Evening fell as the sun sank low, streaks of colorful clouds piling across the horizon.
The sky looked like endless silk brocade, edged with dazzling gold.
As usual, the Grass-type Pokémon gathered at the small training ground, waiting for dinner.
Renan glanced toward the sunset. It felt like it was a little later than usual today.
"Dad, I'm back!" Toma came rushing into the yard on his bike, a big schoolbag bouncing on his back. "I stayed late to watch my classmates' Pokémon battle."
From the window facing the training ground, Haruto's broad face popped out. "Come help out, quick."
"Got it!"
While father and son busied themselves preparing food, Renan slipped among the Grass-types, quietly recording each one into his Transformation Dex.
[Transformation Dex updated: Tangela (Ability: Regenerator). Total entries: 3]
[Transformation Dex updated: Oddish (Ability: Chlorophyll). Total entries: 4]
[Transformation Dex updated: Exeggcute (Ability: Chlorophyll). Total entries: 5]
[Transformation Dex updated: Paras (Ability: Dry Skin). Total entries: 6]
For the last one, Renan kept as much distance as possible.
[Transformation Dex updated: Machamp (Ability: No Guard). Total entries: 7]
If he transformed into a Machamp, it would have the highest base stats among his forms so far. But with the few moves he currently knew, he wouldn't be able to use a single one in that form. He couldn't possibly beat a Machamp in a fight either, so he couldn't even learn its moves that way.
It was just a Dex entry. Renan quickly pushed it out of his mind—he would never use that form.
His total free base stat points increased by 5. Since both Vine Whip and Tackle were physical moves, Renan invested all the points into Attack, raising his Attack stat to 54.
Not long after, Haruto and Toma came out of the house carrying trays of food. "Dinner time."
The Grass-types, long since starving, rushed forward as one.
Though Grass-types could restore some energy through photosynthesis, that only worked when they stayed motionless in the sun for long periods—more absorption than consumption.
In the daycare, however, Haruto encouraged them to stay active for their growth, which meant they needed more food to make up for the energy spent.
In the scramble, a Bulbasaur collided with a Bellsprout.
"Bulba!"
"Sprout!"
The Bellsprout bolted aside like it had seen a predator, hurriedly clearing a path.
The Bulbasaur scratched its head in confusion, then kept charging toward the food.
Wooden bowls were lined neatly on the ground, each filled with Pokémon food and water.
While distributing meals, Toma made a round to observe the Pokémon. Returning to his father's side, he asked, puzzled, "Dad, I noticed something today. The Bellsprout seem especially afraid of Bulbasaur. I saw several of them avoiding it on purpose."
Haruto nodded. "Yeah, I saw that too. Maybe the two groups had some scuffles, and the Bellsprout got the short end."
"So… we don't intervene?"
"No need." Haruto shook his head, pointing at the clearly divided groups of Pokémon. "Look, Pokémon naturally gather with their own kind. Different species will always have competition and conflict. Low-level fighting like this is actually good—it builds their survival instincts. With Machamp around to guard against intruders, nothing serious will happen."
"That's strange, though." Toma scratched his neck. "I thought Bulbasaur were usually the weaker group since they're fewer in number."
Among all the groups in the daycare, Bulbasaur were the smallest in population.
Haruto smiled with satisfaction. "But this afternoon, they were really into wrestling matches. That competitive spirit is being awakened. Their market value might go up nicely…"
What Haruto said casually, Renan caught with sharp intent.
So that's how things work between Pokémon… He gulped down milk while already planning which species he would pick a fight with tomorrow.
Challenging Bellsprout as a Bulbasaur had nearly gotten him mobbed today. Too risky. If Pokémon already had group rivalry, then why not make himself the leader of the Bulbasaur?
The next afternoon, during free playtime.
As soon as the Pokémon dispersed, Renan bounded into the Bulbasaur group, full of energy. "Hey everyone, it's me, Greenie!"
"Bulba." "Ohhh." "Bulba!"
The Bulbasaur were already used to Greenie being a fierce fighter.
"I've got a proposal." Renan hopped to the center. Two vines unfurled from his back, blocking two Bulbasaur mid-duel. "Since I'm the strongest frog here, how about making me your leader?"
"Huh? Why?" one Bulbasaur asked, baffled.
Another protested, "You just lost to me the other day!"
That had been two days ago, when Renan was only level 3.
"Not impossible…" Some others, impressed by Greenie's strength, gave tentative nods.
"Quiet!" Renan bellowed, unleashing Growl. His voice boomed across the clearing.
"Hmph. I'm not the same as before. I alone can defeat all of you at once!"
"Bulba?!"
"No way."
"If you can, then you're the leader."
The group quickly reached consensus—if Greenie was so confident, they'd give him a trial by battle.
"Bring it on!"
Renan planted his vines into the ground, drawing power from the earth. His bulb spread open, absorbing the sunlight. His body swelled, strength surging—Growth (Lv.1).
The Bulbasaur spread out, half-surrounding him.
Two pairs of vines lashed toward him first—attacks from the two Bulbasaur who knew Vine Whip.
The other four lowered their heads, charging with Tackle.
Seeing their formation, Renan smirked. I've already won.
He knew every one of their moves from experience.
In a duel, the fastest way was to use your strongest attack. But in a group fight, mixing in a few Growls to disrupt him would've worked far better.
Still, by chance, their Vine Whip and Tackle combo ended up looking like coordinated waves of attack.
Too bad Renan was no longer the same as two days ago.
Swish! Two vines shot from his bulb, meeting the incoming lashes.
