"Raichu? Isn't that the evolved form of Pikachu? Is that Gym Leader really that bad to lose with an evolved form?"
"Isn't it possible that the boy is just too strong? The Vermilion City Gym Leader's Raichu is at Professional Level!"
"Professional Level!!!"
"..."
News about Ash slowly spread among the crowd, and there were gasps of surprise. The scorching heat from the sun seemed to lessen a bit.
Everyone thought having someone like Gary among the rookies was already crazy enough, but it turns out there's another equally extraordinary newcomer.
Where did these two come from?
To pass through three Gyms in a month is already extraordinary. On top of that, one even defeated a Gym Leader's Professional Level Pokemon. How incredible is their talent!
Not even Leon could have achieved this, right?
...
On the field, Gary recalled his Wartortle, looking somewhat dissatisfied. In his life, he hadn't lost to Ash many times, and unexpectedly, this trip hit him hard!
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't pinpoint the issue. His Starter Pokemon was Squirtle, and all resources were in place. Even though he traveled by car, he never skipped training and saved time by not walking.
In any case, he should have been stronger than Ash!
Yet Ash's Pikachu is already Elite Level, while his Wartortle only reached the Advanced Peak after evolving.
What's the logic in that?
"Gary, you lost this time. Did you see how awesome my Pikachu is now? Do you still look down on him?" Ash walked up to Gary triumphantly, clearly smug.
Usually, Gary is the one boasting, but now it's finally Ash's turn!
Everyone has their turn; today it's mine!
"Hmph, just temporary luck, don't confuse temporary with forever. I lost this time; next time I'll win it back. You just wait." Gary gritted his teeth, trying to keep a calm expression.
But from his tone, you could tell he was clenching his molars so hard they were about to shatter.
"Tsk, never mind about the future. Just admit I won this time! Today's battle has to be recorded, Ash unbeaten against Gary in their travels~~"
Gary: ...
Show some decency, talking about unbeaten when there's only been one battle; anyone would think you're always winning against me.
Who taught you this tricky wordplay? Bring back that honest and naive Ash!
"Tsk, for now, I'll let you get ahead; next time will be my turn. That strange move from your Pikachu, I'll find a way to seal it." Gary pouted.
If it weren't for his big mouth, Ash only intended to use his regular Pikachu in battle. Without the speed-enhancing move Zippy Zap, going up against that combo-using Wartortle was quite tricky.
But when Pikachu entered Partner Mode, they weren't even in the same league.
The Zippy Zap move is just too overpowered. Fast start, quick speed, considerable power, and can somewhat ignore the opponent's defense boosts. It's hard to imagine how such a broken move ended up on Pikachu.
Besides Zippy Zap, Partner Mode boosts all of Pikachu's abilities by one level, and its level by a small tier. The enhanced Pikachu isn't in the same league as before.
So, the reason why Gary got beaten so badly in this battle was all because of his trash-talking provoking Pikachu. Otherwise, the victory would be more like 60-40.
"Let's wait for our next battle... Speaking of which, am I the Defender now? What's the prize for ten consecutive wins?" Ash looked around at the lively scene, only now realizing it.
He had turned from a Defender to a Challenger, and winning ten consecutive matches would earn him a prize.
Enthralled by the battle against Gary, Ash didn't pay attention to what the prize was.
"It's a golden orb. I've never seen it before, but it looks like an item related to Electric Type Pokemon. Look, it's over there." Gary pointed into the distance.
At a high point surrounded by spectators sat some officials from the Acapulco Resort, who organized the competition.
On the display beside them, a golden orb under a glass cover shone with a clover-like mark in the center, and a strange rune inside.
No wonder Gary said it might be meant for Electric Type Pokemon. The color resembles lightning, plus Ash's Aura Power could sense the strong electric energy within the orb.
However, as Ash looked closely at the orb, his expression began to change rapidly.
"That thing is..."
"Ash, do you recognize that thing?" Gary asked strangely.
From Ash's look, it seemed like he knew the orb, but how come Ash knew it when even Gary didn't?
How many things has Ash learned in this month of travel?
"I think I do. If I'm not mistaken, it should be... a Light Ball."
"Light Ball? What's that?" Gary furrowed his brow, searching his mind but found no information.
He knew plenty, but not everything. Maybe his grandfather would know.
But what Gary couldn't accept was why Ash knew about an item he didn't?
Damn, has he unknowingly fallen so far behind Ash?
"A Light Ball is an exclusive item for Pikachu. To think it would be here, what a stroke of luck!" Ash was filled with excitement in his words and expressions. If they weren't in public, he'd probably be jumping with joy!
A Light Ball was something the group big shots told him to keep an eye out for, and it unexpectedly appeared before him like this.
The item was useless for other Pokemon, but for Pikachu, it would transform its strength!
The item's effect is simple, it doubles Pikachu's dual attack stats!
Simple yet powerful!
Doubling the dual attack stats: that's like having used a Sword Dance or Nasty Plot innately.
This doubling applies to the base value, so using Nasty Plot on top of this would quadruple Pikachu's base Special Attack!
Four times!!!
When Ash heard the big shots mention Pikachu has such an item, he was stunned.
Should such an item even exist in this world?
No matter what, if his Pikachu uses a Light Ball, enters Partner Mode, performs Aura Fusion, and unleashes Nasty Plot...
Even a Professional Peak would be easily defeated!!!
He could defeat someone two levels above!
This is the enhancement the Light Ball offers Pikachu.
Ash's eyes burned with fiery determination. After beating Gary, he only intended to casually defend the position, not aiming for a winning streak.
But since the prize is a Light Ball, he can't afford to miss it!
Nobody can stop his ten consecutive wins; whoever comes will face defeat!!
Gary watched Ash's fighting spirit ignite and drew back slightly. He's seen Ash in this state before: rabid-like. He had many questions for Ash but decided to leave them for later.
The Light Ball item is clearly important to Ash, so he'd talk after Ash obtains it.
"Good luck; after defeating me, you've got one win. Just need nine more to get that item. I'm heading off." Gary said, waving as he merged into the crowd...