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Using three Pokémon whose compatibility had reached their peak, Ash effortlessly defeated the Violet City Gym. He was awarded the Zephyr Badge.
Ash spent some exchange points to obtain a Badge Case from the system. Keeping the badges tucked inside his clothes had always felt a bit silly.
To Ash's delight, Charizard's bond value had already exceeded 200 points! For context, Pikachu's bond value was only 210 points at the moment. However, this wasn't a entirely fair comparison, as Pikachu hadn't yet evolved to its final stage. Furthermore, once the bond value surpassed 200 points, the efficiency of further increases would slow down.
But after securing the Zephyr Badge, Ash vaguely remembered that a particular place wasn't far away.
"Misty, Brock, I think I need to pause our journey for a bit and give Charizard some special training!" After departing from Violet City, Ash halted in an expansive, open field.
Misty and Brock were somewhat puzzled. "Ash, why are you so eager to train Charizard? It's already incredibly strong!"
Ash shook his head. "It's still far from enough! I need to become stronger! Stronger! Stronger!"
The field was wide and clear, devoid of any other Pokémon, making it the perfect arena for Charizard to unleash its full potential.
Seeing Ash's earnest resolve, Brock and Misty exchanged a smile. "Since you've made up your mind, we're certainly willing to support you!"
"I'll prepare a delicious feast for you!" Brock declared, gripping a spatula with a grin.
Ash nodded gratefully. The trio found a grand tree on a hillside, which indeed proved to be an ideal campsite. The tree provided ample shade from the scorching sun, a warm breeze gently rustled, and the view stretched wide.
Ash also called out all his Pokémon. Misty, with Chikorita's assistance, clambered onto the belly of the peacefully slumbering Snorlax. It truly made for the most perfect mattress.
Ash smiled softly, his gaze settling on Charizard beside him. After this period of intense training, Charizard's physique had grown notably more robust. Moreover, its demeanor had become remarkably steady, no longer exhibiting the same impatience as before.
"Charizard, this time, we're going to learn for you to carry me in flight!"
If it were the Charizard of old, it would have been utterly astonished by Ash's request. But now, it nodded with serious intent. After all, the Pidgeot it had battled previously could carry its trainer to fight in the air, so there was no logical reason why it couldn't.
"Learning to carry a person, huh! That's a brilliant idea!" Misty chuckled.
It certainly was a brilliant idea; wasn't soaring through the sky on Charizard the most magnificent experience imaginable? And it would undoubtedly help to significantly boost Ash and Charizard's bond value!
"So, first, how about you take me for a little stroll?"
Ash possessed Aura Power, which had once again enhanced his athletic capabilities. He was confident that riding Charizard wouldn't be an insurmountable challenge.
In reality, riding Charizard was far from easy. It wasn't as simple as just perching on its back and letting it fly wherever it pleased. Much like riding a horse, it demanded mutual cooperation between rider and steed. Specifically, the rider needed to adapt their posture to synchronize with the rhythm of the animal's steps. Thus, while the goal was to train Charizard to carry a person in flight, the true training lay in Ash learning to harmonize with Charizard's movements in the air.
Ash straddled Charizard's back. "Charizard, don't rush. Take it slow. We need to gradually synchronize our breathing, understand?"
Charizard nodded, slowly taking a step forward.
"Good, just like that! Keep going!" Ash said with a smile, stroking its neck.
Observing Ash and Charizard, Misty and Brock both felt a sense of contentment. "Ash has become so patient now; he's not just blindly rushing into things anymore."
"Indeed, Ash is slowly becoming more reliable, isn't he?" Brock's small eyes gleamed with admiration. He recalled the same patience his father displayed when teaching him to ride Onix. Riding Onix was, in comparison, much simpler.
Yawning, Misty felt incredibly relaxed and comfortable atop Snorlax's belly. "Brock, could you please keep an eye on Ash and Charizard? I'm going to grab some sleep!"
Misty, cradling Togepi, drifted off to sleep right there on Snorlax's stomach.
Togepi, curled up like an egg in its sleep, rolled off Snorlax's belly and then encountered a young Sentret...
"Excellent! Can you start running slowly now?"
Ash's ear resonated with the system's notification!
Charizard: 205/255
Charizard: 210/255
Charizard: 215/255
...
Ash and Charizard had gradually forged a tacit understanding. Ash began to encourage Charizard to run.
Heavy footsteps echoed across the expansive field, prompting countless Sentret, Diglett, Sandshrew, and other Pokémon to peek out from their hiding spots. Witnessing the scene, they surprisingly erupted in cheers, as if lending their full support to Ash and Charizard!
Charizard: 230/255
Charizard: 235/255
"Alright, Charizard, fly!"
At Ash's command, Charizard, carrying Ash, flapped its mighty wings and soared into the cerulean sky!
"Haha, Charizard, well done! Speed up! Let's see how fast you can fly now!" Soaring through the heavens on Charizard's back, Ash was utterly exhilarated. This incredible experience alone made his journey through this world worthwhile!
"Ash, come back quickly!"
Suddenly, Ash heard Misty's urgent call.
"What happened, Charizard? Over there!"
Charizard was incredibly fast, swiftly pinpointing the source of Misty's voice.
"What is this?"
The sight before Ash shocked him profoundly.
It was a colossal battle machine, shaped like an Arbok, relentlessly using its drills, fists, and various other weapons to forcibly carve open a massive rock wall. Ash, airborne, realized that the direction this Arbok battle machine was heading was precisely the next town on their journey! If this destructive machine were allowed to continue its advance, the town would be in grave danger.
"You squirt-head? Quickly think of something!" Misty and Brock, riding Onix, were in hot pursuit behind the Arbok battle machine, with Team Rocket's trio still precariously clinging to Onix's tail.
"Ash, Pikachu and Togepi are inside!" Seeing Ash's return, Misty frantically called out to him.
"What did you say?"
It turned out that mischievous Togepi and a young Sentret had accidentally infiltrated Team Rocket's expensively constructed Arbok battle machine and, by sheer happenstance, activated it. Misty and Brock had already made numerous attempts to stop it, but then Pikachu had also accidentally tumbled inside.
"Just block it and destroy it!" Ash's gaze hardened, and the flames on Charizard's tail flared with unrestrained fury.
Charizard positioned itself to block the Arbok battle machine's path and, unleashing Dragon Claw, brought it to a grinding halt. "Charizard, Flamethrower! Pikachu, now's your chance!"
Charizard's flames blasted open a path, and Pikachu swiftly escaped, bringing Togepi and Sentret safely out!
"Roar!"
Another powerful Flamethrower, and the entire battle machine began to spark with electricity before erupting in an explosion, sending Team Rocket's trio, who had opportunistically sneaked in to regain control, blasting off into the sky.
"That's a nasty feeling!"
Charizard: 245/255