Deep within Viridian Forest
Ash rode atop Tauros with Pikachu balanced on his shoulder as they sped through the dense woodland trails at full speed.
The scent of fresh grass drifted through the air while powerful winds rushed past his face, causing Ash’s heart to surge with anticipation.
Among all of Ash’s Pokémon, only Charizard was currently large enough to carry him over long distances through the sky.
Unfortunately, Charizard had already returned to the Charicific Valley for training, so this time Ash could only rely on Tauros to revisit an old friend.
Naturally, charging through the forest at such speed drew the attention of countless wild Pokémon along the way.
But with Pikachu’s overwhelming power and Ash’s Aura guiding them safely forward, they encountered little real danger.
The only unfortunate part was that battling weak wild Pokémon barely granted any experience at all.
Ash had even discovered something important:
If the level gap between Pokémon exceeded thirty levels, defeating weaker opponents yielded virtually no growth.
That realization completely crushed his previous idea of rapidly training through easy battles.
“Pika…”
Pikachu suddenly narrowed its eyes.
Tauros immediately slowed down before coming to a cautious stop.
The deeper they traveled into Viridian Forest, the fewer wild Pokémon appeared.
It was obvious they had entered the territory of an especially powerful Pokémon or perhaps an entire dominant flock.
Tauros sensed the danger instinctively and refused to advance further.
“Thanks, Tauros.”
Ash climbed down and returned it to its Poké Ball before slowly observing the surroundings.
Dense trees.
Towering canopies.
Heavy brush.
It was the ideal habitat for Flying-type and Bug-type Pokémon.
“Pikachu!”
“So you figured it out too, huh?”
Ash smiled faintly.
A soft blue Aura radiated around him as he raised his voice toward the sky.
“Pidgeot!!
Are you here?!”
His voice echoed through the forest, accompanied by violent rustling among the trees.
For a moment, everything became silent.
Then suddenly
Dozens of Pidgeotto appeared among the branches overhead, surrounding Ash and Pikachu from every direction.
Several Pidgeot circled high above the forest canopy as well.
But Ash could immediately tell:
None of them were his Pidgeot.
“Pidgeottooo!”
A long, piercing cry echoed from the distance.
Then a massive Pidgeot descended from the sky.
Its body was larger than the others.
Its feathers were sharper.
Its presence alone caused every surrounding Pidgeotto and Pidgeot to immediately quiet down.
Clearly, this Pidgeot had become the leader of the entire flock.
The ruler of Viridian Forest’s skies.
But the moment it saw Ash
It immediately dove downward at incredible speed!
“Pikachu!”
Pikachu reacted instantly, leaping from Ash’s shoulder and firing a Thunderbolt to intercept the incoming attack.
Boom!
Electricity exploded through the air, forcing Pidgeot backward.
Ash, however, simply smiled.
“As expected,” he said softly.
“Looks like our old friend is still angry.”
Truthfully, Ash had already anticipated this outcome before coming.
Back during the Orange Islands journey, he had promised Pidgeot that he would return someday to bring it back with him.
But after the Orange League…
Then the Johto League…
Ash never came back.
No matter the reason, Pidgeot had waited far too long.
“Pidgeot!”
Pidgeot spread its wings once more.
A brilliant white glow engulfed its body as it accelerated downward like a meteor.
Ash’s eyes widened slightly.
“That’s… Sky Attack!”
In the original anime timeline, Pidgeot had mastered powerful aerial techniques after becoming protector of the flock, and now its mastery had clearly reached an entirely new level.
Ash immediately shouted:
“Pikachu!
Volt Tackle!”
“Pikaaaaaa!”
Pikachu dashed across tree branches at blinding speed.
Electricity exploded around its body as it accelerated continuously before colliding head-on with Pidgeot’s Sky Attack.
BOOM!!
A massive shockwave erupted through the forest.
When the smoke finally cleared, both Pokémon were pushed backward simultaneously.
Ash quickly focused.
PidgeotGender: Male
Type: Normal/Flying
Ability: Keen Eye
Level: 52
Potential: Deep Blue
Known Moves: Sky Attack, Steel Wing, Aerial Ace, Protect, Double Team, Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Hyper Beam
After becoming guardian of the flock, Pidgeot had trained relentlessly while defending Viridian Forest from threats.
