Allan announced, "Venonat is unable to battle. Weedle wins. The victor is Eichi."
Collin recalled his Venonat with a Poké Ball after it fainted.
The surrounding Bug Catchers exclaimed, "Eichi's Weedle is amazing!"
Another Bug Catcher stepped forward. "Battle me!"
Eichi agreed. "Sure."
This boy, Henry, showed great excitement and shouted, "Come out, Paras!"
A flash of white light revealed his Pokémon.
It looked like a crab, but with two mushrooms growing from its back.
It was Paras.
Paras, the Mushroom Pokémon
Type: Bug/Grass
Abilities: Effect Spore, Dry Skin
Hidden Ability: Damp
Description: Even if it eats constantly, almost all of its nutrients are stolen by the mushrooms growing on its back. The mushrooms, known as tochukaso, are said to be medicine for eternal youth. When dried, they can be ground into powder for use.
Seeing Paras, Eichi was surprised.
Paras were uncommon in Viridian, so finding a trainer that caught one was a rare sight.
The mushrooms on its back were valuable as medicine for longevity, but they only became useful when the Paras was older.
This one must have been caught just recently; it was very young.
Henry shouted with passion, "Paras, use Scratch! Show your strength!"
Paras charged forward with fighting spirit.
Eichi called, "Dodge."
Weedle easily avoided the attack.
Henry danced as he gave his next order. "Paras, use Stun Spore!"
The mushrooms on Paras's back released a cloud of powder. In moments, the entire area was filled with Stun Spore.
The Bug Catchers quickly backed away to avoid it.
Eichi also retreated, but Weedle had to face it head-on.
It was hit and became paralyzed, unable to move.
Weedle squeaked, "Shiu, shiu!"
Eichi's eyes narrowed. "This is a problem."
He had been careless, forgetting that Paras could use Stun Spore.
Henry, excited to see Weedle unable to move, shouted, "Now, Paras, use Scratch!"
Paras raked Weedle with its claws.
Weedle cried out in pain but was still able to battle.
Eichi asked, "You okay, Weedle?"
Henry was shocked. "What? Why isn't it down?"
The surrounding Bug Catchers were also surprised.
Eichi said calmly, "Because your Paras's attack power is too weak."
Unwilling to give up, Henry commanded, "Paras, use Scratch again!"
As Paras charged, Eichi ordered, "Move, Weedle!"
Weedle's body strained, then suddenly it regained control of itself.
It shifted slightly to the side, dodging Paras's attack.
"What?!"
Everyone was stunned.
How could Weedle move already? Normally, paralysis from Stun Spore lasted much longer.
This Weedle recovered in only a few seconds.
Henry realized in shock, "This is bad!"
He shouted frantically, "Paras, dodge!"
But Eichi called, "Weedle, use Poison Sting!"
Weedle thrust its horn into Paras with full force.
Paras screamed, then collapsed, unable to battle.
Eichi had won again.
"Paras!" Henry cried, running over to lift his Pokémon.
Eichi hurried over, pulling a Potion and an Antidote from his bag.
Weedle's strike had been harsh, Paras was more hurt than Caterpie had been.
Eichi carefully sprayed the Potion and Antidote on Paras's wounds.
After a while, he said, "It's fine now. Let Paras rest."
"Thank you, Eichi," Henry said gratefully as he recalled Paras.
The surrounding Bug Catchers gathered around, all impressed by Eichi's Weedle.
Then Allan suddenly asked, "Eichi, can your Weedle still fight?"
Eichi replied, "No problem. It can still battle."
He sprayed Weedle with a Potion.
Allan nodded. "Then battle me! Fight against my Butterfree!"
Eichi agreed without hesitation. The last two battles had been too easy.
Those Pokémon had been too weak, without any challenge.
Now things were getting interesting.
Allan was the leader of the Bug Catchers in Viridian Town, the oldest and strongest among them.
His strongest Pokémon was his Butterfree.
The Bug Catchers grew excited when they heard Allan would battle Eichi. They wanted to know who was stronger.
They cleared an open space for the match, and Kyle stepped in as referee.
Standing to the side, Kyle declared, "This battle will be one-on-one until one side can no longer fight."
Allan threw his Poké Ball. "Come out, Butterfree!"
From the ball emerged a Pokémon with a deep purple body and huge white wings patterned with black veins.
Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokémon.
The evolved form of Metapod, and the final stage of Caterpie.
Type: Bug/Flying
Ability: Compound Eyes
Hidden Ability: Tinted Lens
Description: If you look closely into its large eyes, you can see that they are made up of many tiny eyes grouped together. If attacked, it scatters poisonous scales while flapping its wings in defense.
Eichi encouraged his Weedle, "Win this battle and I'll make you something tasty at home."
Weedle perked up instantly, staring intensely at Butterfree.
Butterfree was dangerous with its trio of powder moves, so they had to be cautious.
Eichi and Allan shouted their orders at the same time:
"Weedle, use Poison Sting!"
"Butterfree, use Gust!"
Butterfree flapped its wings, sending a strong gust of wind at Weedle.
Weedle's attack missed, and it was battered by the wind. The force was far stronger than Paras's attacks.
Allan commanded, "Butterfree, use Confusion!"
Hearing this, Eichi smiled faintly, though he stayed calm outwardly.
"Dodge it, Weedle!"
Moves like Confusion still required the pokémon to aim.
Weedle darted rapidly across the ground, too fast for Butterfree to target.
Allan grew anxious. "Butterfree, use Gust again!"
Butterfree stopped using Confusion and whipped up another Gust.
As the wind swirled around them, Eichi thought, this is my chance.