Pallet Town, usually a place of peace and quiet, was now overflowing with an unprecedented festive atmosphere. Colorful ribbons and balloons lined both sides of the streets, and every resident wore a proud, radiant smile. The news of Ash winning the Indigo Plateau Conference had already spread to every corner of his hometown.
The moment Ash appeared at the town entrance, the long waiting crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
Delia rushed forward first, pulling her son into a tight embrace as tears streamed down her face. They were tears of pride and joy.
Professor Oak gave Ash a firm pat on the shoulder, his voice full of excitement. "You did it, kid! Outstanding work! I knew you had it in you!"
A grand celebration banquet was held in the town square, with nearly everyone in Pallet Town attending.
Ash was surrounded by friends and townsfolk, sharing the joy of his victory and stories from his journey. Pikachu happily munched on specially prepared Pokémon food, occasionally chiming in with cheerful "Pika pika" sounds that blended into the laughter and chatter around them.
Yet amidst this sea of happiness, Ash's Aura abilities picked up several familiar, sneaky energy signatures lurking in the woods surrounding the square.
"So they showed up after all..." A faint smile tugged at the corner of Ash's lips. He had expected it. At an event this lively, those three would never miss the chance.
He subtly signaled to Brock and Misty beside him and whispered, "Team Rocket is here. Stick to the plan."
Brock and Misty nodded in understanding. The three of them made an excuse about getting food and quietly slipped away from the center of the crowd.
In the forest, Jessie, James, and Meowth were peeking through gaps in the leaves, greedily eyeing the delicious spread and the lively crowd.
"Ugh, this is so unfair, meow! That brat actually became the champion and is throwing a celebration!" Meowth licked his paw, clearly annoyed.
"So much food... and so many Pokémon..." James swallowed hard.
"Hmph! So what if he's the champion? This is the perfect chance for Team Rocket to spice up his party!" Jessie placed her hands on her hips, already plotting. "When everyone is at their happiest, we'll charge in and snatch all the food and Pokémon!"
Just as they were lost in their fantasies, the ground suddenly gave way beneath Jessie.
"Ah!" she yelped as she fell straight into a cleverly disguised shallow pit, landing in a messy heap.
"Jessie! Are you okay?" James rushed forward, only to miss the vine tightening around his ankle. In an instant, he was yanked upside down and left dangling helplessly.
"Waaah! Help!"
"What's going on, meow?!" Meowth panicked, looking around frantically, when suddenly a large net dropped from above and trapped him completely.
"Since you've come so sincerely to congratulate me," Ash's voice came from the edge of the forest as he stepped out with Pikachu, Misty, and Brock, all wearing amused smiles, "of course we should give you a proper welcome."
It turned out that Ash had already located their hiding spot using his Aura and, together with Brock and Misty, had set up several simple but effective traps using the surrounding environment.
"You little brat! Let us go, meow!" Meowth struggled inside the net.
"We came to deliver congratulations!" Jessie shouted angrily as she climbed out of the pit.
"Yeah! Let us down!" James swung helplessly in the air.
Electric sparks flickered on Pikachu's cheeks. "Pika... chu!" A perfectly timed Thunderbolt shot forward, striking all three of them at once. It was strong enough to send them blasting off, but controlled so it would not cause serious harm.
"I have a feeling we're blasting off again!"
With their familiar cries echoing through the sky, Team Rocket once again turned into shooting stars, adding a "brilliant" streak across Pallet Town's night sky.
The townspeople in the square paused for a moment, then burst into even louder laughter, assuming it was just part of the celebration entertainment.
"Ash, there's something I'd like to ask of you." Professor Oak's expression turned serious, though there was excitement in his eyes. "I received a message from Professor Ivy, who is conducting research on Valencia Island in the Orange Archipelago. She has discovered a very unusual Poké Ball that cannot be transported using conventional methods. I'd like you, Misty, and Brock to go there and help retrieve it."
The Orange Archipelago? A special Poké Ball?
Ash's heart stirred instantly. He immediately thought of the mysterious GS Ball, a key element in both the second movie and the anime storyline.
"No problem, Professor!" Ash agreed without hesitation. A new adventure was calling, and the Poké Ball clearly held hidden secrets. "It'll be a great chance to explore a different environment and see new Pokémon."
"Excellent! Here's the map and a letter of introduction." Professor Oak handed the items to Ash, looking at him with pride. "Your journey as a champion has only just begun. The Orange Archipelago holds its own unique challenges."
Early the next morning, Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and Brock said their goodbyes to Delia and the people of Pallet Town, then set off toward the Orange Archipelago.
Their first stop was the nearest port city.
