The Only True God Caterpie
After Azumarill's 1v6 shutout of Gary, shiny Metang and Charizard swept the Indigo Plateau Conference, and once again, it was the most talked-about scene of the event.
In contrast, the second semi-final match that afternoon received much less attention...
Instructor Ai's fans and support group were taking it for granted.
Once again, the trainer forums were abuzz with questions about Instructor Ai's true strength.
In any case, the strength he's shown now is already above most Gym Leaders...
And that's just the new team he's been nurturing for less than a year.
The famous 'Breeder' Blue said that Instructor Ai's level of Pokémon breeding was not lower than mine.
'Fighter' Red's comment was "Blue is right".
Gary and Ash's admiration for Instructor Ai has grown even more.
Gold was eager to fight Instructor Ai in a undifferentiated wild battle to see who was the real hero.
At this, Silver, after going through some information he got from Giovanni about Instructor Ai's physical fights, gave Gold a silent encouragement.
This makes Gold even more excited.
Gold: "I admit that Instructor Ai is a great master of tactics and Pokémon battles, but I'm a real god at Undifferentiated Wild Battle!"
Now Ash was not convinced.
In order to defend his idol's dignity, Ash requested Gold to fight him in an Undifferentiated Wild Battle.
That afternoon, Gold and Ash fought at the Indigo Plateau facility.
Ash, with his monster physical strength and blood-locking resistance, beat Gold to the punch.
In the end, Gold was able to overcome Ash's Pikachu with his higher level of Pokémon training, and won the battle.
Although he won, Gold felt that he had lost.
A rookie trainer who had been in the game for a year had almost defeated him in his best field.
This left Gold in deep thought.
Apparently, Gold wasn't a stupid and cautious person.
He gave Ash a very high evaluation.
Gold: "Ash, this man is as good as me at Undifferentiated Wild Battle. He's a rising star, and in time he'll be a giant in the Undifferentiated Wilf Battle world!"
Red and Blue said that you are right, our trainers from Pallet Town are always in great physical condition.
Gary looked at himself and realized that he didn't look like he was from Pallet Town.
Green was much the same.
However, Green didn't care about such things.
She wasn't the type to specialize in being a trainer.
In the past two days, with the Indigo Plateau Conference finals just around the corner, she'd made a lot of money selling to the Team Rainbow Rocket trio.
The feeling of counting money on her back was too much for Green.
She felt more and more that knowing Instructor Ai was a good thing.
At least, after a few days of struggling for the last penny, her expenses for the next year were taken care of...
It is said that in order to thank Instructor Ai for introducing business to her, Green is already planning a surprise celebration banquet for Instructor Ai after he wins the championship tomorrow.
Brock has joined Green's team.
After all, it's not just Green who has been favored by Instructor Ai with a few big money opportunities.
Misty, who had nothing better to do, joined in the fun.
She said that as an elegant mermaid of Cerulean City, she had a taste for party preparations that no one else could match.
Seeing this, Green simply dragged Gold and Silver along with her to prepare for the party.
When Red and Blue found out about it, they also came over.
Green was also a big fan of the idea.
Many hands make light work, and it saves money...
However, because of Gold's big mouth, the story inevitably reached Instructor Ai's ears.
Well, there goes the surprise celebration, not the surprise, but the joy.
It's okay.
In order to facilitate everyone's communication, Instructor Ai simply pulled together a specialized group chat.
At first, he pulled in all the people who had supported him at Indigo Plateau Conference.
Later on, Lance probably took this matter to show off to Lorelei's face, which led to Lorelei's private chat to poke Instructor Ai for an hour, very dissatisfied and asked why he didn't pull herself in.
Inevitably... Lorelei and Bruno joined the group.
After that, Instructor Ai decided to go for it, and pulled them all in!
So Steven, who was lazing around in the Hoenn region, and Wallace and Cynthia, who were very busy at the moment, also joined the group.
Elesa and Skyla from Unova region, and Iono, who was Instructor Ai's only designated sandbag when he recorded videos.
Instructor Ai didn't forget Caitlin either... This girl is very dependent on Instructor Ai. If she finds out that Instructor Ai is organizing a group without her, she'll be very upset.
Now... The strongest group in history was born on the eve of the Indigo Plateau Conference finals!
...
Johto region, Olivine City.
"Woo!!!"
The ship's whistle sounded in the stillness of the night.
The light of the lighthouse shines in the darkness of the sea, lighting the way for the ships that go out at this time of the year, and for the seafarers who return home.
The evening breeze brought a cool breeze.
