Chapter Nine: He Understands Pokémon Better Than I Do

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Nibi City Pokémon Center.

Ash sat there, head bowed and dejected, his expression starkly different from the confident demeanor he had just ten minutes ago.

“Ash, are you alright?” Misty and Uncle Wuteng approached, and seeing this scene, they somewhat guessed the omitted events prior.

Clearly, the novice had been harshly beaten by reality.

Pikachu’s proud Thunder Shock had absolutely no effect on that Pokémon called Onix. Then it was ensnared by Onix’s Rock Bind, squeezed nearly to suffocation, and soon rendered unable to continue the battle.

Losing his first official Gym battle was a huge blow to Ash.

“I was too arrogant...” Ash muttered softly.

Having just defeated a Bug Catcher and the Rocket Team, he had grown a bit cocky.

But now, the key was how to defeat the man named Brock—something Ash was determined not to give up on.

Deep within, the spirit of Red sensed his emotions, feeling his guilt and frustration.

But more than that, it was the rekindled fighting spirit that brought a comforting smile to his face.

For rookies, being harshly beaten early on is a good thing; it strengthens their resolve.

Just like when Red first experienced defeat, it laid a solid foundation for him to become the strongest.

“Come to think of it, who did I lose to the first time...?” Red pondered silently for a long while before realizing.

“Oh right, I don’t think I ever lost.” He chuckled.

Still, that didn’t mean he couldn’t understand Ash’s predicament.

Now, existing in this state between life and death, parasitically residing within Ash, Red planned to find a day to have a proper chat with him. He couldn’t just linger in his mind forever.

One or two years might be manageable.

But if he had to watch Ash get married and raise a family twenty years from now, live-streaming it all? That was absolutely unacceptable to Red.

...

Back to reality, Misty couldn’t help but suggest:

“How about I lend you a Water-type Pokémon? That should make it easier.”

“No, I want to use my own strength!” Ash immediately refused her offer.

He believed in Pikachu’s power. Even if it couldn’t defeat Onix now, with continuous training, one day it would overturn the odds.

Borrowing a Pokémon from others would mean admitting defeat to Pikachu, which Ash was unwilling to do.

But how to defeat Brock—that was a big question.

...

Just as he was lost in thought, the Pokédex hanging at his waist suddenly emitted a mechanical beep.

“Beep beep. Pikachu can learn the move Steel Tail.”

“Steel Tail?” Ash rubbed his head, clearly unfamiliar with the move.

But Uncle Wuteng, having traveled as a trainer across regions for over twenty years, was knowledgeable.

“Steel Tail is a Steel-type move, a relatively new type that emerged in the neighboring Johto region in recent years. It does significant damage to Onix.”

Hearing this, Ash suddenly stood up, his eyes ignited with an unquenchable fire.

“Then it’s decided—let Pikachu learn Steel Tail!”

“Cough cough, but how are you going to teach Pikachu Steel Tail?” Uncle Wuteng asked.

“Isn’t it just a matter of shouting and Pikachu moving its tail to learn?” Ash replied confidently.

Uncle Wuteng and Misty exchanged looks.

“Learning a new move isn’t that simple! Especially Steel Tail—it’s a powerful move with a high learning curve, young man!” Uncle Wuteng said, frowning as he began to explain.

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“There are generally three ways to learn a new move. First, through a TM (Technical Machine), but those are expensive and only sold in large city department stores.”

“Second, by learning from other Pokémon through observation and imitation.”

“And third, by having enough talent to figure it out on your own...”

Without hesitation, Ash took the lead: “Then it’s the third way. My Pikachu has extraordinary bones and exceptional talent.”

Uncle Wuteng felt a headache coming—was this trainer out of his mind?

Rubbing his temple, he slowly offered a suggestion.

“In any case, Steel Tail isn’t something Pikachu can master quickly, but I have a way to rapidly boost Pikachu’s battle power in a short time.”

“That settles it then!” Ash didn’t hesitate.

The three waited on the spot for about ten minutes until Pikachu was discharged from the center fully healed, then hurried toward the outskirts of Nibi City.

Pikachu’s body felt like it had been pumped with steroids and was now at full strength.

Coincidentally, Ash spotted a large rock along the way, and suddenly an idea struck him. He immediately commanded:

“Pikachu, use Steel Tail on that rock!”

“Pika...?” Pikachu turned its head a full 180 degrees, eyes wide with a blank expression as if to say, “You’re really putting me through this.”

“Just believe in yourself. Imagine your tail is made of steel—you can do it!” Ash encouraged wildly.

Misty and Uncle Wuteng exchanged glances.

