As Pikachu entered the fray, the Quilava stopped its movements. It stood a short distance behind Pikachu, watching the scene unfold quietly.
Then, it looked back at Ash, who was standing behind both Pikachu and itself. The flames on its head and tail slowly died down.
"Ash, the Quilava's flames went out! Is it okay?" Misty asked with concern.
In her mind, the fire on a Fire-type Pokémon like the flame on a Charizard's tail represented its life force. If the flame grew weak or went out, it usually signaled a life-threatening crisis.
Ash shook his head. "Quilava's flames aren't like Charizard's. These are flames of fighting spirit. It looks like this little guy is content to just sit back and watch the show!"
Facing a two-on-one with Pikachu? Ash didn't have a single worry!
Pikachu unleashed a Thunderbolt that blasted the Tentacruel until it was charred on the outside and tender on the inside. Even if it wasn't completely unconscious, it was effectively out of the fight.
"Darn it! Golem, use Rollout!"
The massive Golem began to spin, picking up speed. The ground vibrated under the weight of its Rollout.
"Dodge with Quick Attack, then use Iron Tail!"
Ash's command was complex, but he had full faith that Pikachu could pull it off!
Pikachu turned into a blur of light, narrowly avoiding the Golem's charge before chasing after it from behind!
With its tail shimmering metallic, Pikachu's Iron Tail had become more refined through constant use.
Before the opposing trainer could even react, Pikachu leaped high above the rolling Golem and slammed its tail down with crushing force!
"No!"
In just two exchanges, Pikachu had crippled both of the opponent's massive Pokémon.
"See that? With your level of skill, it doesn't matter how many type-advantages you bring; you were never a match for this Quilava!" Ash held his empty Poké Ball. It was time to finish this guy off so he could focus on the real task.
"Hmph, don't get cocky!" The boy realized he was completely outclassed. He recalled both of his Pokémon and glared at the Quilava with lingering resentment, but he made no further move.
Ash didn't mind the audience.
"Quilava, let's battle! I'm going to catch you!" Ash pointed the empty Poké Ball toward the Quilava the formal gesture of a challenge.
Quilava stared at Ash for a moment, then stood tall. The flames of fighting spirit erupted from its head and back once more.
It had accepted the challenge!
This meant it acknowledged Ash as a worthy trainer!
"Curse you!"
The other trainer grit his teeth in envy. He had spent an entire week tracking this Pokémon. He had battled it countless times, even to the point where the original Cyndaquil had evolved during their struggles.
After evolving, the Quilava had grown much stronger and its personality had hardened, making it even more difficult to capture. Now, it felt like all his hard work had simply paved the way for Ash to swoop in!
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu transformed into a streak of light, charging toward Quilava.
In that same instant, Quilava's figure blurred and vanished. It had countered with its own Quick Attack!
Judging by the speed it was showing now, it had clearly just been toying with the Sandslash earlier!
Pikachu and Quilava collided violently in a blur of speed.
With a sharp thud, Pikachu let out a small cry and skidded backward.
Ash looked over and saw Pikachu's forehead had turned red from the impact. Quilava seemed to be in the same boat; it rubbed its head, then suddenly lowered its gaze, aiming the flames on its head directly at Pikachu!
"Flamethrower?"
Ash recognized the classic Fire-type move immediately. It was coming too fast for Pikachu to dodge!
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
The surging lightning and the scorching pillar of fire collided in mid-air. The resulting explosion sent a shockwave that blew the spectating trainer right off his feet!
The sheer power of the head-on collision was an eye-opening sight!
Pikachu and Quilava were both tossed back by the blast. However, a blue light flashed in Ash's eyes as he used Telekinesis to catch Pikachu gently, shielding it from any damage from the impact.
Since this was a capture battle, Ash didn't consider this "cheating."
"Now's the time!"
Before the smoke from the explosion had even cleared, Ash's eyes lit up. He threw the Poké Ball he had been holding.
Augmented by Ash's Aura, the ordinary Poké Ball pierced through the turbulent air and hit the Quilava, who was still dazed on the ground, with pinpoint accuracy!
The ball shook twice, then the light went out!
Ash had captured the Quilava!
From their brief interaction, Ash could tell this Pokémon had a unique personality. It had been willing to coldly observe the fight between Pikachu and Golem, showing it was brave, decisive, and perhaps a little bit devious.
Its compatibility with Ash was clearly very high.
Sure enough, when Ash checked with the system, Quilava's bond level was already at 120/195. In terms of starting compatibility, it was only five points lower than Bayleef, who had evolved specifically for Ash.
For a freshly caught Pokémon, a bond level of 120 was exceptional.
"I caught a Quilava!"
"Pipi-Pikachu!"
"Dammit!" Seeing that Ash had actually succeeded, the other trainer cursed under his breath, shot Ash one last bitter look, and turned to leave.
A week's worth of effort had vanished into thin air. Anyone would be upset. But the truth was, even without Ash, he would never have caught that Quilava. After a week of trying, he should have realized that.
If he didn't settle down and focus on leveling up himself and his Pokémon, he would always struggle on his journey. Of course, Ash wasn't about to give him any friendly advice.
"Congratulations, Ash! Another powerful member joins the team!" Misty cheered.
Following Bayleef's evolution, Ash now had the second stage of the Johto Fire-type starter. In terms of evolution progress, Ash had already surpassed his previous journey through Kanto.
"Next stop... Azalea Town!"
Pikachu: 215/255
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