Chapter 4: Viridian Forest
After leaving Viridian City, they arrived at a place called the Viridian Forest. "Cool! This place is home to lots of Bug Pokémon," Lyra said excitedly, wanting to catch some of her own.
"Wait!" Misty froze, her face pale with fear. "Did you just say... Bug Pokémon?"
"Yes, I did." Lyra looked at her with a confused expression, and Pichu and Pikachu looked puzzled too. "Is something the matter, Misty? You look scared."
"Eww! I hate bugs!" Misty shouted. "Horrible, disgusting things!"
Lyra sighed along with her Pokémon. "Come on," she said, grabbing Misty's hand and dragging her along. "If we walk quickly, we might not run into any Bug Pokémon." Misty nodded quickly, eager to move.
They were making good progress through the forest when Misty suddenly screamed. "Misty, what's wrong?" Lyra asked.
Misty pointed to what looked like a small, green caterpillar Pokémon with yellow ring-shaped markings and a bright red antenna. Next to it was another worm-like Pokémon.
The second one was a small, pink, caterpillar-like Pokémon. Its body was mainly red with a cream underside and face. It had large yellow eyes, a sharp yellow stinger on its head, and two more on its rear. It had red spines behind its forehead and spikes running down its body.
"Cool! It's a Caterpie and a..." Lyra's eyes widened. "No way, it's a Wurmple!" she shouted excitedly. She quickly took out two Poké Balls. "Poké Balls, go!" Seconds later, both were captured. "Alright! I caught a Caterpie and a Wurmple!"
"I'm glad you caught them," Misty said, "but please keep those things away from me!"
"Sure," Lyra agreed.
"Hey, Ly?" Misty asked, using a new nickname. Lyra tilted her head at the name. "Why were you so shocked about that Wurmple? What exactly is that red bug Pokémon?"
"Sure, I'll tell you, but first I have to call them out so we can introduce ourselves." She smiled and released Caterpie and Wurmple.
"Cater?"
"Wurmple?"
"Hello there," Lyra smiled. "I'm your new trainer. I hope you don't mind if I scan you." Both Pokémon shook their heads. Lyra rolled up her sleeve to show her X-Dex. Misty looked at it, confused, while hiding behind Lyra.
"Hey Ly, what is that device on your wrist? I saw you use it at the Pokémon Center too," Misty asked.
"It's an Xtransceiver, or X-Dex for short," Lyra explained, pointing it at the two Bug Pokémon. "It's a gift from Professor Oak and Professor Juniper. It works as a PokéDex, a camera, a video recorder, and even for phone calls. Cool, isn't it?" Misty nodded, impressed.
Caterpie, the Worm Pokémon.
Caterpie uses the suction cups on its feet to climb trees and feed on its favorite leaves. To repel enemies, it releases an unpleasant odor from its red antenna. It molts several times while growing.
Type: Bug | Gender: Male
Moves: Tackle, String Shot, and Bug Bite.
Ability: Shield Dust
Wurmple, the Worm Pokémon.
Wurmple live primarily off sap from trees. The suction cups on its feet keep it from slipping.
Type: Bug | Gender: Female
Moves: Tackle, String Shot, Poison Sting, and Bug Buzz.
Egg Move: Water Pulse
Ability: Shield Dust
Wurmple are found in the Hoenn Region.
It is unusual for Wurmple to know Water Pulse.
Lyra blinked. "That's strange." She turned to Misty. "You see, Wurmple is from the Hoenn Region, which is far beyond Johto. It's very strange to find one here in Kanto." Lyra thought about it for a second then shrugged. "Oh well, I'd say it's a lucky find for me!" She recalled them to their Poké Balls.
Soon, the girls stopped to take a break. "I really want to leave this forest," Misty said, checking the grass for bugs.
"Don't worry, Misty," Lyra said, passing her a green can. "Use this; it's Repel. It will keep the bugs away while you rest. I'm going to train my Pokémon. I'll leave Infernape here with you. See you later!" Lyra ran off toward a nearby lake to train, while Misty stayed behind with Infernape to rest her feet.
Lyra found a clearing by a lake that was perfect for training. She released Caterpie, Wurmple, Pidgeotto, and Mystic, while Pikachu and Pichu joined in. "Alright guys, we'll be facing the Pewter Gym soon. We need to help Caterpie and Wurmple evolve. Also, Pichu, I want you to teach Pikachu and Mystic some new moves: Thunder and Thunder Wave!"
"Pi!" "Pika!" "Geotto!" "Gyaras!" "Cater!" "Wurmple!" they all cried out.
The training was intense but successful. Pikachu learned Thunder, Double Team, Light Screen, Flash, and Rest. Mystic learned Thunder and Thunder Wave, and also picked up Rest, Substitute, Strength, and Hyper Beam. Pidgeotto mastered Mirror Move, Rest, Substitute, Protect, and Sleep Talk. Finally, the two bug Pokémon evolved into Metapod and Silcoon!
Silcoon, the Cocoon Pokémon.
The evolved form of Wurmple. Using its thread to attach itself to a branch, it waits to evolve. When thirsty, it drinks the dew that collects on its silk.
