Chapter 18: As the saying goes, breaking out of the cocoon to become a dragon

"Be careful, Staryu! That Metapod will use Electroweb!"

Misty warned cautiously.

"Chas-si!"

The two bifurcated arms on top of Staryu twisted toward the center, as if the creature were flexing its muscles.

The battle began!

"First strike! Staryu, use Swift!"

"Metapod, use Harden!"

It didn't matter what the opponent used; Ash's strategy was to boost defense right at the start.

*Da-da-da!*

Dozens of small yellow stars slammed into Metapod's shell, shattering one after another, but the damage was minimal—it didn't even force the opponent to retreat a single step.

"In that case, Staryu, use Water Gun!"

The defense boosted by Harden was only on a physical level; its special defense had not increased.

Staryu pressed down with its top, shooting out a jet of water that wasn't particularly thick, splashing it directly into Metapod's face.

This time, it successfully dealt damage. Metapod, along with its float, slid backward across the surface of the water.

Seeing this, Ash quickly commanded

"Metapod, use String Shot to defend!"

Metapod gave a vigorous shake to clear the water from its face, and immediately, a large mass of white, thread-like substance shot from its mouth.

*Puchi!*

Strangely, the String Shot did not continue forward to entangle the target; instead, it expanded violently in front of it, quickly forming a large, white, silken shield.

Metapod hid in the center of the silken shield, and a flash of metallic luster once again rippled across its body—its defense increased.

Ash wanted to max out Metary's defense all at once!

Misty grew anxious; at this rate, its defense would hit twelve thousand in minutes.

This white shield had high flexibility; even Staryu's long-range Water Gun couldn't break through it. She had no choice but to change tactics.

"Staryu, use Rapid Spin!"

Staryu suddenly bounced up, spinning its body frantically, transforming into a sharp spinning projectile. In just a few seconds, it sliced through the String Shot shield.

However, the moment the shield was breached, the sight inside terrified Staryu so much that it nearly leaked the water from its body through its bottom spikes.

At the mouth of the Metapod hidden inside the shield, a ball of yellow energy had condensed at some unknown point.

It crackled with electricity, ready to strike.

Ash's eyes brightened. He raised his arm high and shouted

"Go! Use Electroweb!"

The yellow orb of light transformed into a spreading web of electricity. At point-blank range, it completely enveloped the unable-to-dodge Staryu.

*Zzzzz...!!*

In the next second, the current erupted. Due to the type advantage, Staryu let out a series of agonizing screams.

Finally, Ash adjusted his hat and roared

"Finish it! Use Tackle!!"

Metapod, whose defense had increased by three stages, charged forward like a tank, slamming head-on into the gem on Staryu's chest, which had been slowed by the Electroweb.

With a loud *clanging* sound, Staryu was sent flying straight back, eventually embedding itself heavily into the nearby wall, creating a small crater.

The gem on its chest began to beep erratically.

It seemed its energy was reaching its limit.

"Staryu is unable to battle! Metapod is the winner!"

Sakura, acting as the referee, announced the verdict promptly.

"How was that, Misty? Have you witnessed the power of a future Pokémon Master?"

Ash was extremely proud, his nose held high.

"..."

A few drops of sweat rolled down Misty's forehead.

She thought to herself that this kid's brain during battle was truly the polar opposite of his usual self.

Because he couldn't move, he forced Staryu to approach on its own to create an opening?

What a clever move!

Meanwhile, Brock watched with a profound gaze, his eyes fixed on the dazed Metapod, which seemed unmoved by its victory.

It was... strange.

Logically, a Pokémon like Metapod should be able to evolve in a few days.

But Ash's Metapod clearly possessed impressive strength; in terms of experience points, it should have evolved long ago, yet it remained stuck?

All his efforts as a man with the will of a Breeder, serving it top-tier food every day, had gone to waste.

Thinking of this, during the intermission, he couldn't help but ask loudly

"Hey, bro, where did you get this Electroweb Metapod?"