It was no longer merely Ash’s former partner.
Now, it was a true king of the skies.
“You’ve become incredible, Pidgeot!”
Ash laughed excitedly.
“In that case, let me show you how much we’ve grown too!”
The instant his words fell
Pidgeot split into countless afterimages across the sky.
Its wings glowed silver-white as every clone dove simultaneously.
Ash narrowed his eyes immediately.
“A combination attack… Double Team and Steel Wing!”
The assault closed in from every direction.
But just before impact
“Pikachu!
Use Thunder on yourself!”
“Pika!”
Lightning crashed down from the clouds onto Pikachu’s body.
The burst of electricity instantly shattered every illusion in the air.
At the same time, Pikachu absorbed the electricity directly into its body, causing powerful sparks to erupt across its cheeks.
Its fighting spirit exploded upward.
The real Pidgeot finally revealed itself.
It spread its wings wide and halted in midair.
Orange energy rapidly condensed inside its beak.
Ash’s eyes lit up.
“Hyper Beam?!”
He could hardly contain his excitement anymore.
Pidgeot truly had surpassed his expectations.
“Pikachu!
Thunderbolt!”
A massive bolt of lightning erupted upward.
Hyper Beam descended from the sky simultaneously.
The two attacks collided violently.
BOOOOM!!!
A deafening explosion shook the entire forest.
Moments later, both Pokémon landed heavily on the ground, exhausted from the clash.
“Thanks for your hard work, Pikachu.”
Ash slowly walked forward.
Then he extended his hand toward Pidgeot.
“Sorry for making you wait so long,” Ash said sincerely.
“I came back for you, Pidgeot.”
“Pika pika…”
Pidgeot stared silently at Ash for several moments.
The anger in its eyes slowly faded.
Finally, it raised its head proudly and gave a long cry before gently tapping Ash’s Poké Ball with its beak.
A red beam of light enveloped its body.
Then
Pidgeot willingly returned to Ash’s side.
At last, Ash’s aerial ace had officially returned.
After Pikachu and Charizard, another of Ash’s strongest partners had come home.
Afterward, Ash released Pidgeot once more and climbed onto its back together with Pikachu.
Accompanied by the cries of countless Flying-type Pokémon below, they soared out of Viridian Forest and returned toward Pallet Town.
“Pidgeoooot!”
“Mime mime?!”
The sudden gust of wind startled Mimey, who had been gardening outside the house.
Pikachu jumped down immediately and reassured him.
“It’s us, Mimey!”
Ash laughed before recalling Pidgeot.
“Good work today, Pidgeot.
Get some rest.”
The moment Ash entered the house, he saw his mother carrying food from the kitchen.
“Ash!
Pikachu!
Welcome home!”
“I’m back, Mom.”
Ash smiled warmly before noticing two familiar figures seated in the living room.
“Professor Oak.
Brock.
Good evening.”
Knowing Ash would soon leave for another journey, Professor Oak and Brock had come to see him off at Delia’s invitation.
After dinner, Professor Oak handed Ash an upgraded Pokédex designed for the Hoenn region.
Meanwhile, Brock carefully helped place the mysterious Pokémon Egg into a portable incubator.
After giving Ash several reminders and precautions for traveling through Hoenn, the two finally left.
And soon
Morning arrived.
“Ash, I packed your new clothes and travel gear already!”
Delia Ketchum smiled warmly as she handed him his backpack.
“Pikachu, please take care of Ash for me again.”
“Pika pika!”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Ash gently hugged her before placing the backpack over his shoulder.
Then he grinned confidently.
“This time, I’m bringing home the Hoenn League championship!”
Delia laughed softly.
“I believe in you, Ash.”
“Mimey, please help Mom take care of things at home too.”
“Mime mime!”
Standing atop the hills overlooking Pallet Town
Ash watched the sunrise spreading across the distant horizon.
Beside him stood Pikachu.
Above him soared Pidgeot.
Ahead of them waited the vast and unfamiliar Hoenn region.
A brand-new adventure was finally about to begin.
And this time
Ash Ketchum would challenge an entirely new world.