Ash didn't put Eevee away immediately. Instead, he pressed the button on the Poké Ball and released it again. At the same time, he redeemed a Potion from the system shop, crouched down, and carefully sprayed it over Eevee's injuries. The effect was immediate. The wounds on Eevee's body closed at a visible speed.
"Eevee…" Eevee slowly opened its eyes and realized it was lying in Ash's arms. It looked up at him warily, confusion lingering in its gaze.
"You're awake, Eevee." Ash smiled gently. He took out an orange Energy Cube from his bag and offered it to Eevee. "This is an Energy Cube. It's really good. Try it."
Eevee hesitated. It leaned closer, sniffed, then took a cautious bite.
The moment the sweet flavor melted on its tongue, Eevee's eyes lit up. It couldn't hold back anymore and started eating in big bites. When it finished, its guard seemed to drop completely. It rubbed its little head against Ash's palm and let out an affectionate, "Eevee, eevee."
"So you've accepted me." Warmth spread through Ash's chest. He gently picked Eevee up. "From now on, we're partners. We'll go on adventures together and get stronger together."
"Eevee." Eevee rubbed its cheek against Ash's face in response.
Ash returned Eevee to its Poké Ball and placed it carefully into his bag. Then he looked at Pikachu.
"Alright, Pikachu. Let's keep moving. We're going to find Pidgeot."
"Pika." Pikachu nodded and followed as Ash continued toward the core of Viridian Forest.
As they went deeper, the surroundings gradually changed. The trees were no longer packed as tightly as they were near the outskirts, and sunlight could slip through the canopy and brighten the forest. Bug Pokémon became rarer, replaced by more and more Flying Pokémon. Flocks of Pidgey circled overhead, Pidgeotto hopped between branches, and every now and then a few Spearow streaked across the sky.
Looks like we're getting close to Pidgeot's territory, Ash thought.
As the king among Flying Pokémon, Pidgeot's domain usually held large Pidgey and Pidgeotto flocks, and Pokémon of other types tended to avoid the area. That explained why the Bug Pokémon had all but disappeared.
He knew he couldn't keep pushing forward recklessly. If he crossed into the core territory by accident, he could be treated as an invader and attacked by an entire flock. Pikachu and Charizard were strong enough to handle it, but Ash didn't want conflict with Pidgeot's people.
Ash took a deep breath, stopped, and shouted up at the sky.
"Pidgeot. I'm here to bring you back!"
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted along with him, the sound echoing through the open forest.
Once, twice, three times.
Ash called out again and again, but there was no response.
The Pidgey and Pidgeotto in the sky were clearly startled by the sudden voice. They stopped mid-flight and stared curiously in Ash's direction.
Is Pidgeot not here? Or did it forget our promise?
Worry flashed through Ash's mind, but he shook it off almost immediately.
No. Pidgeot isn't that kind of Pokémon. It definitely remembers.
Just then, a violent rush of wind rolled in from the distance.
The sound of wings beating at high speed.
It was getting closer.
Ash and Pikachu snapped their heads up. Two huge shadows were racing toward them from far away.
As they closed in, Ash finally saw them clearly.
Two massive Pidgeot, each with wings spread more than three meters wide. Their brown feathers gleamed, and the red crest on their heads looked like a crown. The one in front stood out even more. Its gaze was sharp, and its entire presence carried the pressure of a true ruler.
It was the Pidgeot he had left behind.
"Pidgeot. It's really you!" Ash waved hard, tears glinting in his eyes. "I came to get you. I'm sorry I'm late!"
"Pika!" Pikachu bounced excitedly and yelled up at it.
The lead Pidgeot saw Ash, and a flash of surprise and excitement appeared in its eyes. It sped up, dove down, and spread its wide wings, gently pulling Ash and Pikachu into its embrace. The airflow from the wings blew Ash's hair back, but he didn't care at all. Feeling the warmth and familiarity of those wings made his chest tighten with emotion.
"Pidgeot, I missed you so much." Ash reached out and softly stroked its feathers.
"Pidgeot." It called back, full of unmistakable longing. It rubbed its huge head against Ash's cheek, as affectionate as it was powerful.
Ash silently ordered, "System, check Pidgeot's info!"
