The silence of the Viridian Forest was shattered by a sharp, high-pitched cry that resonated with years of waiting. A massive shadow dived through the canopy, the wind from its wings buffeting the undergrowth like a localized gale.
Before Ash could react, a heavy weight slammed into his chest, sent him and Pikachu tumbling into the soft moss. Pidgeot didn't care for decorum; the Bird Pokémon buried its head in Ash's neck, let out a series of frantic, emotional chirps. It had been seven years in one life and twenty in another, but the bond hadn't aged a day.
"I know, I know," Ash murmured, his voice thick with a rare moment of sentimentality as he stroked the lustrous, cream-colored plumage. "I'm sorry it took so long, Pidgeot. But I'm here now. No more waiting."
Pikachu scrambled onto Pidgeot's broad shoulder, sparking happily as the two old friends reconnected in a flurry of squeaks and trills. Ash stood back, his eyes narrowing as he triggered the internal scan.
[Analysis: Pidgeot]
Individual Values: 3V+ (Near-perfect HP, Attack, and Speed)
Ability: Keen Eye
Calculated Strength: Gym Leader Level
Condition: Excellent. Years of protecting the flock have kept its instincts razor-sharp.
The stats were solid. While it hadn't reached the Elite Four threshold of Charizard or Sceptile yet, its fundamentals were impeccable. With a Speed IV of 31 and its natural aerodynamic frame, Pidgeot would be the ultimate aerial interceptor once he introduced it to the Mega Stone sitting in his Bag.
"We aren't going back just yet," Ash said, his tone shifting to that of a commander. "We have a long flight tomorrow, and I need to see what this 'system' can really do."
He spent the afternoon turning a section of the deep woods into a high-intensity training camp. He didn't just let his Pokémon roam; he orchestrated a systematic sweep. Charizard was dispatched to a rocky outcrop clear of vegetation to practice precision heat-control—Ash was firm about avoiding forest fires—while Scyther and Pidgeot were tasked with a "seek and destroy" mission against the local, aggressive Beedrill and Arbok populations.
For Ash, this wasn't just training—it was resource farming.
With every wild Pokémon defeated by his team's superior tactics, a rhythmic chime echoed in his mind. The "Gold Coins" began to pile up, a digital tally of his dominance. By the time the sun began to dip toward the horizon, he had amassed over a thousand credits—enough to begin the technical overhaul of his team.
"Pikachu, your turn," Ash said, pulling a shimmering yellow data-disc from the void of his Bag. "You've relied on Thunderbolt for too long. It's time for some modern utility."
He pressed the Electro Ball Technical Machine to Pikachu's forehead. A faint hum of data transfer later, the mouse's eyes widened, his cheeks sparking with a new, denser form of electricity. Under Ash's guidance, Pikachu spent the hour learning to condense his speed into a projectile, the sphere of light growing more stable with every attempt.
As the forest grew dark, Ash called a halt. "Fall back! Dinner's on me."
He didn't pull out standard store-bought kibble. Instead, he produced four bowls of high-density Energy Cubes—formulated specifically for each Pokémon's type and physiological needs. Charizard, who usually turned his nose up at anything that wasn't fresh meat, took one bite and let out a roar of approval, inhaling the rest of the bowl in seconds.
Scyther and Pidgeot followed suit, their eyes lighting up as the nutrient-dense fuel began to repair their muscles and replenish their stamina. Ash watched them, a quiet sense of satisfaction settling in his gut. This was the difference between a child playing at being a trainer and a veteran building a dynasty.
"Pidgeot, you're taking us home," Ash said, hopping onto the bird's back once they had finished.
The flight back to Pallet Town was a blur. Pidgeot sliced through the air with a grace that even Charizard couldn't match. As they landed in the familiar backyard of the Ketchum residence, the evening stars were just beginning to peer through the twilight.
Inside, the house smelled of roasted meat and home-cooked spices. Delia had outdone herself, sensing that this departure was different from the others. They ate in a comfortable, focused silence—Ash fueling his body for the journey, and Delia watching her son with a mixture of pride and a lingering, unspoken worry.
That night, Ash lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The Bag System was primed. His veterans were ready. The Sinnoh Region was waiting, and with it, the rivals and legends he was destined to surpass.
"Tomorrow," he whispered to the sleeping Pikachu. "Tomorrow, the script changes."