Early the next morning, after saying goodbye to Kyle—who was still obsessing over Ash's Shiny Pidgeotto—the two continued toward the forest exit.
"Didn't expect your Butterfree to be this strong," Misty said as the butterfly Pokémon circled gracefully around Ash. Her tone still carried her ingrained bias toward Bug-types, but there was now genuine respect as well. "It actually evolved twice in a row."
"Yeah. It worked really hard."
Ash smiled and extended his hand. Butterfree gently perched on his fingertip, its wings shimmering faintly as sunlight filtered through the leaves. Through Aura, Ash could clearly sense Butterfree's affection and its desire to grow stronger.
As they got closer to the forest's edge, the trees grew sparse and the light brightened. That was when Ash's Aura detected a sharp, warning-filled presence ahead.
"Be careful—something's up there."
Ash signaled for Misty to stop.
The two quietly parted the bushes and saw a small clearing. In the center stood a proud-looking Scyther, its sickle-like arms gleaming, facing off against several Golbat. Scyther's body already bore several wounds, clearly from earlier fighting, but its eyes remained sharp as it stood firm—protecting a few berries it had gathered under a tree behind it.
"It's Scyther. Looks like it's defending its food," Ash whispered. This Scyther felt extremely sharp and capable.
The Golbat clearly weren't giving up. With shrill cries, they launched their attack. Wing Attacks and Supersonics crisscrossed the air.
Scyther remained composed. Its dual scythes danced in rapid succession, unleashing a series of quick slashes that blocked the incoming attacks perfectly. It even counterattacked at the right moment, slicing one Golbat enough to force it back.
But there were too many enemies. And with Supersonic disrupting its senses, Scyther soon collected new wounds, its movements slowing.
"It's at a disadvantage… but is it right for us to intervene?" Misty asked. Even she could tell this Scyther was extremely proud.
"We're not interfering—we're offering another option."
Ash's eyes were firm. "A warrior like it shouldn't lose to a cheap ambush. Pikachu, get ready!"
"Pika!"
Ash took a deep breath and stepped into the clearing.
"Scyther! Need some help?"
Scyther whirled around sharply, glaring at the human and the electric mouse on his shoulder—scythes raised defensively.
"We mean no harm."
Ash sent out his Aura—friendliness, respect—while pointing at the Golbat.
"We just want to help you drive off these pests. Pikachu, Thunder Shock the one on the left! Pidgeotto—Quick Attack the one on the right!"
Pikachu's lightning and Pidgeotto's golden streak shot into the battle at the same time! The super-effective Thunder Shock instantly paralyzed one Golbat, sending it falling. Pidgeotto's lightning-fast strike threw another into disarray.
Scyther hesitated—clearly surprised humans were helping it.
But it quickly understood the opportunity. Gathering its strength, it delivered a powerful X-Scissor to the last Golbat with a resounding impact.
The remaining Golbat, realizing they were outmatched, growled angrily and retreated.
Silence returned to the clearing.
Scyther turned to Ash, scythes still raised, scrutinizing him. It could tell this human was strong—his Pokémon were strong—and that peculiar energy (Aura) he emitted felt… unusual.
Ash didn't take out a Poké Ball. Instead, he stepped forward, showing a high-grade potion from his backpack and offering it.
"Your wounds will heal better if you treat them."
Scyther looked at the potion… then at Ash's sincere eyes. After a moment of hesitation, it slowly lowered its scythes, allowing him to approach.
Ash carefully sprayed the medicine over its wounds, while channeling Aura to accelerate its recovery. Scyther squinted slightly, enjoying the relief.
"You're strong, and you have honor," Ash said as he worked. "Training alone in this forest, huh? But this place is too small for someone like you. Interested in seeing a wider world—and fighting stronger opponents? As my partner, we can grow stronger together."
Scyther fell silent.
It looked at Ash, then at Pikachu with its intimidating presence, the shimmering Shiny Pidgeotto, and the elegant Butterfree. This trainer's team… was indeed appealing.
And their thirst for strength matched its own.
After a moment, Scyther lifted its head and gave a short cry. Then, using the flat of its scythe, it gently tapped an empty Poké Ball at Ash's waist.
A flash of red light—capture successful!
"Yes! I caught Scyther!" Ash raised the Poké Ball joyfully. Another powerful addition to the team!
[Ding! Host has captured high-potential Pokémon 'Scyther'. Reward: 150 World Points.]
[Current World Points: 1500.]
The system notification chimed right on time.
Not long after, the two finally emerged from Viridian Forest. The silhouette of Pewter City appeared in the distance.
"We're finally out!" Misty exhaled, then looked at Ash.
"Next is Pewter Gym. The Gym Leader, Brock, is great with Rock-type Pokémon. Your Pikachu's Electric moves are weak against them. Butterfree and Pidgeotto are Flying-types, also weak to Rock. Scyther is strong, but its typing still isn't ideal. What's your plan?"
Ash looked toward the distant city and smiled with confidence.
"I know. That's why before we challenge the Gym—we need targeted special training."
He found a suitable clearing near the forest's edge.
"Training? How?" Misty asked curiously.
"First, we handle type disadvantages."
Ash released all his Pokémon.
"Pikachu, your Thunder Shock is weak against Rock-types, so we can't rely on Electric moves. We'll train your Quick Attack—both speed and impact—and… try controlling your electricity into a focused, piercing point. Maybe it can break through Rock defenses."
(A prototype for future Volt Tackle—though far too early to master.)
"And you need to learn Iron Tail."
A future signature move—definitely worth bringing out now.
"Pika!" Pikachu's determination flared.
"Butterfree, your Flying-type moves are weak, but your Confusion and status powders are key. We'll practice scattering powder accurately while moving at high speed, and using Confusion to disrupt opponents—or even lift small stones as attacks!"
(Preparing foundations for future Psychic moves.)
"Pidgeotto, same for you. Besides Quick Attack and Gust, your main focus is Steel Wing—that's your trump card against Rock-types!"
This Shiny Pidgeotto already knew Steel Wing; it just needed higher proficiency.
"Scyther, your Fury Cutter and X-Scissor are great, but they need to be faster and sharper. Focus your power into a single point—aim for decisive strikes! Also, try learning Brick Break and Close Combat."
Ash assigned tasks with precision. Then he turned toward the scattered rocks.
"Next—combat simulation."
He stepped up to a large rock, gathered Aura into his fist, and struck with a sharp shout.
Bang!
A faint crack appeared on the rock surface.
"See? Even Fighting-type moves—though mine technically isn't—are super effective against Rock. This shows technique and type response matter more than brute force."
Ash shook his hand.
"So for the next few days, we'll stay here and simulate gym battles! Misty, have your Pokémon help apply pressure—they'll act as sparring opponents."
Misty watched Ash shift instantly into "instructor mode."
A flicker of surprise—and admiration—passed through her eyes.
This guy… when he gets serious, he's actually pretty cool.
"Fine. Since you're covering food and lodging, I'll help you—reluctantly."
And so, outside Pewter City, an intense, multi-day training camp began.
Pikachu's Quick Attack became sharper, Butterfree's powder control became exquisite, Pidgeotto's Steel Wing gleamed with cutting force, and Scyther's blades moved like lightning.
Standing in the center, watching his partners train with everything they had, Ash felt fully confident in the coming gym battle.
(A/N: Brock would join the team soon—The original trio was about to assemble.)