Morning at Pallet Town – Backyard Training Area
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Ash grunted as he dropped into another set of push-ups, the sun already high and hot in the sky. Beads of sweat rolled down his face, soaking into the grass beneath him. He was older now—just a year away from setting out on his Pokémon journey. His dream burned in his chest stronger than ever.
"Just one more year," he thought, muscles straining. "One more year and I'm off to become the greatest Trainer."
"Still pushing yourself, huh?" came a familiar, gentle voice.
Ash paused and looked up. Delia stood at the edge of the yard, smiling warmly. She held a towel draped over one arm and a tall glass of oran juice in the other. Her hat shaded her face, but not her amused eyes.
"You'll wear yourself out before you even meet your first Pokémon," she teased, walking over.
Ash sat up, taking the towel and wiping the sweat from his face. "Thanks, Mom. You always come in clutch."
As he reached for the juice, Delia's eyes lingered a second longer than usual. Her gaze flicked to his arms, his shoulders…then quickly away.
Ash raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
She cleared her throat. "You've really grown up, that's all. I still remember when you could barely lift a Poké Ball."
Ash chuckled, standing tall. "Well, I'll need strength for all the battles ahead."
He noticed her sneaking one more glance at his defined abs and gave a small, knowing shake of his head.
Ash grinned mischievously as he lifted his mother into a surprise hug. "Mom, you're the best coach ever!"
Delia gasped in surprise, laughing, half-scolding"Ash! Put me down, you're all sweaty!"
"Too late," Ash said, spinning her once before setting her gently back down.
He spun around once with her in his arms, but as he turned toward the patio, his foot caught on the edge of the outdoor mat. "Whoa—!"
With a thud and a soft whump, the two toppled backwards onto the nearby cushioned bench. Ash landed above her, arms braced on either side to avoid crashing completely down. Their faces were barely an inch apart.
For a moment, everything froze.
The chirping of Pidgey in the distance seemed louder. Delia blinked up at him, cheeks turning pink. Ash's eyes widened.
Then—
"A-Ash!" she yelped, her voice jumping. "Get up!"
Ash blinked, flustered. "S-Sorry!" He scrambled off, rubbing the back of his head. "Didn't mean to turn training into a wrestling match…"
Delia sat up quickly, brushing herself off still flustered. "Honestly… you're lucky I brought you juice and not a Poké Ball to the head."
"Haha, sorry Mom," Ash said sheepishly, rubbing his neck.
"Alright," she huffed, trying to regain her usual composure. "You should get ready and leave for school. After that, you can spend your afternoon at Professor Oak's ranch—with Gary or Leaf, or even help Daisy out in the lab if she needs it."
Ash gave a thumbs up. "Got it!"
Without another word, Delia turned and walked off briskly—almost too briskly—as if she were fleeing the battlefield of embarrassment. Ash watched her go, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
"Heh… she's cute when she's flustered."
He stretched, downed the rest of the juice, and headed off to get ready for the day, already wondering if Leaf was in a mood to race Tauros again.
When he was getting ready for school ,
Ash was just slipping on his shirt, backpack slung over one shoulder, when a strange chill ran through him. It wasn't the wind. No… it was something deeper—something he felt.
His aura.
He froze, eyes narrowing. That… wasn't normal.
He dropped the rest of his morning routine and bolted out the door. The pulse of energy tugged at him like an invisible thread, pulling him toward the edge of town. Through streets, past fences, and up grassy paths, Ash sprinted, heart pounding.
Six or seven minutes later, he skidded to a stop just outside the forest bordering Pallet Town. He could feel it again. Stronger. Urgent.
He didn't hesitate—he plunged into the woods.
As the sunlight dimmed beneath the canopy, he slowed. Then he saw it.
An Eevee—barely breathing, its fur matted with blood and dirt—lay trembling near the roots of an old tree. Its breathing was shallow, and it coughed weakly, struggling to lift its head.
And just a few feet away, an unbelievable sight.
A tiny Pidgey, feathers ruffled and wing torn, was standing its ground. It flapped unsteadily, facing off against a hissing Ekans that was nearly three times its size. Every strike from the serpent knocked the Pidgey back, but it rose each time, eyes burning with pure defiance.
Ash's instincts kicked in. He rushed to the Eevee first—it was in no condition to defend itself.
Kneeling beside it, he quickly accessed his inventory. Come on… where is it—there! He pulled out a high-grade healing potion and sprayed it carefully across the Eevee's wounds.
The small Pokémon flinched at first, then slowly relaxed. The trembling eased, its coughing stopped, and its labored breathing began to even out. It was still weak, but no longer on the brink.
Ash let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
Then his gaze shifted, locked on the Pidgey still fighting valiantly.
"You're not giving up… are you?" he murmured, eyes narrowing.
He stood, fists clenched. "Alright… let's even the odds."
As Ash sprayed the last of the healing potion on Eevee, a soft glow shimmered through the leaves. A strange energy tickled the edges of his aura—familiar.
Viridian Forest… was responding.
He felt it—the signs of life, the blessing of understanding and harmony between human and Pokémon. That very power seeped into the small Pidgey standing bravely before the Ekans.
A faint green light surrounded the bird. Its feathers gleamed with renewed sharpness. Some of its wounds closed slightly, and a steady warmth bolstered its tiny body. Its wings, once faltering, flared with grit and defiance.
Pidgey turned its head briefly, eyes scanning first the now-stabilized Eevee in Ash's arms, then locking onto Ash himself. For a second, nothing was said. But Ash felt it—understood it.
"You helped her. Now help me."
Ash nodded firmly. "You got it. Let's win this together."
The Ekans coiled back, sensing the shift. It stopped to size them up—the Pidgey glowing with renewed strength, the human standing tall, eyes sharp, aura humming.
"Alright, Pidgey—circle wide, keep the high ground! Don't let it aim that poison fang!"
Pidgey obeyed, wings cutting through the air as it veered right. Ekans lunged, but Pidgey darted up, slicing the air with a Gust that sent leaves flying and rattled Ekans' scales.
"Now, Quick Attack—left flank, then feint right!"
Pidgey blurred forward, a streak of motion. It zigged toward Ekans' left, then veered hard right—catching the serpent by surprise with a peck to the jaw. Ekans hissed and retaliated, whipping its tail.
Pidgey was fast, but not invincible—it took a hit and wobbled in the air.
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Stay high, don't let it pin you! Get ready for another Gust!"
As the battle raged, a soft rustle came from Ash's side.
Eevee stirred.
She blinked, her body still weak, but her breathing calm. She was… held by a human. Her first instinct was fear, but then—her wounds. They were healing. She felt stronger. The potion… the warmth… him.
He saved me…
Then her gaze locked on the Pidgey, still fighting, still bleeding, defending her without hesitation.
A twinge of guilt hit her chest.
He's still risking everything… because of me…
With a weak growl, Eevee rolled off Ash's lap before he could react.
"Hey—wait, don't—!" Ash reached out, thinking she was running away from fear.
But no—she was running toward the fight.
She dashed forward, her eyes locked on Ekans, gathering what little strength she had. The serpent reared up for a strike at the diving Pidgey.
Then—
"Tackle!"
From behind, Eevee leapt and slammed into the Ekans' exposed side with all her might.
The ambush worked.
Ekans was thrown off balance, hissing in shock as it tumbled across the forest floor.
Pidgey, eyes wide with surprise, gave Eevee a quick glance of admiration.
Ash blinked, stunned. "Sneak attack… and it worked! Nice one, Eevee!"
He grinned.
"Alright—both of you, let's finish this together!"
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Hi 👋 what do you think of the story so far is it good ? any suggestions?