However, not long after leaving Pallet Town and entering a familiar stretch of forest, a sudden burst of intense bird cries and the sound of flapping wings caught their attention.
Not far ahead, two flocks of bird Pokémon were locked in a fierce territorial battle. On one side were the numerous and aggressive Spearow and Fearow, while on the other were the comparatively gentle Pidgey and Pidgeotto.
The Spearow flock clearly held the advantage in both strength and aggression. They launched relentless charges, scattering the Pidgey in all directions. Several Pidgey had already been injured by Fearow's sharp beaks and talons, crying out in fear as they struggled to escape.
"This is too much! How can they bully them like this!" Misty, who hated seeing Water types and Flying types Pokémon being mistreated, said angrily.
Through his Aura, Ash could clearly sense the fear, helplessness, and determination to defend their home coming from the Pidgey flock. He spotted a wild Pidgeotto, noticeably larger than the others, desperately holding its ground against a Fearow. However, it was already injured and clearly struggling to keep up. Nearby, several Pidgey were trapped under a tree by a group of Spearow, trembling in fear.
"We can't just ignore this!" Ash's eyes sharpened as he decisively threw two Poké Balls. "I choose you, Pidgeotto, Shiny Pidgeotto!"
Two flashes of white light burst forth as Ash's Pidgeotto and his magnificent Shiny Pidgeotto appeared side by side. Their sharp gazes immediately locked onto the chaotic battlefield.
"Pidgeotto, Shiny Pidgeotto, help your friends! Drive those invaders away!" Ash commanded. "Use Gust!"
Both Pidgeotto flapped their wings in unison. Their powerful winds merged into a massive wall of swirling air that surged toward the Spearow flock. The sudden and overwhelming force threw the attackers into disarray.
The wild Pidgeotto that had been fighting desperately looked up upon seeing reinforcements, especially when it noticed the radiant Shiny Pidgeotto. Hope ignited in its eyes as it let out a loud cry, rallying its flock to fight back.
Ash's commands were clear and precise:
"Shiny Pidgeotto, use your speed, Quick Attack, and disrupt that leading Fearow!"
"Pidgeotto, take on the other Spearow, use Steel Wing!"
"Wild Pidgeotto, lead your flock and use Sand Attack to cloud their vision!"
Under the leadership of the three powerful Pidgeotto, the previously scattered Pidgey flock regrouped. They began to counterattack in an organized manner. Gust, Sand Attack, Quick Attack... various moves intertwined as the battle reached a stalemate.
However, the leader of the Spearow flock, the strongest Fearow, was exceptionally fierce. It endured Shiny Pidgeotto's Quick Attack and retaliated with a Drill Run, forcing it back. Then it charged once more toward the injured wild Pidgeotto, intending to eliminate the original leader first.
"Watch out!" Ash shouted.
At that critical moment, the Shiny Pidgeotto, which had been following commands while holding off the Spearow, suddenly erupted with a brilliant light of evolution!
It sensed its friends in danger, felt the responsibility to protect them, and the power within its body burst forth completely at that instant!
"Pidge—!!!"
Blinding white light enveloped it. Its body rapidly grew larger within the glow, its feathers becoming more elegant and elongated. Most striking of all, the uniquely colored feathers on its crest transformed into a dazzling rainbow crown!
As the light of evolution faded, a magnificent Shiny Pidgeot descended upon the battlefield!
It let out a cry that echoed through the sky, its overwhelming presence instantly stunning everyone present.
"That's amazing! Pidgeotto evolved into Pidgeot!" Misty and Brock exclaimed excitedly.
With its newfound power, the Shiny Pidgeot spread its wings and unleashed Brave Bird, crashing toward the arrogant Fearow like a golden meteor. It was devastatingly effective!
The Fearow was heavily struck by the overwhelming attack, letting out a painful cry as it crashed to the ground. It struggled briefly but could no longer take flight.
With their leader defeated, the Spearow flock's morale collapsed instantly. Under the combined pressure of the Shiny Pidgeot and the Pidgeotto, including Ash's own, they fled the area in complete disarray.
With the crisis resolved, the Pidgey and Pidgeotto gathered around their saviors, chirping gratefully. The injured wild Pidgeotto approached the Shiny Pidgeot and lowered its head in respect and thanks.
Looking at the joyful flock and the way they gazed at the Shiny Pidgeot with reliance, Ash understood.
This group truly lacked a strong protector like Pidgeot.
He walked over to the Shiny Pidgeot and Pidgeotto, gently stroking their smooth feathers before turning to the wild Pidgeotto leader.
"I understand. Your flock needs a powerful leader," Ash said gently but firmly. "But Pidgeot and Pidgeotto are also my important partners. Their journey is still ongoing, so they can't stay here forever."
