Morning sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting thousands of golden rays across the damp grass.
Ash and Misty walked out of the tent one after another.
Fresh air rushed toward them, carrying the fragrance of earth and green grass.
Misty raised her head and took a deep breath.
Her orange hair lifted in the breeze, and traces of last night’s rain still clung to her yellow sleeveless top.
“I slept so well.”
She stretched hard.
Then she suddenly pointed toward the horizon and cried out, “Look, it’s a rainbow!
It’s so beautiful.”
A seven-colored arch stretched across the sky, and droplets of water refracted dreamlike halos beneath the rainbow light.
“Yeah.” Ash looked at the rainbow, his chest filled with the refreshing joy of clear skies after rain.
As he put the tent back into the universal capsule, the metal shell gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
“Let’s go.
We should keep moving.”
Just as the two of them were about to step onto the stone road, the sky was suddenly dyed gold and red.
Accompanied by a long, resonant cry, a figure flew toward the rainbow.
It had crimson feathers, and wherever its golden tail feathers swept past, the clouds shimmered with rippling light.
The legendary Pokémon spread its wings.
Its green wingtips and the emerald patterns around its neck flowed with a mysterious radiance beneath the morning sun.
“That’s… Ho-Oh!” Ash’s voice trembled as he pulled out his camera.
The instant he pressed the shutter, that dazzling figure had already turned into sparks on the horizon, leaving only the rainbow slowly fading in the wind.
The sound of Ho-Oh breaking through the air still lingered in their ears when a golden tail feather, glowing with rainbow light, spun down through the freshly cleared patches of sunlight between the trees.
The tip of the feather still carried an iridescent glow as it landed on the bluestone path by Ash’s feet.
“This is…” Ash crouched down.
The moment his fingertip touched the feather, a warm energy spread through his hand.
The fine down on the feather suddenly glowed with flowing golden light, trembling softly in his palm.
Misty practically lunged over, the ends of her hair brushing across Ash’s cheek.
She half-knelt beside him and leaned closer.
The flowing light of the feather reflected in her pupils, and even her breathing became careful.
Ash rubbed the feather gently, his gaze following the direction where Ho-Oh had disappeared.
His voice still carried excitement that had yet to settle.
“That Pokémon just now should be the legendary Ho-Oh.”
“Ho-Oh?” Misty tilted her head, last night’s moisture still clinging to her lashes.
She reached out and lightly touched the feather.
The moment her fingertip made contact, the golden down curled up like something alive, startling her into pulling her hand back.
But she was immediately drawn again by the rainbow light flowing along the feather’s end.
“According to legend, rainbows appear wherever it flies, and it can bring departed Pokémon back to life.
The books in Professor Oak’s lab mention that Ho-Oh has always been searching for a Trainer worthy of entrusting the future to,” Ash explained patiently. The source of this chapter is novelping . com.
Misty looked at the flock of birds circling in the sky, then turned back to the feather in Ash’s hand.
Her heartbeat suddenly quickened.
In the damp air, the warmth Ho-Oh had left behind had not yet faded.
She could not help smiling.
“Looks like our journey was never ordinary from the very beginning!
We’re seriously lucky.”
…
The setting sun soaked the last glow of twilight into the winding road, stretching Ash and Misty’s shadows long behind them.
After an entire day of walking, both of their stomachs were already growling.
When the final trace of dusk was swallowed by darkness and the streetlights lit up one after another, the lights of Viridian City finally appeared faintly ahead.
The two quickened their pace, stepping along the stone path that still held the warmth of the day as they headed toward the bustling city.
Neon lights had just begun to glow.
At the entrance to Viridian City, searchlights cut intersecting beams through the night.
The glass of the police booth reflected the moving lights of passing vehicles.
As Ash and Misty approached while pushing the bicycle, a familiar blue figure quickly walked out from inside the booth.
“Hello.
Please stop for a moment and cooperate with our routine inspection.” Officer Jenny stood tall, her alert eyes sweeping over the two of them.
Ash took out his Pokédex.
“Thank you for your work, Officer Jenny!”
“A new Trainer from Pallet Town…” Officer Jenny’s fingertip moved across the registration information on the Pokédex.
Her gaze paused for a moment on the seal marked “Recommended by Professor Oak.”
Her tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and her originally serious expression softened.
Misty asked curiously, “Officer Jenny, is there some kind of danger?”
“Recently, suspicious Pokémon smugglers have appeared around Viridian City, so inspections have become stricter.” She handed the Pokédex back to Ash, then looked over their tired yet curious faces.
She raised her hand and pointed toward the notice board beside the police booth.
“You two, it’s getting late.
If you’re staying overnight in Viridian City, go register with Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center over there.
Unless it’s necessary, don’t wander around at night.”
Her fingertip tapped two wanted posters.
The photos showed a man and a woman, both wearing white uniforms with a bright red “R” symbol on the chest.
“Understood, Officer Jenny.
We’ll be careful,” Ash replied.
Officer Jenny looked at the two young Trainers in front of her, her expression easing a little.
“If anything unusual happens, contact the nearest police booth immediately.”
After giving that final reminder, she turned and walked back into the police booth.
After saying goodbye to Officer Jenny, Ash and Misty hurried forward over the square tiles.
At the end of the block, the Pokémon Center’s iconic red-and-white dome shone like a lighthouse in the mist. This chapter was copied from novelping.com without permission.
The moment the glass doors slid open automatically, warm yellow light and Nurse Joy’s gentle greeting came toward them.
The scent of disinfectant mixed with the fresh smell of Pokémon healing spray lingered in the air.
“Welcome to the Viridian City Pokémon Center!” Nurse Joy stood behind the counter and accepted their Poké Balls, her fingers moving quickly across the keyboard.
“Would you like standard care or special treatment?”
Misty gently placed the Poké Ball containing Feebas on the counter.
“Please take extra care of this one.
I only caught it recently.”
Nurse Joy blinked her large eyes, so similar to Officer Jenny’s, and gave an encouraging smile.
“Leave it to me!”
Ash handed Pikachu and Eevee over to Nurse Joy as well.
…
The sweet aroma of caramel pudding drifted over from the dining area.
The two looked at each other and smiled, then went over to eat.
When they checked in for the night, Nurse Joy handed them their room cards.
“Rooms 302 and 303.
The elevator is on the left.
Would you like a Pokémon wake-up service?”
Ash shook his head, indicating that it was not necessary.
Afterward, Ash went to the video phone.
The dial tone beeped a few times, and soon, the blue-lit screen showed Delia’s face.
“Hello, this is Ash’s mother.”
Delia tilted her head, her eyes curving into crescents.
“Oh my!
Ash?
Why are you suddenly calling home?”
“Mom, I made it to Viridian City…” Ash smiled and waved at the Pokémon Center sign behind him through the camera.
“Viridian City?
That was fast.” Delia rested her chin on a spatula, unable to stop the corners of her mouth from rising.
“As expected of my son!”
“You have to take care of yourself out there, okay?
If you run into danger, don’t try to act tough!
If anyone bullies you, remember to call Professor Oak!” Her nagging voice continued without pause.
“Mom, don’t worry.” Ash smiled helplessly but warmly, raising his arms toward the screen as if giving her a hug from afar.
“You too.
Take care of yourself.”
“All right, all right!” Delia said happily.