Currently, with Pikachu going full power, even facing Professional Level isn't out of the question, while other Pokemon are also steadily progressing.
Ralts is even on the verge of evolving.
Based on Ralts's usual performance, she's not far from evolving; her level is already at Ordinary Peak, and it's estimated that as soon as she crosses this threshold, she'll evolve into Kirlia.
By then, the little one won't be able to sit on his shoulder every day, which makes him feel a bit reluctant.
But Ralts can't stay in this form forever. Never mind if Ash is willing, Ralts herself wouldn't want to; she's influenced by Ash and dreams every day of fighting battles all across the arena!
Squirtle's level hasn't changed much, while Bulbasaur and Charmander have both leveled up by one. One is at Ordinary Peak, and the other is at Ordinary Advanced Level.
The former had already been at Ordinary Advanced Level for a while, so after joining Ash's team, with improved nutrition and training methods, its level was able to rise one rank in a short time.
But Charmander is different... it had just moved from Newbie Level to Ordinary Intermediate Level not long ago! In just four days, it went up another level, and even Brock was amazed at such a speed.
The last time he was so surprised by speed increase was with Ralts.
As an experienced Gym Leader, he's seen countless Pokemon, but such exceptional Pokemon, in his memory, are only these two in Ash's hands.
Not only rare in kind, but with top-notch talent... can this really be attributed to luck? Is it luck or destiny?
Besides Charmander, Pidgeotto has also leveled up one level to Advanced Junior Level, but Pidgeotto, like Bulbasaur, had been at that level for some time, so its level rise was expected.
These are Ash's progressions during this period, and he finally arrived in Vermilion City, ready to challenge his third Gym.
Having traveled a long way to reach Vermilion City, Ash initially wanted to challenge the Gym he's been longing for immediately, as they arrived at noon on the third day, with time still early.
But Brock suggested they rest at the Pokemon Center first and gather some information about Vermilion Gym since he wasn't very familiar with it, only knowing the Gym Leader seemed to be a retired soldier, probably not an easy opponent.
Hearing this, Ash agreed, and they headed to the Vermilion City's Pokemon Center first—a place for the Pokemon to rest and for them to freshen up, as they hadn't bathed much during their journey.
Ash and Brock were okay, but Misty couldn't stand it at all. Her fragrant self had become smelly, and what girl could tolerate that?
That she endured these many days was already beyond a normal person's endurance.
After cleaning up, Ash and the group returned to the Pokemon Center lobby.
"It's a bit strange, Ash. Have you noticed there are way more injured Pokemon here than in other places?" Brock said to Ash, somewhat puzzled after scanning the Pokemon Center.
Ash also looked around, showing a similar confused expression: "Yeah, the number of injured Pokemon here almost matches the total I've seen in other Pokemon Centers."
"All done by the Gym Leader of Vermilion Gym." A gentle voice came, and everyone turned to see that the speaker was none other than Miss Joy.
Brock, slightly blushing, looked at Miss Joy, his previous concern about the surrounding Pokemon instantly forgotten.
He has no resistance to older sisters.jpg.
"The Gym Leader of Vermilion Gym? Aren't Gym Leaders usually supposed to test challengers by fighting them? Even if they defeat the challenger's Pokemon, they wouldn't go so hard," Misty said, furrowing her brows.
The extent of injuries to the surrounding Pokemon ranged from light to severe, with some even wrapped entirely in bandages, and their Trainers sat there in sorrow.
If these injuries were all the doing of the Gym Leader, that would be too much.
"The Gym Leader of Vermilion Gym is called Lt. Surge, a retired soldier, so when he faces challengers, he goes all out. It's his military style that he now brings into Gym battles,"
"When facing challengers, he often raises the difficulty level—what should be Junior Level becomes Intermediate, Intermediate becomes Advanced... He calls this a test of the Trainer, claiming that only by overcoming such tests can they become Celestial King Champion level Trainers in the future," Joy sighed.
"That's too much! Isn't that imposing burdensome stress on challengers?!" Ash said angrily.
If back when he faced Brock, the opponent set an Intermediate difficulty, he might have never got his first badge.
Intermediate difficulty Pokemon are at least Advanced Peak, possibly even Elite Level; how could a barely-starting Trainer like him win?
This is an impossible challenge. If you don't want to give a badge, just say it. Why subject challengers to such torment?
"There's no choice. The Gym challenge difficulty is set by the Gym Leader themselves. If you disagree, you can choose not to challenge; the challenge isn't mandatory. If you don't want to challenge the difficulty set by the Gym Leader, you can go to other Gyms. Perhaps the Gym Leader at Vermilion Gym uses this method to deter challengers..."