Ash spent three full days recovering at Liza's residence in the Charicific Valley. During that time, Charizard and Pikachu never left his side, acting as silent guardians over their exhausted trainer.
Fortunately, the toll was purely mental. His body was unscathed, and after seventy-two hours of rest, he felt completely revitalized. In fact, Ash noticed a strange sensation—his physical constitution felt sturdier, as if the intense Bond Phenomenon had tempered his own strength alongside Charizard's.
Charizard remained behind in the valley to begin his special training. This wasn't a "release" in the traditional sense; it was a focused fosterage. If Ash ever needed Charizard's overwhelming power, or simply missed his partner, he could contact Liza at any moment.
Stepping out from the valley's shadow, Ash tossed a Poké Ball into the air.
"Chikorita, let's go!"
The Leaf Pokémon emerged, crying out with joy. Despite having been recently caught, she was already deeply attached to Ash. With a nimble hop, she claimed a spot on his left shoulder, balancing perfectly with Pikachu on the right.
"Alright, it's your turn to get stronger!" Ash laughed, glancing at the feisty little Pokémon.
Behind that competitive, stubborn exterior sat a remarkably sweet girl. With Charizard training in the valley, Ash's current team consisted of Pikachu, Squirtle, Heracross, Chikorita, and Snorlax. He planned to devote the bulk of his energy to his newest companions, Heracross and Chikorita.
Interestingly, shortly after leaving the valley, the group stumbled upon a region that seemed tailor-made for Grass-type development.
"Ash, are you sure you're okay?" Misty asked, her eyes searching his face for any lingering fatigue. Traveling through the wilderness was grueling work, and she had been the one to insist he stay in bed for those three days.
"Don't worry, Misty! I'm back to a hundred percent," Ash replied with a bright smile.
"Is it just me, or is it getting incredibly hot? The sun is brutal today," Brock muttered, squinting at his map. According to his calculations, they were closing in on Azalea Town, the site of the next Gym.
Ash chuckled. "I feel great, actually."
Brock shot him a dry look. "Of course you do. Chikorita's leaf is basically a personal parasol for you."
Ever since leaving Liza, Ash had used the travel time to conduct light drills with Chikorita. Because she was still small, her training didn't require the massive clearings that a powerhouse like Charizard would need.
The progress was already showing. Chikorita had recently mastered Magical Leaf, a testament to her innate talent. She had been famous in her home territory for her refusal to back down from any challenge, and the intense sunlight in this area was only making her more spirited.
"Hello there!"
The group stopped as a young woman holding a massive wrench appeared. She was standing by a thick, industrial water pipe that followed the curve of the road, likely checking for leaks.
"Hello, beautiful and hardworking lady! My name is Brock, might I inquire about your—" Brock's romantic overture was cut short as Misty expertly snagged him by the collar and dragged him away.
"I'm Mariah," the woman introduced herself with a friendly wave.
She explained that this area was known as Sunnyside Town. Because the town received an extraordinary amount of daily sunlight, it was famous for its high-quality Sunflora.
The architecture of Sunnyside Town was fascinating. The houses were built into the hillside in a series of terraces, resembling giant steps. This allowed every home and garden to maximize their exposure to the sun.
Mariah's family specialized in Sunflora. The pipe she was working on carried high-quality spring water down from the surrounding mountains. By combining pure mountain water with the valley's intense rays, her Sunflora grew with a natural, healthy vitality.
Upon reaching Mariah's home, she turned on a garden sprinkler. Chikorita immediately hopped off Ash's shoulder, lounging happily under the cool spray while basking in the golden light.
"Haha! It looks like Chikorita loves your mountain water, Mariah," Misty said, watching the Pokémon relax.
Ash watched thoughtfully. This was exactly the kind of environment a Grass-type needed to thrive. Sensing his Pokémon's joy, the group decided to stay in Sunnyside Town for a day to train before moving on.
As they eventually resumed their journey, the path was teeming with life.
"Look, a Vileplume! Togepi, stay back, you don't want to breathe in any Stun Spore!"
"And a Gloom over there!"
"Bellsprout, Weepinbell, and Victreebel too!"
Wild Grass-types were everywhere. Chikorita followed closely at Ash's heels, exchanging friendly chirps with the local Pokémon as they passed. Suddenly, Ash stopped in front of a particularly large, healthy-looking Victreebel.
"Hey, Victreebel! How about a quick sparring match with my Chikorita?" Ash asked, crouching down to address the Pokémon directly.
"Ash, be careful!" Misty shouted.
Approaching a wild Pokémon so recklessly was dangerous. If the Victreebel felt threatened, a face full of Poison Powder or Sleep Powder was a miserable way to spend an afternoon.
However, the Victreebel merely tilted its pitcher-shaped head, hopped forward twice, and gave a sharp cry of acceptance.
Chikorita leaped forward, her eyes burning with a competitive fire.
Victreebel opened the engagement with a swift Razor Leaf. The serrated leaves whistled through the air with terrifying speed—this was a fully evolved Pokémon, after all.
"Dodge it!"
Chikorita danced between the leaves with fluid grace, her small frame making her a difficult target. But Victreebel wasn't finished. A long, sturdy Vine Whip lashed out, catching Chikorita off guard and wrapping tightly around her waist.
"Impressive," Ash noted calmly. He didn't panic even as his Pokémon was hoisted into the air.
His composure acted as an anchor for Chikorita. She stopped struggling and looked to her trainer, her breathing slowing as she regained her focus.
"Calm now?" Ash smiled. "Use Sweet Scent!"
The broad leaf on Chikorita's head shimmered. A heavy, saccharine aroma wafted out, enveloping the Victreebel in a cloying mist. Almost instantly, the Victreebel's grip slackened as a sense of peaceful lethargy washed over it. Chikorita slipped free, landing lightly on the grass.
"Now, Magical Leaf!"
Unlike Razor Leaf, which relied on physical sharpness, Magical Leaf was a burst of pure Grass-type energy. The glowing, iridescent leaves spiraled through the air, homing in on the Victreebel with unerring accuracy.
The impact sent the Victreebel tumbling back, though as a Grass-type itself, the damage was largely superficial.
Before the battle could escalate, a pink, fuzzy shape drifted across the sky above them. It was a Hoppip, bobbing helplessly in the strong mountain currents.
"Wait! Please, help me catch that Hoppip!"
A young woman came sprinting down the path, looking up at the sky in distress. Ash reacted instantly, ending the duel with the Victreebel with a respectful nod.
"Heracross, I need you!" Ash called, releasing the Single Horn Pokémon.
"Heracross, toss Chikorita up! Chikorita, use your Vine Whip to snag that Hoppip, then Heracross, catch them both!"