“Did you really forget what happened last night?” Misty asked, puzzled.

Ash spread his hands, looking innocent. “Last night, the moment I hit the bed, I was fast asleep. Right, Pikachu?”

“Pika.”

Pikachu nodded, indicating that Ash was correct.

“That’s not right! Yesterday, there were clearly two Pikachu, and one of them even used a powerful move called ‘Extreme Speed’!” Misty continued to press, refusing to give up.

“You must be seeing things. There’s always only been one Pikachu. Right, Pikachu?” Ash looked bewildered.

Did he run into an idiot first thing in the morning…?

“Pika.”

Pikachu nodded again, indicating that Ash’s words made sense.

Misty: “…”

She rubbed her head. She did feel a bit dizzy last night, and with even Pikachu saying so, could it be that she was just so angry about her bicycle turning into a ‘salted fish’ that she got confused…? Or was this new Trainer just feigning ignorance to get the upper hand?

Misty entered a mysterious state of covert observation.

…

Viridian Forest entrance.

To reach Pewter City, Viridian Forest is a necessary passage. Countless low-level Bug-type Pokémon live here, not too strong, making it the first stop for many new students.

As the two were about to enter, they saw a person already standing at the entrance, seemingly also about to enter Viridian Forest. Straw hat, shorts, vest, and a simple bug net on his back—a standard Bug Catcher outfit.

“Hello, my name is Bug Catcher. I plan to enter Viridian Forest to train.” The Bug Catcher greeted them.

“Hello, my name is Ash…”

Before Ash could finish speaking, Misty beside him had already started screaming wildly, instinctively hiding behind him.

“There are bugs, bugs, bugs…”

It’s reasonable for a girl to be afraid of bugs.

Ash looked closely and saw a green Caterpie with a blank expression standing by the Bug Catcher’s leg.

“Caterpie, a common Bug-type Pokémon. Its protein content is 6 times that of a Tauros.”

The Pokédex automatically reported.

“It’s a Caterpie, but why is your Caterpie so much fatter than normal Caterpie?” Ash asked, puzzled.

There were also a lot of Caterpie in the mountains behind Pallet Town, and Ash was quite familiar with them, but normal ones were only about half an arm long. This one, however, was several inches longer than a fully-grown man's arm. Its protein content should be 16 times, right?

“Of course, this is my carefully nurtured Caterpie!” The Bug Catcher said proudly upon hearing this.

Misty poked her head out and asked weakly, “Generally speaking, Caterpie can evolve in a few days, right? Yours…”

“Three years!”

The Bug Catcher rubbed his Caterpie’s head, looking very proud.

“For these three years, my Caterpie and I have done our best to suppress its evolution, which is why it has grown so plump!”

“Can evolution even be suppressed…?” Ash looked utterly bewildered.

Eat when hungry, sleep when tired, evolve when enough experience is gained—isn’t this common sense? Can it really be suppressed?

Seeing Ash about to act completely clueless again, Misty tried to explain, constantly observing Ash’s expression as she did so.

“Generally speaking, there are three ways to suppress evolution. The first is for the Pokémon to resist with sheer willpower, the second is with an item called an Everstone, and another is for the Trainer to press the B button on the Pokédex. You don’t mean you don’t know this, do you…?”

“Don’t look down on me! Of course I know!” He retorted, blushing.

Ash silently pulled out his Pokédex, thinking to himself, this thing actually has such a function besides broadcasting all that nonsense Pokémon data? But then again, evolution makes one stronger, and one’s appearance can become bigger and more handsome. What reason is there not to evolve? After all, for a man, being big enough is the ultimate beauty!

“Hmm… Should I tell you two…?”

Seeing the two looking at him with curious eyes like babies, the Bug Catcher hesitated for a long time before deciding to tell them quietly.

