Before arriving in Violet City, Ember and her friends went through quite a few adventures. Their first adventure an young injured Stantler. The gang had arrived in a town that had a beautiful park. It was then they came across a young Stantler. Brock tried imitating some sort of Pokémon. But to Ember's point of view, Brock looked liked he was imitating a Meowth or a Persian. Ember simply took out her ocarina and played Orácion. The male Stantler somehow was able to trust Brock. Brock had discovered that the Stantler male was injured. Taking a chance, the Stantler let Brock take care of him. Once the he was healed, the gang went over to the forest to find the herd. Somehow they easily found the herd. The Stantler was somewhat hesitant of leave Brock. But Brock assured him that he needed his mother more than him. Reluctantly, he left with his mother.

However, they spotted Team Rocket's balloon nearby. So they quickly ran after it. When they showed up, they saw the trio try to take the little Stantler. Before they could get far, Cedar used Razor Leaf to cut the net and Alakazam used Psychic to stop him from hitting the ground. He levitated him over to Brock who gently caught him in his arms. Then Tesla used Thunder Shock on Team Rocket and their new robot and sent them blasting off.

Then the Stantler herd returned. The Stantler wanted to stay with Brock. So their mother let him stay with Brock.

The second one involved a stubborn Chikorita. Ember managed to find a wild Chikorita and battled it which she was able to catch it. But it turned out to be a tough Chikorita. When she took it to a Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy had told them that the wild Chikorita's around their parts are very stubborn and they keep on battling opponents that are bigger and stronger than them. They battle and battle until at last they can't battle any more.

Once Chikorita was fully healed, she wasn't happy that it got caught by Ember. Then she ran away, Ember and Tesla went after her into the snowy mountains. Luckily they found her and found a cabin for them to stay in for the night. Somehow during the snowstorm, Chikorita accepted Ember. The next morning, Nurse Joy and the others found the three of them and headed towards the Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy had said how glad she was that Chikorita accepted her. Ember was also glad as well and she named Chikorita 'Levy'. Then they headed off to Violet City.

When they arrived in Violet City, Ember decided to train with her Pokémon which were Barak, Enya, and Yukina. They trained for three days before they wanted to go to their first gym battle. Ember had brought over Pidgeot and Toucannon to help train the three along with Poseidon.

Next day, it was now time for Ember to challenge Falkner, the Violet Gym leader. The Violet Gym was one of those tall cylinder buildings, with a big flat circular roof.

"It's pretty impressive." Brock commented on the Gym structure.

"I can't wait to see the inside." Misty said.

"I can't wait to battle the gym leader." Ember added.

Just then they heard a flap of wings coming from above. When they looked up, they saw a Pidgeot flying in the sky and someone was riding it.

"Hey there's someone on the Pidgeot." Brock said.

The Pidgeot flew down to where the gang was standing and landed onto the ground. The one riding on Pidgeot was a young man with blue hair. Ember knew that this was Falkner the Violet City Gym Leader.

"Hi there, I'm Falkner Valerio." Falkner greeted.

Hoothoot jumped off his shoulder and went over to Ember's right shoulder (Tesla is on her left shoulder). Then it nuzzled against her cheek. Pidgeot came over and nuzzled against her left arm. Ember smiled and petted the two Pokémon.

"Amazing. My Pokémon have never warmed up to strangers so quickly." Falkner said with wide eyes.

"Maybe they sense that I have a few flying types on me." Ember chuckled, "By the way, are you the Violet City Gym Leader Falkner?" She asked.

"Yes I am. What can I do for you?" Falkner replied.

"My name is Ember Ketchum of Pallet Town. I wish to challenge you to a gym battle." Ember said.

"I accept your challenge, Ember." Falkner smiled, "Follow me."

Falkner led the gang to the roof of the Violet Gym building.

"Welcome to the Violet Gym." Falkner said.

"On the roof..." Misty gaped, surprised.

"I have my gym battles on the roof because that's my way of having my Flying-type Pokémon move around easily when battling another Pokémon." Falkner explained, "I love flying Pokémon very much. When I was a kid, I always dreamed of flying in the sky and now I can, thanks to my Flying-type Pokémon."

Ember smiled. "I have a Pidgeot and Toucannon myself," she said "and I love flying with them in the sky too." She couldn't wait for his reaction when he sees her legendary Kanto Birds.

Falkner smiled. "I think I'll enjoy this gym battle with you, Ember." he said.

Soon it was time for the gym battle. Ember and Falkner got ready at the battle arena, while Misty and Brock stood at the side to watch.

"This a gym battle between trainer Ember Ketchum, and the Violet Gym leader Falkner," said the referee, "this is a three on three Pokémon battle. The first to defeat the opponents three Pokémon first wins."

"Okay let's go Hoothoot." Falkner said.

"Hoothoo!" The owl Pokémon appeared.

"I choose you, Barak!" Ember released her electric/flying type Pokémon.

Zapdos squawked when he was released.

"Zapdos?!" Falkner's students exclaimed.

"You have a Zapdos?" Falkner asked, shocked.

"Yup." Ember replied.

"Alright then, Hoothoot Tackle!" Falkner commanded.

"Dodge and use Thunder Wave follow by Zap Cannon!" Ember ordered.

Barak dodged Hoothoot and released rings of yellow electricity from its beak at Hoothoot which soon paralyzed it. Then he gathered a ball of electrical energy in front of his mouth and launched his electrical attack at Hoothoot. Hoothoot instantly got zapped. The Owl Pokémon flapped its wings weakly.

