At this moment, Ash was in high spirits, as the process had been incredibly smooth.
"Today is a good day…"
Ash hummed a tune as he walked, passing the Rattata and Caterpie he had just defeated. Now, Froakie had reached level 5.
"Pikachu, you did great today."
The boy and his Pokémon were quite relaxed, as in Ash's opinion, today's mission was complete.
There was no need for him to put too much pressure on these two little guys; experiencing so many battles at once would be too much for them.
Ash took out some Pokémon food and Pikachu's favorite ketchup from his backpack.
"Froakie, Pikachu, you've been battling for so long, you must be hungry, right?"
With that, Ash divided the food, placed it on the ground, and set it out.
Pikachu and Froakie ate with relish, smiles on their faces, feeling utterly content.
Ash found a spot, sat cross-legged on the ground, and began to eat his dry rations and bread.
"Sure enough, Mom's cooking is still the best," Ash said with a hint of bitterness as he ate his bread.
"Pikachu, Froakie, let's head back early after you finish eating." Compared to bread, Ash still wanted to go home and eat his mom's cooking.
Just then, a fierce gust of wind swept through the sky, swirling up fallen leaves from the ground.
"What's going on?" Ash struggled to open his eyes and looked up.
"Pidgeotto!!"
A huge shadow passed over Ash's head, and a Pidgeotto appeared before him.
"Oh no, it's a Pidgeotto." Ash immediately stood up and entered a state of alert.
If the enemy doesn't move, I don't move. Ash didn't dare to attack rashly now; this Pidgeotto had already reached level 18!
Facing such a formidable Pidgeotto, Ash's palms were already sweating.
However, Ash carefully observed the Pidgeotto and noticed that it seemed to have been in a battle and was severely injured.
"Pidgeotto!!"
Suddenly, Pidgeotto used Wing Attack, and a violent gust of wind swept directly towards Ash.
Ash quickly recalled Froakie and ran backward, holding Pikachu.
And at that very moment, a rustling sound came from the bushes!
"No way, don't play with me!" At this moment, Ash truly wanted to curse.
One Pidgeotto was already hard enough to handle, and now he didn't know what other Pokémon was about to appear.
"Chaba!" A purple Pokémon suddenly appeared, its cold gaze fixed on Ash.
"It's over, it's an Ekans."
Pokémon: Ekans
Gender: Female
Type: Poison
Aptitude: Entry-level (Level 10)
Abilities: Intimidate, Shed Skin
Hidden Ability: Unnerve
Base Stats: 288
Caught between two sides, Ash was now truly in a dilemma.
"It seems I can only go all out; there's no escaping." After taking a deep breath, Ash smiled slightly.
"If there is no desperate situation, one has not experienced ten deaths and ten lives." People cannot always have smooth sailing; they must always accept the baptism of wind and rain.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu's eyes were firm, without the slightest hint of fear.
"Pikachu, use Thunder Shock! Froakie, use Bubble! Let's deal with this Ekans first."
After analyzing the current situation, Ash quickly came up with a plan. The current Pidgeotto's aggressiveness wasn't very strong.
And the current Ekans was full of malice and the closest.
Pikachu's Thunder Shock struck Ekans, but it didn't cause much damage.
Pikachu was only level 7, and Froakie was level 5.
There was no way around it; the level difference was too great, and there would be a huge gap in attack and defense.
"Chaba!!"
Ekans became enraged. Although Pikachu's repeated attacks didn't cause much damage, they were like ants.
A Poison Sting shot directly towards Pikachu, hitting its body squarely.
"Pika…"
Hit by Ekans's Poison Sting, Pikachu immediately felt weak all over, unable to stand steadily.
"Pikachu! Are you alright?" Ash shielded Pikachu, looking directly at Ekans.
"Hiss~" Ekans flicked her tongue, constantly observing Ash, as if contemplating something.
"Froakie!" At this moment, Froakie, sensing its trainer was in danger, immediately used Pound.
A big slap landed on Ekans's face, looking extremely powerful.
"Chaba!" Ekans bit Froakie, her eyes filled with immense anger.
"Oh no, that's Ekans's move, Bite!" Ash couldn't care less and rushed forward.
"Let go, let go of Froakie!" Ash pulled Ekans's tail, trying to lift her up.
Seeing Ekans biting tightly and refusing to let go, Ash was a bit panicked.
After all, Ekans's personality was extremely vicious, capable of devouring Pidgey and Spearow in one Bite.
It was conceivable that Froakie wouldn't be enough for one Bite from Ekans. Thinking of this, Ash shouted.
At this moment, Ash grabbed Ekans's tail and spun her around in a magical circle of love.
