The morning sunlight gently sprinkled upon the broad road connecting Saffron City and Celadon City.
Compared to the nearly insane "Déjà Vu" drifting race during their last trip to Saffron City, this time, the cycling journey of Ash's trio appeared much more composed.
The wheels rolled over the smooth asphalt road, emitting a rhythmic and brisk rustling sound. However, mixed within this leisure was an indescribably novel spectacle that attracted the gazes of all passersby.
Ash rode on a bright blue bicycle, the gaze under the brim of his hat occasionally shifting to his side. Misty's orange bicycle kept pace with him, while Brock's dark gray bicycle followed steadily slightly behind.
But what truly drew attention was not these three Trainers, but the "luxurious" mobile team moving alongside them. For instance, that massive golden dragon—the Golden Gyarados.
Taking this out was truly flashy. If not for the fact that Gyarados's current flying ability was still relatively worrying, Ash would have wanted to stand on Gyarados's head. That would inevitably be a scene so handsome it would be cool, domineering, and absolutely badass.
Although gold is very tacky... it is truly expensive.
"Roar—!"
A roar, full of vitality but clearly carrying some panting, rang out. The Gyarados, entirely golden and shining brightly under the sun, was struggling to fly at a low altitude on one side of the road. Obviously, this kind of continuous flight was no small burden for it.
But those ferocious eyes flickered with the light of excitement. To be able to soar freely like this, even at a low altitude, was always better than being stuffed inside a Poké Ball.
On the ground, the sturdy-figured and fierce-eyed Charmeleon was moving its legs, running in sync with the bicycles. On its tail, the raging flame danced with the rhythm of its running, leaving a scorching trail in the air. This was physical training specially arranged by Ash.
And in the higher, distant azure sky, Pidgeotto spread its broad wings, its sharp gaze constantly scanning ahead and around, ensuring the safety of the journey. Occasionally, it would let out a crisp "Pidge—" to transmit a signal that everything was safe to its companions on the ground.
But all of this could not compare to the astonishment brought by the yellow figure at the very center of the team.
Quack! The rat can fly!
"Pika—"
"Pika—!"
Pikachu was not squatting on Ash's shoulder as usual, nor was he using his astonishing speed to run on all fours on the ground. At this moment, he was hovering in the air about half a meter off the ground, his body surrounded by extremely minute golden electric arcs that were almost indistinguishable to the naked eye.
His small face wore an expression mixed with focus and nervousness; his body leaned forward slightly, and he drifted forward unsteadily in a posture similar to swimming. This posture looked exactly like a rookie who had just learned to swim but could only do the dog paddle.
Well, using electricity to generate magnetic force to float forward in the air is much harder than swimming.
"Mis! Mis, mis!" Misdreavus excitedly circled the floating Pikachu. Her small body sometimes leaned in to observe those jumping electric arcs, and sometimes tried to gently touch them with Ghost-type power.
Misdreavus was very curious about how Pikachu achieved this. For Misdreavus, flying was something she could do from birth. As for how to learn to fly... the target was completely clueless.
Misdreavus's mood, which had been somewhat low due to leaving Saffron City, was by now long scattered by this novel scene.
Brock stroked the Vulpix curled up in his bicycle basket. His gaze finally landed on the floating Pikachu, and he couldn't help but let out a heartfelt sigh.
"It's truly surprising... just a few days of recuperation and training, and Pikachu has not only fully recovered but seems to have refined his control over Electric-type energy to another level."
"This power appears even more condensed and controllable than when it erupted in front of Silph Co."
He recalled the golden thunderstorm Pikachu released that night, dazzling as a miniature sun. That devastating power still gave him lingering fears. In comparison, the precise levitation control before him, although much smaller in momentum, revealed Pikachu's growth in power control even more.
This was already at the Elite level of the Indigo League, right? This Pikachu really transcended common sense.
Misty, hearing this, carefully controlled her bicycle to avoid a small stone on the road while turning her head to speak.
"This... is Magnet Rise, right?"
"I remember Lt. Surge's Raichu used it last time too, being able to hover in the air."
She paused, a trace of recollection appearing on her face. "The operational difficulty of this move is still very high. For Pikachu to use it for long-distance travel like this... he suddenly became so much stronger."
Misty's tone carried a bit of affirmation, and also a bit of wonder. As a Water-type expert, she wasn't ignorant of moves from other attributes, but to utilize Magnet Rise to such an extent clearly exceeded the conventional scope.
This Pikachu... mm.
Misty: It seems I can only say that Ash's Pokémon don't seem very normal either?
Ash heard his companions' discussion and a proud smile appeared on his face. He slowed down his pedaling speed to get closer to the floating Pikachu, looking tenderly at his partner who was working hard to maintain the suspension state.
"Yeah..."
"Partner is really working hard."
His thoughts drifted back to those few days in the Saffron City Pokémon Center. After Pikachu woke up, he wasn't discouraged by his body's weakness or Nurse Joy's warning; instead, it was as if that limit-breaking eruption had flipped a switch, making his desire to explore his own power unprecedentedly strong.
