Pokémon: Starting with a Pokémon Ranch.

Chapter 25 Taming the Caterpillar

Now that we understand the background and reasons behind the fight between Caterpie and the bird Pokémon.

Su Yu then asked:

"So what are you planning to do next? You can't get along with the bird Pokémon here anymore, so you'll probably have to leave, right?"

Upon hearing this, the caterpillar fell into deep thought. After all, that giant swallow was simply too powerful; with its current strength, it had no chance of winning.

"And from what I've observed, you could have evolved long ago. But you've been holding back, probably because you're not satisfied with Caterpie's later evolutionary forms, right?"

"Hissing~!" Yes, that's it. How did you know?

The caterpillar nodded and said this.

"Because... I happen to know that there is a completely new evolutionary form of Caterpie, but this form is very difficult, and very few Caterpie can evolve successfully, so almost no one knows about it."

At this point, Su Yu deliberately kept everyone in suspense and didn't continue.

Seeing this, the green caterpillar waved its short yellow legs and urged anxiously:

"Hiss, hiss?" What is that shape? Tell me quickly!

"Alright, alright, that's the legendary Pokémon—Rayquaza. Legend has it that if a Caterpie can grow to its full potential in this form and accumulate enough energy, it can leap over the dragon gate and evolve into the legendary powerful Pokémon Rayquaza."

"It's a very difficult process, and very few caterpillars can achieve it. But I see that you have the potential, so you should have a good chance."

As he spoke, Su Yu recalled a folk tale from his previous life: it was said that if Caterpie was prevented from evolving and was raised to level 99, it would undergo a Mega Evolution, becoming the legendary Pokémon Rayquaza.

Of course... this claim is false. There is actually no such evolutionary path. Normally, a caterpillar can only be a caterpillar.

Hearing Su Yu's words, Caterpie also showed a look of longing. A legendary Pokémon...it must be incredibly powerful, right?

It has made its decision: evolving into Rayquaza will be its only goal from now on, no matter how difficult or tiring the process may be.

At this moment, Su Yu said:

"By the way, why don't you come to my ranch? Since you want to evolve into Rayquaza, you can't do it without help. Besides, I can provide you with food and lodging at my ranch."

Su Yu brought up his "food and lodging included" theory again.

To his surprise, the caterpillar agreed without hesitation upon hearing this.

This left Su Yu with his prepared words stuck in his throat. He had originally thought that since this green caterpillar was so strong, he would have to use a lot of words, just like the hairy cliff crab.

Unbeknownst to him, Caterpie had been following them ever since he and Growlithe entered the forest, observing Su Yu's behavior.

He agreed without hesitation, which could also be said to be premeditated. Caterpie had long accepted Su Yu as his trainer.

"Hiss, hiss~!" Quick, take out your Poké Ball, we're partners now!

Caterpie's initiative left Su Yu somewhat bewildered. After a moment of hesitation, Su Yu quickly took out a Poké Ball from his backpack and held it out to Caterpie.

Caterpie gently touched the Poké Ball with its head, and it transformed into a red light and entered the Poké Ball. The Poké Ball then shook a few times and lit up with a notification indicating that it had been captured.

Seeing this, Su Yu also stood up. It seemed that the gains from this trip were quite good.

This trip was just as good as my last one in the mountains.

"Then let's head straight back. The hairy crabs at the ranch must have been waiting for a long time. Tropical Dragon, thank you for your help."

"Hey~"

Upon hearing this, the tropical dragon shook its head.

At that moment, Caterpie also ran out of its Poké Ball and landed on Su Yu's shoulder.

Seeing this, Su Yu asked:

"What's wrong? Do you want to ride a tropical dragon back too?"

"Hiss, hiss."

The green caterpillar nodded; it had grown so big, yet it had never experienced flight.

Su Yu smiled upon hearing this:

"Alright then, you can stay outside. What about Growlithe?"

Su Yu then looked at Growlithe.

But upon hearing about flying, Growlithe shrank back. Seeing this, Su Yu smiled and recalled Growlithe into its Poké Ball, then rode on Tropius's back with Caterpie.

On the way back, Su Yu took the opportunity to cast a "Scout" on the Caterpie, and the Caterpie's information was displayed in front of Su Yu.

"Target of reconnaissance: Caterpillar"

Affection level: 75 (It trusts you a lot)

Learned moves: Silk, Tackle, Electric Net

Loadable template: Sky Dragon Rayquaza (Not loaded)

Note: After the template is loaded, it will subtly modify the current Pokémon's constitution, making it easier for it to grow into the legendary Pokémon corresponding to the template, rather than providing a one-time boost.

—As expected, this Caterpie has the potential to evolve into Rayquaza.

In contrast, Tropical Dragon does not have the qualifications to become a legendary Pokémon.

Su Yu threw another scout at the tropical dragon.

"Reconnaissance Template: Tropical Dragon"

Affection level: 79 (It loves life on the ranch, but its companions seem to need saving more by comparison)

Learned moves: Growth, Razor Leaf, Stomp, Magic Leaf, Photosynthesis, etc...

Loadable templates: None

It has learned more moves than Caterpie, but its aptitude is far inferior, so it cannot load the template. However, there is nothing that can be done about it.

When Su Yu saw the "favorability rating" section, he was taken aback. He had been so busy at the ranch lately that he hadn't had time to pay attention to this matter.

"It seems... I need to help the tropical dragon grow stronger quickly."

With this in mind, Su Yu decided that once he returned, he would suspend most of the work that Tropical Dragon was currently responsible for, allowing Tropical Dragon more training time.

Just then, as the tropical dragon flew by, the ranch cabins came into view in the distance.

Seeing this, the tropical dragon gradually slowed down and began to prepare to land.

……

(End of this chapter)