From such a towering cliff, Ash plunged straight into the roaring river below.
Yet instead of losing consciousness, he actually swam,
dodging drifting rocks, ferocious Gyarados,
and the flocks of Spearow circling overhead.
Most people would've died eight hundred times already!
But Ash clawed his way through every peril
and scrambled to shore alive—
thanks to a girl who pulled him out with her fishing rod.
Before the audience could even exhale in relief,
the Spearow descended again, relentless as cats catching scent of prey.
Spectators around the world were dumbfounded.
Especially those outside of Kanto—
Were Spearow really this vengeful?!
After the cliff, the river, the current—
they still refused to give up?
And this ten-year-old boy…
The ordeal he'd endured would break most grown adults.
Yet he pressed on as though nothing had happened.
What kind of human is this?!
More and more people forgot the "mortals versus gods" title entirely,
completely drawn into the unfolding tale.
Even the Champions and Elite Four found themselves riveted.
On screen—
Ash saw the Spearow closing in once more.
He exchanged a quick word with the girl,
snatched her bicycle,
placed Pikachu in the basket, and pedaled for his life!
But even at breakneck speed,
he couldn't outrun the flock.
Rain began to fall,
turning the ground slick.
Ash's bike skidded, sending both him and Pikachu tumbling to the mud.
The Spearow closed in.
Ash staggered to his feet and rushed to Pikachu's side.
He pulled out Pikachu's Poké Ball, expanded it, and held it close.
"Pikachu, I know… you hate going inside.
But right now it's the only way to keep you safe!
I'll handle the rest somehow!"
Then he turned his cap backward,
spread his arms wide,
and planted himself between Pikachu and the oncoming flock.
Before the swarm of hundreds,
there was no fear on his face—
only unshakable resolve.
And he roared words that would burn themselves into history:
"Listen up!
I'm Ash from Pallet Town—
the future Number One Pokémon Master in the world!
Come at me!
I won't lose to you here!!!"
Of course, the Spearow weren't intimidated.
With shrill cries, the flock dove to tear him apart.
But then—Pikachu moved.
Time seemed to freeze.
It bounded up Ash's shoulder,
tiny body drawing in the storm's fury.
In that instant,
every bolt of lightning in the thunderclouds
gathered onto Pikachu.
And then—Thunderbolt!
A colossal discharge split the skies.
The storm clouds scattered,
revealing the sinking sun.
The Spearow were annihilated in a single strike.
The last shot showed Ash and Pikachu collapsed in the mud,
exchanging weary smiles.
…
"Holy crap! That's Pikachu?!"
"No way! It can unleash lightning like that?!"
"Ash's words fired me up just as much as the battle!"
"Right! Even in despair, he didn't falter—he shouted with burning spirit! So damn cool!"
"I'm a fan now. Who's with me?"
The world erupted in chatter.
If they'd been allowed to post comments,
the live feed would've already exploded with messages.
[Bruno: Strong! Indomitable! Unmatched! So this is Pallet Town's rookie trainer?!]
[Bruno: Tell me where he is—I'll take him as my disciple immediately!]
The Elite Four's Bruno was genuinely moved—
by Ash's burning spirit, his love for Pokémon,
and above all, his inhuman stamina.
Finding a pupil with both a powerful body and noble heart was no easy feat.
[Leon: What a formidable boy! The world's future Number One Pokémon Master? Then I'll be waiting for you in that seat!]
[Lance: Hey! Who says you're the one sitting there? Why can't it be me?]
[Cynthia: Mm, I can't just let that comment slide either.]
[Steven: Interesting… Even someone like me, who doesn't much care for battles, feels fired up now.]
Ash's iconic moment won the admiration of every Champion and Elite Four.
They were convinced this boy would one day grow into a remarkable trainer.
Yes, he was still green.
Yes, his fundamentals were nonexistent.
But those could be learned.
What truly set Ash apart was his selfless bond with Pokémon—
a willingness to risk his very life to protect them.
That spirit was rarer than any talent.
In this world, the bond between people and Pokémon
could evolve into the greatest power of all.
With such qualities, Ash's future was limitless.
As for Pikachu—
Most viewers thought it monstrously powerful.
But the Champions and Elite Four saw through it:
that attack was only a fleeting miracle,
borrowing strength from the storm itself.
Even so, for Pikachu to endure that surge was absurd.
But then, the world had always made room for "miracles."
That Thunderbolt might have been a once-in-a-lifetime feat.