After leaving Viridian City, Ash and Misty officially set off on the road to Pewter City.
They hadn't traveled far before a lush, sun-blocking giant forest appeared before their eyes none other than the largest forest in the Kanto Region, Viridian Forest.
The moment they stepped inside, the light dimmed significantly. The air was thick with the fresh scent of soil and vegetation, and the surroundings were filled with the cries of various Bug-type and Flying-type Pokémon.
"So this is Viridian Forest. It truly lives up to its reputation; it's huge," Misty remarked, looking up at the towering trees. As a Water-type Trainer, she felt instinctively skittish in an environment crawling with Bug-type Pokémon and unconsciously moved a little closer to Ash.
"Yeah. They say it's easy to get lost here, so we have to be careful," Ash nodded. He allowed his Aura Power to radiate slightly, sensing the environment. He was staying alert for wild Pokémon, but he was also searching for something in particular.
His Aura quickly locked onto a Caterpie lazily munching on leaves beneath a large tree. This Caterpie looked sturdier than its peers, and its eyes held a certain spark of intelligence.
"Found you." Ash smiled faintly. This felt like destiny. He didn't rush to capture it like in the original story; instead, he took some Pokémon food from his backpack and approached cautiously.
"Hey, what are you doing? Those bugs are disgusting!" Misty called out from behind, a look of revulsion on her face.
"Every Pokémon has its own unique qualities," Ash replied without looking back. He used his Aura to project a friendly intent, placing the food in front of the Caterpie. "Hello there, Caterpie. Would you like some of this?"
The Caterpie looked up, eyeing Ash and the food in his hand with curiosity. Sensing the comforting warmth of his Aura, it hesitated for a moment before slowly crawling over to enjoy the feast.
"See? It's very gentle." Ash smiled at Misty, then turned back to the Caterpie. "What do you think? Would you like to come with me? There's more delicious food out there, and a much wider world to see."
After finishing the food, the Caterpie nuzzled Ash's finger affectionately and nodded.
Only then did Ash take out an empty Poké Ball and gently tap the Caterpie. A flash of red light followed, and the capture was successful without a single struggle.
"Fine... I guess you're pretty good," Misty muttered, pursing her lips as she watched Ash capture a Bug-type Pokémon so effortlessly.
Ash knew all too well that Misty's fear of Bug-types was a psychological hurdle that would take a long time to overcome.
Just then, a series of urgent cries and the sound of frantic flapping echoed from the sky.
The two looked up to see a Pidgeotto with plumage distinctly different from its kind. Even in the dim forest, its pale gold feathers were exceptionally bright. It was currently being double-teamed by two Spearow!
Its movements were far more rapid than a normal Pidgeotto, and its sharp eyes burned with an unyielding spirit. However, facing the pincer attack of two natural enemies, it was clearly struggling. The situation was critical.
"It's a Shiny Pidgeotto!" Ash's eyes lit up. "And it looks like it's being bullied! Pikachu, get ready to help!" At the same time, he released his own Pidgey.
"Pika!" "Pidgey!"
"My Pokémon can't help with this; I'll leave it to you, Ash," Misty said, watching the sky nervously.
"Pikachu, use Thunder Shock on the Spearow on the left! Pidgey, use Gust on the one on the right!" Ash commanded quickly.
A bolt of electricity and a swirling vortex shot out simultaneously, accurately striking the two Spearow! The Spearow shrieked in pain and temporarily abandoned their assault on the Shiny Pidgeotto, turning their angry glares toward Ash and the others on the ground.
The Shiny Pidgeotto finally caught its breath. It looked down in surprise at the human and Pokémon who had helped it, its eyes filled with gratitude and appraisal.
"Pidgeotto, are you alright? Do you want to take them down with us?" Ash shouted toward the sky, using his Aura to transmit his intent for an alliance.
The Shiny Pidgeotto let out a high-pitched, sharp cry as if accepting the invitation. It beat its pale gold wings violently, its speed suddenly skyrocketing. Transforming into a streak of golden light, it unleashed a Quick Attack! Its speed was far beyond what it had shown before.
"What incredible speed! I love it! Pikachu, continue with Thunder Shock to cover it! Pidgey, use Gust to distract them!"
Under Ash's direction and the cover fire from Pikachu and Pidgey, the Shiny Pidgeotto became like a bolt of golden lightning, repeatedly striking the Spearow.
It was already powerful to begin with, and now with help, it immediately seized the upper hand. It even used Whirlwind, leaving one Spearow completely disoriented.
Soon, the two Spearow were battered and bruised. Realizing they were outmatched, they beat a hasty retreat.
The Shiny Pidgeotto let out a victorious cry before slowly descending to a low-hanging branch, staring at Ash with sharp, intelligent eyes.
"You are strong and very brave," Ash praised sincerely. "Would you like to become my partner? Together, we can fly higher and challenge even stronger opponents."
The Shiny Pidgeotto looked at Ash, then at the powerful Pikachu by his side, sinking into thought for a moment. it could feel the unique presence of this Trainer's Aura and his sincerity. Finally, it nodded and flew down, tapping its wing against the Poké Ball Ash held out.
