Chapter 59: Fierce Battle at the Abandoned Power Plant!
Unmanned Power Plant.
This place was once a bustling hub, generating enough electricity in a single day to supply the entire neighboring Hualan City for a whole week.
Over a decade ago, for reasons unknown, it was abandoned by humans.
Even Xiaoxia, a native of Hualan City, was puzzled by this. Since growing up, she had rarely heard mention of this power plant.
Gradually, human foot traffic dwindled until nearly none ventured here.
But without humans coming and going, the area naturally became a habitat for wild Pokémon, especially a large number of Electric-type Pokémon.
Ash and his companions arrived before the unmanned power plant. From the outside, it resembled a gigantic white cocoon-like structure, but the walls were covered with countless vines and weeds, clearly long abandoned.
“Huh, what’s that Pokémon?”
The trio spotted a pink, plump Pokémon standing on a small meadow near the plant’s entrance.
It wore a somewhat vacant expression, but the most striking feature was its long, wide pink tongue protruding from its mouth.
“Beep beep. Lickitung, the Tongue Pokémon. Its agile tongue can perform various complex movements. Selected among this year’s top ten most popular Pokémon (female-oriented).”
The Pokédex automatically broadcasted.
“Popular Pokémon…?”
Xiaoxia scratched her head, somewhat confused.
It looked dull and its tongue appeared wet and slimy—kind of gross. Could women really like this Pokémon?
Just as they were about to dismiss it, Brock suddenly opened his eyes wide, which suddenly sparkled brightly.
Ash asked, puzzled:
“Brock, are you going to catch that Lickitung? It doesn’t seem like a particularly charming Pokémon.”
“Hmph, you two don’t understand. The organ with the highest muscle activity in humans is the tongue. This is a remarkable phenomenon.”
Brock stuck out his own tongue, which transformed into at least thirty different shapes within three seconds, making Ash’s head spin.
Then Brock shouted with admiration:
“This is a Pokémon with a Rock-hard will!”
He released a blind Pokémon he had found at Mt. Moon.
“Go, Zubat! Use Supersonic!”
“Woo woo woo~”
Zubat emitted a strange howl, invisible sound waves radiating in ripples, enveloping the Lickitung that was still grazing.
Soon, it began staggering and wobbling.
“Wah!”
The Lickitung grew hostile, wildly whipping its tongue in an attempt to strike Zubat powerfully.
Unexpectedly, its pink tongue suddenly reversed midair and smacked its own bald head with a loud “smack.”
It fell into confusion and attacked itself.
Seeing this, the Lickitung tried to flee into a nearby bush, but Brock’s eyes snapped open again, revealing a villainous expression.
“Use Mean Look!”
Before the blind Zubat, a floating illusion of a large eyeball suddenly appeared.
Stare!
A strange light enveloped the Lickitung, forcing it to stiffly turn its head back.
No escape!
Brock waved his finger again:
“Now, use Toxic!”
Zubat darted out with agility, easily dodging the tongue attack. Its sharp teeth bit into Lickitung’s shoulder.
Plop...!
Purple bubbles indicating poisoning appeared on Lickitung’s body.
“Wah!”
The Lickitung lashed out again and, regrettably, knocked itself out of the fight.
“Good opportunity, Poké Ball!”
Brock threw a Poké Ball, and it was captured without resistance, shaking briefly before going still.
He extended his iron arm to rest Zubat on it, looking proud, his white teeth shining against his dark skin.
Clap clap clap!
Xiaoxia couldn’t help but applaud.
Brock’s smooth, flawless operation was enough for someone to study all their life.
But it was filthy, truly filthy—not only was his skin dark...
...
After this little episode ended, the three officially entered the unmanned power plant.
Pushing open the large doors, they were met with a vast open plaza stretching endlessly.
Not the narrow warehouse they had initially imagined.
Scattered around were various mechanical devices whose principles were incomprehensible to them, but most had become supports for vines and weeds, showing no signs of operation.
As the strangers approached, several dark figures suddenly darted out from behind the machines, eyeing them hostilely.
“Beep beep. Magnemite, the One-eyed Pokémon. Has a screw on top. Selected among this year’s top ten most popular Pokémon (female-oriented).”
“Beep beep. Electrode, the Safety Pokémon. Said to have evolved from discarded low-quality Poké Balls. Gentle and peaceful in nature, very safe.”
The Pokédex broadcasted.
To the left were three Magnemite, to the right three Electrode. Their stance was clearly not welcoming.
“Roar!!”
Not only that, a piercing roar followed.
A yellow Pokémon about half the height of a person leapt out, its yellow skin marked with black lightning bolts.
It swung its large fists, antenna-like organs atop its head crackling with strong electric currents.
“Beep beep. Electabuzz, the Fierce Pokémon. Powerful electricity, bad temper, but using electric attacks on it can yield unexpected results.”
The Pokédex announced.
“Looks like their leader...?”
Seeing this, Ash’s fighting spirit ignited. He desperately needed a fierce battle to vent the grief of losing his close friend.
“You’re up, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle!”
He threw out three Poké Balls, and the trio bound by long friendship appeared together.
