Everyone’s gaze was drawn to the entrance, where Joy stood gracefully, looking at them.
“I apologize, I accidentally overheard your conversation just now.”
Joy walked further inside, explaining that she had overheard them by accident.
Of course, Yu Feng, standing to the side, smiled without a word; Joy had been standing outside for a long time, likely having taken a liking to Ash, that silly boy.
“What method are you talking about?”
Ash didn’t care about anything else; he only wanted to know what method Joy was referring to.
What method could defeat Lt. Surge’s powerful Raichu? According to Lt. Surge, the Raichu he used for challengers was not even close to the strength of his main Pokémon that battled Yu Feng.
“Look, this is something I coincidentally obtained last time.”
Hearing Ash’s question, Joy took out a box that she had clipped to her apron earlier. Opening the box, it revealed a vibrant green stone with a lightning pattern in the center.
“This is a Thunder Stone!!”
As a boy from the land of stones, Brock recognized it immediately. It was indeed a rare evolution ite, a Thunder Stone, and judging by its luster and condition, Joy’s seemed to be of very good quality.
“A Thunder Stone?”
Ash, a novice with limited knowledge, didn’t know what a Thunder Stone was, so he turned his inquisitive gaze to Brock, seemingly wanting him to explain what it was.
“A Thunder Stone is an item that can evolve Pikachu into Raichu. The better its quality, the greater the boost to the evolved Pikachu.”
Seeing Ash’s eager look, Brock knew this was another blind spot in Ash’s knowledge. Although he didn’t understand why a Trainer wouldn't even know about some evolution items, Brock, with the intention of explaining, still clarified the Thunder Stone’s function for Ash.
Watching Ash’s half-comprehending expression after the explanation, Brock felt helpless, wondering if traveling like this was truly a good idea.
“So, Pikachu can become Raichu like this?”
Pikachu’s ears twitched at Ash’s words, and he looked towards Ash, very curious about what choice he would make.
“Will it be on the same level as Lt. Surge’s Raichu?”
Ash picked up the Thunder Stone and fell into deep thought. Was this truly the outcome he wanted? Should he make Pikachu evolve just to prove he could win?
“If you’re going to use the Thunder Stone, please think about it carefully.”
Seeing Ash’s indecisive look, Joy kindly reminded him, as such a decision concerned a Pokémon’s entire life.
Just as Ash was still pondering why Joy had said that, Xiao Xia had already explained for him: “Once it evolves, there’s no way to change back to its original form.”
Pokémon evolution is a one-way street, completely different from Digimon, which can de-evolve.
“There are many training methods; evolution isn’t the only way.”
Yu Feng also advised Ash, after all, if Pikachu evolved, would it still be the familiar ‘Pika-god’ they knew? Not necessarily.
Besides, there are many training methods, and evolution isn’t necessarily a good thing.
“Pikachu becoming Raichu might indeed lead to a win, but forcing an evolution just to win would make me just like Lt. Surge,” Ash muttered to himself. His heart was filled with conflict. Was evolving just to win truly what he wanted? If he did that, wouldn’t he become the same as Lt. Surge?
Rather than that, he decided to leave the decision to Pikachu itself, letting it choose whether or not to evolve. Thinking this, Ash turned and held the Thunder Stone out to Pikachu.
“Pikachu, what are your plans? I really want to defeat Lt. Surge, but I can’t make you evolve this way just for my own convenience.”
Listening to Ash’s heartfelt words, Pikachu stared intently at the Thunder Stone in his hand and struggled to stand up.
Under everyone’s gaze, it swatted the Thunder Stone from Ash’s hand with its tail. This scene made Yu Feng’s eye twitch; thankfully, he had enveloped Pikachu in a layer of Psychic energy, otherwise, that hit might have caused an immediate evolution.
“Pika, Pikachu! Pika, Pipi Pikachu, chu!”
Pikachu spoke and gestured, his words very intense, as if he wanted to express his thoughts and opinions. As he spoke, he felt that Ash and the others might not understand him, so he looked towards Yu Feng, hoping he would translate what he was saying.
“He said he wants to defeat Raichu as Pikachu. He must stay in this form, otherwise he won’t be able to get his revenge. Even if he won after evolving, this matter would still be a thorn in his heart.”
“He wants to defeat Raichu by himself; sweet victory cannot be achieved without effort.”
Seeing their gazes all on him, Yu Feng rubbed his nose and explained what Pikachu had just said to Ash and the others.
Honestly, Yu Feng highly approved of Pikachu’s mindset, but he was puzzled by Pikachu’s reluctance to rely on others. He could always ask others for help with special training.
“Alright! Then let’s work hard together, Pikachu!”
“We’ll start special training right now!”
Upon hearing Yu Feng’s explanation, Ash clenched his fist and immediately wanted to begin special training with Pikachu, just like their last challenge at Pewter Gym.
“Pika! Pika~~”
Pikachu also made a determined cheer, then, as if all his strength had been drained, he flopped back onto the hospital bed.
“Pikachu’s stamina hasn’t fully recovered yet. You just need to let him rest a little more.”
Looking at the confused Ash, Joy smiled and explained why Pikachu was so weak. He just needed a little more rest.
So, everyone quietly walked out, leaving the room to the sleeping Pikachu.
“Clunk.”
A soda bottle dropped from the machine. Xiao Xia picked it up and chugged it down.
“I remember Lt. Surge saying his Raichu evolved immediately after being caught, right?”
Brock suddenly recalled Lt. Surge’s theory that Pokémon should evolve immediately upon capture. Although he remembered it that way, he still wanted to ask the others.
“Yes, he did say that.”
Yu Feng confirmed Brock’s statement; Lt. Surge did evolve his Pokémon as soon as he caught them.
“If that’s the case, then Raichu…”
Brock seemed to want to be a riddler, a slight smirk on his lips. He seemed to already know Raichu’s weakness.
“Oh! You mean!”
Yu Teng Sheng Dai, as expected of a top student, understood his meaning without Brock having to spell it out. If Raichu had evolved immediately upon capture, then it indeed had such a drawback.
“You’re not talking about that, are you?”
Yu Feng also knew what they were referring to, but he wanted to see Ash’s inquisitive expression.
“Hey, hey, what are you guys talking about?!”
Oh, and Xiao Xia didn’t know either, which wasn’t surprising since Water-type Pokémon generally didn’t use that move.
