Chapter 18: Baptism by Bug
6:47 AM – Crimson Reef Island, Eastern Wetlands
The eastern wetlands were exactly as miserable as Jayden remembered from the orientation briefing.
Thick fog hung over everything like a wet blanket, reducing visibility to maybe ten meters on a good day. The ground was perpetually soggy, a mix of mud and standing water that squelched with every step. Trees grew twisted and gnarled here, their roots breaking through the surface in tangled masses that made navigation a nightmare.
And the bugs were everywhere.
Weedle crawled along branches in clusters, their poisonous stingers gleaming wetly in the diffuse morning light. Caterpie munched leaves with single-minded dedication, completely unbothered by the oppressive humidity. Occasionally, a Kakuna or Metapod could be spotted hanging from branches, motionless cocoons waiting for metamorphosis.
Perfect training ground for a Bug/Ground-type with evolution potential.
Jayden had spent two days scouting various Bug-type territories before settling on this location. The eastern wetlands offered several key advantages: high Bug-type density, relatively low trainer traffic since most recruits avoided the miserable conditions, and terrain that favored Nincada's Ground-type abilities.
The main disadvantage was that everything here wanted to poison you, sting you, or cover you in paralytic spores. Minor details.
Nincada scuttled alongside him, compound eyes scanning the fog-shrouded landscape. The Ground-type seemed unbothered by the humidity, its carapace actually looking healthier in the moisture-rich environment. Bug-types thrived in conditions like this, which made sense given how many of them called the wetlands home.
But before beginning today's training regimen, Jayden had one piece of business to handle. Yesterday's reconnaissance had revealed something interesting: a small cave system about half a kilometer north of Training Zone Alpha. Caves often housed forgotten supplies, abandoned by previous trial participants who'd died or fled. Worth investigating.
...
7:23 AM – Cave System, Northern Sector
The cave entrance was partially hidden behind a curtain of hanging vines, easy to miss unless you knew what to look for. Jayden pushed through, Nincada following close behind. His flashlight beam cut through the darkness, revealing a narrow passage that sloped downward into the earth.
The air inside was cold and stale, carrying the musty smell of old stone and something else. Something organic that had decayed long ago. Jayden's instincts screamed caution, but caves this isolated usually held either treasure or corpses. Sometimes both.
The passage opened into a small chamber maybe five meters across. Water dripped steadily from stalactites overhead, creating small pools on the uneven floor. And there, against the far wall, sat an old wooden chest.
Jayden approached carefully, scanning for traps or signs of instability. The chest looked ancient, its surface covered in moss and corrosion. The metal fittings had rusted through almost completely. Whatever was inside had been here a long time.
He knelt beside it, examining the lock. The mechanism was corroded beyond function, more rust than metal. A single hard pull and the hinges groaned, protesting movement after years of stillness.
The lid came free with a screech of tortured metal.
Inside, nestled among rotted cloth and tarnished coins that had long since lost any value, sat a single stone. Smooth, gray, unnaturally cold even in the humid cave air. Jayden's breath caught as recognition dawned.
An Everstone.
He'd heard stories about these, whispered in Rocket Team briefing rooms late at night. Trainers who used them carelessly, forcing their partners to stagnate at lower evolutionary stages until the Pokémon's potential twisted inward. But also darker tales, ones that spoke of deliberate stagnation taken to extremes. Pokémon kept at the edge of evolution for so long that when they finally transformed, something inside them had changed. Grown too strong for the body meant to contain it. Become something more, or something less, than nature intended.
The stone seemed to absorb light, casting no shadow despite his flashlight's beam hitting it directly. No reflection, no gleam. Just that smooth gray surface that looked almost hungry.
Jayden reached out slowly, fingers closing around the Everstone.
The cold was immediate and shocking, traveling up his arm like ice water in his veins. His fingers went numb within seconds. And for just a moment, in the silence of the cave, he heard something. A faint chittering, insect-like but wrong somehow. Layered. As if dozens of voices were speaking at once through mandibles that shouldn't exist.
Then it was gone, leaving only the steady drip of water and his own quickened breathing.
Nincada had gone absolutely still. The Ground-type's antennae were locked onto the Everstone with unreadable intensity. Not fear, exactly. Something closer to recognition. Or perhaps hunger.
Jayden's hand tightened around the stone. This could give him control over Nincada's evolution. Complete, deliberate control. No accidental level-ups triggering transformation at inopportune moments. He could push Nincada to its absolute limits at its current form, building a foundation of power that would explode outward when evolution finally occurred.
