i normally start with either the fire or water starter but ive gone for chikorita for a challenge. i had a bellossom in another game and it beat claires kingdra so i started again and got the grass pokemon.
i was either going to get a geodude to help with the 1st 2 gyms and other trainers but i would struggle against other grass pokemon but then so would they, or a spearow just at the beginning of the game to help with grass pokemon.
ive weighed up both and im going to get a geodude as ive had one before even though i cant evolve it to a golem as i cant trade but i think graveler when i get one will do well until i get a better rock/ground type

3 gym badges i have
Meganium lvl 38 - Headbutt, Magical Leaf, Petal Dance, Poison Powder
need help beating morty i have a kadabra in training but i cant evolve it but will kadabra hold its own against other trainers

Yeah.

Something tells me an Insomnia Noctowl would make Morty a piece of cake

used kadabra to beat morty, but not using as a team member, caught a vulpix trained it to lvl 44 to get extransory then used fire stone. now i have a staryu training upto 46 to get power gem then using the water stone and also have a meganium level 47 and 5 gym badges

I picked Chikorita and although a few of the Gyms were tough, I've never regretted my choice. Where my (now) Meganium fails, I have Lvl. 80 Luxray and Mewtwo to back it up.
Morty was really easy for me (I beat one of his guys with a normal type XD).