Even though he had just caught Totodile, Ash decided to send it back to Professor Oak along with Wartortle. The little crocodile was high-spirited, but it was still a bit behind Bayleef and Quilava in terms of raw power. Ash wanted Wartortle to act as a mentor, training the youngster just as Charizard had done in the Charific Valley.
"I've received them, Ash! I'll make sure they undergo some rigorous training," Professor Oak promised over the video call.
As they left the Pokémon Center, the group bumped into a frantic boy carrying an injured Growlithe. He warned them about a terrifyingly strong trainer waiting on the bridge at the mountain peak. For Ash, this wasn't a warning—it was an invitation.
They climbed the mountain and found the trainer standing by the bridge. Her name was Miki, a tall, confident girl. Brock immediately rushed over to flirt, but Miki cut straight to the point.
"Do you have any Fire-type Pokémon?" she asked.
Brock, wanting to impress her, sent out the Vulpix he was looking after for Suzy. Miki countered with a magnificent bird covered in metallic feathers: Skarmory.
As a Steel/Flying-type, Skarmory had incredible defenses. The Steel typing made it immune to poison and resistant to ten different types. While it was weak to Electric and Fire, it was a physical tank.
"I've fought every other type already," Miki explained proudly. "I saved Fire-types for last to finish my mountain training!"
The battle was a disaster for Brock. Vulpix, who was more suited for beauty pageants than brutal combat, was quickly overwhelmed by Skarmory's Swift and ultimately knocked out by a decisive Steel Wing.
"My turn," Ash stepped forward. After a moment of thought, he released Houndour.
The former alpha looked intimidating. With battle scars etched into its face and bone-like armor, it radiated a fierce, predatory energy that actually gave Miki a momentary fright.
"Skarmory, use Swift!" Miki commanded, sticking to her aggressive style.
"Houndour, Flamethrower!"
The searing column of fire incinerated the golden stars. Seeing the frontal attack fail, Miki had Skarmory dive from the sky, using the immense momentum of the fall to power up its strike. It was her signature move.
However, Ash and Houndour remained perfectly still.
"Now, use Faint Attack!"
Just as Skarmory reached them, Houndour vanished. It reappeared instantly in Skarmory's blind spot, slamming the steel bird out of the air and onto the ground.
"Finish it with Flamethrower!"
Grounded and unable to use its speed, Skarmory was engulfed in a wave of dark, wicked flames. The heat was too much for its metallic body to handle, and it collapsed, unable to continue.
"I lost. It seems my training isn't complete yet," Miki admitted, withdrawing her Pokémon.
Despite the loss, Miki planned to head down the mountain to continue her journey. Like Ash, she was aiming for the Silver Conference. Ash watched her leave, knowing she would be a formidable rival when the tournament finally began.
Houndour Sync: 155 / 200