Time flew by in the blink of an eye; a week had already passed since Ash and his companions left Violet City, and they had once again settled back into the rhythm of their simple yet fascinating journey.
That week of travel had brought them significantly closer to Azalea Town; by their estimates, they should be able to reach it in about another week.
In truth, Azalea Town isn't actually all that far from Violet City. However, between training their Pokémon along the way, taking time to rest, and constantly having to fend off harassment from Team Rocket—when all these various factors were added up—their overall pace had slowed down considerably.
During this stretch of their journey, Ash also managed to catch a rather haughty and spirited Chikorita.
The odds of encountering a "Starter Pokémon" in the wild are incredibly slim. Back in the Kanto region, Ash had managed to catch every single one of the Kanto Starters; yet, even he never imagined that after arriving in Johto, he would actually stumble upon one of the Johto Starters as well.
The probability of such an occurrence is so minuscule that it is arguably even lower than winning the grand prize in a lottery.
Within the Pokémon League system, Starter Pokémon aren't exactly considered rare—otherwise, they wouldn't be distributed as initial partner Pokémon to new trainers. While there may be a slight threshold one must meet to obtain one, compared to the rigorous requirements for acquiring a "Pseudo-Legendary" Pokémon, that threshold is practically non-existent.
However, the likelihood of encountering a Starter Pokémon in the wild is no higher than that of encountering a Pseudo-Legendary. Given this extreme rarity, the fact that Ash has managed to encounter Starter Pokémon time and again—and this time, even a Johto Starter—feels almost as if he is being guided by the hand of destiny.
This particular Chikorita's innate potential is every bit as impressive as that of his Bulbasaur when he first caught it.
Bulbasaur, at the very beginning, possessed only three A-tier talents; its subsequent evolution to its current formidable level was entirely due to the aid of a "Divine Held Item." By comparison, this Chikorita—as it stands right now—is essentially on the exact same level as Bulbasaur was back in those early days.
> [Species: Chikorita]
> [Gender: Female]
> [Type: Grass]
> [Level: Intermediate (Normal)]
> [Ability: Overgrow]
> [Moves: Tackle, Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, Poison Powder, Reflect] > [Six-Stat Capabilities: Physical Attack B (A), Special Attack C (A), Defense C (B), Special Defense C (B), HP A (A), Speed B (B)]
This Chikorita's offensive stats—both Physical and Special—are truly outstanding. Although her Speed is slightly on the lower side, it is a negligible flaw; after all, her final evolved form, Meganium, possesses a relatively bulky physique and does not rely on speed-based combat strategies.
Abundant HP is precisely what Grass-type Pokémon need most, and the innate talent this particular Chikorita possesses serves as a clear indication of the brilliant future that awaits her.
Back when Ash first encountered her, this little one was incredibly stubborn. Even after being beaten until she was battered and bruised, she adamantly refused to let Ash capture her. Her willpower was—aside from that of his own Pokémon—the strongest Ash had ever witnessed!
Among wild Pokémon, such formidable willpower is truly in a league of its own.
Ultimately, before Chikorita could be rendered unable to battle, Ash stepped in to heal her wounds. After all, had the fight continued any longer, it seemed likely that Chikorita would have become the first Pokémon to lose her life before officially being declared unable to battle.
This little one was absolutely reckless to the point of courting death!
Ash isn't the type of person who would beat a Pokémon to the brink of death just to capture it. Even if he couldn't earn Chikorita's respect through battle, there were still other methods available; there was no need to rush things.
Chikorita's physical well-being was far more important than the act of capturing her—this little one was so stubborn that she had completely disregarded even her own life-threatening condition.
After Ash finished healing Chikorita's injuries, her attitude toward him underwent a complete 180-degree turn. Moments before, she had been the epitome of stubbornness—looking as if she would rather die than enter a Poké Ball—yet a single, brief healing session was enough to transform her demeanor entirely.
Once healed, Chikorita not only showed absolutely no signs of aversion toward Ash but instead became incredibly affectionate toward him—going so far as to voluntarily enter his Poké Ball on her own accord.
Witnessing this entire sequence of events caused Ash's brain to completely short-circuit. Wait... you can actually do that?! Expending every ounce of effort to defeat an opponent only to fail to earn their respect—yet subsequently winning them over simply by healing their wounds—is, to say the least, a rather peculiar method of capture.
Coincidentally, it seems that many of Ash's Pokémon were acquired through just such eccentric means; capturing them via a straightforward, conventional battle is actually the exception rather than the rule.