Metapod, the Cocoon Pokémon.
The evolved form of Caterpie. Using a hard shell to protect its body, it prepares for its next evolution.
"Alright everyone! I am very proud of you all," Lyra said. Suddenly, Mystic let out a roar.
"Mystic, what's wrong?" Lyra asked. Mystic pointed toward the lake, where two fish Pokémon with butterfly-like fins—one black and one pink—were swimming. They were Finneon!
Lyra was shocked to see Sinnoh Pokémon in the Viridian Forest. She walked up to them. "Hello there, are you two okay?" They shook their heads. "If you like, you could come with me."
The Finneon had watched Lyra train her team with kindness and fun. They both nodded. "Great! I hope you don't mind if one of you goes to my friend Misty? She's a Water Pokémon specialist, and she'll love you." They both agreed. Lyra caught them both in Poké Balls. "Well guys, looks like we have new friends, and Mystic has a training partner!"
As the sky began to darken, Lyra returned her Pokémon and headed back to camp. Misty looked relaxed because Infernape was guarding her. "How was training, Ly?"
"It was great! My Pokémon learned a lot, and my bug duo evolved," Lyra giggled. "Also, I caught a new Water Pokémon... and I caught one for you too, Misty!"
"Really?!" Misty's eyes sparkled. Lyra handed her a Poké Ball and showed her the X-Dex data.
Finneon, the Wingfish Pokémon.
Because of its twin tail fins that flutter like wings, it is called the 'Beautifly of the Sea'.
Type: Water
Gender: Female
Moves: Pound, Water Gun, Attract, Rain Dance, Gust, Water Pulse, Captivate, Safeguard, Aqua Ring, Silver Wind, Bounce, Whirlpool, and Aurora Beam.
Ability: Swift Swim / Storm Drain
Finneon are usually found in the Sinnoh Region.
"OMG!! I love it!!" Misty yelled, hugging Lyra tightly. "I actually have a Pokémon from a different region!"
"You're... very... welcome... Misty," Lyra wheezed. "Can I... please get some... air!" Misty let her go, looking sheepish.
The next morning, Lyra was woken up by Misty screaming again. "What now?" Lyra grumbled, tired of the shrieking.
"I saw another bug! Can we please leave?!" Misty pleaded.
As they were leaving, Pikachu and Pichu heard a sound in the bushes. Suddenly, a sword was pointed straight at Lyra's face. "Hey! What's the big idea?" Lyra shouted. Sparks flew from the cheeks of the electric duo, and the boy in samurai armor jumped back, startled.
"Sorry. I am Samurai," the boy said. "I patrol this forest for trainers from Pallet Town. Are you from Pallet Town?"
"I am. Why?" Lyra replied.
"Then we shall have a two-on-two battle!"
Lyra accepted. Samurai sent out a Pinsir. Lyra sent out Metapod.
Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon.
This fearsome Pokémon uses its powerful claws to put the squeeze on opponents.
"Pinsir, use Tackle!" Samurai ordered.
"Metapod, use Harden, then String Shot, and finish with Tackle!" Lyra countered.
Metapod's Harden caused Pinsir to recoil. Then, String Shot wrapped Pinsir up so it couldn't move, and a final Tackle knocked it out. Suddenly, Metapod began to glow and changed into a beautiful purple butterfly.
Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokémon.
The evolved form of Metapod. The scales covering its wings help it shed water.
New Moves: Confusion, Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Gust, Supersonic, Whirlwind, Psybeam, Solar Beam, Psychic, and Toxic.
"Congratulations, Butterfree!" Lyra cheered. Next, Samurai sent out his own Metapod. Lyra chose Silcoon. Silcoon used Bug Bite to weaken the opponent and finished with Tackle. Then, Silcoon began to glow and evolved into a colorful butterfly with long antennae!
Beautifly, the Butterfly Pokémon.
The evolved form of Silcoon. It uses its long, thin nose to suck pollen out of flowers.
New Moves: Water Pulse, Gust, Absorb, Stun Spore, Morning Sun, Mega Drain, Whirlwind, Attract, Silver Wind, Giga Drain, Bug Buzz, Rest, Double Team, Solar Beam, Quiver Dance, and Substitute.
"Yes! Congratulations on evolving, Beautifly!" Lyra cheered.
"That was the best battle I've ever had," Samurai said, shaking Lyra's hand. "You are a strong trainer."
"Thanks, Samurai. You're strong too."
Misty interrupted, desperate to leave. "Do you know the way out of here?"
"Yes," Samurai smiled. "Follow this path, and you'll be in Pewter City in no time."
The girls bid farewell to Samurai and continued toward Pewter City, ready for Lyra's first Gym battle.
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"See you in the next episode of Pika Ball Z!" ⚡
Questions for you guys
1.With Lyra finding both a Wurmple (Hoenn) and Finneon (Sinnoh) in the Viridian Forest, why do you think these non-native Pokémon are appearing in Kanto?
2. Between the two newly evolved butterflies—Butterfree and Beautifly—which one do you think will be Lyra's "secret weapon" in her upcoming Gym battle against Brock?