Chapter 125: The Evolution of Two

Pikachu Emerges Victorious

Pikachu triumphed in the chaotic melee, even though Charmeleon came close to defeating it. After dispatching the other five Pokémon, the two faced off in an intense final showdown.

Charmeleon performed exceptionally well, using Dragon Breath and Flamethrower to temporarily suppress Pikachu. However, Pikachu's superior speed allowed it to outmaneuver Charmeleon, striking back at the perfect moment. In the end, Pikachu clinched victory, cementing itself as the winner of the first melee.

"Did you see that?" Misty asked her Starmie, the first Pokémon to be eliminated. Starmie, having recovered from minor injuries, observed the conclusion of the battle.

Despite being at the same elite level, the gap between Starmie and Pikachu or Charmeleon was stark. Misty noted the difference. "We have to keep pushing ourselves so we don't fall too far behind," she said.

"Gem..." Starmie responded softly, but there was determination in its tone.

Evening Reflections

After a grueling day of training, Ash and Misty returned to the Pokémon Center to heal their teams. That evening, they gathered their Pokémon to discuss battle strategies and areas for improvement.

While Ash explained tactics, he noticed Bulbasaur glancing at Charmeleon with a conflicted expression. It didn't take long for Ash to figure out what was on Bulbasaur's mind.

Once the meeting ended, Ash quietly took Bulbasaur's Poké Ball and stepped outside. He released Bulbasaur under the moonlight, the stars twinkling above.

"Seed...?" Bulbasaur looked at Ash curiously, unsure why it had been brought out so late.

Ash smiled gently, patting Bulbasaur's head. "I just wanted to talk," he said, sitting down on a bench and gazing at the moon. "You've been looking at Charmeleon a lot. Are you thinking about something?"

Bulbasaur hesitated but eventually climbed onto the bench beside Ash, its expression a mix of confusion and uncertainty.

"You're wondering whether to evolve, aren't you?" Ash asked.

Bulbasaur was startled by Ash's insight but nodded softly, confirming his thoughts.

Ash began to explain. "Evolution is the natural path for most Pokémon. It increases your base strength, allows you to break level limits, and helps you grow stronger more quickly. But…" He paused, giving Bulbasaur a reassuring look. "Not evolving doesn't mean you can't become strong. There are many Pokémon who stay in their current form and achieve extraordinary strength. It just requires more time and effort."

Bulbasaur listened intently, but its indecision deepened. It wanted to grow stronger, yet it feared losing its identity.

Ash stood up, patting Bulbasaur gently. "Take your time to think about it. My advice is to evolve, but the choice is yours, and I'll respect whatever you decide."

With that, Ash returned Bulbasaur to its Poké Ball, giving it space to process the decision.

Day Two of Training

The next day, Ash and Misty continued their intensive training regimen. The Pokémon spent the morning honing their moves, pushing themselves to their physical limits. In the afternoon, another melee ensued, but this time, the Pokémon applied the lessons they had learned.

Instead of charging recklessly, they formulated strategies. Misty's Staryu was the first to be eliminated, followed by Pidgeotto, Starmie, and Beedrill. This left four Pokémon in the final stages: Pikachu, Charmeleon, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle.

Misty wasn't discouraged by her Pokémon's early elimination. "Starmie improved significantly compared to yesterday," she noted. "It's moving up the ranks, even if just by a little."

The final four Pokémon paired off. Bulbasaur and Squirtle teamed up against Pikachu and Charmeleon. However, Pikachu and Charmeleon didn't cooperate, each eager to claim victory for themselves.

Under their relentless attacks, Bulbasaur and Squirtle struggled to hold their ground. They felt like tiny boats in a raging sea, constantly on the brink of capsizing.

"Jenny!" Squirtle roared suddenly, its voice filled with determination. A brilliant, multicolored light engulfed its body as it evolved into Wartortle, breaking through to the elite level.

Ash and Misty paused, astonished by Squirtle's transformation.

"Squirtle evolved!" Misty exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.

Bulbasaur stood frozen, watching its longtime partner transform. Seeing Wartortle's newfound power sparked something deep within.

"Seed—!" With a determined cry, Bulbasaur stopped suppressing its energy. It released the power building inside, and the same multicolored light enveloped it.

Misty gasped. "Bulbasaur is evolving too?!"

As the light faded, Bulbasaur's evolved form, Ivysaur, emerged. Its strength had surged, reaching the elite level alongside Wartortle.

"Cammy!" Wartortle cheered for its newly evolved friend.

"Grass!" Ivysaur responded, adjusting to its new body and newfound power. For the first time, it realized that evolution wasn't something to fear—it was a step forward.

A Turning Point

The evolution of both Pokémon marked a significant milestone in their journey. Ash and Misty couldn't contain their pride as they watched Ivysaur and Wartortle celebrate their transformations.

By the end of the day, the team's growth was undeniable. With renewed determination, the Pokémon were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

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