The Spearow struck by Beldum's Take Down froze in a daze, then glared furiously at Beldum. With one cry, it sent a dark swarm of Spearow bursting out of the woods. Ash counted at least twenty at a glance, and the sight nearly scared him into developing trypophobia on the spot.
"It's okay. Just try not to hit a Spearow next time," Ash found a moment to reassure Beldum.
He didn't think he could outrun that many Spearow. He wasn't some superhuman from Pallet Town, with that much stamina or speed-at least, not yet.
But if he could reach a residential area with a few people around, the Spearow wouldn't act recklessly.
It wasn't far!
"Pikachu!" A spirited male voice reached Ash's ears.
"..." Ash slowly produced a question mark. "?"
Had another Ash come to save him?
Ash saw only a boy in a baseball cap and a Pikachu rushing toward him.
Then-
"Fuck!"
The boy grabbed Pikachu's tail, slammed on the brakes, and started fleeing alongside Ash.
Ash: "?"
"Damn it, I finally caught you!" The boy held Pikachu in his arms, absolutely furious.
"..."
Sure enough, he still had to rely on himself.
There was still some distance to the residential area, but after glancing ahead, Ash felt he might not need to run anymore.
"Pidgeotto!"
A Pidgeotto appeared before them, leading a flock of Pidgey.
Ash stopped at the roadside and took a few deep breaths to settle his racing heart.
He looked at the Pidgeotto. With no Fearow escorting the opposing Spearow, Pidgeotto had nothing to fear.
Ash had escaped disaster.
He didn't think Pidgeotto had come specifically to rescue him. He guessed the Spearow flock had entered Pidgeotto's airspace.
"Damn it, cut it out." The boy beside Ash held his snarling Pikachu tightly.
Noticing