The next few days settled into the same quiet pattern.
Every morning I'd finish my exercises, then go straight to the forest clearing. I'd sit in my usual spot, notebook open, watching the Metapod. I wrote down everything: how the sunlight hit its shell at different times, how its color changed a little each day, anything that might tell me when it would evolve.
But today was different.
Yesterday, right as we were leaving, the Metapod we had saved let out a "Meee… ta…"
Lopunny's soft ears shot straight up.
Meowscarada spun toward me, pink-red eyes wide and sparkling.
Both of them instantly told me what it meant.
Lopunny pointed at the sky and straight at me, letting out a soft, excited "Lopuu~!"
Meowscarada nodded fast, copied the same motion, and added a quick, eager "Nyaa~!"
I understood right away:
The Metapod wanted me to come back tomorrow… early.
So here we were, before the sun even rose.
Today, I had skipped my workout without hesitation. My heart was racing. Lopunny and Meowscarada stayed close to my side, holding my hands, one in each of theirs. Lopunny's soft ear brushed against my arm every few steps, while Meowscarada walked steady beside me, her tail flicking lightly with every slow breath she took.
The forest felt different at this hour: quiet, calm, and heavy with cool morning mist.
The Metapod stayed exactly where it always did, motionless… but not the same.
Its shell looked smoother, polished, almost glowing from within, like light was waiting just under the surface.
No one spoke.
The only sounds were the faint rustling of leaves and the steady breathing of the Pokémon beside me.
Then, slowly, the first thin ray of sunrise slipped through the trees and touched the cocoon.
Metapod reacted instantly.
Its whole body gave a small, tight tremble. A soft silver glow spread across its shell, faint at first… then growing brighter with every passing second.
Lopunny leaned forward slightly, ears raised.
Meowscarada's tail froze mid-flick, eyes locked on the glowing cocoon.
A soft silver light bloomed from inside, pulsing once… then twice…
The glow spread through the entire shell, brighter with each pulse, until the whole clearing was wrapped in a gentle, silver light.
Then the shell began to shift.
The hard green casing peeled back in smooth segments, unfolding into delicate shapes.
Wings.
Soft silver powder shimmered off them as they spread, catching the morning light like falling stars.
Butterfree.
It fluttered its wings for the first time, testing them gently… slow, shaky… then steady.
Butterfree lifted its head and let out its first quiet call,
"Freeee…"
I smiled, chest strangely warm.
"You did it," I whispered.
Butterfree fluttered toward me, hovering close.
It pressed its forehead gently against mine, a quiet thank-you.
I smiled, even though my chest felt tight.
Its wings shifted, turning toward the sky.
"You should go," I whispered.
Lopunny's ears drooped.
Even Meowscarada looked unusually gentle.
Butterfree circled us once, slow, warm, grateful, then joined the other Butterfree rising into the open sky.
"…Goodbye, Loppp, Nyaa" We murmured, watching until it became only a speck of light.
---
After that, I went back to our usual morning routine.
I worked out with Lopunny and Meowscarada in the backyard (push-ups while Lopunny sat on my back, while Meowscarada raced beside us and some light training that and a few extra "rewards" later,) by the end, both of them were purring and smiling and I was happily worn out.
Back home, I spread everything across my desk: all the notes, sketches, timelines, temperature logs, sunlight charts, behavior records… every little thing I'd watched and written about the Metapod.
Research Report: Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree Evolution Cycle
By Ryan, Viridian City
When it was done, I saved it to a disk and ran to the Pokémon Center. I used the big transfer terminal to send it straight to the League's research division, the fastest way for a normal person to reach the real researchers.
Then I went back to our secret spot under the hollow tree and spent the rest of the day with Lopunny and Meowscarada. No school today; I'd told Mom I was finishing a big project (true enough). We just lay on the mossy rock, legs in the cool water, watching clouds and sunlight dance on the little pond, tails flicking lazily, completely happy to be together.
Whatever happened next with the report… didn't matter right now.
Right now, it was just us.
---
The next morning, Mom called from downstairs.
"Ryan! You have mail!"
I hurried down the stairs.
Lopunny and Meowscarada right behind me, they still looked a little unhappy, like they got interrupted while doing something important.
On the table sat a large box, sealed with the Pokémon League symbol.
Mom blinked. "What did you order? It's huge."
"I… didn't order anything."
My heartbeat quickened.
I stepped closer, hands trembling slightly.
"Let me open it and show you."
Inside was a letter: official seal, gold print, and sharp edges.
I opened it with trembling hands.
> Dear Ryan,
We have received and reviewed your Caterpie to Butterfree evolution report. Your observational detail, emotional tracking, and behavioral notes demonstrate rare early talent.
Starting today, you are recognized as:
Pokémon Explorer.
This is a special title created for trainers like you, who have the skills and curiosity to help the League understand Pokémon in the wild. Your job is to travel to different places, observe Pokémon in their natural habitats and record their development, behavior, and the environments they live in. You can submit your reports through any nearby Pokémon Center.
We've also included some basic tools and support to help you begin your journey:
Ryan quickly opened the box. Inside, neatly arranged, were:
A red Pokédex.
A tablet with a stylus, branded with the PokéTech logo.
And a check. The moment Ryan glanced at the amount, his jaw dropped.
It was ₽450,000, enough to equal roughly six months of Mom's salary.
Mom stared at him, eyes wide.
"…Ryan… this much?" she whispered, her hands trembling slightly.
Ryan blinked, still staring at the check. "I… I didn't expect it to be this much," he murmured.
Dad walked over, eyes widening as he saw the amount. A proud smile spread across his face. "Wow… son, all this time you've been doing this… you've really grown up."
Even our Pokémon seemed to sense the excitement in the room.
I picked up the Pokédex, noticing a small manual tucked into the side. I read through it quickly, then tapped the button as instructed.
A soft, clear voice spoke:
> "Hello, I am Pokédex, designed for Trainer Ryan: League Model Explorer. I identify Pokémon, track environmental metrics and assist with navigation."
The day passed quickly. I told my parents in detail everything I had done, from observing Pokémon to preparing my notes.
After that, I went shopping with my Pokémon, picking up all the equipment and supplies I would need and making sure I was ready for the journey ahead.
The next morning, I went to school as usual, ready to finish the last day of my term, my mind buzzing with excitement for the adventures that awaited.