Very soon...
The shell cracked open completely!
A pair of curved wings with exquisite patterns were the first to stretch out from the crack!
Next came the slender body, antennae, and those compound eyes...
The white light dissipated completely.
Metapod had finally broken out of its cocoon and become a butterfly!
It had evolved into—Butterfree!
Free~~
Butterfree let out a soft, melodious cry, its wings flapping slowly.
Its pale blue wings were covered in beautiful red, black, and yellow patterns, shimmering with the subtle luster of scale powder under the sunlight.
It seemed a bit unaccustomed to this new body, flapping its wings a few times and lifting off the ground somewhat unsteadily.
But soon, it mastered the knack of flying.
The flapping of its wings became smooth and powerful.
It flew up lightly, circling around Roy, Misty, and Delia once before joyfully soaring toward the sky.
Scale powder scattered in tiny sparks as it danced, looking like a fine rainbow dust in the sunlight.
"Wow!"
Misty couldn't help but exclaim, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the beautiful butterfly Pokemon in the air.
At this moment, she had no fear of Bug-type Pokemon at all.
In fact, Misty was originally only afraid of the crawling, squishy, multi-legged bugs; she didn't fear all Bug-type Pokemon.
For something as beautiful and elegant as Butterfree, she not only wasn't afraid but actually liked it very much.
"So pretty..." Delia was also entranced, her hands clasped in front of her chest, her face brimming with a gentle smile: "It's truly beautiful, Butterfree."
Roy watched Butterfree flying freely in the sky, enjoying the joy of its first flight to its heart's content, and a smile appeared on his lips as well.
At the same time, the system panel that only he could see appeared before his eyes.
The information about Metapod had already been updated to Butterfree.
[Pokémon: Butterfree]
[Type: Bug, Flying]
[Level: lv10 (Novice Level)]
[Potential: pre-elite four level]
[Ability: Compound Eyes — Increases the accuracy of moves]
[Skills: Confusion, Gust, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, etc.]
[Held Item: None]
[Special Enhancement: Junior Potential Enhancement Berry]
Before pupating, a Caterpie overeats and accumulates experience, which begins to transform after it becomes a pupa.
So even without a single battle during the pupal stage, Butterfree's level had increased to level 10 when it emerged from its cocoon.
Its ability had also changed from the original Shield Dust to Compound Eyes.
As far as Butterfree was concerned, Roy believed this ability was better than the rare ability Tinted Lens.
This was because Butterfree's role was often focused on status effects and field control.
Having Compound Eyes to increase the accuracy of Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, or some Poison-type moves to inflict status effects on the enemy was much better than the slight power boost of Tinted Lens in specific situations.
Damage and such could be left to Pikachu with its doubled electricity or Pidgeotto with its Big Pecks.
And even then, he still had a Bug-type enhancement item—Silver Powder!
After enjoying the freedom of flight in the sky for a while, Butterfree gently flapped its wings and elegantly landed back beside Roy.
It affectionately rubbed its head against Roy's arm, its compound eyes blinking, conveying feelings of dependence and joy.
"You've worked hard." Roy raised his hand and gently stroked Butterfree's smooth head, "Congratulations on evolving, Butterfree."
"Free~"
Butterfree let out a comfortable cry.
"It seems to really like you, Roy." Misty leaned in a bit closer, looking at Butterfree curiously; she wanted to reach out and touch its wings but was a little hesitant.
"Want to try touching it?" Roy smiled, "Butterfree is very gentle."
"Re-really? Is it okay?" Misty carefully extended her finger and lightly touched the edge of Butterfree's wing.
It felt slightly cool and smooth, with a fine powdery sensation.
"So soft..." Misty's eyes lit up, her courage growing as she began to gently stroke Butterfree's wings.
Delia also smiled and leaned over, joining in the stroking.
Being stroked, Butterfree seemed to enjoy it very much, its wings trembling slightly.
Roy felt happy watching this scene.
While Delia and Misty went to feed their own Pokémon, he also took out the item he had prepared long ago from the system bag—the super flight berry!
A plump berry emitting a faint cyan luster appeared in his hand.
A special fragrance immediately permeated the air.
