To be fair, Li Ke is definitely a good person.
But Ash really didn't Li Ke him, because this guy was far too meddlesome.
If a Trainer wants to catch a wild Pokémon using reasonable, legal methods—the key point being avoiding shady tactics Li Ke an instant One-Ball Capture—even an Elite or Champion wouldn't have the right to stop them. Why should Ash listen to some irrelevant person whining?
It was the same in the original story. Ash had already pulled out a Poké Ball intending to catch Clefairy, but Li Ke blocked him repeatedly, claiming they couldn't ruin the Clefairy's free and easy life... If he was so full of love and justice, why did he freeze up when he encountered Team Rockets?
It's only because the protagonist is easygoing that he dares to lecture and even obstruct. If it had been those Team Rockets grunts from earlier, they would have slapped him aside long ago.
Therefore, Ash might as well be tough and not waste time debating principles with him, lest he be morally blackmailed again~
"Hoo!"
Golbat clearly had a similar thought. Before Li Ke could even retort, it preemptively let out an excited cry, flying straight past the bothersome man and landing in front of Ash.
This person is completely baffling!
Whether I get caught or not, what the hell does it have to do with you? What nonsense are you spouting here?!
"Hoo hoo!" Ignoring the idiot behind it, Golbat continuously flapped its wings at Ash, clearly challenging him.
This display made Ash even more satisfied. It had to be a Pokémon with such a strong personality to make training worthwhile~
"Charmander, the capture battle I promised you is now due!" Ash sent out Charmander, who was eagerly rubbing its hands, desperate for a fight!
"Hoo!" Golbat was naturally quick to respond. As soon as Charmander took its stance, Golbat continuously flapped its wings, unleashing a series of Air Slash attacks aimed directly at Charmander's weak points!
"Block it with Slash!" Charmander extended its sharp claws, rapidly swinging them in front of itself, slicing the incoming wind blades into fragments.
Although it couldn't avoid being grazed on the shoulder by a few gusts of wind, it didn't affect its movement.
Seeing that Air Slash was ineffective, the aggressive Golbat charged forward, intending to clash head-on with Charmander!
"Use Dragon Dance to spin and dodge!" Following Ash's command, Charmander suddenly began spinning intensely, increasing its own abilities while simultaneously using the twist of its body to evade Golbat's pounce!
"Grab it!" The moment they passed each other, Charmander seized the opportunity, grabbed Golbat's foot, and slammed it hard onto the ground!
The previous training involving Lifting and Throwing Stone Weights was finally showing initial results, and Charmander's arm explosive power was already quite impressive!
"Slash!"
"Hoo!!"
After landing a hit, Charmander was about to follow up on the downed opponent, but Golbat suddenly opened its mouth and let out an ear-piercing shriek. The Ghost Type move Astonish triggered a Flinch chance of up to thirty percent, instantly freezing Charmander's movements.
Golbat finally managed to escape the predicament. After creating distance, it turned and sprayed torrents of purple venom at Charmander!
"We won't lose in long-range attacks either! Use Flamethrower!"
"Li!" Facing the surging venom attack, Charmander opened its mouth and blasted out scorching flames to block it. The venom and fire constantly intertwined, immediately stirring up a cloud of foul-smelling smoke!
"Oh no, that Golbat is actually blowing the smoke!" Brock, watching the battle, realized something was wrong. Golbat was using its wings to blow all the poisonous smoke toward Charmander!
"Li..." Surrounded by smoke, Charmander was somewhat disoriented. It could feel its opponent quickly approaching, but when it tried to block, its claws hit nothing. Immediately afterward, it felt a sharp pain in its back!
It was Golbat's Poison Fang!
It was biting Charmander's body with all its might, continuously injecting venom!
"Charmander, use Dragon Dance continuously!"
"Ree!" The pain behind it ignited Charmander's ferocity, and it spun even more violently than before, the resulting air currents forcefully dispersing the surrounding poison mist!
But Golbat was also completely fired up; it bit down hard on Charmander, refusing to let go, and continuously battered Charmander's body with its wings, looking completely determined to take them both down!
This capture battle had clearly turned into a contest of willpower!
However, Ash showed no sign of worry at all; instead, he displayed a confident smile.
"Charmander, you've stored up enough power, haven't you... Then give it your all, Dragon Rush!!"
"Ree... Ree!!" The spinning Charmander suddenly let out an astonishing roar, and its entire body was enveloped in a surge of fierce, dragon-shaped energy!
It bent its knees slightly, then instantly sprang up with powerful explosive force, rushing backward and slamming Golbat violently against the rocky wall at the base of the mountain!
Boom!!
Debris flew everywhere; Golbat's entire body was embedded in the mountainside, and it no longer had the strength to tangle with Charmander... "Go, Poké Ball!" Ash seized the opportunity and threw a Poké Ball, hitting Golbat perfectly and successfully capturing his sixth Pokémon!
"Charmander, well done!" Before even retrieving the Poké Ball, Ash immediately gave Charmander a thumbs-up.
In this battle, Charmander's training progress and mental fortitude were fully displayed, and it had begun to form its own fighting style—it was absolutely worthy of praise.
"Ree!" Charmander opened its mouth and spat deep crimson flames into the air, seemingly venting its excitement.
Seeing this, Ash nodded inwardly. Charmander had never stopped training since he first obtained it, and the previous battles against Team Rockets had helped it accumulate significant experience.
After this severe test against Golbat, it would likely soon enter a new phase... "Congratulations, Ash, that battle was spectacular!" Brock rushed over to congratulate him. "Charmander and Golbat were both strong, especially Charmander. I didn't expect it could use that kind of move."
"Giving your all is showing respect to your opponent, and that's even more true for a capture battle. For a Pokémon Li Ke Golbat, I must display my abilities as a Trainer as much as possible to earn its respect," Ash said seriously. "As for Charmander's move, that's all thanks to Nanami."
Nanami never intended to give the three starter pokémon from Professor Oaks Laboratory to anyone else, which is why she carefully selected them from the egg stage, ensuring that each one possessed powerful inherited skills!
"Miss Nanami? Ah, she is truly amazing. I really want to rush to Pallet Town immediately to gaze upon her beauty..."
"No, you don't." Ash rolled his eyes speechlessly, then ignored Brock.
"Golbat, we'll be traveling together from now on. Please take care of me." He tossed out Golbat's Poké Ball so it could receive treatment alongside Charmander.
"Hoh hoh~" Golbat shed its previous ferocity and happily circled Ash.
It seemed to know it was leaving, so it ran back to the group of Zubat and used sound waves to communicate its departure.
From now on, the Zubat in the cave would gradually have to adapt to life without its protection... (Image placeholder, viewable after update)
"Wait!" Watching Golbat say goodbye to its colony, Ash suddenly remembered something else.
So, he quietly called over a Clefable...