Chapter 18:

As young trainers embark on their journey through the magical world of Pokémon, many find themselves in search of the perfect starter companion. For those without connections to the prestigious Pokémon Association or the means to obtain one of the coveted "starter three" Pokémon, the Beedrill presents an enticing option.

This swift and tenacious creature can be easily caught and trained in a matter of weeks, making it a godsend for civilian trainers who make up the majority of the trainer population. With its rapid growth rate and combat prowess, the Beedrill is often the first choice for those without a trainer in their family.

But for those with more exceptional means, the Beedrill may not be the most desirable companion. As one strives to become a master trainer like Giovanni, the pursuit of a pseudo-legendary Pokémon with greater potential may be more worthwhile.

Cain, a trainer who had once hoped to raise a Beedrill, found that while it was possible to train one to average strength quickly, achieving greater strength proved to be a difficult task, and the Beedrill's short lifespan made it all the more challenging. Not everyone has the resources and determination like Giovanni to fully train a Beedrill to its full potential.

But while Beedrill may not be the most powerful of Pokemon, it still has some worth as a transitional Pokemon, particularly with the possibility of Mega Evolution on the horizon. However, that was a matter for another time.

As Cain and Murkrow found themselves facing a swarm of Beedrills, they knew they had to act fast. Utilizing his system, Cain scanned the approaching creatures, noting their nearly identical stats.

Pokemon: Beedrill (Red)

Gender: Male

Level: 14

Type: Bug + Poison

Ability: Swarm

Held items: None

Egg moves: None

Basic moves: Twineedle, Fury Attack, Rage

Taught moves: None

Technical Machines (TMs): None

"Murkrow, Astonish!" Cain shouted as the five Beedrills descended upon them in a frenzy of rage. With a single command, Murkrow let loose a piercing caw, aimed directly at the attacking insects. The soundwaves hit the Beedrills with such force that two of them flinched, their trembling bodies revealing the terror they felt inside.

As the other three Beedrills charged forward, their massive needles glowing with a lavender light, indicating the use of 'Twineedle', Cain quickly shouted out more commands. "Use Gust on those three Beedrills in front of you, Murkrow! Finish them off first!"

With a fierce determination, Murkrow's wings trembled as he harnessed his flying-type energy, his mastery of Gust now allowing for a significantly faster release. A white whirlwind emerged with a flick of his wings, engulfing the three Beedrills in an instant. The bug-type Pokemon, with a 2x weakness against flying-types, were instantly propelled by the whirlwind and sent spinning through the air.

Gust dealt significant damage to the Beedrills, two of them collapsing on the ground, unable to fight any longer, while the last one hung on by a thread. As the two Beedrills from earlier recovered from their flinch status, Cain couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Murkrow's green talent was evident, becoming more adept at controlling energy, resulting in the power of Gust getting stronger with each passing day.

"Use Peck to get rid of the remaining one, then use Gust to finish the other two!" Cain commanded as Murkrow soared across the sky, leaving a trail of black light in his wake. The experienced bird was already well-versed in maintaining Tailwind and continued to do so, even without Cain's command.

With a sharp "Bang!", Murkrow's white beak radiated a soft glow as he pecked at the Beedrill, who could not escape its fate and fell to the ground. Without hesitation, Murkrow flew towards the remaining two Beedrills, who froze in place, fear still etched in their hearts.

Gathering his flying-type energy at a faster pace than before, another white whirlwind erupted, immediately whistling as Murkrow flew towards the Beedrills. "Wooosh..." The violent wind battered the Beedrills mercilessly, as they dropped to the ground, unmoving.

As Murkrow gracefully landed in front of Cain, it was clear that the battle was won, with not a single Kakuna or Beedrill remaining in this section of the forest. The eerie silence was suddenly interrupted by the ominous "Buzz, buzz, buzz..." of numerous Beedrills, emanating from all corners of the forest. The sheer sound was enough to send shivers down one's spine.

The Beedrills, united as they were, would drop everything and come immediately when one of their own was bullied.

Cain knew that it was best to retreat, as the noise was much louder than before and there were at least a few dozen of them. As the vast swarm of Beedrills descended upon the scene, their anger was palpable as they surveyed the gruesome sight before them. Corpses of their fellow Kakunas and Beedrills lay scattered about the ground, creating a chaotic and grisly scene. The Beedrills flew around in frenzy, their rage directed at finding the perpetrator responsible for this massacre.

"BUZZ!" A sudden, commanding voice cut through the chaos of the Beedrill colony, as a scowling, huge Beedrill emerged from the throngs. With a single command, the entire swarm fell silent, listening intently to the words of their leader. And, with its guidance, the Beedrills disappeared into the forest in a perfectly orchestrated formation.

Had Cain still been present, he would have been able to witness the true power of leadership embodied in this Beedrill. This towering insect was not only larger than its counterparts but also possessed a commanding presence that radiated authority. It was clear that the Beedrill's size was a reflection of its status as the leader of the colony, rather than the cause of it.

Meanwhile, Cain had retreated with Murkrow, returning to the Metapod territory. As they journeyed, Cain took out Black Bolt Pokeblocks from his storage belt, feeding them to Murkrow, even though the bird had not sustained any damage and was not exhausted. For Cain, it was important that Murkrow stayed in peak form and was ready to face any crisis that may arise.

Murkrow eagerly consumed the Black Bolt Pokeblocks and as a result, traces of dark and flying-type energy intertwined in his body. Murkrow being more proficient in using flying-type energy was able to absorb the energy in the Black Bolt Pokeblock more effectively. Additionally, he had a natural inclination towards dark-type energy, thus, with every breath, Murkrow's body seamlessly absorbed energy that was invisible to the naked eye.

The benefits of the pokeblock were becoming increasingly apparent. Unlike other Pokemon that took longer to recover after a battle, Murkrow was able to recover almost instantly.

"Are you prepared Murkrow? Today's task is not easy." Cain asked softly, as he gently stroked Murkrow's silky smooth black feathers.

"Caw!" Murkrow nodded, swinging his wings in a determined gesture, signaling his readiness.