Heck with it ... I'm working a bit on a Pokemon "history" fanfic of my
own, either a fanfic or an essay - I have several ideas of my own - but 

I

wanted to add my two cents to this particular exchange.
For reference purposes: my knowledge of Pokemon comes from what I've 

seen

of the TV series, what I've played thus far of the game, and a couple 

of

tidbits extracted from a player's guide (which I have made very little
reference to in *playing* the game ... n.n;)

<massive snipping>

Which reminds me, after seeing the episode where Ash almost gave up 
Pikachu, 

Which ironically came on today...

I'm thinking that the Raichu is a mutation of the pikachu.

Raichu is Pikachu's evolved state, but the evolution has to be 

triggered -

with a Thunder Stone, such as Joy offered to Ash.

That's my point.  There were no Raichus in that pack of Pikachus.  The 
Raichu must be an acellerated evolution a Pikachu doesn't normally go 
through.


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