Falkner's Pidgeot first appeared to help retrieve
Ash's Pikachu from Team Rocket. After
Falkner and
Falkner's Hoothoot took Pikachu back from
Jessie, she retaliated by sending out
Jessie's Arbok to attack.
Falkner countered with his Pidgeot, who flew through Team Rocket's air balloon and ripped it to shreds.
Ash Ketchum notices that Falkner's Pidgeot is much bigger than
Ash's Pidgeot, which triggers his memory and makes him think of his battles with his old partner.
Falkner used Pidgeot as his final Pokémon in the Violet City Gym Battle against
Ash Ketchum. Pidgeot was able to easily finish off
Ash's Pikachu, who had just won consecutive battles against
Falkner's Hoothoot and
Falkner's Dodrio. Next, Pidgeot went up against
Ash Ketchum's final Pokémon,
Ash's Charizard. Pidgeot was able to counter consecutive Flamethrower attacks and then used Agility.
Ash's Charizard tried for a Flamethrower, but Pidgeot countered with a Whirlwind attack and sent the flames backwards, knocking down
Ash's Charizard.
Ash's Charizard tried to get up and fly off, but Pidgeot was able to sneak in a Wing Attack before it could move. Pidgeot tried to finish
Ash's Charizard off with a Quick Attack, but Charizard was able to get up and fly away this time. Pidgeot used Agility follwed by Quick Attack to weaken
Ash's Charizard, but
Ash Ketchum was able to predict Pidgeot's attack pattern and trap it with Fire Spin before finishing it off with a Seismic Toss.