Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Weedle's Battle
Weedle, a Pokémon often associated with a slow demeanor, proved to be remarkably fast when it came to eating. In mere seconds, it devoured a berry about the size of its head, finishing with a satisfied burp.
Ash chuckled as he watched Weedle savor the fruit. "It seems like you've got quite the appetite," he remarked warmly.
Weedle, now fully alert, glanced at Ash and recalled the recent events. Realization dawned—it had been captured by this human Trainer. Hesitant at first, Weedle studied its surroundings, noticing Pikachu resting nearby and Pidgeotto training diligently in the distance.
Ash extended his hand toward Weedle, his expression calm and reassuring. "How about joining me on my journey? There's a whole world out there waiting to be explored," he said confidently, not fearing a potential sting.
Weedle hesitated, looking at Ash's hand, then at Pikachu and Pidgeotto again. After a moment of contemplation, it made its decision. It lightly tapped its head against Ash's hand, signaling acceptance.
"Welcome to the team!" Ash exclaimed, his grin widening. "I'm Ash, and my dream is to become the world's strongest Pokémon Trainer!" Carefully avoiding Weedle's sharp horn, he patted the Pokémon's head.
After a brief rest, Pidgeotto returned from its training. It exchanged greetings with Weedle, though Weedle still showed some nervousness. It recognized Pidgeotto as the evolved form of the Pidgey it had previously battled and lost to.
Meanwhile, Pikachu, now awake, greeted Weedle enthusiastically. Pikachu enjoyed making new friends, and it seemed happy to bond with its new teammate. This budding camaraderie eased the tension between Pidgeotto and Weedle.
Ash initially planned to take the day off after the intense battles earlier. However, Pidgeotto's desire to improve prompted Ash to allow it to continue training in the forest. Pikachu, having recently experienced a breakthrough in its strength, was eager to test its newfound power and refine its skills.
Weedle, on the other hand, required a different approach. Before evolving into its final form, Beedrill, Weedle was relatively weak in battle. After assessing its abilities, Ash discovered that Weedle had only mastered two moves: Poison Sting and String Shot.
"Not much to work with," Ash mused, "but we'll make it happen." Weedle hadn't inherited any advanced moves from its parents, making it one of the weakest Pokémon in its current state.
To address this, Ash devised a basic training plan for Weedle. Combat experience was essential, and he decided to start by pitting Weedle against a Caterpie. He refrained from initiating battles with more challenging opponents, as Weedles rarely traveled alone and could attract the attention of aggressive Beedrills.
After demonstrating basic battle strategies to Weedle, Ash allowed it to perch on his left shoulder. Pikachu, not wanting to miss out, leapt onto Ash's other shoulder. Together, they set off in search of a suitable opponent for Weedle.
It didn't take long to find one. The Viridian Forest, teeming with Bug-type Pokémon, presented no shortage of opportunities. Barely a hundred meters from their campsite, Ash spotted a Caterpie.
"Perfect," Ash whispered, turning to Weedle. "This is your first battle as part of my team. Don't worry—just follow my instructions, and you'll do great."
Weedle nodded, its small horn bobbing. Though it had fought other Pokémon before, this would be its first battle under the guidance of a Trainer.
"Pikachu," Ash said, glancing at his trusted companion, "I need you to keep an eye out. Make sure no other Pokémon interfere."
Pikachu gave a confident nod. "Pika-pika!" it replied, thumping its tiny chest in assurance.
With the plan in place, Ash stepped into Caterpie's view, Weedle still on his shoulder. The Caterpie flinched at the sudden appearance of the Trainer and his Pokémon, curling into a defensive position.
"Let's start strong! Weedle, use String Shot!" Ash commanded, raising his hand dramatically.
Weedle sprang into action, channeling Bug-type energy to produce a sticky silk thread from its nose. The thread shot toward Caterpie, who attempted to dodge but couldn't completely escape. Strands of silk clung to Caterpie, slowing its movements significantly.
"Great start! Now, follow up with Poison Sting!" Ash ordered.
Weedle charged forward, its sharp horn glowing faintly with Poison energy. The attack struck Caterpie, causing it to stagger backward. While Poison Sting was a weak move, it had a chance to inflict the Poison status condition.
As luck would have it, Caterpie succumbed to the poisonous effect. A faint purple glow enveloped its body, and bubbles of toxic energy floated around it—clear signs of poisoning.
"Nice one, Weedle!" Ash exclaimed, pleasantly surprised. Poison Sting had only a 30% chance of poisoning the target, but they had hit the jackpot.
Caterpie, now visibly struggling, tried to retreat. The poison sapped its energy, making it difficult to gather strength for a counterattack. Its movements were sluggish, and its distress was evident.
"Keep up the pressure!" Ash encouraged. "Don't let it recover!"
The battle ended swiftly. Weakened by the poison and immobilized by the silk threads, Caterpie stood no chance. Weedle delivered the final blow, securing its victory.
Weedle buzzed with excitement, its small body trembling with pride. This was its first win under Ash's guidance, and it was thrilled.
"Well done, Weedle!" Ash praised, giving the Bug-type a gentle pat. "You're stronger than you think."
After ensuring Caterpie was no longer poisoned, Ash placed it under the shade of a tree to recover. He then continued to search for more opponents, determined to help Weedle grow.
Over the next hour, Weedle faced several other Caterpie, each battle boosting its confidence and honing its skills. By the end of the session, Weedle was visibly exhausted but brimming with newfound determination.
Ash knew that Weedle's evolution into Kakuna—and eventually Beedrill—required not only experience but also a sense of urgency. By pushing Weedle to its limits, he could stimulate the genetic changes necessary for evolution.
"We'll take a break for now," Ash said, smiling at the weary Weedle. "You've earned it. Keep this up, and you'll evolve in no time."
Weedle chirped in agreement, resting on Ash's shoulder as they made their way back to camp. Pikachu, who had been standing guard during the battles, gave an approving nod.
As they returned to their campsite, Ash felt a surge of pride. His team was growing stronger with each passing day, and he couldn't wait to see what the future held.
"Let's keep pushing forward," Ash murmured to himself. "We've got a long way to go, but I know we'll get there—together."
And so, with Weedle as his newest ally, Ash continued his journey through the Viridian Forest, determined to unlock the full potential of his team and achieve his dream of becoming the world's greatest Pokémon Trainer.
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