Spearow is classified as a small bird Pokémon. Its back is black, its chest and abdomen are beige with thin stripes, and it has a messy brown feather crest on its head. Its beak is short and hooked, and its feet are light pink with three claws. Its wings are pink with light pink edges, and it also has three brown tail feathers.
According to official data, Spearow weighs around two kilograms, though it seems light, as if it hasn't eaten much. After plucking the feathers, there isn't much meat left. It looks like Ryan would have to catch another one.
"Caterpie, it's okay," Ryan said, closing the subtle curve of his mouth, placing Spearow's Poké Ball back in his bag. He looked at Caterpie resting on his calf and reached out, gently comforting its frightened mind.
"Huh," Caterpie let out a soft breath of relief, casting a look at Ryan. It quickly moved on, its mood shifting as fast as someone changing their mind when offered food, almost like a girlfriend waiting for something to eat.
Ryan didn't mind. It was routine by now. Who said a battle could only happen once? As long as Caterpie's small body could take it, it would be fine.
"Poliwag, you did a good job," Ryan said to Poliwag, praising it for its effort. "You take a break now; we'll go find more food later."
Then, he pulled out Caterpie's Poké Ball, asking it, "Do you want to come inside?"
"Huh huh huh," Caterpie glanced at the Poké Ball with clear distaste. But, considering the dangers of predators and the ever-present risk of being eaten, following this human seemed like the better option.
"Ah, you've fallen so low... Are you really going to submit to this person's power?" it thought.
Bang—
Caterpie gently nudged the Poké Ball button with its head, and a red light drew it inside. Ryan smiled, glad that his routine was effective.
He didn't catch Caterpie's complex thoughts this time, only seeing it hesitating for a moment before tapping the Poké Ball. Who knew how deep its internal life was, almost as if it had a split personality.
After putting away Caterpie's Poké Ball, Ryan didn't immediately go out for food. Instead, he used a large plastic bottle he had scavenged to fashion a makeshift shower. It had been 13 days since he'd been stranded on the island, and the heat was unbearable. He couldn't go another day without washing up.
Originally, he'd planned to clean up after finishing the treehouse, but exhaustion had taken its toll. The treehouse was completed just two days ago, and between managing Caterpie and gathering firewood, he hadn't had time to bathe. Now, though, it was finally time.
His shorts were soaked with sweat, and the stench had become unbearable. The treehouse, which provided him with his first good sleep in a long while, made him acutely aware of just how bad he smelled. So, today was the day for a much-needed shower.
Ryan poked holes in the bottom of the plastic bottle and made a pair of rough shorts from an old rag using his folding knife. While crude, they were better than running around in the nude.
After changing into his makeshift shorts, he called out to Poliwag, "Hey, let's go grab some lunch. That Spearow wasn't enough to eat."
"Yo yo," Poliwag flipped over in the bucket and shot out a stream of water. Hearing Ryan's call, it leapt out and followed him.
Within minutes, they found a Caterpie. "There, Poliwag..." Ryan pointed.
"Yo yo," Poliwag fired a Water Gun at Caterpie, knocking it out. Ryan picked it up, though even after all this time, he couldn't get used to the stench these Pokémon emitted when unconscious.
Back at the shelter, Ryan released the injured Spearow and called out, "Poliwag, use Double slap!"
Poliwag raised its tail and swatted at Spearow until it was knocked out, feathers soaked.
Ryan then went to work, treating Spearow as if preparing a chicken at home. But there wasn't much meat left, just about a pound—similar to a small pigeon. It was clear that Spearow were never meant to be a large meal.
Half of Spearow was roasted, and the rest was turned into a pot of soup.
Reflecting on this moment, Ryan thought about how, in his previous life, he would have never hunted like this. All large wild animals, even boars, were protected back then. Being here was a strange kind of blessing.
As the fire simmered, Ryan used the free Poké Ball to capture the recently knocked-out Caterpie. After glancing at its stats, he realized its potential was average, and it knew only two moves.
Disappointed, he released Caterpie again, but not before checking out its potential—just 19%. Ryan knew that this Pokémon would only be for food if nothing else.
While the soup simmered, Ryan took the opportunity to make a bowl out of a plastic bottle for Caterpie. He threw its head into the sea to avoid scaring it further—out of sight, out of mind.
Later, he offered it lunch. "Caterpie, this is Spearow that attacked you. I made soup to help you recover."
Caterpie hesitated but eventually ate. Afterward, Ryan let Caterpie and Poliwag battle, knowing it would humble the arrogant little caterpillar.
As the two faced off, spinning silk and firing Water Guns, Poliwag had the upper hand, but Caterpie showed resilience, using its silk to trip and trap Caterpie.
In the end, both Pokémon were worn out, neither gaining a definitive victory. But Ryan smiled—he knew Caterpie would now respect Caterpie's strength.