After leaving Viridian City, Ash and Misty officially set out on the road to Pewter City.
They hadn't gone far when a vast stretch of dense, towering forest appeared before them—Viridian Forest, the largest forest in the Kanto region.
The moment they stepped inside, the light dimmed noticeably. The fresh scent of soil and greenery filled the air, accompanied by the constant chirping and buzzing of various Bug- and Flying-type Pokémon.
"So this is Viridian Forest… It really lives up to its name. It's huge." Misty looked around at the towering trees. As a Water-type Trainer, she instinctively felt uneasy in a place filled with Bug-type Pokémon. Without noticing, she drifted closer to Ash.
"Yeah. I heard it's easy to get lost here. We'd better be careful."
Ash nodded, letting a faint aura ripple out from his body, sensing the surroundings—not only keeping alert for wild Pokémon, but also searching for something.
Very quickly, his Aura locked onto a spot under a tree: a Caterpie munching leisurely on leaves. It looked sturdier than normal, its eyes brighter and more expressive.
"Found it."
Ash smiled. Destiny, maybe. Instead of rushing to catch it like in the original timeline, he first took out some Pokémon food and carefully approached.
"Hey! What are you doing? That thing is gross!" Misty complained behind him.
"Every Pokémon has something special about it."
Ash didn't look back. He gently set the food down in front of the Caterpie, sending a friendly intention through his Aura.
"Hello, Caterpie. Want to try this?"
Caterpie lifted its head, looked curiously at Ash and the food, and after sensing that soothing aura, hesitated only a moment before slowly inching over to eat.
"See? It's gentle." Ash smiled at Misty before speaking to Caterpie again. "So, how is it? Want to come with me? There's more good food outside—and a much wider world to explore."
After finishing its food, Caterpie rubbed its head against Ash's finger, then nodded.
Only then did Ash take out an empty Poké Ball and gently tap it against Caterpie. A flash of red light—capture successful, without a hint of resistance.
"…Fine, you win." Misty pouted as she watched Ash catch a Bug-type so effortlessly.
Ash understood well—Misty's fear of Bug Pokémon would take a long time to heal.
Just then, a sharp series of "Pii! Pii!" cries and frantic wingbeats echoed from above.
They looked up to see a Pidgeotto—its feathers a distinctly different shade, a pale golden sheen that stood out even in the dark forest—being attacked by two Spearow!
Its movements were faster than a normal Pidgeotto's, and its sharp gaze burned with defiance. But facing two natural predators at once, it was clearly struggling.
"A Shiny Pidgeotto!" Ash's eyes widened. "And it's being bullied! Pikachu, get ready to help!"
At the same time, he released Pidgey.
"Pika!" "Pooo!"
"My Pokémon can't help much, so it's all on you, Ash." Misty watched nervously.
"Pikachu, hit the left Spearow with Thunder Shock! Pidgey, use Gust on the right one!"
Ash commanded swiftly.
A burst of electricity and a spiraling gust shot upward, striking both Spearow cleanly. Screeching in pain, they abandoned their attack on the Shiny Pidgeotto and glared down at Ash and his team.
The Shiny Pidgeotto finally had a chance to breathe. It glanced down in surprise at the humans and Pokémon helping it, its eyes filled with gratitude—and evaluation.
"Pidgeotto! Are you okay? Want to team up with us to fight them?" Ash called up, sending a wave of cooperative intent through Aura.
The Shiny Pidgeotto answered with a sharp, resonant cry. With a powerful beat of its pale-gold wings, its speed surged—it became a streak of golden light, unleashing a blinding Quick Attack! Faster than before!
"What speed! I love it! Pikachu, cover it with more Thunder Shock! Pidgey, keep the winds going!"
Under Ash's guidance and with Pikachu and Pidgey supporting it, the Shiny Pidgeotto dove and struck like a golden bolt, repeatedly hammering the Spearow.
Already strong on its own, now backed up by allies, it quickly gained the upper hand—then whipped up a Whirlwind that sent one Spearow spinning helplessly.
Soon, the two Spearow were left battered and shaken. Knowing they were outmatched, they retreated with resentful cries.
The Shiny Pidgeotto let out a triumphant call, then descended to perch on a low branch, fixing its sharp, intelligent eyes on Ash.
"You're strong—and brave." Ash praised sincerely. "How about joining my team? Together we can fly even higher and face even tougher opponents."
The Shiny Pidgeotto looked at Ash, then at Pikachu beside him. It could feel that strange, warm energy from Ash—Aura—and his sincerity. After thinking for a moment, it nodded and glided down, tapping its wing against the Poké Ball Ash held out.
Capture successful!
Ash had caught a rare Shiny Pidgeotto!
Misty leaned in with amazement. "Wow, the color really is different! Your luck is ridiculous!"