“I’ll tell you, but don’t spread it around…”

“Legend has it that if a Caterpie is trained to its maximum level without evolving, it will awaken the ancient Dragon bloodline contained within it. When it then evolves, it will become the legendary invincible Dragon Pokémon, Rayquaza!”

As he spoke, the Bug Catcher even showed them a sketch of Rayquaza. Even though it was just a drawing, they could feel the terrifying oppressive aura of this Pokémon. Upon closer inspection, they found that its colors, form, and essence all bore some resemblance to Caterpie.

Ash, Misty: “!!!”

Red: “???”

Red, who had just woken up in the soul space, trembled, his soul almost scattering from shock.

“Hehe, this is a secret my best friend told me. According to him, in his hometown, the Hoenn region, Caterpie are all trained this way. Rayquaza are everywhere, and everyone can ride these invincible giant Dragons and soar in the sky.” The Bug Catcher laughed proudly.

Ash, Misty: “!!!”

Red: “…”

Your best friend, I suggest breaking up with him…

“Enough talk, I need to continue training my Caterpie!”

With that, the Bug Catcher led his fat Caterpie into Viridian Forest first, leaving behind his incredibly confident and hearty arrogant laughter.

“One day, I will ride Rayquaza and rule the Kanto region, becoming the strongest Trainer!”

…

“So Caterpie also has the ancient bloodline of a giant Dragon! That’s amazing!” Ash was instantly captivated, and made to catch a Caterpie to raise for three to five years as well.

“Ash, I think there might be some misunderstanding…”

Misty was clearly not a simpleton and quickly realized that this Bug Catcher might have been tricked by his close friend. Such a friend, she suggested burying alive.

“What misunderstanding? What he said was well-reasoned and convincing!”

Ash excitedly darted into Viridian Forest. Just as he entered the main gate, he saw a Caterpie eating grass in the nearby bushes.

“Goodness, from a distance, it really does look like a giant Dragon!”

Without hesitation, Ash threw a Poké Ball. The Caterpie didn’t dodge, directly transforming into red light and being drawn inside.

“Beep… beep… beep…”

After three shakes, the Poké Ball stopped shaking, successfully capturing it.

Ash held up the Poké Ball and roared loudly:

“Haha, I caught Rayquaza!!”

Misty, Red: “…”

“Misty, I feel like I’m about to become a Pokémon Master!”

At this moment, Ash became incredibly passionate. Holding the Caterpie’s Poké Ball in his hand, he felt as if he owned the whole world.

Misty, Red: “…”

No, later I must secretly remove that B button on the Pokédex, otherwise, a perfectly good Trainer will become obsessed!

…

The two continued deeper into the forest. Misty timidly hid behind Ash, the constant buzzing of insect wings making her very uncomfortable.

During this time, Ash also caught a Pidgeotto, which was a good catch.

…

At night, the two lit a bonfire, attempting to use the flames to deter Bug-type Pokémon from approaching. After all, not all Bug-type Pokémon are as docile as Caterpie. Some, like Beedrill, are not only combative but also have Toxic stings, making them a beginner Trainer’s biggest nightmare.

Soon, the two fell into a deep sleep, and Red once again took over Ash’s body.

“It seems it’s not a one-time thing…?”

Red smiled. He really liked this feeling. Seeing Pikachu and Caterpie sitting on a log, communicating telepathically, he didn’t go up to disturb them, but simply watched the bright moon hanging in the sky.

“I wonder how Blue and Gary are doing…?”

…

…

Next to Pewter City, Mt. Moon.

On a cliffside, a brown-haired, spiky-haired young man had lit a bonfire alone, with a rather robust Wartortle beside him. However, what was strange was that in that place, he was the only one, yet he was talking to himself, seemingly conversing with someone.

“My rival?” Gary suddenly paused.

His first thought was Ash, but he quickly shook his head, scoffing. How could someone who was late even for the start of his journey be a rival to him, Master Gary?

He, Gary, was invincible! He had no rivals!