On the last half-day at the research station, Jonathan prepared to take Lucy to collect rare fern spore samples.
These spores were delicate and required an exceptionally gentle touch.
“We’ll go and return quickly, back before noon,” Jonathan said while checking the collection tools.
“The assistant will stay at the station to continue the analysis.”
Lucy nodded and put on her backpack, which contained sample bags, specialized tools, emergency medicine, and pokéblocks.
Budew was full of energy, standing straight with its little body, its bud swaying slightly: “Bo-mi!” (I will help out properly!)
The two people and one Pokémon set off along the boardwalk, heading straight for the area where the target ferns grew.
Lucy’s movements were skilled; she crouched down and gently brushed her fingers over the fern leaves, quickly finding the target in a hollow near a tree root—a fern with firework-shaped leaves and silver-blue edges.
She took the collection dish handed to her by Jonathan, holding her breath and focusing.
Her movements were so gentle, as if she were afraid of startling the spores, and she carefully swept a few plump spores into the dish.
Budew stood guard nearby, its petals slightly open, keeping an eye on the surroundings.
Just after collecting the first sample, Budew suddenly stiffened, its petals tightening abruptly, and it shrieked: “Bo-mi!” (There is danger above!)
Lucy and Jonathan looked up at the same time.
High in the branches above, several pairs of scarlet compound eyes lit up, and several strands of white, sticky silk shot down with a “whoosh”!
It was Ariados, and there was more than one!
“Retreat!” Jonathan barked, throwing a Poké Ball.
“Victreebel, use Razor Leaf to cut the silk!”
Victreebel appeared, its leaves spinning as they flew out, cutting through the first incoming silk strands.
However, more Ariados emerged.
One of them, a massive leader, let out a hiss as silk descended like a net, mixed with a dense barrage of purple Poison Sting!
“Budew, use Stun Spore to interfere!” Lucy commanded.
“Bo-mi!” Budew opened its bud with all its might, spraying pale yellow Stun Spore in a fan shape.
The trajectory of some of the Poison Sting attacks skewed, and the silk slowed down, but there were still some that slipped through!
Lucy retreated rapidly, but her foot slipped, causing her to stumble.
A fierce glint flashed in the Ariados leader’s eyes, and a thick Poison Sting bypassed the Stun Spore, shooting straight at her back!
“Look out!” Jonathan was too far away to help.
“Bo-mi!!!”
Budew watched the purple streak of light, a surge of intense determination erupting within its body.
In the glow, its body elongated and became slender, and the closed bud bloomed layer by layer, transforming into two exquisite roses that settled on its hands.
Slender thorns extended from its wrists and head—it had evolved into Roselia!
“Roselia!”
The light of evolution formed a brief energy barrier.
The Poison Sting struck it with a hiss, its toxicity dissolved, and the stinger bounced off, grazing Lucy’s shoulder before embedding itself into a tree trunk.
Lucy steadied herself and turned back, her voice trembling: “Roselia!”
Roselia landed gracefully and stood in front of Lucy.
The roses on its hands trembled slightly, its gaze as sharp as thorns: “Roselia!” (You are not allowed to hurt Lucy!)
It extended its hands forward, and the pink roses glowed.
Countless tiny thorn-like spikes shot toward the Ariados leader like a rainstorm—this was Roselia’s Poison Sting skill!
The Ariados leader hurriedly sprayed silk to intercept, but it was still struck by some of the Poison Sting on its carapace, letting out a pained hiss.
Jonathan seized the opportunity: “Victreebel, use Acid to clear the webs, and Razor Leaf to provide cover!”
Victreebel sprayed Acid to melt the spiderwebs, and Razor Leaf forced the other Ariados back.
Seeing that they couldn’t gain the upper hand, the Ariados leader took its companions and retreated into the foliage.
The forest returned to silence, with only the heavy breathing of the group remaining.
Roselia’s tense body relaxed, and it turned toward Lucy, its eyes full of worry.
Lucy stepped forward quickly and carefully checked its body: “Are you okay?
Are you hurt?”
Roselia shook its head gently and touched her arm with its blue rose hand: “Roselia!” (I’m fine, I managed to protect you!)
Jonathan walked over, looking at Roselia with eyes full of approval: “Evolving to protect your Trainer in a moment of crisis, and immediately mastering new power to counterattack—that’s truly amazing!”
He looked at the torn clothing on Lucy’s shoulder.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, just a scratch.” Lucy’s attention was entirely on Roselia; she could feel that its energy was more contained and vast after evolution, and its rose hands carried a unique Grass and Poison dual-type power.
“Let’s head back to the research station first,” Jonathan decided decisively.
On the way back, Lucy held Roselia’s hand.
Its thorns could be retracted freely, so they wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Roselia was still adapting to its new body, walking with an elegant and steady gait, occasionally lowering its head to examine its rose hands.
Back at the research station, after treating Lucy’s scratch and confirming that Roselia was only suffering from exhaustion, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Read the latest chapters at novelping(.)com.
At lunch, Roselia received a double portion of pokéblocks.
It used its rose hands to nimbly pick up the blocks and taste them in small bites, while conveying a message: “Roselia!” (This recipe could be slightly adjusted; the effect would be even better!)
Lucy was both surprised and happy; Roselia’s perception and intelligence had improved after evolving.
In the afternoon, as they prepared to return, Jonathan handed the spore samples to Lucy: “The harvest this time is huge.
Roselia’s evolution might lead to a new breakthrough in our research.”
Lucy nodded and got on her bicycle.
Roselia sat in the padded basket at the front of the bike, the wind blowing through its rose petals.
“Roselia?” (Will everyone recognize me?) It asked, feeling a bit nervous.
“Of course, you are still you, just stronger and more beautiful,” Lucy said with a smile.
At the entrance of the farm, Ivysaur was the first to spot them, waving its Vine Whip excitedly: “Danna!” (It’s Budew!
It evolved!)
Circe, Lombre, and Turtwig all ran over.
“Big Sister Lucy!
You’re back!” Circe’s eyes widened.
“Is this Roselia?
Budew evolved!
It’s so beautiful!”
“Lombre!” (Congratulations on evolving!) Lombre swam to the shore and waved.
“Turtwig?” (Budew-sister?) Turtwig tilted its little head, examining it.
Roselia leaped down from the basket.
It was a bit shy but stood tall, waving its rose hands gently: “Roselia!” (It’s me, I’m back!)
The familiar aura made everyone immediately accept its new form.
Ivysaur gently touched its thorns with a Vine Whip, and the Lotads cheered “Habo Habo.”
Circe circled around Roselia: “Tell us, how did it evolve?
Was it super dangerous?”
Lucy briefly recounted the ambush in the wetlands and how Budew evolved to protect her, leaving everyone feeling both scared and excited.
Roselia stood quietly beside Lucy, its rose hands gently stroking its vines.
The thrill of the evolution had settled into a more steady power within its heart.