Despite catching the Totodile, Ash sent it back to Professor Oak along with his Wartortle.
It was clear that this Totodile was still young. While its strength was decent, it was still a step behind Bayleef and Quilava. Ash sent Wartortle back to act as a mentor alongside Slowpoke.
Just as Charizard grew stronger by training with its own kind in the Charicific Valley, Ash wanted his Water-types to improve under the guidance of their seniors.
"Great, I've received Totodile and Wartortle. I'll make sure they undergo some rigorous special training!" Professor Oak said. Word had it that the Professor had been a formidable trainer himself in his youth.
As they left the Pokémon Center, the group bumped into a young boy rushing in to have his Pokémon treated. The Growlithe in his arms looked severely injured.
"Why are you in such a hurry? What happened?" Misty asked with concern.
"I lost a Pokémon battle," the boy admitted frankly. "That opponent was just too strong!"
Ash's interest was immediately piqued. "Where is this powerful trainer?"
"She's at the bridge on the mountain peak! I'm warning you, if you're heading that way, you'd better avoid that bridge!"
Was Ash the type to avoid a battle because someone was strong? Obviously not. They headed straight for the summit and found the bridge. Standing on the far side was a tall, striking young lady.
Brock lunged forward instantly, taking her hand and speaking with deep emotion. "Hello, Miss! My name is Brock! If you don't mind, may I know your beautiful name?"
Misty was about to step in and pull him away, but to her surprise, the girl didn't pull her hand back. She looked at Brock and replied, "My name is Miki."
The answer sent Brock into a state of euphoria. "What a lovely name! Come, this place could be dangerous at any moment. Let me accompany you on your journey!"
"Tell me, do you have any Fire-type Pokémon?" Miki asked, ignoring his advances and getting straight to the point.
Brock nodded without a second thought. "Of course I do."
He did indeed have a Fire-type Pokémon the Vulpix that Susie, the top Pokémon Breeder and Groomer, had entrusted to his care.
"Then I'll leave it to you!" Miki's expression suddenly turned cold. She pulled out a Poké Ball and stepped back to a proper distance. "This will be a one-on-one battle. Let's begin!"
It turned out that the trainer challenging Fire-types at the bridge was her! The realization hit Brock like a bucket of cold water, and he quickly regained his composure. "If you don't mind me as an opponent, I'd be happy to oblige!"
Miki led with her Pokémon. It was a large bird covered in metallic feathers a Skarmory! It was a Steel and Flying-type Pokémon.
Steel-types had excellent resistances. Out of the eighteen types, ten were not very effective against it, and Poison was completely ineffective. Only three types dealt super-effective damage: Ground, Fighting, and Fire. Furthermore, Steel-types could not be poisoned and were immune to damage from sandstorms.
Among those three weaknesses, the Flying-type Skarmory added a weakness to Electric-type moves, but gained immunity to Ground-type moves and resistance to Fighting-type moves. Essentially, Skarmory only had two major weaknesses: Electric and Fire!
"So, why are you intentionally seeking out Fire-types to battle?" Misty asked curiously after Ash finished explaining.
Miki glanced at Ash and said proudly, "Because it has already faced every other type. I saved the most difficult one Fire for last. This battle will mark the end of my special training on this mountain!"
"I see!" Brock looked as if he were facing a great enemy, his face solemn. "This is a tough opponent! I need to show my own spirit of cultivation. Go, Vulpix!"
However, the Vulpix entrusted by the Pokémon Groomer was not well-suited for combat. It was no match for Skarmory. Under a barrage of Swift attacks, Vulpix was quickly overwhelmed and forced to run for cover. Finally, it was struck by Skarmory's Steel Wing and knocked out.
"Truly powerful. I surrender!" Brock said.
Steel Wing was an excellent move. Steel-type moves were super-effective against Rock-types, which usually countered Flying-types. If a Flying-type Pokémon learned Steel Wing, it could effectively strike back against Rock-type opponents.
Miki wasn't satisfied yet. "Do you have any other Fire-type Pokémon?"
Brock was out, but Ash had two!
"I'll take the challenge!" Ash stepped forward. After a moment of thought, he threw Houndour's Poké Ball.
After a few days of routine training, Ash and the Alpha Houndour had developed a great rapport. After all, their Compatibility had been high from the very beginning!
"What a fierce-looking Pokémon!" Miki was startled when Houndour appeared. It already had a menacing appearance, and as an Alpha, its face bore the scars of many battles, making it look even more formidable.
"Let's go, Houndour! Use Odor Sleuth!"
This was a move common among canine Pokémon. It allowed moves to hit Ghost-types that were normally immune and made it easier to land hits on opponents with high evasion.
"Don't try any tricks! Swift!" Miki's current battle style was very similar to the old Ash pure, relentless aggression. Relying on Skarmory's high resistances, she charged forward!
"Use Flamethrower!"
A searing pillar of fire incinerated the incoming stars. At that moment, Skarmory spiraled into the air and dove down, aiming to use its high-speed descent to add power to its impact. This was Miki and Skarmory's signature move!
However, this time they were facing the Dark-type Houndour!
"Houndour, use Feint Attack!" Even as Skarmory dove at incredible speed, Ash and Houndour remained perfectly calm.
Just as Skarmory was about to strike, Houndour's form suddenly vanished and reappeared directly in front of Skarmory, swatting it down with a powerful blow!
"Now! Flamethrower!"
Skarmory was slammed to the ground, losing its aerial advantage. Ash seized the opportunity and had Houndour deliver the finishing blow.
"What? Skarmory, get back up!"
But the sinister flames completely engulfed Skarmory, knocking it out of the battle.
"I lost. It seems my training is still insufficient," Miki admitted with a sigh as she recalled her defeated Pokémon.
Brock comforted her, "Don't take it to heart. It's just that Ash and Houndour are exceptionally strong!"
Regardless of the outcome, Miki was ready to end her training and continue her journey. As it turned out, she was also planning to compete in the Johto League Silver Conference. She was going to be a formidable rival.
Houndour: 155/200
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