How to Get Fly in Pokémon Crystal: 5 Steps

Few moments in Pokémon Crystal feel as satisfying as finally getting HM02 Fly. Before Fly, Johto travel can feel like your character secretly signed up for a hiking documentary: walk through tall grass, battle the same Tentacool for the hundredth time, get poisoned, forget where the Pokémon Center is, repeat. After Fly, the map suddenly becomes your personal airport. Need to return to Goldenrod City? Done. Want to revisit Violet City? Easy. Forgot something in Olivine? No more swimming across half the ocean like a very determined Magikarp.

This guide explains how to get Fly in Pokémon Crystal in five clear steps, including where HM02 Fly is located, what badge you need, how to reach Cianwood City, how to beat Chuck, and which Pokémon can make good Fly users. Whether you are playing on the original Game Boy Color cartridge or the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console version, the process is the same: reach Cianwood City, defeat Gym Leader Chuck, and speak to his wife outside the Gym. Simple? Mostly. But Pokémon Crystal has a funny way of making “simple” include ocean routes, boulder puzzles, Fighting-type Pokémon, and at least one moment where you wonder why your Pidgey cannot just carry you across the region already.

What Is HM02 Fly in Pokémon Crystal?

Fly is a Flying-type move and one of the most useful Hidden Machines in Pokémon Crystal. In battle, Fly is a two-turn attack: your Pokémon rises into the air on the first turn, then strikes on the second. Outside battle, it lets you instantly travel to towns and cities you have already visited. That second use is the real treasure. Fly turns Johto from a long walking route into a convenient travel network.

In Pokémon Crystal, Fly is found in Cianwood City. More specifically, you receive HM02 Fly from Chuck’s wife after defeating Chuck, the Cianwood City Gym Leader. Chuck gives you the Storm Badge, and the badge allows you to use Fly outside of battle. Without the Storm Badge, having the HM is like owning a bicycle with square wheels: technically interesting, not very useful.

Quick Answer: Where Do You Get Fly in Pokémon Crystal?

You get Fly in Pokémon Crystal by defeating Gym Leader Chuck in Cianwood City, leaving the Gym, and talking to the woman standing outside. She is Chuck’s wife, and she gives you HM02 Fly as a reward. After that, teach Fly to a compatible Pokémon and use it from the party menu to travel to cities and towns you have already visited.

How to Get Fly in Pokémon Crystal: 5 Steps

Step 1: Prepare Surf and Strength Before Going to Cianwood City

Before you can get Fly, you need to reach Cianwood City. That means you must be far enough into the game to travel from the mainland across the sea. The main requirement is Surf, because Cianwood City is located across the water from Olivine City. In Pokémon Crystal, Surf is obtained in Ecruteak City after you defeat the Kimono Girls at the Dance Theater and speak to the man there.

You should also bring a Pokémon that knows Strength. The Cianwood Gym in Pokémon Crystal includes a boulder puzzle, and Strength is needed to move the rocks blocking the path to Chuck. If you do not have Strength yet, visit Olivine City and check the house near the Pokémon Center. Once you have the HM and the proper badge to use it outside battle, teach it to a compatible Pokémon.

A good preparation checklist looks like this:

• Have HM03 Surf and a Pokémon that can use it.
• Have HM04 Strength and a Pokémon that can use it.
• Stock up on Super Potions, Lemonade, or Fresh Water.
• Bring a Pokémon that can handle Fighting-types.
• Save your game before entering Chuck’s Gym.

Psychic- and Flying-type attacks are especially helpful against Chuck’s team. If your team has a strong Kadabra, Hypno, Pidgeotto, Fearow, Noctowl, or similar option, you are already in decent shape. Just remember that Chuck’s Poliwrath is part Water-type, so it can be bulkier than expected.

Step 2: Travel from Olivine City to Cianwood City

Once you are ready, head to Olivine City. From there, Surf west and south across Routes 40 and 41. These water routes connect Olivine City to Cianwood City. Expect plenty of Tentacool encounters, because Johto’s ocean apparently has a strict “one jellyfish every three steps” policy.

