The Black-Patterned Beedrill had been traveling with Eichi for nearly four months. By training alongside Beedrill, enduring hardships, and facing countless trials, it had finally achieved its current strength. When it first left with Eichi over three months ago, it possessed Excellent talent and was at the mid-Rookie stage. Now, the Black-Patterned Beedrill had reached the first stage of Outstanding talent and stood at the early Elite rank.
Indeed, it was now at the early Elite rank, approximately Level 41. It had climbed 28 levels, from Level 13 to Level 41, in just over three months. One could say that the Black-Patterned Beedrill was now the strongest fighting force in the entire Beedrill colony.
Looking at its father, the Black-Patterned Beedrill felt a sense of daze, as if a vast amount of time had passed. Over these months, Eichi had drilled it relentlessly. During their journey, Eichi constantly made it battle wild Pokémon in the forests. Furthermore, Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross had served as its daily sparring partners. Only it knew the trials it had endured to reach this level of power. Yet, it also felt as though time had flown by, and leaving the colony felt like only yesterday.
Seeing the gruesome scars on its father's body, it realized how hard its father had worked during this time. However, now that it had returned, the Beedrill colony would become the overlords of the area.
Suddenly, the Beedrill Leader lunged at the Black-Patterned Beedrill, swinging its stingers to strike the younger one's head. Taken slightly off guard, the Black-Patterned Beedrill could only raise its stingers to block. It had learned this stance from Beedrill, who taught it that such a position allowed for both offense and defense.
Clang!
The stingers collided, and the Beedrill Leader's sneak attack failed to connect. Seeing this, the Beedrill Leader immediately vibrated its wings and flew off. The Black-Patterned Beedrill gave chase at once. Eichi understood that this was the Beedrill Leader testing the younger one's strength.
As the two Beedrill clashed repeatedly in the air, it was clear that the Beedrill Leader was already falling into a disadvantage. The leader was currently at the late Experienced rank; with luck, it might break through to the Elite rank, but without it, it might remain at the Experienced rank for the rest of its life. Its move mastery had reached the Mastery level, though only for a few specific moves.
The gap between it and the Black-Patterned Beedrill was quite large. Over the past three months, Eichi had ensured it learned every move it was capable of, with the lowest proficiency being Skilled. It had nearly ten moves at the Mastery level.
Sure enough, it didn't take long for the Beedrill Leader to suffer defeat, right under the watchful eyes of the entire colony. Rather than being angry at the loss, the Beedrill Leader was overjoyed. With the Black-Patterned Beedrill being this strong, the colony's days would be much easier.
Upon landing, the leader announced to the gathered swarm that the Black-Patterned Beedrill was the new leader of the colony. Not a single Beedrill opposed this. The old leader had been the strongest, and since he had been easily defeated, the rest of them stood no chance.
The Black-Patterned Beedrill was still a bit stunned. I've become the leader just like that? So suddenly? However, it did not refuse. That was the way of the Beedrill colony: the strongest became the leader.
Since the Black-Patterned Beedrill had taken over, Eichi's goal was achieved. He entered the nest with the Pokémon, where the former leader offered honey to entertain them. Eichi conducted a trade for Pokémon food, just as he had done before.
After the trade, Eichi released his other Pokémon. Since the Black-Patterned Beedrill was staying with the colony, they could no longer train or travel together. The Black-Patterned Beedrill also realized that it was time to say goodbye. It now carried the fate of the entire colony on its shoulders and could no longer journey with Eichi.
Beedrill looked at its junior. Over the last few months, it had witnessed all of the younger one's progress. The Black-Patterned Beedrill had always viewed Beedrill as its mentor and worked hard every day. Yet, its future was now rooted here; it could not travel to different places with Eichi or witness even higher peaks. Beedrill felt a bit of regret, but it knew this was the younger one's destiny and responsibility, something it could not escape. Thus, it could only offer comfort and words of blessing.
Scizor and Heracross also stood by, having both acknowledged the Black-Patterned Beedrill as their comrade. Nincada felt particularly upset. Despite the fact that it and the Black-Patterned Beedrill often got on each other's nerves and fought frequently, it was hard to say goodbye. It walked over and spoke a few words to its departing friend.
Eichi felt a pang of sadness in his heart, but what was destined to happen would happen. After the Pokémon finished their farewells, Eichi finally decided it was time to leave. The Black-Patterned Beedrill led the swarm to the entrance of their territory to see Eichi off.
Eichi waved and turned away. Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross each took one last look at their friend before following. The Black-Patterned Beedrill watched until Eichi disappeared from its sight. It fought back tears; since its eyes were naturally red, it looked no different than usual. It then turned back to the swarm behind it. From now on, their future was in its hands.
Returning home, Eichi looked at the empty Pokéball on his waist. He took the photo box from his backpack, pulled out the picture of the Black-Patterned Beedrill, and placed it in a frame. Then, he took his remaining Pokémon out for training.
From the training session until dinner that night, everyone was in a bit of a slump, and the atmosphere was heavy. Eichi didn't say much; a good night's sleep would bring a new beginning. Tomorrow was especially important for Nincada.
Early the next morning, Eichi woke up an hour later than usual. He washed up, ate breakfast, and once everything was ready, he headed out. He arrived at the small woods where they usually trained, dropped his backpack, and released all his Pokémon.
They all knew what was about to happen. With a look from Eichi, Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross took up guard positions around the perimeter. Wimpod was the same as ever; although its level had reached the Experienced rank, Eichi had chosen not to let it evolve yet, keeping it equipped with an Everstone.
Nincada was in a similar situation. It was currently at the mid-Experienced stage and had long since reached the requirements for evolution, but Eichi wanted it to keep accumulating energy before changing. Therefore, it had been wearing an Everstone until now.
Nincada felt a surge of excitement. After persisting for so long, the moment of transformation had finally arrived. Eichi removed its Everstone and stepped back a few paces.
The moment the Everstone was removed, Nincada's body instantly stiffened. A powerful wave of energy erupted from every corner of its body. Nincada then closed its eyes, falling into a state of death-like stillness.