And so, amidst a mix of amusement and bewilderment, Ash successfully captured Chikorita, adding another young recruit to his Pokémon roster.
As of now—aside from the "Big Three" and Mewtwo—every Pokémon currently in Ash's possession is a newcomer.
Togepi is currently in Misty's care and therefore does not count toward Ash's active team; his current lineup consists of Heracross, Chikorita, and the Crystal Onix.
Apart from the permanent fixtures—the Big Three and Mewtwo—the remaining Pokémon are rotated in and out periodically to ensure their balanced development.
As for why the Big Three aren't rotated... well, the team simply requires a core of top-tier combatants. It is an indisputable fact that these specific Pokémon achieve their greatest growth and potential while under Ash's direct guidance.
Leaving aside the fact that Pikachu and Gardevoir have no desire to return to Professor Oak's Laboratory, even Charizard—who is willing to return—grows at a pace within the lab that simply cannot compare to the progress it makes while traveling with Ash.
The growth of these top-tier combatants cannot be allowed to stagnate, for they are the aces that must be deployed in critical battles. Thus, while the other Pokémon can be raised with a focus on balanced development, these three require a different approach.
Consequently, they have become permanent fixtures in Ash's team.
Roughly eight days after capturing Chikorita—and having since departed from Violet City—Ash and his companions arrived at the entrance to a vast valley.
The valley's entrance was adorned with two colossal stone statues of Charizard, positioned directly in front of its massive gates; the effect was one of immense solemnity and majesty. Even as mere stone effigies, these two Charizards exuded an overwhelming sense of power and intimidation—suggesting they were likely sculpted based on two exceptionally powerful, real-life Charizards.
This place was none other than the Johto region's renowned Charicific Valley!
The Johto region boasts many famous landmarks, but among them, the Charicific Valley stands out as a true gem. True to its name, this valley is teeming—quite literally—with Charizard!
As the final evolutionary form of Charmander—one of the original starter Pokémon—Charizard is not only adored by countless fans but is also universally acknowledged for its formidable power.
It goes without saying just how spectacular a valley composed entirely of Charizard must be. The reason so many of these magnificent creatures congregate here is that the valley is home to specialized training methods designed specifically to cultivate Charizard.
Most of the Charizard residing in the valley are wild specimens, though a select few have been sent there by other Trainers. By utilizing the Charicific Valley's unique training regimen, one can bring about a truly transformative change in their own Charizard.
Legend has it that Lance—the Dragon Master currently hailed as the most powerful Trainer in the world—once sent his own Charizard to the Charicific Valley. That Charizard went on to successfully conquer the valley, emerging as its undisputed champion. Upon returning to Lance's side, the Charizard had undergone a complete metamorphosis, becoming a vastly superior Pokémon.
Leon, too, once considered sending his Charizard to the valley to test its mettle; however, due to constraints regarding distance, time, and his professional duties, he was ultimately unable to do so.
Nevertheless, this did nothing to diminish the Charicific Valley's soaring reputation.
Ash, having heard tales of the valley's renown—and noting that it lay directly along their route to Azalea Town—found himself standing before its grand entrance.
"What a magnificent entrance! Is this truly the legendary Charicific Valley? Just standing here at the gate, I can already feel an intense, incomparable heat radiating all around me."
Brock remarked, his face flushed from the warmth. While Trainers occasionally send their own Charizard to the valley, such "domesticated" Pokémon rarely last more than a week within its confines. They do not leave because they have mastered the training—rather, they flee because they simply cannot endure the harsh environment of the Charicific Valley!
In a valley teeming with wild Charizard, domesticated Pokémon often struggle to adapt to the rugged conditions; indeed, spontaneous, unannounced battles frequently erupt throughout the valley. It is just like sitting down to eat, only for a rival to show up at your doorstep, land a direct punch, and send both of you tumbling into a brawl!
Sometimes, you might even be ambushed by other Charizard while you are fast asleep!
For a domesticated Charizard, this kind of environment is simply too stressful; many fail to last even seven days before retreating back to the safety of their Trainers.
Then again, if one can manage to endure the hellish conditions of Charizard Valley—even without...
...he remarked with a sense of awe.
It was springtime, and the outside temperature was perfectly pleasant; yet, standing at the entrance to Charizard Valley felt like standing at the rim of a volcano—a blast of scorching heat washed over them, leaving them drenched in sweat.
"I wonder just how strong the Charizard inside are... Charizard, are you getting excited, too?" Ash gazed at the Poké Ball trembling in his hand, an excited grin spreading across his face.