Along the way, you may battle swimmers and wild Water-type Pokémon. Electric- or Grass-type moves are useful here, but you do not need to fight every trainer unless you want extra experience. If your team is underleveled, the route to Cianwood is a good training stretch. If your team is already tired, keep some Repels handy and make the trip quicker.

When you arrive in Cianwood City, heal at the Pokémon Center. This is also a good time to visit the Cianwood Pharmacy if you are working on the Olivine Lighthouse storyline involving Jasmine’s sick Ampharos. In fact, getting Fly shortly after reaching Cianwood is extra convenient because it lets you return to Olivine City much faster.

Step 3: Enter Cianwood Gym and Solve the Boulder Puzzle

The Cianwood Gym specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon. In Pokémon Crystal, the Gym includes a boulder puzzle that requires Strength. You need to push the boulders out of the way to create a path to Chuck. The puzzle is not too complicated, but it can feel annoying if you push a rock in the wrong direction and have to reset the room.

The basic idea is to move the side boulders upward and move the middle boulder aside so you can pass through. Battle the Gym Trainers as you go. These Black Belts mostly use Fighting-type Pokémon, so Flying- and Psychic-type moves are great choices. If your Flying Pokémon already knows moves like Gust, Peck, or Wing Attack, it can help clear the Gym before later becoming your Fly user.

Be careful not to rely only on Normal-type attackers. Fighting-type moves hit Normal-type Pokémon super effectively, and Chuck’s team can hit hard if you are careless. If your team includes a Geodude, Graveler, or Onix, they may resist some physical hits, but watch out for Poliwrath’s Surf. Pokémon Crystal loves teaching players one important lesson: there is always a Poliwrath waiting to ruin a lazy strategy.

Step 4: Defeat Gym Leader Chuck

Chuck is the fifth Johto Gym Leader many players fight, and he uses Fighting-type Pokémon. In Pokémon Crystal, his main team includes Primeape and Poliwrath. Primeape is fast and physical, while Poliwrath is bulkier and more dangerous because it combines Water- and Fighting-type traits.

A good strategy is to use Psychic-type attacks against both of Chuck’s Pokémon. Kadabra, Hypno, or even a well-trained Drowzee can perform nicely. Flying-type moves are also useful, especially against Primeape. For Poliwrath, Electric- or Grass-type attacks can help because of its Water typing, though Psychic still works well because of its Fighting typing.

Watch out for Poliwrath’s tricky moves. It can use Hypnosis, which may put your Pokémon to sleep, and DynamicPunch, which can hit hard and cause confusion. If you have Awakenings, Full Heals, or Mint Berries, keep them ready. Do not panic if one Pokémon goes down. Chuck’s team is manageable with smart switching and decent preparation.

After you defeat Chuck, he awards you the Storm Badge and TM01 DynamicPunch. More importantly for this guide, the Storm Badge lets you use Fly outside of battle. Congratulations: your days of walking everywhere like a responsible citizen are almost over.

Step 5: Talk to Chuck’s Wife Outside the Gym to Receive HM02 Fly

After beating Chuck, leave the Cianwood Gym. You will find a woman standing outside the building. Talk to her, and she will give you HM02 Fly. This is Chuck’s wife, and she rewards you after seeing that you defeated her husband. It is one of those classic Pokémon moments where an NPC casually hands you a life-changing travel upgrade because you beat up their spouse’s Pokémon. Johto is a fascinating place.

Once HM02 is in your Bag, open the menu, choose the HM, and teach Fly to a compatible Pokémon. Then select that Pokémon from your party and choose Fly. You will see a map of places you have already visited. Pick your destination, and your Pokémon will carry you there instantly.

If you are following the main story, your first practical use of Fly will likely be returning to Olivine City. This saves you from surfing all the way back across Routes 40 and 41. It also makes the Jasmine and Ampharos errand much smoother, especially if you already picked up the SecretPotion from the Cianwood Pharmacy.

