Chapter 5: How to Catch a Pokemon. (Special thanks to Jokermask18 for the idea of Pokemon to catch.)
Later, Barbara was sitting with Ash, watching TV, when she realized something.
"Ash, no offense, but I thought Pokémon were supposed to stay inside Poke Balls. Why doesn't Pikachu?" she asked.
"Thing is, Pikachu doesn't like Poke Balls, so it stays out with me." Ash said as Pikachu took a drink of water.
Barbara smiled before she looked at an empty Poke Ball she kept around.
"I'd like a Pokemon for myself, to tell you the truth. I've always liked seeing how well Pokemon can bond with their Trainers. Dad told me I could keep one if I catch one, but I always end up missing or failing to catch it." Barbara said.
Ash stood up, "Well, I can help you. Your best bet is to weaken a Pokemon before trying to catch it. I'll let you borrow Pikachu. What do you say, buddy?" he said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said in agreement.
"Really? Thanks, Ash. In fact, I know just which Pokemon you can help me catch." Barbara said.
She then led Ash to a small cavern near the park. Ash explained what moves Pikachu could use along the way before they reached it. Barbara then looked at the roof of the cave and whispered, "There it is." as she pointed to a purple bat-like Pokemon sleeping on the roof of the cave.
"A Noibat. Okay, try catching it off guard. Aim carefully and throw the Ball." Ash said. Barbara aimed at Noibat carefully and threw the ball, which zapped Noibat inside in a flash of red energy. The ball fell to the cave floor and shook before it opened and Noibat popped out in a flash of white energy. It looked angry before it swatted the ball back, Barbara catching it.
"Okay, you're gonna have to battle it." Ash said as Pikachu jumped off and ran in front of Barbara.
Noibat started off by using Gust to blow Pikachu back, but Pikachu stood its ground.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Barbara called. Pikachu zipped around at a frenzied speed before tackling Noibat, sending it back before it used Supersonic causing Pikachu to cover its ears and tuck low.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Barbara called.
Pikachu sent several Thunderbolts at Noibat before eventually hitting it, getting it to stop. Noibat then took flight and flew at Pikachu with its wings raised to attack.
"That's Wing Attack. Pikachu, Iron Tail!" Barbara called. Pikachu leapt up and spun with its tail glowing before it struck Noibat's wing, knocking it down, but experiencing some knockback itself. Noibat then seemed to duplicate itself, forming a circle around Pikachu.
"Double Team. Pikachu, don't blindly attack them. Attack when you hear the sound of the real Noibat's wings." Barbara said.
"Pika." Pikachu said as it listened closely. When the Noibats raised their wings to prepare a Gust, Pikachu heard the sound of flapping wings and zapped to its right, shocking the real Noibat and causing it to fall over.
"That should do it." Barbara said before she threw the Pokeball. This time, the ball shook longer before finally dinging.
"All right!" Barbara said as she went over and picked it up.
"Nice job, Barbara. You too, Pikachu." Ash said as he picked it up.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said proudly.
"Thank you both!" Barbara said as she hugged them.
"You're welcome." Ash said as he hugged her back.
"You know what, I think we'll be great friends." Barbara said.