### Chapter 35: Insect Catcher

The Ecruteak Lecture Hall loomed large and imposing, its presence commanding attention as it sat within the vibrant city of Ecruteak. Within its walls, the air was thick with the scent of old paper and ink, mingling with a sense of history that seemed to permeate every corner of the room. Kane, determined and focused, dedicated himself to combing through the vast collection of books that documented the extensive and intricate history of Ecruteak City. 

His primary objective was clear: he sought to uncover any available records regarding the illustrious life and achievements of Chiyama III, as well as the legendary feats attributed to Chiyama IV. These figures held a significant place in the annals of history, and Kane was eager to delve deeper into their stories.

As he immersed himself in the pages of dusty tomes, flipping through countless accounts filled with historical significance, he found himself grappling with a considerable amount of information that predominantly centered on events prior to the time of Chiyama IV. Yet, paradoxically, he was bombarded with an overwhelming number of trivial details concerning the events that followed the fifth generation. It was baffling that such a wealth of inconsequential narratives overshadowed the remarkable contributions of the rest of the Chiyama family.

This realization struck a chord within Kane, sparking a newfound interest in the Chiyama family and their historical narrative. It became increasingly apparent that Chiyama IV must have had a hand in influencing the way history was recorded, ensuring that his legacy and that of his family would endure through the ages.

As the afternoon sun began to dip low in the sky, casting long shadows across the hall, Kane prepared to meet up with Thunderstorm. Together, they intended to explore the location of the long-hidden tomb that had captivated their interest. However, just as they were about to depart, the tranquil atmosphere of the lecture hall was disrupted by the arrival of an unexpected visitor. 

A young boy sauntered into the gym, dressed in oversized cargo pants and a short-sleeved shirt that looked as if it had been chosen more for comfort than for style. Perched on his head was a straw hat that completed his casual appearance. In his hand, he held an insect-catching net, a tool that spoke volumes about his aspirations and youthful enthusiasm. 

This boy, whom the local community often referred to as an "insect catcher," was emblematic of many aspiring trainers who dreamed of making their mark in the Pokémon world.

"Is anyone here!?" he called out, his voice ringing with the innocent enthusiasm that only youth could provide.

At that moment, Thunderstorm stepped forward, a frown etching itself onto his brow as he approached the boy. "What are you shouting for? What do you want?" he asked, his tone dripping with skepticism and irritation.

"I'm here to challenge the gym!" the insect catcher declared boldly, his chest puffed out with pride and determination.

Thunderstorm's expression shifted to one of disdain as he regarded the boy. "You think you can challenge us? You're a Pokémon trainer, too" he asked, incredulity seeping into his voice.

"Of course! I've got two Pokémon!" the boy responded; his voice filled with youthful bravado.

This display of confidence seemed to irritate Thunderstorm even further. "Alright then, how long have you been a Pokémon trainer? And how many gym badges do you have?" he pressed, his arms crossing over his chest.

The insect catcher hesitated momentarily, his earlier bravado faltering under the weight of the inquiry. "Uh, well… it's only been a month since I became a trainer, and, um, I don't have any gym badges yet," he admitted, the pride in his voice wavering.

"Then just go home. You're not going to win here," Kane interjected, stepping forward and shooting the boy a look that conveyed both dismissal and finality.

Kane had witnessed too many aspiring trainers like this one—individuals who had been born into impoverished circumstances, lacking the financial resources to acquire starter Pokémon or the knowledge necessary to care for them properly. Yet, they clung tenaciously to the dream of becoming Pokémon Masters, fueled by ambition but lacking the means to realize their goals. Armed with nothing more than basic tools, these hopeful trainers would venture into relatively safe jungles, capturing gentle insect Pokémon such as Caterpie and Ledyba.

After successfully catching their first Pokémon, these aspiring trainers often became overconfident, believing they were on the verge of achieving greatness. With a renewed sense of purpose, they embark on their journey of Pokémon training, driven by an unwavering ambition that often blinded them to the harsh realities that lay ahead.

However, the world of Pokémon training was not as kind as they imagined. Many of these trainers, filled with lofty aspirations, were destined to meet the same fate that Kane had experienced during his previous life in the Chiyama family—trapped in a relentless cycle of disappointment and failure, blissfully unaware that their efforts often served to provide experience for more novice trainers within the Pokémon League.

This harsh truth often led them down darker paths. As their innocence faded, they transitioned from eager trainers into Pokémon Hunters. They began with petty thefts, gradually escalating to capturing and selling Pokémon, and eventually becoming embroiled in far more nefarious activities. After couple years, many of them would have transformed into ruthless and vicious individuals, a change that had been forged by the unforgiving nature of the world around them.

The unfortunate reality was that most trainers who attempted to take the ordinary route found themselves making no progress, ultimately returning to their mundane lives, their dreams gone away forever. and some with shitty luck die in the wild without even knowing what killed them as their aspirations snuffed out like flickering candles.