"Now Thunder Shock!" Zapdos launched his powerful electrical attack, zapping Hoothoot who fell from exhaustion.

"Hoothoot!" Falkner called out and ran up to catch his owl Pokémon.

"Hoooo..." Hoothoot fainted with swirling eyes in its trainer arms.

"Hoothoot is unable to battle! Zapdos wins!" The referee student announced.

Barak cawed and flew over to his trainer and nuzzled against her. She petted his long beak.

"Great job, Barak." Ember smiled down at her electric flying Pokémon, "We got first win."

"Raichu Rai!" Tesla said.

"You did a good job Hoothoot." Falkner said, "Take a rest." He return back his unconscious owl Pokémon to its Pokéball.

"Barak return." Ember returned her Pokémon to his Pokéball.

"Alright, time for a surprise." Falkner said and he sent out his triple head Pokémon.

Dodrio appeared with a squawk.

"Yukina, I choose you!" Ember released her ice/flying type Pokémon.

Yukina cawed when she was released.

"You have a Shiny Articuno as well?!" Falkner exclaimed.

"Yeah." Ember responded, "Icy Wind!"

Yukina flapped her wings and a cold wind blew out from them at Dodrio. The triple head Pokémon flinched at the cold wind and tried to endure it.

"Quick Dodrio, use Jump Kick!" Falkner commanded.

"Powder Snow!" Ember ordered.

Yukina flapped her wings and a mini-blizzard comes out and froze Dodrio and the ground below it. The Dodrio popsicle fell to the ground with a thud.

"Dodrio!" Falkner called out in worry.

"Steel Wing!" Yukina's wings glowed a metallic color and rammed into the frozen Dodrio, breaking out of the ice.

"Now Swift!" Yukina summoned a bunch of stars and they shot straight towards Dodrio who was still effected by both ice attacks.

Dodrio cried out in pain as the stars rained on it. Then it soon swayed and fell to the ground with swirling eyes.

"Dodrio is unable to battle! Articuno wins!" The referee announced.

Yukina cawed and landed next to Ember who petted her. She cooed at her trainer's affection.

"Great job, Yukina." Ember praised her ice/flying type Pokémon.

"You did your best, Dodrio, return." Falkner returned his triple head Pokémon, "I have to admit that you're a good trainer so far, Ember."

"Thanks." Ember responded.

"But the battle isn't over yet. I'll bring out my pride and joy. Pidgeot, let's go!" Falkner released his last Pokémon.

"Pidegeooot!" Pidgeot squawked as it appeared.

"Yukina return." Ember returned her Pokémon to her Pokéball, "Enya, I choose you!"

Enya cawed happily and flew up up in the sky, facing Pidgeot.

"Pidgeot, use Air Slash!" Pidgeot released multiple light blue glowing saw disc-like energy blades from its wings at Enya.

"Protect and use Heat Wave!" Enya projected a green barrier in front of himself, making the Air Slash bounce back and then flapped his wings and an orange gust of heat was sent towards at Pidgeot.

"Pidgeot dodge!" But it was too late for Pidgeot to dodge who was caught up in the heat wave.

"Now use Mystical Fire!" Enya created a ring of fire, then blew a stream of fire through the ring at Pidgeot, causing it to get major burns. It fell to the ground with a thud. Pidgeot weakly got to its feet as it panted heavily.

"Pidgeot no!" Falkner exclaimed.

"Ancient Power!" Ember ordered.

Enya's body glowed white and he created a silver energy ball in front of his body. Then he launched the ball at the weakened Pidgeot. The ball caused hit Pidgeot, causing a dust cloud. Ember and Falkner used their arms to shield their eyes. When the dust cloud disappeared, it showed that Pidgeot had fainted with swirling eyes.

"Pidgeot is unable to battle," The referee announced, "the winner is Moltres. Ember Ketchum from Pallet Town wins the gym battle."

"Yes we did it!" Ember cheered.

Ember and Tesla gave Enya a big hug for their victory, "You did great, Enya."

"Raichu! (Awesome!)" Tesla smiled.

Enya cooed at the attention.

Misty and Brock congratulated them.

"You guys were awesome!" Misty cheered.

"You've done a great job training Barak, Yukina, and Enya, Ember." Brock said.

Falkner walked over to Ember. "Ember, you gave me a great gym battle," he said "and I really liked battling against the three Kanto's Legendary Birds. So I'm happy to give you the Zephyr Badge."

The Zephyr Badge was silver colored, in the shape of a pair of wings.

"Thank you so much, Falkner." Ember gave a slight bow and gently took the badge.

'My first Johto badge,' She thought 'and only another seven more to go.' Then she placed the badge in her badge case.

She couldn't wait to earn the seven badges she needed.

"Battling against you has shown me to learn more and train harder. It's the only way to reach my goal as the number one Flying Pokémon Trainer." Falkner said, "I hope you good luck in the Johto League."

"Thanks and good luck to you." Ember said.

Both trainer and gym leader shook hands.

The gang said goodbye to Falkner and headed to the Pokémon center to rest, so that they could leave Violet City tomorrow. She decided to pick up Eirwen, her Alolan Sandslash. She knew that she would need him to deal with that rude kid who's after a Cyndaquil.

Pokémon Caught: Heracross (Cross)(M), Sentret (Maple)(F), Chikorita (Levy)(F)