The weather in the Pokémon world changed without warning.
Just a moment ago, the sky had been clear and beautiful. In the blink of an eye, dark clouds gathered, and a torrential downpour threatened to fall at any moment.
"Such bad luck… I hope I can find shelter before the rain starts."
Sam hadn't expected his very first day of travel to be accompanied by such extreme weather.
Boom, boom, boom.
Dull thunder echoed through the sky, and the heavy rain was about to arrive.
…
"Pikachu… Pikachu, are you okay?"
The boy's situation was dire.
The Pikachu in his arms was badly injured, while a flock of Spearow chased after him relentlessly.
The boy had already been driven into a corner.
Watching the Spearow closing in, despair surfaced in Ash's eyes.
No… I can't let Pikachu die with me here.
That was the only thought left in Ash's mind.
He hurriedly took out Pikachu's Poké Ball, trying to return Pikachu inside.
"Pikachu!"
What happened next completely exceeded Ash's expectations.
Not only did Pikachu refuse to enter the Poké Ball, it slapped it away from Ash's hand.
Ignoring its own injuries, Pikachu stepped forward and stood in front of Ash.
The proud Pikachu refused to flee like a coward. It chose to face the danger together with Ash.
"Pikachu…"
Ash felt a lump in his throat.
The Pikachu that had always disobeyed him was standing by his side at the most critical moment.
In that case… let's fight together, Pikachu.
As the Spearow drew closer and closer, the panic in Ash's eyes disappeared, replaced by firm determination.
Spearow occasionally swooped past, their sharp cries echoing through the forest.
Hearing the noise ahead, Sam's expression grew serious.
Spearow had always been the nightmare of rookie Trainers. Every year during the travel season, many inexperienced Trainers were injured, or even killed, by flocks of Spearow.
Guessing what was happening ahead, Sam no longer hesitated and sprinted forward.
Please… let me make it in time.
"Pikachu… I'm really sorry for not being able to protect you."
Ash looked at Pikachu with guilt in his eyes.
"Pika, pika."
Pikachu shook its head.
It didn't blame Ash. If anything, it blamed itself,
for being too weak and putting its Trainer in danger.
Ash and Pikachu were already exhausted.
After fighting off dozens of Spearow, they had no strength left.
The Spearow clearly sensed it as well. Seeing that the human and the yellow mouse could barely resist anymore, their ferocity surged.
They couldn't wait to tear their enemies apart.
The leader Spearow shrieked and charged forward. Just as it was about to strike,
A cold voice rang out.
"Tyranitar. Stop them."
At that moment, the wind howled and the sky seemed to change color.
Yellow sand erupted without warning, sweeping down like a raging tide.
The sandstorm gathered instantly, forming a solid protective barrier around Ash and Pikachu.
Faced with the sudden storm of sand, the Spearow flock froze in confusion.
Their sharp beaks and claws were completely useless against the raging sandstorm.
"So… strong…"
Protected by the sand, Ash stared in shock.
The Spearow that had once seemed utterly unstoppable were suppressed so easily.
Ash looked toward the source of the storm.
Not far away stood a boy about eighteen years old.
Behind him loomed a gigantic armored beast.
Where it stood, wind and sand roared violently, its overwhelming presence making it impossible to look directly at.
Not only Ash, even Sam himself was stunned.
He hadn't expected Tyranitar, after fusing with Shukaku's template, to be this powerful.
Originally known as the Tyrant of the Desert, Tyranitar had now ascended to become the true King of the Desert.
Sam's hands trembled slightly with excitement.
With Tyranitar by his side… why couldn't he accomplish great things in this world?
But now wasn't the time to dwell on that.
The Spearow still needed to be dealt with.
"Tyranitar, Sand Tomb."
Upon receiving the command, Tyranitar calmly raised one massive claw.
The sandstorm seemed to come alive.
Under Tyranitar's control, the sand surged forward and bound every single Spearow tightly in place.
Unable to break free, the Spearow finally realized how terrifying the opponent before them truly was.
Trembling cries escaped their beaks, filled with fear and pleading.
Seeing the Spearow begging for mercy, Tyranitar paused.
Unsure how to proceed, it turned its gaze toward Sam, leaving the final decision to him.