Chapter 4 Forest Training and First Captures
Even after the chaos at the Pokémon Center, the Spearow attack, the frantic scramble to save anime Pikachu, and the unexpected Team Rocket ambush, Ash's determination hadn't wavered.
He and Misty were now headed into Viridian Forest, a dense, bustling woodland full of bugs and flying Pokémon, known for being one of the first major wild Pokémon areas in the Kanto region.
Ash walked with renewed focus.
Misty followed behind, still grumbling about her bike, though she had softened a bit after seeing how serious Ash was about going forward.
Transmigrated Pikachu rode atop Ash's backpack strap, eyes scanning every rustle and flutter in the grass.
Forest zones are always messy, Pikachu's internal HUD blinked.
[RED PIKACHU SYSTEM]
Location: Viridian Forest
Nearby Threat: Winged Pokémon, Hostile Bug Pokémon
Current Win Streak: 3
Battle Objective: Build Trainer Team + Maintain undefeated record
Pikachu's circuits whirred, catching Pokémon was literally part of the journey now. And the system reminded him: this wasn't just about survival, it was about consistently winning and progressing.
Next stop: First catches.
Ash glanced down at the grass.
Then a twig snapped.
A small, wiggling green Pokémon appeared, Caterpie.
Ash's eyes lit up.
"A Pokémon! I'm gonna catch it!"
He reached for a Poké Ball.
Before he could react, Pikachu popped out of his bag, scuffed but alert, and hopped in front of him.
Not yet.
Transmigrated Pikachu pointed at the wild Caterpie and shook his head.
Ash blinked.
"…You want to weaken it first?"
Pikachu nodded.
Ash grinned.
"Okay! Pikachu, Thunder Shock!"
Pikachu's cheeks sparkled.
Thunder Shock flickered from him, mild and precise, enough to stun the Caterpie without harming it grievously.
Caterpie staggered.
Ash tossed a Poké Ball.
Click… Click… Click!
The capture succeeded.
Ash spun in circles, ecstatic.
"YES! I caught a Caterpie!"
Misty cringed.
"…A bug."
Pikachu smirked slightly.
First catch complete.
The HUD lit up instantly.
[RED PIKACHU SYSTEM]
Capture: Caterpie
Win Streak Bonus
Win Streak: 4
Ash held the Poké Ball proudly.
"That's my first Pokémon catch!"
Misty pointed.
"Don't make fun of me later for crying if you lose!"
Ash just laughed.
But then…
Something big flapped overhead.
A large wing shadow passed above them.
Pikachu's ears twitched.
"Pidgeotto."
Wild. Powerful. Elegant. And far more dangerous than a simple forest bug.
Ash's brain lit up.
"That's a Pokémon I want too!"
He pulled out another Poké Ball and aimed it.
But it was a mistake.
Pidgeotto easily batted it away with its wing.
Ash flinched.
Misty scoffed.
"You can't just throw a Poké Ball at a strong Pokémon! You have to weaken it first!"
Pikachu stepped forward.
He turned back to Ash, ears flicked, chin tilted.
Alright then.
Ash nodded.
He was starting to get it.
"Okay! Pikachu, let's battle it!"
Pikachu lowered his stance.
Small electricity crackled.
But transmigrated Pikachu didn't rush in blindly.
He made sure Ash understood what was happening, with subtle nods and flicks.
Ash smiled.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
In a flash, Pikachu zipped across the forest floor and tapped Pidgeotto.
It wasn't enough to bring it down, but it confused the bird long enough for Ash to toss another Poké Ball, and this time, it worked.
The Poké Ball shook once… twice… and clicked.
Ash jumped backward in disbelief.
"I caught Pidgeotto!"
Pikachu grinned.
Second catch obtained.
The system blazed with light.
[RED PIKACHU SYSTEM]
Capture: Pidgeotto
Win Streak Bonus
Win Streak: 5
Just as Ash was celebrating, a familiar voice echoed through the trees:
"Prepare for trouble!"
It was… Team Rocket.
Jessie. James. Meowth.
They appeared, convinced Ash's Pikachu was worth stealing, and now two unusual Pokémon were on the field.
Ash braced himself.
Misty growled, ready to defend her new friends.
Pikachu hopped forward.
This was another test, another fight to win.
Jessie ordered out Ekans.
James sent out Koffing.
Pikachu's system responded instantly.
[RED PIKACHU SYSTEM]
Enemy Detected: Team Rocket Grunts
Opponent Count: 2
Win Streak Requirement: Maintain
Pikachu didn't hesitate.
Ash, Misty, and the newly caught Pokémon formed a circle.
Pikachu dashed in front.
Quick Attack at Ekans, enough to force a defensive move.
Then a Thunder Shock to disrupt Koffing's gas cloud.
Ash called out Pidgeotto and Caterpie as needed, weaving in commands and defensive positions.
Both wild captures held their ground under pressure, Pidgeotto's wind control and Caterpie's strategic string lash aided greatly.
Within moments, Team Rocket's Pokémon were flung back, defeated.
The trio spiraled off once again with their classic retreat cry:
"But the love of Rocket, will never... ever be graet!
To protect the world from Pikachu once more!"
(something like that…)
Another victory was logged.
[RED PIKACHU SYSTEM]
Battle Result: Victory
Opponent: Team Rocket
Win Streak: 6
Trainer Protection Bonus Activated
Ash exhaled.
"That was… amazing."
Misty smiled, not at bugs, but at the teamwork.
Pikachu hopped up onto Ash's shoulder.
Mission progressing.
Bugs, birds, and villains bottom‑line showed one thing:
This journey was starting to look very different from the original anime timeline, especially with a Red‑System Pikachu pushing every battle toward victory and every Trainer step becoming strategic.
With Win Streak 6 and more Pokémon at their side than ever before…
The trio headed deeper into Viridian Forest,
eyes bright with possibility.