The girl's light brown hair fluttered in the wind.
Jasmine, as always, stood on the lighthouse and looked out over the sea at night, lifting her bangs out of her face.
"Woo."
Jasmine's beloved Ampharos Sparkle hugged her from behind and rubbed her soft head against Jasmine's cheek.
Jasmine couldn't help but smile as she felt the touch of Ampharos's little face.
She was shy in person, but not when it came to Pokémon.
Because Pokémon's hearts were clean and clear, their feelings were just as pure and flawless.
"Sparkle."
Calling Ampharos' name, Jasmine reached out and stroked its long neck.
"Pokéblocks are almost finished again."
Jasmine whispered softly to herself as she caught a glimpse of Ampharos's belly.
To this day, does she still use the customized Pokéblocks made by Instructor Ai.
Of course, the answer to that question is yes.
Even when Instructor Ai's pockets grew as the Pokéblocks became a huge hit, he didn't stop working with Jasmine.
On the contrary, the Pokéblocks that Instructor Ai provided to Jasmine were not only of a higher quality, but their price had dropped considerably...
Jasmine was especially touched.
At that moment, she realized that Instructor Ai's relationship with her was not just about money.
Friendship was also the reason why Instructor Ai treated her well.
"It's time to trouble Instructor Ai again."
Jasmine smiled helplessly, muttering to herself with a touch of shyness.
"Ding~" At this time, her cell phone rang a special tone.
Jasmine's expression immediately became excited.
This was the tone that she had set for Instructor Ai, so that she could see the message that Instructor Ai had sent to her at the first time.
"Eh?"
Opening the chat program, Jasmine froze for a moment.
Instructor Ai didn't ask her to chat, but sent her an invitation to join a group.
"What kind of group is this..."
Jasmine looked puzzled, but out of her trust in Instructor Ai, Jasmine pressed "Agree".
The next moment, she was pulled into a group chat with more than ten people.
Goldenrod Game Corner God: "Welcome newcomers, newcomer post photos!"
The Pain From Storms Are Nothing: "The newcomer is also a girl, Instructor Ai knows so many girls, he's really lucky!"
["The Pain From Storms Are Nothing" is muted for one hour by admin "Garchomp Loves Ice Cream"].
Upon entering the group, Jasmine saw these two messages, as well as the latter's death notice.
"Huh?"
Jasmine was concerned by the flippant attitude of these two.
She looked at their homepages and was surprised to find that she was friends with them.
One of them was Gold, a well-known ruffian in Johto region, and the other one was Lt. Surge, the Gym Leader of Vermilion City, who often sailed to Olivine City and had a close relationship with Jasmine.
Then, she clicked on the homepage of the administrator who had muted Lt. Surge and froze.
"What the..."
Jasmine didn't have any friends with this person, but the picture on her profile page was a clear indication of who she was.
Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia!
This is a person Jasmine usually can't even contact, but actually, she appeared in Instructor Ai's group!
Just as Jasmine was still impressed by Instructor Ai's wide range of contacts, a new message popped up, and it was a direct message from Instructor Ai.
Call Devon Co to Cooperate: "@Magnemite is the Cutest, it's Ms. Jasmine, welcome."
Call Devon Co to Cooperate: "[Red envelope]."
In an instant, the group erupted.
Jasmine grabbed the red packet sent by this person, and the amount was so big that she almost couldn't hold her face.
The group began to thank the tycoon's queue.
Goldenrod Game Corner God: "Brother Steven, I'll kneel down to you!"
Gold is an Idiot: "Useless idiot... Thank you Mr. Steven for the red envelope."
Honest Business, No Deception: "Hey, I'll send one to you guys later, I made a lot of money in the past two days."
Artist of Water: "I'll be damned, why are you giving out red envelopes while I'm working?"
Young Lady Gothitelle: "Why can't psychic operate on cell phones..."
Want Me to Turn You Into a Doll: "Lt. Surge had a private chat and asked me to tell you he's the king of luck."
["The Pain From Rainstorms Are Nothing" was unmuted by admin "Blue"].
["The Pain From Rainstorms Are Nothing" was muted for one day by admin "Blue"].
Ninja Koga: "Karma."
The first few people got the red envelopes, and the last few were obviously the ones who didn't.
Jasmine looked down the list one by one in disbelief.
Former Hoenn Regional Champion, Steven Stone.
Jasmine knew this person, he was also a Steel-type Pokémon enthusiast, they had a few meetings and conversations, but I didn't expect Steven to remember her.
Then, the first one to complain about not being able to grab the red packet was the current Hoenn Regional Champion, Wallace.
