Viridian Forest was enormous.
Even when Ash’s predecessor had traveled through the Kanto region, he had only explored the outskirts and had never ventured deep into its core!
It was also here that Ash had caught his first and second Pokémon—Caterpie and Pidgeotto.
Caterpie had evolved into Butterfree and eventually left Ash to travel happily with its true love, the pink Butterfree.
Meanwhile, Pidgeotto had evolved into Pidgeot and remained in Viridian Forest to protect the Pidgey and Pidgeotto flock.
Ash had made a promise with him back then, and now it was time to fulfill that promise and bring Pidgeot back!
The trees throughout Viridian Forest were lush and densely packed, making the interior appear rather dark!
This made the forest a paradise for Bug- and Flying-type Pokémon!!
Ash looked at the scenery before him and felt extremely refreshed.
“Alright!
Pikachu, let’s charge through this place together!”
“Pika~”
Pikachu patted his chest, indicating that he had everything under control.
Afterward, they defeated quite a few Pokémon in the forest and earned a considerable number of points!
Ash exchanged some of those points for Energy Cubes and gave them to the Pokémon they had defeated before continuing onward.
“Pika-pika~”
Suddenly, Pikachu patted Ash and pointed toward one side while calling out.
Ash followed Pikachu’s gaze and saw a brown fox-like Pokémon appear in the distance!!
“That is?
Eevee??
Great!”
A Pokémon with eight possible evolutions was extremely rare!!
[Eevee]
[Type: Normal]
[Gender: Male]
[Ability: Adaptability (When a Pokémon with this Ability uses a move that matches its own type, the move’s power is increased.)]
[Strength: Mid-Normal]
[Moves: Agility, Sand Attack, Swift, Quick Attack, Dig, Shadow Ball, Double Kick]
[Tera Type: Normal]
When Ash saw that the Eevee before him was only at the mid-Normal level yet already knew Shadow Ball, Dig, and Double Kick, his eyes immediately lit up.
He knew that this Eevee was definitely exceptionally talented!!
Eevee arrogantly raised its head and looked at Ash and Pikachu, slowly approaching with a swaggering gait, as though it didn’t care about anyone!
“Alright!
Go, Pikachu!
Let’s capture this Eevee!!”
“Pika~ pika~”
Pikachu charged forward.
Sparks of electricity flickered from the two red electric sacs on his cheeks, filling him with fighting spirit!
“Vee~”
Seeing this, Eevee sensed the terrifying aura coming from Pikachu and immediately used Dig to escape!
“Not good!
Quick, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!”
“Pika~chu~!”
Pikachu immediately unleashed Thunderbolt!
But it was still a step too late.
Fortunately, Eevee hadn’t gone far, and Ash kept his eyes fixed on the movements beneath the ground!
“Pikachu, quick!
Use Agility on the right, then follow up with Quick Attack!”
“Pika-pika~!”
“Vee~!”
Pikachu slammed into Eevee!
“Yoshi!
Use our new move and give it the finishing blow—Tera Blast!”
“Pika~~!”
A burst of white light flashed across Pikachu’s body.
It struck Eevee and erupted into a brilliant blue light, directly causing Eevee to lose its ability to battle!
“Great!
Go, Poké Ball!”
Ash turned his cap backward and threw the Poké Ball.
When it struck Eevee, a red light flashed and pulled Eevee inside!
The Poké Ball began to shake.
Under Ash and Pikachu’s nervous yet expectant gazes, the Poké Ball shook three times, and a three-star flash appeared on top of it!!
“Yeah!
I caught Eevee!”
“Pika-pi~” ヽ(≧▽≦)人(≧▽≦)ﾉ
Pikachu ran over, hugged the Poké Ball, returned to Ash’s side, and handed it to him!
“Thanks, Pikachu!” O(∩_∩)O
“Pika-pi~”
Pikachu waved his hand.
“Come on out, Eevee!”
At the same time, Ash exchanged some points from the system for a Potion!
“Vee~”
Eevee woke up and saw Ash treating its injuries!
“You’re awake, Eevee.
Here, have this Energy Cube.
Give it a try!”
“Vee~” (๑´ڡ๑)♡
Eevee eagerly gobbled it down.
After finishing it, it immediately pounced into Ash’s arms and happily rubbed its head against him!
