Fowl Play!

The gang were now walking through a forest, the forest was so thick that it looked dark even though its the middle of the day.

"Raichu? (What's that?)" Tesla pointed up, towards a tree where there was a bird house on a branch.

"A bird house?" Ashlyn blinked.

"Do you think someone built that for some flying Pokémon?" Misty asked.

"Could have, but it only looks the right size for Pidgey and Hoothoot." Brock replied.

Suddenly a big brown bird that looked like an owl landed on the branch next to the bird house.

"Browll~" The Pokémon said.

"It's a Noctowl." Brock said.

Ashlyn looked at Noctowl on her Rotom Phone:

[Noctowl, the owl Pokémon. The evolved form of Hoothoot. Its eyes are specially developed to enable it to see clearly even in murky darkness and minimal light.]

"Weird," Ashlyn frowned, "I mean Hoothoot and Noctowl are nocturnal Pokémon, and it's not night time yet. But then again this forest does look like it is night time now."

Suddenly a branch moved, "Shoo! Scat! You're not the Noctowl I want! Now beat it!"

Then the Noctowl flew away.

"Did you guys see that branch move?" Ashlyn asked.

"I certainly did." Misty replied.

Tesla nodded, "Rai."

Togepi nodded, "Togeprii!"

"Hey look there." Brock said.

Another Noctowl appeared, but it was smaller than the last Noctowl and also a different color. Instead of being colored light brown and dark brown, this Noctowl was orange and beige colored, with black triangles.

"That Noctowl is a shiny Pokémon," Ashlyn said, "Never thought I would get to see another shiny Pokémon up close."

"Ah, there you are, my colorful Noctowl. I've been waiting for you." A branch that held a bunch of berries was moved in front of the Noctowl.

However, the Noctowl knocked the berries away; hits the tree, causing a man to barely hang onto a branch. Then it pecks at the man's fingers, causing him to fall to the ground.

The gang went over to him.

"Sir, are you okay?" Ashlyn asked.

"Is there anything we can do, mister?" Misty asked.

The man instantly sat up, "The name's not 'mister', it's Doctor Wiseman!" He corrected.

"We're sorry, but at first you looked like a mister." Brock apologized, "Anyway, what were you doing in that tree, Doctor?"

"Hmph," Dr. Wiseman turned his head away, "I was attempting once again to capture that unusual colored Noctowl. Once again, he outsmarted me."

"Wow. I'm amazed it was able to outsmart you. I've met very few Pokémon who are able to outsmart humans." Ashlyn said, amused.

"Brii~" Noctowl said.

Unexpectedly, the Noctowl perched himself on Ashlyn's unoccupied shoulder and nuzzled against her cheek. Ashlyn was shocked at this, but then smiled. She gently started stroking his feathers which he cooed at.

"Unbelievable! That Noctowl has always outsmarted me. But somehow, you were able to instantly gain his trust." Dr. Wiseman said with wide eyes.

"Well the same thing happened with Falkner's Hoothoot and Pidgeot." Brock remembered.

"What?" Dr. Wiseman asked, surprised.

"Back when Ashlyn was going to battle for her Violet City badge, Falkner's bird Pokémon instantly warmed up to her," Misty replied, "Maybe Noctowl senses that you have bird Pokémon."

"But I don't have Pidgeot, Toucannon, Yukina, Enya, or Barak on me." Ashlyn pointed out.

Misty shrugged, "Maybe its a bird thing."

"Brii~ Brii~? (Can I come with you?)" Noctowl asked.

"Rai. Raichu Rai (Sure. We'd be glad to have you.)" Tesla replied.

"Browl~ (Thank you.)" Noctowl said.

"Huh?" Ashlyn blinked.

"What did Noctowl say, Ashlyn?" Brock asked.

"Well, Noctowl said that he wants to go with me." Ashlyn translated.

"For real?!" Dr. Wiseman, Misty, and Brock exclaimed.

Ashlyn nodded, "Yes."

"That's unexpected." Brock commented.

Misty nodded, "Yeah."

"Would it be alright if Noctowl goes with me, Dr. Wiseman?" Ashlyn asked.