The rest of Jasmine's acquaintances were basically Gym Leaders, along with Koga, one of their Johto region's Elite Four, and Caitlin, one of the Unova's Elite Four from afar.
The man who had unbanned Lt. Surge and then banned him for a day was the former Kanto Regional Champion and current Viridian City Gym Leader, Blue.
"Ah..."
Jasmine mechanically opened the list of group members and looked over the composition of the group chat, which only had about a dozen members.
After a minute, Jasmine put down her cell phone and fell into deep thought.
Umm...
At my level, shouldn't I quit the group to avoid lowering its value?
...
Indigo Plateau, Budew Drop Inn.
Inside Instructor Ai's room, a group of Pokémon sat in a circle on top of a soft spread, showing off... They exchanged information about their achievements so far in the Indigo Plateau Conference.
"Lu!"
Azumarill jumped out first.
It looked at its old rivals, Rotom and Umbreon, with great pride.
What's up?
I got six kills!
Why don't you two triple killers jump again?
Rotom: "It doesn't matter, I'm Instructor Ai's best helper."
Umbreon: "..."
After some thought, Umbreon realized that it had no superiority over Azumarill and turned its head away.
Tsk~ Violent maniac~
"Jie!"
Haunter's voice came out at this time.
What are you so proud of?
You stole my heads with your six kills?
Hmph!
"Lu."
Azumarill glanced at Haunter.
Shut up, you headless bastard.
You're sitting at the table with the team doctor!
Haunter: "?"
"Jeez."
Two stream of tears stream down Haunter's face as it sobs and floats over to Chansey, who hasn't played yet.
"Chansey~" Chansey smiled and patted Haunter's head, telling it not to worry.
"Jie~"
Haunter looked at Chansey with tearful eyes, and at that moment, it was like seeing an angel.
"Chansey~"
Chansey shook its head helplessly.
It didn't care much about the battle records and such.
Although Chansey also had the desire to kill enemies.
However, it was mature enough to realize that the Indigo Plateau Conference was not a long race.
Instructor Ai couldn't let every partner have the chance to fully utilize their strength.
This time, Chansey can only stay in the background for a while.
Instructor Ai promised Chansey that when it had the chance, it would find a time for Chansey to go on a killing spree...
"Ruu~"
'That~'
At that moment, Ralts spoke up.
The little girl raised her hand shyly.
"Ruu~"
'I think I've got six kills, too~'
Everyone was stunned at these words.
Afterwards, the partners realized that Ralts had played two qualifiers, each with a series of 1v3, adding up to six kills, equaling Azumarill's record.
"Lu..."
Azumarill was on the ground with a frustrated look on its face, its small hands knocking on the carpet.
I didn't realize that I was already in the same level with my juniors.
"Ho!"
Charizard, who also failed to get a six-kill, asked a question.
By the way, the Indigo Plateau Conference finals are tomorrow, right?
"Me-ta-" Shiny Metang responded to its question.
Indeed, the last game.
"Boo-ee?"
Umbreon gave a curious expression.
So, who's playing next?
"Don't even think about it loto, there's no doubt."
As soon as Rotom said that, the eyes of the partners shifted to Caterpie on the sofa in the room.
Indeed, there was no doubt...
The finals of the Indigo Plateau Conference, the final stop on Instructor Ai's trip to Kanto.
Needless to say, the Pokémon that was going to make a big difference in this battle was Instructor Ai's first companion, the Caterpie that had accompanied him all the way from weak to strong, from zero to the present!
"Lu!"
As the second most oldest senior on the team, Azumarill spread its hands.
I don't have a problem with it.
I'm satisfied with six kills.
Well, it can brag for a year...
"Boo-ee!"
Umbreon laughed and shook its head.
It had no problem with Caterpie playing in the finals.
In fact, it was very supportive of it.
When it was just a weak Eevee who couldn't participate in the field practice group battles, it was Caterpie who taught it the tricks of the trade.
Now that it had become the backbone of Instructor Ai's hand, its respect and admiration for Caterpie's predecessor had not diminished at all.
"Roar."
Charizard's expression was a bit complicated.
The thought of Caterpie's killing spree at the top of the finals made it hard for it to hold on.
It didn't know about the later partners, but it knew about it when it joined the team at the right time...
This Caterpie is a Rayquaza in Caterpie skin!
Back then, when Instructor Ai stood on Rayquaza's head and killed Groudon and Primal Kyogre with his sword, saving the Hoenn region, Charizard, who was still a Charmander, watched the whole battle from inside the Poké ball, and admired his predecessor.
