Back at home, DJ set the egg down in its incubator and headed straight for the bathroom. He needed to wash the dried blood off his arms and face before anything else. The warm water stung a bit, but it felt good—like rinsing off the chaos of the day.
When he was done, he tossed his dirty clothes into the washer, switched it to a quick cycle, and returned to his room. The egg sat in its incubator, trembling softly under the warm lights. DJ inhaled, focused, and let the strange green energy—Bug Force, as he'd named it—pulse through his fingertips.
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's give you and Weedle a little boost."
Weedle stood patiently nearby, antennae twitching as the soft green glow washed over both it and the egg. Once the energy faded, DJ climbed onto his bed, crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and began trying to draw more of that energy from the air and from within himself.
Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it sputtered out.
Tonight, most attempts failed.
DJ sighed. "Not tonight, I guess. Better luck next time."
The next morning, DJ and Weedle headed toward the grove, the incubator tucked safely in DJ's backpack. Just in case the egg decided to hatch unexpectedly.
"Aight, Weedle," DJ said once they reached the clearing. "Five laps around the forest. Then we start move training. Understand?"
"Weedle!"
The bug-type shot forward, skittering through the underbrush with surprising speed. Five laps came easy, so DJ pushed him for five more. This time, Weedle staggered back, panting and exhausted.
"Good. Now let's hit move training. You're almost at mastery with all of them—today, we're pushing for that finish line."
Weedle perked up, filled with renewed energy at the challenge.
Hours passed. Bug Bite, String Shot, and Poison Sting all hit mastery level with ease—natural moves came naturally. Electroweb, though… that one was tough. No electric affinity meant every successful attempt was hard-earned.
"Alright," DJ said finally. "Break time. Restore your energy."
"Weedle…"
Weedle collapsed dramatically, then dragged itself toward a bowl of honey mixed with Moomoo Milk. It devoured the meal like it hadn't eaten in days.
DJ sat nearby, sketching the scenery in his journal while the egg continued incubating. After a moment, he set the journal aside and tried meditating again.
This time—success.
The green energy pulsed around him, stronger than before. He directed it toward Weedle and the egg, and both reacted instantly—shining faintly, swelling with new strength. DJ kept the energy flowing, learning to hold it, to shape it, to store it even when it tried to bleed away.
Eventually, fatigue forced him to stop.
Weedle rested nearby but stayed alert, its body twitching whenever a loud rustle came from deeper in the forest.
DJ's thoughts drifted.
College. A real university. A bug-type program, something specialized where he could study, train, and help his future Pokémon reach their full potential.
"Time to get back to work," he murmured.
He snapped his journal shut, stood up, and Weedle rose the moment it sensed him moving.
Training resumed. DJ tossed small stones into the air while Weedle knocked them down with Electroweb. Now Weedle could hit multiple rocks at once.
"Weedle!"
DJ turned at the sudden cry. Weedle had fired Poison Sting toward the incubator—at a Pidgey that had been creeping too close.
"Nice find," DJ said, patting the bug. "Good job."
"Weedle!"
Another Pidgey swooped down, talons out, trying to grab Weedle. Weedle dodged easily.
"Alright, buddy. Ready?"
"Ready!"
"Use Poison Needle!"
"Weedle!"
A volley of poisoned stingers shot into the air, forcing both Pidgey back.
"Pidgey!"
The larger one dove with a Tackle, but Weedle jumped aside and fired a String Shot. It clipped the bird's wing, sending it spiraling downward. Weedle tried to finish with Electroweb, but the second Pidgey blasted it with a super-effective Gust.
"Weedle!"
"Aight Weedle, focus on one target! Make it easier!" DJ ordered.
Weedle nodded sharply.
Together they targeted the grounded Pidgey. Weedle unleashed a barrage of Poison Stings until the bird dropped.
"Pidgey!"
The surviving Pidgey let out a furious cry. Blue light flashed around its body.
"It's evolving," DJ breathed.
Weedle braced itself.
"Keeep firing—spam Electroweb!"
"Weedle!"
The newly evolved Pidgeotto didn't even get a chance to settle its wings before Weedle pinned it to a tree with Electroweb. Poison needles followed, striking twice before Pidgeotto broke free.
The bird retaliated with a Wing Attack—Weedle countered with Electroweb. The collision created a thick cloud of dust and feathers.
"Weedle, hit it the moment you see—"
A sharp cry split the air.
DJ spun around just in time to see Pidgeotto flying off.
With his incubator.
"Damn it!" DJ yelled. "Weedle, Electroweb—now!"
Weedle fired instantly. The shot hit Pidgeotto dead-on. The incubator slipped from its claws, falling. Weedle reacted fast—String Shot shot out, sticking it safely to a nearby tree before it could hit the ground.
"Nice shot!" DJ said, grabbing the incubator and peeling it free from the webbing.
Weedle stood proudly, chest puffed out.
Seeing the determination burning in Weedle's eyes, DJ decided to release the last of his stored energy. It flowed from his hands like warm fire, weaving into Weedle's body. The bug glowed—stronger than ever.
And close to evolving.
Wanting to push it over the edge, DJ continued through the forest, ready to battle anything that crossed their path. They didn't have to look long. An Arbok slithered out from the tall grass, warning hood flared wide.
"Perfect," DJ muttered. "Let's go."
The battle started close—but Weedle soon began overwhelming the serpent. A brutal Bug Bite struck deep into Arbok's tail, paralyzing the snake. Weedle followed up with relentless Electroweb blasts until the Arbok collapsed, smoking.
A blue glow enveloped Weedle.
DJ grinned, unleashing a surge of Hive Energy straight into his partner as it evolved. The glow intensified, brighter and brighter, until—
The light snapped away.
A Kakuna stood there—larger than average, humming with new strength.
DJ smiled wide. "Look at you—now a Kakuna. You're almost at your next evolution."