Chapter 7: The Hard-Shelled Battle!

Having lost the Pokédex's mandatory functions, the Caterpie successfully evolved.

As the light faded, it transformed into a green, banana-shaped Pokémon with an even duller expression than before.

In any case, it was a far cry from the majestic aura of the Rayquaza depicted in the image.

"Metapod, nickname: Rayquaza, the Tough Pokémon. Its body becomes harder when stimulated. It is the Pidgeot's favorite snack; crunchy and delicious," the Pokédex announced automatically.

With no other choice, Ash slowly picked up the immobile Metapod.

I have to say, it was surprisingly heavy; even with his strong arms, he found it a bit of a struggle.

If he couldn't beat someone in the future, throwing this Pokémon at them would be a great option.

"Metapod, let's stop thinking about Rayquaza, but a bright future is still in our hands!" Ash sighed, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Pod-pod!" the newly evolved Metapod responded, also with tears in its eyes.

Misty: "..."

Why did this scene look so bizarre?

"By the way, which bastard removed my B-button?"

Ash glanced at the Pokédex. The marks on it were clean, with no extra scratches; it was clear the culprit was a seasoned pro.

Looking closer, he noticed a line of small text written beneath the hollowed-out B-button

"Be a decent person."

Seeing this, Ash was instantly enraged. The day he found out who the culprit was, he swore he’d smash them in the face with his Metapod.

Red: "..."

The two packed their bags and continued toward Pewter City.

Although Viridian Forest was said to be a paradise for Bug-type Pokémon, a whole day had passed, and they hadn't seen anything other than Caterpie and Weedle.

Even with Ash's hyperactive personality, he couldn't help but feel a sense of aesthetic fatigue.

They pressed on.

As they walked, Ash suddenly noticed a figure charging toward him from the front.

*Whoosh!*

A sharp blade slashed down vertically toward his head, incredibly fierce.

It was a sharp sword!

*Clang!*

Ash instinctively raised his arm to block, and the moment the blade touched his arm, it shattered into two pieces.

"Damn it, such powerful strength!"

The figure quickly retreated, clutching the broken blade, his expression one of shock.

Ash: "???"

What the hell? A samurai cosplayer wielding a soft plastic sword?

Looking closer, he saw the figure was wearing blood-red armor and a menacing helmet.

"Greetings, I am Samurai Boy Jack, currently undergoing the powerful and resilient training of a samurai!"

Ash frowned and replied

"No, you're Bug Catcher Jack."

Wearing two plastic helmets doesn't make you a samurai; could you at least cover up your tank top and shorts?

Jack: "..."

"In any case, I am searching for a Trainer from Pallet Town. You are from Pallet Town, aren't you? Have a battle with me!" Samurai Boy Jack shouted sternly.

"Fine, Bug Catcher, then I, the super rookie from Pallet Town, accept your challenge!"

Ash immediately felt his blood boil as he raised a Poké Ball to confront him.

"I am Samurai Boy!" Jack roared in anger, throwing out a Pokémon first.

A red light flashed, and a grayish-brown bug appeared.

It had a sturdy, lean build, two hard, sharp horns on its head, and a fierce expression.

"Pinsir, not a common Bug-type Pokémon. It has great strength, but the meat is tough and not very tasty," the Pokédex announced automatically.

Jack: "?"

Why was this Pokédex just as snarky as the Trainer!?

"In that case, I choose you, Pikachu!"

Ash sent out his top-three-ranked yellow general.

"Pika..."

Pikachu, however, had already pulled out a pillow, blanket, and mattress set—complete with a small lightning bolt logo—from behind everyone.

"Zzz..."

It had actually set up a bed on the spot and was sleeping soundly, even letting out small snores.

Ash: "..."

Pikachu used Slack Off.

"In that case, I choose you, Pidgeotto!"

Ash didn't lose heart and sent out his top-three-ranked bird general.

"Good choice, Ash. Pidgeotto's Flying-type is super effective against Pinsir's Bug-type," Misty couldn't help but praise.

"Ah, it's super effective? Then come back, Pidgeotto."

And so, Ash recalled Pidgeotto.

Misty: "?"

Did I memorize the type-effectiveness chart wrong?

Or is this boy hard of hearing?

Next, Ash sent out his other top-three-ranked dragon general.

"Metapod? Isn't this Pokémon just a target?"

Seeing this, Jack gave a disdainful smile and commanded

"Go, use Vice Grip!"

"Pinsir!!"