Best Pokémon to Teach Fly in Pokémon Crystal

Fly is useful, but you should think carefully before teaching it. In Generation II, HM moves cannot be forgotten normally. You need the Move Deleter later in the game to remove unwanted HM moves. That means Fly can take up a move slot for a long time.

Good Fly users in Pokémon Crystal include common Flying-type Pokémon such as Pidgeot, Fearow, Noctowl, and Crobat. Pidgey and Spearow are easy to find early in the game, which makes their evolved forms convenient choices. Noctowl is bulky and easy to obtain if you catch Hoothoot at night. Crobat is excellent, though it requires evolving Golbat through friendship.

If you want a dedicated travel Pokémon, you can teach Fly to a Pokémon you do not use much in serious battles. However, Fly is not useless in combat. It has solid power in Pokémon Crystal and gives Flying-types a dependable attack. The drawback is that it takes two turns, which can give opponents time to use recovery, switch strategies, or generally make your life more dramatic.

Common Mistakes When Trying to Get Fly

Trying to Get Fly Before Reaching Cianwood City

You cannot get Fly early in Violet, Goldenrod, Ecruteak, or Olivine. HM02 is locked behind Chuck’s Gym in Cianwood City. If someone tells you it is hiding in a random house near Route 16, they are probably thinking of a different generation.

Forgetting to Bring Strength

Many players reach Cianwood City, walk confidently into the Gym, and then realize they cannot move the boulders. Bring Strength before you challenge Chuck. It saves time and prevents the classic “walk back out while pretending this was part of the plan” moment.

Talking to the Wrong NPC

HM02 Fly is not given directly by Chuck. Chuck gives you the Storm Badge and TM01 DynamicPunch. To get Fly, you must exit the Gym and speak to his wife outside. If you defeat Chuck and wonder why Fly is not in your Bag, that is probably why.

Not Teaching Fly to a Compatible Pokémon

Getting HM02 is only half the job. You still need a Pokémon that can learn Fly. Most Flying-type Pokémon can learn it, but not every winged or bird-like creature automatically works the way you might expect. Check your party, choose a compatible Pokémon, and make sure you are comfortable using a move slot on Fly.

Why Fly Is So Important in Pokémon Crystal

Fly is one of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades in Pokémon Crystal. Before Fly, traveling across Johto can be slow, especially when the story sends you between Ecruteak, Olivine, Cianwood, Goldenrod, and other major locations. After Fly, backtracking becomes painless.

It is especially useful for:

• Returning to Pokémon Centers quickly.
• Going back to shops for items.
• Revisiting towns for side quests.
• Checking daily events and NPC gifts.
• Continuing the Olivine Lighthouse storyline faster.
• Training in different areas without long travel times.

Fly also helps make Pokémon Crystal feel more open. Johto is full of memorable cities, hidden routes, and useful NPCs. Once you can fly, you are more likely to revisit places instead of thinking, “Do I really want to walk through three routes and a cave for this?” That freedom is part of what makes Crystal such a beloved game.

Detailed Example: Getting Fly During the Main Story

Imagine you have reached Olivine City after passing through Ecruteak. Jasmine, the Olivine Gym Leader, is not ready to battle because she is caring for a sick Ampharos at the lighthouse. You climb the lighthouse, learn that Ampharos needs medicine, and discover that the medicine is in Cianwood City.

You use Surf to cross the sea, reach Cianwood, heal your team, and pick up the medicine from the pharmacy. Since you are already in town, you challenge Chuck’s Gym. You bring a Pokémon with Strength, solve the boulder puzzle, beat the trainers, defeat Chuck, and earn the Storm Badge. Then you walk outside, talk to Chuck’s wife, and receive HM02 Fly.

Now comes the beautiful part: instead of surfing all the way back to Olivine while being ambushed by wild Tentacool every few seconds, you teach Fly to your Flying-type Pokémon and instantly return to Olivine City. You deliver the medicine, help Ampharos, and continue the story. That is the magic of Fly. It turns a long return trip into a single menu selection.

