Chapter 2
The First Win
The Spearow hit the ground hard.
"THUD."
Ash blinked.
"…Did it faint?"
Pikachu stood there, electricity fading from his cheeks.
Yep.
Clean knockout.
No damage taken.
No risk.
Perfect.
The system appeared instantly.
[RED PIKACHU SYSTEM]
Battle Result: Victory
Opponent: Spearow
Method: Thunder Shock
Win Streak: 1
Undefeated Record: Maintained
Pikachu nodded in satisfaction.
Good.
Because losing was not an option.
The system didn't explain what the penalty was.
And honestly?
He didn't want to find out.
Ash ran over excitedly.
"PIKACHU THAT WAS AMAZING!"
The boy crouched beside him.
"You beat it in one hit!"
Pikachu puffed his chest proudly.
Of course he did.
Low-level wild Pokémon.
Barely a warm-up.
Ash suddenly pulled out a Poké Ball.
Pikachu's ears twitched.
The boy scratched the back of his head nervously.
"…You know… you don't have to go inside if you don't want to."
Pikachu stared at the ball.
In the anime timeline, Pikachu refused the ball for a long time.
But this Pikachu wasn't that Pikachu.
This Pikachu had a system HUD and meta knowledge.
And more importantly…
He had just triggered a regional bird war.
A distant screech echoed through the trees.
"SPEEEEAAAROW!"
Pikachu slowly looked up.
The sky darkened.
Wings.
Lots of wings.
A whole flock.
When one Spearow gets angry, they call their flock to attack the threat.
Pikachu's expression went flat.
Nope.
He turned to Ash.
Held out both arms.
"Pika."
Ash blinked.
"…You want to go inside?"
Pikachu nodded.
Immediately.
Right now.
Before the bird army arrived.
Ash's face lit up.
"Really?!"
He gently tapped the Poké Ball against Pikachu.
Click.
Red light swallowed him.
The ball shook once.
Twice.
Then.
Click.
Ash stared.
"…Did I just catch my first Pokémon?"
He slowly raised the ball.
His grin stretched ear to ear.
"YES!!!"
Ash pumped his fist into the air.
"I CAUGHT A PIKACHU!"
Inside the Poké Ball, Pikachu floated comfortably in the warm digital space.
Much quieter in here.
Much safer.
And most importantly…
He could hear Ash running.
Fast.
Very fast.
Because the Spearow flock had officially arrived.
Ash screamed.
"WHY ARE THERE SO MANY?!"
Inside the Poké Ball, Pikachu relaxed.
Good.
Let the kid run a bit.
Cardio builds character.
The system flickered again.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
Trainer Bond: Established
Starter Pokémon Registered
Partner: Ash Ketchum
New Ability Unlocked:
Bond Discharge
Condition: Protect Trainer
Bonus: Temporary power amplification
Pikachu smiled.
Perfect.
Timeline secured.
Win streak started.
Trainer acquired.
And somewhere ahead…
A certain orange-haired bike owner was about to enter the story.
This journey was already looking far more optimized than the original timeline.