According to LASS WHAT'S-HER-FACE, for whom both Brock and Ash harbor DEEP FEELINGS TOWARD, Pikachu should be Level 25 by the ninth episode.
...
Ash's Pikachu is like, what, Level 3050 by now, I guess?
Also, Aaayjaaay an' his Saynd-SHREW. Going even further back in time, Pikachu earns Ash a badge for electrocuting the entire gym. That's twice now. Good work, Pikachu. Pika-Pal! ;)
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K | H | A | Q | Q | A | H | K
"we're about 50 years behind the rest of western society." -icon on B8