Chapter 4: The Rainbow After the Rain
"Sunshine always comes after the rain~ and after the rain comes the rainbow."『1』
Humming a tune cheerfully, Ash walked out of the cave with Pikachu trotting on his shoulder, followed by Pidgeotto and Bulbasaur. The storm had passed, and the heavy clouds slowly drifted apart. Beams of sunlight streamed down through the cracks, scattering golden specks across the damp forest floor. The air smelled clean and alive, every leaf still glistening with drops of rain like little jewels.
Ash took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the crisp air. "Ahh… that's the smell of a brand-new day!"
He turned toward a massive ancient tree towering over the forest canopy. "Come on, everyone—let's climb up and take a look from the top!"
Without waiting for an answer, Ash began to climb, gripping the rough bark and hauling himself upward with both hands and feet.
Pikachu zipped past him in a flash of yellow, leaping from branch to branch with childlike laughter. "Pika! Pikachu~!"
Bulbasaur didn't even have to move its stubby legs. With a soft swoosh, its vines shot upward, wrapped around a sturdy branch, and hoisted it up effortlessly.
Pidgeotto? Well, it was already at the top, lazily preening its feathers and waiting for everyone else to catch up.
Ash laughed breathlessly. "You guys… that's totally cheating!"
But before he could climb another meter, he felt his body lighten. Looking down, he realized Bulbasaur had wrapped its vines around his waist, giving him a boost, while Pidgeotto flew down to grab his backpack straps with its claws. Pikachu scrambled back along the branch, tapping Ash's shoulder in encouragement.
Together, the three Pokémon worked in perfect harmony, hoisting Ash all the way up until he could swing himself onto a thick branch near the crown of the tree.
"Teamwork really is the best, huh?" he said, catching his breath.
They sat side by side—Ash, Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Pidgeotto—on the broad branch, legs and tails dangling over the side.
From up here, the world looked different. The Viridian Forest stretched out before them like a sea of green, its treetops still steaming gently under the sun as mist rose in thin white ribbons.
And across the sky—
A magnificent rainbow arched gracefully from Pallet Town all the way toward Viridian City, its colors vivid and alive, painting the sky in seven shimmering shades.
"It's beautiful…" Ash murmured in awe.
Pikachu's ears perked up. "Pika~!"
Bulbasaur and Pidgeotto chirped their agreement, equally captivated by the scene.
Ash smiled, watching their faces glow in the rainbow's reflection.
He'd often asked himself why he loved traveling so much.
Once, he remembered reading something by a writer named Shinji—a novelist who, though often jokingly called a "dog author," had said something that struck Ash deeply: 『2』
"If you're going to write about a Pokémon Trainer, you can't just write about their battles.
You must write about how they met their Pokémon, the scenery they've seen along the way,
and the adventures they've shared—the ones that make their hearts race even years later.
What you're really writing… is the story of their grand, remarkable life."
That line had stayed with him ever since.
Becoming a Pokémon Master wasn't the point. It was the result.
The real treasure was everything that happened along the way—the landscapes, the laughter, the struggles, and the bonds that turned ordinary days into unforgettable memories.
The crown of a Pokémon Master wasn't made of gold. It gleamed because it was filled with friendship, trust, and dreams.
"Humans and Pokémon can understand each other," Ash whispered, his voice soft but steady. "As long as we treat each other with a genuine heart."
And then—
"Kyoooooo!"
A cry—majestic and ancient—echoed from the heavens.
Ash and his Pokémon looked up in astonishment.
From beyond the clouds, a burst of radiant, multicolored light broke through. A majestic bird soared gracefully across the sky, its long tail feathers trailing rainbows.
It was Ho-Oh, the legendary Pokémon said to bring life and rebirth through its sacred flames.
Its wings shimmered with seven colors as it glided silently across the world.
Ash stood motionless, eyes wide, hand instinctively reaching out. A single feather, glowing with every color of the rainbow, drifted down from the sky—slowly, delicately—and landed right in his palm.
"...The Rainbow Hero," Ash whispered, smiling with awe and gratitude. He raised his head, voice trembling with emotion. "Ho-Oh… even now, you still recognize me, don't you?"
From far away came a soft, echoing cry, like a gentle laugh carried by the wind.
"Pika?" Pikachu tilted his head, curious at Ash's expression.
Ash chuckled, a teasing glint in his eyes. He pointed his Pokédex at the retreating figure of Ho-Oh and managed to snap a blurry image.
