"Pikachu, use Thunder Shock!" Ash shouted, trying to stop the Shiny Magikarp from being taken away.
"Pika—chu!"
Pikachu's Thunder Shock struck Pidgeotto with perfect accuracy. The Magikarp it had been carrying dropped from midair, and Pidgeotto itself fell as well.
Ash quickly grabbed two Poké Balls.
With the one in his left hand, he recalled Magikarp.
With the one in his right, he threw it at Pidgeotto.
After all, this Pidgeotto looked pretty strong.
The Poké Ball hit the ground and shook once—
Then stopped.
Capture successful.
The impact from falling had probably knocked Pidgeotto unconscious, so it didn't even struggle.
Ash ran over and released it again. After all, it had just taken a Thunder Shock from Pika-God—not many Flying-type Pokémon could endure that.
Pidgeotto glanced at Ash, then turned its head away arrogantly while allowing him to treat it with Potion.
"Come out, everyone," Ash said.
He released all of his Pokémon.
At the moment he had four Pokémon:
Pikachu
Shiny Magikarp
Caterpie
Pidgeotto
"From now on, we're all partners. Please take care of each other."
It was close to noon. Ash spread a picnic cloth on the ground and took out food he had bought from the Pokémon Center.
Lunch time.
Misty sat close to Pikachu while staying as far away as possible from Caterpie, eating cautiously.
Watching Ash, she couldn't help thinking.
Just two days ago he had started with only Pikachu.
Now he had already caught so many Pokémon—
He had even caught a Caterpie.
Maybe Ash was really desperate...
"Ash, why do you catch every Pokémon you see?" Misty asked.
She had grown up receiving Gym Leader training, so she naturally thought she had more experience than this rookie Trainer.
She couldn't understand why Ash would catch Pokémon like Caterpie or Pidgeotto, which didn't seem especially impressive.
Ash paused for a moment before explaining:
"Not really. I've only caught three Pokémon—and I chose them carefully."
Magikarp was the one I gave you, Misty thought, pouting slightly.
Since Ash planned to compete in the Indigo League, he should ideally capture Pokémon with strong potential. Otherwise, even collecting Gym Badges would be difficult.
But Ash was extremely satisfied with his current team.
Both Caterpie and Pidgeotto had Quasi Elite Four Tier Potential.
No wonder this Pidgeotto could protect its flock so well.
Pokémon: Pidgeotto
Level: 18
Nature: Quiet
Potential: Quasi Elite Four Tier
Ability: Keen Eye
Moves: Gust, Sand Attack, Twister, Quick Attack
Held Item: None
Friendship: 70
Right now the lowest-level Pokémon was the "Rayquaza larva" Caterpie.
After some more training, it should evolve soon.
Ash briefly wondered if he should let all his Pokémon evolve first before challenging the Pewter Gym.
Playing it safe wasn't a bad idea.
"Hey brat—we meet again!"
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Team Rocket?!"
"What are you doing here?" Misty asked in surprise.
After last night's attack, Viridian City had increased its police patrols. She couldn't believe Team Rocket still dared to return.
"Since you asked so sincerely—"
...
The same embarrassing motto followed.
Meanwhile, Meowth had already smelled the food.
"Hey kid, hand over your food!"
Stealing food?
Ash casually tossed a few pieces of bread toward them, deliberately teasing Meowth.
Seeing Meowth get furious made Ash feel oddly satisfied.
"Have some dignity," Jessie complained.
Watching Meowth get tricked over food was just embarrassing.
Meowth gritted its teeth. It had actually been played by that brat.
"Kid, hand over that yellow electric mouse," Jessie said, pointing at Pikachu.
But when she noticed the Shiny Magikarp, her eyes lit up like light bulbs.
"And that Shiny Magikarp too!"
If they captured Pikachu and the Shiny Magikarp, Boss Giovanni would definitely reward them.
"If you refuse…"
Jessie and James sent out their Pokémon.
Ekans and Koffing appeared, ready for battle.
[ New Quest Triggered!]
Use Caterpie to defeat Team Rocket.
Reward:
Caterpie Potential upgraded to Elite Four Tier
Rare Candy ×3
Wow… Team Rocket is this generous?
Hearing the system notification, Ash looked at Team Rocket with burning excitement.
Thank you, Team Rocket brothers, for the rewards.
Caterpie:
Just wait until I evolve into Rayquaza—I'll carry you all to victory.
"…Why do I feel like something's wrong?" Jessie muttered uneasily after seeing Ash's strange gaze.
James and Meowth felt the same thing.
"Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack on Ekans!"
Ash planned to weaken Team Rocket's Pokémon first, then let Caterpie finish them off.
Pidgeotto's speed was incredible.
It struck Ekans head-on with Quick Attack.
"Koffing, use Smokescreen!" James shouted.
The smoke hid their Pokémon.
However, he had overlooked one crucial detail.
Pidgeotto's Ability was Keen Eye, making it immune to accuracy-lowering effects.
Pidgeotto slammed both Ekans and Koffing with Quick Attack again.
Flying high in the air, it was completely out of their reach.
Frustrated, Ekans and Koffing turned their attention toward Caterpie.
If we can't hit the bird, we can at least beat that little bug!
Bullying my Rayquaza?
Ash decided it was time.
Pidgeotto had already weakened them.
Now it was Caterpie's turn.
Rayquaza, use Hyper Beam!
"Caterpie, use String Shot!"
Caterpie crawled in front of Ash and fired sticky threads at Ekans and Koffing.
"Hahaha! Kid, that Caterpie—Meowth could handle it!" Jessie laughed.
But before she finished speaking—
Caterpie fired String Shot incredibly quickly, wrapping Ekans and Koffing tightly.
Then it charged forward with Tackle.
"So fast!"
"So much silk!"
"That's a huge amount, meowth!" Team Rocket shouted in shock.
They never expected such a small Caterpie to be so strong.
Just String Shot and Tackle were enough to defeat Ekans and Koffing.
"Well then—"
Meowth jumped forward to attack.
But Caterpie sprayed another massive bundle of silk, wrapping Meowth into a white cocoon ball just like Ekans.
"Goodbye," Ash said calmly.
Seeing the situation go bad, Team Rocket hurriedly recalled their Pokémon, grabbed the cocooned Meowth, and ran away as fast as they could.
[ Quest Completed!]
Reward obtained:
Potential Enhancement Candy
Rare Candy ×3
Caterpie stood still on the ground.
Suddenly, its body began glowing with brilliant light.
It was evolving.
Thanks for the experience, Team Rocket.
Ash and the others watched as Caterpie's body became enveloped in bright white evolution light.
This was the first Pokémon Ash had personally raised to evolution.
Even though he had only caught Caterpie recently, he had guided it through battle and growth himself.
And now its Potential had reached Elite Four Tier.
Without a doubt—
This Caterpie was destined to become one of his main team members.