Ash and Chloe took a car all the way to Viridian City. Along the journey, Chloe finally learned the identity of the partner Ash had come to retrieve.
After the Indigo League, Ash and his original companions had once passed through Viridian Forest, where they discovered a flock of Pidgey being relentlessly bullied by a group of Spearow.
Ash had released his Pidgeotto to help, but it struggled against their leader—a Fearow. In the end, Pidgeotto evolved into Pidgeot, defeated the enemy, and protected its kin.
Yet Ash, worried that the Pidgey would become vulnerable again without a guardian, chose to leave Pidgeot behind to protect them until a new leader emerged.
Years had passed. Though Ash had tried to return before, the vast forest and his constant travels had always kept them apart.
Now, however, things were different. Having awakened the power of Aura, he could feel Pidgeot's presence from afar—like a voice calling out to him.
As they stepped into the forest, that connection became unmistakable.
"It's been so many years… does Pidgeot still remember you, Ash?" Chloe asked.
"Of course! My Aura lets me hear Pidgeot calling me clearly! Right, Pikachu?" Ash replied with a confident grin.
"Pika-pikap!" Pikachu chirped, nodding while nibbling on a tomato berry. To them, bonds weren't broken by time or distance.
"Has the Pidgey flock raised a new leader yet?" Chloe wondered, a hint of concern in her voice. If not, Pidgeot might be forced to choose between duty and companionship.
"There must be one! I believe Pidgeot has trained the next generation well," Ash said firmly.
"Is he really that smart?" Chloe teased.
"Of course! He followed me, so he has to be brilliant!" Ash shot back, leaving Chloe momentarily speechless—though she quietly wondered if that meant Pidgeot might end up just as single as his trainer.
They ventured deeper into the dense forest, surrounded by Caterpie and Weedle. Occasionally, the faint, aggressive presence of a Pinsir could be felt—but none dared approach.
Chloe soon noticed a soft blue glow surrounding Ash: the manifestation of his Aura. Perhaps it was this unseen force that kept the wild Pokémon at bay, a relief for her, as she had no desire to be brushed by crawling insect legs.
After walking for ten minutes, Ash suddenly stopped. He raised his hands to his mouth like a trumpet and shouted:
"I'm here to pick you up—Pidgeot!"
His voice echoed through the towering trees. Silence followed. Ten seconds passed. Just as Chloe began to worry—
A violent rustle erupted from the forest.
A brown streak shot forward at lightning speed, stopping before them in a gust so strong it made the trees sway.
When the dust settled, Ash was already there, arms wrapped tightly around Pidgeot, laughter breaking free from his chest.
"Hahaha! Pidgeot, you're here! How have you been? I'm sorry it took me so long… I promised I'd come back. Will you still travel with me?"
Even without Aura, the answer was clear. But Ash had worried—feared that time might have changed things.
It hadn't.
Pidgeot gently rubbed its head against him, affection radiating through the gesture.
No matter how many years had passed, He was still Ash's partner.
"Thank you… Pidgeot."
...
[Aaron:] "Aura reflects the truest emotions of a Pokémon; such feelings cannot deceive. Why was Ash still worried?"
[Diantha:] "You don't understand—that's just who Ash is. Even if he can feel Pidgeot's loyalty, he feels guilty for staying away. That guilt becomes worry."
[Cynthia:] "That's Ash. His feelings for his Pokémon are always genuine."
[Aaron:] "…I see."
[Bruno:] "Either way, it's good to see them reunited! Even after living in the wild, that Pidgeot looks incredibly strong!"
[Lance:] "More than strength—I can feel a kingly aura. That's the presence of a leader who has ruled its kind for years."
[Diantha:] "If the Flying-type master says so, it must be true!"
[Lance:] "I am a Dragon Master! A Dragon Champion! Not a Flying-type specialist!"
[Diantha:] "Then show me one Dragon-type on your team that isn't Flying-type."
[Lance:] "..."
...
In the footage—
Pidgeot explained, through Ash's Aura, that the Pidgey flock had already raised two new Pidgeot along with many capable successors. Its duty was complete.
"You'll be my ace in the next tournament!" Ash declared.
"Pidgeot!" the bird cried proudly.
Ash grinned. "Let's test your strength then—can you carry both of us?"
Pidgeot glanced at Chloe and gave a confident nod. Years in the wild had made it larger and far stronger than before.
The two climbed onto its back, and with a powerful flap of wings, it soared into the sky.
The wind roared past them.
Instinctively, Chloe wrapped her arms tightly around Ash. Unlike him, she had no experience riding Pokémon, and the height made her heart race. Ash, completely oblivious, shouted over the wind:
"It's amazing, right? If you spread your arms, you can feel nature itself!"
He demonstrated—only to nearly lose his balance.
Chloe panicked and held on even tighter.
"You idiot! Don't try to show off!!"
...
[Lance:] "If it weren't Ash, I'd think he did that on purpose."
[Wallace:] "Haha! But because it's Ash, it definitely wasn't!"
[Caitlin:] "It's actually quite sweet—a young boy and girl."
[Gurkin:] "My granddaughter couldn't even stand on a Pidgeot. Chloe clearly isn't suited for someone reckless like Ash. If it were her, Ash would be the one holding on!"
[Korrina:] "Grandpa! Stop saying things like that!"
[Professor Cerise:] "Girls need to appear delicate so boys feel the urge to protect them."
[Sabrina:] "Oh? So girls who aren't delicate don't need protection?"
[Professor Cerise:] "Ahem—that's not what I meant. I just meant… showing a softer side can trigger a boy's protective instinct…"
Cerise quickly backed down. After all, Sabrina lived in Kanto—he had no intention of being turned into a doll.
Meanwhile, far away in Saffron City, Sabrina fell into deep thought.
"Weak girls are more likable… weak… how do I act weak?"
Her Haunter suddenly appeared, putting on an exaggerated trembling act.
Sabrina watched intently—
learning something… rather questionable.
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