After traveling for so many years, he already understood: though not strictly legal… when it comes to brawls, only a fool insists on one-on-one fights.
“Genie?”
Faced with the faint crackling of electricity around, one Squirtle instinctively scratched its head.
This caused some confusion.
“Oh, oh, my speed was too fast. You come back first, Genie.”
Ash quickly recalled Squirtle.
The red light of the Poké Ball flickered.
“?”
That really caused confusion.
...
The battle began. The obvious leader Electabuzz swung its hand fiercely, making a Magnemite shoot a bolt of lightning straight at them.
“Charmander, use Flamethrower!”
Boom!!
A pillar of fire instantly erupted, pushing back the lightning with ease and exploding on the Magnemite.
Highly effective!
“Roar!!”
Seeing this, Electabuzz danced with both hands, and the remaining five underlings simultaneously unleashed blue and yellow lightning, converging to strike the dragon and the turtle.
Ash’s eyes lit up brightly:
“Good timing, Charmander, use Fire Spin!”
Charmander understood immediately. Flames burst from its mouth, swirling back and forth in the air, finally forming a spiraling column of fire that engulfed the incoming lightning.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!
With a nod from Charmander, the Fire Spin moved, dragging the combined lightning to the side and crashing it into a nearby machine.
The lightning exploded harmlessly; all attacks missed.
“Roar...!”
Charmander tossed its head arrogantly, spitting a few flames.
Just trash!
Why do I feel like I’m getting stronger recently?!
Yeah, if I’m this strong, who needs a Trainer?!
Flames flickered between Charmander’s teeth, its expression gradually growing fierce. It even vaguely considered turning back to blast Ash with Flamethrower...
...
Charmander’s dominance intimidated the Magnemite and Electrode, causing them to retreat slightly.
But constrained by Electabuzz’s authority behind them, they stepped forward again.
Seeing the opponents losing their fighting spirit, Ash decided not to drain their HP and changed tactics.
Perfect chance to try this move!
“Bulbasaur, use Stun Spore!”
He commanded loudly.
Bulbasaur understood, inhaled a deep breath of fresh air, and its chin and belly suddenly swelled, looking somewhat terrifying.
The next second, from the large bulb on its back, a huge cloud of pale yellow powder blew out.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!
With powerful lung capacity, Bulbasaur instantly unleashed all its stored energy, dispersing the paralyzing spores into the air.
Lightning-fast, it enveloped the weaker Pokémon nearby.
No escape!
“Par...alyze...”
Immediately, the Magnemite and Electrode lost all ability to move, collapsing helplessly.
In this era, even Electric-type Pokémon could be paralyzed.
...
“Roar...?”
Seeing its underlings rendered powerless so quickly, Electabuzz finally lost patience. It leapt out, stepping over the dragon and turtle to beckon Ash with a gesture.
More precisely, it gestured to the Pikachu standing at Ash’s side.
Though competition among Electric-types wasn’t as fierce as among Fire-types, Electabuzz was the exception.
It hated the sycophantic Pikachu more than anything and looked like it wanted to crush it underfoot.
Seeing this, Pikachu grew resolute. It wasn’t just a useless pet!
“Pika!”
It leapt over the dragon and turtle, its cheeks crackling with electricity.
This Pikachu’s fighting spirit was no match for the weaker Pokémon.
Ash swallowed hard and quietly asked:
“Red, is this the one you said is ‘okay’?”
“Compared to ‘okay,’ it’s a raccoon.”
Red replied casually.
Ash: “...”
What’s a raccoon supposed to mean?
But whatever, charge!
Ash took a deep breath and focused on the Electabuzz before him.
Suddenly, the Pokédex’s earlier prompt echoed in his mind:
“Using electric attacks on it can yield unexpected results?”
With that in mind, he no longer hesitated and instructed Pikachu:
“Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!”
If electric attacks bring gains, then using Thunderbolt should bring explosive results!
I’m confident!
Pikachu slapped its cheeks, electricity surging instantly.
“Pika, chu!!”
The yellow lightning shot forth like an electric serpent, but Electabuzz smiled, neither dodging nor avoiding it.
Sizzle boom!!
The Thunderbolt hit perfectly, transforming into a powerful yellow energy flowing into Electabuzz’s body.
The next second, Electabuzz’s arms began spinning like motors.
Sizzle!!
Electricity buzzed atop its antenna, and its body was covered in a strange yellow energy, as if it had grown significantly lighter.
“Ash, that’s its ability, Motor Drive. When hit by Electric-type moves, its speed increases!”
Brock quickly reminded him.
Strange, according to records Electabuzz’s ability isn’t Motor Drive.
“Could it be the surrounding power devices act like electric amplifiers, indirectly changing Electabuzz’s ability?”
Brock speculated.
Electabuzz evolves with the item Electric Amplifier, and after evolution, its ability changes from Static to Motor Drive.
Here, the power devices were dilapidated, only altering its ability but not causing evolution.
Brock’s sharp gaze scanned the area and soon formed a complete hypothesis.
Ash: “...”
Hey, stop with all this nonsense. Is this the ‘unexpected result’?
Why did I trust the Pokédex?!
Wait, the Pokédex wasn’t wrong after all?
[End of page 3/3]