Chapter 15: The Caterpillar's Shock
The dense forest of Ancient Sword Mountain buzzed with life, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. Souichi Kiruma stood on a narrow trail, the free training zone's edge giving way to deeper, wilder terrain. His Silph Co. live broadcast drone hovered above, its high-definition camera capturing every detail of the rugged landscape and the glint of his Caterpie, Silk, who slithered beside him, its oversized body—over a meter long—shimmering with a draconic aura. Its pink antennae twitched, sensing the wild Pokémon lurking nearby. The system's panel glowed in Souichi's vision, its latest update fueling his resolve:
[Task Update: Finishing Touch Proficiency: 54%. Draconic transformation stable. Objective: Continue live combat training on Ancient Sword Mountain to refine skills and capture a wild Pokémon. Reward: Lucky Egg (increases battle experience gain by 50%). Alert: Hoenn factions and external trainers intensifying surveillance—live broadcast significantly increases exposure risk.]
Souichi adjusted the drone's sensor on his wrist, grinning as the live stream kicked off. His PokéNet post—*"The Caterpie's Spring! One Trainer, One Bug, Smashing Ancient Sword Mountain. Real Fights, Real Stakes!"*—had exploded, drawing thousands of viewers, their comments flooding the chat: *"Emperor's back!"* *"Caterpie's a dragon, I swear!"* Two Paras lay at his feet, bound in Silk's String Shot, their mushroom caps twitching feebly after a quick takedown. Souichi glanced at Silk, who flexed its oversized body in a mock "bodybuilding" pose, earning a laugh. "Alright, buddy, let's give 'em a show."
"Okay, folks, welcome to the wilds of Ancient Sword Mountain!" Souichi's voice was bright, his grin infectious as he faced the drone's camera. "Today's star? My Caterpie, Silk—the toughest bug you'll ever meet!" Silk chirped, twisting dramatically, its massive frame and glowing hide stealing the spotlight. The chat erupted: *"That's no Caterpie, that's a beast!"* *"Emperor's rewriting the Pokédex!"*
Souichi crouched beside Silk, ruffling its antennae. "This is our solo run. One trainer, one bug, taking on the wilds. Let's show these Pokémon who's boss!" A comment caught his eye—*Ghost Otaku*: *"You actually went to Ancient Sword Mountain with a Caterpie? Respect."* Souichi smirked, recognizing the ID as a frequent viewer, possibly a strong trainer hiding behind an unverified account. "Thanks, Ghost Otaku! Coach Souichi keeps it real—no faking here."
The forest stirred, and a bold Hoothoot swooped from a branch, its eyes glowing with challenge. "Silk, Electroweb!" Souichi called. The Caterpie spat a crackling web of electricity, snaring the Hoothoot mid-dive. It struggled, wings sparking, and Silk followed with Bug Bite, its jaws clamping with draconic force. The Hoothoot fled, and the chat went wild: *"Caterpie just bodied a Hoothoot?!"* *"This bug's a dragon, confirmed."* The system pinged: *Combat proficiency: 55%. Public profile surging.*
Souichi's grin widened, but his senses stayed sharp. The deeper they ventured, the fewer trainers they saw—most were rookies sticking to the safer meadow, casting odd glances at his oversized Caterpie. *They think I'm nuts,* he thought, chuckling. But Silk's battles in Sootopolis, facing down Groudon and Kyogre, had hardened them both. *We're not here to play safe.* His own body felt stronger, too—system-enhanced, letting him shrug off Silk's String Shot like it was yarn. The Caterpie's betrayed glare from that training session still made him laugh.
In Cerulean City, Misty leaned back in her gym's office, her Starmie floating nearby, as she watched Souichi's stream on her Pokégear. "This kid's insane," she muttered, half-admiring, half-stunned. Silk's massive form and precise moves were unlike any Caterpie she'd seen. *Red was right—he's Champion material.* She typed in the elite trainer group chat: *"Hualan Mermaid: This Caterpie's a monster. Soloing Ancient Sword Mountain? Kid's got guts."*
*Red: Told you. He's the real deal.*
*Viridian's Son: Green's losing his bet. That bug's no fraud.*
*I'm just pushing Miss Walnut: Wait, this is a CATERPIE?*
*Gorgeous Water Artist: That glow… Da Yan's hiding a dragon.*
*To purchase precious gemstones, contact Devon: Mikoli, focus. Seismic spikes are climbing.*
Misty smirked, her curiosity deepening. *He's teaching newbies how to fight smart. That's rare.*
In Evergreen City, Red and Green sat on the gym's leather sofa, Pikachu and Arcanine lounging nearby. Green's eyes were glued to the stream, his usual smirk replaced by a look of pure respect. "This kid's not just fighting—he's teaching," he said, stroking Arcanine's mane. "Sharing tactics, showing how a Caterpie can dominate. That's Cultivator-level heart."
Red nodded, his cap tilted back. "He's like you. Builds his Pokémon from the ground up, no shortcuts." Green, the "Cultivator," had earned his title through obsessive care for his team, raising champions like Exeggutor and Pidgeot. Seeing Souichi nurture Silk into a draconic force hit home. "I'm sending him a Master Ball," Green declared, typing a donation on PokéNet. "Kid's earned it."
In Caiyou City, Wallace and Steven watched the stream in their harbor café, Milotic and Metagross vigilant at their sides. "That Caterpie's no bug," Wallace said, his eyes gleaming. "It's a dragon in training. Look at that glow—Sky Pillar material." Steven nodded, his Pokégear showing Devon's latest report: seismic spikes near Pacifidlog were surging. "He's catching attention," Steven said. "Magma and Aqua will see this. We need to reach him first."
Back on Ancient Sword Mountain, a Teddiursa emerged from the underbrush, its claws gleaming, eyes curious. Souichi's pulse quickened—*potential teammate?* "Silk, Electroweb, test its grit!" The Caterpie's electric threads sparked, snaring the Teddiursa, which roared and broke free with Slash. *Tough one.* "Bug Bite, now!" Silk's jaws clamped, and the Teddiursa staggered but held its ground, eyeing Silk with respect. The chat roared: *"Catch it, Emperor!"* *"Dragon bug needs a bear buddy!"*
Souichi tossed a Poké Ball, the red beam enveloping the Teddiursa. It shook once, twice, then clicked. The system pinged: *Task completed: Wild Pokémon captured. Reward: Lucky Egg acquired.* Souichi grinned, holding up the ball. "Welcome to the team, little bear." Silk chirped, nudging his leg, and the drone captured it all, the chat exploding: *"Emperor's building an army!"*
His Pokégear buzzed—*FightingMan*: *"Green's impressed. Master Ball incoming. Pallet's ready."* Another from the unknown ID: *"Nice catch. Sky Pillar's waiting—don't go alone."* Souichi's heart raced. *Hoenn, Kanto, everyone's watching.* He looked at Silk, its glow a beacon in the forest. "Ready for the big leagues, buddy?" Silk's eyes gleamed, fierce and ready. The Sky Pillar loomed, and the Emperor's legend was growing, one shock at a time.