However, since there were many people watching around, it was obviously impossible to let Pikachu practice high-intensity moves. And since he couldn't practice with high intensity, he practiced with low intensity. Mainly focusing on the manipulation of electricity.
Thus, Pikachu practiced the move Magnet Rise. regarding this, Nurse Joy had an encouraging attitude.
—If you don't want to be hurt by your own powerful strength, then improving the control over your own strength is also a very effective solution.
—You say the power will go out of control? Then I'll just increase my control power.
In the following days, under the premise of ensuring no added burden to his body, Pikachu invested almost all his waking hours into the practice of "Magnet Rise."
From initially only being able to hover a few centimeters off the ground for a few seconds before falling on his butt due to unstable current... to later being able to float steadily, and then to now being able to move slowly while maintaining suspension...
Ash was the most direct witness to this entire arduous process. The consumption of this move couldn't be called huge, but the requirement for the intensity of the electricity was high. And with the bonus of the Light Ball, Pikachu could achieve exactly this.
Ash: Partner, congratulations on getting your high-voltage electrician certificate.
Pikachu: Aibo, what nonsense are you talking about?
Ash had seen Pikachu panting heavily on the ground from excessive mental concentration. He had seen him get burned by his own electric sparks due to errors in current control. He had also seen him, after several failures, stubbornly mobilize the electric energy again.
No complaints, no giving up. Only those eyes that became increasingly determined, and that cry forever full of fighting spirit—Pika!
"Pikachu!" Hearing Ash's words, the floating Pikachu turned his head and called out to Ash. The electric sacs on his cheeks crackled and flashed twice.
The corners of his mouth raised slightly, and the confident light flashing in his eyes betrayed the joy and pride in his heart.
Pikachu me~ Now I've become stronger again!
"However, you still have to act within your means, Partner."
Ash didn't forget to remind him with concern: "Tell me if you feel tired, or come to my shoulder to rest a bit. Nurse Joy said recovery must be gradual."
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded vigorously, indicating he understood. Immediately, he turned back, focusing even more on maintaining his own suspension.
He carefully manipulated the electric arcs surrounding his body, trying to make his flight posture steadier and faster. Pikachu even began attempting to make minute turns in the air. Although the movements were still somewhat stiff, that spirit of daring to try was revealed completely.
If anyone dared to challenge him next, they would inevitably be met with infinite surprises. In a sense, Pikachu had now touched the lower limit of a Gym Leader level. The main force of an average Indigo League Champion was only about this level.
"Mis, mis!" Misdreavus seemed to feel that Pikachu practicing alone was too boring and started pranking again. She suddenly accelerated, swooshing past underneath Pikachu.
The airflow she kicked up caused Pikachu's suspension to become unstable for a moment, scaring him into screaming "Pika Pi!" as he frantically adjusted the current.
"Meng Meng, no making trouble!" Misty couldn't help but speak up to stop it when she saw this.
Ash, however, laughed. "It doesn't matter, Misty. This is also a kind of reaction training."
He believed Pikachu could handle it well. The speed at which everyone was cycling wasn't fast; even if he fell, he would at most get covered in dust. He wouldn't get hurt; the intensity was much lower than a battle~ This was just like when ordinary people learned to ride a bicycle; falling once or twice at the beginning is normal.
Sure enough, after the initial fluster, Pikachu quickly steadied his figure.
"Pika!" He even somewhat annoyedly fired a cluster of harmless, firework-like small electric sparks at the Misdreavus who was making a funny face.
"Mis~" Misdreavus giggled and dodged.
The two little guys chased and fled, carving crooked trajectories in the air. Under Misdreavus's stimulation, Pikachu was even able to start S-shaped maneuvers. It was just a pity he couldn't fly fast or high, so he could only be teased.
Pikachu: Chikushou! (Damn it!)
Misdreavus: You're still far from it~
In the sky, Pidgeotto let out a long cry, cheering on the companions below. Pidgeotto was a bit simple-minded; it didn't see that Misdreavus was teasing Pikachu. Pidgeotto thought the partners below were playing quite happily. It was just a pity they flew too slowly~
Thinking of this, Pidgeotto felt a little proud and couldn't help but hum lightly.
On the ground, the running Charmeleon let out a low growl of dissatisfaction. He complained a bit about why he had to run while Pikachu could float along; the flames on his tail leaped a few inches higher. However, the thought that he could grow wings after evolving... made Charmeleon even more energetic about running.
Exercise!
Exercise!
Exercise...
The low-flying Gyarados cast a glance: Flying is also very tiring, okay?
The running Charmeleon: I'll have wings after I evolve, unlike you.
Gyarados: _□?
Charmeleon: ...
Gyarados: Who present here can't fly?
Charmeleon: [Pokémon Profanity]!
The sunlight was just right, and the breeze brushed their faces. Ash looked at the road extending infinitely ahead, then looked at the Pikachu working hard to float beside him.
"Alright! Keep up this state! Target: Celadon City! Forward!"
____
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