The rapidly spinning Ekans felt her entire head dizzy, stars in her eyes, and directly threw Froakie out.
If Ekans hadn't been holding Froakie in her mouth just now, she probably would have turned around and bitten him long ago.
But she probably never dreamed that a prankster would grab her tail and give her a 360-degree spin.
"Froakie!" Seeing Froakie thrown out, Ash directly flung Ekans aside.
"Ash, are you alright!" Not far away, Xiao Mu quickly ran over, visibly worried.
"That's great, Xiao Mu, I'm glad you're here!" Seeing Xiao Mu arrive, Ash felt a bit relieved.
Xiao Mu arrived at the scene, panting, "What's going on? Is this… Froakie?"
When Xiao Mu saw the Pidgeotto in the air, he took out the Pokédex he had just purchased.
He was stunned, "An 18-level Pidgeotto, is this real or fake!"
At this moment, Xiao Mu's brows were tightly furrowed. After the morning's battle, his Cyndaquil had only reached level 6.
This level gap was not just big; it was like a direct leap over a cliff.
Aptitude is divided into: Entry-level, Primary, Normal, Superior, Advanced, Gym, Elite, Champion, Master, Legendary.
Every ten levels is a watershed, so this Pidgeotto has already reached Primary aptitude.
He and Ash, although they had three Pokémon, were all Entry-level Pokémon.
And now they had to face a level 10 Ekans and a level 18 Pidgeotto.
It could be said that the odds of winning were simply too low.
Just then, a figure slowly appeared, "Too weak, I guess This Young Master will have to do it!"
Looking at the increasingly clear figure, Ash and Xiao Mu said in unison, "Is that… Gary?"
Such an arrogant tone, coupled with that signature pose, only Gary could pull it off.
"It's just a level 10 Ekans, and a severely injured Pidgeotto, and they managed to beat you up like this."
Gary shook his head slightly, seemingly surprised.
"Come out, Bulbasaur!"
With a flash of white light, Bulbasaur jumped out of its Poké Ball.
"Bulba, Bulba." It was clear that Gary's Bulbasaur was in excellent spirits.
The moment Xiao Mu saw Bulbasaur, he was instantly dumbfounded, "This… a level 15 Bulbasaur?"
Such a high level even made Xiao Mu a bit incredulous. He rubbed his eyes and looked at Bulbasaur again.
This time, he completely believed it; this Bulbasaur had really reached level 15!
"Chaba!" Ekans was very fast, and a Poison Sting flew towards Bulbasaur.
Bulbasaur moved its body and dodged it directly, "Bulba, Bulba!"
Startled by this sudden attack, Bulbasaur became angry.
Gary smiled faintly, "Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf!"
Clang, clang, clang, Razor Leaf continuously struck Ekans, the offensive extremely fierce.
It must be said that the difference in level and base stats put Bulbasaur at an absolute advantage.
Ekans, hit by Razor Leaf, was covered in wounds, a somewhat gruesome sight.
After all, Bulbasaur's Razor Leaf was already a standout among Grass-type moves, also having a chance to land a critical hit.
"Chaba!!" Ekans let out a painful cry and looked up at the Pidgeotto in the sky.
Pidgeotto saw this action, but she was disdainful.
Given Ekans's living habits, they often preyed on Pidgey eggs, and even Pidgey themselves.
It was good enough that Pidgeotto didn't peck this Ekans; to even imagine her helping it was utterly delusional!
At this moment, Ash also understood. Pidgeotto had only attacked him at first, but then kept observing from the air.
Clearly, Pidgeotto was only trying to drive out these intruders to defend her territory.
Ekans was completely desperate and could only go all out. Opening her fangs, she charged directly at Bulbasaur.
Giving up completely, facing such a powerful Bulbasaur, Ekans now had no other choice.
Rather than cowering, it was better to preserve her last shred of dignity.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!" Gary watched the situation calmly and composedly.
In his opinion, Ekans's seemingly fierce offensive was actually full of flaws, merely a show!
Ekans was directly knocked to the ground, losing her ability to battle.
Ash held the weak Pikachu, gently stroking him, "Pikachu, just hold on a little longer, I'll take you to the Pokémon Center right away!"
Gary shook his head, "No need to go. Take this Antidote."
"Antidote? Gary, thank you!" Ash didn't stand on ceremony and took the Antidote.
Seeing Pikachu about to faint, Ash quickly fed the Antidote into Pikachu's mouth.
Soon, the Antidote took effect, and Pikachu's expression gradually returned to normal.
"Come on in, Pikachu." Ash took out a Poké Ball and recalled Pikachu.