Player Experience: What Getting Fly Feels Like in Pokémon Crystal

Getting Fly in Pokémon Crystal feels like the game finally trusts you with the keys to Johto. Up to that point, travel has a very specific rhythm. You walk. You battle. You heal. You walk again. You forget to buy Repels. You regret forgetting to buy Repels. Then you reach the ocean and realize that the local Tentacool population has apparently organized a welcoming committee just for you.

The trip to Cianwood City is memorable because it comes at a natural turning point in the story. You are not just wandering around for fun; you are helping Jasmine save Amphy at the Olivine Lighthouse. The game gives you a practical reason to cross the sea, then rewards you with one of the most practical tools in the entire adventure. It is good pacing. You work for the convenience, and when you finally receive Fly, it feels earned.

Chuck’s Gym also adds personality to the moment. The boulder puzzle is simple enough for most players, but it still makes the Gym feel like a small obstacle course rather than a straight hallway. The Fighting-type theme fits Chuck perfectly. His team can punish careless players, especially if Poliwrath lands Hypnosis or DynamicPunch. Many players remember this battle because it is not just about type advantage; it is about dealing with status, confusion, and a surprisingly sturdy final Pokémon.

Then there is the little comedy of how HM02 is actually handed over. Chuck himself does not give you Fly. His wife does. She stands outside the Gym and gives you the HM after you defeat him. It is a tiny character moment, but it makes the city feel alive. Pokémon Crystal often shines through these small interactions: a Gym Leader, a spouse with a comment, a useful reward, and a player suddenly realizing the whole region just became easier to navigate.

From a practical gameplay perspective, Fly changes how you play. Before Fly, you may avoid optional errands because they take too long. After Fly, you are more likely to revisit Goldenrod Department Store, check Apricorn trees, return to earlier routes, or train in areas you skipped. It also helps with daily events, friendship checks, and item shopping. Even if you are not trying to complete the Pokédex, Fly makes the adventure feel smoother.

One smart habit is to choose your Fly user before you reach Cianwood. If you have been raising a Pidgeotto, Fearow, Noctowl, or Golbat, decide whether that Pokémon is part of your main team or your travel support. Fly can be a useful attack, but because it is an HM move, you may not want to place it on a Pokémon with a carefully planned moveset. On the other hand, for a casual playthrough, Fly is perfectly fine on a main Flying-type. It hits hard enough, looks cool in your imagination, and saves so much travel time that it earns its slot.

The best part is the first time you use it after getting HM02. You open your party, select your Flying Pokémon, choose Fly, and the map appears. Suddenly, Olivine, Goldenrod, Violet, Ecruteak, and other visited towns feel connected. That little sound effect and instant transition create a genuine “finally!” moment. It is not flashy by modern standards, but in Pokémon Crystal, it feels like unlocking fast travel in a world that previously made you commute like a very ambitious mail carrier.

Final Tips Before You Fly Away

If you want the smoothest route to Fly, prepare before leaving Olivine City. Bring Surf, bring Strength, heal often, and make sure you have a good answer for Fighting-type Pokémon. Once Chuck is defeated, do not forget to talk to his wife outside the Gym. That final conversation is the difference between walking back across Johto and soaring over it like a champion with excellent time management.

Fly is more than just another HM. It is a turning point in Pokémon Crystal’s pacing. It makes the world easier to explore, reduces backtracking, and gives your adventure a welcome sense of freedom. After you get it, Johto opens up in a new way. You are no longer simply traveling from town to town. You are managing the region from the sky.

Conclusion

To get Fly in Pokémon Crystal, travel to Cianwood City, enter the Gym with a Pokémon that can use Strength, solve the boulder puzzle, defeat Gym Leader Chuck, and then speak to Chuck’s wife outside the Gym. She gives you HM02 Fly, and the Storm Badge allows you to use it outside battle. Teach it to a compatible Flying-type Pokémon, and you can instantly return to towns and cities you have already visited.

The process is short once you know where to go, but it sits at an important point in the Johto journey. Fly saves time, supports story progress, and makes exploring Pokémon Crystal far more enjoyable. In other words, it is not just an HM. It is your official permission slip to stop walking everywhere.