Pokémon Name: Pidgeot
Category: Bird Pokémon
Type: Normal, Flying
Gender: Male
Ability: Keen Eye (Accuracy cannot be lowered. Ignores the target's evasion boosts.)
Strength Level: Gym Peak
Moves Known: Hurricane, Brave Bird, Roost, Steel Wing, Hyper Beam, Air Slash, Wing Attack, Quick Attack…
Tera Type: Flying
Held Item: None
Gym Peak.
Ash's eyes widened slightly. Back when he left, Pidgeot had only been Elite Peak. After all these years, it had grown into Gym Peak and mastered so many powerful moves.
No wonder it could rule and protect the flock.
Ash lifted his head and looked straight into Pidgeot's eyes.
"Pidgeot, will you travel with me again? This time, I won't keep you waiting. We'll go to Hoenn together, challenge Gyms together, enter the League together, and become the strongest partners."
Pidgeot released him, stepped back a few paces, and hesitation flickered in its eyes.
Then it was replaced by fierce battle intent.
It beat its wings once and cried out, as if saying, If you want me to go with you, prove your strength first.
"I get it." Excitement flashed in Ash's eyes.
Pidgeot wanted a battle to confirm whether he was still worthy of being followed.
"Pikachu, battle stance. Let Pidgeot see how far we've come!"
"Pika." Pikachu jumped down and took position, cheek sacs crackling with electricity, eyes burning with intent. It also wanted to properly clash with its old friend and see just how strong Pidgeot had become.
Pidgeot let out a piercing cry. Its wings snapped forward, and countless razor-sharp blades of air formed and swept toward Pikachu.
Air Slash.
"Pikachu, dodge! Use Quick Attack to close the distance, then Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered decisively.
"Pika!" Pikachu moved at top speed, turning into a streak of white light as it slipped past the cutting air. The air blades slammed into the ground, carving deep grooves. The power was terrifying.
After dodging, Pikachu surged beneath Pidgeot, golden electricity building in its mouth before it fired upward.
Thunderbolt!
Pidgeot had expected it. With one beat of its wings, it shot upward and avoided the Thunderbolt cleanly. Immediately after, a red glow surged around its body, and its speed and power spiked as it dove straight down.
Brave Bird!
So fast!
Ash's heart jumped. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt again. Head on!"
"Pikaachuu!" Pikachu didn't hesitate. A second blast of powerful electricity roared out like a golden dragon, crashing toward the diving Pidgeot.
This time, Pidgeot didn't dodge.
It forced through the Thunderbolt and kept charging with Brave Bird.
Boom!
Golden lightning and red impact collided, exploding with a deafening roar. Smoke and dust swallowed the battlefield.
"Pidgeot!" Ash tensed, staring into the smoke.
A moment later, the smoke thinned.
Pidgeot burst out, feathers slightly ruffled, clearly having taken heavy impact. But its eyes were still sharp, its will unshaken.
It took Pikachu's Thunderbolt head on.
Ash's eyes flashed with surprise and delight. With the Light Ball boosting Pikachu, that Thunderbolt's power was already at the peak of Gym level. For Pidgeot to endure it like that meant its defense and sheer fighting spirit were on another level.
"As expected of you, Pidgeot. But we're not losing either!" Ash shouted. "Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
"Pika!" Pikachu answered and launched forward as a streak of white light.
But right as Pikachu was about to reach Pidgeot, blue electricity suddenly erupted around its body. The current wrapped it completely, and its speed and power jumped to a higher level.
That wasn't Quick Attack.
It was Volt Tackle.
"It's Volt Tackle!" Ash's eyes went wide with excitement. Volt Tackle was one of Pikachu's signature moves, ridiculously powerful, though it also caused recoil. He didn't expect Pikachu to bring it out right now.
Pidgeot saw it and a trace of approval appeared in its gaze.
No fear.
It activated Brave Bird again and charged straight into Pikachu.
Boom!
An even more violent explosion. Blue lightning and red impact tangled together, producing a blinding flash. The smoke this time was thicker, spreading across the entire battlefield.
Ash stared into it, tense with worry. He was worried about Pikachu, and he was worried about Pidgeot getting hurt.
"Pidgeot!" A loud cry cut through the smoke.
Then Pidgeot surged out.
And Pikachu was standing steadily on its back, waving its tiny paws and cheering happily.
"Pika pi!"
(End of Chapter)
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