The last glow of sunset filtered through the treetops at the edge of Viridian Forest, scattering countless tiny patches of light across the ground. Ash stood at the forest entrance, staring at the endless sea of green stretching as far as he could see, and a wave of emotion rose in his chest.
This massive forest that spanned Kanto was far grander than the anime ever showed. Ancient trees towered into the sky, their branches interwoven like a vast canopy that blotted out the sun. Even at noon, the forest interior could feel dim, with only a few stray beams of light piercing through the thick leaves to illuminate the leaf-covered paths below.
"Viridian Forest…" Ash murmured softly as memories from the original Ash surfaced in his mind.
Back during the Kanto journey, Ash had wandered into this forest by accident while chasing after a runaway Pikachu, but he had only lingered near the outskirts and never ventured into the true depths. This was where he caught his first Pokémon, Caterpie, and his second, Pidgeotto.
It was also a place packed with memories.
After Caterpie evolved into Butterfree, it met a pink Butterfree here in Viridian Forest. In the end, it chose to leave Ash and chase its own happiness.
And after Pidgeotto evolved into Pidgeot, it stayed behind to protect the weaker Pidgey and Pidgeotto flock living in the forest, making a promise with Ash.
When I get stronger, I'll come back for you.
"Now, I'm finally here to keep that promise." Ash clenched his fist, a determined light flashing in his eyes.
This time, he was not only going deeper into Viridian Forest to catch high-potential partners, he was also going to bring back the king who had been faithfully guarding that promise.
The air in the forest was damp and fresh, filled with the scent of plants and rich soil. Now and then, the chirping of insects and calls of birds overlapped, forming a natural symphony. The trees were thick with leaves, and their trunks were so wide they would take several people to hug. Vines hung down like green waterfalls, and the ground was layered with fallen leaves that rustled with every step.
With conditions this perfect, it was paradise for Bug and Flying Pokémon. Sometimes Ash could spot Butterfree flitting through the trees on colorful wings, or a flock of Pidgey circling above the canopy.
Ash took a deep breath, feeling the forest's vibrant life, and smiled in satisfaction.
"Alright. Pikachu, let's charge in together. Our goal is the core of Viridian Forest. We're finding Pidgeot."
"Pika!" Pikachu straightened up on his shoulder, patted its chest, and its ruby-like eyes sparkled with excitement as if to say, Leave it to me.
Trainer and Pokémon moved in perfect sync as they stepped into Viridian Forest.
Ash did not rush forward blindly. Instead, he slowed down and watched his surroundings carefully. As a transmigrator, he knew that Viridian Forest might look calm, but danger could hide anywhere. Not only were there powerful wild Pokémon, there was even the chance of running into a Team Rocket ambush.
Still, danger and opportunity usually came together.
Every battle was a chance to grow stronger and earn more points.
"Rattata!"
A small brown Rattata burst out from the grass, baring its teeth with obvious hostility, clearly treating Ash and Pikachu as intruders.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Ash ordered decisively.
"Pika!" Pikachu blurred into a streak of white and crashed into Rattata in an instant, sending it flying. Rattata spun through the air, hit the ground hard, struggled a few times, then lost the ability to battle.
Ding! Defeated a Normal Mid Stage Rattata. Earned 50 points!
"Nice, nice." Ash nodded in satisfaction. Then he redeemed a few standard energy cubes from the system shop, crouched down, and placed them beside Rattata.
"Sorry, Rattata. This is to make up for it."
When Rattata woke up, it stared at Ash warily at first. But the moment it caught the scent of the energy cubes, it started devouring them, and the hostility in its eyes faded a little.
Like that, Ash and Pikachu continued deeper. Whenever wild Pokémon came to challenge them, Ash responded without hesitation.
Paras that swung its claws, Spinarak that spit thread, even groups of Butterfree.
Pikachu defeated them one after another.
Pikachu was already at Gym Peak, and with the Light Ball boosting it, Normal and Elite-level wild Pokémon were nowhere near enough to threaten it.
Ding! Defeated a Normal Late Stage Paras. Earned 80 points!
Ding! Defeated an Elite Early Stage Spinarak. Earned 200 points!
Ding! Defeated an Elite Mid Stage Butterfree. Earned 300 points!
…
Points kept piling up, and Ash's mood grew better and better. Each time he defeated a Pokémon, he redeemed energy cubes as compensation. First, because he did not want to hurt wild Pokémon for no reason. Second, because he hoped to build a better relationship with them.
Pokémon were intelligent and emotional.
Respecting them was one of the lessons a true Pokémon Master had to learn.
As they pushed forward, the forest grew darker. The trees stood closer together, and tangled vines blocked nearly all light. Ash opened the system panel and checked his points.
"Without realizing it, I've already earned over 3,000 points. Not bad."
Just as he was about to keep moving, Pikachu suddenly tapped his head and pointed excitedly toward a patch of bushes to the left.
"Pika pika!"
"Hm? What is it, Pikachu?" Ash followed its gaze and saw a faint yellow shape moving inside the bushes.
He carefully parted the leaves.
Then his pupils tightened, and a disbelieving smile spread across his face.
Inside the bushes, a small Pokémon sat there grooming its soft fur. It had tan-yellow fur, with brown on the tips of its ears and tail. Its big black eyes were lively and adorable.
