After Pinsir's defeat, the samurai boy switched to another Pokémon, Metapod!

Metapod, the evolved form of Caterpie, has its mobility significantly impaired in this form. Although its defense is remarkably high, it cannot compensate for its lack of mobility.

In front of Pidgey, Metapod was even less of a challenge than Pinsir, unable to mount any offense and effortlessly defeated without striking back.

The samurai boy left with a heavy heart, defeated by two novice trainers from Pallet Town on consecutive days, a harsh blow for him.

Yet, he committed the names of his challengers to memory—Ash and Gary, the trainers from Pallet Town.

"Next time we meet, I'll make you see me in a new light!" The samurai boy looked back at Ash and Misty continuing on their way, murmuring a vow to himself that one day he would stand before them again and show his true strength.

After parting ways with the samurai boy, Ash and Misty resumed their journey. Pikachu seemed somewhat displeased since it hadn't participated in the recent battles, displaying a bit of a sulk.

Seeing Pikachu's behavior, Ash couldn't help but feel amused and puzzled. In the anime, Pikachu was not particularly belligerent, but now, perhaps influenced by Ash or inheriting traits from Osiris, it seemed to have adopted a more combative spirit.

As noon approached, rather than continuing their journey, Ash and Misty looked for a suitable place to set up camp for the afternoon.

They weren't as lucky as the day before; there was no water source nearby. Although the area showed no signs of Pokémon and seemed safe, it meant a greater consumption of their water reserves.

Ash prepared lunch, not needing to make extra food for Pikachu and Pidgey since there were leftovers from the previous day, which would suffice until dinner.

During the meal, Ash reviewed the recent battles with Pidgey, and after allowing Pidgey some time to reflect, he pointed out areas where Pidgey could improve. The discussion seemed to bring clarity to Pidgey, leading to a moment of realization.

Pidgey's admiration for Ash grew stronger with each passing day. From yesterday's training to today's battle and the subsequent feedback, it felt as if a new world of understanding had opened up for Pidgey, teaching it much more than before.

Pidgey felt incredibly fortunate; it had stumbled into the battle by accident, which had led to its capture by such a trainer as Ash.

After lunch and a short rest, Ash and Misty resumed their respective training routines. Ash tweaked his training schedule to include not only move training but also combat techniques.

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The afternoon session was divided: the first half for practicing moves and the second half dedicated to combat training. To sharpen their combat skills, Ash had Pidgey spar with Pikachu.

Misty, intrigued by this, approached enthusiastically and decided to join the training, which led to matchups of Pidgey against Starmie and Pikachu against Staryu.

Both sides restrained themselves to avoid full power attacks; after all, the goal was to enhance combat skills, not to cause injuries that could hamper the journey or sour relations between the Pokémon.

The training was notably effective. The more they battled, the more the Pokémon understood their weaknesses, and the trainers could clearly identify areas needing improvement.

Pidgey began to consciously target its opponents' weak spots, and Pikachu became more agile, shedding many of its reckless habits.

Misty's Starmie and Staryu improved their move accuracy, and their Water Gun attacks became faster, changes that Ash and Misty both noticed.

Thus, they decided to incorporate such training sessions into their daily regimen to continuously improve their Pokémon's abilities.

After a calm night in the Viridian Forest, Ash and Misty, on their third day in the forest, continued their journey and encountered two trainers along the way. Both Ash and Misty battled these trainers and emerged victorious.

"Traveling with you, I feel like my own skills have grown so much..." Misty remarked while they were searching for a suitable campsite at noon. Her journey with Ash had not only been an adventure but a transformative experience, elevating her abilities as a trainer.

Previously, when Misty trained and traveled aimlessly alone, she never felt the kind of progress she was experiencing now. Influenced by Ash, she started to engage in targeted training and battles with her Pokémon, feeling significantly stronger as a result.

"I've also received a lot of help from you!" Ash responded, acknowledging the support Misty had provided him. Her presence helped him navigate the confusing early days as a novice trainer.

Moreover, having Misty around meant he never felt lonely. The companionship and the shared commitment to their goals enriched their journey.

"If only you weren't so keen on catching Bug-type Pokémon..." Misty said with a slight wistfulness. Although Ash had already caught Pidgey, he hadn't given up on the idea of catching another Pokémon.

Indeed, Ash was ready to catch his third Pokémon. With Pidgey and Pikachu well on their training paths, requiring less of his attention, he felt it was the right time to consider adding another member to his team.

For his third Pokémon, Ash was considering either Caterpie or Weedle, each of whose final evolutions had its merits. However, he preferred the more aggressive and offensively capable Beedrill over Butterfree.

Ash had decided on an offensive, fast-attack style for his future battles. While Butterfree was undoubtedly excellent, Beedrill's traits aligned better with Ash's envisioned combat style.

Additionally, Beedrill had a Mega Evolution form. If Ash could someday acquire a Beedrillite and a Key Stone for himself, Mega Beedrill could become a significant force in his team.

Finding a solitary Weedle, however, was not an easy task. Unlike the Butterfree line, Beedrills were communal and territorial, making it rare to encounter a lone Weedle.

But sometimes, surprises come when least expected. As Ash and Misty were searching for a suitable campsite, they spotted a lone Weedle on a tree.

"It's like what I think about comes to life! Could it be because I was the destined protagonist?" Ash thought excitedly.

Meanwhile, Misty, although no longer screaming at the sight of Bug-type Pokémon, still instinctively hid behind Ash, her discomfort with them lingering despite days of adjustment.