"Be careful, Staryu, that Metapod can use Electric Net," Misty warned.

“Star!”

Staryu's two bifurcated points twisted inward, as if a human was flexing their muscles.

The battle begins!

“Strike first, Staryu, use Swift!” “Metapod, use Harden!”

It didn't matter what the opponent used; Ash's strategy was to boost his defense at the start.

“Da da da…”

Dozens of small stars struck Metapod's shell, but the damage was minimal, not even forcing him to retreat half a step.

“In that case, Staryu, use Water Gun!”

Harden only increases physical defense; special defense is not boosted.

Staryu shot out a not-so-thick stream of water, drenching Metapod's face. This time, it caused damage, and the latter, along with his float, continuously recoiled on the water's surface.

Seeing this, Ash quickly commanded: “Metapod, use String Shot for defense!”

Metapod shook off the Water Gun from his face, then shot out a large mass of white silk from his mouth. Strangely, the String Shot did not go forward to entangle the target, but instead spread out violently in front of him, quickly forming a large white silken shield. Metapod was hidden in the center of the silken shield, and a flickering metallic luster once again shone on his body.

Ash wanted to maximize Metapod's defense in one go!

Misty grew anxious. If this continued, his defense would surely reach thirteen thousand in minutes. At this moment, the white shield was quite resilient; Staryu's Water Gun couldn't break through it. She could only change her strategy.

“Staryu, use High Speed Spin!”

Instantly, Staryu leaped up, his body spinning wildly, transforming into a sharp shuriken that shot forward, splitting the String Shot shield in just a few seconds.

However, just as he cut through the shield, Staryu almost shot his Water Gun from the corner below. A ball of yellow energy had already condensed at the corner of Metapod's mouth, hidden within the shield, poised to strike.

Ash's eyes brightened, and he raised his arm, shouting: “Go, use Electric Net!”

The yellow light mass transformed into a sprawling net of electricity, directly engulfing Staryu at point-blank range.

“Zzzzzz…”

The next second, electricity burst forth, and the type advantage caused Staryu to let out a cry of pain.

“Finish him, use Tackle!!”

Metapod, with his defense raised by three levels, charged out like a tank, directly colliding with the gem on Staryu's chest, which was slowed by the Electric Net. With a "clank," the latter was sent flying straight out, finally slamming heavily into the nearby wall. The gem on his chest also began to beep "bibubibu."

“Staryu is unable to battle, Metapod wins!”

Daisy, acting as the referee, promptly made the judgment.

“How about that, Misty? Have you witnessed the power of me, the future Pokémon Master!” Ash said proudly, his nose held high.

“...”

Misty, on the other hand, had a few drops of sweat fall from her forehead, thinking that Ash's brain during battle was indeed the complete opposite of his usual self. Since he couldn't move himself, he forced Staryu to approach him, thereby creating an opportunity.

What a clever tactic!

Below the stage, the Bug Catcher's gaze was deep, his eyes fixed on the dazed, unmoving Metapod.

Something was strange.

Logically, a Pokémon like Metapod should be able to evolve in a few days, but Ash's Metapod, despite his impressive strength and more than enough experience points, had yet to evolve. It was a waste of the top-grade food that he, a man with the will of a breeder, served him daily.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask during the intermission:

“Hey, good brother, where did you get this Electric Net Metapod?”

Ash was pondering his next strategy, and without thinking, he replied:

“A friend gave it to me.”

“Which friend?” “None of your business.”

The Bug Catcher: “...”

Young man, today you are exceptionally annoying.

...

Actually, it's no wonder Ash was so arrogant, because just now, he finally confirmed one thing.

Caterpie cannot evolve into Rayquaza even if he trains to max level! The Bug Catcher was deceived by his good brother! The true evolution chain should be from Caterpie to Metapod, and then to Butterfree.

This is the normal situation.

But if, at the Metapod stage, he remains unevolved until he reaches max level, he can truly evolve into the soaring giant dragon, Rayquaza!

As the saying goes, breaking out of the cocoon to become a dragon.

And not a broken worm becomes a dragon.

The true evolution chain is actually Caterpie -> Metapod -> Rayquaza.

The wise ancients had already hinted at this important message in their proverbs…

And the Bug Catcher's good brother, who told half and kept half, was truly a scoundrel.

...

Misty: “...”

For some reason, she especially wanted to go over and dunk Ash's head into the pool…

However, it was still the battle phase. Her gaze sharpened, and she sent out her second Pokémon.

This time, it was a purple Staryu, much larger in size, and looking somewhat like two Staryu stacked together, with a somewhat complex structure.

“Beep beep. Starmie, Pokémon, Psychic/Water, hopeless, recommended to kill.”

The Pokédex automatically broadcasted.

Misty: “???”

Did Psychic/Water dig up your ancestral grave?

“Starmie, full power!” she said angrily.

“Star!!”

This time, Starmie raised his four arms, looking even more imposing.

“Enough talk, Metapod, first give him a speed-reduction combo!”

After speaking, Metapod directly spewed out a large mass of white silk, and the opponent neither dodged nor avoided, directly splattering Starmie's face.

Misty smiled confidently and said:

“It's useless, Starmie, use High Speed Spin!!”

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh…”

In just an instant, the silk threads wrapped around his body were instantly destroyed.

“Damn it, such powerful strength…”

Ash frowned slightly. He hadn't expected Misty to have such a tough Pokémon. He then waved a big finger:

“Then use Electric Net!”

Facing the incoming large net of electricity, Starmie remained calm, drawing a rainbow in place with his body, slashing horizontally through it, directly shattering the Electric Net.

“Zzzzzz…”

The electricity, without the large net as support, quickly turned into specks of sparks and fell.

“Use High Speed Spin!”

Starmie spun wildly, colliding with the immobile Metapod. The dull, heavy Staryu points rubbed frantically against Metapod's shell, sparking.

His defense was still very high now.

Misty's eyes suddenly narrowed, and she shouted:

“Then use Hydro Pump!!”

Starmie suddenly stopped his spinning body, his central gem pointed directly at Metapod. The next second, an incredibly thick stream of water, carrying terrifying immense force, directly knocked Metapod over.

“Boom boom boom!!”

The powerful force sent Metapod flying like a cannonball, and even created a super-large crater in the wall behind, despite his hard shell.

“Metapod is unable to battle, Starmie wins!”

Daisy ruled, and after speaking, she didn't forget to add:

“The venue repair fee will be deducted from your pocket money~”

Misty: “...”

What a useless teammate! Not only is she not helping now, but she's even striking at the morale of her own side. Am I really her biological sister?!

“That's not necessarily true.”

If Daisy could hear her inner roar, she would probably answer this way.