The Rocket Team briefings had mentioned this technique, though always with warnings attached. Forced stagnation was dangerous. Pokémon evolved for reasons, evolutionary pressure releasing when bodies reached certain thresholds. Fighting that pressure could create instability. But it could also create power.
And power was survival.
Jayden slipped the Everstone into his pack, jaw tight. He'd crossed lines before. This was just one more.
But as he turned to leave the cave, a chill settled deep in his chest. Not from the stone's cold, but from something else. The weight of a choice made, a path chosen that couldn't be walked back from. The kind of chill that came from knowing you'd just stepped over a line you couldn't see, into territory where the rules changed and consequences became unpredictable.
Outside the cave, the wind picked up. It carried the smell of turned earth and something older. Something that had been waiting in dark places for someone to dig deep enough to find it.
Nincada chirped softly, breaking the moment. The Ground-type seemed unaffected by whatever Jayden was feeling, already refocused on the day's training ahead.
Good. One of them needed to stay practical.
Jayden checked his compass and started walking toward Training Zone Alpha. The Everstone sat in his pack like a cold promise. He wouldn't use it yet, wouldn't interfere with Nincada's natural development. Not yet. But having the option changed things.
Changed him, maybe.
He pushed the thought aside. Survival didn't leave room for philosophical doubt.
...
8:47 AM – Training Zone Alpha
Jayden stopped at the edge of what he'd designated as Training Zone Alpha during yesterday's reconnaissance. A small clearing roughly thirty meters across, surrounded by dense vegetation on all sides. Multiple Bug-type paths converged here, making it a natural ambush point. More importantly, it offered escape routes in three directions if things went sideways.
"Alright, partner," Jayden said quietly, crouching beside Nincada. "Same plan as yesterday. We engage targets one at a time, focus on combat efficiency over speed. Every battle is training for Protect, so don't forget to practice the timing between attacks."
Nincada chirped acknowledgment, settling into a ready stance. The Ground-type had improved noticeably over the past two days. Its movements were sharper, more confident. The Protect training was paying dividends even though the move wasn't fully mastered yet.
Jayden activated CIPHER, scanning the immediate area for potential targets. Data streamed across his vision in organized columns.
[CIPHER ANALYSIS: Area Scan]
[RADIUS: 25 meters]
[SPECIES DETECTED:]
Weedle (7 specimens)
Average Level: 5-7
Aptitude: Red to Orange tier
Threat: Minimal
Caterpie (4 specimens)
Average Level: 4-6
Aptitude: Red tier
Threat: Minimal
Kakuna (2 specimens)
Level: 9, 11
Aptitude: Orange tier
Threat: Low (immobile)
[RECOMMENDED TARGET: Weedle, Level 6, isolated position, 18 meters northwest]
Perfect. A lone Weedle had separated from its group, currently feeding on a bush maybe twenty meters to the left. Low level, isolated, easy pickings for Nincada's current capabilities.
"Target acquired," Jayden murmured. "Isolated Weedle, your eleven o'clock. Standard opener: Sand Attack to blind, then close for Scratch. If it tries Poison Sting, that's your cue to practice Protect."
Nincada chirped softly and began moving, staying low to minimize its profile. The Ground-type had learned stealth surprisingly well, probably an evolutionary holdover from its species' ambush predator instincts. Within seconds, Nincada had closed to striking distance.
The Weedle remained oblivious, too focused on its meal to notice the approaching threat. Classic prey behavior. No survival instincts, just eat until something with more teeth shows up.
Nincada struck without warning. Sand Attack exploded from its claws, spraying the Weedle with dirt and debris. The Bug-type reared back, chittering in alarm, its compound eyes now covered in grit.
Before it could recover, Nincada was on it. Scratch connected twice in rapid succession, claws raking across the Weedle's soft body. Green ichor sprayed from the wounds, and the Hairy Bug Pokémon thrashed desperately.
It tried to counterattack, stinger glowing with poison, but the blindness made accuracy impossible. Poison Sting stabbed empty air while Nincada circled to the side and delivered a finishing Scratch.
The Weedle collapsed, unconscious.
[COMBAT COMPLETE]
[VICTORY: Nincada]
[EXPERIENCE GAINED: Minimal]
[ELAPSED TIME: 8 seconds]
Too easy. The Weedle had been outmatched from the start, never had a chance to mount effective resistance. Good for building Nincada's confidence, but not particularly useful for actual skill development.
