Chikorita was the second Pokémon Ash caught in the Johto region.
Its personality was brave and strong, and its compatibility with Ash was clearly very high, but Chikorita had not yet evolved to its final form, 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 now, if they decided not to evolve, Ash was willing to respect them.
After all, Pokémon are independent living beings, not mere tools. They have their own life pursuits and their own strengths.
After catching Chikorita, Ash had more than six Pokémon with him.
So he sent Bulbasaur, also a Grass-type, back to Professor Oak's lab. Professor Oak's backyard was already starting to have problems with the boarded Pokémon causing trouble, so he sent Bulbasaur back to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Ash and his companions trained on this mountain for two days before finally crossing it and arriving at Violet City.
These two days also gave Ash and Chikorita time to get to know each other.
Upon reaching Violet City, the first thing to do was, of course, to visit the Sprout Tower.
This is a three-story tower that always looks like it's swaying and about to collapse, but in reality, this design more effectively prevents the tower from being affected by earthquakes and other disasters.
Legend has it that the hollow central pillar of the tower was built using a single pillar over 30 meters tall. One could say this truly showcases the wisdom of the ancients.
And this Sprout Tower holds special significance for trainers on their journey.
It is said that Pokémon trainers participating in the Johto League always come to this tower to reflect on the events from when they first left their hometowns and embarked on their journey.
As for Ash, his journey began with a Pidgey.
After embarking on his journey, because Pikachu was sulking with him, Ash also lost his temper and tried to catch a Pidgey by himself.
The result, of course, was an obvious tragedy.
Later, Ash caught a Pidgeotto, but after completing his journey through the Kanto region, he released the evolved Pidgeot into Viridian Forest.
He wondered if Pidgeot was still in Viridian Forest now.
Speaking of Pidgeot, Ash looked out from the tower and saw a trainer flying a paraglider, soaring through the air with a Pidgeot.
After descending from Sprout Tower, Ash and his companions encountered the hang-gliding trainer and his Pidgeot again at the entrance of the Violet City Gym.
"Hello! Are you trainers here to challenge the Violet City Gym?" A Hoothoot was perched on the trainer's shoulder.
"That's right, I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and this is my first Gym challenge in the Johto region!" Ash introduced himself.
"Hello, my name is Falkner!" Falkner introduced himself.
"That Pidgeot is so big!" Misty exclaimed in admiration upon seeing the Pidgeot.
"Indeed, it's even bigger than my old Pidgeot!" Ash said with a smile, looking at the Pidgeot.
Hearing this, Falkner immediately became interested in Ash. "You have a Pidgeot too?"
"Yes!" Ash nodded. "It was with me not long ago!"
"Because of something that happened, it and I parted ways in Viridian Forest, near its hometown where I caught it. I wonder how it's doing now."
Ash's words deeply moved Falkner. "I think you must really love your Pidgeot!"
"Of course!"
"That's right, Pidgeot is one of the best bird Pokémon!" As Falkner said, his Pidgeot was indeed his ace.
Falkner clapped Ash on the shoulder and chuckled, "I feel like we get along really well!"
"To be honest with you all, my dream is to become the greatest bird Pokémon trainer!"
"I have a longing for the sky, and over time, I unknowingly became fascinated with bird Pokémon that fly through the air!"
"Ash, since you're here to challenge the Violet City Gym, please come in with me!"
These words left Brock and Misty puzzled, but Ash quickly smiled and said, "Then I look forward to our battle, 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!"
On the top-floor battle arena, many people were already waiting, all holding their breath, making the atmosphere instantly tense.
"Ash, are you okay?" Brock asked with concern.
Ash smiled slightly. "Leave it to me. I get excited in tense situations like these!"
"Alright, the official battle for the badge will now begin between Violet City Gym Leader Falkner and challenger Ash from Pallet Town. Each trainer may use three Pokémon. Are both trainers ready?"
"Ready! Falkner, I will definitely get your badge!"
Seeing Ash's confident demeanor, Falkner's blood also began to boil. "I won't let you get it easily. This concerns the honor of a Gym Leader. I'll show you the true power of bird Pokémon!"
According to Gym challenge rules, the Gym Leader sends out their Pokémon first.
And Falkner's first Pokémon was the Hoothoot that had been perched on his shoulder!
"Alright, Pikachu, I choose you!" Since it was a Flying-type Gym, sending out the Electric-type Pikachu to lead the charge was certainly understandable.
But Ash was actually thinking more deeply.
Squirtle was clearly not suitable for facing bird Pokémon.
Chikorita, recently caught, would be even more at a disadvantage.
As for Heracross, whether it was its Bug or Fighting typing, it would be severely countered by bird Pokémon, so it was better to skip it.
So Ash's available Pokémon for this battle were only Pikachu, Snorlax, and Charizard.
Fortunately, Snorlax was awake.
"A correct choice, but Ash, if you think you can easily defeat my bird Pokémon with an Electric-type, then you are gravely mistaken!" Falkner also became serious. "First strike, Hoothoot, use Tackle!"
"Pikachu, let's use Quick Attack!"
Quick Attack's speed was clearly faster. Hoothoot had just begun to move when Pikachu was already in front of it, knocking it flying!
"This isn't good, Hoothoot, quickly ascend!"
"Trying to run? Thunderbolt!"
Hoothoot struggled, flapping its small wings to take flight, but Thunderbolt had already struck, shocking it into a daze.
"Hoothoot is unable to battle, Pikachu wins!"
"Losing to an Electric-type is unavoidable!" Falkner recalled Hoothoot and looked up at Ash. "Ash, you really are strong!"
Pikachu 208 / 255