Crack! His vines overpowered theirs instantly, bending them back before tangling them midair. Like living serpents, his vines wrapped them together and yanked them right into the path of two charging Bulbasaur.
Thud! Thud! Both tripped hard, faces planting into the grass.
Four down. Two left.
Renan calmly retracted his vines, lowered his head, and charged.
Bam! His forehead slammed into one opponent. The Bulbasaur reeled, dizzy, then toppled over.
[Bulbasaur fainted. Gained 1 EXP.]
"Tch. Worthless message."
The last Bulbasaur rammed into Renan's shoulder, making him wince. But Renan grinned. "Your turn!"
Crash! Another one down.
[Bulbasaur fainted. Gained 1 EXP.]
"Uhh… I think Greenie should be our leader!" one Bulbasaur quickly changed sides while still sprawled on the ground.
"Me too!" another chimed in while struggling with tangled vines.
The rest gave in immediately. "Greenie's the leader!"
"Leader Greenie!"
Now their boss, Renan helped the fallen back up with his vines, then addressed the group with fiery words: "Our goal is to defeat every Pokémon here, and make Bulbasaur the strongest in this daycare!"
"Yeahhh!" ×4
Froggy voices echoed across the grass.
Striking while the iron was hot, Renan pressed on. "Once these two recover, we march out. Who should we challenge first?"
The Bulbasaur exchanged uneasy glances. No one spoke.
Renan narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me… you all think we can't beat anyone?"
"Uhh… maybe?"
"Probably?"
"Seems so."
Renan tried persuading them. "What about Oddish—the little guys with grass on their heads?"
"They've got numbers."
"Paras then? The ones with red mushrooms on their backs. Only nine of them, and not that strong."
"They spray weird powders. If that happens, we lose."
"Che." Renan scratched his head with a vine. "Exeggcute then? The egg cluster Pokémon."
One shaky Bulbasaur muttered, "Whenever I look at their eyes, I just want to fall asleep…"
Hypnosis, huh. Renan clicked his tongue.
"And Tangela? That big mess of vines—you think we can't take them?"
Among the Grass-types here, Tangela had the highest base stat total of 435. Renan hadn't joined their group at first, partly because their appearance was nightmare fuel.
"They're the strongest," all the Bulbasaur agreed with firm nods.
"Hmph. Just rotting bones in a grave," Renan sneered at both his foes and his new underlings. "If Tangela's the strongest, then that's exactly who we'll crush. Follow my lead—let's go!"
Though hesitant, the Bulbasaur followed him.
At a corner of the daycare, beneath the deep shade of a massive oak, eight Tangela rested, avoiding the harsh sunlight. Their blue vines writhed together, swaying like living shrubs.
One Bulbasaur crept timidly to the edge of the shadow, then glanced back at his comrades—and especially at their beady-eyed, brimming-with-confidence leader, Greenie.
Renan raised his chin, urging him forward.
His body was already a size larger than the rest, boosted by two uses of Growth. He had tried a third, but his body couldn't handle the strain.
Gritting his teeth, the Bulbasaur lashed out a Vine Whip. "You're all ugly freaks!"
Whap, whap! The vines struck the nearest Tangela—not much damage, but enough to rouse and enrage them.
The Bulbasaur bolted back immediately.
The "shrubbery" came alive, countless vines writhing like venomous snakes.
When the scout reached safety, Renan barked orders: "Three-Bulba, Four-Bulba—use Growl!"
To simplify command, he had named them Two-Bulba through Seven-Bulba, with himself as Big Bulba. Together, they were the "Calabash Frogs."
"Bulba!" ×2
Their shouts reverberated, lowering the Tangela's fighting spirit.
Two vines shot forth like arrows, striking the nearest Tangela.
"Attack with me!"
Four more vines followed, though slower, focusing on the same target.
Whap-whap-whap! Six whips in total battered it down.
Even with Grass resistance, the Tangela couldn't withstand the barrage—especially since Renan's vines, dexterous like fingers, aimed for weak points.
[Tangela fainted. Gained 11 EXP.][Random move acquired.]
[Congratulations! Learned Bind (Lv.1).]
Less EXP? Must be because we attacked as a group.
No time to dwell. Renan snapped his vines toward the next Tangela. "Focus fire!"
Though confused by his words, the others copied his target choice.
[… Learned Absorb (Lv.1).]
By then, only two Tangela were down before the rest closed in, vines lashing in their signature move—Bind.
"Charge through with Tackle!" Renan commanded, leading the way.
Bam! His massive frame slammed into a Tangela, sending it flying.
Inspired by their leader, the Bulbasaur rammed forward. To their surprise, the Bind no longer felt as crushing as before. The Tangela seemed weaker, their vines soft and loose. With enough force, they could break free and keep fighting.
With Renan focusing his vines from outside, striking wherever needed, the battle tilted in their favor.
Whap! Whap!
[Tangela fainted… Learned Absorb (Lv.2).]
Their advantage snowballed.
[Tangela fainted… Learned Bind (Lv.2).]
No wonder that one was tough—its Bind was already level 2.
Renan observed and analyzed mid-battle, confident of victory.
[Tangela fainted… Learned Stun Spore (Lv.1).]
A solid new move. Works even in Bulbasaur form.
Like an unstoppable avalanche, they crushed the remaining Tangela.
Two-Bulba broke free of a tangle, looked around wide-eyed, and asked, "Did we… win?"
"We won!"
"Leader Greenie is amazing!"
In the end, Renan leveled up to 6 (EXP: 12/127), and gained three new moves—Bind (Lv.3), Absorb (Lv.2), and Stun Spore (Lv.1).
(End of Chapter)