Leaving the site of the conflict with the Spearow, Ash continued toward Viridian City with Pikachu and Pidgey. However, he had underestimated the vengeful nature of wild Pokémon especially when he had provoked an entire flock.
The sky had grown overcast at some point, with dark clouds gathering and the air thick with the oppressive stillness that precedes a mountain storm.
"Pika..." Pikachu cried out uneasily from Ash's shoulder, its ears perked and eyes fixed warily behind them. At the same moment, Ash's Aura sensed a threatening presence.
"Oh no!" He spun around, only to see a mass of black "clouds" sweeping toward them at incredible speed! It wasn't a cloud at all, but a flock of dozens of Spearow. Leading them was an exceptionally large Fearow with a hideous growth on its beak, its blood-red eyes locked onto Ash and Pikachu.
Despite all his calculations, he hadn't been able to escape the correction of the timeline after all!
"Run!" Ash shouted. He recalled Pidgey and bolted toward the heart of the forest. Pikachu clung tightly to his shoulder, occasionally looking back to unleash a Thunder Shock. But the scattered bolts of electricity were far too weak against the flock led by the Fearow, and only served to enrage them further.
A sudden gale whipped up, and large raindrops began to drum down, instantly veiling the world in a grey curtain of rain. Visibility plummeted, and the muddy path became even more treacherous.
"Gaaah!!!" The Fearow let out a piercing shriek that cut through the rain as the entire flock dived down like arrows shot from a bow! Their assault was several times more intense than before.
Ash struggled through the mud, trying to use the trees for cover. But the Fearow's sharp beak and the Spearow's talons easily tore through the branches and leaves, staying hot on their heels.
"Pikachu, use Thunder Shock on the ground! Stir up the mud to distract them!" Ash shouted, thinking on his feet.
"Pika—chu!" Pikachu unleashed its electricity with all its might. Bolts exploded against the wet ground, splashing up massive amounts of mud. The sight of the pursuers was momentarily blurred, and their speed slowed slightly.
But this also drained the majority of Pikachu's stamina. It panted heavily, its electrical reserves clearly running low.
Just then, Ash's foot slipped, and he fell heavily to the ground!
"Gaaah!!" The Fearow seized the opportunity, diving like a fighter jet. Its sharp, long beak lunged straight for Ash's back!
In the moment of crisis, Ash rolled over and channeled his Aura Power with everything he had!
"Aura Barrier!"
A faint blue, translucent shield snapped open, appearing even more solid than it had back at the lab!
Bang!!
The Fearow's beak slammed hard against the barrier with a dull thud! The shield distorted violently as cracks spread instantly. Though it managed to block the lethal blow, the massive impact sent Ash's blood churning, and the barrier teetered on the verge of shattering.
"Pika!" Pikachu jumped in front of Ash, trying to protect him, but the electricity flickering from its body was now weak and unstable.
"It's no use! Get back!" Ash shouted anxiously, struggling to get up.
The rain fell harder, and thunder rumbled. The Spearow flock circled again, preparing for their next strike. Despair began to take hold.
"Hey! You! Over here! Come quick!"
Suddenly, a crisp, urgent female voice called out from behind them.
Ash looked toward the sound and saw an orange-haired girl standing beneath a massive rock, waving her arms frantically through the rain. Beside her was a large Goldeen watching them with worried eyes.
It was Misty!
Ash didn't have time to think. He scooped up the weakened Pikachu and ran toward the rock with all his strength.
"Gaaah!!" The Fearow clearly had no intention of letting them go, leading its flock in another charge!
"Goldeen, Water Gun! Aim for their wings!" Misty commanded decisively.
Goldeen puffed out its cheeks and unleashed a powerful stream of water. It hit the lead Spearow with precision, sending them tumbling and momentarily stalling the chase.
Ash took the chance to scramble under the rock to join Misty. It served as a small, natural rain shelter.
"Thank you..." Ash panted, unable to finish his sentence.
"This isn't the time for thanks!" Misty said rapidly, her face grave as she watched the birds regrouping in the air. "There are too many of them! My Goldeen can't show its full strength on land!"
