Chapter 30: Helping Paras
Lyra and the gang arrived at a small village called Mossgreen Village.
"I want to rest and get something to eat," Lyra said. "Not to mention my Pokémon need a rest too." She had been training with her Pokémon extensively during their travels and whenever she rotated them through the Xtransceiver.
During their journey, Bagon had evolved into Shelgon and her Shiny Ralts had evolved into Kirlia. As a daily routine, all of Lyra's Pokémon continued to train, though they followed a schedule of relaxing for three days and then training for three days to stay in top shape.
While traveling, they had met a wannabe magician named Melvin, who had two Pokémon: Exeggcute and Exeggutor. Lyra had battled him with her Charmander, and in the process, Charmander evolved into Charmeleon.
Charmeleon is a bipedal, reptilian creature with crimson scales and a cream underside. It has a horn-like protrusion on the back of its head, narrow green eyes, and a long snout. It has relatively long arms with three sharp claws, and its short legs have feet with three claws and cream-colored soles. The tip of its long, powerful tail has a burning flame on it.
At first, Lyra was a bit nervous about her Charmeleon. She had heard stories in the past about Charmeleons usually becoming disobedient after evolving from Charmander. However, when Lyra happily hugged Charmeleon, it hugged her back. Charmeleon was still loyal to Lyra.
Lyra also took the time to get to know the Pokémon she had caught in the Safari Zone better.
"Apart from food and rest," Brock said, "we need to stock up on medicines." His medicine bag was empty, and it wasn't a good idea for them to travel without supplies.
After getting food and a nice rest at the village inn, they went to the village pharmacy. The pharmacy was run by a woman named Cassandra and her grandmother. After Brock bought medicine from the store, Cassandra asked Lyra for a Pokémon battle. Lyra accepted. Cassandra's Pokémon was a Paras. Lyra smiled at that; she had a Paras as well.
"The reason I want to battle is to help Paras evolve," Cassandra said. "You see, Paras's mushroom will help me with my medicines if it evolves into a Parasect."
Lyra agreed to help. "Let's do it," she said.
But when Lyra and Cassandra started to battle, there was a problem: Cassandra's Paras was a coward and a weakling. When Pichu and Pikachu went up to greet it, Paras hid behind Cassandra in fear. This is going to be a big problem, Lyra thought. She asked Pikachu to use the smallest Thundershock he could manage.
Even so, when Pikachu attacked, Paras fainted at once. Lyra face-palmed, as did Pichu on her shoulder. No offense, but this is pathetic, she thought. Of all the weak Pokémon I have seen, this Paras is the weakest. She sighed. "Time out, Cassandra," Lyra said. "This is getting us nowhere. We need to get your Paras into shape before we continue battling."
"The young lady is right," said Cassandra's grandmother. "Your Paras needs to build up its confidence."
"And I know which Pokémon can help us," said Lyra, holding up a Poké Ball. "Paras, I choose you!" Lyra's own Paras was ready to go. "Okay, Paras, we need your help. That Paras over there is weak and lacks confidence. I need you to help it get into shape."
Paras nodded. Lyra found some logs and lined them up. "We will use these logs to test Paras's attacks," she explained. Misty, Tomo, and Brock watched from the sidelines.
"This is a great idea Lyra came up with," said Brock. "Sometimes when you're helping a Pokémon, it's best to have one of its own species help out." Misty and Tomo agreed.
"Okay, Cassandra," Lyra said, "we'll both have our Paras use Fury Cutter on the wood." Lyra's Paras's pincer glowed orange as it slashed the wood. Cassandra's Paras did the same, but it wasn't as strong. It took some time, but eventually, the attack grew stronger. They practiced Scratch on the logs as well.
Cassandra was happy her Paras was doing well.
"There is one more attack we should teach your Paras," Lyra said, "and that move is called Bug Bite."
Lyra's Paras demonstrated the move on a log. Its teeth glowed white as it gnawed away at the wood. Cassandra's Paras tried too. At first, its teeth wouldn't glow, but after ten tries, it finally learned Bug Bite.
After the training, it was time for Lyra and Cassandra to battle again. They made it a Paras vs. Paras battle. Thanks to the training, Cassandra's Paras actually put up a fight. Suddenly, both Paras began to glow, and both evolved into Parasect.
Parasect is an orange, insectoid Pokémon that has been completely overtaken by the parasitic mushroom on its back. It has a small head with pure white eyes and a segmented body mostly hidden by the mushroom. It has three pairs of legs, with the foremost pair forming large pincers. The fungus on its back has a large red cap with yellow spots.
"Wow," Lyra gasped, "I wasn't expecting this."
Cassandra was surprised but very happy. She petted her Parasect while Lyra petted hers. Cassandra was very grateful. "Lyra, I can't thank you enough. Now I can make my medicine!"
"I can tell, young lady," said Cassandra's grandmother, "that you will be a great Pokémon trainer."
"Thank you very much," Lyra said with a smile. Then, the gang went on their way.
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Thank you for reading!
See you in the next chapter ✨
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