Afterward, Ash returned Eevee to its Poké Ball and continued onward with Pikachu toward the territory of the Pidgeot flock!
————One hour later————
As they continued forward, the trees became less dense, and the forest grew considerably brighter!
There were already very few Bug-type Pokémon around.
Clearly, this was the territory of a powerful Pokémon group!
As they moved farther ahead, Pidgey and Pidgeotto constantly appeared before them.
Clearly, this was Pidgeot’s territory!
Ash knew that he couldn’t go any farther.
Otherwise, they would be treated as intruders and surrounded by the flock!
Ash took a deep breath and shouted:
“Pidgeot!
I’m here to take you back!”
“Pika-pi~”
“Pidgeot!
I’m here to take you back!”
“Pika-pi~”
At that moment, the sound of wind caused by something moving at high speed reached their ears!
Ash and Pikachu looked up toward the direction of the sound, only to see two enormous Pidgeot flying over beneath the sunlight!
The Pidgeot in front possessed an especially majestic, king-like aura!!
“Pidgeot!
I’m here!
I’m here to take you back!
I’m sorry I came so late!”
“Pika-pi~”
The Pidgeot in front swooped down and used its enormous wings to embrace Ash and Pikachu!
[Pidgeot]
[Type: Normal, Flying]
[Ability: Keen Eye (Its accuracy cannot be lowered by the opponent in any way, and it ignores increases to the target’s Evasion.)]
[Strength: Peak-Gym]
[Moves: Hurricane, Brave Bird, Roost, Steel Wing, Hyper Beam…]
[Tera Type: Flying]
“Pidgeot!
Are you willing to travel with me again?”
“Pidge~ot~”
Pidgeot flew farther away and looked at Ash with eyes filled with fighting spirit!
“Alright!
I understand!
Go, Pikachu!”
“Pika~”
Pikachu looked at Pidgeot with the same fighting spirit.
Clearly, he also wanted to see just how strong Pidgeot had become!
“Pidge~!”
Pidgeot spread both wings and unleashed—Air Slash!
“Pikachu, dodge quickly!
Use Quick Attack to get close, then use Thunderbolt!”
“Pika~chu~!”
Pidgeot swiftly moved aside, dodging Thunderbolt, and immediately launched its powerful Flying-type move, Brave Bird!
“Again, Pikachu!
Keep using Thunderbolt!”
Boom!
An explosion erupted, producing a large cloud of smoke.
Before long, Pidgeot burst out from the smoke!
Good!
Ash was overjoyed inwardly.
One had to know that Pikachu’s Special Attack had been strengthened by the Light Ball!!
“Go, Pikachu!
Use Quick Attack!”
“Pika~”
Pikachu charged forward, but it wasn’t Quick Attack.
Instead, his entire body became enveloped in electricity!
“This is?
Pikachu’s exclusive move—Volt Tackle!”
Ash’s eyes flashed brightly, and he spoke excitedly.
Pidgeot once again launched Brave Bird and charged downward!
Boom!
The sound of an explosion rang out, producing a huge cloud of smoke!
“Pidge~”
Before long, Pidgeot emerged from the smoke with Pikachu on its back.
Pikachu waved his hand from Pidgeot’s back.
“Pika-pi~”
Pidgeot then flew down beside Ash and rubbed its head against Ash’s chest.
Pikachu leaped from Pidgeot’s back and landed on Ash’s shoulder!
Ash took out a Poké Ball and held it toward Pidgeot.
“Welcome back, Pidgeot!”
“Pidge~”
Pidgeot pecked the Poké Ball and returned inside, once again becoming Ash’s partner!!
The Pidgey and Pidgeotto in the distance cried out as they bid farewell to their king!
Ash exchanged some more points for Energy Cubes and handed them to the other Pidgeot.
Afterwards, that Pidgeot carried the Energy Cubes and led the Pidgey and Pidgeotto away!!
“Let’s go, Pikachu!
We completed our objective perfectly this time!”
“Pika-pi~”
Pikachu nodded.
Ash and Pikachu then left Viridian Forest.
As the sun set, their silhouettes were cast across the forest floor as they walked away.
In the backyard of Professor Oak’s Laboratory, Ash’s mother, Delia, Professor Oak, and Tracey held a farewell party for Ash!
All of Ash’s Pokémon gathered together, making the place extremely lively!!
To be continued…