"So, Ash, what do you think your chances are against the Elite Four?" Dawn suddenly asked, zipping right up to Ash with wide, curious blue eyes.
Ash's strength had deeply impressed her. Considering his Pokémon—Mega Scizor, the Pikachu who could use Iron Tail like a "Giant Beast Slash," and Mega Sceptile, who had defeated the Legendary Suicune—Dawn was incredibly curious. Logically, she knew not to jump to conclusions, but emotionally, she felt Ash's power was unfathomable and that beating a mere Elite Four member like Lucian would be easy.
"Elite Four Lucian is very powerful!" Ash said, unable to resist teasing the blue-haired girl staring at him.
"Oh," Dawn replied, her face falling slightly, clearly disappointed that Ash felt he couldn't beat him.
"But, if I were to face him..." Seeing her reaction, Ash decided to deliver the punchline. "The result would, of course, be ten-zero..."
"No, Mr. Ash, you underestimate yourself!"
Before Ash could finish his sentence, a man with curly blue hair, pale blue glasses, and a red suit walked up, holding a book in his right hand. He glanced at the TV screen as he approached the trio.
"Gym Leader Roark once said you were an excellent trainer, and I deeply believe him. So, Mr. Ash, you shouldn't be so self-deprecating!" The man responded seriously and politely, viewing Ash with the air of a scholar.
"Wait!" Dawn looked at the man, then at the TV, and shouted, "You're Elite Four Lucian!"
"I can't believe we ran into an Elite Four member here!" Brock exclaimed, surprised.
"That's high praise, Mr. Lucian," Ash replied with a strange look, politely greeting the Elite Four member. He felt the Elite Four member had misunderstood something. The "ten-zero" score he was about to state wasn't in his favor, but...
"I apologize for overhearing your conversation," Lucian said, full of apology. "But having been introduced to such an outstanding trainer as Ash by Gym Leader Roark recently, and hearing your discussion, I couldn't help but interject."
Lucian's explanation was clear, but it made Dawn and Brock exchange strange glances. They also knew Ash's implied meaning: the "ten" in "ten-zero" was not for Lucian. However, none of the three clarified, choosing instead to introduce themselves briefly.
"Mr. Ash, would you be interested in a one-on-one battle with me? I would like to witness your strength firsthand!" Having seemingly not encountered an excellent trainer in some time, Lucian immediately proposed a challenge, which surprised all three, including Ash.
"Then I'd be honored to learn from you, Mr. Lucian!" Ash's face lit up. He had been looking for a reason to propose a challenge himself, and Lucian's direct offer saved him the trouble.
"Wow!" Brock was surprised by the Elite Four member's directness.
"Awesome! Another battle to watch!" Dawn cheered, happily following the two out of the Pokémon Center to a nearby battle facility.
"Alright..." After arriving at the battle facility, with Brock serving as the referee, Lucian threw out his Poké Ball first. "My Pokémon will be Bronzong!"
A large bronze bell stood before them. It was etched with intricate patterns, and two red eyes peeked out below the bell's mouth, with its own mouth centered between them.
"Bronzong, huh..." Seeing Lucian's main Pokémon, Ash began to consider his choice. Among his Pokémon suitable for a challenge of this magnitude, only Pikachu and Sceptile were up to the task. Snorlax and Swellow were just a step behind. Snorlax was too far behind in power due to its sleeping schedule, and while Swellow had the title "Bug Swellow," sheer willpower couldn't overcome the absolute power gap against an Elite Four-level Bronzong.
"Pikachu, I choose you!"
Ash pointed toward the opposing Bronzong, and Pikachu leaped from his shoulder, landing steadily on all fours. Its small eyes, filled with fighting spirit, locked onto the Psychic/Steel-type. Ash knew sending in his Elite Four-level, Mega-Evolving Sceptile would secure a clear victory, but Pikachu was on the verge of its own power breakthrough. He wanted to see if Pikachu could perform exceptionally again, defeat a strong opponent, and complete its breakthrough.
"Pikachu, is it?" Lucian smiled knowingly. "Since I proposed the battle, Ash, you can take the first move!"
Ash didn't hesitate, immediately commanding Pikachu: "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
A brilliant golden current of electricity flashed toward Bronzong.
"Use Psychic!"
A blue aura shimmered over the steel body of Bronzong. The Thunderbolt was intercepted the moment it touched the Pokémon and, under Lucian's guidance, was thrown right back at Pikachu.
"Use Volt Tackle!"
In the next instant, Pikachu was engulfed in shimmering lightning and charged rapidly toward Bronzong. The returned Thunderbolt was absorbed into the lightning surrounding Pikachu as it used Volt Tackle.
Pikachu transformed into an even sharper bolt of thunder, hurtling toward Bronzong.
"Use Iron Defense!"
A metallic glow quickly enveloped Bronzong's entire body. Facing the direct charge of Volt Tackle, Bronzong could only take the attack head-on.
"Use Psychic!"
As Pikachu closed in, Bronzong unleashed a terrifying Psychic energy, shrouding Pikachu to reduce the damage from Volt Tackle.
"Boom!"
After being partially worn down by the Psychic energy, Pikachu's electrical attack still landed squarely on the newly fortified Bronzong. Lucian had expected the combination of Psychic and Iron Defense to easily block Volt Tackle. Instead, Bronzong let out a cry of pain, and charred marks were left on its body from the massive electrical impact.
Lucian's surprise was evident. He looked at Ash with appreciation. "I wasn't mistaken about you. This Pikachu is even more astonishing than Roark described!"
Ash didn't reply, instead ordering Pikachu to follow up with Quick Attack and Iron Tail.
"Use Confuse Ray!"
A colorful, dazzling light radiated from Bronzong's eyes, aiming at the speeding Pikachu. Pikachu's charging speed immediately slowed down.