Chapter 18 As the Saying Goes, Breaking the Cocoon into a Dragon
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Be careful, Staryu, that Metapod can use Electro Web."
Misty warned cautiously.
"Hyaah!"
Staryu's two upper points twisted inward, as if a human were flexing their muscles.
The battle began!
"Go for a preemptive strike, Staryu! Use Swift!"
"Metapod, use Harden!"
It didn't matter what the opponent used. Ash's strategy was to raise Metapod's Defense right at the start.
"Dadada!"
Dozens of small yellow stars crashed against Metapod's shell and shattered, but the damage was minimal. It wasn't even enough to push Metapod back half a step.
"In that case, Staryu, use Water Gun!"
The Defense boost from Harden was only physical; its Special Defense hadn't increased.
Staryu's top point bent forward, shooting out a jet of water that wasn't very thick, splashing right in Metapod's face.
This time, it successfully dealt damage. Metapod, along with its Floating Platform, was pushed back across the surface of the water.
Seeing this, Ash hurriedly commanded:
"Metapod, use String Shot to defend!"
Metapod shook itself to get the water off its face, then immediately shot out a large mass of white silk from its mouth.
Pfft!
Strangely, the String Shot didn't continue forward to wrap around the target. Instead, it suddenly spread out in front of Metapod, quickly forming a large, white, silken shield.
And Metapod, hidden in the center of the silk shield, once again glowed with a shimmering metallic light as its Defense increased.
Ash wanted to max out Metapod's Defense in one go!
Misty grew anxious. If this kept up, its defense would go through the roof in no time.
The large white shield was quite resilient. Staryu's long-range Water Gun was unable to break through it, so she had no choice but to change her strategy.
"Staryu, use Rapid Spin!"
Staryu leaped into the air, its body spinning wildly. It shot forward like a sharp throwing star and, in just a few seconds, slashed the large silk shield apart.
However, just as it cut through the shield, the scene within scared Staryu so much that water nearly leaked out of its bottom point.
By the mouth of the Metapod hidden within the shield, a ball of yellow energy had, at some point, already gathered.
It crackled, ready to be unleashed.
Ash's eyes shone as he raised his arm high and shouted:
"Go! Use Electro Web!"
The yellow ball of light transformed into a spreading net of electric current, completely enveloping the defenseless Staryu at point-blank range.
Bzzzt...!!
The next second, the electric current surged. The Type Advantage made Staryu let out waves of pained cries.
Finally, Ash adjusted his Hat and shouted:
"Finish it! Use Tackle!!"
Its Defense raised by three stages, the Metapod charged out like a Tank (Archetype) and crashed head-on into the gem on the chest of the Staryu, which had been slowed by the Electro Web.
With a "Keng!" sound.
Staryu's body was sent flying, finally becoming deeply embedded in the nearby wall and creating a small crater.
The gem on its chest also began to pulse with a "bibubibu" sound.
It seemed its energy was almost depleted.
"Staryu is Unable to Battle! Metapod is the winner!"
The eldest sister, Daisy, acting as the Referee, promptly made the call.
"How about it, Misty? Have you witnessed the Power of a future Pokémon Master!"
Ash was incredibly smug, his nose held high in the air.
"..."
A few drops of sweat trickled down Misty's forehead.
She thought to herself that this kid, Ash, really had two completely different brains for battling and for everyday life.
Because it couldn't move, he forced Staryu to approach on its own to create an opportunity?
What a brilliant Method!
Off to the side, however, Brock's gaze was profound, his eyes fixed on the dazed-looking Metapod that seemed unmoved by its victory.
Something's... strange.
Logically, a Pokemon like Metapod should be able to evolve in a few days.
But Ash's Metapod was clearly quite strong and should have had more than enough Experience Points for a long time now, so why hadn't it evolved?
It was a waste of him, a man with the Willpower of a Breeder, serving it top-quality Rations every day.
Thinking of this, he took advantage of the break between battles and couldn't help but ask loudly:
"Hey, bro, where'd you get that Electro Web Metapod?"
