Chapter 238: Ho-Oh
"Pikachu, these guys are so weak," Ash said, looking at a Swanna lying on the ground.
Pikachu nodded affirmatively: They were indeed too weak; one Thunderbolt and they were all knocked down.
Serena, covering her face, said, "Come on, you guys at least conquered the Battle Frontier. Is it fun to bully a bunch of wild Pokémon?"
The Swanna, paralyzed by the electric shock, seemed to have found a kindred spirit, all hiding behind Serena and crying out angrily at Ash.
Pikachu scratched its head, then gestured and called out to Ash. Ash watched for a moment, then nodded and said, "Pikachu, do you mean these guys are here to invite us over? Does that mean a very important Pokémon wants to see us?"
Pikachu nodded affirmatively. Ash looked at the Swanna behind Serena and said, "Oh, I see. It was my fault, I apologize. But what important Pokémon wants to see us?"
The Swanna immediately started calling out, flapping their wings wildly. Ash was completely confused, but Pikachu seemed to remember something, jumped into Ash's arms pretending to be weak, and pointed to the sky.
Serena was also confused about what Pikachu was trying to say. Only Ash remembered and said, "You mean the giant bird Pokémon we met when I first set out on my journey!"
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded affirmatively.
Serena: "...Actually, I'm very curious, Ash, how did you understand Pikachu's meaning?"
"Huh? I don't understand the words, but I can sense it," Ash said.
Ash and Serena tidied up and followed the flock of Swanna, flying in another direction. However, since there was free transportation, Ash didn't need to release his legendary birds. Serena's newly caught Moltres was also disobedient, so they had to recall it to its Poké Ball and let the Swanna carry them.
Although Ash was a little curious about the Pokémon, after the Swanna had been carrying them for three days, Ash couldn't help but say, "Hey, where are you taking us? We've been flying for three days! You're not tricking us, are you?"
The Swanna didn't respond, but just maintained their flying speed. Just as Ash was about to get angry, a very magnetic voice rang in his mind: "Don't be impatient, child. I just want to see you. I feel my blessing on you. But I'm sure I didn't give any blessing. Child, where are you from?"
"I am Ash from Pallet Town, who are you?" Ash called out.
Serena was startled by Ash's shout and exclaimed, "Ash, what are you doing?"
Ash shook his head, making a shushing gesture; he was still waiting for the voice's reply.
"Me?" the voice rang out, "I am the Ho-Oh you humans speak of, but now, I'm just a pitiful creature imprisoned here."
"Ho-Oh?" Ash murmured. "We're not from this space; we were accidentally stranded here. But this blessing you speak of, I truly know nothing of."
"Don't worry, child. I'll talk to you slowly once you get here," Ho-Oh said.
Then the voice faded away, and there was no more communication. Serena then asked, "Ash, what happened?"
Ash looked around and said, "It seems like that Pokémon called Ho-Oh was having a telepathic conversation with me. I'm not too sure about the specifics, let's wait until we get there to see."
Serena nodded and said nothing more. The Swanna also slightly increased their flying speed and flew towards Ho-Oh.
After two more days of flying, the Swanna finally brought Ash and Serena to a cliff. Ash and Serena dismounted from the Swanna and immediately saw Ho-Oh's graceful figure.
Ho-Oh is a Pokémon similar to a phoenix and a peacock. Its feathers are mostly gold and red, its tail feathers are yellow, its body feathers underneath are white, and the feathers at the tips of its wings are green. Ho-Oh has green stripes on its neck, a yellow beak, black pupils with red irises, a yellow crest on its head, and black legs with four toes on its long feet. Its wings are prismatic, allowing it to create a rainbow behind it when flying.
Ho-Oh looked kindly at Ash and Serena, communicating with them telepathically. "Children, welcome. You must be Ash. The aura of blessing on you is indeed from Ho-Oh. Can you tell me where you saw Ho-Oh?"
Ash glanced at Ho-Oh and said, "I saw Ho-Oh passing by in the sky after a heavy rain when I started my journey from Pallet Town. But I only caught a glimpse of it, and Ho-Oh didn't even acknowledge me."
Ho-Oh: "Pallet Town? If Ho-Oh didn't pay attention to you, why would it go near Pallet Town? I am Ho-Oh myself. In this world, there is only one Ho-Oh. Its thoughts should be similar to mine."
"Ho-Oh, where exactly is this?" Serena asked.
Ho-Oh: "Little girl, don't worry. I'll tell you what happened here. But there are some things it's better not to let you know. After all, sometimes ignorance is bliss. Knowing too much without the corresponding strength to solve problems will only harm you in the end."
Ho-Oh paused, and Ash spoke up: "Am I not strong enough?"
Ho-Oh: "I sensed your Moltres and Articuno, and this Pikachu is also quite well-trained. But against that kind of power, they're practically useless."
Ash was silent for a moment, then said: "I have a rival and friend. Though I don't want to admit it, his strength is far, far greater than mine. At least his strongest Pokémon can easily defeat me. Is that enough strength?"
Ho-Oh: "Child, your vision is still too narrow. Your Pikachu and Moltres are indeed much stronger than ordinary Pokémon. But they've only just mastered the power of origin, what we legendary Pokémon call pseudo-legendary level. Above that, based on the mastery of origin power, there are Tier-3 and Tier-2 deities. Then, the origin transforms into a domain, becoming a Tier-1 deity. Above Tier-1 deities, there are Creator Gods. When your Pokémon reach the level of a Creator God, then consider this matter."
Ash and Serena fell silent. They roughly understood what they were about to hear. Even if Ho-Oh didn't say the main points, even these preliminary details would be incredibly astonishing!
(End of Chapter)
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