"Next target," Jayden said. "Let's find something with more fight in it."
...
10:23 AM
Two hours and eleven battles later, Nincada was showing fatigue but had improved noticeably. The Ground-type's attack patterns had become more refined, wasting less energy on unnecessary movements. More importantly, it was starting to anticipate attacks, reading opponent body language to predict incoming strikes.
The current opponent was a Caterpie that had proven surprisingly tenacious. Jayden had scanned it earlier with CIPHER:
[CIPHER ANALYSIS]
Pokémon: Caterpie (Worm Pokémon)
Gender: Male
Level: 8
Type: Bug
Aptitude: Orange tier
Ability: Shield Dust
Held Item: None
Known Moves: Tackle, String Shot, Bug Bite
Threat Assessment: Low to Moderate (aggressive behavior pattern detected)
Level eight, decent instincts, and aggressive enough to actually press attacks instead of just defending. It had already forced Nincada to use Protect twice, both times successfully blocking Tackle attempts.
Progress.
Nincada circled the Caterpie, looking for openings. The Worm Pokémon tracked the movement, its stubby legs shuffling to maintain facing. Then it launched forward with surprising speed, body glowing with Normal-type energy.
Tackle incoming. Nincada raised its front legs, energy gathering around its carapace. The translucent barrier of Protect flickered into existence just as the Caterpie connected. The attack bounced harmlessly off the shield, and the Caterpie stumbled from the rebound.
Nincada didn't waste the opening. Fury Swipes connected four times before the Caterpie could recover, shredding its soft exterior. The Worm Pokémon collapsed, defeated.
[COMBAT COMPLETE]
[VICTORY: Nincada]
[EXPERIENCE GAINED: Moderate]
[PROTECT SUCCESS RATE: 2/2 this battle, 7/11 overall]
Sixty-four percent success rate on Protect. Not perfect, but improving steadily. Another week of training and Nincada would have the timing down to muscle memory.
Jayden was about to call for a break when Nincada suddenly went rigid, antennae pointing directly ahead. The Ground-type released a low, warning chirp that Jayden had learned to recognize as danger.
Something was coming. Something big.
Jayden activated CIPHER immediately, scanning in the direction Nincada was focused.
[CIPHER ANALYSIS: Emergency Scan]
Pokémon: Beedrill (Poison Bee Pokémon)
Gender: Male
Level: 16
Type: Bug/Poison
Aptitude: Yellow tier
Ability: Swarm
Held Item: None
Known Moves: Poison Sting, String Shot, Fury Attack, Focus Energy, Twineedle
Threat Assessment: HIGH
Combat Recommendation: Evasion preferred; if engagement necessary, exploit mobility disadvantage in dense terrain
Shit.
A Beedrill burst through the fog like a missile, compound eyes locked onto Nincada with predatory focus. The Poison Bee Pokémon was massive, easily twice the size of the Bug-types they'd been fighting. Its twin stingers gleamed with venom, and the buzz of its wings had a distinctly aggressive tone.
Jayden's mind raced through options. Running was risky; Beedrill were faster than humans over short distances. Fighting was dangerous; level sixteen was four levels above Nincada, and Beedrill hit hard with STAB Poison attacks.
But they had advantages. Type matchup was neutral, Nincada had Protect for defensive options, and the wetland terrain would limit Beedrill's aerial mobility through the dense fog and vegetation.
"Defensive pattern Charlie," Jayden ordered, his voice calm despite the adrenaline spike. "Keep it grounded if possible. Use terrain to your advantage."
Nincada responded instantly, diving toward a cluster of exposed roots that formed a natural barrier. The Beedrill followed, adjusting its trajectory mid-flight with frightening agility.
Twineedle lanced through the air. Nincada triggered Protect, and the dual-stinger attack dissipated against the translucent shield. But the barrier flickered and failed after blocking the strike, Nincada's energy reserves not quite sufficient to maintain it longer.
The Beedrill pressed the attack, swooping low. Nincada ducked under a root just as twin stingers stabbed downward, embedding in wood instead of carapace. The Poison Bee Pokémon struggled momentarily to free its weapons, giving Nincada an opening.
Scratch raked across Beedrill's wing membrane, tearing a small hole. The Poison Bee Pokémon shrieked and pulled free, gaining altitude. But now it was angry, and angry Beedrill made mistakes.
It dove again, this time with reckless aggression. Nincada waited until the last possible second, then used Dig.
