Ash decided that he'd keep Crobat around to get to know the Pokemon better. It was not like Crobat was a stranger to him since Ash had him since he was a Zubat, but it had undergone a surprise mystery evolution and Ash wanted to learn more about Crobat, curious about what triggered the evolution.
So with Crobat in his team, Ash and Brock leave Azalea Town for Goldenrod City, the location for the next Gym. They pass through Ilex Forest, helping a trainer gain the respect of his Farfetch'd, pass through a coastal area and help a trainer trade away his Wobbuffet. Pass a school of Wooper that made Ash want to have one of his own and pass through a tunnel of Onixs that were too afraid to approach the duo thanks to Brock's Steelix.
The duo were quite a way away from Goldenrod so decided that they would stop for lunch for the day. Brock began with pre-lunch preparation rituals while Ash went to collect some firewood. Collecting the firewood went without any troubles, but Ash could have sworn that he was being watched.
"Ash, can you get me the bread we bought?" Brock asked.
Nodding Ash reached for his bag to retrieve the bread, only for the bread to not be there. Panicking, Ash looked around in his bag and then all around. Brock joined in after Ash told him, and the former Gym Leader noticed several three-toed footprints in the ground. The duo follows the footprints which lead them to a nearby town, where a Nurse Joy is panicking at the loss of her ham. The trio speak before noticing more of those footprints. Nurse Joy bid them farewell and good luck before Ash and Brock continued to follow them out of the town and into the middle of the dense forest.
They decide to end the chase, for now, Brock whispering a plan to Ash that the boy agrees to go through with. Dinner was made and an extra one was put down to lure the Pokemon out. It took a moment before a shadow dived in and stole the decoy food. The duo waited for the thief to return, both of them knowing that the decoy food would anger them and force them back.
They were right.
Scary red eyes appear in the bushes, this time more than just a pair. They had surrounded the duo, slowly coming out from the bushes and snarling.
"Houndour, the Dark Pokemon. Houndour hunt as a coordinated pack. They communicate with each other using a variety of cries to corner their prey. This Pokémon's remarkable teamwork is unparalleled."
"Maybe the decoy food was a bad idea" Brock muttered as the Houndour slowly got closer. But Ash's eyes were on the one on top of the cliff, possibly the leader since it was not taking part in the attack and simply watching. There were five including that one.
Ash sent out Pikachu, Wartortle and Crobat while Brock sent out Geodude to fight. Wartortle made quick work of the four Houndour with its spinning Hydro Pump, forcing the leader to join in. Pikachu fought against it, starting with a face-off before it fired Flamethrower and Pikachu attacked with Thunder. Pikachu's move cut through the Flamethrower but Houndour dodged before it was hit, but it looked exhausted already (something Ash noticed).
Suddenly they all stop before the four used Smog to cover for them as they escaped. Ash and Brock called their Pokemon back and gave chase to the dogs, hands over their mouths and noses.
Chasing the dogs led them to their den, where the five were fighting a Golem. Upon a closer look, it was revealed that the five were protecting another one of their pack. Brock jumped in with Steelix, the resident rock expert knowing full well how to deal with a rock type.
Steelix made quick work of the Golem with Crunch and Slam before Brock threw a Pokeball and captured the Golem.
The duo then approached the pack, who seemed to mellow out seeing how the two had just helped him. Brock took a look at the injured Houndour before informing the dogs that there was a Pokemon Center nearby and that the Nurse there could help him.
A little unsure at first, the leader finally consented, letting Brock carry the injured Pokemon to the Pokemon Center, Ash and the pack right behind him.
Xxx
The Houndour was not badly sick or hurt and a night's rest was all it took to heal it up. Their sixth member now healthy and strong, the pack rejoiced, going up to Nurse Joy, Brock and then Ash to thank them. That was when Ash made them an offer.
"Food is hard to find around these places, huh?" Ash asked gently and the six shared looks before lowering their heads. "I know someone, a Pokemon Professor. He looks after all my Pokemon and takes great care in feeding them and making sure they are all healthy and happy. I can send you guys there if you want me to. You'll have a place where you can live in peace without the threat of dangerous Pokemon over your heads."