Ash, who was thinking about his next strategy, replied without a second thought:
"A friend gave it to me."
"Which friend?"
"Not telling you."
Brock: "..."
Youth, you're being especially punchable today.
Actually, it was no wonder Ash was being so arrogant. Because just now, he had finally figured something out!
Even if a Caterpie is trained to Max Level, it's impossible for it to evolve into a Rayquaza!
That Bug Catcher Boy was definitely deceived by his good friend!
The real Evolution Chain should be Caterpie evolving into Metapod, then evolving into Butterfree.
That is the normal situation.
But if, during its Second Stage Metapod Form, you prevent it from evolving until it reaches Max Level, it can truly evolve into the sky-soaring Giant Dragon, Rayquaza!
As the saying goes, Breaking the Cocoon into a Dragon.
Not breaking the worm into a dragon.
The real Evolution Chain is actually: Caterpie -> Metapod -> Rayquaza.
The wise ancients had long ago hinted at this important message in that very saying!
And that good friend of the Bug Catcher Boy, who only told him half the story, is a truly great villain.
Misty: "..."
She looked at the passionate, thoughtful expression on his face.
For some reason, she had a strong urge to go over there and shove Ash's head into the Pool.
But it was still the middle of a battle. Her gaze turned serious, and she sent out her second Pokémon.
A red light flashed, revealing a purple starfish, considerably larger in Physique.
From its appearance, it looked like two Staryu stacked on top of each other at an offset, making its structure somewhat complex.
"*Pokedex Beep*. Starmie. An okay Pokemon. Psychic Type and Water Type. Hopeless. Recommended to beat to death."
The Pokedex reported automatically.
Misty: "???"
Did a Psychic/Water Type dig up your family's Grave or something?
"Starmie, full-power attack!"
And so, she angrily launched her attack.
"Hyaah!!"
This time, Starmie raised four of its points simultaneously, its Momentum looking even greater.
Ash was fearless and shouted:
"Cut the crap! Metapod, hit it with a Speed Reduction combo first!"
As soon as he spoke, Metapod didn't hesitate, immediately spitting out a large wad of white silk.
The opponent didn't dodge or evade, and it splattered right across Starmie's face.
Misty, however, smiled confidently and said:
"It's useless! Starmie, use Rapid Spin!!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...!
The star-shaped Pokemon spun, and in a single instant, the silk threads wrapped around its body were completely obliterated.
"Tsk, such incredible Strength."
Ash frowned slightly. He hadn't expected Misty to have such a tough, powerhouse-style Pokemon. He then waved his hand grandly once more:
"Then use Electro Web!"
This time, facing the oncoming net of electric current, Starmie remained unhurried.
Its rapidly spinning body traced a rainbow on the spot before slashing horizontally, cutting the Electro Web in half.
Bzzzt...!
Without the net to sustain it, the electric current quickly dissipated into falling sparks.
"Continue using Rapid Spin!"
Starmie spun wildly and crashed into the immobile Metapod.
Its heavy, blunt points ground furiously against Metapod's Shell, creating bursts of sparks with a horrifying sound.
But its Defense was still very high.
Misty's gaze suddenly narrowed, and she shouted:
"Then use Hydro Pump!!"
Starmie suddenly stopped spinning, its central red gem aimed straight at Metapod.
The next second, an incredibly thick jet of water carrying terrifying force gushed out, blasting Metapod away!
BOOM! SPLASH!!
The powerful force sent Metapod flying like a cannonball, leaving a long trail in its wake.
Its hard shell even smashed a super Large Pit into the back wall!
Thud!
Finally, it fell miserably from the wall.
"Metapod is Unable to Battle! Starmie is the winner!"
Daisy declared. After she finished, she didn't forget to add:
"But the repair costs for the gym will be deducted from your allowance, okay~?"
Misty: "..."
What a terrible teammate!
It's one thing not to help, but to actually damage an ally's morale... am I really their biological sister?!
"That's not necessarily true."
If Daisy could hear her internal screaming, she would probably answer just like that.
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