[Caitlin: What do I do… I know Ash didn't do it on purpose, but seeing him ignore Pikachu—my filter for him is cracking!]
[Lusamine: That just proves you're not a real fan. Haven't you learned how the light-screen works? If they're broadcasting this part, there'll definitely be a reversal next!]
[Gardenia: Reversal? Where's the reversal??]
[Denji: Idiot, the reversal is just Ash coming to his senses. How do you not get something that simple?]
[Hanako: Probably not that. Ash might notice Pikachu's mood because of something, then the two talk it out and reconcile.]
Truly worthy of being Ash's mother—
Hanako always knows better than anyone how Ash and Pikachu will make up.
[Caitlin: Then I'm relieved. As long as Ash doesn't collapse as a person, the sugar I'm shipping can stay sweet forever! It's just a pity I won't be seeing Cynthia for a while, waaaah~]
[Cynthia: Sorry about that. I'm busy for a bit, so I can't feed you any sugar.]
[Caitlin: It's fine, go ahead and work! Don't mind me! Scared.JPG!]
[Acerola: Oh~ so you're actually a weakling.]
Unova, Battle Castle.
Seeing the barrage sent by Cynthia,
Caitlin was trembling all over.
She could clearly feel that her dear best friend was… annoyed.
Wasn't Cynthia's subtext basically, "When I'm done, I'm coming for you"?
Looks like she was way too excited when she was shipping them before!
Now that the actual person caught her doing it, she panicked.
She only hoped Lady Cynthia would be merciful!
Caitlin swore she absolutely would not ship anything for at least… three seconds!
"Please forgive me! Beautiful and merciful Miss Cynthia!"
On-screen —
After that conversation,
nothing really improved.
Whether training or battling, Ash still didn't send Pikachu out.
This situation
made Pikachu's whole little face scrunch up hard.
Its unhappiness was basically written across its cheeks.
For days, Pikachu had been holding in its feelings.
Ash had been busy climbing the World Coronation rankings.
Pikachu chose to forgive him temporarily.
But even so,
negative emotions don't disappear—they accumulate.
And today—
Ash's mom, Hanako, arrived at Professor Sakuragi's lab in Vermilion City from Pallet Town.
The moment Pikachu saw her,
its bottled-up grievance found an outlet.
That night,
the fuming Pikachu even climbed directly into Hanako's bed.
Hanako comforted Pikachu by patting its back,
the same way she soothed little Ash when he was young.
Then—
When Pikachu woke up the next morning,
Hanako had already left the lab.
And Ash?
He hadn't even noticed Pikachu didn't sleep with him the night before.
Even after Hanako left, Ash continued training with Riolu according to schedule.
At that moment,
Pikachu's dissatisfaction hit its peak!
Remembering Hanako's warmth,
Pikachu made a major decision—
to run away from home and go to Pallet Town to find her!
[Elesa: Aww, I didn't expect Ash's Pikachu to be so childish. Running away just because its trainer ignored it… kinda adorable.]
[Lt. Surge: Actually, Pikachu's still young. When the ranking started, Ash looked six or seven, so even after five years Pikachu's only eight or nine at most.]
[Denji: Exactly! It's just a kid! Wanting attention isn't wrong!]
[Lillie: Not wrong at all! Sometimes I also want my mom to love me a little more!]
[Lusamine: Come here, sweet baby, let Mommy hug you!]
[Wallace: Pokémon are just like humans. They have feelings. They're not tools. Emotional needs are normal!]
[Hanako: I really have to scold Ash here. No matter how many Pokémon he has, he cannot neglect Pikachu. Pikachu is already one of our most important family members.]
Kanto, Oak's Lab.
In the backyard, Ash scratched his head awkwardly.
So that was something he would do five years later…
But wrong is wrong.
On Ash's shoulder, Pikachu puffed up its cheeks in anger.
Even though it was a future incident, current Pikachu felt it deeply.
It was mad.
It sensed Ash reaching out to pet it—
and turned its head away.
But that very motion made its eyes meet the red-cheeked, round Pikachu beside Red.
That chubby roundness—Pikachu couldn't hold back a laugh.
It had seen him many times, and of course different Pikachu had different tastes,
but this level of roundness was just… funny.
Red's Pikachu also noticed and gave Ash's Pikachu a look.
"Pika~ ˇ～"（That look was a little disrespectful, don't you think?）
"Pika!"
Ash's Pikachu shook its head furiously. This was a heavyweight! Cannot offend!
"Pika?"
Red's Pikachu tilted its head.
Something told it this kid was thinking UN-team-friendly thoughts.
"Ash, even if you want to train new Pokémon, don't ignore Pikachu's feelings."
"Big Bro Red…"
"Becoming strong doesn't happen overnight.
True strength requires harmony with your Pokémon.
You must pay attention to their hearts."
"I understand! Big Bro Red!"
Ash nodded firmly.
He had immense respect for this fellow Pikachu-lover.
Red was pleased by Ash's response.
Hopefully future Ash would remember these words.
On-screen —
Pikachu, determined to run away from home,
headed for Pallet Town without hesitation.
Only Mr. Mime—who had come with Hanako—noticed Pikachu's strange behavior.
Mr. Mime tried to stop it.
But Pikachu was still fuming—why would it listen?
Helpless,
Mr. Mime had no choice but to follow Pikachu to Pallet Town.
It was genuinely worried Pikachu might get into danger.
After all, Vermilion City was far from Pallet Town.
And the angry Pikachu chose to walk.
Mr. Mime had no choice but to walk with it.
The distance normally took several days on foot for humans,
but they were Pokémon—fast and tireless.
(Ash excluded.)
They shortened the journey to one day.
Along the way,
the two caused plenty of funny incidents.
