Ryan used the Free Pokeball to catch a Caterpie in the grass.
The Caterpie was stunned by Poliwag's moves and released a foul odor stored in its body, almost causing Ryan to faint. Without the isolation of the Free Elf Ball, he feared he'd lose all the food he'd eaten before reaching the temporary shelter.
After Poliwag retrieved the Poke Ball that contained the Caterpie, Ryan quickly left the area. The Caterpie still in his hands hadn't yet emitted its odor, as it was hypnotized by Poliwag, making it safe to hold for the moment.
Ryan needed more Poke Balls. Not only could they capture Pokémon, but they also acted as natural storage for food, keeping it safe. Without the ball, carrying the Caterpie felt dangerous. He never knew when it might wake up and retaliate.
While the Caterpie appeared harmless, its potential danger loomed large. Ryan was aware that, though it seemed weak and easily bullied, it could still become a threat if caught off guard.
With a gas mask and a long weapon, he figured he could stand a fair chance against a Caterpie. But all he wanted was to get back to the shelter and dispose of this unpredictable "time bomb."
However, as soon as he reached the shelter, the Caterpie in his hands burst into a dazzling white light.
"Is it evolving?" Ryan was shocked by the sudden transformation. Not one to be caught off guard, he quickly dropped the Caterpie and prepared Poliwag for battle.
"Poliwag, stay ready. When the Caterpie evolves, attack with Hypnosis!"
The Poliwag, receiving Ryan's command, stared intently at the glowing Caterpie, ready for any surprises during its evolution. Ryan wasn't as concerned about the evolution process. After all, it was a natural part of the growth cycle, except for those Pokémon with more mysterious or difficult evolutions, like Magikarp.
Ryan had seen Metapod before, the evolved form of Caterpie. The green, crescent-shaped cocoon had a hard shell and minimal moves, mostly focused on defense.
The Metapod could harden its shell for protection. Ryan knew that once Caterpie evolved, it wouldn't be able to eat, and further training would be futile until its next evolution. For Metapod, hardening the shell was key to surviving until it became a Butterfree.
Attacking the Metapod would be pointless since its defenses were too strong for Poliwag to break. Instead, Ryan opted to use Hypnosis, waiting for the right moment to strike while the Metapod was vulnerable.
Once the Metapod was subdued, Ryan couldn't help but think about the possibility of roasting it, reminiscent of eating silkworm chrysalis. He'd heard that they were packed with nutrients and had a unique taste, though the idea of turning a Pokémon into a meal was strange.
But this was no gourmet show; it was a survival situation.
After evolving, the Metapod glared angrily at Poliwag, clearly holding a grudge. It prepared to take revenge for the tricks Poliwag had played on it earlier.
However, Poliwag wasn't fazed. It responded by spraying the Metapod with a Water Gun attack. Although the Metapod hardened its shell, the passive defense wasn't enough to stop Poliwag from continuing its attacks.
Ryan intervened, warning Poliwag not to underestimate the Metapod. "Don't get too cocky, Poliwag!"
Understanding the command, Poliwag took things seriously, following up its Water Gun with Hypnosis, tricking the Metapod once again. Despite its rage, the Metapod soon fell unconscious.
Ryan seized the moment, placing the Metapod over the fire and preparing it for consumption, using smoke to keep it subdued while cooking it.
Before long, the Metapod's shell began to crack, releasing the scent of cooked meat. The sticky protein liquid inside was a heavy, nutrient-rich paste.
Ryan marveled at the amount of food the Metapod provided, realizing that catching Metapod might be more rewarding than Caterpie. The transformation process had packed it with more meat, almost six to seven kilograms worth.
Ryan filled a stew pot with the cooked Metapod paste, ensuring Poliwag had its share too. The Poliwag, still growing, needed the extra protein to fuel its training.
"Eat up, Poliwag, we'll train soon," Ryan encouraged.
The Poliwag devoured its meal with enthusiasm, reminding Ryan of piglets feeding back home. After a few bites himself, Ryan noted the taste. The Metapod paste was slightly bitter, possibly from the leaves Caterpie had consumed. Still, it was nutritious.
After the meal, Ryan checked Poliwag's progress on its proficiency panel.
The battles and meals had pushed Poliwag closer to leveling up. Though its Hypnosis hadn't advanced much, its Water Gun proficiency was steadily improving.
"Alright, Poliwag, ready for some beachside training?" Ryan asked, feeling the evening approach.
With a full stomach, Poliwag burped loudly, ready for action. Together, they headed to the beach to continue training, focusing on Poliwag's Water Gun accuracy.
The day might have been winding down, but there was always time for more training before the sun set completely. Ryan knew that to be a great trainer, both he and his Pokémon needed to constantly push their limits.