"So, do you understand? Capturing a Caterpie can indeed quickly enhance your combat power in the early game, but once you reach the Professional Level, the role of Bug Type Pokemon becomes significantly weaker. Unless you specialize in Bug Types, only a trainer specializing in them can maximize their power, allowing them to remain strong even in the late game."
Misty advised patiently.
Bug Type Pokemon can stand at the peak, but it's different from other Pokemon; it requires the trainer to study this attribute to the extreme to fully unlock the potential of Bug Type Pokemon, even unleashing power beyond their potential.
Therefore, generally speaking, apart from those Bug-Catching Boys and a few trainers, most who use Bug Type Pokemon are specialists in them. Only through specialization can Bug Types reach the peak.
"I know, but this Caterpie is different. Plus, I need new Pokemon to win the first Gym, and no matter what type of Pokemon it is, I have the confidence to train them to be really, really strong! Trust me, Misty."
- Ash flashed a confident smile at Misty, a smile that swallowed her remaining words of persuasion.
Although Ash can be impulsive and a bit childish at times, when Misty saw that smile, she inexplicably wanted to believe in him.
Since Ash said and did things this way, he must have his reasons, right...?
Ash slowly approached the Caterpie, seeing all of its data in his eyes.
[Species: Caterpie]
[Gender: Male]
[Level: Intermediate Beginner]
[Ability: Shield Dust]
[Moves: XXXXX]
[Six-dimensional Ability: Physical Attack D (C) Special Attack C (B) Defense D (C) Special Defense D (B) Physical Strength D (B) Speed D (A)]
This Caterpie's talent is visibly strong; except for Physical Attack and Defense, all other abilities are at B level, with even Speed reaching A level.
Ash encountered more than a dozen Caterpie along the way, but captured none because all those Caterpies' talents were uniformly at the E level.
If there were no choice, that would be one thing, but Viridian Forest is so big. Ash doesn't believe he can't find a Caterpie whose ability limit reaches D or even C level.
And now, with the appearance of this Caterpie, Ash's decision to wait is proven correct.
For ordinary Pokemon, a C-level talent is already considered good, while B-level talent is one in a thousand, and A-level is one in ten thousand or even one in a hundred thousand.
As for S-level... perhaps even in a million Pokemon, one might not appear—Legendary Beasts excluded.
After battling more than thirty Bug Type Pokemon and encountering nearly a hundred Bug Type Pokemon, Ash realized that the ability limit of Bug Type Pokemon is generally lower than ordinary Pokemon. This might be one of the reasons they're harder to nurture late game.
The Caterpie he's encountered now not only has an overall B-level ability limit but also has one ability value, the most important one, reaching A level.
This is why the moment Ash laid eyes on Caterpie, he decided to capture it.
"Let's battle, Caterpie—capture battle!" Ash shouted at Caterpie, clenching his fist.
The Caterpie, enjoying its lunch, looked up, tilted its head in confusion at Ash, and then continued eating.
Ash: ...
"Darn it, ignoring me. Pikachu, use Thunder Shock!"
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu leaped from Ash's shoulder, a streak of gold lightning shooting from its body, striking beside Caterpie.
The Caterpie, startled from its meal, belatedly leaped aside.
However, Pikachu's Thunder Shock wasn't meant to attack Caterpie but to warn it, or rather, to declare battle.
Now intimidated, Caterpie finally regarded Ash and Pikachu seriously, a hint of battle intent in its large eyes.
"That's right; I'll give you a full meal once you become my Pokemon! Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
"Pika!" Pikachu darted forward, a golden flash heading for Caterpie. In response, Caterpie spat a pure white thread—String Shot!
Mid-Agility, Pikachu sidestepped the oncoming String Shot, darted to the side, and rammed into Caterpie with renewed force.
"Bang!" Caterpie was sent flying, and Ash shouted pursuing victory, "Now, use Thunder Shock!"
"Pika—Chu!" The golden bolt streaked through the air, hitting Caterpie solidly, which cried out and collapsed limp on the ground, losing its combat power.
"Now, go, Pokeball!" For the first time, Ash took out his empty Pokeball and threw it at Caterpie.
The Pokeball, perfected by Ash's practice from a young age, hit Caterpie right on target, absorbing it into the ball with a red flash.
After three shakes, the Pokeball emitted a soft click, indicating Ash successfully captured Caterpie.
Seeing this, Ash excitedly rushed in front of the Pokeball, picking it up: "I captured Caterpie!"
"Pika Pikachu!!"
This first capture was thrilling and novel for Ash; he wanted to catch lots and lots of Pokemon when he embarked on his journey, all those he'd never seen before.
But, based on feedback from the various seniors in the group, he chose to focus on training Pikachu first and not to capture Pokemon recklessly, which is why he held off until now to throw his first Pokeball.
On the other hand, Gary might have already captured a dozen or twenty Pokemon.
Misty could only purse her lips, ultimately saying nothing. One of her reasons for advising Ash against capturing Bug Type Pokemon was her extreme dislike for bug Pokemon.
But now that what's done is done, all she can do is try to overcome it, or leave when Caterpie is released by Ash.
She doesn't hate Bug Type Pokemon, just despises those that look like caterpillars; once Caterpie evolves into Metapod, she should be fine. Until then, it's best to avoid it.
As Ash looked at the Pokeball in his hand, he recalled the advice from one of the group seniors, Tactical Master Ash, from the previous night.
[Tactical Master Ash: ...For facing the Pewter Gym Pokemon? The best choices are Grass Type or Water Type, as these two types have a quadruple advantage against most Pokemon in Pewter Gym, making it exceedingly easy. But if you can't find Pokemon of these attributes, I'd recommend capturing... Caterpie.]