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Chikorita was Ash's second Pokémon caught in the Johto region. Its personality was brave and competitive. Clearly, its compatibility with Ash was also very high. However, Chikorita hadn't evolved to its final form yet, so its compatibility could definitely not reach 255.
Now, Ash had also let go. He couldn't force all his Pokémon to evolve to their final forms. Just like Bulbasaur and Squirtle, if they decided not to evolve, Ash was willing to respect their wishes. After all, Pokémon were independent beings, not mere tools. They had their own aspirations and specialties.
After catching Chikorita, Ash had more than six Pokémon with him. So he sent Bulbasaur, which was also a Grass-type, back to Professor Oak's lab. It just so happened that Professor Oak's backyard was already having problems with foster Pokémon causing trouble, so he sent Bulbasaur back to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Ash and his group spent two days training on this mountain before finally crossing it and arriving at Violet City. These two days also gave Ash and Chikorita time to get acquainted.
Upon arriving at Violet City, the first thing to do was, of course, to visit Sprout Tower. This was a three-story tower that always seemed to sway as if it were about to collapse, but in reality, it was more effectively designed to withstand earthquakes and other disasters. According to legend, it was built around a central pillar over 30 meters tall. It could be said to be a testament to the wisdom of the ancients. And this Sprout Tower held special significance for trainers on their journey. It was said that Pokémon trainers participating in the Johto League would all come to this tower to reflect on their journey from their hometown.
As for Ash, his journey began with Pidgey. After starting his journey, because Pikachu was upset with him, Ash also lost his temper and tried to catch a Pidgey with his own strength. The result was an obvious tragedy. Later, Ash caught a Pidgeotto, but after completing his Kanto journey, he released the evolved Pidgeot in Viridian Forest. He wondered if Pidgeot was still in Viridian Forest now.
Speaking of Pidgeot, Ash stood on the tower and looked out. He actually saw a trainer flying a glider, soaring in the sky with a Pidgeot. Coming down from Sprout Tower, Ash and his group met the glider trainer and his Pidgeot at the entrance of the Violet City Gym.
"Hello! Are you trainers here to challenge the Violet City Gym?" A Hoothoot was perched on this trainer's shoulder.
"Yes, I'm Ash from Pallet Town. This is my first Gym challenge in the Johto region!" Ash introduced himself.
"Hello, I'm Falkner!" Falkner introduced himself.
"This Pidgeot is so big!" Misty exclaimed upon seeing this Pidgeot.
"Indeed, it's even bigger than my old Pidgeot!" Ash said with a smile, looking at this Pidgeot. Hearing this, Falkner immediately became interested in Ash. "You also have a Pidgeot?"
"Yes!" Ash nodded. "It used to be with me not long ago!" "Because of a certain incident, it and I separated in Viridian Forest, its hometown. I wonder how it's doing now." Ash's words deeply moved Falkner. "I imagine you must really like your Pidgeot!"
"Of course!" "That's right, Pidgeot is the best Flying-type Pokémon!" As Falkner said, his Pidgeot was indeed his ace! Falkner patted Ash on the shoulder and chuckled, "I feel like we get along great!"
"To tell you the truth, my dream is to become the greatest Flying-type Pokémon trainer!" "I have a longing for the sky. Over time, I unconsciously became fascinated with flying Pokémon!" "Ash, since you're here to challenge the Violet City Gym, please come in with me!"
These words confused Brock and Misty, but Ash quickly chuckled, "Then I look forward to learning from you, Gym Leader Falkner!"
The Violet City Gym was a very tall building, and the battle arena was on the large platform on the top floor!
"Ash, welcome to the Violet City Gym!" Many people were already waiting at the battle arena on the top floor. Everyone held their breath, making the atmosphere tense.
"Ash, are you alright?" Brock asked worriedly. Ash smiled faintly. "Leave it to me. When I encounter such tense situations, I get excited!"
"Then, starting now, Gym Leader Falkner of the Violet City Gym, and the challenger Ash from Pallet Town, will begin their official match with a badge as the stake. Both trainers will use three Pokémon. Are you ready?"
"Ready! Falkner, I will definitely get your badge!" Seeing Ash's confident demeanor, Falkner's blood also boiled. "I won't let you get it easily. This concerns the Gym Leader's honor. I'll show you the true power of Flying-type Pokémon!"
According to Gym challenge rules, the Gym Leader sends out their Pokémon first. And Falkner's first Pokémon was the Hoothoot that had just been perched on his shoulder!
"Pikachu, I choose you!" Since it was a Flying-type Gym, sending out Electric-type Pikachu first was perfectly reasonable. But Ash was thinking more deeply. Squirtle was clearly not suitable for facing this Flying-type Pokémon. The recently caught Chikorita was even more at a disadvantage. As for Heracross, both its Bug-type and Fighting-type were completely countered by Flying-type Pokémon. So Ash's choices for this battle were only Pikachu, Snorlax, and Charizard. Fortunately, Snorlax was awake.
"A correct choice. However, Ash, if you think you can easily defeat my Flying-type Pokémon with just an Electric-type, you're greatly mistaken!" Falkner also became serious. "First strike, Hoothoot, use Tackle attack!" Quick Attack's activation speed was clearly faster. Hoothoot had just begun to move when Pikachu was already in front of it, slamming into it!
"Oh no, Hoothoot, quickly ascend!" "Trying to escape? Thunderbolt!" Hoothoot struggled, flapping its small wings to take flight, but Thunderbolt had already descended, shocking it thoroughly.
"Hoothoot is unable to battle, Pikachu wins!"
"It's unavoidable to lose to an Electric-type!" Falkner recalled Hoothoot and looked up at Ash. "Ash, you are indeed very strong!"
Pikachu: 208/255