This Isn't a Ride to Kindergarten!
You guys beat Naruto. Congrats. 10 extra chapters coming when powerstones reset. I'm tired as I am writing this, if this doesn't get to the top of the powerstone rankings. I don't know what I'll do. Anyways, save the powerstones until then. Thank you.
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"Pika~ Pika~!"
Volkner's Pikachu, his very first partner, could sense the shift in his attitude more than anyone else.
From initial laziness to being completely absorbed in battle alongside Electivire, Volkner's buried fighting spirit had started to reignite bit by bit.
Though he wasn't fully back to his old self, he had already changed significantly from before.
That made Pikachu excited.
At the same time, its own battle instincts flared up.
After all, it had once rivaled Flint's Monferno. Its desire and enthusiasm for battle weren't any less than Flint's Infernape.
So—
Pikachu's eyes sparkled as it turned to Volkner, requesting to fight.
Volkner blinked, his expression slightly dazed.
Had he been so oblivious?
His Pokémon all loved battling this much?
Had they simply suppressed their instincts out of consideration for him?
Electivire was like that. And now, it seemed Pikachu was the same.
Taking a deep breath, Volkner nodded.
"In that case, you're up, Pikachu."
"Pika!"
Pikachu shivered with excitement, a smile spreading across its face as it patted its cheeks. Sparks flickered from its red electric sacs.
Then, it ran onto the battlefield.
Pikachu, huh?
Johan recalled Tinkaton and, after a moment of thought, threw another Poké Ball.
"Alright, I'll leave this to you—Charcadet."
"Goka!!"
Charcadet glanced at the Pokémon Egg in Gengar's arms and immediately became even more fired up.
Fetal education starts early! If the unborn little one could sense its passion, it would surely grow up to be a strong and reliable warrior!
"Charcadet?"
Volkner instinctively looked toward the stands, locking eyes with Flint.
Charcadet's burning determination reminded him of Flint's Monferno from the past.
Flint exaggeratedly wiggled his eyebrows at Volkner.
Volkner returned a confident nod.
Volkner: I understand, my friend.
Flint: No, you don't! Be careful of that Charcadet! Be very careful!
The battle continued!
"Charcadet, Flamethrower!" This time, Johan didn't wait for Volkner to act first—he took the initiative.
"Goka!"
Like a glowing ember, Charcadet's body turned red-hot as it clasped its hands together.
A surge of orange flames erupted from its palms!
The firelight reflected in Volkner's eyes.
And—
It ignited something in his heart.
A roaring pillar of flames burst forth, scorching the battlefield with an intense wave of heat!
This power…
Volkner finally understood Flint's warning glance.
But more than that—
This fire dragged him back to the past.
To when he faced off against that relentless, red-haired explosion of energy.
For the first time today, a smile appeared on Volkner's face.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack to evade—then Wild Charge!"
"Pika! Pika! Pika—!!"
A white light flashed over Pikachu's body as it deftly dodged the heart of the flames.
Then, golden electricity surged around it.
Turning sharply, it bolted toward Charcadet—switching from defense to offense!
It relied, of course, on Pikachu's innate, unrivaled speed.
"His reactions are much sharper than before. He quickly spotted a weak point in the fire and exploited it," Buck commented.
Flint grinned.
"Because that guy understands fire. I doubt anyone knows better than him how to fight a Fire-type Pokémon."
Humming—
One of Flint's Poké Balls opened on its own, and Infernape appeared beside him.
As an old friend and rival, Infernape wanted to witness Volkner's return too.
"Ku!"
"Right?"
Flint glanced at Infernape before turning his attention back to the battlefield.
"He's Volkner, after all!"
Volkner, huh?
Buck nodded slightly.
A faint smile crept onto his face.
"But his opponent is Johan!"
"Charcadet!" Johan called.
"Goka!!"
Charcadet took a deep breath.
Its eyes burned bright as waves of Aura radiated outward.
At the same time, its body glowed an even deeper red.
Whoosh!!
The fire Pikachu had seemingly dodged suddenly surged back like a living tide!
