Leaving Pallet Town and heading north.
This is Route 1.
Through Route 1, one can reach Viridian City.
It is about a 1 to 2-day journey; the distance between the two places is actually quite close.
Winding paths snake through the dense forest.
In this world, due to the presence of Pokémon, it is difficult to maintain wild roads in a paved state for long.
Unless traveled frequently, roads are quickly reclaimed by grass, dust, and trees.
One of the unique aspects of the Pokémon world: the power of nature suppresses the power of human civilization.
"Pi~ka~pi~ka~" Pikachu followed at Ash Ketchum's feet, its small paws treading on the soft humus layer, making a slight rustling sound.
Being let out of the Poké Ball put Pikachu in a very good mood.
"...This spot should be about right." Ash felt that if he equipped Pikachu with the Light Ball back in Pallet Town, he wasn't sure what might happen.
If there were any abnormal conditions, it would be hard to explain clearly to Professor Oak.
As for fooling Professor Oak... Ash didn't have that kind of confidence.
Professor Oak is a real big shot!
How could he be deceived so easily?
"Partner, do you want to become stronger?" Ash crouched down and asked Pikachu.
"⚆_⚆? Pi?" Pikachu stared wide-eyed, unable to figure out what its Pokémon Trainer was thinking.
"I'm serious!" Ash emphasized again, "Oh, companion of mine! I can feel the power of our bond!"
"Pika!" Pikachu naturally wouldn't refuse power, but it didn't know what Ash was planning to do.
"Feel the power of the bond between us~~" Ash pointed one finger to the sky and one to the ground.
This is 'Throughout Heaven and Earth, I Alone Am the Honored One', oh yeah!
Then, on the system interface, he equipped the Item: Light Ball onto Pikachu.
And so.
"Pika!" Pikachu suddenly felt the electricity inside its body surge up a notch.
"Pika—chu?!"
Pikachu felt a surging wave of electricity abruptly appear within its body.
This electricity was even starting to leak out.
Tiny electric arcs darted across its body surface, and the air began to fill with the fishy smell of ozone.
"Pika! Pika!" Pikachu hopped around in a panic, its bright black eyes filled with confusion.
"Calm down! Partner!" Ash's voice rang out in time; he chose not to run away.
"Deep breaths! Control it! Just like you usually groom your fur, pull the power back in! You can do it!"
Ash looked into Pikachu's eyes.
"Pi... Pika...!" Pikachu gritted its teeth, a low whimper emitting from its throat.
"Good! Just like that! Focus!" Ash could clearly feel the current.
Because he was too close, there was a static reaction.
He felt the hair on his body stand up in the physical sense.
"Partner!"
"Don't panic, and don't be lost."
"Because I am here."
"I'm right here with you, Partner."
Ash sat cross-legged in front of Pikachu.
Humans in the Pokémon world can essentially be called a type of Pokémon, and a type with massive individual differences at that.
Because this world really has gods.
The humans of this world are not carbon-based monkeys.
"Pika!" Pikachu felt Ash was finding it easy to talk but hard to do.
Although this electricity didn't exceed Pikachu's bodily load.
But... Human!
Aren't you worried about accidentally getting shocked!
Pikachu felt this human wasn't as reliable as itself.
Sigh—
Because Ash and Pikachu's way of getting along made Pikachu feel very comfortable.
Pikachu really couldn't bring itself to hurt Ash.
All day long, it's "Partner" this and "Partner" that.
Pikachu was too shy; its skin wasn't thick enough.
So it is... Social Master Ash.jpg.
And just as Pikachu's mind wandered...
A stream of electricity accidentally leaked out.
"Hiss—" Ash sucked in a breath of cold air.
Half his body felt numb.
It felt a bit like a physiotherapy machine.
"Pika?" Pikachu was somewhat worried about Ash's physical condition.
"I'm fine, Partner." Ash showed a smile.
"If you can't handle it, you can tell me. This isn't your fault."
"I can take this power back for now, and we can try slowly later."
Ash wasn't in a rush to force Pikachu to adapt all at once.
"Pika!" Pikachu's voice rose higher.
Human!
You trust me this much!
How can I let you down?
Pikachu felt it could try a bit harder!
Electricity!
I command you to listen to me!
"Pika! Pika! Pika! Pika! ...Pika!"
Pikachu cried out continuously, panting heavily, its chest heaving violently.
And its efforts were effective.
The electric light wrapping around its body began to recede. Although sparks still exploded occasionally, it was already showing signs of being controllable.
"You're doing great! Partner!"
"You're really amazing! Partner!"
"You're awesome! Partner!"
Ash heaped praise upon Pikachu.
Building confidence in Pokémon is also one of the necessary tasks of a Trainer.
The name "Trainer" already clarifies the professional characteristics.
The emphasis is on daily training.
Not just battlefield command.
One must help Pokémon overcome mindsets like fear, panic, and timidity.
"Yes... just like that..." Ash's voice slowed down a bit, carrying a trace of imperceptible approval, "Take it slow..."
Just like that, step by step, Pikachu gradually mastered the electricity that had suddenly appeared in its body.
Even its tense body relaxed.
Pikachu looked at Ash: Human?! Is this our power?
"Partner! This is the symbol of our friendship!" Ash didn't back down at all, looking seriously into Pikachu's small, dark eyes.
And now Ash felt he needed to go a step further.
How could our friendship stop here?
Our friendship must be engraved in the heart!
So, under Pikachu's panicked gaze, Ash hugged it.
"!!!" Pikachu's entire body froze.
Human!
Don't come over here.
Unfortunately, due to exhaustion, Pikachu's reaction was slow.
Pikachu was hugged by Ash.
"..." Ash held back from making a sound.
This electricity was still within a tolerable range.
After all, Pikachu was only Level 5.
Pikachu had a lot of potential, but that potential hadn't fully materialized yet.
"Trust me."
"Trust me just as I trust you."
Ash reached out and stroked Pikachu's fur.
Sharing joys and hardships is one of the best ways to build trust.
And for a creature like Pikachu, being electrocuted together is the way to share joys and hardships.
Due to physiological structural issues, it was common for Pikachu to shock itself when it couldn't control its electricity well.
"Pika??" Pikachu felt Ash's hand stroking its head.
What exactly was this feeling?
Is this what a companion is?
"Pika!" Pikachu responded happily.
Human!
This is great~
Snuggle~
"Pikachu, it's a bit numbing." Ash felt like he was being nuzzled.
The red spots on Pikachu's cheeks are its electric sacs.
"Pika!!" Pikachu smiled, its eyes squeezing shut.
Bond Level Increased.jpg.
Affection up.
______
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