Just as Ash's trio had calmed the anxious emotions of the Squirtles and Wartortles, Pikachu on Ash's shoulder suddenly cried out loudly, then released its electrical current regardless of Ash's attempts to stop it.
Fortunately, Pikachu immediately jumped from Ash's shoulder, otherwise, the released current would inevitably have affected Ash.
Just as Ash was about to scold Pikachu for attacking without permission, he discovered a Persian with a vicious expression had quietly appeared before everyone, occasionally licking its front paws with its tongue while mockingly looking at the trembling Pikachu.
"What Pokémon is this?!" Ash exclaimed in surprise, quickly taking out his Pokédex to analyze Persian's data. The Pokédex responded with a mechanical voice.
"Persian, the Classy Cat Pokémon, the evolved form of Meowth. It has a violent temperament. When it raises its tail straight up, you must be careful. This is a sign it's preparing to pounce and bite you."
"So it's Meowth's evolved form. No wonder it looks so familiar," Ash complained.
Due to Red's arrival, Team Rocket's trio wisely chose not to cause trouble. This way they could happily take a few days off without having to bear heavy debts. It was incredibly comfortable.
'Sure enough, the big boss's appearance is our lucky star!' the Team Rocket trio thought in unison.
Persian is a carnivorous Pokémon that can hunt small Pokémon, and Pikachu happened to be on Persian's menu.
Being stared at by its natural enemy, Persian, Pikachu naturally trembled subconsciously with unease.
Fortunately, Ash quickly noticed Pikachu's fearful heart and rushed forward to comfort Pikachu's anxious emotions.
After a moment, encouraged by Ash, Pikachu immediately perked up, looking at the distant Persian with battle-ready eyes, wanting to personally defeat this natural enemy.
"This guy must have been sent by that Archer to stop us," Brock reminded them.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Since Persian was confirmed to be an enemy, Ash naturally wouldn't hold back, decisively ordering Pikachu to attack.
High-voltage current instantly released from Pikachu's body like a lightning snake trying to catch the Persian ahead.
Seeing this, Persian let out a disdainful chuckle. The red gem on its head flashed with brilliant light, then fired a gem-like shining beam from its head.
"That's the Rock-type move Power Gem!" Brock said in surprise.
Thunderbolt and Power Gem collided in the middle, quickly producing a violent explosion. But the explosion's gap gave Persian an opportunity. Persian's figure suddenly blurred, instantly appearing in front of Pikachu.
Under Pikachu's fearful gaze, Persian used Fury Swipes, extending its right paw to heavily strike Pikachu's body, knocking it back several steps.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
The knocked-back Pikachu immediately got up, using its agile speed to crash directly into Persian's body, then released all its electrical current, using Thunderbolt at close range to hit Persian's body.
The electrically struck Persian showed no panic, calmly using Iron Tail to stick into the beach, conducting the current into the ground, and then baring its sharp right claws, using Slash directly on Pikachu.
"Ash, this guy isn't something Pikachu alone can defeat. How about we..."
Seeing Pikachu struggling so much in battle, Brock gently suggested to Ash, wanting himself and Misty to fight together, creating a three-on-one situation to defeat Persian.
"No way! Pokémon battles have principles. Besides, the opposing Persian doesn't even have a trainer commanding it. I can't take any more advantages."
After understanding Brock's suggestion, Ash immediately rejected the idea. Ash wanted to defeat Persian with Pikachu using their own strength, not through outnumbering it.
"Ash, you're still so reckless! That's a Team Rocket Pokémon, not an ordinary Pokémon battle," Misty said angrily, with Togepi in her arms also crying anxiously.
"No need, Misty. Actually, Ash's approach is correct. I should apologize to Ash instead. I was so anxious I almost made Ash abandon his dignity as a Pokémon trainer. That was my fault."
Seeing Misty wanting to question Ash, Brock quickly stopped the anxious Misty.
"Ash is also a man. A man's dignity must be protected by himself. Sometimes certain battles can't have others interfere, because this is a battle of dignity. I can understand Ash's feelings right now."
"You men really are stubborn..." Misty muttered, turning to look at Ash with worry, hoping Ash and Pikachu could defeat Persian together.
Meanwhile, on Red's side
After Venusaur gained the advantage, the nearby Blastoise immediately launched an offensive. The two cannons on its back immediately released thick Water Cannons, with large amounts of water forming two water columns striking toward Houndoom.
The water-fearing Houndoom quickly fled, afraid its body would be hit by Blastoise's Water Cannon.
Electrode floating in the sky wanted to help but was entangled by Venusaur's Vine Whip. Then Venusaur used Seed Bomb. The pistil on Venusaur's back spat out a giant seed that violently struck Electrode's body and exploded.
"How is this possible? Venusaur's Vine Whip is supposed to have only eight vines. Why does this Venusaur have double the number of vines compared to ordinary Venusaur?!" Archer said in terror, unable to understand the facts before him.
Earlier, Electrode had easily avoided the eight Vine Whips Venusaur extended using its rolling speed. Just as Electrode was congratulating itself on its movement speed, it was entangled by the other eight Vine Whips and had its body controlled.
"Do you think my Venusaur would be an ordinary specimen?" Red said flatly, then ordered Blastoise: "Blastoise, reduce the Water Cannon's power to Water Gun, and use Ice Beam from your mouth!"
Seeming already accustomed to Red's commands, Blastoise showed no hesitation, immediately reducing the water flow's power and using the remaining stamina to release Ice Beam. A cold Ice Beam hit Houndoom's hind leg, restricting Houndoom's proud movement speed.
The excited Blastoise used Water Cannon again, with two thick water columns about to hit Houndoom's body.
"Houndoom, use Flame Charge to melt the ice on your hind leg and dodge quickly!" Archer calmly commanded.
After two Flame Charge boosts, Houndoom's speed was significantly improved. Just as it was about to be hit by Blastoise's Water Cannon attack, it leaped aside with great effort, avoiding the Water Cannon attack.
"Huff! Huff!"
Houndoom panted as if barely escaping, looking at Blastoise with a grave expression. Only now did Houndoom realize that Blastoise seemed to be deliberately hiding its strength.
Obviously, not just Houndoom. Both Red and Archer had noticed Blastoise's special nature.
Of course, this wasn't Blastoise deliberately hiding its strength. According to Red's guess, perhaps it was because Blastoise had long been in a state of being 'invincible under heaven,' since on Turtle Island, aside from its own subjects, no one dared to trespass.
Over time, this peaceful life had subconsciously weakened Blastoise's strength. The current Blastoise was simply using this battle to regain its original power.
Born in sorrow, die in comfort!