Chapter 12 - Second evolution

📍 Viridian Town Elementary – Classroom B 

Midday – Lunch Break 

The bell rang, slicing through the classroom like a signal for a new adventure. Students sprang into action, chairs scraping against the floor as everyone dashed off for lunch or to the yard. I was just putting my notebook away, still buzzing from the excitement of watching Caterpie pull off Freeze Web earlier that day. 

That's when I heard it— 

"Evan." 

I turned to see AJ leaning against my desk, arms crossed and that trademark cocky grin plastered on his face. His jacket collar was popped up—definitely on purpose—and he was tapping a Poké Ball in his palm like it was late on rent. 

"So," he said, "I heard you caught a second Pokémon." 

"Yeah," I replied, throwing my bag over one shoulder.

"Just yesterday." Not wanting go into further details.

AJ squinted at me, pretending to think hard. "Caterpie, right?" 

"Yup." 

"Nice, nice." He flashed a smug smile. Then he leaned in, "Think he's ready for a real battle?" 

I blinked, then smirked back. "She. Caterpie's a girl." 

AJ's grin faltered for a second. "Oh—right. She, yeah. That's what I meant." 

A few kids nearby snickered, and Melody let out a snort from behind her textbook. 

AJ cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "A-anyway. Wanna battle?" 

I tilted my head, intrigued. "You sure you're ready?" 

"Oh, I was born ready," he shot back confidently. "One-on-one. Just a friendly match. Just me, you, and our Pokémon out back." 

More students started to take notice, whispers buzzing around the room. 

"He's trying to pick on Evan… Just because he's using a Bug-type." 

I nodded, feeling the thrill. "I'm in. See you outside."

📍 Back of the School – Training Field

The makeshift arena behind the building had definitely hosted its fair share of rookie showdowns—scorched patches of grass and chalk lines that had nearly washed away in the rain. A crowd of students was already gathering as AJ stepped into the circle. He casually spun his Poké Ball. "Hope you didn't think I'd take it easy on you."

"Honestly, it would've been a bit of an insult if you did." With a flick of his wrist, AJ sent his ball soaring into the air.

"Let's go, Mankey!" In a flash of red, the scrappy little Fighting-type landed with a fierce growl, fists raised, bouncing around like it was already in the thick of the action. I unclipped Caterpie's Poké Ball and tossed it forward.

"Alright, Caterpie. Let's show them what we can do." She emerged in a shimmer of light, antennae twitching, eyes locked on Mankey. She chirped once and stared him down.

Mankey started hopping in place, pulling faces, trying to provoke her.

She didn't flinch.

The class murmured—watching what now looked like a real staring contest.

"Battle start!" Melody called, acting as referee. "One-on-one, no substitutions!"

"Ladies first," AJ smirked.

I smiled. "Caterpie, open with Electroweb!"

Caterpie squeaked and fired—thin strands of crackling yellow silk zipped across the air, aimed like a net.

"Mankey, dodge and close in with Scratch!"

Mankey leapt aside—quick. The edge of the Electroweb grazed its tail, slowing it just enough, but not stopping it. It charged, claws out.

"String Shot! Hit his limbs!"

Caterpie spun and blasted sticky white thread right at him. The mass tangled around Mankey's arms and legs mid-leap. It tripped, rolled, and landed with a heavy thud.

The class gasped.

AJ flinched. "Get up, Mankey! Fury Swipes! Break through it!"

Mankey snarled and thrashed, claws tearing at the silk, slicing through. Each swipe made it faster, angrier—until it roared and launched again.

"Freeze Web, now!"

A shimmer of pale-blue silk shot from Caterpie's mouth. It caught Mankey mid-air. The silk shimmered—and ice bloomed.

Mankey crashed to the ground, skidding to a halt. Frost now laced its arms and legs. Its body twitched once… then stilled.

Frozen solid.

Melody raised her hand. "Mankey is unable to battle! Caterpie wins!"

Silence.

Then—cheers. Applause. Someone clapped loud and proud. Another kid shouted, "That was awesome! What was that move?!"

"I dunno," someone replied. "Never heard of it. Was that a TM or something?"

AJ stared at his Mankey, still frozen near its ankles. His face was red. He looked at me—embarrassed.

"You got lucky," he muttered, returning Mankey in a flash and rushing off.

I shook my head. "Right."

I turned back to Caterpie. "Good job—Cat—"

But before I could scoop her up, she started spraying thread around herself.

And then—she glowed.

The students gasped again. I smiled and stepped closer, I quietly released bugforce, which is only visible to me. No one else could see it but me. I directed the energy towards caterpie. 

A moment later, the light faded—and where Caterpie had stood, a Metapod now gleamed in the sun.

"Metapod~," she said calmly.

I crouched beside her, smiling. "Nice work, girl. You earned that."