Golbat
Attribute: Poison, Flying
Category: Bat Pokémon
Ability: Inner focus
Hidden Ability: Infiltrator
Inner focus : Prevents the Pokémon from flinching.
Strength: Bronze
Seeing Golbat's strength, Ash was a little surprised. Janine was younger than him and not yet an official trainer, but she already had an Bronze-level Pokémon.
Considering Janine's family background as part of the Fuchsia City Ninja clan, and her father being close to the Elite Four, it wasn't entirely impossible.
"Pikachu, I choose you." Ash adjusted his hat and instructed Pikachu.
"Pika!" Pikachu, eager to battle after missing the Gym challenge, jumped onto the battlefield, electricity crackling around its cheeks.
"Pikachu..." Seeing Pikachu, Janine felt a bit pressured. Pikachu's Electric-type was strong against Golbat.
"But... I've faced this before, and I believe in myself!" Janine bit her lip, determined. Her opponent was recognized by her father, so she couldn't be careless.
"Battle—start!" Brock announced.
"Golbat, use Quick Attack!" Janine commanded, clenching her fists.
"Screech!" Golbat, enveloped in energy, charged towards Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Ash, gauging Golbat's strength, knew Pikachu could win even with Thunderbolt. However, he chose Quick Attack to prolong the battle and not discourage Janine.
"Pika!" Pikachu, a bit surprised by the order, obeyed.
Both Pokémon, cloaked in energy, clashed repeatedly. After three collisions, Golbat was knocked back, its energy dissipating.
"Impossible!" Janine was shocked. Golbat's species strength should have been superior.
Brock and Misty weren't surprised, knowing Pikachu's exceptional abilities. However, Aya and the students were astonished by Golbat's disadvantage.
Janine, abandoning direct attacks, used Supersonic and Haze to confuse and obscure Pikachu.
However, Pikachu, with its growing connection to the Winged Dragon of Ra, was resistant to status conditions.
With tactics failing, Janine lost her advantage, and Golbat was eventually defeated by Thunderbolt.
Undeterred, Janine sent out Weezing, followed by Arbok. However, neither could match Pikachu's strength, even with Ash holding back.
"Arbok is unable to battle, and Pikachu wins! Janine has lost three Pokémon, so Ash is the victor!" Brock announced the result, feeling a bit sorry for Janine.
"If that's all... we'll be going." Ash said, Pikachu returning to his shoulder.
Janine remained silent, tears welling up in her eyes.
"You weren't serious, were you?" Janine asked, her voice filled with unwillingness.
Ash wanted to say something but couldn't deny it.
"Next time... next time..." Janine clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white.
"Next time! I'll make you battle me with all your strength! And I'll beat you!" Janine declared, turning and running away, tears finally falling.
For the first time, she realized the true meaning of strength and the gap between herself and a true genius.
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