Viridian Forest grew denser as Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town moved deeper along the narrow trail. The sounds of wings and crawling leaves followed him like whispers. Charizard walked ahead, careful with each step, tail flame dim and controlled. Rattata stayed alert at Ash's feet.
Caterpie stirred inside its Poké Ball.
Ash noticed. He stopped walking.
"You want out?" he asked quietly.
He released Caterpie. The small Pokémon blinked, then straightened, antenna lifting as if sensing something new in the forest air.
Maya glanced over. "It's close," she said. "Bug Pokémon evolve fast here."
They didn't walk much farther before a shout rang out.
"Battle time!"
Another Bug Catcher jumped onto the path. Taller than the last, older. Confident.
"Name's Rick," he said, adjusting his net. "This forest makes strong Bug types. Let's see what you've got."
Ash stepped forward. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."
Rick smirked and threw a Poké Ball.
"Go, Kakuna!"
A yellow cocoon dropped to the ground, motionless but tense.
Ash raised his Pokédex.
"Kakuna, the Cocoon Pokémon. Bug and Poison type. Evolves from Weedle. While it appears immobile, it can still attack if threatened."
Ash nodded. "Caterpie, I choose you."
Caterpie moved forward, surprisingly steady.
"Kakuna, Harden!" Rick commanded.
The shell glowed faintly.
Ash remembered the earlier Metapod. He clenched his fists. "Caterpie, String Shot!"
Silk wrapped around Kakuna, but the cocoon barely moved.
"Kakuna, Poison Sting!"
A sharp needle shot out.
"Dodge!" Ash shouted.
Caterpie tried but was clipped, tumbling back. Ash's heart jumped.
"You okay?" he called.
Caterpie struggled upright.
Ash hesitated. Then nodded to himself. "Again. String Shot!"
This time the silk landed cleaner, pinning Kakuna partially to the ground.
Rick frowned. "Harden again!"
The shell gleamed brighter.
Ash saw it. Caterpie was breathing harder now.
"…Withdraw," Ash said.
Rick laughed. "That it?"
Ash recalled Caterpie. "Yeah. That's it."
Not defeat. Not surrender. A decision.
They rested near a fallen log. Ash checked Caterpie carefully, using a potion.
"I rushed," he admitted. "Same mistake again."
Charizard stood nearby, silent, watching the forest. It glanced at Caterpie once, then back ahead.
Maya closed her notebook. "You didn't lose because Caterpie is weak. You lost because experience matters."
Ash smiled faintly. "Then I'll get it."
As they stood to move on, Caterpie suddenly glowed.
Ash froze. "Wait… Caterpie?"
Light wrapped around the small Pokémon.
When it faded, a green cocoon rested on the ground.
Ash's Pokédex activated automatically.
"Metapod, the Cocoon Pokémon. Bug type. This is its evolved form. It hardens its shell to protect itself while preparing for evolution."
Ash stared, stunned. Then smiled slowly.
"You didn't win the battle," he whispered, "but you still grew."
Charizard turned its head slightly, tail flame steady.
They continued forward.
Pewter City was closer now.
And Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town was learning that growth didn't always come from victory.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N:
Support me and Access 30 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/mythostales