"Gyarados, use Iron Tail!" "Onix, you too!"
"Charmander, use Flamethrower to catch Pidgey!"
"Pidgey, keep using Quick Attack to dodge the flames!"
At this moment, Red was directing his Pokémon in training. Because Beedrill had trained with Red for years, it no longer needed instructions and already knew what direction to focus on.
The blood-red Gyarados and the gigantic Onix used Iron Tail at the same time, comparing their respective strength.
In Red's view, both Pokémon were power-type battlers, relying on their massive size to crush opponents. Aside from unfavorable type matchups, a pure contest of strength was the most suitable way for them to temper each other's abilities.
Charmander and Pidgey's training plan was more varied. Charmander was currently honing the speed at which it released flames, while Pidgey was further improving its movement speed. From time to time, Red would toss small pebbles to interfere with them, training their reaction speed as well.
Proper training could be addictive. Clearly, both Red and his five Pokémon were immersed in it, completely unaware of the dark clouds slowly approaching in the distance.
...
On Ash's side
While Ash and Pikachu were still "enhancing" their bond, a Pidgey was foraging in the grass. Ash immediately set his sights on it. Wanting to learn more, he pointed his Pokédex at Pidgey.
"Pidgey, the Tiny Bird Pokémon. Among Pokémon that can fly in the sky, it has the gentlest temperament and is easy to catch, making it the most suitable for beginner trainers!"
After hearing the Pokédex's explanation, Ash decided that Pidgey would be the first Pokémon he would catch. Just as he was about to command Pikachu to battle, he found that Pikachu had already skillfully climbed onto a tree branch, yawning with no intention of fighting.
"Seriously, my brother said most Pokémon need to be battled before you can catch them!"
Ash scratched his head anxiously, thinking about how to catch Pidgey. Finally, he snapped his fingers, planning to wrap Pidgey up with his clothes and then throw a Poké Ball to capture it.
The plan began smoothly. Ash quietly approached Pidgey and was just about to throw his clothes over it when Pidgey sensed his intentions. It unleashed a Gust, blowing Ash away and finishing with a faceful of Sand Attack.
Unwilling to give up, Ash watched Pidgey fly off helplessly. Just as he was about to continue communicating with Pikachu, he ran into a Rattata stealing food from his backpack. Ash hurried over to stop it, but most of the food had already been eaten. The Pokédex in his pocket began explaining again.
"Rattata, a Pokémon found in forests. It loves eating hard nuts and cheese the most!"
"Wait a second, this isn't a forest. It's just grassland!" Ash retorted.
"Sometimes it encounters careless passersby and steals food on grasslands too!"
The Pokédex immediately shot back at Ash, causing Pikachu in the tree to laugh so hard it held its stomach.
After being mocked by Pikachu, Ash, unwilling to admit defeat, decided to personally catch a Pokémon so Pikachu would see him in a new light. Several Pidgey appeared on the grass again. This time, Ash planned to knock one out with a pebble and then use a Poké Ball to capture it.
But unfortunately, the pebble hit not the gentle Pidgey, but a Spearow full of hostility toward humans. Spearow quickly launched an attack. Since Pikachu had been raised by humans, Spearow regarded it as an enemy as well. However, Pikachu was no pushover. A single Thunder Shock knocked Spearow to the ground.
Before Ash could react, the fallen Spearow stood up again and let out a call. A large flock of Spearow flew in from the trees, forming a massive group that advanced toward Ash.
Terrified, Ash fled with Pikachu. The surrounding wild Pokémon watched the "race" between Ash and the Spearow flock as if it were nothing new. They had already witnessed several reckless rookie trainers make the same mistake as Ash—never provoke Spearow without strength.
To escape the flock's pursuit, Ash leaped off a waterfall with the injured Pikachu in his arms, following the river downstream. In the river, he even encountered an attacking Gyarados, but fortunately managed to avoid it in time.
Downstream, Misty was leisurely fishing, hoping to catch her ideal Water-type Pokémon.
"Seriously, I should've asked that handsome guy for his contact information," Misty muttered.
Suddenly, her fishing rod was pulled forcefully. Excited, Misty began struggling against it.
"With this kind of reaction, could it be the legendary big one?!"
With a strong pull, Misty flung up not a Pokémon, but Ash—who had jumped off the waterfall earlier. Regaining his breath, Ash coughed up the remaining river water. Pikachu in his arms grew worse as its wound reopened.
"That's too much!"
Just as Ash finished thanking her, Misty slapped him across the face.
"Why does it look so miserable? It's too pitiful!"
Misty looked at the injured Pikachu in Ash's arms with heartache.