Capture successful! Ash had successfully caught the rare Shiny Pidgeotto!
Misty leaned in, wide-eyed. "Wow, the color really is different! You've got some incredible luck, mister!"
[Ding! Host has captured a rare Shiny Pokémon: 'Pidgeotto (Shiny)'. Reward: 300 Realm Origin points.]
[Current Realm Origin: 1350 points.]
The system notification brought another pleasant surprise.
The two continued deeper into the forest. Not long after, a boy dressed in samurai armor and wielding a wooden sword suddenly jumped out, blocking their path.
"Halt! This tree was planted by me, and this road was opened by me! If you wish to pass, you must pay the toll! ...Wait, no, that's not it! I mean, accept the challenge of me, Samurai Boy Kyle!" The youth struck a pose he clearly thought was dashing.
Ash: "..." This brand of chuunibyou seemed rather familiar.
Misty: "Where did this weirdo come from..."
"Come! Battle me!" Samurai Boy Kyle threw a Poké Ball, and a Pinsir appeared on the field, waving its massive horns threateningly.
Well, it looked like this was going to be Ash's first "EXP bag" from the original story.
"I accept your challenge!" Ash said, tossing his own Poké Ball. "Pidgey, I choose you!"
"Pinsir, use Vice Grip!"
"Quick Attack!"
Pidgey blurred, dodging the Pinsir's pincers and slamming into its body.
"Pinsir, hang in there! Use Harden!"
"Pidgey, continuous Quick Attack!"
Pidgey was fast, but after Pinsir boosted its defense, the damage was limited.
"Now's the chance! Pinsir, catch it with Vice Grip!" Kyle shouted, seeing an opening.
Pinsir lunged with its massive pincers, about to clamp down on Pidgey!
"Pidgeotto (Shiny), your turn! Quick Attack!" Ash switched Poké Balls with lightning speed!
A golden silhouette shot out of the Poké Ball like a cannonball, slamming into Pinsir with terrifying force! Its power was far superior to Pidgey's!
Bang! Pinsir was knocked flying, landing on the ground and spinning in circles, completely unable to battle.
"Pinsir!" Kyle recalled his Pokémon, looking defeated and shocked. "So... so strong! And a Shiny one! I actually lost..."
Just then, another Poké Ball at Ash's waist opened automatically. Caterpie crawled out, chirping excitedly at Ash as its body began to glow with a brilliant white light!
"This is... evolution!" Misty exclaimed in surprise.
Under their watchful eyes, Caterpie's body rapidly changed shape. As the light faded, a Metapod stood in its place! It seemed the insight gained from watching the battle, combined with the power it had accumulated, had finally met the conditions for evolution.
"Great job, Metapod!" Ash said, genuinely happy for it.
However, perhaps the commotion of the evolution was too loud, or perhaps Metapod's new scent had attracted its natural enemies. A dense buzzing sound suddenly erupted from the nearby bushes, and a swarm of angry Beedrill came flying out! There were so many of them that they seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see!
"Not good! It's a swarm of Beedrill! Run!" Samurai Boy Kyle's face went pale. He was the first to react, spinning around and bolting.
Ash and Misty realized the danger, recalled their Pokémon, and sprinted after Kyle!
But the Beedrill swarm was incredibly fast, closing the distance in heartbeats!
"Metapod, come back!" Ash tried to recall Metapod, but Metapod was slow-moving and was about to be surrounded by the swarm!
In that moment of crisis, Metapod seemed to sense its Trainer's peril and its own responsibility. The unstable energy within its body after its recent evolution began to boil once more! An even more dazzling light of evolution erupted from it for the second time!
"Another... another evolution?!" Misty, still running, looked back and nearly tripped in shock.
Within the light, Metapod's form shifted again. Its body elongated, and beautiful wings unfurled!
When the light dissipated, a Butterfree fluttered before them!
Flapping its wings, it released a massive cloud of Stun Spore and Sleep Powder. Like a golden mist, it instantly engulfed the leading Beedrill!
The Beedrill at the front were hit immediately; their movements became sluggish, and some even fell asleep mid-air, crashing to the ground. The swarm behind them was blocked by this sudden area-of-effect attack, and their speed dropped drastically.
"You really are full of surprises, Butterfree!" Ash couldn't help but marvel.
"Now's our chance! Run!" Samurai Boy Kyle pointed toward a small path. "There's a secret base of mine over there!"
Taking the opportunity, the three of them escaped the slowed swarm. Following Kyle through several twists and turns, they finally ducked into a hidden tree hollow, safe for the moment.
Outside the hollow, Butterfree flew gracefully, standing guard over its Trainer. At the most critical moment, it had evolved twice in a row to resolve the crisis.
Ash looked at the beautiful Butterfree and then thought of his newly captured Shiny Pidgeotto, his heart full of emotion.
The adventure in Viridian Forest had been full of surprises, but the rewards were immense!
(Author's Note: I rushed Caterpie's evolution a little bit just to push the plot forward. Please don't mind too much!)
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