Chapter 346 - 344: Ash vs Falkner Part 2

Chapter 346: Chapter 344: Ash vs Falkner Part 2

The wind howled across the rooftop battlefield of the Violet Gym as Ash’s Golden Alpha Pidgeot hovered high above the arena, her golden feathers gleaming under the open sky. Opposite her, Falkner’s battle-worn Noctowl struggled to stay aloft, still breathing heavily from its previous clash with Fearow.

Ash’s eyes remained sharp. "Pidgeot, let’s finish this. Gust!"

A powerful spiral of wind erupted from Pidgeot’s wings, slamming into Noctowl and forcing it backward.

"Noctowl, Reflect!" Falkner ordered.

A shimmering barrier formed, but Pidgeot’s No Guard ability ensured her attacks would not miss.

"Quick Attack into Aerial Ace!" Ash commanded.

Pidgeot vanished in a golden blur, her Mach 3 speed turning her into a streak of light. She struck Noctowl twice in rapid succession first with a crushing Quick Attack, then with a precise Aerial Ace that shattered the Reflect barrier completely.

Noctowl cried out as it was driven lower. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"Air Slash!" Falkner tried.

Multiple blades of wind shot toward Pidgeot, but she weaved through them with effortless grace.

"Whirlwind, then finish with a full-power Gust!"

Pidgeot generated a massive cyclone that caught Noctowl and hurled it high into the air before following up with a concentrated blast of wind. The final impact sent Noctowl crashing onto the battlefield, unable to continue.

"Noctowl is unable to battle!" the referee declared. "Pidgeot wins!"

Falkner recalled his Pokémon with a serious expression. "Impressive... You’ve forced me to use my strongest partner. Crobat, take the skies!"

A sleek, powerful Crobat emerged with a high-pitched cry, its four wings beating so rapidly they became nearly invisible. This was clearly Falkner’s ace faster, sharper, and far more experienced than anything Ash had faced so far in the Gym.

Ash’s Pidgeot locked eyes with the new opponent, golden feathers bristling with readiness.

"Crobat, start with Supersonic!" Falkner commanded.

Disorienting sound waves pulsed toward Pidgeot.

"Agility!" Ash countered.

Pidgeot’s already incredible speed surged even higher. She twisted through the sound waves without losing focus.

"Now, Cross Poison!"

Crobat dove in a blur of purple light, its wings glowing with toxic energy as it slashed at Pidgeot.

"Dodge and counter with Aerial Ace!"

Pidgeot’s Mach 3 speed allowed her to slip past the attack by a hair’s breadth before slamming into Crobat with a powerful Aerial Ace.

The impact sent both Pokémon spinning apart.

Crobat recovered instantly. "Air Slash!"

A barrage of cutting winds filled the sky. Pidgeot weaved between most of them, though one blade grazed her wing.

"Gust!" Ash called.

A massive spiral of wind forced Crobat back, disrupting its rhythm.

Falkner’s eyes narrowed. "Crobat, use Haze to obscure the field, then Double Team!"

A thick mist spread across the rooftop, and multiple illusory copies of Crobat appeared within it.

"Pidgeot, Whirlwind clear the field!"

Pidgeot generated a powerful cyclone that tore the mist apart and scattered the illusions, revealing the real Crobat.

"Quick Attack into Steel Wing!" Falkner ordered.

Crobat became a silver blur and crashed into Pidgeot with a metallic-edged strike. Pidgeot cried out but held her position in the air.

"Aerial Ace!" Ash responded.

Pidgeot answered with a devastating counterattack, her golden form streaking across the sky and striking Crobat cleanly.

The two Flying-types engaged in a fierce mid-air melee. Crobat used Supersonic again, followed by another Cross Poison. Pidgeot answered with repeated Gusts and Aerial Aces, her No Guard ability ensuring every attack landed true despite Crobat’s blinding speed.

"Crobat, Toxic!" Falkner tried to turn the tide.

A spray of deadly poison shot toward Pidgeot, but she climbed higher and avoided it with a sharp turn.

"Full-power Aerial Ace!" Ash commanded.

Pidgeot dove from above like a golden comet, striking Crobat with such force that the Poison/Flying-type was driven downward. Crobat struggled to rise again, wings beating desperately.

"One more time Gust into Aerial Ace!"

Pidgeot unleashed a final combination.

The powerful wind locked Crobat in place just long enough for the finishing Aerial Ace to connect cleanly. Crobat was slammed into the rooftop and did not rise.

The referee raised both flags. "Crobat is unable to battle! Pidgeot wins! The winner is Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!"

Ash’s Pidgeot landed gracefully beside him, still breathing steadily despite the intense battle. She had defeated both of Falkner’s remaining elite Pokémon without needing Ash to send out a third partner.

Falkner approached with a respectful smile, recalling Crobat. "I underestimated you, Ash. Your Pidgeot’s speed and precision were remarkable. You’ve truly earned this."

He held out the Zephyr Badge a silver emblem shaped like a pair of wings. Ash accepted it with a firm handshake.

"Thank you, Falkner. It was an honor to battle your elite team."

At that exact moment, a familiar system window appeared in Ash’s vision.

[Ding!]

Mission Complete: Defeat Falkner’s Elite Team

Rewards Received:

Flyinium Z ×5

Flying Gem ×5

Ash allowed himself a small, satisfied smile as the rewards settled into his inventory. On the sidelines, his harem cheered loudly, their voices carrying across the rooftop.

Misty cupped her hands around her mouth. "That was amazing, Ash!"

Sabrina offered a rare, warm smile. "Your coordination with Pidgeot was flawless."

Daisy waved enthusiastically. "Two badges in one day for the family!"

Giselle looked at him with quiet pride, while Erika and Melody applauded with genuine joy.

Ash raised the Zephyr Badge toward the open sky, the wind catching his jacket as Pidgeot cried out victoriously beside him.

The first major challenge of the Johto League had been conquered and the journey was only beginning.

After the hard-fought victory against Falkner’s elite team, Ash carefully pinned the Zephyr Badge next to Giselle’s matching one. The two silver badges gleamed side by side under the afternoon sun. With the Gym challenge complete, Ash activated the Teleporter and brought the entire group back to the quiet comfort of Pallet Town.

The moment they stepped into the Ketchum residence, Delia, Amber, and Cynthia were already waiting. Delia pulled Ash into a warm hug the instant she saw him.

"You did it," she said softly, pride shining in her eyes.

Amber bounced up and down. "Big brother won his badge! Let me see it!"

Ash knelt and held the Zephyr Badge out for her to examine. Cynthia smiled from her seat, one hand resting on her growing belly.

"I’m proud of both of you," she said, looking between Ash and Giselle. "Two badges in one day. That’s quite the achievement."

Giselle blushed lightly but stood a little taller. The other girls gathered around, sharing quiet congratulations and soft laughter. The house filled with the comfortable noise of family Pikachu and Eevee playing with Amber, the girls chatting about the battle, and Delia already preparing snacks in the kitchen.

That evening they shared a simple but warm dinner together. No long strategy talks, no system windows just the quiet happiness of being home.

Afterward, the group settled in for a well-earned rest. Ash spent a peaceful stretch of time with Cynthia, listening to her soft breathing and resting a gentle hand over their children, while the rest of the harem gave them quiet privacy.

By the next morning the house was calm again. After breakfast and heartfelt goodbyes, Ash looked at his companions with a renewed sense of purpose.

"We’ve rested enough," he said. "It’s time to continue."

With the Zephyr Badge secured and their bonds stronger than ever, Ash and his harem prepared to leave Pallet Town once more, ready for the next stretch of the Johto journey.