"Roar?"
Charizard tilted its head.
After seeing Caterpie evolve into Rayquaza, it was still young enough to think that Azumarill, who was still Marill, was also a Legendary Pokémon in baby Pokémon skin...
"Roar!"
Unable to help but laugh at its own naivety and childishness, Charizard shook its head.
"Me-ta-"
Shiny Metang glanced at Charizard.
It looked at the Caterpie napping on the couch with great curiosity.
To be honest, shiny Metang didn't know, at first, why Azumarill and Charizard always had such a high respect for Caterpie?
However, after a year's time together, shiny Metang could really feel Caterpie's charms...
The presence of this big senior in the team is not high, but it is like a stone that stabilizes everyone's heart.
During the time when shiny Metang was resisting the pressure the most, the only one who could help it in the field practice was Caterpie.
Caterpie killed a Golbat pack with a single move in Mt. Moon cave, changed the terrain of the tunnel, killed more than half of the beasts outside of the Grampa Canyon with a single shot of 'Dragon Ascend', and saved the day in countless field practices in the past, which is engraved in shiny Metang's memories... It was as if, as long as the Caterpie was still there, they had nothing to fear and would surely win.
"Me-ta..."
Looking at Caterpie, shiny Metang's heart was filled with respect for its predecessors.
Along with the gradual growth of itself and its companions, Caterpie gradually stopped participating in the activities of the field training.
However, the Pokémon that protected all of them under its broad wings when they were still young was Caterpie.
Even though shiny Metang, as a shiny Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon, has unlimited potential and a high ceiling, it never wanted to replace Caterpie as Instructor Ai's ace Pokémon.
Only Caterpie is Instructor Ai's true trump card...
In tomorrow's finals, this ace is going to strike!
"Jie~"
"Lar?"
"Chansey!"
"Ruu!"
'Yes, we can see senior Caterpie fight now~'
The rest of the four kids cheered as a group.
They joined the team late, so they hadn't experienced Caterpie leading the team on a killing spree.
However, Caterpie had already become a good senior who cared for its juniors.
The youngest, Larvitar and Ralts, often slept on the Caterpie's soft, warm body, and the Caterpie treated them gently.
Chansey and the Caterpie get on well together, and Instructor Ai has told Chansey a lot of his habits, which makes Chansey's job as a nanny go smoothly.
Caterpie's non-overbearing seniors are exactly the type Haunter likes... He'd learned a lot of his moves from Caterpie's tutelage.
"Mee?"
Caterpie on the couch opened its eyes when it noticed everyone's attention.
When their eyes met in the air, they all showed a big smile towards their senior.
Caterpie was stunned for a moment, then smiled helplessly.
Instructor Ai did the same.
"Really..."
Instructor Ai sat down on a chair and silently watched the children's interactions, his heart was really full of emotions.
This trip to Kanto region had really affected him too much.
When he first arrived in Kanto, he had a few babies with him, and Caterpie's control over Rayquaza's power was not as high as it is now.
Now... The babies have grown up and become powerful Pokémon that can take charge of their own lives.
The new babies don't need to be as resistant as they were in the beginning, and Caterpie is so powerful that it can easily kill a 10 percent Zygarde alone.
But that's not important.
What mattered was the bond between them...
"This is the feeling of home."
With a slight smile, Instructor Ai stood up and walked over to Caterpie's side.
He sat on top of the couch, wrapped his arms around Caterpie's head, and rubbed the fluff on his head.
"Tomorrow, Caterpie play for me."
"Mee!"
The Caterpie's eyes flinched.
Don't worry, my lord, I will fulfill my mission!
...
In the morning, the Indigo Plateau was illuminated by the warmth of the sun.
The main venue looked like it was covered in a golden sheen, and the crowds and voices filled the venue with vigor and vitality.
Mr. Goodshow stood under a silver fire pit.
Unlike yesterday's opening ceremony for the semi-finals, Lance was at the main venue for today's finals.
"..." Gazing at the fire pit filled with Moltres' flames, Lance was silent.
He wondered why, with Red having arrived in Indigo Plateau, he was still the Johto Champion hosting the finals?
Is it really that much fun to fish...? Is it really that fun?
Why don't you try it yourself one day?
"Uh-huh."
Shaking his head, Lance pushed the "evil" thoughts out of his head.
What fish?
No fish!
Work is the right thing to do...
Instructor Ai had a hard time persuading Giovanni to do the right thing, so he couldn't afford to be lax in the meantime.
We must keep Team Rainbow Rocket's labor force and combat power tied up, we can't let them get away!