Pinsir charged like a wild bull, kicking up clouds of dust.

Lowering its head, it pinned the Metapod right between its giant pincers and began to exert force, trying to snap it in two.

"Don't lose to it, use Harden!" Ash commanded quickly.

Metapod’s gaze sharpened, a metallic luster flickered, and a blue light symbolizing defense lit up.

It hardened.

*Crack...*

Under the immense pressure, the spikes on Pinsir's giant horns actually developed several cracks.

"Damn it, come back, Pinsir!"

Jack quickly recalled Pinsir.

These horns were a work of art; if they snapped, their value would plummet. He had no choice but to send out his second Pokémon.

A green, banana-shaped...

That's right, another Metapod!

"In that case, Metapod, we'll use Harden too!" Jack said confidently.

When it came to hardness, he wouldn't lose to anyone!

A metallic luster also lit up on its body, and it looked even more silver and shiny than Ash's Metapod.

Ash didn't back down, shouting: "Damn it, we'll use Harden too!"

"Then we'll keep using Harden!"

"Then we'll be harder than you!"

"Harden!"

"Harden!"

Misty: "???"

Why did these lines sound so subtle? In her ears, she could almost hear the roars of Incineroar and Lycanroc.

The battle lasted for over an hour.

By now, both Metapods were glowing with a golden light; clearly, their hardness had reached its limit.

"Damn it, have I reached my limit?" Jack said, annoyed, panting heavily.

"Damn it, can I not get any harder either!" Ash frowned deeply, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

"Then use Tackle!"

Jack launched a surprise attack.

Hardening and then charging—this followed the laws of nature.

The Metapod was covered in golden light, transforming into a charging golden tank, slamming its head hard into Ash's Metapod.

*Clang!*

Sparks flew, and a metallic boom echoed through Viridian Forest.

HP -0.

*Clang!*

Ash's Metapod didn't show weakness, also turning into a golden tank and slamming back. Another terrifying metallic boom echoed in the air.

HP -0.

"Tackle!"

"Then we'll use Tackle too!"

Misty: "?"

What was more torturous than watching an hour of "hardening" was the realization that they might spend the next hour watching "tackling"!?

I didn't do anything wrong, so why am I in hell?!

Soon, the battle reached its 10th round of tackling.

Both Metapods' HP remained in a state that wasn't quite peak, but still full.

Jack panted heavily, his expression finally changing as he couldn't help but praise

"So strong... as expected of a Trainer from Pallet Town, everyone is so amazing..."

"Huff, huff, have you met other Trainers from Pallet Town?" Ash asked, hands on his hips, panting.

"That's right, I've already met three people: Trainers with a Squirtle, a Bulbasaur, and a Charmander. Especially that Squirtle Trainer—they were ridiculously strong."

"Squirtle? Is it Gary? That guy!"

Ash remembered his childhood friend Gary saying that when he turned 10 and started his journey, he wanted to pick a Squirtle.

"Then who do you think is stronger, me or him?" Ash couldn't help but ask.

"You? Haha, you can't even beat me, and you're even worse than that girl with the Bulbasaur!"

"The girl with the Bulbasaur?"

Ash quickly remembered. When he and Gary played together as kids, there was always a little girl who wanted to join in, but he rejected her ruthlessly every time.

Men should naturally play with men; what was the deal with girls?

That girl's name was... Blue, right?

Red: "..."

That name sounded a bit familiar.

"Hmph, then I can't lose to you here!"

Ash suddenly turned his cap around, a hot and bright light shining in his eyes.

He was going to be a Pokémon Master; how could he be blocked by a mere Bug Catcher at the very start?

"Metapod, use String Shot!!"

He shouted.

A golden web of string sprayed out, firmly binding the Metapod that was right in front of him and unable to move.

*Zzzzt!!*

The next second, countless electric currents surged and crackled, directly electrocuting the Metapod into charcoal.

Hmph, so what if your defense is at its limit? String Shot is a special attack.

"Beep. Metapod is unable to battle, Rayquaza wins!" the Pokédex announced automatically.

Jack's eyes widened in disbelief, then he shook his head violently and accused loudly

"That's not right! In our current generation, there's no distinction between special and physical attacks! Your String Shot definitely shouldn't have had an effect!"

"Beep. Times have changed, old man. String Shot Metapod isn't from the first generation," the Pokédex replied automatically.

Ash nodded. Although he didn't understand it either, it seemed the Pokédex had finally done him proud.

Jack: "..."

——

(New author, please vote.)