The moment the Pokédex’s voice faded, the Spearow that had been accidentally hit could no longer hold back.
With a sharp screech, it flapped its wings and instantly turned into a dark blur, charging straight toward Ash and Pikachu.
“If that’s the case, then there’s no other choice! It’s just one Spearow, it’s nothing at all!”
Ash was full of confidence.
He swung his hand decisively and shouted, “Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!”
Pikachu did not hesitate.
The electric sacs on its cheeks lit up at once, releasing an even more powerful golden current than before, surging forward to meet the incoming Spearow head on.
“Spe—!”
The Spearow did not even have time to dodge.
It was struck directly by the Thunderbolt, letting out a miserable cry before falling from the sky, hitting the ground and twitching twice before completely losing its ability to fight.
“That was amazing, Pikachu!” Ash shouted excitedly.
Hearing the praise, Pikachu lifted its head proudly and flicked its tail, as if to say that an opponent of this level was nothing worth mentioning.
However, before they could even celebrate their victory, the grass around them suddenly began to rustle violently.
“Spear?”
“Spear!”
“Spearow!”
One, two, three…
Five, ten, twenty…
In less than half a minute, countless Spearow had emerged from the surroundings, densely packing the area around Ash and Pikachu.
They surrounded them completely, their hostile gazes locked in place.
Their angry cries merged together into a piercing cacophony that alone was enough to make anyone lose the will to fight.
At first, Ash was still counting them with his fingers, but halfway through, his hand froze in midair.
The smile on his face stiffened, and he slowly lowered his head to look at Pikachu, asking in a dry voice, “Um… Pikachu… with this many… can you handle it?”
“Pika…”
Pikachu let out a small sound.
The ears that had been standing tall drooped instantly, and its head lowered as well.
The answer could not have been clearer.
Ash swallowed hard and forced out an awkward laugh.
“In that case… there’s only one thing we can do.”
It suddenly lifted its head, its eyes filled with determination.
At the exact moment the flock of Spearow gathered their fury and prepared to launch a full attack—
“RUN!!!” Ash shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Pika!!!” Pikachu screamed along with him.
In the next instant, the boy and his Pokémon turned around in perfect unison and sprinted away with all their strength, not daring to look back.
The Spearow behind them froze for a split second, seemingly not expecting them to run so decisively.
But they quickly reacted.
With a unified burst of angry screeches, they surged forward like a dark cloud, chasing after them.
…
Ash and Pikachu raced across the grass.
As the swarm of Spearow behind them drew closer and closer, Ash suddenly pointed toward a small forest in the distance and shouted, “Pikachu, head over there!”
He intended to use the complex terrain of the forest to hinder the Spearow’s flight.
The idea was good, but reality proved otherwise.
Ash and Pikachu dashed into the forest, yet not only were the Spearow unaffected by the trees, they actually became even faster, darting between branches and trunks like streaks of shadow, relentlessly pursuing them.
As the main culprit of the incident, Pikachu naturally became the primary target of the Spearow’s vengeance.
Several of the fastest ones swooped down, their sharp beaks nearly pecking Pikachu’s back multiple times.
“Watch out!”
While running, Ash quickly bent down and grabbed Pikachu by the scruff of its neck, lifting it up in one motion and holding it tightly in his arms.
Startled by the sudden action, Pikachu quickly recovered.
It climbed up along Ash’s arm and perched on his shoulder, turning around to fire off another electric attack at the pursuing flock.
Golden currents flashed through the forest, and one Spearow after another was struck, crying out as they fell behind.
But instead of scaring the rest away, it only fueled their aggression.
Not only did their numbers not decrease, but even more Spearow from within the forest joined the chase, making the pursuing flock grow larger and larger.
Pikachu’s breathing gradually became heavier, and the electricity crackling from its cheeks weakened noticeably.
Sensing Pikachu’s exhaustion, Ash once again grabbed it from his shoulder and held it protectively in his arms, shouting helplessly as he ran, “This can’t go on!”
This time, Pikachu did not resist.
Feeling the rapid heartbeat and warmth from Ash’s chest, the coldness and resistance it once had completely faded away.
It even unconsciously nuzzled its small head against his chest, seeking comfort.
That faint gesture made Ash tremble slightly.
Whether it was a sudden burst of potential or pure survival instinct, his speed actually increased again, widening the distance between them and the Spearow for a short while.
After running for some time, a light appeared ahead at the edge of the forest.
“There’s an exit ahead!” Ash felt a surge of joy, thinking it was a sign of salvation.
Summoning his last bit of strength, he dashed toward the light while holding Pikachu.
With a whoosh, he broke through the final cluster of bushes and rushed out of the forest.
But the sight before him instantly chilled his heart.
There was no open field ahead.
Instead, there was a steep cliff.
Below it flowed a raging river, its waters crashing violently against rocks with a thunderous roar.
Jumping down into it clearly did not seem like a wise choice.
Ash skidded to a halt at the edge of the cliff, frowning as he tightened his grip on Pikachu.
Just as he hesitated, unsure whether to turn back or find another way, the screeches behind him grew closer again.
The flock of Spearow had already chased them out of the forest.
‘Should I fight them?’
The thought flashed through Ash’s mind, and he prepared to turn around and make a desperate stand.
But at that moment, he noticed something that made his heart sink even further.
Behind the large flock of Spearow, several larger figures had appeared, their size noticeably bigger and their expressions far more ferocious.
Fearow!?
Ash never expected Fearow to be here as well.
If it were only Spearow, perhaps there would still be a chance.
But with Fearow added into the mix, the situation was completely different.
Ash unconsciously took a step back.
Yet that single step caused his heel to slip off the edge, leaving half his foot hanging over the cliff.
Pikachu, held in his arms, sensed the danger.
It suddenly raised its head, electricity bursting from its cheeks in a dazzling display, clearly prepared to fight these Spearow and Fearow to the bitter end.
But at this most critical moment, that unfamiliar voice once again echoed inside Ash’s mind without warning.
“There’s no time! Hurry and jump!”
(End of Chapter)