The scene on the colossal screen left countless people scratching their heads.
Hadn't it said mortals standing against the gods?
Then what was this footage supposed to mean?
[Lance: Professor Oak… isn't that you?]
[Professor Oak: Mm, yes, that's me… This was months ago, when I handed out starter Pokémon.]
[Professor Oak: But there weren't any cameras around then… This Heavenly Dao Inventory is fascinating!]
Professor Oak, watching from Wyndon Stadium, gazed at the familiar scene,
his eyes tinged with nostalgia.
Nearly half a year had already passed since the day he gave Ash his Pikachu.
On screen—
The boy looked at the yellow mouse standing on the desk, delight lighting up his face.
"So cute! This is the best!!"
Without hesitation, he scooped the plump little mouse into his arms.
Professor Oak discreetly stepped back two paces—
and sure enough, sparks of golden electricity burst from Pikachu,
leaving the boy's hair standing on end like a hedgehog!
Afterward, a brief story summary appeared.
The boy's name was Ash. Today marked the start of his journey as a Pokémon Trainer.
Too excited to sleep, he had dozed off only at dawn.
By the time he awoke, the three traditional starters were already gone.
The only Pokémon left was a Pikachu with a difficult temperament.
It refused to enter its Poké Ball and distrusted strangers.
Hardly the ideal partner for a novice trainer.
…
[Cynthia: Professor Oak, why would you give such a troublesome Pokémon to that boy Ash?]
[Professor Oak: Ahem! At the time, I truly had no other Pokémon on hand. That boy refused to wait any longer, so I had no choice but to entrust him with the only one I had—Pikachu.]
[Alder: Hahaha! But Ash clearly loves Pokémon deeply! Pikachu may have been a handful, but I believe it'll become his greatest partner!]
[Ash: That's right! Just like Uncle Alder says—Pikachu is already my best friend!]
As Ash's message appeared, Pikachu sheepishly scratched its head.
Watching the footage reminded it of its earlier bad attitude toward Ash.
…
The footage continued—
After a series of chaotic mishaps, Ash finally set out with Pikachu.
Since Pikachu refused his touch,
Professor Oak had armed Ash with rubber gloves
and tied a rope around Pikachu for him to hold.
But once on the road, Ash unfastened the rope to show goodwill.
Pikachu remained uncooperative, scampering off and ignoring his commands.
Left to fend for himself, Ash tried catching Pokémon on his own.
But his clumsy attempts caught nothing.
Instead, a stone he threw struck a Spearow,
which, enraged, locked eyes on him.
Pikachu, laughing smugly at Ash's failure, was mistaken as the culprit!
The Spearow immediately lunged for it.
Yet even as a novice, Pikachu wasn't so easily bullied.
And with electricity trumping flight,
The Spearow was zapped and fled, tail between its feathers.
[Volkner: Hm. That Pikachu's combat aptitude isn't bad.]
Volkner, the strongest Gym Leader of Sinnoh—
rumored to rival the Elite Four themselves,
and a master of Electric-types.
For Pikachu to earn even a terse "not bad" from him was high praise indeed.
[Lance: I still don't get it. What's the point of showing us this? Just backstory?]
[Cynthia: Possibly… though it's dragging on a bit.]
[Leon: Don't be like that! Watching a rookie trainer's first steps is nostalgic. And this one's pretty entertaining!]
Indeed, rookie trainers often stumbled through blunders.
But for one to be this hapless—barely out of Pallet Town's gates and already in such a mess—
was rare.
Many spectators laughed at Ash's antics,
while recalling their own embarrassing beginnings.
The footage played on—
The Spearow,Pikachu had shocked hadn't fainted.
It darted back into the forest.
Moments later, a vast black cloud surged out—
hundreds upon hundreds of Spearow!
"Oh no! We're in big trouble! Run, Pikachu!"
"Pikaaa!!"
Without needing to be told twice, Pikachu bolted ahead,
earning more laughter from the crowd.
Such a spirited, expressive Pikachu was truly a rare sight.
But soon, no one was laughing.
The flock caught up.
With their vengeful nature, the Spearow targeted Pikachu first.
But Pikachu, still a novice,
was powerless before the overwhelming swarm.
Ash's face paled. Without a second thought,
he plunged into the mass of furious wings and beaks!
Ignoring the stinging blows raining down,
he cradled the battered, near-fainting Pikachu in his arms.
"You cowards! I'm the one who threw that stone! If you want to attack, come at me!!"
Hotheaded though he was, Ash had the courage to take responsibility.
With nothing but his small, fragile body,
he shielded Pikachu from the onslaught.
Wing Attack, furious pecks, even powerful Gust tore into him,
yet Ash never let go.
With sheer willpower, he forced his way through the Spearow swarm.
At last, cornered at a cliff's edge,
he didn't hesitate—he leapt!
Gasps erupted worldwide as Ash and Pikachu plunged into the river below…