[Ding! Host has captured the rare Shiny Pokémon: Pidgeotto (Shiny). Reward: 300 World Points.]
[Current World Points: 1350.]
Another pleasant surprise from the system.
The two continued deeper into the forest. Before long, a boy dressed in samurai armor and holding a wooden sword suddenly leapt out in front of them, blocking their path.
"Stop! This tree was planted by me, this road was opened by me! If you want to pass, leave a toll—wait, no! You must accept the challenge of me, Samurai Boy Kyle!"
The boy struck what he clearly believed was a very cool pose.
Ash: "…" This level of chuunibyou felt strangely familiar.
Misty: "Where did this weirdo come from…"
"Come! Battle me in a Pokémon match!"
Samurai Boy Kyle threw out a Poké Ball. A massive Pinsir appeared, brandishing its huge pincers with an intimidating aura.
Well, looks like this is Ash's first XP bag from the original story.
"I accept your challenge!" Ash said as he tossed out his own Poké Ball. "I choose you, Pidgey!"
"Pinsir, use Vice Grip!"
"Quick Attack!"
Pidgey's figure flickered as it dodged Pinsir's snapping pincers and rammed into it.
"Pinsir, hang on! Use Harden!"
"Pidgey, Quick Attack again—keep it up!"
Pidgey was fast, but once Pinsir's defense increased, the damage was limited.
"Now's the moment! Pinsir, grab it with Vice Grip!" Kyle yelled, eyes sharp.
Pinsir lunged forward, pincers snapping—the trap was about to close on Pidgey!
"Pidgeotto, your turn! Quick Attack!"
Ash switched Poké Balls instantly!
A golden streak shot out of the ball with explosive speed, slamming into Pinsir like a fired cannonball! The impact was far stronger than Pidgey's attack.
BAM!
Pinsir was blasted into the air and fell to the ground, spinning in circles with swirls in its eyes—completely unable to battle.
"Pinsir!"
Kyle recalled it, looking crushed and stunned.
"S-So strong… that Pidgeotto! And it's Shiny! I actually lost…"
Just then, another Poké Ball on Ash's belt suddenly popped open on its own. Caterpie wriggled out, chirping excitedly at Ash as its body began to shine with a brilliant white light!
"It's… evolving!" Misty exclaimed.
Right before their eyes, Caterpie's shape shifted rapidly. When the light faded, a Metapod stood where it had been!
Apparently, its observation during the battle, combined with the strength it had built up as a Caterpie, pushed it to meet the evolution requirements.
"That's great, Metapod!" Ash beamed.
But maybe the flash of its evolution was too conspicuous—or perhaps the scent it released had drawn a natural enemy.
From nearby bushes came a loud, furious buzzing.
A massive swarm of Beedrill burst out! There were so many that the swarm stretched beyond sight!
"Oh no! A Beedrill swarm! RUN!"
Samurai Boy Kyle's face turned pale. He reacted immediately, spinning around and sprinting away.
Ash and Misty also realized the danger. They recalled their Pokémon and dashed after Kyle!
But the Beedrill were fast—extremely fast. The swarm closed in rapidly.
"Metapod, return—quick!"
Ash tried to recall Metapod, but it was too slow. In seconds, it would be surrounded!
At that critical moment, Metapod seemed to sense both its trainer's danger and its own duty.
The unstable energy from its recent evolution surged again—then erupted!
A second, even brighter burst of evolution light exploded from its body!
"It's… it's evolving AGAIN?!"
Misty, still running, turned back and nearly tripped in shock.
Within the shining light, Metapod's shape changed once more—its body stretching, wings forming beautifully.
When the glow faded, a Butterfree fluttered gracefully in midair!
It beat its wings, scattering huge clouds of Stun Spore and Sleep Powder, the golden mist washing over the Beedrill at the front of the swarm!
The nearest Beedrill were instantly affected—slowing down, wobbling, and many falling asleep and dropping out of the sky.
The swarm behind them ran straight into the sudden cloud, drastically slowing down.
"You really surprised me, Butterfree!" Ash couldn't help but praise it.
"Now! Run while you can!"
Samurai Boy Kyle pointed toward a narrow path. "My secret base is that way!"
Taking advantage of the swarm slowing down, the three of them darted after Kyle, weaving through turns until they slipped into a hidden hollow inside a tree—finally safe for the moment.
Outside the tree hollow, Butterfree floated elegantly, keeping guard for its trainer.
At the most critical moment, it had evolved twice in a row—turning the tide and saving everyone.
Ash looked at his beautiful Butterfree, then thought of the newly captured Shiny Pidgeotto.
His heart swelled with emotion.
The adventure in Viridian Forest had been chaotic and full of surprises—
—but the rewards were enormous!
(A/N: Yeah, I sped up Caterpie's evolution a bit—just to keep the story moving. Hope you don't mind!)