8

Fearow didn't launch another attack right away. To be precise, it couldn't—but the Spearows were already closing in. Without time to think, Ash pulled Ser Lena to her feet and prepared to run.

Ser Lena was no longer on Ash's back; the Spearows were too fast, and there wasn't enough time. In her fear, Ser Lena clung tightly to Ash's arms.

"Growlithe, use Flame Wheel!"

Boom!

A loud sound interrupted their escape. Ash paused and turned to look. Two laboratory staff members had arrived, each accompanied by a Growlithe. The Growlithes unleashed their attacks simultaneously, creating spiraling flames that shot into the air like fiery dragons.

The flock of Spearows, flying too fast to dodge, was hit by the flames. Several fell from the sky, their feathers singed, while others managed to evade and regroup around Fearow.

"Come over here!" one of the staff members shouted to Ash.

"Let's go, Ser Lena!" Ash said, pulling her toward them.

"There's a Fearow… this is bad," one staff member muttered as they noticed the larger bird in the sky. They had expected only Spearows, but Fearow was a far greater threat.

Without a fully evolved Pokémon like Arcanine, and given that neither staff member was a professional trainer, defeating Fearow seemed nearly impossible.

---

Fearow Strikes

Cawww!

Fearow screeched and dove, its sharp beak glowing with white energy as it streaked toward the two Growlithes.

"Dodge it!" one of the staff yelled.

The Growlithes jumped to the left and right just in time. Fearow shot through the gap between them, swooping over the heads of Ash, Ser Lena, and the staff before rising back into the air.

As it turned, the glow from its beak faded. Moments later, it opened its mouth, and a familiar energy began to gather—a pulsating, purple light.

"It's Hyper Beam!" one of the staff members exclaimed, their face paling.

Before they could issue commands, Fearow released the powerful attack.

"Danger!"

Ash acted without hesitation. Spotting the Growlithe in the path of the Hyper Beam, he sprinted toward it.

"Ash!" Ser Lena cried in panic, but he was already moving.

The beam hit the ground with a deafening roar, sending up a cloud of smoke as explosions ripped through the terrain. The destructive light surged forward, carving a path of devastation.

One Growlithe barely avoided the blast, but the other was directly in its path. Ash reached it just in time, grabbing the Pokémon and diving to the side as the ground behind them exploded.

---

A New Power

"That was reckless!" one of the staff members exclaimed.

"Unbelievable!" Ser Lena let out a breath of relief, her heart pounding in her chest.

Ash landed on the ground, holding the Growlithe close. Slowly, he got up and checked the Pokémon in his arms.

"Are you okay?"

"Woof!" The Growlithe barked, wagging its tail before licking Ash's cheek affectionately.

"Haha, good! You're fine!" Ash laughed, setting the Pokémon down gently.

The other Growlithe ran over, barking in concern.

"We're fine," Ash reassured it. Then his expression grew serious as he looked up at Fearow. Though temporarily immobilized from using Hyper Beam, the bird was still a major threat.

Suddenly, Ash felt a strange sensation in his head—a vibration, followed by a faint red glow in his eyes.

"What is this…?" Ash murmured, looking down at his hands. He could see streams of red energy flowing through his body and connecting him to the two Growlithes.

It was a strange and wonderful feeling, as if he and the Growlithes had formed an unspoken bond. Despite this being their first encounter, it felt like they understood each other perfectly.

To the others—Ser Lena and the staff—Ash appeared frozen in place, staring into space.

---

Ash Takes Command

"This might work…" Ash said quietly, standing up and addressing the Growlithes. "I have a plan. Will you help me?"

"Woof!" Both Growlithes barked in agreement, stepping closer to Ash.

"What is he doing?" one of the staff whispered.

"He's just a child! He can't possibly handle this!" the other replied, shaking his head.

"Ash!" Ser Lena called out, her small fists clenched in worry. Deep down, however, she believed in him.

"Growlithe, use Ember!" Ash commanded.

The Growlithes immediately exhaled bursts of fiery sparks, sending the attack hurtling toward Fearow.

Cawww!

Fearow flapped its wings and soared higher, dodging the attack effortlessly. Its sharp eyes gleamed, filled with irritation.

"That won't work!" one staff member said in frustration. "A direct attack like that won't hit Fearow!"

But Ash remained calm. He stared Fearow down and said, "Come on, follow me if you dare!"

With that, he turned and ran into the jungle. The Growlithes followed him without hesitation.

Fearow screeched angrily, lowering its altitude as it gave chase. The remaining Spearows followed their leader, diving after Ash and the Growlithes.

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