On the edge of the training field, Cynthia watched Ash with a look of concern. Had Ash been at full stamina, she wouldn't have doubted the Z-Move's success for a second. But now... Ash was clearly synchronized with Pikachu, just as he had been with Greninja in the rankings.
Could his body handle the strain of a Z-Move in this state?
Regardless of the risks, Ash began to channel the power. Pikachu leapt into the air, high-fiving Ash with his tail before they struck a series of synchronized poses.
"A bolt more powerful than Thunderbolt, more than a million volts—" "Pika!" "No, it's even greater! Our ultra-full power!" "Pika-pika!" "Pikachu! 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt!!" "Pika-pika-pika—CHUUU!!!"
Pikachu soared toward the sky. The clear blue horizon was instantly swallowed by dark, swirling storm clouds.
A massive pillar of lightning struck Pikachu, wrapping his body in golden electricity. Then, seven-colored lightning burst forth, homing in on Red's Pikachu!
Red's eyes finally lit up with pure excitement. "That's it! This is... a real Pokémon battle! Pikachu, let's show them our power too! Volt Tackle!"
Red's Pikachu cloaked himself in a shroud of golden electricity and leapt. Using invisible arcs of static, he sprinted through the air, looking like a golden thunderbolt striking from the earth toward the heavens.
BOOM!!!
A terrifying surge of voltage swept through the field. It wasn't just the arena—the entire Pallet Town seemed to shudder.
Before Cynthia, Misty, and Brock could be blown away, a blue, shark-like Pokémon appeared. It was Cynthia's ace—Garchomp! Garchomp deployed a green Protect barrier, shielding the group from the violent aftershocks.
In the sky, the seven-colored lightning clashed with the golden Volt Tackle. The two powers deadlocked, throwing out blinding sparks.
Finally, the two Mewtwos used their psychic powers to seal the area, preventing the destruction of the town.
'I thought you said this was a spar?' S-Mewtwo asked. 'Hmph. Red got excited the moment he met a real challenge,' R-Mewtwo replied. 'I didn't expect Ash's Pikachu to have such power already.''It's the hat. Without it, he's barely Elite Four level.''Even so... it's impressive.'
The Mewtwos added a psychic shield around the spectators, allowing Garchomp to stand down.
"Go... Pikachu..." Ash grunted, pushing forward with his hands as if physically shoving the lightning. Suddenly, his body jerked. His pupils faded, and the surging energy around him evaporated.
Pikachu took a massive hit as the seven-colored lightning shattered. Both trainer and Pokémon collapsed to the ground simultaneously.
Red immediately snapped out of his battle trance. "Pikachu, back!" Red's Pikachu neutralized the remaining sparks and returned to his side.
"Ash!" Misty and Brock rushed over. "He's okay. Just complete exhaustion," Brock noted after a quick check.
Red walked over, looking slightly apologetic. "Ash entered a 'Battle Bond' state—becoming one with his Pokémon. It makes them stronger, but it drains the trainer's stamina.
This was his first time; it's impressive he held it that long."
S-Mewtwo hovered nearby. 'And you? You got excited too, didn't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have let your Pikachu use a full-power Volt Tackle.' "Hehe," Red rubbed his neck. "Ash's energy is contagious. Next time, I'll be more careful. Let's get him to the Fountain of Life."
At the Fountain of Life: After a few sips of the miraculous water, Ash was "revived" to full health. Pikachu flexed his tiny arms to show he was fine, too.
"Miss Cynthia? When did you get here?" Ash asked, spotting her near the spring. "I came to visit the lab, but I caught your battle with Red.
It was wonderful," she said with a smile. "Haha, I still have a long way to go to reach Red's level..." Ash rubbed his head, though he was secretly thrilled by the compliment.
"Don't get cocky," Red interrupted. "Without the hat, you don't have that power. It's an external tool. Your own strength needs to grow.
Starting today, extra training." Ash turned pale. "Extra training?! With the fountain?!" "Exactly. You can't die of exhaustion here, so we can push harder," Red said.
Cynthia stepped forward. "Ash, can I have access to this fountain? I can offer something in exchange..." "Of course! You're Miss Cynthia, after all!" Ash agreed instantly, without a second thought. Cynthia paused, stunned by his selflessness.
"You... make it hard for me to repay you." "No need for repayment!" Ash laughed.
Cynthia thought for a moment. "How about this... let me train your other Pokémon." "Eh?" "Red is focused on your Pikachu and Charizard.
But your Froakie, Bulbasaur, and the others need guidance, too. Let me handle them. I'll give you a surprise for the Indigo League."
"But... isn't that a lot of trouble? You're the Sinnoh Champion!" "Hehe, don't worry. I told Flint to handle my duties for a while.
Besides, training the future superstar of the League is its own reward." (Poor Flint...) Misty and Brock thought in unison.
The Arrival of the Champions: As Ash gathered his team—Pidgeotto, Froakie, Muk, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Kingler, and his 30 Tauros—a group approached the backyard.
"Who said Ash's constitution isn't strong enough? Are you blind?" It was Bruno of the Kanto Elite Four. He scoffed at whoever made the comment. "Don't you know the weight of 'Super Pallet-man'?"
Red turned around. "I said it. Any problem?" Bruno's face went through a rapid series of changes. "Cough! Oh, it's you, Red! Haha, no problem at all! If you say he's weak, he's weak! Train him! Train him harder!"
The other Champions, including Leon, arrived. Leon, the undefeated Champion of Galar, stepped forward with burning curiosity. "So, you are Red?"
Red, the ten-year-old who conquered Kanto, vs. Leon, the man who had never lost a professional match. Both were legends who started their journeys at ten.
"Leon? I've heard much about you," Red said, shaking his hand. When the eyes of two top-tier trainers meet... a battle is inevitable.
"Interested in a match?" Leon asked. "The honor is mine!"
Ash's eyes sparkled. Red vs. Leon! The peak of the Pokémon world! "Are you going to fight here?!" "Why not?" Red looked at S-Mewtwo, who sighed and expanded a massive psychic barrier to create a temporary stadium.
The King of the Parallel World vs. the Unbeatable King of Galar. The clash was about to begin!'
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