Tia experiments with Friend Balls while battling her fear of bats.
Tia couldn’t believe she was doing this.
Not her research project; that was a given. She couldn’t believe she was here, standing in the middle of a dark cave in Victory Road, tracking down the scariest things in the world-
There was a sudden rustle, a flapping of wings, and a squeak. Tia jumped, clutching a flashlight in a white-knuckled grip, and whipping it around her, trying to find the source of the noises.
Tia shivered and shook her head. She was being stupid. This was an amazing opportunity. Not many researchers had ever been allowed to enter Victory Road: the realm of high-powered Pokemon Trainers and deadly battles. It was only because she carried Professor Oak’s recommendation that she had been granted permission to set foot inside. That, and having at least one Pokemon above Level 40 for protection’s sake.
It was the perfect place to test out her latest tweak: increasing the Friend Ball’s capture rate for Pokemon that evolved with high happiness. Catching any Pokemon with a Friend Ball automatically set its happiness high, so that was a bonus. Even better, this particular cave was home to one of the few Pokemon (so far) that evolved with high happiness-
Bats! Why did it have to be bats?
Tia stepped carefully, following the noises when she would have rather run in the opposite direction. She heard a rustling behind her, and she turned around… coming face-to-face with the giant fangs of a Golbat.
Tia screamed and ran, forgetting where she was. Her screaming was beginning to attract more Golbats. She stopped, realizing what she was doing, and she pulled out a Poke Ball.
“G-go, Luna!” The Poke Ball opened to reveal a shiny, violet Ampharos.
“THUNDERBOLT!” Tia shouted, her eyes squeezed shut. The cave lit up as if it was daylight, as the lightning streaked through the air. One Golbat dropped, then another.
When the energy in the cave faded away, Tia opened her eyes… only to see a tiny Golbat, staring at her curiously. A scream died in her throat, and she gulped, trying to get her wits together. She pulled out a Friend Ball, and lightly tossed it toward the Golbat, catching it. The Ball wobbled three times before clicking shut.
Tia collapsed and let out a deep breath. It took some time for her to gather the strength to set up her research station and plug in the Friend Ball.
Golbat
Level 40
Gender: Male
Happiness: 200
Capture Rate: 3.8
Tia wasn’t sure if she was pleased or horrified. She chalked it up to too much adrenaline, and she packed up her research station with the same mixed feelings. As she carefully placed the Friend Ball into her pack, she turned toward Luna.
“Let’s get out of here. This place gives me the creeps!”