Metapod transformed into a dazzling streak of green light, its explosive trajectory resembling a world-shaking laser pulse. Within that emerald radiance, a faint dragon's roar echoed—rolling like thunder, carrying terrifying momentum.
Its coordination with Pidgeotto seemed to trigger some kind of food-chain resonance, a predatory force surging skyward as if ready to devour everything in its path!
"WHOOSH!!"
The three members of Team Rocket were completely stunned.
James reacted first and shouted urgently:
"Koffing, use—"
CLANG!!
Metapod had already arrived.
With a single devastating impact, it sent Koffing flying like scrap metal, its momentum barely reduced as it slammed directly into the heating unit hanging beneath the balloon.
"BOOM—BOOM!!"
The heating device shattered instantly.
Metapod's trajectory shifted again, rebounding upward toward the Meowth-shaped balloon itself.
The balloon might have been made of special materials, immune to cutting attacks—but against such overwhelming blunt force, it stood no chance.
A massive hole was punched straight through it as Metapod tore cleanly through.
PSSSSHH—
The Meowth balloon collapsed on one side, air gushing out wildly. The entire structure began wobbling violently in the wind, while the Team Rocket trio panicked, faces pale as death.
Just as the deflating balloon threatened to drag the massive net down like a falling star, Pidgeotto streaked in again. Its wings sharpened like blades as it swung downward.
Cut!
"RIP—!"
This time, Pidgeotto was smart—it slashed horizontally straight through the wooden railing where Team Rocket was standing.
Forced into panic, Jessie, James, and Meowth clung desperately to the hanging ropes, legs flailing in midair.
With the balloon no longer stabilizing it, the giant net fell open—
And dozens upon dozens of Butterfree surged toward the opening.
But then they froze.
At the opening stood Pidgeotto, wearing an expression that screamed apex predator.
Terrified, the Butterfree scattered back inside the net.
"Mi-mi…"
"Mi-mi…"
After all, this was species-level intimidation.
To them, Pidgeotto wasn't some heroic savior—it was more like escaping a Tiger only to fall straight into a Lycanroc den.
Pidgeotto: "..."
"Whooooo—"
Another powerful southeast wind surged.
With the balloon rapidly losing air, Team Rocket—along with their balloon—shot straight upward like a firework.
If Team Rocket was going to be sent flying, then they'd fly like a rocket.
"We'll be back again!!"
Their furious cries echoed as they ascended higher and higher.
From below, Ash shouted back cheerfully:
"What did you say?! Speak up! I can't hear you!"
Under the bright blue sky, Team Rocket soon vanished completely, turning into nothing more than a streak across the heavens.
Faint wails could still be heard drifting down.
"What a blasting-off feeling~~"
With the enemy gone and the net fully opened, the Butterfree swarm caught the day's final strong wind and soared away together, migrating in unison.
Team Rocket's interruption had been a brief disturbance.
Peace returned.
The Butterfree danced once more across the sky, elegant and radiant, scattering shimmering light.
Ash and the others finally relaxed. With no enemies left, they sat down to quietly enjoy the magnificent sight of the Butterfree migration.
Then—
Wait.
Something felt wrong.
Ash suddenly jumped up and smacked his forehead.
"Hold on—where's my dart?!"
The moment the words left his mouth, a small black dot appeared in the distance.
The dot rapidly expanded into a green silhouette.
It was Metapod, returning on a reverse trajectory!
Thanks to its perfectly aerodynamic body, it functioned like a flawless boomerang—thrown out, and naturally returning along the same path.
"Haha, I totally predicted this—no need to panic!"
Ash laughed awkwardly, patting Brock and Misty on the shoulders to show everything was still under control.
But—
Midair, Metapod's eyes suddenly sharpened.
Its trajectory shifted.
And it dove straight into the Butterfree swarm.
In an instant, it was like a Lycanroc charging into a flock of Mareep—absolute chaos.
"Mi-mi~!"
"Mi-mi~!"
Amid the flurry of cries, Metapod had already locked onto its target. Spinning violently like a hardened boomerang—
CLANG!
The pink Butterfree was struck dead-on in the abdomen.
It cried out painfully midair, its large pink eyes instantly filling with tears.
Below, Misty: "?"
What kind of nightmare plot development is this?!
She's cute, so you punch her in the stomach to make her cry?!
The sense of déjà vu was terrifying.
Misty whipped her head around—and sure enough, Ash's expression had become wildly excited. He even threw a punch in sync, as if he were the one who landed the hit.
After the strike, Metapod shot past the swarm and began flying back toward Ash.
The pink Butterfree hovered there, utterly stunned and deeply wronged.
Then—
The situation changed again.
Before she could react, Metapod suddenly twisted back mid-flight and fired out a massive amount of String Shot, wrapping her up tightly.
Using its momentum, it forcibly dragged her out of the migrating swarm, against the flow.
Pink Butterfree: "?"
Cocoon and butterfly tore through the air together, rapidly closing the distance to Ash's group.
Then Metapod flipped upside down midair, pinned the cocooned Butterfree beneath itself—
And slammed straight into the ground.
BOOM!!
The impact blasted out a small crater, dust and debris erupting everywhere.
Misty: "..."
If she remembered correctly…
This move was called Seismic Toss, right?
The three rushed over, but the dust was too thick. Ash waved his hand.
"Pidgeotto! Use Defog!"
"Pidgeee!!"
Like a perfectly disciplined soldier, Pidgeotto spread purifying light across its wings. With a single powerful flap, the dust cleared completely.
They looked down.
The pink Butterfree was pinned tightly to the ground by sticky silk, badly injured—clearly at death's door.
Her adorable red eyes were filled with confusion and grievance.
Why did you hit me…?
Metapod stood atop her, body gleaming with metallic luster, posture proud—like a victorious warrior.
Yes.
It liked the pink Butterfree.
But under its Trainer's constant influence, Metapod had learned one thing:
It would never be a Growlithe that stuck out its tongue.
A woman must be conquered.
In ancient times, when men liked a girl, they knocked her out with a club and dragged her back to the cave.
Ash looked at Metapod with immense pride, scooped it up, and spun around several times.
"You've finally grown up, Rayquaza (as Caterpie)!"
"Pod—pod!"
Nearby, the enlightened Brock fell into deep thought.
Suddenly, he clutched his temples. His eyelids drooped heavily, as if sealed memories were stirring deep within his mind.
On the other side, Misty pointed furiously at Ash and Metapod, her finger trembling with rage.
Damn it!
When will girls finally stand up for themselves?!
"Mi-mi…"
The pink Butterfree was still struggling weakly in the silk.
Standing guard nearby, Pidgeotto casually slashed a few times with Cut, freeing her.
She stood up, dusty but intact. Up close, her pink coloring was undeniably adorable.
Metapod stood tall and proud, locking eyes with her—clearly waiting for admiration.
Only a strong male deserves a woman's affection!
The pink Butterfree moved.
She walked forward—
And, with a look of utter disdain, walked right past Metapod.
Metapod: "?"
She kept going.
Straight toward the hero who had saved her twice.
Pidgeotto: "?"
The pink Butterfree gently tapped Pidgeotto's broad chest with her wing, blinking her big pink eyes, affection shining unmistakably within them.
Softly, she chirped:
"Mi-mi-mi~~
(I like Pidgeotto~)"
Metapod: "!!!"
It instantly turned even greener with rage.
Meanwhile, the ever-disciplined soldier Pidgeotto smiled.
With a powerful flap of its wings, it flexed proudly, then gently pecked the pink Butterfree on the head.
"Pidgee~
(I like eating bugs~)"
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