"Hey, what do you guys think?" he said mischievously. "Doesn't it kind of look like a Pidgeot that someone painted with rainbow oil colors?"
"Pika!! (????)"
"Bulba~saur!"
"Biyuu!"
All three Pokémon pounced on him playfully, laughing and tumbling together on the branch.
High above, Ho-Oh turned its head slightly mid-flight, as though hearing their laughter.
"…Never mind," the majestic bird seemed to think. "I already gave them a feather. Can't take it back now."
Ash grinned, holding up his Pokédex with a satisfied smirk. "Heh, distance makes beauty, right? I bet Professor Oak won't mind a slightly artistic photo."
"Alright, the photo subject's gone," Ash said, dusting himself off. "Now it's our turn to keep moving."
He glanced toward the distant outline of a city at the edge of the forest.
"Let's see… next, we'll head to Mt. Hideaway and get some solid training in."
He clenched his fist, eyes sharp with determination. "Sharpening the blade doesn't slow down the work. Since we'll challenge Viridian Gym last, our first real battle target will be Pewter City—Brock's Gym!"
That Brock wasn't the cheerful cook from his memories. He was a Gym Leader from Red's era—a seasoned Rock-type specialist, older, sharper, and far more experienced.
But Ash had an advantage. He knew the signature Pokémon of every Gym Leader he'd face.
And for Pewter—and for nearly every Rock-type Gym in the regions—the Onix line was unavoidable.
Conveniently, Mt. Hideaway, the mountain just behind Pallet Town, was known as a natural habitat for Onix.
Ash had done his homework long ago. As long as he avoided the rocky summit, the Onix near the lower slopes would be within a manageable range of strength.
He could let Bulbasaur gain plenty of experience fighting them before their Gym match.
Sliding gracefully down the tree trunk, Ash recalled Bulbasaur and Pidgeotto into their Poké Balls. "Alright, team, let's move out."
Just then, something wriggled across the forest floor—a plump green Caterpie, inching its way through the grass.
"Pika!" Pikachu pointed, ready for battle.
Ash's hand instinctively reached for a Poké Ball—but then paused. He stood still, watching quietly as the Caterpie slowly disappeared into the undergrowth.
Pikachu blinked. "Pika?"
Ash smiled softly, eyes warm. "Let it live its life peacefully. To grow, to evolve, to migrate, to start a family…"
He raised a hand in gentle farewell. "Caterpie—become a strong Butterfree someday, alright?"
"Pika~chu." Pikachu smiled too, not fully understanding but sensing the kindness in Ash's voice.
"Okay!" Ash clapped his cheeks lightly. "It's still early—let's head out! Next stop, Mt. Hideaway!"
He started jogging along the dirt path, Pikachu bouncing energetically beside him.
The forest shimmered with light, birds calling from afar. The rainbow above faded slowly, but the warmth it left behind lingered.
---
Meanwhile, deep within Viridian City—
In a hidden Rocket Team training facility, two young recruits with striking red and blue hair stood at attention beside a talking Meowth, all dressed in crisp red combat uniforms.
Their commanding officer, a broad-shouldered man with scars down his cheek, handed them each a graduation booklet.
"I've taught you everything I can," he said sternly. "From here on out, your actions represent Team Rocket. Your mission—capture rare and valuable Pokémon for the glory of our organization!"
"Yes, sir!" the trio barked in unison.
They changed into their new white uniforms—the official field attire of Rocket operatives.
James, ever dramatic, tucked a rose between his lips and spoke in a deep, theatrical voice: "From this day forward, the world shall tremble before our evil!"
Jessie crossed her arms, smirking. "As the top graduate of this camp, I won't let Giovanni down."
Meowth flexed his claws proudly. "With my brains and your skills, da boss'll be singin' our praises in no time, nya!"
That year, their ambitions were sky-high. They dreamed of rising from rookies to legends, of a glorious future where their names would echo across the world.
But… would things really go so smoothly?
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
『1」
Its a chinese song.
I, as the Heavenly Coordinator of Heaven and Earth, shall impart upon thy the wisdom of gods. These heavenly notes is a profound message of heaven imparted upon the mortal world.
It means the good things(such as ' happiness, luck, good mood') will come after the difficulties aka Sunshines/Rainbow always come after storms which also means you will get your glory after suffering from difficulties.
『2』
Prolly the author I think?
NOTE: Blue is the girl. Green is the boy. (Their japanese ver. name is being used)