Mike was more than a little ticked off at Richard. This Pinser had been terrorizing the forest for months maybe years even and now that they had it down this martial artist chump comes in and starts trying to advocate for it. Mike was so angered by Richard that he nearly didn't notice the Pinser going for Claws.

"Claws! Watch out!" Mike yelled as he dashed forward as fast as he could. As he ran he thought how there was nothing he could do. If the Pinser got a hold of him he'd be toast and the same went for Claws but Mike would rather be the one taking the beating than his precious Meowth. Suddenly a thought crossed his mind, a wasteful thought but maybe it would buy Claws just enough time to get out of there. Mike took out a pokeball and tossed it at the Pinser. He didn't expect it to get caught, though he still hoped it would be, but at the very least it might slow down the behemoth.