[Name: Pidgeotto]
[Gender: Male]
[Tier: Normal High]
[Ability: Keen Eye]
[Moves: XXXXX]
[Stats: Attack C (B), Sp. Atk C (B), Defence C (B), Sp. Def C (B), HP C (B), Speed C (B)]
All six of its stats capped at B-rank, and right now they'd already reached C-rank. In the wild, a Pidgeotto with this kind of potential was one in a thousand.
Even though it didn't have A-tier potential, with every stat capped at B, it wasn't any worse than Ash's Metapod—if anything, it was more balanced.
Compared to Caterpie, Pidgeotto's species had a higher chance of producing individuals with greater stat potential. That had to do with how each species was graded overall.
But none of that mattered to Ash. All he knew was, this Pidgeotto was perfect for serving as a flying Pokémon.
The Trainers in the group chat had mentioned before: when traveling in the wild, it was best to have at least one Pokémon that could carry you through the air. No matter what happened, if you could take off, you stood a good chance of escaping danger.
And in Kanto, the flying Pokémon that could carry a person and were commonly found in the wild were really just two: Spearow and Pidgey.
Those two species were called Kanto's doorstep birds—Flying-types you'd see everywhere. So if you wanted a flying mount, they were the natural first choice.
Ash had run into plenty of Pidgey and Spearow here in Viridian Forest, but just like with Caterpie, their potential had all been pretty average.
Who could've guessed that a high-potential Pidgeotto would deliver itself right to his door?
When Ash declared he'd capture it, his gaze instinctively flicked toward his Metapod not far away.
Could it be that outstanding prey attracts outstanding predators…? No, that was a joke.
"So, you agree? A capture battle."
"Pidgeotto!!"
"You're saying you'll only fight if it's Pokémon against Pokémon? Well of course! Battles are between Pokémon. I'm just a Trainer—why would I interfere?" Ash said, dead serious.
Misty and Pidgeotto both twitched at that. Then maybe let go of it first before saying that?
"Then I'll use Pikachu. Battle's on." Ash finally released his grip, and Pidgeotto immediately flapped its wings and darted out of his reach.
When Ash had been holding him, Pidgeotto felt like he was under the gaze of some terrifying predator. That couldn't have been his imagination—the boy really did have that much strength. Otherwise, how else could he have been caught mid-dive so easily?
That was why Pidgeotto insisted: no Trainers interfering, only Pokémon battling.
"Pidgeotto!!" Once free, it didn't flee. It hovered midair, calling out its fighting spirit.
Most Pokémon weren't like crafty humans. They were straightforward. Even if a promise put them at a disadvantage, they'd keep it—just like Pidgeotto was doing now.
"Go, Pikachu!"
"Pika!!"
"Thunder Shock!" Against a Flying-type, the best weapon was naturally Electric-type moves.
Pikachu leapt forward, golden sparks bursting from its body. Pidgeotto spun in the air and nimbly dodged, then dove along the lightning's trail, its body streaking with white light—Quick Attack!
"We'll use Quick Attack too!"
"Pika!!"
Canceling the Thunder Shock, Pikachu darted forward across the ground. Both charged at each other, but Pikachu's Quick Attack was just a hair faster.
Still, since they were rushing head-on, Speed didn't matter. Within seconds, they collided midair—sharp beak against Pikachu's skull.
Bang!
A dull thud rang out. Pidgeotto was blasted back, rolling uncontrollably through the air, unable even to stabilize its wings.
In raw strength, it wasn't Pikachu's match. After all, Pikachu was a full tier stronger. Unless Pidgeotto had rolled a D-tier stat boost mid-battle, there was no way it could win.
As Pidgeotto reeled, Pikachu pressed the attack, sparks crackling across its body. "Thunderbolt!!"
"Pika—CHU!!" A thicker, faster bolt of golden lightning shot skyward, slamming into Pidgeotto. It screeched in pain.
"Finish it! Quick Attack." Ash saw its feathers blackened, body twitching in the air, and ordered the final blow.
Pikachu kicked off the ground, launching upward. Its little head slammed square into Pidgeotto's stomach.
Already falling like a cut kite, Pidgeotto now plummeted like a meteor.
Boom!
It crashed into the ground with a heavy impact. Ash instantly tossed his Poké Ball, striking its body dead-on.
The ball shook three times, then clicked shut. Pidgeotto was his.
"Haha! I caught Pidgeotto!" Ash sprinted over, scooping up the ball with a shout of triumph.
"Pika Pi!!" Pikachu cheered too. With another teammate, maybe he wouldn't have to carry all the battles anymore.
"Now I've got three Pokémon. Even if Pewter Gym requires three, I'm all set!"
"Seriously, Ash…" Misty walked up, looking at his Poké Balls with exasperation. "What are you even catching? Flying-types, Bug-types… every one of them is weak to Rock-types! And Pikachu's weak to Ground-types! Congratulations, you've built yourself a perfect lineup of type disadvantages!"
Sure, Ash had three Pokémon now. But every single one was countered hard by Pewter Gym. Even as an experienced Trainer, she had no idea how he planned to win with a team like that.
Did he really think Gym Leaders were as easy to beat as a Shorts Kid on the road?
"Relax, I've already got a strategy for Pewter Gym. Just watch!" Ash said confidently, releasing Pidgeotto and tending to its injuries.
Misty eyed him suspiciously, doubt written all over her face. A Beginner Trainer, three Pokémon all at a type disadvantage, up against a Gym Leader… That's stacking debuffs to the max. How in the world does he expect to win?