The Ground-type vanished underground just as Beedrill arrived, leaving the Poison Bee Pokémon stabbing empty air. It circled frantically, trying to locate its prey, but Nincada was already repositioning beneath the surface.
"Emerge under it," Jayden instructed. "Aim for the wing joints."
Nincada burst from the earth directly beneath the hovering Beedrill, claws extended. The attack caught the Poison Bee Pokémon completely off-guard, striking both wing joints simultaneously. The Beedrill plummeted, its flight capability compromised.
Now the terrain advantage was decisive. On the ground, Beedrill lost most of its mobility edge. Nincada pressed forward with Fury Swipes, landing three solid hits before the Beedrill could create distance.
The Poison Bee Pokémon tried to take flight again but managed only short, erratic hops. Its damaged wings couldn't generate sufficient lift, and panic was setting in. It lashed out with Poison Sting repeatedly, but accuracy suffered without stable positioning.
Nincada dodged two strikes, used Protect to block a third, then closed for a finishing Leech Life. Mandibles clamped onto the Beedrill's thorax, and crimson energy began flowing. The Poison Bee Pokémon's struggles weakened rapidly as vitality drained away.
Thirty seconds later, the Beedrill collapsed, unconscious.
[COMBAT COMPLETE]
[VICTORY: Nincada]
[EXPERIENCE GAINED: Significant]
[LEVEL UP: 12 → 13]
[NEW MOVE LEARNED: Metal Claw]
[CURRENT STATUS UPDATE:]
Pokémon: Nincada
Level: 13
Type: Bug/Ground
Aptitude: Green tier
Ability: Compound Eyes
Known Moves: Scratch, Harden, Leech Life, Sand Attack, Fury Swipes, False Swipe, Dig, Protect (72% mastery), Metal Claw (NEW)
Jayden exhaled slowly, heart still pounding. That had been closer than he liked. If Nincada hadn't successfully executed Dig at the critical moment, or if the terrain hadn't favored ground combat, they could have lost.
But they hadn't. They'd won, and Nincada had leveled up from the experience.
Nincada chirped triumphantly, clearly pleased with itself despite visible fatigue. The Ground-type's carapace had several new scratches, and one antenna was bent slightly, but nothing serious.
"Good work," Jayden said, kneeling beside his partner. "That was solid tactical execution. You read the situation and adapted perfectly."
He pulled out a potion from his bag and sprayed Nincada's injuries. The medicinal mist hissed slightly as it made contact, accelerating the healing process. Within seconds, the scratches had closed and the bent antenna straightened.
"We're done for today," Jayden decided. "That Beedrill fight took a lot out of you, and pushing further would be diminishing returns. Let's head back, get some real food, and review what we learned."
Nincada didn't argue, which told Jayden exactly how tired it was. The Ground-type settled against his leg as they started the trek back to base.
His hand brushed against the pack where the Everstone sat, cold and waiting. Not today. Not yet. But soon, perhaps, when the time was right and the choice became necessary.
Power always had a price. Jayden was just beginning to understand what he might have to pay.
...
3:34 PM – Rocket Team Base, Training Records Office
Jayden submitted his training log at the records office, a bureaucratic requirement that most recruits ignored until they realized contribution points were tied to documented progress. The clerk stamped his form without comment and waved him away.
Thirteen battles today. Twelve victories against basic Bug-types, one hard-fought win against a level sixteen Beedrill. Nincada had leveled up to thirteen and learned Metal Claw, expanding its offensive options significantly.
More importantly, Protect success rate had improved to sixty-four percent. Another week and it would be combat reliable. Two weeks and it would be instinctive.
Progress. Measurable, documentable progress.
Jayden headed for the mess hall, mind already planning tomorrow's training session. Maybe push deeper into the wetlands, target slightly stronger opponents. The Beedrill fight had proven Nincada could punch above its weight class with proper tactics.
The trial would last another seven weeks. Seven weeks to transform Nincada from a competent fighter into something truly dangerous. Seven weeks to ensure survival when the real culling began.
Because Jayden had no illusions about what was coming. The Rocket Team wasn't investing resources in training dozens of recruits just to have them all succeed. Attrition was the point. Eventually, they'd force confrontations between trainees, eliminate the weak, reward the strong.
When that day came, Jayden intended to be in the latter category.
Whatever it took.
End of Chapter 18
"Victory teaches you nothing. Defeat teaches you everything. Survival teaches you when to learn from both."