"GA—! You little mongrel, trying to save that old hen—did you get my permission?"
The moment the brothers' conversation was overheard, the Fearow leading the Spearow flock flapped its wings and surged forward, blocking the path between the Spearow and Pidgeotto, its gaze dripping with disdain and malice.
Before the Spearow could even reply—
A blur of motion exploded forward at a speed the naked eye could barely track.
"GA—What?!"
BOOM!!
Caught completely off guard, the Fearow was smashed head-on by Quick Attack, its body sent flying like a cannonball.
"GA—Cough! Damn it, you filthy runt! How did your strength grow so fast—and why are you this powerful?!"
"Pidgeot—Because you're trash."
Pidgeotto's eyes burned with icy killing intent as it beat its wings, unleashing crescent-shaped Air Slash blades that tore through the air toward Fearow.
"GA—!"
Fearow didn't dare underestimate it. Its body twisted midair, long beak thrusting forward like a spear.
CRACK—CRASH!!
Fearow wasn't weak. Under its frantic Fury Attack, the incoming Air Slashes shattered like glass struck by a diamond drill.
"GA—You useless idiots! What are you waiting for?! Kill this little bastard—NOW!!"
At Fearow's furious command, the Spearow forming the encirclement instantly swarmed toward Pidgeotto.
There were far too many of them—easily over a hundred.
If Pidgeotto were fully surrounded and mobbed, even if it was stronger than any single one of them, it would still be overwhelmed in the end.
Fortunately—
From the moment Pidgeotto had suddenly broken formation and rushed toward the flock, Ash had already brought Pikachu and Frogadier racing after it.
Now, at this life-or-death moment—
They finally arrived.
Through Aura Perception, Ash already understood most of what had happened. Without the slightest hesitation, he issued commands the instant he appeared.
"Frogadier—Rain Dance!"
"Pikachu—Thunderbolt, full power!"
Two commands, issued back-to-back.
"Graa—!"
Frogadier cupped its hands at its waist, then hurled a glowing sphere of energy skyward.
RUMBLE—!!
Dark clouds instantly rolled in, thunder rumbling as a fine rain began to fall.
Bird Pokémon hated wet feathers. The sudden rain immediately made Fearow and the Spearow flock restless and irritated.
But before they could react—
Pikachu leapt from Ash's shoulder.
"Pika—!!"
Its cheek pouches crackled violently as a lightning serpent as thick as an arm roared upward toward the flock.
BOOOOM!!
CRAAACK—!!
As if drawn by Pikachu's Thunderbolt, a massive bolt of blue lightning split the rainclouds and slammed straight into the same spot.
Golden lightning and heavenly thunder detonated together.
For an instant, Fearow and Spearow were illuminated like X-ray images—their white skeletal outlines flashing vividly in the air.
[Ding! You defeated LV.15 Spearow. EXP +220]
[Ding! You defeated LV.18 Spearow. EXP +260]
[Ding! You defeated LV.14 Spearow. EXP +190]
[Pikachu leveled up! Current level: LV.35]
[Frogadier leveled up! Current level: LV.33]
[Pidgeotto leveled up! Current level: LV.34]
After the thunder faded, the once-dense Spearow flock fell from the sky like dumplings into boiling water.
The Fearow leader was much stronger than the rest. Though gravely injured, it wasn't instantly killed—crashing to the ground, still twitching.
THUD!
Pidgeotto dove down in a flash of Quick Attack, talons slamming down onto Fearow's body.
"Spearow—Let me kill it!"
The younger Spearow rushed forward, eyes blazing with hatred.
SMACK!
Pidgeotto struck it aside with a wing.
"Save Mom first. Scar-Eye can be dealt with later."
CRACK—!!
With brutal precision, Pidgeotto seized one of Fearow's wings and snapped it cleanly.
The Spearow didn't argue. It slashed Fearow's forehead with its talons—venting just enough rage—then immediately flew back toward its mother.
…
Ash had already reached the blood-soaked Fearow lying on the ground.
Through Aura, he'd heard the conversation earlier and knew this Fearow was Pidgeotto's foster mother.
Without hesitation, Ash knelt and placed a hand on her body.
"Healing Grace."
Green light bloomed from his palm as Viridian Power surged forth, sealing the bleeding wounds.
Yet Ash's expression only grew more serious.
"GA—A human boy… you can understand us…?"
The Fearow coughed weakly.
"I'm Pidgeotto's Trainer. Your condition is critical—don't talk."
"GA—So you're that boy… the one who heals Pokémon near Dashiwan Valley… Ash…"
"GA—My child following you… is its fortune…"
"Don't speak. I'll heal you. I promise."
Ash poured even more Viridian Power into Healing Grace, life energy flooding her body.
"GA—Thank you… Ash… but it's useless."
"I know my body better than anyone."
"Those traitors poisoned my food with toxic berries. By the time Scar-Eye and Crooked-Leg rebelled, the poison had already spread through my organs."
"And now… this fatal wound…"
"There's… no saving me…"
Her eyes dimmed as she spoke.
The rain continued to fall.
And in that quiet, shattered clearing—
Ash clenched his fist, refusing to give up.
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T/N:
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