Chikorita became Ash's second Johto Pokémon.
Brave, fiercely competitive—its eyes burned with a spirit that matched his own. The compatibility ran deep, though without final evolution, it couldn't yet hit 255.
Ash had let go of that pressure. Not every Pokémon needed to reach its last stage. Bulbasaur and Squirtle chose their paths; he respected them. Pokémon weren't tools—they lived fully, each with dreams and strengths all their own.
With Chikorita caught, his active team topped six. He sent Bulbasaur back—Professor Oak's yard needed its steady presence to wrangle the rowdy daycare Pokémon.
Two days of mountain training bonded him with Chikorita. They crested the pass and entered Violet City.
First stop: Bellsprout Tower.
The three-story structure swayed in the breeze, looking ready to topple—yet that flexibility shrugged off quakes better than rigid stone. Legend held a 30-meter central pillar anchored it, ancient ingenuity at work.
For Johto challengers, the tower meant more: a place to reflect on journeys begun, hometowns left behind.
Ash's started with Pidgey. Pikachu's early stubbornness had sparked his own—proving he could catch one alone. It ended in failure, of course. Later Pidgeotto evolved to Pidgeot, only to be released in Viridian Forest after Kanto.
Wonder if it's still out there.
From the tower top, Ash spotted a glider soaring with a Pidgeot, wings cutting clean through clouds.
Down at Violet Gym's doors, they met the glider's owner—and that massive Pidgeot.
"Hey! Here for the Gym challenge?" The trainer's shoulder held a Hoothoot.
"Right. Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town—my first Johto badge," Ash said.
"I'm Asu," the trainer replied.
"What a huge Pidgeot!" Misty gasped.
"Bigger than mine ever was," Ash added.
Asu's head snapped up. "You had one too?"
"Yeah. Traveled with me for a while." Ash's gaze softened. "We parted ways near Viridian Forest—its home. No idea how it's doing now."
Asu clapped his shoulder. "You must've really cared for it."
"Of course."
"Pidgeot's the best Flying-type out there!" Asu beamed—his ace perched proudly beside him.
"We click, Ash. My dream? Top Flying-type Master."
His eyes drifted skyward. "Always loved the open air. Birds just... pulled me in."
"Come on in for your challenge."
Brock and Misty blinked, confused. Ash grinned. "Looking forward to it, Gym Leader Asu."
Violet Gym towered high; the arena waited on the roof platform. A crowd hushed as they arrived, air thick with anticipation.
"No worries, right?" Brock whispered.
Ash's pulse quickened. "This is when I shine."
"Gym Leader Asu versus challenger Ash from Pallet Town! Zephyr Badge on the line—three Pokémon each. Ready?"
"Ready! That badge is mine."
Asu's blood ran hot. "Won't hand it over easy. Flying-types' true power—you'll see!"
Gym rules: leader sends first.
Hoothoot hopped down.
"Pikachu, you're up!" Electric countered Flying clean.
Squirtle mismatched birds. New Chikorita got shredded. Heracross—Bug or Fighting—faced hard counters. Left: Pikachu, Snorlax, Charizard. Snorlax was awake, luckily.
"Smart pick. But Electric won't sweep my flyers!" Asu barked. "Hoothoot, Peck!"
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
Pikachu streaked first, slamming Hoothoot mid-lunge and sending it tumbling.
"Not good—climb!"
"Too late—Thunderbolt!"
Hoothoot flapped weakly upward. Lightning engulfed it, sparks dancing as it dropped limp.
"Hoothoot's out—Pikachu wins!"
"Electric's a tough matchup," Asu recalled it, meeting Ash's eyes. "You're strong, kid."
Pikachu: 208 / 255