The reunion with Mewtwo had been brief, but Ash and Mewtwo had forged a deep friendship. They would surely meet again in the future!
Riding in Team Rocket's balloon, Ash and his friends crossed Mt. Quena and set off on their journey once more.
Ecruteak City was not far now!
"The sky feels so close here!" The Johto Region was truly scenic, making even the long walk feel comfortable.
As they crested a hill, a stunning sea of flowers appeared before them.
Flowers of every color vied for attention. Bellossom danced gracefully among the blossoms, while Ledian and Butterfree flitted through the air. The whole place was brimming with life.
"Togepi, don't wander off!" Togepi hopped out of Misty's arms and joined the dancing Bellossom.
"Molly wants to join too!" Molly slid down from Meganium's back and stood behind them, mimicking their dance.
Seeing this, Ash tossed out two Poké Balls.
"Come on out, Ivysaur, Heracross!" Along with Meganium, who always carried Molly, the group was complete.
In a floral paradise like this, Grass and Bug type Pokémon were in high spirits.
As expected, Meganium, whose Bond Value had risen after the battle at Mt. Quena, felt so at home in this environment that it nuzzled Ash several times in delight.
Meganium: 255/255
Bond Phenomenon!
The massive pink flower around its neck grew even larger, eventually wrapping around its entire body until it resembled a giant flower bud once again.
A sweet fragrance permeated the air. Every Grass and Bug type Pokémon in the field cheered and leaped in the scent, seemingly celebrating Meganium's transformation!
Misty and Brock watched, completely dazed. Though they knew Ash's Pokémon underwent further evolutions once they reached a certain level of training, they had never seen one as magnificent as this!
Then, the bud bloomed once more. Meganium's physical form hadn't changed drastically, but the stamens atop its head had grown longer, and golden patterns now adorned the petals around its neck. Its pale yellow body shimmered with blue and gold specksits own specialized pollen.
Most astonishingly, four petals resembling wings had appeared on its back. Although these wings didn't allow Meganium to fly, they were incredibly beautiful.
"Meganium, you look so pretty!" Molly ran back to Meganium and climbed onto its back, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the two pairs of wings.
This was Ash's fifth Pokémon to achieve Bond Phenomenon!
"Pika?"
Suddenly, Pikachu seemed to notice something. With a sharp cry, it took the lead and dashed toward the far side of the flower field.
"Pikachu?" Ash didn't have time to think and immediately gave chase.
"Ash!" Misty and Brock started to follow but stopped themselves. They needed to stay in the flower field to look after the other Pokémon and Molly.
Meganium reverted to its original form.
Ash moved with incredible speed and soon caught up to Pikachu. "Pikachu, what did you find?"
A flash of blue light shimmered across Ash's body. He had sensed it tooa powerful Aura coming from across the river ahead. Although it was trying to hide, Ash's Aura Power picked up the trace.
"There!"
Ash let Pikachu hop back onto his shoulder and crossed the river in a few bounds. Suddenly, the sky turned dark with thick clouds!
The beautiful, sun-drenched scenery was swallowed by a torrential downpour in an instant.
Ash couldn't help but complain inwardly. Why does it always start raining when these guys show up?
Electricity crackled on Pikachu's cheeks. The rain was heavy with surging electrical energy, and within the dark clouds overhead, a giant serpent of lightning flickered!
"Pika!"
Pikachu suddenly leaped from Ash's shoulder, his cheeks sparking.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Boosted by the Light Ball within its body, the Thunderbolt current was terrifying. However, the hidden Pokémon across from them was equally formidable.
With a light leap, it easily evaded Pikachu's attack.
Its true form was finally revealed to Ash and Pikachu.
Raikou!
Like Suicune, it was a legendary Electric type beast resurrected by Ho-Oh from that ancient fire.
It looked like a saber-toothed tiger with golden fur, powerful limbs, and sharp fangs!
The white mane on its face and the thundercloud-like cape on its back symbolized storm clouds. It was said to carry thunderclouds on its back, capable of releasing lightning at any momenta legendary beast of thunder that descended with the storm.
With agile movements, it radiated arcs of lightning from its paws, looking utterly majestic.
Raikou might have appeared here because it was drawn by the Clear Bell Ash had used previously to summon Suicune.
Unlike Suicune, Raikou was eccentric and usually wandered the world, rarely appearing before humans.
Without hesitation, Ash gripped a Poké Ball and shouted at Raikou, "Raikou, let's have a capture battle!"
"Roar!"
Raikou answered with a deafening roar and a surge of galloping lightning!
It had accepted the challenge!
Its long howl shook the air and the earth like a strike of heavenly thunder hitting the ground.
"Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu: 245/255
The Bond Value was down to the final ten points!
This was Ash's most trusted partner. Even without evolving, they possessed a maximum level of affinity!
Pikachu was the only one who could reach such high compatibility without evolving. This was Ash's true Pika-god!
The Thunderbolt strengthened by the Light Ball clashed with Raikou's own Thunderbolt, resulting in a stalemate!
"Impressive, Raikou! Pikachu, use Quick Attack followed by Iron Tail!"
They engaged in close quarters!
Raikou's saber teeth glowed with electricity, forming terrifying lightning fangs that bit down hard on Pikachu's Iron Tail!
An explosion sent Pikachu flying back!
"Pikachu!" Pikachu tumbled through the air toward Ash, who leaped up to catch him.
"Again! Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu leaped from Ash's arms once more, the power of thunder surging even more violently until he transformed into a massive ball of lightning!
Pikachu: 248/255
The surging lightning struck Raikou with terrifying force, catching even the legendary beast off guard.
Unable to dodge in time, it took the hit head-on!
This was a Thunderbolt reinforced by both Bond Phenomenon and the Light Ball, crackling with gold and blue sparks!
Even the legendary beast of thunder was left smoking from the shock!
"Great, Pikachu! Use Thunder!"
Since it was raining, the Thunder move was guaranteed to hit!
Pikachu: 250/255
A violent current of electricity shot into the sky, reacting with the thunderclouds above to become a true bolt of nine-heavens lightning that crashed down on Raikou!
It felt like the world was being torn asunder!
"Roar!"
Raikou seemed to have given up resistance, accepting the Thunder attack head-on. The storm clouds on its back were slightly charred.
However, its gold-red eyes looked at Ash with newfound respect!
It recognized him. This was the youth chosen by Ho-Oh!
Ash took the chance and threw an Ultra Ball. Raikou was pulled inside. The ball shook twice before falling still!
"I caught... Raikou!"
"Pi-Pikachu!"
Raikou: 200/245
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