Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

It attempted to communicate in the manner of fellow bird Pokémon to quell the other's hostility and panic.

Normally, flocks of Pidgey birds and Falcons often fight over territory and food... the two sides are not friendly.

But Ash's Pidgeotto has become much calmer thanks to his long-term training.

For Pokémon captured by trainers, the most important thing most of the time is to overcome their natural instincts.

Pokémon's nature is largely not adapted to human society.

"Mama..." Misdreavus hovered on Ash's shoulder, its purple mist rippled slightly, trying to translate the chaotic communication between Pidgeotto and Spearow.

They won't listen.

[The Pidgey said we meant no harm, we were just passing by... but the Spearows didn't believe us at all!]

[They say humans are all liars, and that humans have previously driven them away and injured them!]

[They think the Pidgey birds are enemies and are helping humans deceive them!]

Once hatred arises, it often goes unnoticed as to the specific target.

The Fiery Sparrows, by nature reckless, were now driven to madness by fear and pain.

They screeched sharply, flapping their wounded wings, ignoring the benevolent comfort of the bibis, instead regarding it as a traitor colluding with humans, their hostility intensifying.

In this world... wild Pokémon do indeed harbor some hostility towards domesticated Pokémon.

As for the reason?

Currently unknown.

As a result... Pidgey's efforts failed.

It looked at Ash with a hint of helplessness and shook its head.

The territoriality and suspicion among bird-like Pokémon, especially when they are in a state of fright, are far more difficult to resolve than one might imagine.

However, this intense exchange between the Pidgey and the flock of Finch also had other consequences; the high-pitched, sharp calls spread outwards like ripples, reaching the distant woods.

Unlike the previous high-speed flight, it is now easy to determine the location after stopping.

...And that was the Rockets' plan.

"Ugh—!!!"

A louder and more furious cry, like a thunderclap, exploded from the forest.

The sound contained a powerful sense of oppression, instantly drowning out all the noise of the Fiery Birds.

A huge gray shadow shot out of the forest like an arrow, its wings flapping and creating a strong gust of air that kicked up dust.

It was a large-billed sparrow, much larger than its kind, with fierce eyes and a beak that gleamed with a cold light.

It was clearly the leader of this flock of peacocks, and was alarmed by the commotion of the group and the presence of the "outsider" Pidgey, so it boldly showed itself.

The sharp gaze of the Finch instantly locked onto the Pidgey that was blocking the Spearow flock, and Ash and his friends behind it.

In its simple mind, this group of people and this powerful Pidgey are the culprits who harmed its race and invaded its territory.

Explanation?

Before the enraged tribal chief, any explanation is futile.

Of course, this big-billed finch is not very strong.

Ultimately, this is the key road connecting Celadon City and Goldenrod City, so it's impossible for a powerful Pokémon overlord to live here.

Normally, powerful elven overlords would stay away from human settlements.

This is also a way to reduce friction between the two parties.

"Ah!!!" The Big-Toothed Sparrow flapped its wings and charged at Pidgey like a gray storm.

Its sharp, long beak aimed straight for Pidgey's vitals.

There has always been a serious conflict between Pidgey and Finch in the Kanto region.

The leader of the Pidgeys is the Pidgeot.

The leader of the Fiery Sparrows is the Big-billed Sparrow.

For the big-billed finches, since there's no Pidgeot here... then they'll just have to take down this Pidgey!

The leader's actions are commands.

The already restless Spearow flock seemed to have found its leader, and its morale soared. They screeched and launched a fierce, indiscriminate attack on Ash and his friends.

"It still doesn't work... Onix, get ready to dig!" Brock reacted quickly, throwing the Poké Ball the instant he confirmed that communication was ineffective.

The enormous rock serpent crashed to the ground with a deep roar, its massive tail plunging violently into the earth.

Debris flew everywhere, and they quickly began digging a makeshift underground shelter.

This is the safest way to defend, as it can avoid aerial attacks and prevent unnecessary damage.

"Xiaoxia, where's your Gyarados? It should be able to intimidate people like this!"

While directing the giant rock snake to speed up the digging, Xiao Gang called out to Xiao Xia.

Misty's Gyarados [Intimidate] should be extremely intimidating to these wild bird Pokémon.

Xiaoxia bit her lip and quickly shook her head: "No!"

"Gyarados's aura is too strong!"

"These Fiery Sparrows were already terrified. If they were to sense that terrifying aura, they might be scared out of their wits, or even suffer cardiac arrest!"

"They were merely driven away and injured; they don't deserve to die!"

"We should avoid danger if we can; there's no need to kill!"

She always adhered to the principles of a Water-type Gym Leader, holding life in awe and unwilling to cause killing lightly.

Moreover, although this Gyarados has some low-power moves, it's really not that obedient.

"Then there's nothing we can do..." Xiao Gang said for the same reason.

