Chapter 12: Midnight Recharging
On the outskirts of Pewter City stood a three-story detached house, surrounded by fresh green shrubs and blooming flowers.
This was the home of Pewter Gym's Trainer—Brock.
After handing out the candies he had bought earlier to Brock's younger siblings, Ash sat at the dining table, chatting with him.
Brock's oldest younger brother, Forrest, sat on the living room sofa with the other children, all quietly snacking on sweets while watching television.
"Sorry it's a little crowded at home," Brock said with an apologetic smile, wearing a pink apron while cooking dinner at the stove.
"You take care of all these siblings by yourself?"
Ash asked, holding Pikachu in his arms.
"My parents are traveling, so things have been busier these past few days.
Normally it's not that bad.
Besides, Forrest and the others help out too, so it isn't as hard as it looks."
Brock replied with an easy, steady tone.
"That's already amazing," Ash said from the heart.
"Haha, well… to be honest, doing housework does make it hard to focus on Gym duties."
Brock sighed lightly.
"I really hope I can meet a mature older sister-type someday—someone who can share these responsibilities with me."
"Why specifically an older girl?"
Ash suddenly thought of Serena far away in Kalos.
"If you really like someone, even a cute and cheerful girl can grow into someone mature, right?"
"No, no, no, my brother—you still don't understand love."
Brock shook his head as he poured the cream soup into a pot.
"A girl is a girl. A flower should remain a flower, and a tree should remain a tree.
You must love her exactly as she is.
That's why I like mature older women—they're like fine aged wine. Only with enough years do they show their true aroma."
Ash's mouth twitched.
That was the most elegant way he had ever heard someone justify being, frankly… a total flirt.
You just like older women… I'm too embarassed to even expose you…
But Brock had grown up with a lack of motherly affection.
His fixation was… understandable.
Ash could only silently wish: Hope he finds happiness…
Soon, Brock brought out a full table of dishes.
Beef and potato stew, hamburger steak, fried chicken drumsticks, snowy sweet bean paste, vegetable salad, and creamy mushroom soup—
Every single dish looked nostalgically familiar to Ash.
The siblings—near clones of Brock in miniature—gathered happily around the table, noisily enjoying dinner together.
Ash ate each bite with unusual care, as though he wanted to etch the taste into his memory.
Brock looked puzzled as he watched him.
After the meal, Ash saw all the children lining up for baths.
Not wanting to make Brock's evening even busier, he politely excused himself and decided to stay at the Pokémon Center.
At the door, Brock asked curiously,
"Did the food not suit your taste earlier?"
Ash shook his head earnestly.
"Everything was delicious, Brock. Thank you for the meal…"
"Ah, don't mention it. As long as you liked it.
You were eating so slowly, I thought maybe it didn't agree with you."
Brock laughed in relief.
"No, it's just… the dishes tasted a lot like what a close friend of mine used to make.
I probably won't get to eat his cooking again, so I wanted to remember the flavor."
Ash said softly.
"I see…"
Brock fell silent for a moment, then asked gently,
"That friend… was he important to you?"
"…Like an older brother."
Ash met Brock's eyes sincerely.
"We won't meet again, but everything he did for me—I'll never forget."
Brock's expression softened.
He patted Ash's shoulder warmly.
"This might be abrupt, but… if you ever want to eat those dishes again, come to my house anytime.
I'll cook them for you—my best dishes."
Ash brightened instantly.
"It's a promise! I'll definitely come!"
"I'll welcome you anytime,"
Brock said with a smile, waving goodbye.
After parting with Brock, Ash wandered under the streetlights along the quiet outskirts of Pewter City.
Returning to a place he once knew brought a different kind of emotion.
"Pika… pikaaa."
Pikachu, sensing Ash's swirling thoughts, gently rubbed its cheek against his.
"Yeah… I still have you.
Thank you, Pikachu."
Ash smiled softly, hugging Pikachu close.
"Pika-chu~"
Pikachu smiled sweetly, watching the sparkling night sky with Ash.
After walking for a while, Ash suddenly stopped—stunned.
Before him stood a familiar bridge… a dried-up creek… an old cabin… and the wooden waterwheel.
How did I end up here?
"Pika?"
Pikachu looked curiously at the cabin and waterwheel.
"Pikachu, remember how I kept saying I'd recharge you?
This is the place."
Ash explained with a gentle sigh.
"It might feel uncomfortable…
Want to try?"
In the past, Ash seldom let Pikachu overuse Thunderbolt, and preferred moves like Electroweb.
Partly because Electroweb used less stamina.
But more importantly—Pikachu's stored electricity capacity wasn't exceptionally high.
As Pikachu aged and used stronger electrical attacks, the cheek sacs that stored electricity would gradually expand.
But if Pikachu wanted to rapidly increase its storage capacity, there was only one method:
High-voltage charging.
Forcefully raising Pikachu's internal charge.
The benefits were obvious—
Electrical moves would grow stronger, and Pikachu could unleash big attacks more frequently.
But the process was like an athlete pushing past their physical limits—intense and painful.
That was why Ash had never brought it up before.
He wasn't the reckless rookie who relied blindly on Pikachu anymore.
Even if Pikachu improved slowly, Ash believed he could help it become the "Lightning God Pikachu" once again.
He hadn't planned on coming here tonight…
Yet somehow, he still walked to this place.
"Pika! Pikachu!"
Excited by the chance to grow stronger, Pikachu nodded eagerly.
To help its Trainer reach the top, Pikachu was willing to endure anything.
Pikachu knew it was just a small electric mouse.
If it wanted to stay beside Ash forever, it had to grow stronger—much stronger.
Its desire for strength far exceeded that of most Pokémon.
"Alright… let's give it a try."
Ash nodded firmly.
"Let's surpass our limits together, Pikachu!"
"Pika!"
Entering the cabin, Ash unsurprisingly found the old, abandoned hydro-generator.
He stripped the wiring, attaching the live and neutral lines to Pikachu's electric cheek sacs.
Gently touching Pikachu's forehead, he said,
"The current will gradually increase your capacity.
When you reach your limit… release it safely, okay?"
"Pika-pika!"
Pikachu patted Ash's hand.
I can handle it! Bring it on!
Ash removed his jacket, climbed outside, and mounted the waterwheel.
He began pedaling with practiced rhythm.
As Ash sped up, the generator's dial rose sharply.
Electricity surged through the wires into Pikachu's cheek sacs.
"Pika!!"
Pikachu shuddered violently, ears shooting upright.
"Hang in there, Pikachu!"
Ash shouted, pedaling harder and harder.
"Pikaaa!"
Pikachu yelled back, clenching its tiny fists, bracing itself against the overwhelming tingling pressure.
Ash pushed the waterwheel faster and faster.
The voltage meter climbed—already nearing the 200,000-volt mark.
Sweat poured down Pikachu's face.
It dug its claws into the floor, leaving deep grooves as it endured the paralysis.
The longer it held on—the greater the gains.
Pikachu remembered Ash's words and pushed itself relentlessly.
"Pika-pikaaaa!"
As the voltage peaked, Pikachu erupted into blinding golden light.
"Pika… CHUUUU!!!"
A colossal blast of electricity burst from Pikachu's body—
lighting the entire cabin in a violent golden flash—
BOOM!
The wooden cabin exploded outward in a shockwave of lightning.
Ash reacted instantly, leaping forward to catch Pikachu mid-air as it was blown out.
"You okay, Pikachu?"
"Pikaaa~"
The two of them, covered in soot from head to toe, locked eyes—
Then they both burst out laughing, collapsing onto the grass, rolling with uncontrollable joy under the night sky…
To be continued...