Upon hearing Kane's blunt assessment, the insect catcher felt a surge of indignation rising within him. "I want to challenge you! If I beat you, I'll challenge the gym trainer!" he insisted, determination radiating from him as he clung to the belief that victory was still within his grasp.

"There's really no need for that. If you win, I'll just give you a badge," Kane replied coolly, his voice unwavering and authoritative.

The insect catcher's eyes widened, a flicker of hope igniting within him. This was it! He believed he had found his moment of triumph, especially since Kane appeared to be younger and potentially less formidable than the gym trainer.

With excitement coursing through him, the boy shouted, "Come out, Butterfree!" 

The sight of the eager insect catcher releasing his Pokémon drew a sympathetic sigh from Thunderstorm, who couldn't help but feel a pang of concern for the boy. He was painfully aware of the inevitable outcome that awaited the young trainer. 

A month was more than enough time for a Caterpie to evolve into a Butterfree, and as Kane observed the Butterfree that fluttered into the arena, his suspicions were confirmed. 

"Gastly," Kane commanded, summoning his own Pokémon to the battlefield with a sense of calm confidence.

Kane glanced at the Butterfree, noting its dull eyes, crumpled wings, and overall lack of vitality. It was painfully clear that the insect catcher's limited resources had only allowed him to nurture a Butterfree that was far below its potential.

"Use Confusion, Butterfree!" the insect catcher called out eagerly, his youthful enthusiasm pushing him to command his Pokémon to action.

Kane remained watchful, knowing that the Butterfree would hesitate before gathering its focus to unleash its psychic powers.

"Gastly, use Embargo!" Kane commanded, his voice steady and authoritative, filled with a sense of purpose.

Having practiced diligently over the past few days, Gastly executed the move with precision and finesse. A fierce roar echoed through the gym, accompanied by an ominous energy that frightened Butterfree into a state of paralysis, leaving it momentarily stunned.

" Use Confuse Ray Butterfree!" the insect catcher shouted, desperation creeping into his tone as he sought to regain control over the chaotic situation.

Kane merely shook his head, recognizing that the half-hearted execution of Butterfree's Confusion would only leave it vulnerable to his more skilled Pokémon. The creature was caught off-guard by the chaotic lights surrounding it, leaving it disoriented and unable to respond to its trainer's commands. 

Lost in its own confusion, Butterfree began to flail helplessly, utterly unprepared for the onslaught that followed. A series of shadowy licks from Gastly quickly ended the battle, and in mere moments, the butterfly Pokémon was defeated, lacking any semblance of combat readiness.

"Don't think you're anything special just because you beat Butterfree! You won't stand a chance against my next Pokémon! Come out, Rattata!" the insect catcher declared defiantly, attempting to salvage his pride despite the humiliating defeat.

The young trainer's next Pokémon, a Rattata, seemed to possess more energy and eagerness than its predecessor. "Go, Rattata! Use Quick Attack followed by Bite!" he commanded, determination flooding his voice as he hoped to turn the tide of battle in his favor.

Kane, however, had no intention of letting his Gastly dodge or falter. " Use Night Shade!" he ordered calmly; his eyes fixed on the unfolding battle.

A thick darkness enveloped Gastly, cloaking it from view as Rattata sped towards its target. The moment the little purple rat leaped into the shadows; it vanished without a trace.

"Rattata! What did you do to my Rattata?" the insect catcher yelled in a state of panic, his anxiety mounting as he searched the arena for his Pokémon. "Don't worry, it'll come out on its own once the match is over," Thunderstorm said, his tone dripping with impatience, as if the outcome was already set in stone.

The insect catcher boy, not entirely grasping the meaning of Thunderstom's words, furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty, still clinging to a thread of hope.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the answer revealed itself. From the enveloping darkness of Gastly's Night Shade, Rattata's limp body tumbled down to the ground. The little Pokémon, having been completely drained of its life energy, lay motionless, unable to continue the fight. The match was over before the boy had even realized what had happened.

With a heavy sigh, the insect catcher boy reluctantly withdrew his fallen Rattata back into its Pokéball, the reality of his loss sinking in. The weight of his defeat was hard to ignore—his first-ever gym battle, and he hadn't even managed to land a single hit on his opponent. His heart sank, his earlier bravado now replaced by a deep sense of disappointment. This wasn't how he had imagined his journey to become a Pokémon master would start.

"Leave now," Kane said curtly, his voice dripping cold.

As swift and harsh as the battle had been, in a weird way defeating the insect catcher boy so decisively, might have been a good thing as. The harshness of reality often shattered the illusions of those who weren't prepared for it. By crushing the boy's fantasies so thoroughly, it might force him to reconsider his path, to let go of the naive dream of becoming a Pokémon master before it led him down a road of even greater hardship. In some way, this harsh lesson could very well save his life.