Pokemon: Release? Nonexistent

"Yes!!"

The staff quickly responded and began preparing to escort the children to safety. A few of them pulled out Poké Balls.

"Everyone, leave this to us adults. Follow Professor Oak back to the camp!" one of the staff members shouted, holding a Poké Ball.

Two staff members escorted the children and Professor Oak down the path ahead. Spearows circling above noticed the movement and immediately began to swoop down.

Bang! Bang!

Two bursts of fire shot out from behind, forcing the Spearows to scatter and dodge.

Standing before the two staff members were two Growlithes, canine Pokémon with orange fur, black tiger-like stripes, and fluffy manes around their necks.

Growlithe, known for their loyalty and bravery, are often companions to Trainers and even law enforcement. To ensure safety, the staff had brought Pokémon raised at Professor Oak's laboratory.

"Everyone, stay close to me!" Professor Oak called out, taking the lead down the road.

The children followed, flanked by two staff members for protection. Some of the younger children began to cry, overwhelmed by fear as they ran.

Ash, staying at the back of the group, glanced at the surrounding Spearows and couldn't help muttering to himself. Of course, wherever the protagonist goes, chaos follows.

He recalled how many times in the original series Ash had provoked Spearows, Beedrills, and other territorial Pokémon. Now, he found himself in the same situation.

But unlike the anime Ash, this version of him had no Pokémon to fight back with. He wasn't even an official Trainer yet. If only I had a Pokémon… he thought, feeling helpless as he kept pace with the group.

The Growlithes' attacks momentarily drove the Spearows back, but they didn't retreat far. Known for their aggressive nature, Spearows don't give up easily when their territory is invaded. They began coordinating their movements, with some pursuing the fleeing group while others distracted the Growlithes.

"The situation is bad. We need to deal with this quickly!" one staff member said, realizing the predicament.

"Understood!" another replied, commanding their Growlithe to increase its intensity.

Meanwhile, Professor Oak and the group continued running. Despite their efforts, the Spearows caught up, flying directly overhead and preparing to attack.

Caw! Caw!

The flock dove toward the group. Many of the children screamed and covered their heads in panic. The two staff members released their Growlithes again to fend off the attackers.

"Kids, gather around us!" the staff shouted.

The children instinctively surrounded the adults, making it difficult for Professor Oak and the staff to maneuver. Nonetheless, they formed a protective barrier while ordering the Growlithes to counterattack.

Using the distraction provided by the Growlithes, Professor Oak managed to lead the children into a dense forest. The thick foliage made it difficult for the Spearows to navigate, forcing them to retreat. The Growlithes' presence added to their hesitation, and the group finally escaped the immediate danger.

"Let's keep moving toward the campsite!" Professor Oak urged, guiding the group further into safety.

---

Twenty minutes later

The group finally arrived at the campsite. Exhausted but relieved, Professor Oak and the staff breathed a sigh of relief. Most of the children had stopped crying, though some still clung to the staff for comfort.

The children in this world were noticeably more resilient than those in Ash's previous life. After some reassurance from the adults, they began to calm down.

"Professor!"

Several staff members emerged from the forest. They had been tasked with holding off the Spearows and looked slightly disheveled but unharmed.

"Is everyone okay?" one of them asked, concerned.

"We're fine," Professor Oak replied. "How about you?"

"We managed to drive the Spearows away. But they caught us off guard—this shouldn't have happened," the staff admitted, guilt evident in their voices.

Spearows are known to be fiercely territorial and nomadic. They often invade other Pokémon's territories, claiming resources before moving on. The staff realized they should have anticipated this behavior.

"Don't worry, everyone is safe," Professor Oak reassured them.

"Grandpa! Wait—Ash is missing!"

The voice belonged to Gary Oak, who had been scanning the group for Ash. Unlike the younger children, Gary wasn't crying. Instead, he was worried. He noticed Ash's absence and immediately raised the alarm.

"What?!" Professor Oak's face turned serious.

Gary, despite often teasing Ash, was clearly distressed. Although they argued frequently, it was obvious he cared deeply for his friend.

"Everyone, check the group! Are there any other children missing?" Professor Oak commanded the staff, maintaining his composure.

The staff began taking attendance, confirming whether anyone else was unaccounted for. The process was quick, but their expressions soon turned grim.