"Teacher, is that the Weedle you mentioned?"
Su Qingxue asked curiously, staring at the Pokémon whose coloration was noticeably darker than a typical Weedle's.
Perhaps due to its prolonged consumption of Thunderstruck Wood, this Weedle had grown nearly black. Without a careful look, it was easy to mistake it for part of the charred tree trunks around it.
Guo Yi nodded. "That's the one."
"Don't underestimate her just because she's still in her initial form. Her level is actually higher than your Nidorina's."
Although this Weedle's level was indeed higher than Nidorina's, its actual combat ability was still debatable. Its initial evolutionary stage severely limited the Weedle's overall combat strength. Both its move set and its base stats were quite modest.
But upon hearing this Weedle was their goal, Su Qingxue's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"A Weedle at Excellence Tier… I'm getting even more curious!"
Eagerly, she reached for the Poké Ball at her waist, ready to release Nidorina and catch this special Weedle right away.
"Hold on!"
Seeing her movement, Guo Yi quickly intervened.
"It's not yet the right moment to catch her."
This Weedle hadn't yet fully awakened the potential hidden within her body. Since they'd already found her, there was no harm in waiting until after tomorrow's lightning tribulation to catch her.
True, catching the Weedle now wouldn't necessarily prevent the evolution potential from reaching Champion-Level after the tribulation, but Guo Yi wasn't completely sure. To be safe, it was best to wait.
Although Su Qingxue didn't fully understand why her teacher stopped her now that they had found their target, out of trust, she obediently put the Poké Ball away.
Screech!
At that moment—
A piercing cry rang from above.
A bird Pokémon resembling a swallow dived sharply from the sky.
It was a Swellow, the evolved form of Taillow—a Flying-type Pokémon rarely seen within Thunder Valley.
Common Flying-types such as Pidgey or Spearow and their evolved forms struggled with the frequent lightning strikes in the valley, eventually migrating elsewhere.
But Taillow and Swellow remained—not because they were immune to lightning strikes, far from it. Being struck by lightning mid-flight was still incredibly painful.
Yet their innate pride refused to let them bow to nature's fury.
Since they couldn't change the harsh conditions, they chose to face them head-on. While other birds avoided thunderstorms, Swellow flew directly into them, soaring proudly through the lightning.
Just like seagulls braving ocean storms, each held firm to their own ideals.
Inevitably, some Swellow succumbed to lightning strikes. But those who endured grew significantly tougher than ordinary Flying-types, developing remarkable resistance to electricity.
A similar scene appeared in the anime, when Ash Ketchum's Swellow endured a [Thunder] attack alongside Pikachu during his battle against the Mossdeep Gym in Hoenn. Coated in golden lightning armor, they had overcome their opponents, earning Ash his gym badge.
Sometimes, a Pokémon's determination alone could alter the course of battle.
Clearly, this Swellow's target was the Weedle feeding leisurely on Thunderstruck Wood.
Swellow tucked its wings tightly, its body glowing with white Normal-type energy as it activated [Quick Attack]. Already naturally swift, the Swellow now blurred with speed.
"Watch out!"
Seeing this, Su Qingxue instinctively called out to warn Weedle.
Yet, the Weedle appeared entirely oblivious to the impending danger, calmly continuing her meal.
"Teacher! Hurry, have Beedrill help!"
Seeing Weedle's lack of response, Su Qingxue anxiously urged her teacher.
However—
Both Guo Yi and Beedrill remained perfectly still, seemingly unconcerned about Weedle's safety.
Just as Su Qingxue was about to speak again, the Swellow suddenly cried out in distress, instantly drawing her attention.
The Swellow, previously fierce and unstoppable, was now struggling desperately midair, seemingly restrained by something invisible.
"That's… [String Shot]!"
Looking closely, Su Qingxue finally noticed a web so thin it was nearly invisible, tightly binding the Swellow in mid-flight.
Naturally, this web was the Weedle's masterpiece.
"Amazing…"
Su Qingxue gasped softly in admiration.
Normally, bug-type threads were sturdy mainly due to their thickness and quantity, making the webs obvious and easily spotted at first glance.
But this Weedle's thread was not only incredibly strong but also exceedingly thin, virtually undetectable without close scrutiny.
Had the enemy not paid attention, they'd never see it coming.
Could she have combined [String Shot] with [Electroweb]?
This Weedle's talent really is impressive. If I didn't already have Beedrill, even I might be tempted.
Guo Yi silently admired Weedle's ingenuity.
With his [Data Eye], he saw far more details than Su Qingxue. The delicate web was infused with a faint electric current. This electricity greatly enhanced the thread's resilience, holding Swellow firmly and preventing escape.
However—
Swellow wasn't one to surrender easily.
Since [Quick Attack] had failed, it decided to use something stronger.
Once again, Swellow's body shone brightly with white light. But unlike before, this glow contained pure Flying-type energy. Countless blades of wind surrounded its form, slicing rapidly at the restrictive threads.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
With a series of audible cracks, the threads broke apart. Freed, Swellow charged down ferociously, cloaked in a [Brave Bird] attack, determined to wash away its shame.
Getting caught by a Bug-type move—and from a mere Weedle at that—was an unbearable humiliation!
BOOM!
Swellow slammed directly into the Thunderstruck Wood where Weedle had been feeding.
Instantly, the tree shattered violently, fragments flying everywhere.
However—
Swellow wasn't pleased at all by its destructive feat, because that damned Weedle had managed to dodge.
Woooh!
Just as Swellow prepared to launch another attack, a large golden web fell from above, completely enveloping it.
[Electroweb]