Rock-type Pokémon can also be quite reckless when they start fighting.

Especially when rock-type Pokémon are fighting flying units like birds, they can mostly only throw rocks.

If you throw it too lightly, you won't hit it.

Throwing it too hard could kill it.

Using a sandstorm isn't out of the question, but how do you clear the roads afterwards?

Scattering sand all over a main road?

This could easily cause a traffic accident!

Therefore, a virtuous person can deceive others by using proper methods.

Some tricks are only effective against good people.

“That’s right!” Ash agreed with Misty’s decision.

He quickly ordered, "Pikachu, use an electric shock to warn them and drive them away! Control the force!"

"Pip-birds, raise the wind and disrupt their flight paths!"

"Dream Demon, use illusions to create chaos!"

Expel them if you can, but killing them is the last resort.

So Ash didn't release the Golden Gyarados... Gyarados's nature makes them prone to using excessive force when they start fighting.

Gyarados is not a kind-hearted Pokémon.

When they get frustrated, it's perfectly normal for them to kill their opponents... Even if you're talking about helping Pokémon overcome their nature, it doesn't mean you're intentionally abusing them.

If you let Gyarados attack but don't let it use its full strength... it's practically like deliberately torturing Gyarados.

Ash suddenly felt a little melancholy; he really should get a Grass-type or Bug-type Pokémon.

Paralysis powder and sleep powder are really useful when you don't want to kill someone.

Otherwise, controlling the force of other techniques would indeed be quite troublesome.

As for electromagnetic waves that can produce paralysis... they are essentially weak electric currents.

If the opponent is slightly stronger, or too far away... the probability of it working is very low, almost negligible.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu's cheeks flashed with electricity.

A thick bolt of lightning roared out and struck the ground not far in front of the Great Peacock, blasting a charred crater and scattering dirt everywhere.

This warning strike successfully forced the finches to retreat from their first dive.

Pidgey flapped its wings vigorously, creating a strong gust of air that swirled towards the attacking flock of finches, disrupting their formation and causing many finches to be blown about.

"Mah!" The Dream Demon's eyes shone with a ghostly blue light, and an invisible spiritual fluctuation spread out like ripples.

Several Fiery Sparrows that were charging at the front seemed to have seen something extremely terrifying. They let out terrified screams, their attack came to an abrupt halt, and they even collided with each other.

They cooperated seamlessly and had a clear strategy—primarily focusing on dispersal and defense, and avoiding fatal damage as much as possible.

However, the frenzied flock of birds was numerous, and attacks came from all directions like a tidal wave.

A particularly fierce Spearow seemed to have identified Ash as its core. It cleverly bypassed Pikachu's electric shock barrier and, taking advantage of the chaos created by its companions, pecked at Ash's face from a tricky angle from the side, screeching!

Its sharp beak reflected a dangerous glint in the sunlight!

It's a [pecking] attack!

When trainers and Pokémon fight in the wild, it's quite normal for the trainers themselves to be attacked.

At the critical moment——

hum-

Ash's red and white Poké Ball on his waist opened automatically without warning, bursting out with a blazing red light.

That red light was not an ordinary light that flickered in and out; rather, it carried a scorching, burning will.

Roar--! ! !

A roar, completely different from the previous childish cry of the little dragon, filled with power and violence, resounded throughout the entire arena!

In the red light, the petite figure rapidly expanded and lengthened the moment it leaped out!

Its orange-red skin became even deeper, and the flames at its tail, which had been flickering slightly, suddenly surged, transforming into a raging, intensely hot inferno.

A sharp horn protruded from the center of his forehead, and his eyes were filled with a burning fighting spirit.

evolution!

In the moment when the trainer faces a crisis.

Charmander evolved into Charmeleon!

...This little fire dragon is indeed the type that would make a great partner.

If it weren't for Cross's foolish and reckless actions, it might have evolved during the previous gym battle, right?

"What...?!" Ash's pupils shrank.

The sudden turn of events caught him completely off guard.

He was prepared to deal with Spearow's attack... Don't underestimate the fighting power of a true rookie enhanced by four gym badges!

But the little dragon's sudden evolution into fire was indeed a bit of a surprise to the dinosaurs.

The shrew that launched the attack clearly hadn't anticipated this turn of events.

Its sharp beak was about to strike its target when it met a pair of eyes burning with rage, and a claw covered in hard scales and wreathed in scorching flames!

"Roar!" Charizard let out a furious roar, the power of evolution filling its entire body.

It didn't even need Ash's command; its instinct to protect its trainer drove it forward, and its right claw, burning with flames, lashed out with lightning speed.

This time, however, the claws were imbued with the power of evolution and blazing flames, and were enhanced by a fire enchantment.

Hiss!

A shrill scream.

The finless jay's pecking was abruptly interrupted.