The wild Pidgeotto and the surrounding Pidgey lowered their gazes, disappointment flickering in their eyes.
"However," Ash continued with a smile, "we can help you train your own protector!"
Over the next few days, Ash and his companions stayed in the forest bordering Viridian Forest.
Under Ash's guidance, the Shiny Pidgeot and his Pidgeotto selected several individuals from the flock who showed outstanding talent and strong will, and began intensive training. The training covered strength, speed, move enhancement, and teamwork, all aimed at rapidly improving their overall capabilities to withstand future threats from the Spearow flock.
During this time, Ash often ventured into the nearby Viridian Forest, searching for berries and clean water sources for the Pokémon.
This ancient forest seemed to sense the gentle yet powerful Aura within him, and…
Like fireflies on a summer night, faint points of light drifted out from all around, softly gathering around Ash.
A vast and gentle life energy, like a warm spring, enveloped his entire body.
Ash felt a power flowing into him, one that shared the same origin as Aura yet was distinctly different.
This energy was filled with the vitality of nature, carrying an aura of healing and comfort, as if the entire forest itself was expressing gratitude and blessing toward him.
The Aura within his body seemed to recognize it like a kindred force, actively reaching out to merge with this newly born Viridian power. The blue glow of Aura and the emerald green light of Viridian energy intertwined within him, fusing together in a miraculous reaction. From that fusion, a brand new power was born, stronger, deeper, and seemingly connected to both the essence of life and the will of the spirit.
Ash unconsciously closed his eyes, quietly experiencing this transformation. When he opened them again, a fleeting shimmer of blue and green light flashed deep within his gaze.
He raised his hand. In his palm was no longer pure blue Aura, but a new form of energy infused with the green of life, radiating a harmonious yet powerful fluctuation.
[Ding! Detected that the host has received the "Blessing of Viridian Forest" and has comprehended the special ability: Viridian Power!]
[Ding! Detected that Aura Power and Viridian Power have perfectly fused, awakening a brand new form!]
[Compassion Form: An advanced state born from the fusion of Aura and Viridian Power, symbolizing the pinnacle of protection and healing. In this form, the host's Aura transforms into life-filled "Healing Aura" with the following properties:]
[Core Trait: Moonlight Healing]: The host can release a gentle yet powerful Healing Aura, rapidly restoring Pokémon stamina, healing non-lethal injuries, and purifying most status conditions such as poison, paralysis, burns, and freezing. The healing effect far surpasses conventional recovery items and has exceptional purification effects against shadow or corrupted energies.
[Nature Resonance]: Greatly enhances affinity with all Pokémon and the natural environment, deepening spiritual communication. Within natural environments such as forests, grasslands, and waters, both the host and allied Pokémon experience significantly increased recovery rates.
[Guardian Barrier]: Can deploy a powerful "Compassion Barrier" focused on energy negation and purification, effectively defending against special attacks and removing negative status effects.
[Exclusive Moves]:
Healing Pulse, Enhanced: Releases a wide-range Healing Aura that restores allied Pokémon and purifies their conditions.
Purifying Light Rain: Channels natural energy to summon a rain of light imbued with purification power, dispersing large-scale negative effects and malicious influences.
Life Link: Enhances a target's vitality and defense while continuously sharing and absorbing part of the damage they receive, which is then rapidly repaired by Healing Aura.
Ash walked up to the newly evolved Pidgeot and extended his hand. With a slight movement of his thoughts, a soft blue-green glow formed in his palm. He gently brushed it over the small wounds and lingering fatigue left from the earlier battle.
Under the glow of Moonlight Healing, those marks vanished rapidly, and the trace of exhaustion in Pidgeot's eyes disappeared completely, replaced with renewed vigor.
The newly evolved Pidgeot affectionately nuzzled Ash's hand, letting out a grateful and content cry.
The entire Pidgey flock circled around him, flying in joyful loops as they expressed their deepest thanks. They could feel the warm, reassuring presence radiating from this human before them.
The Shiny Pidgeot and Ash's Pidgeotto returned to his side. They too sensed the transformation within their trainer, the newfound gentleness, depth, and compassion in his power, and became even more affectionate and at ease.
"Goodbye, everyone. Live well!" Ash waved to the flock as the soft blue-green glow around him gradually faded.
Turning away with his companions, he set off once more, carrying the silent blessings of Viridian Forest on his journey.
On his shoulder, Pikachu squinted comfortably. The warmth from earlier made it feel as if it had been bathing in moonlight. "Pika~" it chirped contentedly.
Ash smiled and gently patted its head, feeling the new power within him, one centered on protection and healing.
This time, no regrets were left behind. In a way, it finally made up for everything.
...
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