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"Pi-kaaa!"
The leader Pikachu lay on the ground, eyeing Ash and the others with intense suspicion. It let out a hoarse growl, clearly warning Ash to release the little Pikachu.
"Pi-ka-pi!"
The little Pikachu sensed the tension in the air and quickly jumped out of Ash's arms. It scurried over to the leader Pikachu and began chattering urgently.
It appeared to be explaining the situation. As the little Pikachu spoke, the surrounding Pikachu gradually lowered their guard. However, the leader with the V-shaped notch in its tail remained wary of Ash and his friends.
Meanwhile, Ash's Pikachu also hopped down from his arms and approached the other electric-types. It had been a long time since he had seen so many of his own kind gathered together.
In Ash's experience, this situation was truly rare. Generally, Pichu would cluster together due to their relative weakness, but after evolving into Pikachu, they typically began living independently. Seeing such a large group was indeed unusual.
Slowly, as the Pikachu colony learned what had happened, they relaxed their guard against the trainers. Soon, they led Ash and his friends through the forest to a clearing deep within the jungle.
In this open space, they discovered many more Pikachu living freely and comfortably in their natural habitat.
The little Pikachu ran to a hollow in one of the trees and retrieved two berries. It then rushed back to Pikachu and Squirtle, offering them the fruits as thanks for their rescue.
Pikachu happily accepted the gift. Squirtle, typically a troublemaker, seemed a bit uncomfortable with the little Pikachu's earnest gratitude. It scratched its head awkwardly before taking the offered berry.
Afterward, Pikachu joined the colony to play while Ash, Misty, and Brock sat and watched. Before they knew it, night had fallen. The Pikachu all gathered together to gaze at the stars, appearing utterly content.
"Pikachu looks so happy!" Misty stood beside Ash, observing the scene. Seeing the Pokémon in such good spirits lifted her mood as well.
"You don't want to catch a Pikachu anymore?" Ash smiled and turned to look at her.
"Forget it. Seeing how happy these Pikachu are together, I couldn't bear to separate them!"
These Pikachu lived freely here. If one was captured, it would be torn from its companions. Recognizing this, Misty finally resisted her desire to catch one.
"Is that so?" Ash asked thoughtfully.
"Huh? Ash, what do you mean? Do you think it would be better to separate them?" Misty asked, confused by his response.
"It's just that I believe my bond with Pikachu can't be broken by anyone!" Ash watched his partner playing with its fellow Pikachu, confident that their connection would remain strong regardless.
In his heart, Ash wondered if Pikachu might want to stay with its own kind, but he was certain their bond would never be inferior to anything else. There was nothing to worry about, though he couldn't let Pikachu stay here. Perhaps this thinking was selfish.
But blindly making decisions for Pokémon, assuming you know what's best for them, could also be considered selfish.
Though Ash understood that letting Pokémon go was sometimes for their own good, he felt that keeping them might also benefit them. However, he rarely considered what the Pokémon themselves truly wanted. Did they really want to leave?
"I don't disagree with that!" Misty replied after a moment of surprise.
This situation reminded Ash of an old joke he'd once heard, suggesting that the original Pikachu had actually stayed here, and the one who continued traveling with Ash was a different Pikachu altogether. The joke claimed that the early Pikachu didn't demonstrate the same abilities as the later one, suggesting a switch had occurred.
It was like a folktale with various retellings—the imagination of fans never ceased to amaze. In reality, the creator probably never intended such a twist, but people came to believe the rumor as it circulated.
If the creator were still around, people would probably say, "How brilliant! Why didn't I think of that?"
"Ash, Misty! Dinner's ready!"
Brock's voice called from behind as he approached. He had started cooking at dusk, and now he came to inform them that the meal was prepared.
"Okay!" Ash and Misty responded in unison.
"Where's Pikachu?"
"Let them play a little longer," Ash replied after a glance toward the colony. They would be leaving tomorrow morning, and it was rare for Pikachu to be so happy. Ash planned to let his partner enjoy this time with its own kind.
The three trainers returned to camp alone, enjoyed the delicious dinner Brock had prepared, and then set up their tents for the night.
Meanwhile, Pikachu, still playing with its newfound friends, looked around and realized Ash and the others had disappeared. It couldn't help feeling startled.
"Pika-pi?"
Noticing Pikachu's expression, the little Pikachu approached and seemed to ask what was wrong.
"Pika-pi! Pikachu!"
Pikachu hurriedly explained, then jumped down from the rock where they had been sitting. After looking around, it rushed toward the jungle with the little Pikachu following close behind.
"Pi-KAAA!!!"
Suddenly, a cry rang out from behind them. The little Pikachu turned around to see a massive net capturing all its companions. Shocked by the sight, it quickly turned and darted forward to save them.
"Pika! Pika-pi!"
Seeing the net, the leader Pikachu immediately shouted to the little Pikachu. Hearing the warning, the little Pikachu hesitated, its expression changing. It then turned and fled toward the woods.
"Meowth, that's right! We caught them all! There are so many Pikachu—when we bring them back to the boss, he'll be thrilled!"
At that moment, a hot air balloon gradually descended from the sky. Looking at their haul of Pikachu, the three figures aboard the balloon were clearly delighted.