on the ground.
"Pika!"
The round-faced Pikachu stared confidently at Electivire, just as it had at the start of the battle.
In that moment, Paul came to a realization—
The same strategy working once didn't guarantee it would work again.
The same species of Pokémon didn't necessarily mean they would respond the same way.
And above all—never judge a Pokémon by its appearance!
"Ice Punch!"
Electivire burst forward in a flash of electricity, its massive fist engulfed in freezing energy as it swung down mercilessly.
"Pika!"
The small-bodied Pikachu nimbly hopped and skipped, effortlessly dodging Electivire's assault.
No matter how fast or precise Electivire's punches were, Pikachu always managed to evade—just barely.
"Psychic!"
Suddenly, a powerful wave of psychic energy erupted from Electivire, seizing Pikachu mid-leap. The Ice Punch followed through without hesitation.
"Pika!"
Caught off guard for just a moment, Pikachu lost its best chance to evade. The punch landed squarely, sending it flying far into the distance.
But Electivire gave it no chance to recover. Without missing a beat, it dashed forward once more—
A Focus Blast was launched, immediately followed by another Ice Punch!
"Iron Tail!"
At the sound of Red's command, Pikachu instantly snapped into action. Without even relying on Magnet Rise, it forcibly twisted its midair posture.
Its tail, gleaming like polished steel, slashed forward—splitting the Focus Blast in two.
And it didn't stop there. Pikachu's tail swung again and again, moving like a blade, clashing repeatedly with Electivire's Ice Punch in a relentless exchange.
The two Pokémon dueled fiercely in midair, neither willing to yield. Anyone watching this moment would say—it was a dead-even match.
Another fierce exchange followed before Pikachu's body suddenly crackled with electricity. Using the force of Electivire's Ice Punch, it propelled itself backward, creating distance.
In that instant, a barrage of Swift stars rained toward Electivire.
A sky full of shimmering stars obstructed everything in sight.
Electivire, however, didn't hesitate—it unleashed a burst of Thunder, shattering the darkness in all directions!
All the stars were forcibly obliterated.
And yet...
"Iron Tail!"
Just as the stars vanished, a lightning-fast Iron Tail descended from above, striking Electivire square in the chest and sending it flying dozens of meters away.
"Viree~"
Electivire struggled back to its feet, panting heavily as it looked at Pikachu. Its body trembled slightly.
The battle had been intense, but in truth, the more Electivire fought, the more it felt an overwhelming sense of unease.
It had given its all—constantly using Motivational Charge to push itself further, unleashing every attack at full force.
And yet, Pikachu's strength was like a bottomless abyss. No matter how much Electivire powered up, Pikachu always managed to stay just a tiny bit ahead.
And more than that—this Pikachu had terrifying battle experience.
Even though it wasn't overwhelmingly stronger, it always responded perfectly to every situation, capitalizing on every opportunity to counterattack.
"That's enough. I give up."
Paul glanced at his slightly panting Electivire and spoke calmly.
Electivire still had enough energy to fight, but there was no point anymore.
Just within this short span of battle, the difference between them had become glaringly obvious. There was no point in dragging it out further.
"..."
"Pika! Pika-!"
Red gave Pikachu a look, and the little Pokémon immediately perked up, scampering over and hopping onto his shoulder, curling up obediently.
At that moment, it looked just like a harmless pet—certainly not like a powerhouse of a Pokémon.
Round-Faced Pikachu's Battle Style:
Fight every battle with everything you've got.
Always make it seem like a 50/50 fight.
And then...barely pull off the victory!
"Viree~"
Even though Electivire knew it had lost, the fact that it hadn't been utterly defeated left it a little annoyed.
But it also understood—right now, it was no match for this Pikachu.
Its only option was to get stronger. So that next time—it could win.
"When I become stronger, I'll challenge you again."
Paul bowed slightly, took out the Poké Ball and collected his Pokémons one by one, then left calmly with his hands in his pockets.
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