He sighed and gave a small smile, "I can easily see that Noctowl would want to go with you none the less. So you can catch him if you want."

Ashlyn turned to Noctowl, "So Noctowl, are you sure you want to come with me?"

Noctowl nodded happily, "Browll~"

Ashlyn smiled and took out a Pokéball and held it in front of Noctowl. He pressed the button with his beak. He was sucked inside and it wiggled for a moment and then dinged which meant that it was a successful capture.

"Congratulations, Ashlyn. You caught a Noctowl." Brock congratulated.

Ashlyn smiled, "Yup."

At that moment, the gang's stomachs growled. They chuckled nervously at that.

"Why don't you all come to cabin for some lunch?" Dr. Wiseman offered.

"That would be great." Ashlyn accepted.

=======================================

Brock cooked up some lunch for the gang and Dr. Wiseman while Ashlyn made Pokémon food for the Pokémon.

"I see. You already got two badges and heading to Goldenrod City for your third." Dr. Wiseman said.

"Yes, I hope to do well at that gym." Ashlyn stated.

"I have a feeling you will." Dr. Wiseman said.

Suddenly they all heard a rumble outside. Everyone dashed outside and saw a Noctowl robot.

"Something tells me that that's Team Rocket." Brock said.

"Well, do you know anyone else who would have such ridiculous looking robots?" Ashlyn asked.

"Good point." Misty agreed.

"Our robot isn't ridiculous! It's one of kind!" Jessie snapped angrily.

"Wobba!" Wobbuffet saluted.

"Nobody asked you!" Jessie snapped again.

"Where do you get those things anyway?" Misty asked.

"Oh, we got in the mail." James replied, smugly.

"What strange mail service." Ashlyn said, "Cyndaquil, use Flamethrower!"

Cyndaquil fired his flames at the robot. Then a spot started turning red.

"Was that flame suppose to burn us or something?" Jessie taunted.

"Totodile, Water Gun!" Ashlyn ordered.

Totodile fired his water attack at the robot. Then cracking noises were coming from the robot.

"Tesla, Thunderbolt!"

Tesla fired her electrical attack at the cracked spot at the robot. Then the robot exploded and Team Rocket was sent flying into the air.

"TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket screamed as they disappeared into the sky.

"WOOOBBAAFETT!" Wobbuffet screamed as well.

"Great job, you guys." Ashlyn complimented her Pokémon.

Her Pokémon cried out in joy. Noctowl perched himself on her shoulder and nuzzled against her cheek. Ashlyn stroked his feathers.

======================================

It was time to go for the gang.

"I wish you luck on your gym battle, Ashlyn. I know that you're going to do well." Dr. Wiseman stated.

"Thank you, Dr. Wiseman." Ashlyn smiled.

The gang waved goodbye as they walked away. Dr. Wiseman also waved back.

=======================================

And so, Ashlyn gains a new Pokémon who is a shiny Noctowl. Now she and her friends are on their way to Goldenrod City where Ashlyn will get her next gym battle. The road continues on.

=======================================

Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Type: Null (Talos)(Genderless), Heracross (M), Sentret (F), Shiny Carbink (F), Lurantis (F), Alakazam (M), Bulbasaur (Cedar)(M), Stantler (F), Chikorita (F), Alolan Sandslash (Eirwen)(M), Cyndaquil (M), Togetic (F), Totodile (M), Pokémon Egg, Houndour (M), Shiny Noctowl (M)

*Marshadow is hiding in Ashlyn's shadow

Pokémon Caught: Heracross (M), Sentret (F), Stantler (F), Chikorita (F), Cyndaquil (M), Togetic (F), Totodile (M), Steelix (M), Mareep (F), Girafarig (F), Misdreavus (F), Sobble (M), Grookey (M), Shiny Froakie (Genji)(M), Shiny Chespin (Cybele)(F), Jangmo-o (M), Goomy (F), Espurr (Orin)(M), Espurr (Bella)(F), Nickit (F), Gothita (F), Rapidash (F), Houndour (M), Shiny Noctowl (M)