"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
"Beedrill, use Venoshock!"
Pikachu used Quick Attack to evade the incoming Venoshock, dashing straight toward Beedrill and seizing the chance to unleash Thunderbolt.
Beedrill was quite agile as well. It had anticipated the attack and neatly dodged Pikachu's Quick Attack.
This Trainer is pretty strong…
Ash quickly realized that his opponent's plan was to inflict Poison on Pikachu first, then use Venoshock, which deals double damage to a poisoned Pokémon.
"Another dodge?!"
The Beedrill Trainer slapped his thigh in frustration. He hadn't expected that yellow mouse to be this fast.
Looks like he figured out my strategy…
Ash guessed the Trainer had probably studied his battles earlier as a spectator and prepared specifically to counter him.
In that case, let's mix things up a bit.
"Beedrill, Poison Sting!"
While Ash was still thinking, Beedrill struck first. The stinger at the end of its tail gathered dark-purple energy before firing multiple poisonous shots toward Pikachu.
"Pikachu!"
"Dodge with Quick Attack, then use Thunderbolt!"
In an instant, Pikachu became a streak of yellow lightning, electricity crackling around its body as it darted back and forth across the battlefield.
"Not that move again!"
"After dodging, use Pursuit!"
Just like before, Beedrill dodged Pikachu's charge.
But the electricity surrounding Pikachu suddenly lashed outward toward Beedrill.
"You can do that?!"
The Beedrill Trainer was stunned by the maneuver.
Forget catching the yellow mouse—now he wanted one of his own.
"This should finish it."
Seeing that Beedrill was already in poor condition, Ash let Pikachu wrap things up on its own.
This Beedrill was the strongest Pokémon Ash had faced during his win streak so far, and its Trainer was skilled too. The moveset was pretty nasty—always trying to poison opponents first.
He had even opened the battle with Toxic Spikes.
Ash originally thought the opponent was going to run a stall strategy with Protect and poison damage.
Ash glanced at the progress bar on his system quest.
97 / 100
Only three more wins to complete the mission.
But he had already battled almost every Trainer around here and was practically exhausted.
"Another loss…"
"Is Pikachu really that strong? Now I kind of want to catch one."
"Come on! Isn't there anyone who can stop him?!"
The defeated Trainer howled at the sky as if praying for divine intervention.
Even the strongest Trainer present had failed.
Nearby, Gyarados looked curiously at the Trainer shouting toward the heavens.
Hey… that roar looked familiar.
It sounded a bit like its own battle roar—just weaker and lacking presence.
After thinking that, Gyarados decided to demonstrate.
ROOOOAR!!
After the thunderous roar…
The entire field fell silent.
That was pure psychological damage.
The defeated Trainer had not only lost—he was being mocked by a Pokémon.
"Since you're asking so sincerely…"
"We'll graciously answer you!"
A familiar voice rang out.
Ash suddenly felt as if a classic background theme had started playing in his head.
…
Ash looked at the Team Rocket trio in surprise.
Then, in the next moment, his eyes filled with burning excitement.
Perfect timing.
I just need three more wins to reach one hundred.
"You guys are exactly what I needed."
"What are you staring at, brat?!" Jessie snapped, feeling like Ash's gaze was about to devour her.
"This feels bad…" James muttered.
The Trainers around them looked completely drained and barely paid attention to Team Rocket's arrival.
"Relax," Meowth said coolly with his arms crossed.
"They've all been beaten by the brat and lost their fighting spirit."
"Unlike us—we've been blasted off countless times but never gave up on capturing Pikachu!"
"Our will is as solid as a rock, meow!"
Ash nearly burst out laughing.
They were stepping on everyone else just to praise their own team.
"It's you again, Team Rocket…" Misty groaned. "Why do you keep following us?"
Brock immediately released Onix.
If Team Rocket tried anything suspicious, Onix would drive them away. Ash's Pokémon had just finished battling and weren't in peak condition—he couldn't allow Team Rocket to take advantage of that.
Normally Team Rocket operated in the shadows.
But today they showed up openly.
Had they suddenly grown the courage of a Tauros?
"Ahem… are you here to challenge me?" Ash asked politely.
Hearing that, the two humans and one cat from Team Rocket immediately became wary.
"Why isn't the brat telling Pikachu to attack us like before?" James whispered.
They took several steps back.
"Wait!"
"What if Pikachu is injured?" James suddenly guessed.
Jessie and Meowth immediately turned to look.
Pikachu was happily holding a bottle of Moomoo Milk, drinking away energetically.
It looked perfectly healthy.
"AH!"
Meowth slashed James with Fury Swipes.
Punishment for spreading false intelligence.
"Pika pika?"
(Internal conflict? And Meowth hits pretty hard…)
Pikachu tilted its head while sipping Moomoo Milk, watching Team Rocket's bizarre argument.
Even Ash was confused.
Team Rocket whispered among themselves, turned around to look again, and suddenly Meowth attacked someone.
Are they trying to run some kind of fake injury strategy?
"Alright, it's settled!" Meowth whispered.
"You two fight the brat while I sneak behind them and grab Pikachu!"
As expected of Team Rocket's strategist.
Within seconds, Meowth had come up with a plan, its bright eyes flashing cunningly.
"Let's go!"
The trio pumped themselves up.
"Brat! We're here to challenge you!" Jessie declared, flicking her long red hair dramatically.
Thanks for the help, Team Rocket.
"Gyarados!"
To end things quickly, Ash sent out Gyarados.
"Smokescreen!" James ordered.
Koffing released a thick cloud of smoke, covering the battlefield and blocking Ash's vision.
"Twister!"
Gyarados flicked its tail twice, generating a powerful Twister that instantly swept all the smoke away.
The gap in strength is… pretty big…
James looked to Jessie for help. Maybe together they'd have a chance.
Jessie understood and released Ekans.
"Waterfall," Ash commanded.
Gyarados surged forward with Waterfall, instantly knocking Ekans out.
Jessie: ????
Ekans hadn't even been on the field for three seconds before being one-shot.
Koffing didn't fare any better.
In the next turn, Gyarados finished it off with Ice Fang.
Both Pokémon were defeated in less than three turns.
The Trainers watching nearby suddenly felt much better.
Sure, they lost…
But someone had performed even worse.
If you can't be the best, at least don't be the worst.
"Just one left."
Ash tried to hide the excitement in his heart.
"Where's Meowth?"
"Huh?!"
Misty and Brock were startled.
That Meowth had intelligence comparable to a human—could it be plotting something behind the scenes?
Jessie and James were equally confused.
Pikachu was right here watching the battle.
So where did Meowth go?
Hic—!
A loud hiccup came from a crate behind them.
Everyone turned.
There they saw Meowth leaning against a box, drinking Moomoo Milk, several empty bottles scattered on the ground.
"Did… it get drunk?" Ash muttered.
Everyone stared blankly.
Meowth's eyes were half-closed as it swayed sleepily.
It was the first time they had ever seen a Pokémon get drunk from drinking milk.
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