Rumble——
Crash——
Lt. Surge and the Giant Tentacruel continued their battle. Without going all out, it would take some time to defeat this thing. There was no other way; this Giant Tentacruel was simply too massive. To a certain extent, size was also a symbol of vitality. If someone were to stab Raichu through with a knife... that injury, scaled up to the Giant Tentacruel, would barely scratch its skin.
In fact, even if Raichu's electricity were completely drained, it would be difficult to strike a fatal blow against this colossal Tentacruel.
So Raichu was fighting with five 'power banks,' charging as it battled. As for the Voltorb, acting as power banks, they could also absorb free-floating electricity from the air to recharge themselves, in addition to Magnezone.
Although Raichu was doing all the attacking by itself, it was receiving six portions of energy replenishment. Chuckles. In short, there was no way it would run out of energy.
Between sea and sky. The lingering might of the thunder still hummed. But the outcome of the battle had already been decided. The Giant Tentacruel let out a roar of unwilling pain. Its mountain-like massive body finally lost all supporting strength, crashing onto the shattered tidal flats, splashing turbid water everywhere.
An even more astonishing change then occurred. Its suffocatingly massive body, like a punctured balloon, began to rapidly shrink at a visible rate. The terrifying energy and crimson resentment that had enveloped it rapidly receded and peeled away, ruthlessly reclaimed by some higher-level entity—a power from the deep sea, lent to it, yet now departing.
For the Sea King, Giant Dragonite, such a small stretch of beach and sea wasn't worth noticing at all. The ocean was too vast. So vast that even for the Giant Dragonite, it was immense. The vastness of the ocean is difficult for individual creatures to comprehend. So, what happened here was merely a small matter to it. Since it was over, it was no longer worth paying attention to. Granting power and offering a chance to fight back... that was already more than enough. So, after losing, it decisively departed.
"Ugh..."
The Tentacruel, shrunken back to its normal size, collapsed limply in the muddy water, emitting a weak and desperate lament. It struggled to lift its head, gazing at the familiar yet ravaged coast, its compound eyes filled with confusion and reluctance. It didn't want to leave this home where it had lived for generations, but the reality of defeat and the loss of its power left it with only helpless sorrow.
"Whoosh——"
Magnezone carried Lt. Surge, landing steadily beside Ash. The Gym Leader roughly removed his tactical goggles. Beneath his dazzling golden hair was an unconcealed triumphant smile.
"Hahahahahahaha——"
"How was that, boy~ Did you see clearly?"
"This is the power of me and my partners!"
"I won!"
He slapped Ash's shoulder forcefully, his booming voice filled with the exhilaration of victory.
"Indeed..." Ash also decisively admitted. Lt. Surge's performance was truly strong and responsible... this was a Gym Leader's power and duty.
"So this is what a Gym Leader-level battle is like?"
"A more flexible, higher-level application of power..." Ash himself had considered this, just like how Pikachu once linked two different moves together. But such things are easy to think about, yet difficult to achieve.
"It's not just that~~" Lt. Surge's mouth curved up in triumph. He hadn't been too bothered by Ash's earlier mockery... but that didn't mean he was completely unconcerned.
"Boy~"
"My Raichu, its power is not limited to just that."
"Although Raichu is the final evolution of Pikachu, this is merely its final form in a natural state."
"As my best friend,"
"my Raichu still has a further form~"
"It's the proof of our bond!"
"This is a physiological limitation, something Pikachu can never achieve~"
Even so, Lt. Surge held back, not revealing his full hand.
"Hmph~" Ash crossed his arms. "I also believe in my partner."
"Whether it evolves or not,"
"my aibo will not be inferior in power~"
Ash finished speaking and looked at Lt. Surge. Those with different paths do not conspire together. Even if Pikachu can't Mega Evolve, we can still reach the pinnacle!
"Pika!" Pikachu enthusiastically raised its hand in agreement; it didn't want to evolve at all.
"Hahahahaha!" Lt. Surge didn't mind. "Everyone has their own path. Keep walking, and reaching the end is what's right."
"Boy, you can think about those things later on your own."
Lt. Surge thought it was a good thing that Ash didn't listen to him. People too easily swayed by external opinions, lacking the resolve to persevere, cannot progress further. To go further, a Trainer and their Pokémon must work together with a shared heart, sincerely agreeing and making the same choices. This is—the gap in willpower.
Just then.
On that black reef.
