Chapter 3: The Storm of Friendship
The Spearow glared at us. This brat... how dare he attack me? And look at that Pikachu, acting all comfortable. It makes me sick! I'm going to make them pay!
"SPEAR-OWWW!"
With a piercing shriek that sounded like a whistle cutting through the air, the Spearow dived straight toward Pikachu. But Pikachu was ready. With a quick leap, he dodged the attack and immediately counter-attacked.
"Pikachu, Thundershock!"
BZZZZ-ZAP!
The Thundershock was a direct hit. The Spearow was blasted backward, looking like a piece of burnt toast.
This is the worst day of my life! First, a kid hits me with a rock, and then his Pokémon fries me crisp? I can't let this slide. Come on, my friends! Attack them! Get my revenge!
"SPEAR-OWWWWW!"
The Spearow let out a loud, screeching call for help. Suddenly, a massive flock of Spearow erupted from a nearby tree, darkening the sky.
Flap-flap-flap-flap!
Pikachu and I froze for a second, completely terrified. Without saying a single word to each other, we both knew exactly what we had to do.
"RUN!"
Pikachu and I bolted down the path as fast as our legs could carry us, with the entire angry flock hot on our heels.
Pikachu and I were running for our lives, a massive flock of Spearows hot on our heels. The angry birds swooped down, pecking at us relentlessly.
Swoosh! Peck!
I tried my best to shield myself, but Pikachu, being so small, was taking the brunt of the attack.
"Why are you punishing him?! This was my mistake!" I screamed at the flock, scooping Pikachu up into my arms. I sprinted forward, my heart pounding against my ribs. Pikachu was badly hurt.
Up ahead, I heard the roar of rushing water. A waterfall.
"Let's jump in the waterfall, Pikachu! It's the only way to lose them!" I shouted over the noise. Pikachu was too weak to respond.
I turned my cap backward, squeezed my eyes shut, and leaped.
Splash!
We plunged into the water. But as I opened my eyes underwater, a terrifying silhouette loomed before me. A Gyarados! Panic surged through me, and I frantically swam toward the riverbank, desperate to get away from the giant Pokémon.
Further down the river, a girl with orange hair sat patiently with her fishing rod. Suddenly, her line went taut.
Tug! Tug!
"This feels like a huge one!" she exclaimed, pulling back with all her strength.
With a loud SPLASH, she yanked the line, sending me flying out of the river and onto the grass. I coughed, sputtering water from my lungs.
Cough! Cough!
The girl blinked, staring at me. "Are you okay?"
Assuming she was asking about my well-being, I wiped my face. "I'm fine, thank y—"
SMACK!
Before I could finish, her hand connected sharply with my cheek.
"I'm talking about the Pikachu!" she shouted angrily, pointing at the injured Pokémon in my arms. "How could you let him get into this condition?"
I ignored the sting on my cheek. There was no time to argue. "Please," I gasped, looking at her with desperation. "Is there a Pokémon Center nearby? I need to heal my Pokémon immediately!"
Seeing the panic in my eyes, her anger softened slightly. "Go that way," she pointed. "Turn left, then right..."
"Got it," I nodded, about to thank her.
SCREECH!
I looked up. The sky was darkening with the silhouette of the Spearow flock. They had found us. I had to make a choice.
"I'm sorry," I said, grabbing the handlebars of her cycle. "I need to borrow this!"
I placed Pikachu in the front basket and started pedaling as hard as I could.
"Hey! Come back here!" she yelled, running after me. "You're stealing my cycle!"
I pedaled furiously. Above me, dark storm clouds gathered, blotting out the sun. Heavy rain began to pour, soaking us instantly.
Rumble... Crack!
"Don't worry, Pikachu," I panted, blinking rain out of my eyes. "We'll be at the medical center soon. Just hang on!"
The flock descended, their beaks tearing at us again. The muddy ground beneath the tires grew slippery.
Skid—CRASH!
The cycle slid out from under me. We tumbled hard onto the wet earth.
Pikachu was thrown from the basket, landing several feet away. I groaned, lifting my head to see the Spearows diving toward him.
"No!"
I dragged my aching body through the mud, crawling toward him. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out his Poké Ball. I looked at my injured friend.
"Pikachu... I know you hate going inside the Poké Ball," I said, my voice trembling. "But please, listen to me just this once. Get in. It's the only way to save yourself."
Pikachu looked at me, his eyes wide with surprise. I hadn't listened to him before, yet here I was, risking everything for his safety.
I stood up, turning to face the swarm of angry birds. I spread my arms wide to block them.
"I am Ash Ketchum! I'm going to be a Pokémon Master! Do you think a little trouble like this is going to stop me?" I roared at the storm and the birds. "Come and get me!"
Pika... Pika!
Seeing my resolve, something changed in Pikachu's eyes. Ash... you really are my best friend. I won't let you fight alone.
Summoning the last of his strength, Pikachu sprinted past me.
"Pikachu?!"
He leaped into the air, straight toward the flock.
PIKA-CHUUUUUU!
He unleashed a Thundershock. At that exact moment, a bolt of blue lightning from the storm struck Pikachu, supercharging his attack.
KA-BOOM!
A massive explosion of electricity erupted, blinding in its intensity. A golden light engulfed everything—the birds, the forest, and us.
When the light faded, silence returned to the forest. The Spearows were gone—some fled, some lay defeated on the ground.
We were lying in the dirt, exhausted but alive. I crawled over to Pikachu and gently picked him up.
"See that, Pikachu?" I whispered, smiling weakly. "We won."
"Pika... pi," he murmured, nodding his head, his eyes shining.
The clouds parted, and sunlight broke through. We looked up to see a magnificent rainbow arching across the sky. But then, something caught our attention. A golden, glowing Pokémon was flying over the rainbow.
It was Ho-Oh, though neither of us knew its name yet.
I stared in awe, pulling out my Pokédex to scan it.
Bleep-bloop.
"There is no data on this Pokémon in the database."
I lowered the device and looked down at my partner. "Pikachu... one day, we're going to battle that Pokémon. And we're going to win."
Pikachu nodded in agreement.
With renewed determination, we began walking toward the horizon, heading for Viridian City, where we would finally get Pikachu the help he needed.