Using three Pokémon with peak compatibility, Ash easily defeated the Violet City Gym.
He obtained the Zephyr Badge from the Violet City Gym.
Ash spent some exchange points to get a badge case from the system.
He always felt a bit silly pinning them inside his clothes.
To Ash's surprise, Charizard's bond value had already reached over 200 points!
It's worth noting that Pikachu's current bond value was only 210 points.
However, this comparison wasn't fair, as Pikachu hadn't yet evolved to its final stage.
Moreover, when the bond value reached over 200 points, the rate of increase would slow down.
But after getting the Zephyr Badge, Ash seemed to recall that they weren't far from a certain place.
"Misty, Brock, I think I need to stop for a while and train Charizard!" After leaving Violet City, Ash stopped in an open field.
Brock and Misty were a bit puzzled. "Ash, why are you in such a hurry to train Charizard? Charizard is already very strong!"
Ash shook his head. "It's far from enough. I want to become stronger! Stronger! Stronger!"
This field was very open, with no Pokémon around, making it the perfect place for Charizard to stretch its wings.
Seeing Ash's serious demeanor, Brock and Misty exchanged smiles. "Since you've decided, of course, we're willing to support you!"
"I'll prepare a delicious meal for you!" Brock said with a smile, holding a spatula.
Ash nodded gratefully. The trio found a large tree on a hillside, which was indeed an ideal camping spot.
The big tree provided shade from the dazzling sunlight, a warm breeze blew, and the view was expansive.
Ash also called out all his Pokémon. Misty, with the help of Chikorita, climbed onto the belly of a sleeping Snorlax.
This was truly the perfect mattress.
Ash smiled slightly, looking at Charizard beside him. After this period of training, Charizard's physique had become much more robust.
Moreover, its aura had become very calm, no longer as restless as before.
"Charizard, this time, we're going to learn for you to carry me while flying!"
If it were the original Charizard, it would have been astonished by Ash's request.
But now, it nodded very seriously.
After all, the Pidgeot it had battled before could also carry its trainer in aerial combat, so there was no reason why it couldn't.
"Having Charizard learn to carry people! That's a great idea!" Misty said with a smile.
Of course, it was a great idea. Isn't riding Charizard the coolest thing ever?
Moreover, this would definitely help Ash and Charizard's bond value increase significantly!
"So, first, please carry me for a walk!"
Ash possessed Aura power, and his athletic ability had improved once again. He believed riding Charizard shouldn't be difficult.
In reality, riding Charizard was not an easy task. It wasn't as simple as just sitting on Charizard's back and letting it fly.
Like riding a horse, it required the knight and the horse to cooperate, especially the knight needing to adjust their posture according to the horse's rhythm.
Therefore, although it was training Charizard to carry people in flight, it was actually Ash training himself to coordinate with Charizard's flight.
Ash straddled Charizard's back. "Charizard, don't rush. Walk slowly. Our breathing needs to slowly synchronize, understand?"
Charizard nodded and slowly took a step forward.
"Good, just like that! Keep going!" Ash smiled and stroked its neck.
Seeing Ash and Charizard, Misty and Brock were very relieved. "Ash has become very patient now; he won't just blindly rush into things."
"Yes, Ash is slowly becoming more reliable now, isn't he!" Brock's small eyes gleamed.
He recalled his father's patience when teaching him to ride Onix. Riding Onix was much easier in comparison.
Yawning, Misty was so relaxed and comfortable on Snorlax's belly. "Brock, please watch Ash and Charizard. I'm going to sleep for a bit!"
Misty, holding Togepi, lay down on Snorlax's belly and fell asleep.
Togepi, sleeping in an egg shape, rolled off Snorlax's belly and then encountered a young Sentret... "Good, can you start running slowly?"
Ash heard the system's notification sound in his ear!
Charizard: 205/255
Charizard: 210/255
Charizard: 215/255
...Ash and Charizard had gradually formed a tacit understanding. Ash tried to get Charizard to start running.
Heavy footsteps echoed across the field, and countless Sentret, Diglett, Sandshrew, and other Pokémon all poked their heads out.
Seeing this scene, they all cheered, seemingly rooting for Ash and Charizard!
Charizard: 230/255
Charizard: 235/255
"Good, Charizard, fly!"
At Ash's command, Charizard, carrying Ash, spread its wings and soared into the sky!
"Haha, Charizard, well done! Accelerate! Let's see how fast you can fly now!" Soaring through the sky on Charizard's back, Ash was incredibly excited.
Having this experience made his journey through this world worthwhile!
"Ash, come back quickly!"
Suddenly, Ash heard Misty's call.
"What happened, Charizard, over there!"
Charizard was incredibly fast and quickly located the source of Misty's voice.
"This is?"
The scene before Ash's eyes was truly shocking.
It was a giant Arbok-shaped battle vehicle, using drills, fists, and various other weapons to forcibly carve through a thick rock wall.
And Ash, flying in the air, noticed that the direction this Arbok battle vehicle was heading was precisely the next town on their journey!
If this giant battle vehicle was allowed to continue, the town would be in danger.
"Little brat? Hurry up and think of something!" Misty and Brock, riding on Onix, were chasing behind the Arbok battle vehicle, with the Team Rocket trio sitting on Onix's tail.
"Ash, Pikachu and Togepi are inside!" Seeing Ash return, Misty quickly called out to him.
"What did you say?"
It turned out that the mischievous Togepi and a young Sentret had accidentally stumbled into Team Rocket's heavily invested Arbok vehicle, and by a twist of fate, had started it.
Misty and Brock had already tried many things to stop it, but then Pikachu also accidentally fell inside.
"Just block it and destroy it!" Ash's eyes turned cold, and the flames on Charizard's tail burst into a furious blaze.
Charizard blocked the path of the Arbok vehicle, using Dragon Claw to stop it. "Charizard, Flamethrower! Pikachu, now's your chance!"
Charizard's flames opened a passage, and Pikachu quickly led Togepi and Sentret to safety!
"Roar!"
Another Flamethrower, and the entire battle vehicle sparked with electricity everywhere before exploding, sending the Team Rocket trio, who had sneaked in to regain control, flying into the sky.
"What a nasty feeling!"
Charizard: 245 / 255