For example, they tried to hitchhike after getting tired.
No matter how Mr. Mime gestured, no car stopped.
Until Pikachu wiggled its cute butt—
and a car pulled over.
Or when Pikachu was hungry, Mr. Mime used Psychic to pick berries,
only for a Spearow to steal them.
Mr. Mime, angry, tried to get them back—
and got attacked by a flock of Spearow.
Mr. Mime shielded Pikachu with its body,
just like Ash once did, risking his life for Pikachu.
The scene rekindled Pikachu's spirit.
Electric power surged inside it—
and without needing storm clouds,
it unleashed a massive Thunder attack that shook the forest.
The Spearow flock, tyrants of the woods,
was reminded of a terror their elders once described.
Those lucky enough not to be struck fled instantly—
the Lightning Demon had returned!
After all the hardships,
they finally neared Pallet Town.
But Pikachu, exhausted from the journey, collapsed.
Mr. Mime carried it on its back the rest of the way.
Mr. Mime truly was a reliable Pokémon—
handling almost all household chores while Ash was gone.
Even more dependable than a housekeeper!
Ash was lucky to have caught it.
As night fell,
Mr. Mime finally reached Ash's home in Pallet Town.
Pikachu, having rested a little,
said something from Mr. Mime's back—
something that stunned Mr. Mime:
Pikachu wanted to go back to Vermilion City to find Ash.
Mr. Mime: Are you kidding me? Who can out-tantrum you??
Through the light-screen,
even the audience could see Mr. Mime's disbelief.
[Caitlin: So Pikachu really was just having a childish tantrum. Once it sorted its feelings, everything's fine.]
[Denji: Exactly. Ash would never truly ignore Pikachu. He was just busy.]
[Chloe: Pikachu is sooo cute. Walked all day only to convince itself to go home—adorable!]
[Hop: Is no one noticing Mr. Mime's expression? He looks like he's about to cry.]
[Cynthia: Pikachu, if one day Ash really makes you sad, come find me.]
[Ash: Miss Cynthia! How could you say that! Pikachu and I are best partners! We'll never be separated!]
[Caitlin: SWEET!]
[Cynthia: I never said I'd separate you. I said if Pikachu is wronged, it can come to me—I'll help punish whoever upset it.]
What overwhelming boyfriend energy!
Isn't that basically telling Ash:
"If you dare upset Pikachu, I'll help it punish YOU"?
Wait—
Could it be Cynthia… likes Pikachu??
Hiss—
A Champion really knows how to capture Ash's heart.
On-screen —
After this grueling journey,
even with the destination right there,
Pikachu still chose to go back to find Ash.
Everything that happened today finally made Pikachu realize
what Ash meant to it.
Ash was irreplaceable.
They were the perfect duo.
Running away was selfish—Ash must've been so worried.
Mr. Mime was ready to turn around and walk the whole road again,
when—
The front door opened.
"Pika…? Pikachu, is that you?"
Hearing that familiar voice,
Pikachu looked up.
There he was—
the most familiar figure in the world.
Mr. Mime lifted Pikachu into its arms
and handed it to Ash,
patting Ash's shoulder gently.
"Pikachu, I'm really sorry!
I didn't pay attention to your feelings—this is my fault!"
"When I noticed you were gone, I called Mom immediately.
She scolded me so hard! She said we're family,
and I shouldn't be selfish or ignore your feelings."
"I'm sorry—really, really sorry!"
"I promise I'll never do this again.
Pikachu, please forgive me!"
Tears slid down Ash's face.
Pikachu leaned forward and licked his tears away.
Behind Ash, Hanako also wiped her eyes.
But before she could step up to comfort them,
Mr. Mime tugged her sleeve.
Hanako was confused, and Mr. Mime gestured wildly.
"Danger? What danger?"
Just as she wondered—
Pikachu's eyes suddenly sharpened!
A brilliant golden flash burst forth,
lighting up the entire town.
The electricity was so strong that the streetlights burned out.
A full-power Thunderbolt—
Pikachu's way of forgiving Ash.
Take my Thunderbolt, and we're good again!
This was Pikachu's revenge.
[Elesa: Didn't expect your Pikachu to be so petty, Ash.]
[Aaron: Why does this revenge feel so familiar… déjà vu…]
[Gardenia: You've been with the Queen this long and don't know her style? This is her classic revenge routine.]
[Flint: Gardenia, control your mouth! One day it'll get you killed!]
[Gardenia: Why? Did I lie? The Queen IS petty!
Every time I annoy her, she challenges me saying I want her Champion seat—even though I never said that!
And every time she beats me from start to finish!
My Infernape sees her Garchomp and instantly wants to cover its face! PTSD at this point!]
[Denji: You should think about how to explain this to your Infernape.]
[Cynthia: Heard someone is eyeing my Champion seat. Gardenia, I'll be waiting for you at Lily of the Valley Conference. Don't be late.]
[Gardenia: !!!]
[Denji: I'll mourn for you for one second. No more—it's not worth it. You brought this on yourself.]
[Cynthia: Anyone interested in my Champion seat may challenge me. I'm currently in Sinnoh.
And for the record—this is not directed at Gardenia specifically.]
Dare compare me to Pikachu?
Appearance—fine.
Pikachu is as cute as me.
But saying Pikachu and I are equally petty??
The Sinnoh Champion cannot tolerate this.
Gardenia was done for.
On-screen —
After Pikachu's Thunderbolt full of love,
the thoroughly charred Ash
finally made up with Pikachu.
Ash also promised that from now on
he would never neglect Pikachu in training or battles.
Only then
did Pikachu finally smile.
That's more like it.
Only the Ash with Pikachu
is the Ash everyone knows.
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