Charizard hadn't even emerged from his Poké Ball yet, but he had already sensed the aura within Charizard Valley and begun to stir with excitement; it was easy to imagine just how intensely the Charizard inside the valley were stimulating his fighting spirit.
"Is anyone home?!" Ash took a deep breath and shouted toward the entrance, his booming voice echoing throughout the entire valley.
Moments later, the two massive gates slowly creaked open, and a beam of light spilled out through the gap, illuminating...
...what greeted Ash and his companions was not the silhouette of a Charizard, but rather the slender figure of a young woman.
"Who's making such a racket at the door this early in the morning? Are you here to pick a fight?" A mature female voice called out from behind the gates; the very next second, everyone got a clear look at the woman's true appearance.
She was a young woman with fair skin and a high ponytail of vibrant green hair. She possessed a pair of large, striking blue eyes—sharp and resolute—that gleamed with unshakeable confidence.
She wore a red crop top and matching shorts, revealing a toned, healthy midriff and limbs. With pink wristbands adorning her wrists and a pink belt cinched around her waist, her overall look was both sleek and bursting with energy—a style that showcased her slender, alluring figure to absolute perfection.
The instant he laid eyes on the young girl, Brock's eyes began to sparkle with hearts. In the blink of an eye, he materialized right in front of her, dropping to one knee on the scorching ground. Placing a hand over his heart, he wore an expression of utmost sincerity.
"Ah, I am terribly sorry that my companion startled such a beautiful young lady. I apologize on his behalf; and as a token of my atonement, I, this humble servant, am willing to offer you my very—everything!"
"Alright, alright! Nobody here cares about your 'everything'—and you're the one who's actually scaring her right now!" A prominent vein throbbed on Misty's forehead. Cradling Togepi in one arm, she deftly grabbed Brock by the ear with the other and dragged him away from the utterly bewildered girl.
"Ahem—sorry about that. My friend here just has absolutely no resistance to pretty girls," Ash apologized, bowing and nodding repeatedly while wearing a slightly sheepish grin.
"I'll take that as a compliment, then... So? What brings you guys here?" Hearing Ash call her pretty seemed to soften the girl's expression slightly, though she still maintained a serious demeanor as she scrutinized Ash and his companions.
It wasn't unheard of for people to come to Charicific Valley looking to pick a fight in the past. However, every group that had tried was beaten so soundly that they fled in utter disarray. Over time, word got around that Charicific Valley wasn't a place to be trifled with, and eventually, people stopped showing up altogether.
Could it be that Charicific Valley had been too quiet lately, and now some foolhardy individuals had come to challenge them once again?
"Ahem... well, we're here to..."
"Wait a second... sniff, sniff... You smell like a Charizard. Are you a Charizard Trainer?" The girl suddenly cut Ash off. Leaning in close, she gave him a quick sniff with her delicate nose; then, completely shedding her previous serious demeanor, she asked with an expression of pure delight.
"Uh... yeah... I... I am. You can actually smell that?!" The girl's sudden behavior completely threw Ash off guard. It was the first time he'd ever met someone who could actually smell a Charizard—did she have the nose of a dog?
"Heh heh, I am the Overseer of Charizard Valley, after all. If I didn't possess at least this much skill, wouldn't my title as Overseer be completely meaningless? Oh, right—I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Liza; I am the current Overseer and Trainer of Charizard Valley." Liza extended a fair, delicate hand to greet Ash.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ash, from Pallet Town... I never expected the Valley's Overseer to be so young! I actually thought it would be an old man," Ash remarked teasingly as he shook Liza's soft, delicate hand.
"Heh heh, not all administrators are old men, you know... Ash from Pallet Town? That name sounds familiar... Wait—you're that 'Kanto Supernova,' aren't you?!"
Liza held Ash's hand, a thoughtful expression crossing her pretty face. Before Ash could say a word, her expression suddenly shifted to one of realization; immediately afterward, her grip on Ash's hand tightened abruptly.
Among those meeting Ash for the first time, ninety percent would inevitably utter the title "Kanto Supernova." It was the most widely circulated nickname he had—and certainly the easiest to remember.
To adults, the moniker might have seemed a tad childish; but to Ash, that slightly chuunibyou-esque title felt absolutely perfect!
"No wonder! You carry such an incredibly strong scent of Charizard on you—I could smell it even without you releasing it from its Poké Ball. If we were out in the open, catching the scent would be perfectly normal; but here, deep within Charizard Valley, I can actually smell your Charizard's presence right through its Poké Ball! That tells me your Charizard is absurdly powerful!"