"Uh-huh!"
Lance nodded.
Looking at the flames burning inside the fire pit, and remembering Instructor Ai's achievements, the pain in Lance's heart dissipated.
Moltres's feather was Indigo Plateau's treasure, and it was responsible for lighting the fire at the opening ceremony of the Indigo Plateau Conference every year...
Even though Indigo Plateau maintains a good relationship with the Moltres that roosts on the Champion's Way, there are only two fire-ready feathers in the League.
After today, one of them will be given as a reward to Aisha, who won the Indigo Plateau Conference...
Well, it's not a bad deal!
Instructor Ai deserves it.
"You've put in a lot of money." At that moment, Mr. Goodshow, who was stroking his white beard, smiled and teased Lance.
"He's worth it."
Lance, inwardly in pain, but on the face, he responded calmly.
At that moment, the cheers in the main arena gradually rose.
The finals of the Indigo Plateau Conference had begun!
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Indigo Plateau Conference finals!" The commentator looked excited and said, "Today, the two opposing sides are Īyoi, who specializes in Ghost-type Pokémon from Bell Tower in Ecruteak City, Johto region, and Aisha, who is a very popular player, Instructor Ai!"
Several Rotom drone were spread around the arena, and in the front rows of the audience, some reporters from big newspapers were taking pictures with their cameras.
"Please welcome the two contestants to the arena!"
As the commentator's voice fell, two figures appeared in the crowd's line of sight.
Īyoi from Bell Tower was a very common monk figure.
Bald, robed, and twirling Buddha beads in his hands, he has a kindly look on his face.
In yesterday afternoon's semifinals, he was up against a team that specializes in evil Pokémon.
A team of ghosts against a team of evils won... That's a good indication of the monk's strength.
Unfortunately, he met Aisha.
"Instructor Ai is out!"
"Oh my, Instructor Ai is so adorable!"
"The anchor himself is adorable, I love it!"
The beautiful young man standing at one end of the field has the whole place buzzing.
This young trainer from Dayan was the center of attention at the Indigo Plateau Conference from the very beginning.
He has never lost a single Pokémon until the Grand Final...
His strength is worthy of the crowd's enthusiastic cheers.
"No matter how many times I'm surprised by Instructor Ai's popularity..." With his arms wrapped around his chest, Brock shook his head and sighed from the audience.
He's surrounded by all the current members of the Indigo Plateau group except for the Elite Four and the Champion.
Oh, and Ash isn't there either.
Ash has gone up to the stands, and he's somehow gotten into Instructor Ai's fan club, and he's now following the five dogs around, yelling out chants of support.
"Instructor Ai, will win!"
"Pika~ pika~ chu!"
Pikachu chanted along with Ash.
On top of the hidden stands, Red looked out over the heated finals scene, a rare look of emotion appearing on his iceberg-like face.
Blue first noticed the change in his expression, and looked at him with a bad smile on his face, saying: "What good thing did you think about?"
"I was thinking about the finals between you and me."
Red recounted the past.
Blue also had a look of reminiscence on his face.
Their Indigo Plateau Conference matchups were so fierce...
At that time, Red and Blue, who had been on the scene for one year, gave the audience a great fight that will go down in history.
On the field.
Instructor Ai took out the Pokémon's Poké ball.
Through the translucent red glass of the Poké ball, Aisha's eyes met the Caterpie's eyes.
"Haha!"
Instructor Ai couldn't help but laugh out loud, he was in a happy mood.
He couldn't help but look towards the fire pit where the Moltres flame was burning.
"Let's get on the podium together, Caterpie!"
"Mee!" Caterpie's firm voice seemed to ring in his ears.
On the opposite side, Īyoi also took out an Ultra Ball.
It could be seen that he was doing his best to deal with Instructor Ai.
"Let the match begin!"
Between the referee's whistles, two Pokémon balls flew into the sky.
When they opened, a Mismagius appeared in front of Īyoi, and its magical appearance was a wonderful contrast to the monk-like Īyoi.
"What's that?"
"Caterpie... Instructor Ai used Caterpie to play in the finals?"
"No, your Caterpie is two meters long?"
Caterpie's appearance caused a huge uproar in the audience.
Everyone looked at the giant green worm, either in disbelief or in thought.
Caterpie's performance in the Cerulean Gym Challenge was gradually forgotten with the passage of time.
Instructor Ai just smiled.
It doesn't matter... It's just a matter of showing you a 1v6.
Isn't that impressive enough?
"Caterpie, Dragon Pulse!"
"Roar-!!"