Three Pokémon at peak compatibility made Violet Gym fall easy.
The Zephyr Badge gleamed in Ash's hand. He swapped a few exchange points for a Badge Case from the system—pinning it inside his jacket felt too goofy.
Charizard's bond hit over 200 now, edging past Pikachu's 210. Unfair comparison—Pikachu hadn't fully evolved. Past 200, gains slowed anyway.
But the badge sparked a memory. One spot lay close.
"Misty, Brock—I need to stop for Charizard training." Ash halted on open plains outside Violet City.
They frowned. "Charizard's already powerhouse strong," Misty said.
"Not enough. Stronger. Stronger still!"
Vast fields stretched empty—perfect for Charizard to unleash. Seeing his fire, they smiled. "We're in," Brock said. "Food's on me."
Ash nodded thanks. They claimed a hillside tree: shade from sun, breeze soft, views endless. All Pokémon came out. Misty climbed Snorlax's snoring belly with Chikorita's vines—ultimate mattress.
Ash eyed Charizard. Training bulked it solid, presence steady now, no old hotheaded flares.
"Charizard—this time, carry me flying."
Original Charizard would've balked. This one nodded serious. That Gym Pidgeot ferried its trainer; no reason it couldn't.
"Riding Charizard? Awesome!" Misty beamed. Bond booster for sure.
"Start easy—short ride."
Aura honed his balance; this should click.
Riding wasn't passive saddle-surfing. Like horsemanship—rhythm sync, shifts matching wingbeats and gusts. Training Charizard meant mastering that dance himself.
Ash swung onto its back. "No rush. Slow steps. Match breaths—got it?"
Charizard nodded, stepped forward measured.
"Good—keep going!" Ash stroked its neck, grinning.
Misty and Brock watched warm. "Patient now. No bull-rushing," Misty said.
"Reliable," Brock agreed, eyes shining. Reminded him of his dad's Onix-riding lessons—far simpler.
Yawn hit Misty. Snorlax belly too cozy. "Watch them? Napping." Togepi curled egg-like beside her, then tumbled off—right into a young Sentret...
"Faster trot?"
System chimed in Ash's mind.
Charizard: 205 / 255
Charizard: 210 / 255
Charizard: 215 / 255
Rhythm locked. Ash urged speed. Thunderous steps echoed plains. Sentret, Rattata, Diglett poked heads up, chittering cheers like a crowd.
Charizard: 230 / 255
Charizard: 235 / 255
"Great—fly!"
Wings boomed. Sky rushed up.
"Haha—nice! Faster—show your speed!" Wind whipped free; pure thrill. Worth the crossing.
"Ash—come back!"
Misty's yell cut through.
"Trouble? That way!"
Charizard banked sharp, zeroing on her voice.
"What...?"
A massive Arbok-tank abomination bored through rock—drills, fists whirring. Path led straight to their next town. Unchecked, disaster.
"Twarp! Do something!" Misty and Brock rode Onix behind it, tail ferrying Team Rocket.
"Ash—Pikachu and Togepi inside!"
Togepi and Sentret had goofed into the Rocket machine, accidentally powering it. Pikachu tumbled in chasing.
"Stop and smash it." Ash's gaze iced. Charizard's tailflame roared wild.
It blocked the path, Dragon Claw halting the grind. "Flamethrower! Pikachu—now!"
Fire breached the hull. Pikachu burst out, Togepi and Sentret clutched safe.
"ROAR!"
Second blast sparked electrics. Explosions ripped—Team Rocket, sneaking back control, rocketed skyward.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Charizard: 245 / 255