Aura is within my heart. This is a command, similar to a spell, chanted for advanced applications of Bo-do Power.
After speaking this phrase, Bo-do Power can be used even further, even acting upon a Pokémon to strengthen its power!
When Pikachu battled Ekans, it was enhanced by Ash's Bo-do Power.
After receiving Ash's Bo-do Power enhancement, Pikachu not only increased in strength but also gained some exclusive characteristics of Bo-do Power, such as the ability to sense an enemy's Aura.
Therefore, even in thick smoke, Pikachu could accurately hit its opponent and send them flying.
Then, by utilizing Aura, it further elevated the Thunder Shock within its body into Thunderbolt, defeating its opponent in one fell swoop.
This was the secret move Ash spoke of, a move specifically for battles.
Tactician Xiao Zhi once said that the most important aspect of Pokémon battles is information asymmetry. When there is a significant power gap between the two sides, all of our surprise moves can be key skills to reverse the outcome.
That's why Ash hadn't told Xiao Xia about this ability. She had looked down on him and Pikachu before, so when he battles Xiao Xia, he will definitely use this ability to give her a big scare!
Suddenly upgrading power in battle—isn't that surprising? Isn't that unexpected?
"By the way, Xiao Xia, what kind of organization is Team Rockets? How dare they attack an Elf Center?" Ash glanced at the bustling Elf Center, then turned to ask Xiao Xia.
Even someone as knowledge-lacking as Ash knew that Elf Centers were incredibly significant to the Alliance, and even to the entire world.
In this era where Pokémon are paramount, Pokémon medical care and recuperation are of utmost importance. Regardless of whether they are good or bad, people generally wouldn't do something like attacking an Elf Center.
After all, there's no benefit to attacking an Elf Center, unless there's an injured legendary Pokémon being treated inside, then that's another story...
But the Elf Center in Viridian City, let alone legendary Pokémon, didn't even have many rare Pokémon. Who was so bored as to attack the Elf Center?
"Team Rockets is an international criminal organization. They have many members spread all over the world, and their presence can be found in any region, but their main strongholds are still the Johto and Kanto regions. But even Team Rockets wouldn't attack an Elf Center for no reason."
At this point, Xiao Xia was also a bit confused. So what if Team Rockets was an international criminal organization?
Yes, they could indeed offend the Elf Center, but there was absolutely no need to offend it!
The Elf Center treats everyone equally, whether you're from the underworld or the legitimate world. Even wanted criminals are treated.
This is the so-called 'healer's benevolence.'
This is also why even the underworld doesn't usually provoke Elf Centers. Did Team Rockets suddenly lose their minds today? To actually cause trouble at an Elf Center.
"Forget it, we've already driven them away anyway. When Jenny comes over to take our statement, we can go to sleep. It's just a small interlude." Ash was too lazy to think about such things. Who cares why they attacked the Elf Center? They were blasted away without doing anything anyway.
This time, he also made a big splash, which was very fulfilling for a fifteen-year-old boy.
What Ash didn't expect was that this moment of glory would lead to a lifelong follower he couldn't shake off...
...
After Jenny came over and finished taking their statements, everyone returned to their rooms to sleep.
This incident was quite serious for the Alliance. As for the subsequent impact and what measures would be taken against Team Rockets, that was something the Alliance needed to consider.
Early the next morning, Ash and Xiao Xia packed their belongings and set off for Pewter City.
The first ray of golden light pierced through the mist, sweeping through the forest like a stage spotlight. Tree shadows shifted with the sun's angle, and the crisp chirping of cicadas continuously echoed through the forest.
After entering Chang Pan Forest, Xiao Xia held tightly onto Ash's clothes, her body slightly pressed against him, looking around nervously.
"I say, Xiao Xia, what exactly are you afraid of? There's clearly nothing here." Ash, whose movement was somewhat inconvenienced, said helplessly. If he was pulled like this, let alone hurrying, even walking normally would be a problem.
"There is! There are so many bugs!" Xiao Xia showed no intention of letting go, still clutching Ash tightly.
Half a day had already passed. Ash glanced at the map and roughly estimated their current location.
Pewter City was still very far away; they had only covered less than a tenth of the journey. At this rate, it would take them at least a week to reach Pewter City.
"Didn't you buy a lot of bug repellent spray? Just spray it on yourself, and those bugs won't come near you."
"Bug repellent spray can only prevent some ordinary bugs; it doesn't have much effect on Bug-type Pokémon! Who knew this cursed place had so many Bug-type Pokémon!" Xiao Xia complained unhappily.
They had walked for half a day, and Pikachu alone had already defeated as many as thirty Bug-type Pokémon, not counting some Bug-type groups they simply bypassed.
Pikachu's level had also reached the peak of ordinary due to multiple battles, and it wasn't far from the advanced level.
Before entering Chang Pan Forest, Xiao Xia had anticipated there would be many bugs here, but this was far more than she had imagined!
"It's normal for there to be many bugs in a forest, isn't it? Besides, Bug-type Pokémon actually look quite cute. What's so scary about them?"
"Don't worry about it, I just hate bugs!"
"Alright then... Pikachu, look over there!" Ash responded helplessly, his gaze casually sweeping through the forest, wanting to see if there were any more Pokémon to battle.
The next second, a figure entered Ash's sight. It was a large green bug with a pair of red antennae on its head. It was happily eating green leaves scattered on the ground.
This Pokémon was none other than the Bug-type Pokémon commonly found in every forest in Kanto—Caterpie!
"Pika Pika?" Do I have to defeat it again?
"This time it's not just about defeating it; this time, we're going to catch it!"
"What? Catch? Caterpie? Ash, are you alright? Why would you catch a Caterpie?!" Upon hearing Ash's intention to catch a Caterpie, Xiao Xia had the biggest reaction.
As someone who hated Bug-type Pokémon the most, if one were in the team day and night, Xiao Xia didn't know how much psychological trauma she would develop.
"What's wrong with Caterpie?"
"Caterpie and Weedle are widely recognized as two Pokémon that grow fast but have weak potential. If your goal, Ash, is to become a Champion, then catching such Pokémon means they will eventually be unable to keep up with your pace. At that point, you'll only be able to leave them at home for safekeeping."
Xiao Xia's words were not alarmist. The growth rate of ordinary Bug-type Pokémon is indeed very fast. For Pokémon like Caterpie and Weedle, it only takes a few days to evolve to their third stage.
However, this is only the early-stage speed. Later on, especially at levels above professional, the improvement of Pokémon like Butterfree and Beedrill becomes extremely difficult. They are typical 'fast-then-slow' type Pokémon.
Most Bug-type Pokémon are like this, which is why among the many Elite and Champions, there is only one Elite who specializes in Bug-types.