At Ash’s urging, Pikachu’s gaze hardened. Without hesitation, the short-legged Pokémon leapt high, and with a sharp cry, swung its tail horizontally against the rock.

*Smack!*

The strong, crisp slap echoed like a whip, leaving a bold white mark across the rock’s surface.

“Beep beep. Pikachu learned a new move: Tackle.”

The Pokédex automatically announced.

Misty and Uncle Wuteng: “???”

Is this really how new moves are learned now?!

Everyone shook their heads. Steel Tail should coat the tail with a metallic sheen and have the power to cut through metal and stone.

This new move, Tackle, wasn’t powerful enough yet—certainly not enough to defeat Onix.

But learning a new move was an unexpected surprise.

...

Outskirts of Nibi City.

The trio arrived at a simple wooden hut, behind which flowed a river with a small waterfall.

“Alright, let me explain. This is a hydroelectric generator. The waterfall’s force turns the waterwheel. According to the right-hand rule, this cuts magnetic field lines to generate electricity,” Uncle Wuteng said, pulling out two wires from inside the hut.

“Then, by attaching these two charging wires to Pikachu’s electric sacs, we can channel electricity into it, filling its energy to the brim and greatly boosting its Thunder Shock power in a short time.”

“I don’t quite understand, but it sounds reasonable.”

Ash looked at Pikachu.

“Well, want to give it a try?”

“Pika!” Pikachu clenched its tiny fists, brimming with enthusiasm, sparks flying from its cheeks.

It was deeply humiliated by its defeat to Onix.

After all, Pikachu admired Red’s round-faced Pikachu as a role model and harbored the ambitious dream of one day defeating Onix together.

And now, it had lost right out of the gate.

Such frustration was unbearable for a mouse Pokémon!

“By the way... this waterfall seems pretty pathetic,” Misty said, walking around to the back. The water flow was extremely low.

It was so weak that even the weakest Magikarp could probably leap over it with a Splash.

Uncle Wuteng chuckled, explaining:

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“It’s the dry season, so the waterfall isn’t very strong. But I see the strong bond between you and Pikachu—totally enough to generate electricity with just love.”

“Good Pikachu! We’ll use love to generate electricity and aim to fully charge you by tonight so we can get revenge tomorrow!” Ash’s blood boiled with excitement as he leapt onto the waterwheel.

Grasping the handle, he shouted and pushed on the pedals, exerting power with his thighs and back.

*Gurgle gurgle!!*

The large waterwheel began to turn slowly but steadily.

...

“This kid’s physical strength is terrifying...” Uncle Wuteng was secretly amazed.

How could a ten-year-old have such unbelievable power?

When he spoke of generating electricity with love, he actually meant ‘earning a meal.’

Just pay him, and he’d send his mother Machoke to help turn the wheel.

He hadn’t expected Ash to be so reckless!

Uncle Wuteng quickly attached the two wires to Pikachu’s cheeks and secured them with insulating tape to prevent stray currents.

*Zzzzzz...*

As the waterwheel turned, electricity flowed through the wires into Pikachu’s cheeks, fully absorbed by its electric sacs.

Who says the Static ability can’t store electricity?

“The harder you work, the luckier you get!” Ash cheered loudly, pumping himself up.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed the waterwheel into overdrive, spinning it faster and faster!

“Pika...”

Electricity surged continuously into Pikachu through the wires, boosting the energy stored within its small body...

...

...

“Too impatient...” Red sensed everything around and sighed.

Learning a new move is not something done in a short time.

Moreover, relying on an external generator to charge Pikachu is like forcing growth—if it were a Pokémon with a weaker foundation, it would be exhausting its potential and unable to recover, completely drained.

Perhaps because Red was merely a fragment of code from the electronic world, he realized he could communicate with Ash’s Pokédex.

That was why he subtly hinted at the correct path earlier.

Train well, master Steel Tail, then challenge the Gym. Defeat opponents through perfect type advantages—that’s what a qualified trainer should do.

Using love to generate electricity only causes unnecessary suffering to Pikachu with no real benefit.

*Rumble!!!*

Suddenly, a terrifying thunderclap interrupted Red’s thoughts.

Following Ash’s gaze, he saw a dazzling golden light shooting into the sky, as if piercing the heavens.

The fierce electric explosion illuminated the entire outskirts of Nibi City.

“Pika!”

Pikachu’s cheeks sparked with powerful electricity, its eyes sharp and movements strong—clearly at its peak.

“Beep beep. Pikachu learned a new move: Thunderbolt.”

The Pokédex announced automatically.

Even the usually silent Red widened his eyes in shock, staring at the scene in disbelief.

Oh.

So this kid knows Pokémon better than I do?

Well then... no worries.

...

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