[TL/N: Read my new work - Detective Conan: I'm a Succubus?!]
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"It's okay, it's okay. Our Vulpix is just so adorable. But… is your Pokémon a Shiny Ninetails?"
Brock looked at Mikoto and offered an apology before quickly brushing off any concerns. A kind-hearted individual, he didn't let small matters bother him. What caught his attention instead was the unusual Pokémon before him.
Especially Ash, who couldn't contain his curiosity. He pointed at Kurama and asked, "You are…?"
"My name is Mikoto," she introduced herself, cutting him off.
"Mikoto, let's have a Pokémon battle!" Ash exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over. "This Pokémon looks so strong—how about it?"
Mikoto tilted her head thoughtfully before nodding. "Alright. Let's have a match—a two-on-two battle."
With a smile, Mikoto placed the Pikachu she was holding gently onto the ground. Why was she so eager to battle? She simply wanted to see how her Pikachu performed.
Ash's excitement doubled. "Great! You're using Pikachu too? Alright then—Pikachu, let's go!"
"Pika-pika!"
Ash's Pikachu energetically bounded forward to face Mikoto's Pikachu.
The two Pikachus stood opposite each other, both ready for the match. Mikoto couldn't hide her anticipation as she called out, "Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!"
But… nothing happened.
Pokémon weren't born knowing techniques; they needed training and guidance to perform them. And clearly, this newly-captured Pikachu didn't have the experience to execute Mikoto's command.
In the meantime, Ash called out, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Crackle!
Electricity surged from Ash's Pikachu and struck Mikoto Pikachu. In seconds, Mikoto Pikachu collapsed onto the ground, its body spinning dizzily. Were it not an Electric-type Pokémon, it might have been knocked out instantly.
"Good job, Pikachu! Now, use Quick Attack!"
"Pika-pi!"
Ash's Pikachu dashed forward in a blur, striking Mikoto Pikachu hard.
Boom!
Mikoto Pikachu's small body flew backward and slammed into a nearby tree.
"Pikachu is unable to battle! Ash wins the first match!" declared Brock, raising his arm like an official referee.
Mikoto ran to her Pikachu, her face filled with worry. "Pikachu! Are you alright?!"
Brock crouched beside her and inspected the fainted Pikachu. "Don't worry—it's normal for Pokémon to lose in battle. I'll apply some potion to help it recover. You should return it to its Poké Ball and take it to a Pokémon Center afterward."
"Is that so?" Mikoto muttered, standing up with mixed emotions.
She turned to Ash and said firmly, "Alright, you've won the first match. Let's move on to the second round!"
Kurama, standing nearby, sighed. "This is troublesome." He stepped forward reluctantly. As Alexander's companion, he felt obligated to step in, even if it was inconvenient.
However, Mikoto quickly blocked Kurama's path, standing directly in front of Ash. Strangely, she didn't reach for another Poké Ball.
"So… Mikoto? Where's your Pokémon?" Ash asked, confused.
Mikoto grinned. "I don't need a Pokémon. This time, you'll be battling me."
"WHAT?!"
The trio froze in place, stunned by her declaration.
"Mikoto! Don't be ridiculous!" Misty shouted, grabbing her arm. "Humans can't fight Pokémon!"
"Why not?" Mikoto asked with complete confidence. "Why can't humans fight Pokémon?"
Her matter-of-fact tone only made the trio more bewildered.
"No, no, no! Pikachu can't fight you—it might hurt you!" Ash stammered, trying to stop his Pikachu from advancing.
But Mikoto's face turned sour at his words. She put her hands on her hips and snapped, "No! My Pikachu was bullied, and it'd be embarrassing if I didn't step in!"
Suddenly, sparks of electricity danced across her hands, lighting up the area.
Ash and the others rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Were they seeing things? How could a person summon thunder?
"Mikoto! You—you're a Pokémon?!" Ash shouted, utterly baffled.