Doug ran eagerly ahead into the dark forests of Route 4 with Mike following closely behind. It wasn't long before Doug got his wish and a wild Pokémon swooped from the trees and landed in front of them.
A level 5 Hoothoot appeared!
The little owl hopped from one leg to the other with astounding speed, cocking its head curiously at the trainer and his Aron as they approached. "Hoot...hoot... hoot..." it said, tilting its head back and forth and "hooting" with perfect rhythm like a metronome.
The Aron, suddenly stopped, a few feet in front of the Hoothoot, staring at it. His trainer finally caught up, panting. "There you..." He was cut off by the wild pokemon's hooting
A sly smile appeared across Mike's lips, as he looked down at his pokemon. "You ready?" Doug gave a grunt and nod, without turning its attention from the Hoothoot. "Good. Now Tackle!" The Aron didn't need anymore instructions as it charged at the owl, at full speed.
"Hoooot?!" the owl Pokéman cried while using its superior speed to flutter up and avoid the Tackle. The Hoothoot landed again with a Growl, trying to frighten Aron into attacking less fiercely.
Doug took a step back, unerved by the growl. Mike noticed this and knew that another attack like that wouldn't work again. "Harden, Now!" The Aron, shook its head and quickly harden. His trainer sighed and knew they would have to be playing defence until he saw an opening.
The Hoothoot saw the Aron wasn't moving and decided to go in for a Tackle of its own. But between the defense boost, the double defensive type advantage, Hoothoot's poor attack, and Aron's natural bulk, Hoothoot didn't manage to do much other than frustrate itself as it rammed its body into the little steel type. It continued to attempt its Tackles, leaving itself within Doug's range again.
Around the fifth or sixth tackle, it was clear that the Hoothoot was getting tried, but Mike had to admire the bird's determination. He also saw an opening as the pokemon went back for its tackle. "Now, Doug use tackle." The Aron, without needing any more directions, rammed into the Hoothoot.
Falling backwards, unable to keep aloft or even maintain balance as it refused to use both legs, the Hoothoot cried out and thudded on the ground. Realizing it had no hope of defeating the Aron, it started to flutter its wounded wings. For the time being the Pokémon was grounded, but if action wasn't taken soon, it would fly away and retreat back into the safety of the dark forest treetops
Doug looked back at his trainer, then to the Hoothoot, then back to Mike, wondering what he was doing. The trainer couldn't help but be a little nervous as he took out a poke ball. Mike gulped and tossed the ball, hitting the pokemon on the head, then trapping it inside.
The Pokéball shook once... twice... three times! With a click it settled on the forest floor.
Mike caught the wild Hoothoot!
Level 5 Hoothoot
Gender: Male
Nature: Gentle
Ability: Insomnia
Moves:
*Foresight
*Hypnosis
*Tackle
*Growl
Held Item: None
Doug gained EXP!
Mike slowly walked over and picked up the poke ball, now containing his new Hoothoot, took a deep breath, and finally, jumped for joy at his success. Doug, seeming just excited, jumped and nudged his trainer's hand, wanting his new comrade out. But the trainer shrunk and slipped the poke ball into his pocket, looking at his Aron. "Not today. After we've had a good night sleep and this little guy..." Lifting the ball up high as he says that, "Is taken care of." And with that Mike headed back to the pokemon center, Doug following behind, as usual.