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“Wobbuffet,” the PokéDex announces. “The Patient Pokémon. It hates light and shock. If attacked, it inflates its body to build up its counterstrike.”
“Hm.” Lyra taps her foot on the ground of the cave, disturbing a few loose stones from nearby. The Pokémon before her she has never seen before. It’s blue, bouncy body is intriguing. To some, its blank eyes may be off-putting, but to Lyra they are inviting. She grins, pulling a Pokéball from her belt. “If it hates light, I know just how to battle it. Ampharos, go!”
Wobbuffet seems indifferent to Ampharos’ cry – clearly it takes more than its bright yellow fur to upset their opponent. But they’re only just inside the cave, and though Lyra’s eyes have adjusted to the dark, there is still one move in Ampharos’ arsenal that she reckons will allow her to catch this newest addition to her team. Eight gym badges shine in the case buried at the bottom of her bag, but she’s still missing one vital team member, and she’s certain that this odd creature will be lucky number six.
“Use Flash!” She commands. With a noise from deep within its gut, Ampharos’ tail lights up, blinding Wobbuffet and lighting the cave around them. Wobbuffet lets out a squeal in horror. Its curious eyes flash with anger, or so Lyra thinks at least. It’s hard to tell, but it certainly looks less happy than it did a few moments ago.
“Thunderbolt!” Is her next attack. Ampharos is fast, but not fast enough. Wobbuffet’s body shines with its Mirror Coat. This is a move that she has rarely come across on her travels so far, but one that Lyra knows means that Wobbuffet will take no damage, and Ampharos will instead. True enough, the Thunderbolt comes right back towards it, damaging her Pokémon.
She calls another attack – Wobbuffet responds the same. A third attack, and it uses Counter instead. Ampharos is tiring quickly – the blue Pokémon is far tougher than it looks. Eventually, it gets bored of defending and decides to go on the offensive. It grabs Ampharos, and uses Destiny Bond, a faint grey aura coming off both of their bodies.
Lyra understands one thing – her battle is now on a timer. She calls one more Thunderbolt, and thankfully, this one lands, pushing Wobbuffet away from Ampharos. It rears up again, ready for her Pokémon’s next attack, but it never comes. Instead, Lyra throws a Pokéball, and watches, scared to breathe, as it shakes on the floor of the cave. Eventually, it clicks, the capture completed.
With a congratulatory pat on the head, she returns Ampharos to its Pokéball, and hurries to collect her newest friend. Wobbuffet will take some getting used to, but she’s all about unconventional. One more teammate! It has rounded itself out nicely, and just in time. They’ve got a lot still left to do, Lyra knows, before she can even dream of facing the Elite Four.