The Pokémon Research School's battle arena was packed. Word had spread fast that Yuto Sundae was about to battle a traveling Trainer with two Gym Badges, and every student who could squeeze in had shown up.
"Someone's actually challenging Yuto Sundae? They're definitely going to lose."
"Yeah, what was he thinking? He's kinda handsome, but picking the strongest student in the beginner class is just asking to get crushed."
"Not necessarily… I heard that guy just wiped the floor with a few of our classmates. And he already has two Gym Badges—he's pretty strong."
"So what? He's facing Yuto Sundae. She's already beaten Trainers with way more badges than that. Those outside Gym Trainers are all talk. A couple of badges don't mean anything."
The crowd buzzed with gossip. The moment the three sycophants started shouting, even more students rushed over to watch.
Misty's brows furrowed tighter with every mocking comment. The battle hadn't even started and they were already writing Alex off. *They really do judge a book by its cover!*
She had seen Pikachu's true power with her own eyes. Even Brock's Rock-types—which were supposed to be immune to Electric moves—had fallen in one hit. These arrogant rich kids were about to learn a harsh lesson.
"Go get them!!!" Misty cheered, pumping her fist.
"Don't worry," Alex replied calmly, ignoring the chatter around them.
"Pika—Pika!" Pikachu nodded, eyes sharp and serious. This time it wouldn't hold back at all.
**Pokémon: Cubone, Lv. 24**
As expected of the top student in the beginner class—her Pokémon was noticeably stronger than the others'.
*Electric moves are useless against Ground-type Cubone,* Yuto Sundae thought with a confident smirk. *Let's see how you beat my Cubone!*
In her mind she could already picture Alex on his knees, defeated, while she stood over him triumphantly.
"Begin!" she ordered. "Cubone, Bone Rush!"
Cubone spun its bone club, building momentum, then charged straight at Pikachu.
Pikachu stayed perfectly calm, dodging every swing with effortless grace. No matter how fiercely Cubone attacked, Pikachu simply weaved aside—never countering, just dancing out of reach.
"Not bad…" Yuto Sundae muttered, glancing at Alex. He looked completely unbothered, as if the entire fight barely interested him.
*Is he insulting me?* Her pride stung. "Cubone, Stomping Tantrum!"
Since the last move missed, the power of Stomping Tantrum would be doubled. Cubone dropped the bone and began stomping the ground furiously.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
The moment Cubone lifted its foot for the first stomp, a yellow blur shot forward like a cannonball.
**BANG!**
Cubone was launched backward, flying straight into the pool at the edge of the arena with a huge splash.
Misty crossed her arms and smirked. *See Pikachu's strength now?*
The watching students were stunned into silence. One Quick Attack had sent Cubone flying like it weighed nothing.
"It's just a fast yellow rat," one of the three sycophants shouted, trying to recover. "That little bit of damage won't do anything to Cubone!"
"Look, Cubone's already getting back up! Besides being fast, that Pikachu is no match for it. And Electric moves are completely useless anyway!"
Cubone climbed out of the pool, dripping wet, and charged again on Yuto Sundae's command.
"Headbutt!"
"Thunderbolt," Alex said calmly.
Electricity crackled around Pikachu. A dazzling bolt of lightning shot forward and slammed straight into Cubone mid-charge.
The Ground-type Pokémon—supposed to be completely immune to Electric moves—was instantly charred black. With a heavy **THUD**, it collapsed to the ground, eyes spinning, unable to battle.
The entire arena fell deathly silent.
A moment later it erupted into chaos.
"Thunderbolt actually worked on Cubone?! How is that possible?!"
"Isn't Cubone a Ground-type? Ground-types are immune to Electric moves!"
"That's what the textbooks say! That's what the teachers taught us! How is this different?!"
The students stared in disbelief—first at the fainted, smoking Cubone, then at the tiny yellow mouse standing calmly on the field. They had spent years absorbing textbook knowledge. A single Thunderbolt one-shotting a Ground-type simply did not compute.
If it had been a Water-type, sure—that would make perfect sense. But Cubone?
"How… is this possible?" Yuto Sundae whispered, her large, star-like eyes wide with shock as she stared at Alex.
(End of Chapter 27)