Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Kakuna Harden!
The warm midday sun hung high over Viridian Park, casting soft shadows beneath the swaying trees.
A light breeze rustled the leaves as Zen sat cross-legged in the grass, flipping through the weathered pages of the old book he'd received from the old man.
The first page already make his kakuna transform from normal kakuna to mutated kakuna... so Zen thought maybe this book not stupid after all.
The harder you are, the harder enemy fall`
That was the writen on second page ot the book.
Kakuna, his recently evolved partner, was rolling back and forth nearby, occasionally stopping to twitch its small red eyes at Zen, as if wondering when they'd start training.
Zen, however, was lost in thought.
Ever since they returned from Pallet Town, he had been thinking a lot about Pokémon battles.
Seeing the clash between Professor Oak and Rock's father had been an eye-opener. The sheer power of Kangaskhan and Rhydon made him realize just how far he and Kakuna still had to go.
But unlike a normal golden-yellow Kakuna, Zen Kakuna had an unusual deep purple shell and red eyes.
And according to Professor Oak's analysis, it wasn't just a color change,it was now a Poison/Bug type, with a stronger poison-based potential.
But what great about poison if kakuna can't even defend agains other stronger pokemon?
Zen snapped the book shut and stood up.
"Alright, Kakuna. Time to train."
Kakuna perked up, twitching slightly in excitement.
Zen smirked. "Let's start with defense. Use Harden!"
Kakuna's shell glowed faintly, its surface tightening.
Zen knelt down and pressed his fingers against its shell.
It was… still kind of soft.
Zen frowned. "Again! Harden!"
Kakuna shuddered, then flashed slightly as its body tensed up.
Zen pressed it again. This time, it felt tougher, but still not good enough.
If a Pokémon like Rhydon hit Kakuna now… It'd be over in one hit.
That wasn't acceptable.
"Keep going! Again!"
Kakuna repeated Harden over and over, but after a while, it began to tremble slightly.
Zen noticed it and frowned.
"Are you tired?"
Kakuna wiggled but didn't stop.
Zen felt a pang of guilt.
Was he pushing too hard?
But then he thought about something Professor Oak had said before they left:
"Your Kakuna is different from the others. Maybe it has the potential to evolve into something truly unique."
Zen clenched his fists.
Kakuna wanted to grow stronger just as much as he did.
He wasn't going to give up now.
Zen stood up and dusted off his pants.
"Alright. Let's change it up. Instead of just using Harden, let's test how strong it is."
He picked up a nearby stick and tapped Kakuna's shell.
It's still a little soft… but better than before.
He tapped again, slightly harder.
Kakuna flinched but didn't move.
Zen nodded. "Good! Now, let's step it up! Use Harden and brace yourself!"
Kakuna glowed again, its body locking in place.
Zen swung the stick, this time with a bit more force.
THWACK!
The stick bounds off with a soft thud.
Zen's eyes widened. "That's more like it!"
Excited, he tried again—this time using even more strength.
THWACK!
The stick barely made a dent.
Kakuna didn't even budge.
Zen grinned. "You're getting stronger, Kakuna. One day, no one can break through your shell."
Kakuna wiggled happily.
The training continued until sunset, with Zen gradually increasing the strength of his strikes while Kakuna kept up its Harden technique.
By the time they finished, Zen's arms were sore, but Kakuna's shell was tougher than that morning.
Zen sighed and collapsed onto the grass, staring at the sky.
Kakuna rolled over beside him.
"We've got a long way to go, but I know we'll get there."
Kakuna blinked its red eyes at him.
Zen smirked.
"One day, we'll be unstoppable."
And with that, they lay there, resting beneath the orange glow of the setting sun.
________
Two chapter for yalls,
Guys i wanna ask is my chapter to short or just good enough?.. i read other fanfic usual they have 2-3k word.. but mine just have less than 1k