That can only mean one thing

It's a double-entendre on "really into"

...that in terms of human compatibility...

...that in terms of human companionship, Flareon is objectively the most huggable Pokemon? While their maximum temperature is likely too much for most, they are capable of controlling it, so they can set themselves to the perfect temperature for you. Along with that, they have a lot of fluff, making them undeniably incredibly soft to touch. But that's not all, they have a very respectable special defense stat of 110, which means that they are likely very calm and resistant to emotional damage. Because of this, if you have a bad day, you can vent to it while hugging it, and it won't mind. It can make itself even more endearing with moves like Charm and Baby Doll Eyes, ensuring that you never have a prolonged bout of depression ever again.

I also owned both silver and gold, bug never really played them because even back then the differences were marginal.

That's all that ever mattered to me too. Peak level Pokémon. Still got Red loaded in my OG GameBoy Pocket on my desk.

I'm exactly the same as you, I think the last time I paid attention to anything Pokémon was ruby/sapphire. After that I don't know anything. I could have a good go at naming the original 151 still but when it became a cash grab I lost interest.

Damn! I forgot about those. I think I still have the ones that were distributed with Nintendo power. Although they are in bad shape.

Fight accepted. Silver/Gold were the epitome. You had two areas, mother-fucking Lugia, and could battle the elite four and as a bonus, wipe the floor with your rival on specific days of the week. Plus, I can memorize about 252 pokemon. More than that and it's just a slog. Also, newly introduced day/night cycle with time passing actually meaning something? Hot damn, son, that's lighting a Ho-oh under someone's ass.

1. Ended his journey literally this year February
2. not as far as I remember
3. up to gen 8, Ash's story was becoming champion then master. Not gonna watch Paldea, lo siento 🤷🏿‍♀️ (gen 9, Paldea, is Spain)
4. nope, & never does as I can tell, though his Greninja was definitely doing something lol, Ash-Greninja form

I've watched a few episodes from each season and kept up on the news, but I havent religiously watched it by any means so I might be wrong on a few details.

Every season has followed Ash, but they will be moving on to a new protagonist soon.

It is very loosely connected to the games like it always has been. The two can be enjoyed independently of each other.

Not entirely sure on the story, but Ash did finally become a Pokemon world champion in the most recent season, which is why they are changing the protagonist.

He hasn't caught any legendaries, but he has a mythical Pokemon melmetal.

Based on what I've seen, you can start almost anywhere. Each season softly resets Ash's progress. You may see occasional cameos of past characters, but each season Ash usually makes a new set of friends, has a new set of Pokemon, and starts a new story.

If you want to see the end of ash's journey, I recommend watching sun and moon seasons and then "pokemon journeys" (the sword and shield seasons). Journeys are the final seasons with ash but has a few episodes that are a callback to sun and moon.

Pokemon horizons has new protagonists, is currently airing and has about 23 episodes currently.

I think the series is over now.

Nobody playing competitive anything is ever getting a date.

Nah, competitive Pokemon requires like 3 of the modern games.