Chereads / Pokemon: Starting With a Psyduck / Chapter 8 - 8. Selection

Chapter 8 - 8. Selection

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"It has evolved before it even started. Yes, that nasty Spinarak has evolved."

After a burst of dazzling light, the once-thin figure had completely transformed, more than doubling in size. Its pupils now glowed purple.

A horn jutted out of its red head, it stood on two legs, and its colors were a striking yellow and purple. Its abdomen, adorned with tentacles and spikes, had red and black markings like a ladybug, with two black spots and a yellow horn protruding from its back.

Spinarak's small white eyes darted nervously as it stared at the evolved Ariados opposite it.

Ariados wasted no time. It instantly spewed spider silk from its mouth, entangling Spinarak.

As Ariados pressed the attack, Spinarak shook itself and quickly retaliated, spitting out its own spider silk in defense.

...

Behind a towering tree, Jack watched the battle between the two Pokémon with curiosity. Spinarak and Ariados—it was quite the spectacle.

In Jack's envisioned team lineup, he was also planning to train an Ariados. Wild Ariados tended to be irritable and quick to attack when provoked, but as partners, they were loyal and meticulous, making them reliable allies for Trainers.

Most Ariados possessed the [Insomnia] Ability, which allowed them to forgo rest entirely. Their webs were excellent tools for setting traps and warning of intruders, making them invaluable for wilderness survival. Jack saw these traits as far more crucial than their combat prowess.

The battle between Spinarak and Ariados intensified. Jack's gaze remained fixed on Ariados, his admiration growing. 

Reality wasn't like the anime.

The strength boost from evolution was immense and undeniable. While the anime sometimes showed unevolved Pokémon triumphing against evolved forms, in reality, the advantage usually lay with evolution.

After evolving, a Pokémon's strength experienced a qualitative leap.

Over the past three years, Jack had explored his special abilities, eventually concluding that a Pokémon's strength depended on its level and aptitude.

For instance, two Pokémon of the same level and aptitude showed minimal differences in combat effectiveness. Victory often hinged on real-time performance or a Trainer's commands. However, to challenge a stronger opponent, high aptitude was a must.

Pokémon with better aptitude handled moves more efficiently, using less energy and stamina. 

In essence, aptitude dictated a Pokémon's potential and the energy cost of its moves.

A Professor from the Pokémon Alliance once published research revealing that Pokémon possessed a unique energy that powered their moves. Though individual energy and stamina requirements varied, the fundamental principles applied universally.

In the ongoing battle, Spinarak was clearly outmatched by Ariados, yet it managed to hold its own, avoiding outright defeat.

Jack narrowed his eyes, carefully analyzing the two battling Pokémon.

Species: Spinarak 

Type: Bug, Poison 

Gender: Male

Grade: 22

Qualification: ★★★★

Items: None

Ability: Insomnia[Due to its constitution, it cannot enter a sleep condition.]

Skills: String Shot, Poison Barb, Fury Swipes, Scary Face

Genetic Skills: None

Species: Ariados

Attribute: Bug, Poison

Gender: Male

Grade: 26

Qualification: ★★★

Items: None

Ability: Insomnia[Due to its constitution, it cannot enter a sleep condition.]

Skills: String Shot, Poison Barb, Venom Drench, Bug Bite

Genetic Skills: None

In the distance, Jack noticed another Spinarak, but his interest waned when he saw its mere 2-star aptitude.

Turning his attention back to the battle between the two Pokémon in front of him, Jack started forming a plan.

Although the Ariados had evolved, its aptitude was still only 3-star. Meanwhile, the Spinarak, despite being unevolved, showed promise with its 4-star aptitude. Its skillset was diverse, including Scary Face from the Normal type in addition to Bug and Poison moves, making its potential training value significantly higher.

As Jack observed Spinarak successfully landing a Poison Barb on Ariados, he mused, "Spinarak's qualifications may surpass Ariados', but there's still a significant level gap. If it gets defeated, I'll have Psyduck step in to save it and attempt to capture it afterward."

Jack understood the two main approaches to capturing Pokémon. The first was to weaken or knock out a Pokémon completely, but this method carried risks, as even a subdued Pokémon could resist or defect later. The second and safest method was to gain the Pokémon's trust and willingness to be captured.

For this situation, Jack decided that rescuing Spinarak after its battle would be the best way to gain its favor. However, given that Psyduck was only level 15, it stood no chance against Ariados at level 26. The plan hinged on waiting until the two Poison Pokémon had sufficiently worn each other down before intervening.

Poison-types were inherently dangerous, and Jack typically avoided unnecessary risks. Yet this Spinarak's aptitude and suitability made it worth the effort.

As the battle raged on, Spinarak, hit hard by Ariados' Poison Barb, began to show signs of intense ferocity. Its injuries seemed to awaken a dangerous aura around it. With newfound determination, Spinarak unleashed a flurry of Poison Barbs toward Ariados. Not to be outdone, Ariados retaliated with its own Poison Barb, creating a cacophony of sharp impacts as the attacks collided in midair.