"Again…" Flint murmured.
His gaze drifted toward Infernape.
Should Fire-types really be eating charcoal?
"Ku?"
Infernape felt a sudden chill.
Meanwhile—
"Pikachu!"
Seeing the flames close in, Volkner's eyes widened.
"Pika! Pika!"
Within the inferno, Pikachu gritted its teeth, forcing itself through the blaze despite the searing pain.
Volkner had finally regained his fire.
Now wasn't the time to let him down!
"Pika~chu!!"
With sheer determination, Pikachu sprinted through the fire, slamming straight into Charcadet.
Boom!!
Charcadet was sent flying, but Pikachu also staggered upon landing, steam rising from its body as its fur turned slightly red.
It had been burned!
But its eyes remained unwavering.
Breathing heavily, Pikachu locked its gaze onto Charcadet.
"Pikachu…" Volkner murmured.
"Goka—"
Charcadet steadied itself and gave Pikachu a respectful nod.
That kind of resilience deserved recognition!
"Pikachu, Electro Ball!" Volkner commanded.
A trainer's emotions influenced their Pokémon.
But in turn, their Pokémon's emotions also influenced them.
Electivire… Pikachu…
He had trained them to this level.
He had spent every day with them.
How could he not understand their thoughts?
Especially now—
Watching Pikachu carve its way through fire.
Volkner felt something stir inside him.
Right now—
He only wanted to respond in kind.
Pikachu leaped high, gathering a golden sphere of electricity at the tip of its tail before launching it at Charcadet.
"Pika~chu!"
"The best way to counter lightning—is fire!"
Johan's eyes sharpened.
"Charcadet, Flare Blitz!"
Whoosh!!
Charcadet's plume shimmered.
Golden flames spread across its forehead before engulfing its entire body.
Boom!!
A massive explosion of dust, embers, and electric arcs filled the battlefield.
Volkner clenched his fists, eyes locked onto the blast's center.
Did Charcadet get hit?
The next second—
"Goka—!!"
Bathed in flames, Charcadet shot out of the smoke, slamming straight into Pikachu before it could react.
"Pikachu!"
Volkner rushed forward and caught Pikachu midair.
But Charcadet's momentum wasn't easy to stop.
Man and Pokémon crashed into the Gym's spectator wall.
Johan twitched.
Why were Pikachu trainers always like this?
Just because you're physically strong doesn't mean you should play reckless!
Referee, you're just gonna let this slide?!
Foul play!
But that impact—
It jolted something deep in Volkner's memory.
He remembered—
When he and Flint took on a poacher as kids.
When they lost.
When Pikachu was flung through the air.
And he had caught it in his arms, just like this.
"Pika…"
Pikachu quickly turned over, worriedly looking at Volkner.
"I'm fine."
Volkner shook his head.
Fine?
The wall was literally cracked.
He stumbled slightly but stood up, glancing at Johan with a look of apology.
"Sorry, Johan…"
Johan waved it off.
His goal had been to wake Volkner up.
Beating him up outright wouldn't work—Cynthia had already tried that, and it didn't help much.
So he had chosen Charcadet to face Pikachu.
A Fire vs. Electric battle to spark Volkner's memories.
Because fire ignites.
Both the opponent's will and one's own.
Volkner took a deep breath and nodded.
He and Pikachu locked eyes.
They didn't need words.
They had one goal—
Enjoy this battle to the fullest!
"Then… evolve, Pikachu!"
Johan: "??"
Volkner pulled out a Thunder Stone.
He had prepared this long ago but never used it.
Now—
It was the perfect time.
"Pika!!"
Without hesitation, Pikachu touched the Thunder Stone with its tail.
A radiant light burst forth.
"Rai~Rai!"
When the glow faded, Pikachu was gone.
In its place stood a larger, orange-furred Pokémon with a sleek, lightning-shaped tail—
Raichu!
Golden arcs of electricity flickered across its body.
"Rai~Rai!!"
Raichu charged back onto the battlefield.
And now—
The real fight was about to begin.
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