Ash, who was contemplating his next strategic move, replied without thinking

"A friend gave it to me."

"Which friend?"

"I'm not telling you."

Brock: "..."

Young man, you are exceptionally punchable today.

Actually, it was no wonder Ash was so arrogant, because just now, he had finally figured something out!

Even if a Caterpie is leveled to the max, it can never evolve into Rayquaza!

The Bug Catcher, Delia—no, Professor Oak—had definitely been deceived by his good brother!

The true evolution chain should be Caterpie evolving into Metapod, and then into Butterfree.

That is the normal situation.

But if the second stage, the Metapod form, stays stuck without evolving until it reaches max level, it can truly evolve into the dragon that soars through the skies: Rayquaza!

As the saying goes, "Breaking the cocoon to become a dragon."

Not "breaking the bug to become a dragon."

The true evolution chain is actually Caterpie -> Metapod -> Rayquaza.

Wise ancients had long hinted at this monumental information through proverbs!

And that friend of Delia's who only told half the story was truly a villain.

Misty: "..."

Looking at Ash's passionate, contemplative expression, she felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to grab his head and dunk it into a pool of water.

However, since they were still in the battle phase, her expression hardened, and she released her second Pokémon.

A red light flashed, and this time, it was a purple starfish, significantly larger in size.

Looking at its appearance, it almost looked like two Staryu stacked offset from one another, making its structure somewhat complex.

"Beep beep. Starmie. Decent Pokémon. Psychic/Water. Hopeless. Suggest killing it."

The Pokédex reported automatically.

Misty: "???"

Did "Psychic/Water" just dig up your ancestors' graves?

"Starmie, full power, attack!"

Thus, she said angrily, launching the offensive.

"Star!!"

This time, Starmie raised all four arms simultaneously, looking much more imposing.

Ash showed no fear and shouted

"Cut the chatter! Metapod, give it a 'slow-down combo' first!"

As soon as he spoke, Metapod didn't hesitate, spitting out a large mass of white, thread-like substance.

The opponent didn't dodge, letting it smear directly across Starmie's face.

Misty smiled confidently and said

"It's useless! Starmie, use Rapid Spin!!"

*Swish, swish, swish...!*

The starfish spun, and in just an instant, the silk wrapped around its body was completely shredded.

"Tsk, such powerful strength..."

Ash frowned slightly. He hadn't expected Misty to have such a "tough guy" style Pokémon. He then waved his hand again

"Then use Electroweb!"

This time, facing the oncoming web of electricity, Starmie remained unperturbed.

After its spinning form drew a rainbow in place, it swept horizontally, slicing the Electroweb right in half.

*Zzzzz...!*

Without the web to support it, the electricity quickly dissipated into falling sparks.

"Continue using Rapid Spin!"

Starmie spun out wildly, slamming into the immobile Metapod.

The blunt, heavy starfish arms rubbed violently against Metapod's shell, producing bursts of sparks and a bone-chilling sound.

But its defense remained very high.

Misty's eyes suddenly narrowed, and she shouted

"Then use Hydro Pump!!"

Starmie suddenly stopped its spinning, its central red gem pointing directly at Metapod.

In the next second, an incredibly thick jet of water erupted with terrifying force, actually knocking Metapod backward!

*Boom, boom, pffft!!*

The intense force sent Metapod flying like a cannonball, leaving a long trail behind it.

Its hard shell even smashed a massive crater into the wall behind it!

*Thud!*

Finally, it fell from the wall in a very pathetic state.

"Metapod is unable to battle! Starmie is the winner!"

Sakura judged, not forgetting to add

"But the repair costs for the arena will be deducted from your allowance~"

Misty: "..."

What a useless teammate!

Not only did she fail to help, she even crushed the morale of her ally. Am I really her biological daughter?!

"That's not necessarily true."

If Sakura could hear her inner scream, she would probably answer exactly that.

-

(End of Chapter)