"It's my fault!"
"Stop rambling and take it to a Pokémon Center for treatment!"
Misty pointed toward Viridian City. Upon hearing there was a place to heal Pikachu, Ash regained his spirit. At that moment, the Spearow flock began closing in again. Ignoring Misty's protests, Ash placed Pikachu in the basket, mounted the bicycle, and sped toward Viridian City.
"Seriously, what's wrong with this guy!" Misty said angrily, hands on her hips.
The sky gradually darkened, thunder and lightning weaving through the clouds above.
While riding, Pikachu looked at Ash through blurred vision, secretly moved.
Ash pedaled desperately, ignoring the heavy rain and the pursuing Spearow. Because of the rain, he slipped on a downhill slope and crashed to the ground along with the bike. The Spearow flock quickly caught up, determined to teach Ash and Pikachu a harsh lesson.
"Pikachu… how did it come to this…" Ash said sadly, not knowing whether the liquid at the corner of his eyes was tears or rain.
Sensing the Spearow closing in, Ash took out Pikachu's Poké Ball.
"Pikachu, get inside this! I know you don't like going in here, but if you go inside, you might be saved! Hurry, get in! Leave the rest to me!"
After saying that, Ash placed the Poké Ball in front of Pikachu and turned alone to face the flock.
"What do you guys think I am?! I'm Ash from Pallet Town! I'm going to become the world's greatest Pokémon Master someday! There's no way I'll lose to you! I'll catch every single one of you!"
"Pikachu, hurry and get into the Poké Ball!"
(A/N: This scene is a "world-famous masterpiece" in the Pokémon series, and one that touches my heart the most. When the BGM plays, it enhances the atmosphere even further. Ash is both reckless and kind, a trainer with grand dreams.
Although he did not win a satisfying championship for a long time, whenever I rewatch this episode, I'm still deeply moved. The courage Ash showed facing the Spearow flock alone is enough to earn my admiration. Ash will always be a Pokémon trainer worthy of admiration in my heart!)
Seeing Ash prepared to face the Spearow alone, Pikachu mustered its last strength, leaped onto Ash's shoulder, and then jumped before the flock.
Lightning had already gathered in the sky. A bolt struck Pikachu by coincidence. Borrowing the lightning's power, Pikachu unleashed a powerful Thunder. A pillar of lightning shot into the sky, and the pursuing Spearow flock, like the bicycle, collapsed to the ground, charred black.
"Thankfully, it was just a trial!"
The dark clouds dispersed, and warm sunlight once again bathed the earth. Arriving beside the unconscious Ash and Pikachu, Red took out a healing spray from his backpack and treated them. This trial would surely forge an unbreakable bond between them.
With Red's treatment, Ash and Pikachu soon awakened. Upon seeing Red, the tension in Ash's heart finally eased.
"Big brother, I didn't embarrass you, did I?"
"Of course not. You've always been a brother I'm proud of!" Red said with a smile.
Some of the Spearow regained consciousness, attempting to continue their revenge. But now that Ash and Pikachu had formed their bond, Red had no reason to let them act so arrogantly.
"Charmander, finish them!"
Red threw his Poké Ball, and Charmander appeared before the Spearow. Realizing its strength, they tried to flee, but a single Flamethrower from Charmander defeated them completely, leaving them unable to move.
"So strong… As expected of my brother's Pokémon!" Ash said in shock. He hadn't expected the Spearow that had relentlessly chased him to be defeated so easily.
Moments later, the dark clouds fully dispersed. A seven-colored rainbow appeared in the sky. Countless Pokémon were captivated by the sight. A golden, sacred Pokémon appeared above.
Ash looked at the unknown Pokémon in confusion. The Pokédex automatically explained:
"No data! In this world, there are still many Pokémon yet to be discovered!"
Red took out his Pokédex and captured an image of Ho-Oh as it was about to depart. Noticing Ash's questioning gaze, he slowly explained.
"Ho-Oh, one of the representative legendary Pokémon of the neighboring Johto Region. It hasn't appeared before people for many years. It's said to show itself to humans with pure hearts. Ho-Oh possesses the miraculous power to resurrect the dead. Wherever it flies, a rainbow forms. Legend says that those who see Ho-Oh will obtain eternal happiness!"
After hearing his brother's explanation, Ash nodded in confusion, not yet fully understanding the meaning.
Just as Red prepared to take Ash to Viridian City, two rainbow-colored feathers fell from the rainbow in the clouds, gently landing in the hands of the two brothers.
"Ash, it seems we've been recognized by Ho-Oh as trainers!" Red said joyfully, faintly seeing Ho-Oh's departing figure in the distance.