"Why is it Pichu?"
"A Pokémon like that… not only can its electric sacs store very little power, it's also extremely timid and easily frightened."
"Even after evolving into Pikachu or Raichu, its strength is usually just average."
"Let alone defeating a Legendary Pokémon… impossible. Absolutely impossible."
"It's probably some other Pokémon—just one that's related to Pichu."
Wherever people gathered, discussions broke out one after another.
No one could understand why Pichu had appeared.
Pichu?
Wasn't that an extremely weak Pokémon?
…
Damaranchi had similar thoughts.
It wasn't that he didn't believe in Pichu.
It was just that…
"Every Pokémon is limited by its innate potential. No matter how strong it becomes, there's always an upper limit."
"For example, Pichu, Pikachu, and Raichu all share the same flaw—their control over their own power is difficult to perfect. Their naturally timid disposition and tendency to startle easily make it hard for them to develop further."
Damaranchi stroked his chin as he spoke.
Professor Oak nodded in agreement.
"Pichu, huh… speaking of which, my lab has handed out a Pikachu to a new Trainer before."
"Haha, I wonder if this Pichu has anything to do with that Pikachu."
Professor Oak said it casually.
He didn't think much of it.
After all—
There wasn't only one Pichu in the world.
And there wasn't only one Pikachu either.
…
Pikachu stared at the Pichu on the screen, puffing its cheeks with a smug expression.
"Pika!"
I was the cutest Pichu when I was little!
There's no way that one is cuter than me!
Pikachu thought confidently.
As for Ash lying on the ground?
That was just because Ash had no taste!
To think he actually believed Pikachu wasn't as cute as that Pichu!
Unforgivable!
Brock and Misty couldn't understand what Pikachu was saying, but given Ash's earlier example, they knew exactly what to do.
They simply nodded.
"Yeah, yeah."
"You're absolutely right."
…
On the screen, the scene continued—
In a lush, verdant forest, a tiny Pichu moved about freely.
For some reason, it had no group to accompany it.
But relying on its electric abilities, it still managed to find enough food to survive.
Until one day—
Pichu passed through a Koffing's territory. Surrounded by toxic gas, it became dizzy and, without realizing it, tumbled off a cliff.
Everyone's hearts leapt into their throats.
Then—
A turning point appeared.
After a series of bumps and falls, just as Pichu was about to hit the ground—
Its tiny body was caught by a pair of massive claws.
It was a Kangaskhan mother.
One of her claws alone was as large as Pichu's entire body.
At first, Pichu was terrified.
But very quickly, it was drawn in by the kindness the Kangaskhan mother showed.
The baby Kangaskhan and Pichu played happily together.
However, the Kangaskhan herd needed to keep moving—they couldn't stay in one place.
Seeing the lonely and confused Pichu, the Kangaskhan mother chose to adopt it, placing Pichu together with her baby in her pouch.
The time that followed became the happiest period in Pichu's memory.
There was no need to worry about food or survival.
The Kangaskhan mother treated Pichu just like her own child.
As long as she had something to eat, she would never let little Pichu go without.
At night, she gently comforted the uneasy Pichu, lulling it to sleep.
During the day, Pichu could play and frolic with the baby Kangaskhan.
These were joys and warmth Pichu had never known before—and it became completely immersed in them.
However—
Even the most beautiful days must one day come to an abrupt end.
During a sudden downpour, as Pichu and the baby Kangaskhan gradually grew, the Kangaskhan mother began to feel exhausted. Her pace slowed more and more… until she could barely keep up with the herd.
For the first time, Pichu realized—
It had become a burden.
When it tried to walk on its own, the gentle Kangaskhan mother still placed it back into her pouch.
In her eyes, Pichu was still a child that needed her care.
The journey of the Kangaskhan herd was long.
And Pichu…
Didn't want to be a burden anymore.
That night—
Under the brilliant glow of the moon—
Pichu jumped out of the Kangaskhan mother's pouch on its own and made a firm decision to leave.
It didn't want to hold her back anymore.
It chose to grow up.
As memories of those warm, happy days flashed through its mind—
A brilliant light burst from Pichu's small body.
Pichu evolved into Pikachu!
Waving goodbye to the Kangaskhan mother and those beautiful memories—
Pikachu ran into the moonlit forest, toward a brand-new life!
…
At some point, Ash had already climbed back to his feet.
After brushing off the soot and dust from his body, he was once again his usual clean self.
"It evolved… so it was a Pikachu!"
Watching the final scene—the moment Pichu evolved under the moonlight—Ash spoke with amazement.
"That Pikachu… it's such a kind Pokémon!"
To avoid becoming a burden, it chose to give up a life filled with warmth and happiness.
That kind of resolve was what led to its evolution.
Ash's eyes grew watery as he watched.