My most recent experience of a Pikachu-versus-Pikachu battle had been against Ritchie's Raine.
But Red's Pikachu looked even tougher to handle than Raine.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt to test him out first."
Unless an Electric-type attack packed enough power, it was hard to hurt another Electric-type Pokémon with it.
I had ordered Pikachu to use Thunderbolt to gauge the level of Red's Pikachu.
"Iron Tail!" Red said simply.
While my Pikachu stood his ground and strained to unleash Thunderbolt, Red's Pikachu had already reached him with ease.
Iron Tail swept straight into my Pikachu's stomach, sending his whole body hurtling backward several meters.
"So... so fast!" I stared at Red's Pikachu in astonishment.
Fortunately, my Pikachu clearly refused to go down that easily. He flipped over and landed back on his feet.
"Pikachu, are you okay?"
"PI!"
After just one exchange, I already knew how powerful Red's Pikachu was.
But how could a man back down in the face of battle?
"In that case, use Quick Attack to confuse Pikachu!"
Besides letting him move at high speed, my Pikachu's Quick Attack could create several afterimages to confuse his opponent.
Red's Pikachu stood still, looking around at the afterimages. It seemed Quick Attack was working.
"Good! Keep up the pressure! Pikachu, now it's our turn to give him an Iron Tail!"
Given the state of the battle, Red should have been panicking, yet he stood there perfectly composed...
"It's time," Red said calmly.
"Time for what?" As I spoke, my Pikachu leaped above Red's Pikachu's head.
"For Toxic to spread throughout your Pikachu's body," Red replied, still calm.
"PI... KA!" Just as victory had seemed within reach, my Pikachu suddenly cried out in pain and collapsed.
"Why?" I stared at my fallen Pikachu, dumbfounded.
"It was Iron Tail! When Pikachu used Iron