Eevee.
"The king of transformations."
"It's Eevee! This is amazing!" Ash got so excited he nearly jumped.
Eevee was famous for its many evolutions. Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, and also rarer evolutions like Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon. Each one had unique charm and powerful potential.
And wild Eevee were extremely rare.
To encounter one in a place like Viridian Forest was pure luck.
"System, check Eevee's info!" Ash ordered immediately.
Pokémon Name: Eevee
Category: Evolution Pokémon
Type: Normal
Gender: Male
Ability: Adaptability (When using a move that matches its own type, power is boosted by 50%.)
Strength Level: Normal Mid Stage
Moves Known: Agility, Sand Attack, Swift, Quick Attack, Dig, Shadow Ball, Double Kick
Tera Type: Normal
Held Item: None
"My god…" Ash's eyes flashed with shock after reading the info.
Normal Mid Stage, yet it already knew seven moves, including off-type moves like Shadow Ball, Dig, and Double Kick.
A typical Eevee at this stage would usually only know basic moves like Agility and Quick Attack.
This Eevee's talent was absurd.
"Adaptability, plus that moveset. This Eevee is a guaranteed future star. I have to catch it." Ash decided instantly.
As if sensing Ash's attention, Eevee stopped grooming. It raised its head, lifted its chin proudly, and studied Ash and Pikachu with cautious eyes.
With an elegant stride that somehow also screamed, I answer to no one, it stepped out of the bushes and stopped a short distance away.
"Eevee!"
It sounded like a challenge.
"Good." Excitement rose in Ash's eyes. "If you want to fight, then let's do this fairly."
He pointed forward.
"Go, Pikachu. We're catching that Eevee!"
"Pika, pika!" Pikachu hopped off Ash's shoulder and landed steadily. Its body leaned forward slightly, red cheek sacs sparking with electricity, eyes blazing with battle intent.
"Eevee!" Eevee felt the pressure coming off Pikachu, and seriousness flashed in its eyes. Still, it did not retreat.
Its body moved in a blur.
Dig.
Eevee dove underground in an instant, leaving behind only a small hole before vanishing from sight.
"Bad." Ash's heart jumped.
Not only did Eevee know Dig, its reaction speed was insane.
Dig was not just an escape move, it was also a perfect ambush tool. If Eevee attacked from below, even Pikachu could take a nasty hit.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt. Cover the ground!" Ash decided immediately.
Thunderbolt had a wide range, and electricity could travel through the ground. It might force Eevee out.
"Pika chu!" Pikachu responded instantly, blasting a powerful golden current that flooded the area around them. Electricity crackled across the soil, kicking up dust.
But unfortunately, Eevee had already tunneled farther away.
Thunderbolt did not hit.
"Pikachu, watch the ground carefully. Eevee shouldn't be too far," Ash warned.
He knew Dig had limited range, and a cautious Eevee would likely stay nearby, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Pikachu nodded and focused. Its ears twitched slightly as it listened for movement underground.
Suddenly, Pikachu's eyes lit up.
"Pika pika!"
"Right side!" Ash reacted instantly. "Pikachu, Agility into Quick Attack!"
"Pika!" Pikachu's body flashed white as its speed soared. It shot toward the right like an arrow.
Just as it reached the spot, the ground split open.
Eevee burst out, trying to launch a surprise attack.
But Pikachu was already prepared.
Quick Attack hit at maximum speed, slamming directly into Eevee.
"Eevee!" Eevee cried out in pain, flipping through the air before crashing down hard.
"Perfect. Now!" Ash's eyes sharpened. "Pikachu, use our new finisher. Tera Blast!"
"Pika!" Pikachu clenched its little fists as brilliant white light surged around its body.
Pikachu's Tera Type was Flying.
As energy gathered, intense Flying-type power condensed into its strike, then slammed straight into the fallen Eevee.
Boom!
The blast landed with a heavy impact, blue-white ripples spreading outward. Eevee's body twitched a few times, then went limp. Its eyes turned into spirals.
"Got it!" Ash's heart leapt.
He quickly pulled out a Poké Ball, flipped his cap backward, and took the classic throwing stance.
"Go, Poké Ball!"
The ball arced through the air in a clean curve and hit Eevee perfectly. A red light flashed as Eevee was pulled inside. The ball snapped shut and began shaking violently on the ground.
"Please work…" Ash and Pikachu held their breath, staring at the Poké Ball with tense anticipation.
Click. Click. Click.
Three shakes.
Each one made Ash's heart climb into his throat.
After the third shake, a small star-like glint flashed on the button, and the ball went still.
Ding! Successfully caught Eevee. Earned 1,000 points!
"Yes! I caught Eevee!" Ash shouted, jumping up and throwing both arms into the air.
Pikachu happily ran a circle around the Poké Ball, then grabbed it in its mouth and sprinted back to Ash. It rubbed its head against Ash's palm and offered the Poké Ball up proudly.
"Thanks, Pikachu." Ash took it with a wide grin and patted Pikachu's head. "No way I could've caught such an amazing Eevee without you."
"Pika pi." Pikachu waved a paw, looking incredibly proud of itself.
(End of Chapter)
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