The Fearow seemed completely enraged by the Goldeen's attack. It let out a deafening roar, its body glowing with white light as it unleashed Drill Run! Like a massive drill, it tore through the rain with an unstoppable momentum, charging straight for the two beneath the rock! This strike was far beyond what the previous barrier could withstand.
Misty's face went pale, and even Goldeen showed a look of fear.
Ash gritted his teeth and shielded Pikachu behind him. He forced his remaining Aura to gather for one last stand, even though he knew it was like an ant trying to stop a carriage!
But at that very moment of peril!
"Pika... Pika..."
From behind Ash, Pikachu watched its master standing in harm's way. Seeing that terrifying attack, a fierce desire to protect and a sense of defiance exploded in its heart! It felt the vast, terrifying energy hidden within the rolling dark clouds—energy that shared its own origin but was infinitely more immense!
It suddenly leaped from behind Ash, jumping onto a higher rock. Facing the incoming Fearow, it screamed into the sky with every last bit of electricity and will it possessed:
"Pika—CHUUUUUUU!!!!!!"
As if in response to its call!
Rumble—!!!
A massive bolt of lightning, thick enough to connect heaven and earth, tore through the dark clouds and crashed down like the wrath of a god! Its target was exactly where Pikachu stood! But the moment the lightning was about to touch Pikachu, its small body became a conductor and controller. It channeled all that wild electrical energy into a devastating golden torrent, sending it surging toward the charging Fearow with violent fury!
"Gaaah—!!!!!!"
The Fearow's Drill Run was laughable in the face of such divine power! Its silhouette was instantly swallowed by the endless golden light! A blood-curdling shriek echoed through the rainy night.
The following flock of Spearow was scared out of their wits by the horrific sight and the stray arcs of electricity. They let out terrified cries and scattered in every direction, not daring to look back.
The golden light lingered for several seconds before slowly fading away.
The rain gradually slowed.
The air was thick with the heavy scent of ozone and a hint of char. In front of the rock, the ground where the lightning had struck was scorched black, tendrils of smoke rising from the earth.
The once arrogant Fearow lay charred in a crater, completely incapacitated.
Drained of strength, Pikachu fell from the rock. Ash was quick to catch it, pulling it into his arms. It had fainted, but its breathing was steady, and its body seemed unharmed. In fact, a faint golden arc of electricity seemed to be flowing beneath its fur.
Misty stared at the scene in stunned silence, then looked at Ash holding Pikachu, unable to utter a word. Goldeen also pulled its head back.
Ash's heart was racing. He held Pikachu tightly, feeling its steady heartbeat, filled with both shock and joy. In their moment of desperation, Pikachu had actually drawn upon natural lightning to unleash a Thunder move far beyond its current level!
Just then, the rain stopped.
The dark clouds parted, and a ray of golden sunlight broke through, shining directly onto the scorched earth. Ash and Misty felt something and looked up at the sky at the same time.
A magnificent seven-colored rainbow arched across the heavens. And at the peak of that rainbow, a massive figure of incomparable grace and beauty flew leisurely by, radiating a sacred light. It had golden wings and long, rainbow-colored tail feathers, surrounded by an iridescent halo.
Ho-Oh!
It seemed to glance down at the boy holding the Pikachu and the girl beside him, its gaze deep and peaceful, as if witnessing something significant. Then, it let out a clear, long cry and flapped its wings toward the distance, quickly disappearing at the end of the rainbow.
Ash stared blankly in the direction Ho-Oh had vanished, a realization dawning in his heart. Was this a witness, or perhaps... a form of recognition for him, the "butterfly" who had accidentally intruded? Or was it recognition of Pikachu's potential?
He looked down at the unconscious Pikachu in his arms, then at Misty, who was still in shock, and let out a long sigh of relief.
The crisis was over. The fateful encounter had been completed in a different form, and they had even seen the legendary Ho-Oh.
His journey was destined to be full of wonders from the very beginning.
***
I just wanted to make a correction to the timeline here. After all, a little adventure makes things more exciting, doesn't it?
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