The surrounding vines were all so thick and strong, so Ash had no choice.
After Ash's unremitting efforts, hard work paid off, and he finally succeeded.
Ash smiled happily, completely forgetting the injury on his hand.
"Pikachu, I'm coming!" Ash took the thick vine and came to the side of the swamp, throwing the vine down.
"Pikachu, quickly grab this vine."
At this moment, Pikachu was almost completely submerged, and the situation was very grim.
"Pika, Pika." Pikachu seemed to understand and immediately grabbed the vine, waiting quietly.
Ash quickly pulled Pikachu up with all his strength, not feeling any pain in his palm; he only wanted to rescue Pikachu quickly.
A moment later, Pikachu was completely pulled up, but his body was dirty and messy.
"Pikachu, I'm relieved to see that you're alright." Ash looked at the safe and sound Pikachu, a smile appearing on his face.
"Pika." Pikachu seemed to be responding to something, but Ash didn't understand.
Ash extended his reddened hand and stroked Pikachu's head, "Alright, Pikachu, let's go home quickly."
"Pika, Pika." Pikachu shook his head and didn't leave.
"Pikachu, what's wrong? Are you still uncomfortable?" Seeing Pikachu still not leaving, Ash was a little worried.
After all, this Pikachu had been trapped for who knows how long, so he must have been hungry.
Ash rummaged through his belongings and pulled out a piece of bread, "Pikachu, are you hungry? Eat quickly."
Now, Ash only had this one piece of bread on him, and no Pokémon food.
Seeing the bread Ash offered, Pikachu also held the bread and ate it in big bites, somewhat ravenously.
"Pikachu, eat slowly, don't choke." Ash gently stroked Pikachu with his palm.
Looking at the soaking wet Pikachu, Ash didn't hesitate and directly took off his jacket.
"Pikachu, you need to be more careful in the future, don't be so careless again." After speaking, Ash used his clothes to wipe the wet Pikachu, his movements extremely careful.
"Pika, Pika." Pikachu happily ate the bread, his spirits also improving a bit.
Seeing Pikachu finish the bread, Ash was completely relieved, "Pikachu, where are your parents? Go back quickly, or they'll be worried."
Pikachu shook his head, still not leaving.
Ash smiled slightly, "Pikachu, you want to come with me, right?"
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu nodded heavily, a hint of determination in his eyes.
Looking at such a determined Pikachu, Ash also smiled happily, "Okay, then from today on, you'll be my partner!"
Ash picked up Pikachu and cheered excitedly; he finally had his first Pokémon—Pikachu.
"Let's go, Pikachu, let's leave this place first."
After speaking, Ash took Pikachu away from that troublesome place and found a suitable spot to rest.
A moment later, Pikachu leaned directly against Ash and fell sound asleep, looking extremely cute.
Ash smiled slightly, not daring to make too much movement, and just watched Pikachu with a doting smile.
After an unknown amount of time, Ash's stomach involuntarily growled, rumbling non-stop.
"So much time has passed, haven't Xiao Mu and the others arrived yet? I'm so hungry..."
Ash had just given his last piece of bread to Pikachu.
So, now, Ash had no food at all on him.
"I can only see if there are any wild fruits around." Ash placed Pikachu aside and stood up, his legs feeling a bit weak.
The hunger in his body made Ash's walking stagger.
Boom, suddenly, Ash fell down, his vision going black.
When Ash opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in bed.
"Where am I? Am I home?" Ash vaguely opened his eyes, still feeling a bit weak.
Looking at the wooden house and the surrounding Charizard dolls, Ash confirmed that this was his home.
Suddenly, Ash seemed to remember something, "Where's Pikachu? He won't be in any danger, will he?"
Thinking of this, Ash quickly got up.
"Ash, you're awake." Delia was holding a bowl of hot porridge and had already arrived at the doorway.
"Mom, where's Pikachu? Have you seen him?" Ash asked anxiously at this moment.
"This child, his own body is like this, and he's still worrying about Pikachu. That Pikachu is at Professor Oak's."
Delia looked at Ash with a slight glare, "Ash, quickly lie back down in bed and finish this bowl of porridge. You worried Mom to death."
Hearing Delia's words, Ash felt relieved and obediently lay back down in bed.
"Since Pikachu is fine, then I'm relieved."
Ash scratched his head awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Mom, for making you all worry."
Delia looked at Ash dotingly, "It's good that you're fine, Mom won't blame you."
After speaking, Delia gently fed Ash, her eyes full of smiles.
After finishing the porridge, Ash's condition was much better; he felt like he could one-punch an Ursaring.
Of course, this was completely impossible; as a human-form Pokémon, it was not that easy to defeat an Ursaring with one punch.
Ash quickly went downstairs after getting dressed, "Mom, I'm going to Professor Oak's."
Looking at the impatient Ash, Delia also smiled helplessly, "He's still like your father, so passionate about Pokémon."
But thinking of her husband, Delia's expression was a bit complex, "Ever since Ash was born, he went out to train and hasn't returned since."
If you say he's irresponsible, he built a home for himself and Ash, and the money he left behind was enough for them to spend for most of their lives.
But to fulfill the responsibility of a father, it was clear that her husband was an unqualified father.
From birth until now, her husband had never accompanied Ash and had been out of touch.
For so many years, she had been taking care of Ash, "But thankfully, Ash is a sensible child."
Delia no longer thought about this matter, she could only pray in her heart, hoping that her husband was still safe and sound.
And perhaps, after Ash graduates and goes out to train, he might meet his father.