An expected evolution

"Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo."

The calls of Hoothoot drifted from the nearby woods. Clear moonlight shone on the creek, making its surface shimmer.

Suddenly, a red-and-white Water-type Pokémon with a single horn leaped from the water.

"Goldeen."

Dian stepped closer and watched it spread its beautiful paired fins, swimming nimbly ahead with a grace all its own.

He cupped a handful of water at the water's edge, watching it trickle gently through his fingers before taking a sip. It tasted wonderfully sweet.

"Whew—"

Dian returned to his tent and settled into his sleeping bag, feeling the rhythms of the forest around him.

Early the next morning.

"Mis."

Dian sat up and lifted Misdreavus off his head. She still never seemed to tire of playing with his hair.

Looking into Misdreavus's red eyes, he said, "You need to train hard today too, understood?"

"Mis!"

Misdreavus nodded and floated outside.

Dian got up, changed his clothes, and prepared to head out to cook before continuing their intensive training.

He felt that Weedle had almost reached its limit, so this stretch was crucial. He had to plan it carefully.

Bug-type Pokémon evolved very quickly, so making full use of that time was what mattered most for a Trainer.

Rather than simply letting Weedle take in plenty of nutrients, Dian had chosen another approach: making Weedle as strong as possible so it could build up greater nutritional reserves. He also needed to change how it stored those nutrients and improve how efficiently it used them. Ideally, once it evolved into Kakuna, it would complete its transformation quickly and reach its final evolution.

Half a month later.

"Ready?"

Dian held an assortment of small pebbles in both hands.

"Wee!"

Weedle reared up with a cry, its little black eyes looking exceptionally sharp.

Its entire body was taut now, brimming with strength, and the horn on its head was extraordinarily sharp—the result of Dian coating it with ground-up Pokéblocks.

"Mis."

Beside it, Misdreavus gave an adorable little cry. She looked perfectly harmless, but the shadow beneath her writhed and lashed about, as though ready to devour someone at any moment.

Yet on closer inspection, the red beads around her neck seemed a little dull.

"Is it time?"

Seeing this, Dian began to consider the matter. Misdreavus probably needed to take in fear energy again.

Of course, she could keep eating Pokéblocks without issue, but that might change her natural habits, and it was hard to say whether that would help or hinder her growth.

Dian naturally dared not take that risk. A creature's evolution and choices generally served its own interests best. Since Misdreavus naturally fed on fear energy, he ought to follow that pattern.

He made a mental note, then hurled the pebbles in his hands at tremendous speed, varying their pace as he scattered them in every direction.

He even aimed some of the pebbles at Weedle's and Misdreavus's eyes.

Weedle rapidly spat out white silk, catching the pebbles and flinging them into the basket beside it, while mixing in a few Poison Stings aimed at Misdreavus.

Not to be outdone, Misdreavus used the shadow beneath her to knock the pebbles into the basket with speed and precision. At the same time, she attacked Weedle and deflected the incoming Poison Stings.

For a while, the two Pokémon fought fiercely. Neither was using its full strength, but their performance was worlds apart from before.

Without realizing it, Dian stopped throwing pebbles. He watched the two Pokémon spar closely, rapidly putting himself in each one's place, considering how to break the deadlock, analyzing their shortcomings, and devising ways to train them.

The clear creek burbled beside them as the red sun slowly climbed toward the middle of the sky.

But Dian and the two Pokémon were so absorbed that none of them noticed how swiftly time passed.

Suddenly, Weedle paused. Then its entire body began to radiate a soft, warm white light.

"Mis!"

Though Misdreavus had never seen anything like this, instinct told her this was an extremely important moment. She immediately directed her shadow to protect Weedle on all sides while keeping a wary eye on their surroundings.

"It's evolving."

Dian felt a surge of excitement, yet it also seemed only natural.

The white light soon faded, revealing a completely different Pokémon.

It had a pale yellow pupal shell, a rounded head, sharp triangular eyes, and a pair of scythe-shaped arms crossed over its chest.

"Kakuna."

Dian walked over to pick it up, only to discover that it was far heavier than he had imagined.

With a little more effort, he gathered Kakuna into his arms. It felt wonderfully warm.

Kakuna watched him silently, its eyes filled with determination and trust.

"Mis?"

Misdreavus's eyes lit up. She circled Dian, curiously studying her companion's new appearance.

Kakuna—Bug/Poison, Cocoon Pokémon.

Ability: Shed Skin.

Moves: Poison Point, Harden.

String Shot disappeared. Just as I thought.

The result did not surprise Dian at all. After all, this was a real world, not a game.

Moves might disappear, but experience would not. Every bit of effort laid the groundwork for the transformation to come.

Dian took out the Pokéblock powder he had prepared long ago, mixed it with tree sap, and began applying it to Kakuna's body.

Only after coating Kakuna several times from head to toe did he wipe the sweat from his brow and return it to its Poké Ball.

Although Kakuna could not eat during this stage, applying nutrients like this should still allow it to absorb some through diffusion.

"Even if it can't actively eat, taking in nutrients passively is still good."

Dian smiled and recalled Misdreavus as well, then began packing his things to continue his journey.

"Eevee! Eevee!"

An Eevee with exceptionally lustrous fur tugged a pretty girl in a fancy hat forward. Beside them walked a rather laid-back blond young man with a blade of grass between his lips.

"Alina, let's go back and rent a Hoothoot. This place really does seem pretty dangerous."

"It's not like we can't afford it!" the blond young man grumbled.

"Hmph! Wealth comes from saving, not earning. That's the Masu family motto!"

Alina looked haughty. "Besides, how could we get lost with my Eevee here?"

"Well, sure, but..."

The blond young man scratched his head. Looking at the surrounding mist and the strange trees looming faintly through it, he still felt uneasy.

"Just follow my lead!"

Alina strode ahead.

Suddenly, the sound of a baby crying rose around them.

"Alina!"

The blond young man's voice went shrill.

"It's fine."

Alina remained calm. "We're probably imagining it, or it's just the wind rustling the leaves."