Chapter 20 - Grubbin

📓 Evan's Journal 📓

Month 1, Day 26

Next day after thorn and trixie evolved, I am again getting ready for today's exploration, Today we will be going to Route 1 not for exploration, but to catch myself a grubbin, Yes, . While I could also check the combat effectiveness of my pokemons. 

[Pokemon: Bug catcher]

(Evan POV)

"Thank you again, for agreeing to this" I spoke to Mr. Bramble.

"No problem" Prof. Kukui replied.

Now I am walking with them through the forest,

We'd seen four Grubbins so far—one munching on bark, another digging into the roots—but each time I paused, checked them with my aura sight… and each time, I moved on.

Yellow glow. Average potential. Good, maybe. But not great.

It wasn't about arrogance. I didn't hate them—I respected them. But I'm not just building a team. I'm building a future. I need partners who can grow alongside me, fast and strong. I'm not here to settle.

Then… it happened.

As we rounded a bend near a slope, a small tunnel carved through the roots of a fallen tree caught my attention. Dirt shifted. A shadow wriggled forward. And out came a Grubbin—small, alert, and dragging a half-gnawed leaf behind him like a trophy.

I dropped to one knee, focusing. The moment I activated my aura sight, my breath caught.

Blue.

My heart skipped.

"Alright, Thorn, I choose you" I said while throwing the pokeball into the air.

"Bee!" Thorn responded instantly, flitting into action with a streak of black and yellow. The Grubbin perked up, sensing danger too late.

"Alright, use Fury Cutter! Let's not hurt it too much—just weaken it!"

Thorn darted in like a missile, one gleaming stinger slashing across the air with calculated restraint. The hit was clean, leaving a glowing arc as it struck Grubbin's side, sending it tumbling back with a startled squeal.

But this little one had some fight in it.

"Grrrbbin!!" it screeched, its tiny body sparking with static as it retaliated with a surge of Spark. A small jolt hit Thorn mid-hover, making him buzz sharply as the shockwave spread across his carapace.

"You good, Thorn?"

He twitched, shrugged off the damage, and gave a firm "Beeee!"

"Perfect. Let's wrap this up. Use Twineedle, but keep it controlled!"

Thorn zipped low, his twin stingers stabbing the ground near Grubbin in quick succession—just enough to pin it down without seriously injuring it. The bug let out a final stubborn cry, now visibly exhausted.

I pulled a Poké Ball from my belt, the red-and-white surface cool in my palm. I took a breath.

"Here goes nothing."

With a flick of my wrist, the Poké Ball soared through the air and struck Grubbin squarely on the head. In a flash of red light, the tiny Pokémon was sucked inside, and the ball fell to the ground with a soft thud.

One shake.

Two shakes.

Three…

Click.

I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"Yes!" I fist-pumped. "Nice job, Thorn! That was perfect."

Thorn gave a prideful hum, wings flaring for a moment before he gently hovered back to my side.

I walked over, picked up the Poké Ball, and stared at it for a moment, the way it gleamed in the dappled sunlight.

"Welcome to the team, Grubbin," I murmured, clipping the ball to my belt.

But just as I turned to leave, I felt that same strange tug in the air again—the faintest pull on my aura. I glanced back into the forest. Nothing. No movement. No noise. Just silence, too quiet for a jungle trail.

I narrowed my eyes, but shook my head.

"Let's go, Thorn," I said, but not without throwing one last glance over my shoulder.

Someone—or something—was watching us.

Again.

_______________________

We set up on a flat patch of mossy earth. Trixie danced near the water's edge, sipping droplets from a leaf. Thorn nestled beside my bag, grooming his sleek wings. I unhooked my Poké Balls and let everyone out to stretch.

"Free~""Bee~"

And finally… click.Grubbin.

He emerged cautiously, eyes darting, mandibles twitching. He didn't cry out. He didn't run.

He just watched me. Quiet. Wary.

I crouched to his level.

"Hey, little guy." I smiled softly. "I'm sorry I captured you like that. I know it wasn't fair. You didn't ask for this."

He tilted his head. No response.

"I needed a teammate. That was selfish. But I swear I'll never treat you like a tool."

My hand slowly extended toward him.

"I'll train with you. Fight beside you. Help you become the strongest version of yourself. What do you say? Will you be my partner?"

A long pause.

Then—softly—Grubbin scuttled forward. He raised his small mantle and gently nudged my fingers.

"Grubbin~"

My heart lifted.

Behind me, I heard Kukui chuckle. Mr. Bramble gave a rare, approving nod.

In the shadows of the trees far behind us, hidden by bark and breeze, something stirred.

'He is the one,' the figure murmured.

And vanished into the green.