"My Pidgeotto wouldn't dare be so unfocused when sparring with me," the azure Scyther sneered, its voice a series of sharp, disdainful clicks. "Where do you find the courage?"
Pikachu scrambled back, its heart pounding. It knew Scyther was serious. If it hadn't dodged in time, that last attack would have been lethal.
"Slow reactions, hesitant movements, distracted in battle..." Scyther's expression grew grim. "A fool like you has no right to take combat seriously!"
It unleashed a powerful aura, and countless sharp blades of wind shot from its scythes, boxing Pikachu in. Cold sweat dripped from the electric mouse's brow. It was terrified. For a fleeting moment, it thought of giving up.
(What do I do?! This guy really wants to kill me!)
"Giving up already?" Scyther taunted, its eyes flashing with displeasure. "Is your desire for revenge so small? Or do you simply lack the courage to become strong?" It shot a meaningful glance at Red, who gave a silent, almost imperceptible nod. Understanding his master's intent, Scyther set aside its personal disdain for the weak and focused on the lesson.
"Brother, isn't this too harsh?" Ash pleaded, unable to watch his partner be tormented like this.
"Ash!" Red's voice was sharp, cutting through his brother's worry. "Do you think you can win battles just by shouting a few passionate words? If you and Pikachu continue with this childish mindset, you won't even defeat Lt. Surge, let alone become a Pokémon Master!"
The reprimand silenced Ash. He knew his brother was right.
"Why don't you just give up?" Scyther sneered, pressing the attack. "Isn't it better to be a pampered pet than a failed warrior? The battlefield is no place for weaklings like you!"
It swung its arms, merging two wind blades into one massive projectile that shot toward the injured, cornered Pikachu.
Fear, reluctance, and a desperate desire to be stronger all collided in Pikachu's heart. At that final moment, something snapped. With a defiant roar, it unleashed a powerful current of electricity from its entire body, a raw, uncontrolled shield of lightning to meet the incoming attack.
(He's finally done it,) Scyther thought, a flicker of relief in its eyes. It used Agility, placing itself directly in the path of its own attack and taking the full force of the wind blade.
"Why did you...?" Pikachu stared, unable to believe the indifferent Scyther had just saved it.
"Hmph! Don't get the wrong idea!" Scyther grunted, shattering the remnants of its attack with Brick Break. It looked at Pikachu with the same cold expression as before. "I was just carrying out my master's mission."
"Barely a pass," Red announced calmly. "But you still have more training to do."
Ash and Pikachu, who had been ecstatic just a moment before, both slumped their shoulders in unison.
The next day, a re-energized Ash and Pikachu arrived at the Vermilion Gym, their confidence restored. Red, Misty, and Brock accompanied them, ready to witness a triumphant victory.
Lt. Surge saw them arrive, and his eyes immediately found Red. He instinctively flinched, the memory of his crushing defeat still fresh. But when he saw the newfound fire in Ash and Pikachu, he nodded, agreeing to the rematch. He still didn't believe a mere Pikachu could defeat his Raichu, but he would not underestimate them again.
"Go, Pikachu!"
"Go, Raichu!"
Pikachu shot forward, engaging Raichu in close combat. Raichu swung its powerful tail, but Pikachu deftly dodged the attack. The larger mouse was stunned; yesterday's "little baby" had become impossibly agile overnight.
"Raichu, Body Slam!" Surge commanded rashly.
"Pikachu, use Agility!"
Pikachu became a blur of yellow light, moving at high speed across the battlefield. Raichu looked around in confusion, completely unable to track its opponent.
"Damn it! Raichu, use Thunderbolt! Cover the entire field! I refuse to believe you can't hit it!" Surge roared.
Raichu stood its ground and unleashed a massive, indiscriminate wave of electricity that filled the entire gym, shattering the overhead lights. Confident he had won, Surge ordered his Pokémon to stop.
"Pikachu!" Ash cried out in distress.
But as the smoke cleared, Pikachu stood completely unharmed. Its tail was plunged deep into the gym floor, forming a natural grounding rod that had channeled all of Raichu's electricity safely into the earth.
"I see! What a brilliant idea!" Brock praised.
"Now's the time for a counterattack!" Red reminded his brother.
Ash immediately commanded Pikachu to attack. It shot forward with Quick Attack, knocking Raichu off balance, then twisted its body and slammed its tail into Raichu's face.
"Iron Tail!" Misty and Brock shouted in unison. It was a move Red had forced Pikachu to learn, a way to turn its tail from a simple "decoration" into a potent weapon.
"How is that possible?! Raichu, use Thunderbolt, quick!" Surge yelled, his desperation growing.
But Raichu, having expended all its energy on the previous attack, was completely drained. It panted, unable to summon even a single spark.
"Good opportunity, Pikachu! Let's show 'em our Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted excitedly.
"Pika—CHUUU!"
Pikachu unleashed its own powerful electric attack. The full force of the blow slammed into the exhausted Raichu, which convulsed for a moment before collapsing to the ground.
"Raichu is unable to battle! The winner of this match is Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!" the referee declared.
"Yay! Pikachu, we won!" Ash cheered, hugging his partner.
(It seems I evolved Raichu too early...) Surge thought, finally realizing his Pokémon's weakness. After handing the Orange Badge to a victorious Ash, he decided to temporarily close his gym to properly train his Raichu's speed. The future challengers of Vermilion City would not have such an easy time.
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