And that streak of golden lightning—Ash's Pikachu—at this very moment had only one thing in its eyes: that resolute figure ahead.
There was no hesitation.
No lingering attachment.
Not even a second of doubt.
Like a bolt of lightning returning to its homeland, it slammed straight into Ash's arms!
"Pii—ka—pi!"
"Pikachu!"
Human and Pokémon embraced tightly in a way no outsider could ever intrude upon.
The weight of their bond was so immense it felt as though it might tear straight through the screen itself!
In Pikachu's eyes burned a blazing light called "contentment" and "belonging."
For this one-of-a-kind Electric-type Pokémon, the strongest battlefield was never deep in some forest, nor standing shoulder to shoulder with legendary beasts—
It was this very moment: standing beside Ash, fighting with him.
What looked like an act of "giving up" was, for these two partners, anything but a loss. From this moment on, Ash and Pikachu's souls were perfectly aligned. Their tacit understanding was sturdier than any evolution stone could ever be!
Pokémon League Headquarters — the atmosphere freezes
"Ah…"
Chairman Chairman Goodshow gazed at the boy and Pokémon locked in an embrace on the screen, letting out a heavy sigh as he slowly shook his head.
"That kid Ash… his heart is simply too pure. Too soft."
He murmured to himself, his voice tinged with shock and uncertainty.
"Could this be… exactly the kind of ultimate bond between human and Pokémon that Ho-Oh desires?"
Everything shown in the video—every choice made by Ash and Pikachu—was utterly free of selfishness. Each stood entirely in the other's shoes, placing the other's happiness above all else.
This kind of altruism—transcending species, abandoning power itself—was nothing short of earth-shattering!
Letting go of a top-tier combatant with god-slaying potential—could that really be dismissed with a simple "Ash is stupid"?
No. Absolutely not.
Damarange knew better than anyone: Ash understood Pikachu's unfathomable potential more clearly than anyone else. He cherished it above all things.
And yet, even so, he made this decision—one that appeared unbearably naïve to outsiders.
His one and only purpose—
Was to let Pikachu live a happier life.
If possible, Damarange truly hoped that Ash could carry this "foolishness" all the way to the very end.
A child's pure heart.
Letting go of the self to fulfill great love.
That was Ash in a nutshell.
The footage accelerates — history flashes by like a reflection
The viewers saw Ash and Pikachu set out on their clumsy, stumbling Gym challenge journey.
Starting from the very first Gym in Kanto, Pikachu was still far from its future peak. Every battle was perilous, victories scraped together on the very edge of defeat—partly due to Ash's lack of experience.
"Under normal circumstances," someone commented, "a Pokémon like Pikachu doesn't have outstanding potential."
"But the one you're seeing now," another added, "is a complete anomaly that shatters common sense."
Pikachu's explosive power and growth far exceeded the limits of an "ordinary Pikachu."
And then there were Ash's bizarre, borderline supernatural tactics—
Like triggering the automatic sprinkler system with an attack, flooding Onix with water, and turning the tables to steal a Gym Badge.
Until—
They reached Vermilion City's Gym, and faced the terrifying Gym Leader, Lt. Surge.
An evolved Raichu crushed Pikachu with overwhelming dominance. Pikachu was beaten half to death and rushed to the Pokémon Center for emergency treatment.
Nurse Joy handed over a Thunder Stone—a chance to change destiny itself.
Evolve into Raichu.
Gain power rivaling—or even surpassing—Lt. Surge's Raichu!
Evolution! Become stronger!
Yet that battered little electric mouse refused—with resolute eyes.
It didn't want to change.
It only wanted to be Ash's Pikachu.
Ash hesitated not even for a fraction of a second. He respected Pikachu's decision unconditionally.
In the rematch, relying on Pikachu's ghost-like speed, they reversed the situation and narrowly defeated Raichu!
"Why didn't you let it evolve? Haven't you become arrogant?" Lt. Surge demanded, his voice thick with anger and doubt.
Ash's expression was open and honest, like a mirror reflecting the sky.
"I decided this a long time ago! Pikachu has the right to stay the way it is! Even if it never wants to evolve, that's fine!"
"Pikachu will always be more important than any Champion title!"
An uproar erupts!
Countless Elite Four members and Champion-level trainers fell into prolonged silence after witnessing Ash's unwavering defense of that choice.
Lance, emotions surging:
"My feelings are incredibly complicated. I always believed I respected Pokémon enough—but when I saw Ash listening equally to the will of a basic Pokémon and shouldering all responsibility for it… I lost, completely convinced."
Bruno clenched his fists tightly:
"This kind of spirit isn't something ordinary people possess! Well done, Ash! Walk your path by your beliefs—no one has the right to stop you!"
Diantha pressed a hand to her chest, realization dawning:
"Ash always shows his sincerity and equality toward Pokémon in the smallest details. I think I finally understand… why Ho-Oh chose him."
Cynthia's eyes shimmered with admiration:
"To evolve or not is their choice. Ash's respect forged an indestructible king's heart within Pikachu."
Steven inhaled deeply, his tone filled with awe:
"This level of conviction and belief—one in a hundred thousand possess it. Ash, who's reached this point, is destined to become a true king beloved by Pokémon."
"Pokémon and trainers have always achieved one another through shared growth—through resonance of the soul."
Steven gazed at the stubborn little bolt of lightning on the screen.
"Pikachu's rise could never have happened without such selfless care. To meet Ash—its perfect partner—in this vast sea of people… how fortunate that is for Pikachu."
The more Steven observed the relationship between Ash and Pikachu, the more he understood why, among countless powerful Champions, Ho-Oh had chosen this unknown boy.
Because Ash possessed something more precious than any evolution stone—
A diamond-like heart.
He treated every Pokémon with absolute equality and respect—
a truth most trainers would never grasp in an entire lifetime.
Viridian Gym
Giovanni watched the scenes in silence.
After a long while, a low, disdainful snort escaped his throat.
"Hmph."
Foolish. Naïve. Childish.
How could such idealism possibly last on the cruel road of true power?
Countless rebukes and doubts churned within Giovanni's heart.
And yet, when he saw Ash and Pikachu clinging to each other, inseparable even in life and death—
All the words that rose to his lips were swallowed back down.
Mewtwo…
For a fleeting moment, Giovanni's eyes clouded as that supreme power surfaced in his mind.
But only for an instant.
His gaze hardened once more.
No. He would never abandon power like Ash did.
He would reclaim Mewtwo.
Letting go. Freedom.
Those were excuses for the weak.
The strongest trump card must be firmly held in the palm of an absolute ruler—
to serve the conquest of the world!
The screen doesn't stop
"Huh? We're still watching daily life?"
Uneasy murmurs rippled through the audience.
"Where's the power that can rival legendary beasts? Pikachu soloing a god was incredible, sure—but what's the point of replaying all these old little moments?"
"Calm down! Let's keep watching!"
Discussions erupted all around.
Ash's respect for Pokémon made them reflect—but what they truly wanted to see were cataclysmic battles, world-shaking spectacles!
Warm, everyday moments?
They weren't buying it.
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