Morning sunlight broke through the clouds and spread across the rain-damp grass.
Ash and Misty stepped out of the House Capsule.
The morning air was fresh, carrying the scent of wet earth and grass.
Misty lifted her head and took a deep breath, her orange hair moving in the breeze.
“I slept so well.”
She stretched.
Then she looked toward the horizon and pointed excitedly.
“Look!
A rainbow!
It’s so beautiful!”
A rainbow stretched across the sky, its colors shining through the droplets left behind by last night’s rain.
“Yeah.”
Ash looked up at it for a moment before returning the portable house to the House Capsule.
“Let’s go.
We should keep moving.”
They were just about to return to the road when the sky ahead suddenly lit up in shades of gold and red.
A long, resonant cry echoed overhead.
A huge Pokémon flew toward the rainbow, its crimson and golden feathers glowing beneath the morning sun.
As it spread its wings, Ash could clearly see the green feathers at the tips and the green markings around its neck.
Ash froze.
“That’s…
Ho-Oh!”
He quickly pulled out his camera.
By the time he pressed the shutter, Ho-Oh was already disappearing into the distance, leaving the rainbow behind it.
Then something drifted down from the sky.
A golden feather slowly spun through the air, shimmering with rainbow colors as it descended between the trees.
It landed on the stone path near Ash’s feet.
“This is…”
Ash crouched and reached for it.
The moment his fingers touched the feather, a gentle warmth spread through his hand.
The feather gave off a soft golden glow, with different colors shifting across its surface whenever it caught the light.
Misty hurried over and crouched beside him.
She leaned closer, staring at the feather in amazement.
Ash carefully held it between his fingers and looked toward the horizon where Ho-Oh had disappeared.
“That was Ho-Oh.”
“Ho-Oh?”
Misty tilted her head and reached toward the feather.
The moment her fingertip touched it, the fine feathers shifted and the rainbow glow brightened.
Misty quickly pulled her hand back in surprise.
Then she leaned closer again, unable to take her eyes off it.
“According to legend, rainbows appear wherever Ho-Oh flies,” Ash explained.
“It’s even said to have the power to bring departed Pokémon back to life.”
He looked down at the feather. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“Some of the books in Professor Oak’s lab also say Ho-Oh appears before Trainers it considers worthy.”
Misty looked toward the distant sky and then back at the feather in Ash’s hand.
The feather was still warm.
She smiled.
“Looks like our journey was special from the very beginning!
We’re seriously lucky.”
By sunset, Ash and Misty had been walking for most of the day.
Both of their stomachs were already growling.
Night settled in, and streetlights began coming on one after another.
Soon, the lights of Viridian City appeared in the distance.
Ash and Misty picked up their pace.
At the entrance to the city, searchlights swept across the night sky.
Cars passed beside a small police booth, their lights reflecting across its windows.
As Ash and Misty approached with Misty’s bicycle, Officer Jenny stepped out.
“Hello.
Please stop for a moment.
We’re carrying out inspections on everyone entering the city.”
Ash took out his Pokédex and handed it to her.
“Of course, Officer Jenny.”
“A new Trainer from Pallet Town…”
Officer Jenny checked Ash’s registration information.
Then she noticed the mark showing that he had been recommended by Professor Oak.
She relaxed.
Misty looked around curiously.
“Officer Jenny, is something going on?”
“We’ve had reports of Team Rocket members being spotted around Viridian City recently, so security’s been tightened.”
Officer Jenny handed the Pokédex back to Ash.
She pointed toward a notice board beside the police booth.
“It’s getting late.
If you’re staying in Viridian City tonight, head to the Pokémon Center and register with Nurse Joy.”
“Unless you have a good reason, don’t wander around the city after dark.”
Two wanted posters were pinned to the board.
One showed a man, the other a woman.
Both wore white uniforms with a large red R across the front.
“Understood, Officer Jenny.
We’ll be careful,” Ash said.
“If anything unusual happens, contact the nearest police booth immediately.”
With that final warning, Officer Jenny returned to the booth.
Ash and Misty continued through the city.
At the end of the block, the familiar red-and-white Pokémon Center came into view.
The glass doors slid open as they approached.
“Welcome to the Viridian City Pokémon Center!”
Ash and Misty walked over.
Nurse Joy accepted their Poké Balls and began entering their information into the computer.
“Would you like standard treatment, or would you prefer a full examination?”
Misty placed Feebas’s Poké Ball on the counter.
“Could you take extra care of this one?
I only caught it recently.”
Nurse Joy smiled reassuringly.
“Leave it to me!”
Ash handed Pikachu and Eevee over as well.
A sweet caramel pudding aroma drifted from the dining area.
Ash and Misty looked at each other.
Neither needed to say anything.
They headed straight over to get something to eat.
Later that evening, Nurse Joy gave them their room cards.
“Rooms 302 and 303.
The elevator is on the left.
Would either of you like a wake-up call in the morning?”
Ash shook his head.
Afterward, he headed over to the video phone.
The dial tone beeped a few times before the screen lit up.
Delia appeared on the other end.
“Hello, this is Ash’s mother.”
Then she recognized him.
“Oh my!
Ash?
Why are you suddenly calling home?”
“Mom, I made it to Viridian City.”
Ash smiled and pointed toward the Pokémon Center sign visible behind him.
“Viridian City?
That was fast!”
Delia was holding a spatula in one hand, apparently in the middle of cooking.
She smiled proudly.
“That’s my boy!”
Then her expression turned serious.
“You’d better be taking care of yourself out there, okay?
And if you run into danger, don’t try to act tough!”
She barely paused before continuing.
“And if anyone bullies you, call Professor Oak!”
“Mom, don’t worry.”
Ash smiled and lifted his arms toward the screen, pretending to give her a hug.
“You take care of yourself too.”
“All right, all right!” Delia replied happily.