Pokémon: A Different Brock

Chapter 33: Catching Squirtle - part 2

"Brock, it's not like that! I also want to catch a Squirtle! But I don't have any empty Poké Balls! And besides, I'm afraid my Paras wouldn't be able to beat a Squirtle, so I wouldn't be able to catch it," Melanie explained from the side.

Hearing Melanie's explanation, Brock replied, "Melanie, that's no problem. If you don't have a Poké Ball, I can give you one. If your Paras can't win, I can lend you my Zubat." Brock took out an empty Poké Ball and Zubat's Poké Ball and handed them over.

Melanie looked at the Poké Balls Brock offered. She took them and said gratefully to Brock, "Brock, thank you for lending me a Poké Ball and Zubat! When I have money later, I'll definitely pay you back for the Poké Ball." After speaking, Melanie took the two Poké Balls Brock gave her and went to battle a Squirtle.

Just as Brock finished hearing Melanie and wanted to tell her "You're welcome," he saw that Melanie had already gone off to battle a Squirtle. He then noticed the scene: only one Squirtle remained, standing there foolishly, watching the other Squirtle battling. It also seemed to want to battle, as it turned and stared intently at Brock.

Seeing the remaining Squirtle looking at him, seemingly wanting to battle him too, Brock walked over beside the Squirtle and said, "Squirtle, I'll satisfy your wish! I'm going to catch you! Let's battle!"

Seeing Brock walk over beside it and hearing his words, the Squirtle jumped up happily, then turned serious. It stared intently at Brock and cried out, "Squirtle~ Squirtle!", as if saying, "Let's battle! Bring it on!"

Seeing this, Brock knew the Squirtle was eager to battle him quickly. So, Brock called Meowth, who was following behind him. "Meowth, you go battle this Squirtle!"

Hearing Brock's command, Meowth walked over beside the Squirtle, then stared intently at it, looking ready to battle.

Meowth looked at the Squirtle before him and thought, I've been with Brock for a while now. I wonder how much stronger I've become? I really want to have a good, hearty battle! See just how strong I am now!

Seeing Meowth walk over, Brock stepped aside, clearing the area so Meowth and Squirtle could have a proper battle.

Seeing Meowth about to battle Squirtle, Brock wanted to know their stats to see if Meowth could win. He entered his mindscape and saw Bell still standing there blankly. Brock thought for a moment, Might as well do it myself! Better not disturb Bell.

Brock found the Points System's Inspect function and scanned both Meowth and the Squirtle. Their data appeared:

Pokémon: Meowth

Master: Brock

Strength: Entry Rank - Initial Stage

Potential: Champion

Pokémon: Squirtle

Master: None (Wild)

Strength: Entry Rank - Initial Stage

Potential: Champion

After viewing Meowth's and Squirtle's data, Brock thought, Meowth and Squirtle have the same strength level... I wonder who will win. Finishing his thought, Brock exited his mindscape and saw Meowth and Squirtle hadn't started battling yet; both were just staring intently at each other.

Seeing this standoff, Brock gave Meowth a command, "Meowth, run over and use Fury Swipes on Squirtle!"

Hearing Brock's words, Meowth ran towards Squirtle and unleashed Fury Swipes.

Squirtle saw Meowth running towards it to attack. It immediately shot a Water Gun from its mouth, aiming straight at Meowth. As Meowth ran towards Squirtle, it saw the Water Gun coming at it. Meowth quickly dodged and continued running towards Squirtle.

Seeing Meowth dodge its Water Gun, Squirtle seemed unconvinced and wanted to see how many times Meowth could dodge. It fired another Water Gun at Meowth. A stream of water shot towards Meowth again. Seeing another Water Gun attacking, Meowth dodged it easily, thinking, Brock made me train my speed during that time... Now it's finally coming in handy!

Squirtle saw Meowth dodge its Water Gun yet again. Still unconvinced, it seemed determined to see just how many Water Guns Meowth could dodge. It then started desperately firing Water Gun repeatedly at Meowth, as if using Water Gun cost no stamina at all.

Meanwhile, Meowth saw Squirtle desperately firing Water Guns at him. All the water streams were aimed in his direction. Although Meowth managed to dodge every single Water Gun, each dodge was a narrow escape. Finally, Meowth reached Squirtle's side and quickly struck Squirtle's body with Fury Swipes.

Because Squirtle had used Water Gun so many times, it had little stamina left and needed to rest. It couldn't dodge Meowth's attack. Just like that, Meowth's attack hit Squirtle. Struck by Meowth's Fury Swipes, Squirtle took damage and fell to the ground. Squirtle wanted to stand up and continue battling, but its strength failed it. It couldn't get up. And so, Squirtle lost its ability to battle.

Brock watched this scene unfold, stunned. He hadn't expected Squirtle to be defeated so simply. And besides, he hadn't even commanded Meowth beyond the initial attack! He thought, Sigh! The battle ended before I even gave another command... and we still won?! Is my role as a trainer completely useless?! Finishing this thought, Brock quickly took out an empty Poké Ball and threw it at the Squirtle lying on the ground.

The Poké Ball subsequently hit Squirtle, sucking the prone Pokémon inside before falling to the ground. Then, the light on the Poké Ball started flashing. Seeing this, Brock silently prayed in his heart, Please be caught! Don't break out! Perhaps Brock's wish worked; the Poké Ball's light flashed for about a minute, then with a 'ding!' sound, it went dark. Squirtle had been captured.

Seeing the Poké Ball had successfully captured Squirtle, Brock ran over and picked it up. He put the Poké Ball away safely, then praised Meowth standing nearby, "Meowth, well done!" Then he went to watch Ash's and the others' battles.

Brock walked over beside Ash and saw Pikachu battling the Squirtle leader. Ash was standing nearby, excitedly commanding Pikachu.

Seeing this, Brock knew Ash hadn't captured the Squirtle leader yet. He then stood off to the side, watching Ash's battle.

Ash, meanwhile, didn't realize Brock was standing beside him watching his battle. Brock had intended to quietly observe how Ash battled, but unexpectedly, Melanie suddenly walked over. She handed the Poké Ball containing Zubat back to Brock and said, "Brock, thank you for lending me your Zubat."

Seeing Melanie approach seemingly out of nowhere and hand the Poké Ball back to him, Brock was a bit surprised. He took the Poké Ball and asked Melanie curiously, "Melanie, did you manage to catch a Squirtle?"

Hearing Brock, Melanie took out a Poké Ball and replied happily, "Yes, Brock! I caught a Squirtle! Your Zubat was a huge help!"

Brock looked at the Poké Ball Melanie held out, simply replied, "Oh," and didn't say anything further. Just then, Misty and Daisy also walked over.

●●●

● 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!

● https://www.patreon.com/c/Devmaya

(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)