The six Houndour considered the offer, conversing amongst themselves before agreeing to Ash's offer. Ash smiled, placing six empty Pokeballs before them. They each tapped it, before being sucked into it and being to Professor Oak when they were captured.
"I think they'll be better now" Ash muttered as he stood.
"I think so too" Nurse Joy smiled at the boy.
Xxx
Out of the small town by some miles, Ash and Brock come across a somewhat large pond. In the middle of the pond, on top of a large stone surface, danced a Pokemon that Ash had not seen before, but had an idea of what it could be.
"Totodile, the Big Jaw Pokemon, pre-evolved form of Croconaw. Despite the smallness of its body, Totodile's jaws are very powerful. While the Pokémon may think it is just playfully nipping, its bite has enough power to cause serious injury."
"I'm catching that one" Ash stated, sending Pikachu out. Totodile had yet to notice Ash or Pikachu, too busy dancing on the stone surface. Ash called for a Thunder, but Totodile's dancing helped it avoid the attack. Totodile finally notices Ash and dives into the Pond. Intent on capturing it, Ash sent out Wartortle to push Totodile out of the water. A strong Hydro Pump does so, forcing Totodile into the air. Pikachu used Thunder. The move this time hitting the Pokemon and knocking it out.
Ash threw his Lure Ball, and the Pokemon was caught and sent to Professor Oak after three shakes.
Xxx
Further down the road on the same day, Ash and Brock run into a trainer on his way to heal his injured Growlithe.
"Avoid the old mountain bridge! There's a scary strong trainer there" the boy half-wailed before rushing in.
Ash stared at the boy curiously before agreeing with Brock that they should check out this scary strong trainer. The two journey out to the old mountain bridge, talking about what this trainer could be using, or who it even was. Brock theorized that it could be a gym leader coming out to train, while Ash thought maybe it was an elite four member.
Both were proven wrong.
When they reach the old bridge, they come across a girl closer to Brock's age. She was tending to something, but when she noticed Ash and Brock she rushed to them.
"Do either of you have a fire-type Pokemon?" she asked, her gaze burning with determination.
"I do" Ash answered.
The girl's eyes burned with brighter determination.
"I demand a battle!" she declared and Ash agreed with a grin.
Miki (the girl) led the two to a clearing close to the bridge. The place looked like it hosted battles frequently.
"We'll be having a one-on-one battle! No switching or anything. The last one standing wins!" Miki declared and Ash agreed. They both took position on opposite sides of the field and both let out their Pokemon, Ash sending Cyndaquil and Miki sending out Skarmory.
"So that's the super strong Pokemon" Ash muttered to himself. On types, Cyndaquil should have the advantage, but he remembered the Growlithe from the Pokemon Center. He couldn't take her easy.
Skarmory kicked dust before taking to the skies. Cyndaquil, shrouded by the dust looked around, before curling into a flaming ball at Ash's orders. Skarmory's Steel Wing hit the flaming Cyndaquil before flying away. Miki called for a Fury Attack and Ash called for the newly learned Agility. Cyndaquil dodged easily thanks to the speed boost, before firing a Flamethrower that missed its mark. Skarmory shot Swift at Cyndaquil and Cyndaquil shot a Flamethrower to counter.
"I'm training my Skaromory so it can defeat all kinds of Pokemon. Even fire-types that it's weak against" Miki declared, calling for a Steel Wing. Ash called for a Flame Wheel and the two Pokemon clashed over and over again, before both stop, panting heavily.
Miki calls for a Steel Wing and Ash calls for a Flame Wheel. The Pokemon clash again, pushing one another back. They were evenly matched, only for Cyndaquil's Flame Wheel to grow in size and envelope Skarmory.
Cyndaquil jumped back to Ash, stumbling when she landed on her feet. Skarmory was on the ground knocked out.
The battle went to Ash, but the trainer was more focused on what the sudden burst of fire during Flame Wheel was.