The emerald Zygarde Cell body glowed softly. A cold voice once again resonated directly in everyone's minds:
[ Battle concluded. ]
[ Victor: Human side - Vermilion Gym's Lt. Surge. ]
[ Losers must fulfill the agreement: migrate immediately, never again disturbing this coast. ]
[ Rules... must be obeyed. ]
An invisible pressure enveloped the listless Tentacruel and the equally withered Tentacool swarm that had resurfaced behind it. The command to migrate was like a final judgment.
Ash looked at the ravaged coast, then at the jellyfish, who seemed especially helpless after losing their power, and suddenly asked:
"Mr. Surge, is this sea area... very important to Vermilion City?"
Ash had an idea. An idea very much in line with this world's tone.
"Important?" Lt. Surge raised an eyebrow, casually digging in his ear, appearing completely unconcerned.
"Not a damn bit important!"
"Vermilion City already has commercial beaches, there are only so many tourists, so hotels built here wouldn't have anyone staying in them!"
Lt. Surge knew very well that to attract high-end clients, his Pokémon Club was still the way to go.
"This rotten place, Old Lady Kin was just throwing money around trying to stir up something new."
He glanced at the trembling jellyfish: "What, kid, you got an idea?"
Ash took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the Zygarde Cell body and the frightened jellyfish, and proposed a bold concept:
"Since the development value of this coast isn't great to begin with, and they merely want a place to live... can we fulfill the agreement in a different way?"
"For example... right here, build a [Jellyfish Theme Park Hotel]?"
"Let these Tentacruel and Tentacool become the hotel's special 'employees' and 'attractions'."
"They could live freely in this sea area, even interacting with tourists in a limited, safe manner."
"Using this method to exchange for their 'right' to stay here?"
If possible, Ash still wanted to see humans and Pokémon coexist harmoniously. Some things didn't need to be taken to extremes. Even if the agreement was fulfilled, the winning side didn't necessarily have to enforce it, right? But such a thing certainly couldn't be done at another's expense. After all, Lt. Surge had fought hard and won. Only with Lt. Surge's agreement would it be feasible. If Lt. Surge disagreed... Ash couldn't decide for him.
After listening, Lt. Surge stroked his prickly chin and grinned: "Heh! Interesting!"
"Make Pokémon work for their habitat?"
"You kid, your mind works fast!"
"Alright, I don't care!"
"Anyway, this place is just sitting empty; a new idea is better than letting it rot!"
Of course, Lt. Surge wasn't simply listening to Ash's suggestion on a whim. He had also considered the influence of the Giant Dragonite. Since the Sea King, Giant Dragonite, had already been here, Vermilion City definitely needed to show some consideration. The Giant Dragonite might not need it, but Vermilion City couldn't fail to make a gesture. The Sea King, Giant Dragonite, was not like the absolutely neutral Zygarde. This was the conclusion Lt. Surge reached from his position as Vermilion City's protector.
—No one would really think he's brainless, right?
—He's crude in behavior, not reckless.
As the saying goes: 'A fierce tiger in the heart will still sniff a rose carefully.' As a competent Trainer, Lt. Surge naturally loved Pokémon. Even in strict Gym battles, he would at most injure, never kill.
With Lt. Surge's agreement.
Ash gathered his courage and turned his gaze towards the reef: "Zygarde... Arbitrator."
"Does such a plan conform to the 'Order' you uphold?"
"It fulfills the agreement that the defeated must pay a price, avoids their suffering from forced migration, and perhaps... can even create a new balance?"
The emerald cell body hovered silently, shimmering with a faint light, seemingly evaluating the proposal's reasonableness. Moments later, the cold voice sounded again, but seemed to carry a hint of imperceptible... acquiescence?
The Zygarde Cell looked at Ash, recording his appearance.
「...Proposal... does not violate established rules...」
「...Negotiation... granted...」
Having received permission.
Ash immediately looked at the lead Tentacruel, conveying the proposal with the clearest and simplest intent and gestures possible: "Stay... work... in exchange for home... okay?"
Unexpectedly, the Tentacruel and its colony showed almost no hesitation. For wild Pokémon, the victor's right to dominate the defeated is a law ingrained in their instincts. Obeying the arrangements of the strong is a matter of course, especially when that arrangement allows them to remain in their homeland.
"Ugh!"
"Tentacool!"
The Tentacruel struggled to raise its head, emitting a cry of agreement, and the Tentacool swarm behind it also surfaced, giving soft echoing sounds, filled with relief at surviving the ordeal and joy at keeping their home. Everything thus concluded. Truly, congratulations are in order, congratulations indeed. As for certain unimportant people who don't need attention, no further focus is required.
____
New Story: Stardew Valley: What Do You Mean They All Became My Servants
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