Chapter 12: Promotion
"Even though I've seen it many times in Professor Oak's laboratory, witnessing it all out here is still completely different..."
As Ash walked along the path, he took in the surroundings. The bushes and grass were alive with Pokémon, each adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the wild.
The strength of these Pokémon was noticeably low;
Ash could tell from the attributes provided by the system that their power levels aligned closely with Pikachu's—around the Starter level.
This was typical for areas near human habitation, largely due to the Pokémon League's regulations that created safe zones for humans, limiting the presence of powerful Pokémon.
"Should we try to catch a Pokémon?" Ash suggested, stopping to observe a Pidgey preening its feathers on a nearby treetop.
Pidgey, a common sight in the Kanto region, was often referred to as the house bird. Despite its prevalence, it wasn't as weak as it appeared.
With its unremarkable plumage—a creamy face, belly, and wing tips against a brown body—Pidgey was well-equipped for survival.
Its sharp beak and claws were lavender in color, and it had three tufts of hair on its head, giving it a slightly serious demeanor.
While an ordinary Pidgey might seem weak, it had two evolutionary forms: Pidgeotto and Pidgeot.
Evolving into Pidgeotto granted it greater strength and speed, while Pidgeot, resembling a majestic eagle, surpassed many Pokémon of the same level in power.
"Pika, Pika…" Pikachu didn't rush to make a decision, understanding that, as Ash's Pokémon, the choice was ultimately Ash's.
After a moment of contemplation, Ash decided against catching Pidgey for now.
He was confident that, with Pikachu's strength, he could easily defeat it. However, he was uncertain about how to train Pidgey effectively if he did catch it.
Despite what he had learned from Professor Oak, Ash still felt inexperienced and didn't want to take on a new Pokémon without being fully prepared.
"But a fight would be beneficial for both of us!" Ash's competitive spirit ignited, a glimmer of determination shining in his eyes.
"Pika—!" Pikachu nodded in agreement, eager for a challenge.
"Then let's do this!" Ash stepped forward, signaling Pikachu to get ready. "Let's have a duel, Pidgey!"
"Pi——!" Pidgey, noticing Ash and Pikachu, merely snorted dismissively and prepared to fly away, unfurling its wings and launching into the air.
"Hey! You can't just leave!" Ash called out, feeling a mix of indignation and frustration.
"Pikachu, use Thunder Shock!" he commanded, determined not to let Pidgey escape so easily.
"Pika!" Pikachu, feeling the thrill of battle, unleashed a powerful Thunder Shock.
A brilliant arc of electricity surged from his cheeks, transforming into a dazzling golden spark that shot toward Pidgey.
To Pikachu's surprise, this attack felt much stronger than during his previous battles. The speed and intensity had increased remarkably.
Pidgey, sensing the shift in the air, turned just in time to see the Thunder Shock racing toward it.
Despite its keen instincts, Pidgey was too late to avoid the attack completely and was struck by the electric blast.
"Pi——!" Pidgey cried out as it was engulfed in the golden lightning, spiraling downward before crashing to the ground, unable to continue the fight.
"Did we just...?" Ash gasped, eyes wide.
The fact that Pikachu had knocked out Pidgey with a single attack was astonishing, especially considering the type advantage.
"Pika—!" Pikachu responded, his energy still buzzing with excitement, confirming Ash's thoughts about their newfound strength.
"Is this the power of the inheritance from the Winged Dragon of Ra?"
Ash pondered aloud. The time since his last battle with Gary had been brief—less than an hour—and Pikachu hadn't undergone any formal training.
The evidence was clear: the inheritance had indeed amplified Pikachu's abilities.
Crouching beside the fallen Pidgey, Ash examined its condition.
Although it had lost the will to fight, it was otherwise unharmed.
Satisfied, Ash gently picked up Pidgey and moved it to the shade of a nearby tree, allowing it to rest and recover without lingering consequences.
With Pidgey safe, Ash decided it was time to continue toward Viridian City. He aimed to arrive before nightfall to avoid sleeping in the wilderness.
As Ash and Pikachu left the area, shadows began to emerge from the dense woods nearby.
A large group of Pokémon—around forty or fifty—gathered, their fierce appearances striking fear into the hearts of smaller creatures nearby.
Their dark feathers, beige underbellies, and sharp, raptor-like beaks hinted that they were not to be trifled with.
As the other Pokémon scurried away in panic, it was clear that this new arrival posed a significant threat to the peace of the area.
___________________
Adios