Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

At this crucial moment, Ash's brain still works very well.

In the direction he was running, there was a river that wasn't too deep.

Holding Pikachu, Ash jumped down without hesitation.

just.

Ash clearly underestimated Spearow's vengeful nature.

Even after he jumped into the river, they were still targeted by the relentless scorpion birds when they left.

The sky at this moment.

It was completely dark.

The light drizzle quickly turned into a torrential downpour.

Within the thick thunderclouds, Regigi looked at Xia Yan with a puzzled expression while unleashing his own lightning.

Xia Yan, however, continued watching the scene below as if he were watching a play.

All I saw was...

Ash placed Pikachu on the ground, took out a Poké Ball, and tried to get Pikachu to hide inside it, hoping it would protect it.

But Pikachu just doesn't like going into Poké Balls.

Moreover, once it goes inside, it's likely that Ash will be the one who suffers the most.

Although Pikachu doesn't particularly like Ash yet, it's at least not as resistant as it was at the beginning; it's a responsible Pokémon.

Faced with Pikachu's determination, Ash wiped away his tears, turned to look at the flock of Spearow chirping, and spread his arms to protect Pikachu behind him.

He shouted, "Do you even know who I am?! I'm Ash from Pallet Town, the one who's going to be a Pokémon Master!"

It seems they felt that this wasn't imposing enough.

He continued shouting, "My teacher is the famous Sinnoh Champion, the 'Legendary Pokémon Summoner' Xia Yan! I'll have my teacher defeat you all!"

heaven.

Xia Yan: "..."

Latios suppressed a laugh, glancing back at Xia Yan every now and then.

They found it a little funny.

But Pikachu, lying on the ground in the mud, looking at Ash's back at this moment, didn't think so.

As lightning flashed and thunder roared, the flock of Spearow charged toward Ash.

Pikachu gritted its teeth, struggled to its feet, stepped on Ash's back and shoulders, and leaped high into the air.

Facing the swarm of ferocious sparrows that were attacking, he mustered all his strength.

"Pikachu!!!"

A sudden burst of golden electricity echoed the thunderous magma in the air, and a massive bolt of lightning crashed down, fiercely striking all the fiery sparrows.

At this moment, time seemed to stand still.

The interwoven lightning seemed to illuminate the entire world, and also ignited the hearts of Ash and Pikachu.

A bond called "bond" was formed for the first time between this human and this spirit.

And the story of Ash and Pikachu officially begins at this moment.

"I'm moved to tears."

Xia Yan made a pretentious remark.

“Os—”

However, Latios admired Ash's actions in protecting Pikachu and Pikachu's courage in standing up for him.

"Tsk, the 'Thunder' skill, which takes over level 40 to learn, is appearing on a Pikachu that was just acquired. I don't believe this isn't acting." Xia Yan clicked his tongue.

"Os?"

Latios was taken aback.

If Xia Yan hadn't mentioned it, it really wouldn't have noticed that.

Yes.

Why is this Pikachu making "thunder" sounds?

Pikachu's inherited moves don't include "Thunder," and as a starter Pokémon, it doesn't have a trainer, so it's even less likely to use any "secret techniques." Pikachu's tutorial move list also doesn't include "Thunder."

So... the truth has come out.

“Os…”

Latios looked thoughtfully at Pikachu on the ground.

"Alright, it's my turn."

Xia Yan patted Latios's neck and, using his superpowers, slowly lifted himself off its back.

"Os?"

Latios looked at Xia Yan with a puzzled expression.

What are you doing?

But then I saw...

The dense dark clouds gradually dispersed, and a seven-colored ray of light pierced through the gap, shining directly onto Ash and Pikachu's faces as they lay on the ground below.

Violence—!!

Followed by.

A loud and melodious long cry was heard, accompanied by the gradually emerging rainbow of light and scattered sparkling crystals.

It was immediately visible.

Amidst the dazzling rainbow of light and the soft glow of the setting sun, a gigantic bird spirit, its wings interwoven with gold and red, appeared in the sky.

Latios's eyes widened slightly.

Ho-Oh?!

Xia Yan, however, remained calm in response.

Because Ho-Oh was also flying in his direction.

Violence—

With a long cry, Phoenix King arrived in front of Xia Yan in the blink of an eye.

Simultaneously.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Ash and Pikachu below, and a voice echoed in Xia Yan's mind.

[The one you asked me to look after, is that the guy down there who looks a bit goofy?]

That's right.

Ho-Oh didn't come on its own; it was summoned by Xia Yan.

Otherwise, how could he be worthy of the title "Divine Beast Summoner"?

Although his relationship with Ho-Oh was only so-so before.

But now...

In the world of mythical beasts, who would dare not give him face?

Especially after possessing the "Life Jewel," Phoenix King, a divine beast that now holds a certain degree of "life authority," has gained even more prestige.

A simple-minded, silly boy?

Xia Yan's lips twitched slightly.

He also glanced at Xiao Zhi lying on the ground.

Ok.

He does look a bit silly and goofy.

“He is my student, so consider this a gift from me, his teacher, to him on becoming a trainer,” Xia Yan explained after looking away.

Phoenix King glanced at him suspiciously.

I can't believe it. Xia Yan, who is so shrewd and even "cunning", would take such a silly boy as his student.

However, since he had already spoken, Phoenix King still had to give him face.

He then nodded slightly to Xia Yan.

Violence—!!

He called out again.

A beautiful rainbow arched over Ash and Pikachu's heads.

"Ok?"

Ash and Pikachu finally noticed Ho-Oh's appearance.

He quickly stood up from the ground, staring blankly at it as it flashed by.

"Phoenix... Phoenix King?"

"Pikachu?"

The scattered, colorful light sprinkled all over Ash and Pikachu, causing their injuries to heal at a visible speed.

As it gently flapped its wings, creating soft ripples, a seven-colored feather drifted towards Ash and Pikachu.

The glistening feathers, shimmering with a pure white hue, shone brightly in the afterglow of the setting sun.

"Pikachu?"

Ash carefully caught the feather.

The increasingly brilliant light emanating from it demonstrates the rapidly growing bond between Ash and Pikachu.