Ash successfully captured the giant Onix, in a way that seemed incredibly shocking to onlookers.
"Karu~," "Lee Lee!"
Kangaskhan and Charmander immediately began to celebrate, especially Charmander, who had witnessed a shocking lesson up close. Its eyes gleamed when it looked at Ash.
Its Trainer was simply amazing!
So, it will definitely be just as amazing in the future~
"But... I don't understand, in such a high-speed fall, how did you ensure Iron Tail would definitely hit?" Seeing Ash successfully capture Onix in the Poké Ball, Blue asked in confusion. "And it accurately hit the scar on Onix's head, which is equivalent to a critical hit?"
"This is because of Onix's body structure," Ash explained. "Onix isn't entirely made of rock; there's a magnet in its head that helps it navigate underground. I had Pikachu absorb the lightning, not just to increase damage, but actually to magnetize Iron Tail, ensuring it would be attracted to Onix's head."
"Ah, this... battles can be fought like that?" Blue's mouth dropped open in astonishment.
Gary, beside her, was equally startled. Ash's capture battle simultaneously considered abilities, moves, weather, and even the Pokémon's own characteristics, demonstrating an extreme mastery of every detail!
Such a battle was something Gary, at his current stage, could never pull off, and it made him deeply realize the gap between himself and Ash.
It was laughable that he had caught so many Pokémon recently, yet their value was not as high as just one of Ash's.
So... should he continue like this?
Gary couldn't help but ask himself.
He was afraid that if he continued traveling like this, he would always be overshadowed by Ash, and the gap might even widen!
"The rain has stopped... Look over there!" Just as Gary was in turmoil and Ash was enjoying the joy of capture, the sudden downpour quietly ceased.
Blue cheerfully reminded everyone that a beautiful rainbow had appeared in the sky at some point...
"Screeech~" Just then, a clear and pleasant bird cry suddenly came from the distant sky. A beautiful bird-like creature, completely enveloped in golden light, was spreading its wings and soaring across the rainbow on the horizon.
Its long tail feathers scattered specks of golden light behind it, looking even more magnificent than the rainbow!
"What kind of Pokémon is that... Could it be a legend?"
"Anyway, let's take a souvenir photo first."
Beginner Gary was still in shock, but the perverted old man... no, the Veteran Ash was already holding his pokédex and starting to take pictures.
The First-generation Pokédex given by Professor Oak certainly didn't have a photo function, but if the management spirit Porygon was possessing it, Ash could not only take photos but also edit pictures and clip videos~
"It's truly beautiful... I don't know if it's a legend, it looks quite similar to a Fearow, but it must be the most beautiful Fearow..."
"Screeech!"
Blue couldn't help but murmur to herself, which provoked the mysterious giant bird to cry out again, clearly filled with anger!
What a joke!
You're the Fearow, your whole family is Fearow!
"Oh dear! What's going on?!" Just as the giant bird disappeared, a shower of light rain suddenly fell over Blue's head.
The rain seemed to have eyes, targeting only Blue, soaking her completely.
"How petty! It was just a few casual remarks, why retaliate?!" After the rain stopped, the soaking wet Blue, unable to contain her anger, shook her little fist at the sky.
"Alright, come and dry off quickly, or you'll catch a cold." Ash chuckled as he pulled Blue closer. Charmander had thoughtfully already built a fire.
As for the curves outlined by the rain-soaked clothes clinging to her body, Ash didn't look much... and honestly, there wasn't much to see~
After all, not every heroine is May... But Ash now understood why Blue, a heroine who exists in the game setting, had absolutely no role in the anime.
If you offend the cameraman as soon as you step out, how can you expect more screen time?
Just then, a feather shimmering with rainbow light quietly floated in front of Ash.
That was a rainbow wing!
"Is this thing for you?" Gary asked in surprise.
The feather floated in front of Ash as if being pulled, clearly eager to be given to him~
"The treatment difference is too great! Why does he get such a beautiful item?" As a girl, Blue naturally liked shiny and pretty things, but all she got were shiny raindrops... "Who knows? If it's given, I'll just keep it~" Ash didn't pay much attention, casually putting the feather into his backpack.
Ho-Oh might be eagerly chasing him. Otherwise, how could he explain why the sudden downpour that helped defeat the flock of Spearow in the original story is now falling on Miyacha Mountain?
As for this rainbow wing, it's something from the movie version.
The person who obtains the rainbow wing is called the Rainbow Hero, but this hero status seems to have no other symbolic meaning besides going to Heavenly Blue Mountain to play with Ho-Oh.
Therefore, Ash didn't need to overthink this. If Ho-Oh really had a purpose, they would naturally cross paths with him again later.
"Right, the capture battle just now was a bit excessive. I need to help Onix and the others recover. Will you wait for me?" With the Ho-Oh interlude over, Ash sent out Onix, preparing for treatment.
"I can't wait for you." Gary shook his head. "The battle just now, and that mysterious Pokémon at the end... In short, I must leave alone and begin my own training!"
"Mhm, then have a safe trip." Ash nodded understandingly and extended his hand to Gary. "When we meet again on our Journeys, let's have a battle."
"No problem, I'll definitely win next time!" After shaking hands and saying goodbye, Gary descended Miyacha Mountain first.
Ash wasn't surprised by this. If Gary hadn't been moved after seeing all this, he wouldn't be the Elder Mao that Ash respected.
As for the other person, perhaps... "Ash, I... I plan to travel alone too." Blue hesitated for a moment and also bid farewell.
"Alright... If you want to go alone, I won't force you to stay, but you must be careful." Ash sighed softly and gave Blue a thoughtful reminder.
"Uh... there's no need to be so serious, it's just normal travel~" Blue's eyes started to dart around. She felt that Ash seemed to have figured something out.
"Blue, we've known each other since we were five. Do you think you can hide things from me?" Ash said with great solemnity. "In short, make a promise with me... I won't stop you from doing what you want, but you must keep in touch at all times. Especially when you encounter danger, you must tell me immediately, and I will rush to help you right away!"
"A promise, huh... You sure make a lot of promises~" Blue asked back with a deliberate grin. "You promised to help Lila seek justice, and you have that promise with the girl from Kalos, and now you're adding me. Can you really handle it all?"
"Why don't you agree and find out?" Ash's words carried unshakable confidence!
He absolutely would not stand by and do nothing regarding Blue's affairs!
"Ash..." Blue was momentarily stunned.
After a long while, she neither agreed nor refused, only smiling faintly: "Just starting my Journeys, I can't really say what I'm going to do, but I have to try."
"As for you, Ash... Thank you very much for being willing to help me. I truly... have always been very grateful to you~"