Butterfree's compound eyes immediately locked onto this berry, and its antennae began to wiggle eagerly.
Having not eaten for many days inside the pupa, it was already starving.
"Here, this is your reward." Roy handed the super flight berry to Butterfree.
Butterfree immediately grabbed the berry with its forelegs and began nibbling it in small but rapid bites.
Although hungry, it was much more refined compared to the 'Pidgeotto's' violent way of eating.
Soon, the entire super flight berry was eaten.
The effect was immediate!
Butterfree's body was enveloped in a faint cyan glow.
Its antennae became visibly longer and more slender, and the spheres at the tips grew slightly larger.
Its wings also clearly expanded in size, with a wider wingspan, and the patterns on them seemed to become more vivid and clear.
However, its body size didn't directly double and swell like Pidgeotto's had.
It seemed that the super flight berry's influence on Butterfree was mainly on its lifespan and basic qualities.
After all, Butterfree's lifespan was truly too short; wild individuals often breed and then end their lives shortly after emerging from their cocoons.
But now, nourished by the super flight berry, this Butterfree's lifespan had been greatly extended.
It could accompany him for a long journey and witness much more glory.
Roy nodded in satisfaction.
Having completed the lifespan enhancement, he confidently gave the Silver Powder to Butterfree.
Although its role was status control, being able to increase its power was a nice bonus.
After all, in the early stages, Butterfree was one of the main battle trio members.
"Alright, everyone is full and happy." Roy clapped his hands and recalled Butterfree: "Let's continue our journey."
"Okay!" Misty and Delia responded in unison.
The three of them tidied up and set off once again on their journey toward Cerulean City.
However...
They hadn't gone very far...
When suddenly, a series of miserable shouts came from up ahead!
"Aaaaah—!"
"No! Don't bite me!"
It was a man's scream, filled with terror.
Immediately following that...
The system's pleasant notification sound rang in Roy's mind.
[Ding! Mission Triggered: Rescue Seymour who is in trouble, and help him identify the culprit behind the destruction of Mt. Moon.]
[Mission Reward: Aura—Friend of Nature: Affinity with wild Pokémon increased by 50%. Officer Jenny Family Favorability +10]
Roy's eyes lit up.
He had just used two items and was thinking about replenishing his stock.
Although this mission didn't directly reward items, a permanent aura-type buff was also not bad!
Friend of Nature, a 50% increase in affinity with wild Pokémon!
This would make catching Pokémon, communicating with wild ones, and even getting benefits from them... much more convenient in the future!
Plus the Officer Jenny Family favorability +10.
As favorability increased, it would also be more convenient to ask for Officer Jenny's help in the future.
"Go! It looks like someone is in trouble up ahead!" Roy said immediately, taking the lead and jogging toward the direction of the sound.
Misty and Delia quickly followed.
The three of them pushed through a small patch of bushes, and the sight before them left them stunned.
They saw a man wearing a white lab coat and glasses, looking like a researcher, surrounded by a swarm of Zubat!
Those Zubat were hanging upside down from the surrounding branches or circling at low altitudes, letting out sharp "screeching" cries as they constantly tried to pounce on the man in the middle.
The man held his head, dodging left and right in a pathetic state, his lab coat already torn in several places.
"The ecology here is really good," Misty blinked her big eyes and suddenly blurted out: "You can even see Zubats dancing with humans in broad daylight."
Delia tilted her head and glanced at Misty, her expression somewhat confused: "Huh? Misty, that looks like... the Zubats are attacking that gentleman, right?"
Roy almost laughed at Misty's airheadedness.
"It's clearly an attack; Misty, what's wrong with your eyesight? Pika..." Roy subconsciously wanted to let Pikachu go up and deal with the Zubat, but he saw that Seymour was surrounded among them.
If Pikachu used Thunder Shock, Seymour would be toasted directly, which might delay the mission completion.
In the end, Roy decided to let the newly evolved Butterfree take over!
It was a good chance to test its current strength and the effect of the Compound Eyes ability paired with powder-type moves.
"Go, Butterfree!" Roy threw the poké ball: "Deal with those Zubat!"
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